Ἀφιερωμένο στόν Κύριό μας Ἱησοῦ Χριστό καί τήν Ὑπεραγία Θεοτόκο
Now, what kind of death is best? For a Christian, the best death is to be martyred for the sake of Christ the Savior. This is the best possible way for man to die. Some people sent condolences to Optina Hermitage after the murder of three monks ( on Pascha, 1993 ), but for a…
Συνέχιση ανάγνωσηςHaving a young graduate and another on the way as well others of friends and relatives , how do we get the youth and young adults to truly understand this concept of humility and reliance on the Grace of The Lord in a world where we are all taught to be trust our selves…
Συνέχιση ανάγνωσηςA brother was beset by the demon of lust. It so happened that the brother once passed by a village in Egypt and saw a beautiful woman, who was the daughter of a pagan priest. On seeing her, he was wildly aroused and, under the influence of his passions, went to the father of the…
Συνέχιση ανάγνωσηςWhen a person remains completely obedient to his conscience and implements whatever it tells him, he is not reproved by it anymore— not that its voice has weakened, but rather because of his good obedience, his conscience has nothing to reprove. The Apostle John says that when a man’s conscience does not condemn him, he…
Συνέχιση ανάγνωσηςON THE ANNUNCIATION TO THE HOLY VIRGIN MARY By St. Gregory of Neocaesarea, known as Thaumaturgus O Thaumatourgos, The Miracle-Worker) (+275). Today the choir of angels sings strains of praise joyfully, and the light of the advent of Christ shines brightly upon the faithful. Today is the glad springtime to us, and Christ the Sun…
Συνέχιση ανάγνωσηςOne year before the repose of Elder Joseph, while I was saying the prayer in sync with my breathing during vigil, something amazing happened. A state of prayer came to me that I cannot find words to describe. Suddenly, my nous entered my heart, and my nous, my heart, and the prayer became one! I…
Συνέχιση ανάγνωσηςWhat is the truth? We should keep the eyes of our soul continuously open to see the truth. This is the truth—let’s not forget it. When we hold on to the truth, we have nothing to fear. When Pilate asked our Christ who He was, and informed Him that he had the power to…
Συνέχιση ανάγνωσηςBy Protopresbyter Peter Heers Today, December 7th, we celebrate the memory of our Father Among the Saints Ambrose of Milan. The Life of the Saint, written by his close disciple Paulinus, relays important information on the state of the Church at the time and the way in which the Saint was elected bishop which is…
Συνέχιση ανάγνωσης– Excerpt from a homily by the Ever-memorable and Blessed Fr. Athanasius Mytilinaios INTRODUCTION Many believers write to me or ask me when I visit parishes or speak somewhere, what am I able to do, as a lay person, when my priest or bishop diverts from the Faith of the Church or teaches or guides…
Συνέχιση ανάγνωσηςElder Ephraim at the grave of his mother
Συνέχιση ανάγνωσηςHere in this vain world, my child, we shall be afflicted, we shall be embittered, we shall feel pain. But all this is for a limited time; it is temporary—let us pray that God does not abandon us to an eternal degree and measure, for then we would not bear it. Whenever you are in…
Συνέχιση ανάγνωσηςSt. Sisoes was renowned for his wisdom, repentance, his faith in God and particularly for his humility. Through his labours, St Sisoes humbled himself immensely and God gifted him with a wealth of grace so that he was able to heal the sick, drive out unclean spirits and even resurrect the dead while being…
Συνέχιση ανάγνωσηςPerfect obedience is this: ( St. Dorotheos ) never allowed ( his disciple, Dositheos ) to become attached to any material objects. Dositheos took everything with joy and faith and obeyed willingly in everything. When he needed a cloack, Dorotheos provided him with the cloth and he would go away and sow it carefully with style. When he had finished, he…
Συνέχιση ανάγνωσηςAlms is not only giving money out of your wallet. Alms is to accept a fellow human being to sit next to you, without alienate him/her with your thoughts. Do you have a colleague who is going through a tragedy in his life? You should know how to comfort him, how to soothe his pain.
