Archive for December 10th, 2008

Thoughts and distractions

Wednesday, December 10th, 2008

Those who want to pray with a cleansed mind (nous) must not concern themselves with the latest news from the newspapers, or read books that are irrelevant to our spiritual life – especially those books that arouse the passions – and they must not strive to learn out of curiosity whatever pertains to the lives of others. All these things bring foreign thoughts to mind, and when a person attempts to elucidate them, they confound his mind even more.

 

fsof05Archimandrite Sophrony Sakharov

Source: http://nastati.wordpress.com/2008/12/05/thoughts-and-deception/

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Gleanings:An explanation of why the bride and groom wear crowns

Wednesday, December 10th, 2008

 

Garlands are wont to be worn on the heads of bridegrooms, as a symbol of victory, betokening that they approach the marriage bed unconquered by pleasure. But if captivated by pleasure he has given himself up to harlots, why does he wear the garland, since he has been subdued?

St John Chrysostom, Homily IX. on 1 Timothy ii. 11–15 (http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf113.v.iii.x.html)

 

In Slavic churches, metal crowns are worn, whereas the Greeks use flower garlands. The meaning is the same. This homily was one of the ones of St John’s that applies to todays readings.

 

 

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