Author: seraphimholland

As we think, so we live. Almost Heaven, West Virginia. Pilgrimage to the Hermitage of the Holy Cross, Wayne, WV Part 1

Account of Pre-Lenten Retreat to the Hermitage of the Holy Cross, Wayne, WV. Part 1. Introduction, and concerning thoughts. Pictures of Priest Seraphim with friends at the monastery trapaza, and with the goats at the goat barn.

I traveled to the Hermitage of the Holy Cross in West Virginia right after theSunday of the Publican and Pharisee[1] in order to get myself ready for Great Lent. I needed what they call in the world an “attitude adjustment” – in the Christian faith this is accomplished by repentance, prayer and (good) activity. I was also going to see Hierodeacon Sergius for the first time since he came to the “monastery of his repentance”[2], not long he was baptized at St Nicholas, and also old friends Igumen Seraphim, Hieromonk Andrew, and Mother Theodora, whom I knew in St Louis before the Hermitage began. …

The Significance of Communing. Fr George Calciu

When you commune and leave church, the angel bows before you! You stand before the angels, because you are bearers of Christ! If you do not understand this, I am not saying that you come to church in vain, but that you are not truly penetrated by the significance of coming to church […]

Also several good links to material on Fr George.

Published
Categorized as Gleanings

The Parable of the Publican and Pharisee. St. Nikolai Velimirovic Luke 18:10 – 14

Imagine now that we are patients in this hospital of the world. The sickness that every one of us is suffering from has the same name – unrighteousness. The word includes all the passions, all lust, all sins – all the weakness and enervation of our souls, our heats and our minds.

The sick are one thing at the beginning of their illness, another at its peak and yet another in its healing. […]

Sunday Of The Publican And Pharisee. Do not judge. 2011

Synopsis: The major thrust of Great Lent is given many times in the services for the Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee, such as “Vainglory brings to nothing the riches of righteousness, but humility scatters a multitude of passions. Grant then that we may seek humilty, O Savior, and do Thou bestow upon us the portion of the publican; (Matins canon, Ode 3). This time is for the pursuit of humility, because without humilty we will not be saved. What can we glean from the publican and pharisee? The worst sin of the pharisee was his judgment of the publican. Above all things, we must not judge others. Since this sin is so pervasive, how can we learn to not judge others? END:SUB:Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee

Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee. Themes of Great Lent. Text, audio

Two themes of Great Lent: We must become humble to be saved, and Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand.

Today, brothers and sisters, in the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican, we have witnessed the one of the themes of Great Lent being proclaimed. We must become humble if we are to become justified. This is the whole reason why we go through all of our exercises, the fasting, increased prayer, increased almsgiving, more introspection, increased prayer at home and in the church. The reason for it is not so that we can feel good about ourselves. Christianity is not about feeling good about yourself; Christianity is about becoming good. The only way to become good is to become humble. If we are humble, we see the truth; we see ourselves; we see God; we see what we need and what God can give. […]

The Christian view of suffering and pleasure. 1 Peter 4:1-2

Commentary on 1 Peter 4:1-2

Our life must be an emulation of Christ. He voluntarily suffered; we must VOLUNTARILY suffer. This idea is not well known or well-liked among many people, including Christians. In emulating Christ, we acquire His mind – we think like Him, act like Him, and begin to understand Him. Since salvation is to know God …