A house roof is held up by the foundations and the rest of the building, and the foundation and the rest of the building are laid to hold the roof – since both are necessary and useful – and neither is the roof built without the foundations and the rest of the house, nor… Continue reading Synergy and the Holy Spirit – St Symeon the New Theologion
Category: Gleanings
The Holy Spirit – Gleanings from the Holy Fathers
Pentecost is almost upon us. I have posted many things about Pentecost this week, and actually have lots more. Maybe I will get to sending those things, but in the meantime, I want to post something form the Holy Fathers abut the Holy Spirit – a selection each day for a few/many days. These selection are… Continue reading The Holy Spirit – Gleanings from the Holy Fathers
St John Chrysostom on true fasting. WORTHY TO BE READ during a fast free week!
This is a long quotation, but very profitable to read. It explains the purpose of fasting, the proper attitude towards it, its effects on our spiritual state, and how fasting not done in the right spirit is actually injurious to us. We also see from St John’s words the reason we have a fast… Continue reading St John Chrysostom on true fasting. WORTHY TO BE READ during a fast free week!
Let us then make our soul a Heaven
Let us then make our soul a Heaven. The heaven is naturally bright; for not even in a storm does it become black, for it does not itself change its appearance, but the clouds run together and cover it. Heaven has the Sun; we also have the Sun of Righteousness. I said it is possible… Continue reading Let us then make our soul a Heaven
Abraham and the Holy Trinity, vigil, St Philaret, and us.
Emulating Abraham the hospitable, O Philaret, thou didst honor the life-creating Trinity, which did not manifest Itself to thee in the guise of three strangers, but in the guise of a multitude of the wretched to whom thou didst zealously minister. St Philaret the Merciul, Dec 1. Matins Canon, Ode 4 We remembered St… Continue reading Abraham and the Holy Trinity, vigil, St Philaret, and us.
Gleaings:Sin compared to despair
"It is more serious to lose hope than to sin. The traitor Judas was a defeatist, inexperienced in spiritual warfare; as a result he was reduced to despair by the enemy’s onslaught, and he went and hanged himself. Peter, on the other hand, was a firm rock: although brought down by a terrible fall, yet… Continue reading Gleaings:Sin compared to despair
Thoughts and distractions
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… Continue reading Thoughts and distractions
Gleanings:An explanation of why the bride and groom wear crowns
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.… Continue reading Gleanings:An explanation of why the bride and groom wear crowns
Gleanings from the Holy Fathers: On Fasting
Fasting is an exceptional virtue; it represses bodily impulses and gives strength to the soul to fight against the poisoning of the heart through the senses, and provides it with a remedy against any past poisoning. Fasting causes the mind to be cleansed constantly. It whithers up every evil thought and brings healthy, godly thoughts… Continue reading Gleanings from the Holy Fathers: On Fasting
MENAION Jan 10/23 St Theophan the Recluse
Today we celebrate St Theophan the Recluse. His was a unique ministry – a “recluse” who communicated with hundreds of people regularly via letters. We are fortunate to have many of his letters, evidently saved by his correspondents. In addition, this “modern” Saint wrote many excellent books, all of which were steeped in the wisdom… Continue reading MENAION Jan 10/23 St Theophan the Recluse