Συνέχιση ανάγνωσηςAbout love True love does not mean only to give, but also to be deprived and to feel sorry, when such deprivation and sorrow restrain another from going astray and fall into sin. Growing …
Συνέχιση ανάγνωσηςSometimes it is so difficult to remain awake and alert during our morning or evening prayers. Is it because we are tired from work or school or is there another dimension to the problem? St Cassian may have an interesting insight to our common problem. Abba Cassian (360-435), better known in the West as St. John…
Συνέχιση ανάγνωσηςOur Lord Jesus Christ, do not desert your servants who at present are away from the Church, but through your love and grace bring everybody close you. Remember Lord all your servants who are in pain, who are in despair, who are sick, who are poor, who have lost a loved one, who have been…
Συνέχιση ανάγνωσηςThe times and years of the world are pleasant, but vanish like smoke. They’re like a fleeting dream and our days are like shadows. The evening passes quickly and the morning doesn’t linger… Make haste, then, sinner, to receive forgiveness while the light of day still shines upon you. » Saint Ephraim the Syrian Source: pemptousia.com While…
Συνέχιση ανάγνωσηςWith the advent of monasticism, a special way of life appeared in the Church, which however did not proclaim a new morality. The Church does not have one set of moral rules for the laity and another for monks, nor does it divide the faithful into classes according to their obligations towards God. The Christian…
Συνέχιση ανάγνωσηςDon’t worry if you don’t find Grace in your prayer. It’ll come back. This is why it withdraws: so that you’ll seek it with greater yearning. Blessed Joseph the Hesychast Source: pemptousia.com The Grace will come back (Blessed Joseph the Hesychast)
Συνέχιση ανάγνωσηςWhen we think of the saints, they think of us and help us. So you make friends with the saints, which is the surest form of friendship. Then you can be alone and live with everyone: with the saints, the angels and everybody else in the world. » Venerable Païsios the Athonite Source: pemptousia.com http://www.diakonima.gr/2015/09/07/the-surest-form-of-friendship-saint-paisios-the-athonite/
Συνέχιση ανάγνωσηςThere are people who never turn to God and never pray. Suddenly their soul experiences melancholy, their spirit worry and their heart sorrow. Then they realize that in such unhappiness no-one can help them. This is why they turn to God and say with a deep sigh: ‘Lord, have mercy upon me’ And the…
Συνέχιση ανάγνωσηςEvery power of the enemy and the devil is destroyed by patience. Cut off your will and don’t seek any other path to salvation. You should know that those who don’t subject themselves to one (their Elder or Confessor), subject themselves to many, and in the end are subject to no-one. Every time you cut…
Συνέχιση ανάγνωσηςAll those who’ve been sanctified, and then those who’ve been saved, all those who’ve passed through the furnace of sorrows. Some though illness, some through the struggle against the passions and so on. That is, the whole catalogue of Godly sorrows. These have the right to eternal repose. » Elder Ephraim of Arizona Source: pemptousia.com…
Συνέχιση ανάγνωσηςSin wears away at people every day, so they need a savior on a daily basis. This Savior is Jesus Christ. If you call upon Him in living and unshakable faith, He will save you. » Saint John of Kronstadt Source: pemptousia.com A savior on a daily basis (Saint John of Kronstadt)
Συνέχιση ανάγνωσηςHe doesn’t take into consideration what people were – good or bad, virtuous or sinful – before they desired Grace. He simply awaits the expression of this desire from each of us, and as soon as that happens, Grace begins to act. » Saint Theophan the Recluse Source: pemptousia.com God doesn’t discriminate (Saint Theophan the…
Συνέχιση ανάγνωσηςDIVINE PROVIDENCE From the Conversations and Homilies of Elder Paisios. Our duty and concern must be how to please God and our fellow men; we should not be preoccupied with our needs, as God will take care of them. There is a silent spiritual agreement between God and man. He will…
Συνέχιση ανάγνωσηςDon’t foster sorrows iosif isihastul authDon’t foster sorrows in your heart because the joy of the evil one is sorrow and despondency, which beget many things which fill the soul with bitterness. Blessed Joseph the Hesychast Source: pemptousia.com Don’t foster sorrows (Blessed Joseph the Hesychast)
Συνέχιση ανάγνωσηςAs the image of God, people should be self-aware, free and in control of themselves, because if awareness is taken away from them, they become unfree and are ruled by others. They’re unworthy of their high calling, such a sublime destination which is what their divine Creator wanted for them.
Συνέχιση ανάγνωσηςORTHODOX MODESTY IN DRESS AND GROOMING From “Orthodox Tradition, ” vol. XVII (January, 2000), pp. 24-28. See also the sobering homily for women on Isaiah 3:24 by St. Nikolai Velimirovich in “The Prologue from Ochrid,” Vol. Ill, pp. 183-185. This article is also posted in the web pages of the excellent site…
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