Posted in Uncategorized on March 30, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
When anyone is disturbed or saddened under the pretext of a good and soul-profiting matter, and is angered against his neighbour, it is evident that this is not according to God: for everything that is of God is peaceful and useful and leads a man to humility and to judging himself.
* This excerpt was taken [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on March 25, 2009 | 1 Comment »
Generally speaking, I am bored by the Canons, and especially by the Akathists, and I read them only out of a sense of duty. I make an exception only for the penitential Canons of the Octoechos and the Lenten Triodion. But there are times when my heart is very heavy and sad, and then I [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on March 18, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
A hunter, wandering through the desert, came upon Abba Anthony while he was making jokes with the brethren; and he was shocked. Wishing to teach the hunter that it is sometimes necessary to relax with the brethren, the old man said to him: “Put an arrow in your bow and bend it.” The hunter did [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on March 15, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
No sooner do I conceive of the One than I am illumined by the splendour of the Three; no sooner do I distinguish them than I am carried back to the One. When I think of any One of the Three, I think of Him as the whole, and my eyes are filled, and the [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on March 11, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Everyone Has a Calling
God creates every human being in His image and likeness for everlasting life. There are no mistakes and no accidents. As the saying goes, “God makes no junk.” Everyone, or, in Biblical language, the “many” are called. But not all are chosen. Some are rejected not because they have no vocation from [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on March 6, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Christ became man and called to repentance robbers and harlots. Repent, my soul! The door of the Kingdom is already open, and the transformed pharisees, publicans and adulterers are seizing it ahead of you.
* This excerpt was taken from the “Great Canon of Saint Andrew of Crete”
Posted in Uncategorized on March 2, 2009 | 1 Comment »
The way to God lies through love of people. At the Last Judgment I shall not be asked whether I was successful in my ascetic exercises, nor how many bows and prostrations I made. Instead I shall be asked, Did I feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick and the prisoners. That is [...]
