Some time ago, I heard a protestant minister talk about the Old Testament story of the three youths who were cast into the furnace. I had read the story many times, but this minister pointed to something that I had never considered.
Shadrach, Mesach, and Abednego came out of the furnace and the Bible says that [...]
Archive for June, 2009
Smoking or Non-Smoking?: by Fr. John Moses
Posted in Uncategorized on June 25, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Saint Herman of Alaska on Spiritual Struggles
Posted in Uncategorized on June 23, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
A true Christian is made by faith and love toward Christ. Our sins do not in the least hinder our Christianity, according to the word of the Saviour Himself. He deigned to say: not the righteous have I come to call, but sinners to salvation; there is more joy in heaven over one who repents [...]
Saint Basil the Great on Self-Discipline
Posted in Uncategorized on June 17, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Do not straightway attempt extreme discipline; above all things beware of confidence in yourself, lest you fall from a height of discipline through want of training. It is better to advance a little at a time. Withdraw then by degrees from the pleasures of life, gradually destroying all your wonted habits, lest you bring on [...]
Saint Theodosius the Great on Forgiveness
Posted in Uncategorized on June 15, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Why should it be thought wonderful or magnificent that we should forgo our anger against the men who have insulted us, we who are ourselves only men, seeing that he who is Lord of the world, having come as he did to earth and having been made a servant for our sakes, and having been [...]
Elder Paisius the Athonite on the Two Categories of People
Posted in Uncategorized on June 10, 2009 | 1 Comment »
I know from experience that in this life people are divided in two categories. A third category does not exist; people either belong to one or the other. The first one resembles the fly. The main characteristic of the fly is that it is attracted by dirt. For example, when a fly is found in [...]
Saint John of Damascus on Depicting God
Posted in Uncategorized on June 8, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
In former times God, who is without form or body, could never be depicted. But now when God is seen in the flesh conversing with men, I make an image of the God who is seen in the flesh conversing with men, I make an image of the God whom I see. I do not [...]
Saint Macarius of Optina on Repentance
Posted in Uncategorized on June 3, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
No one has to be embarrassed over his sinful state. ‘There is no man who, while living, does not sin,’ and the more sinful the man, the stronger will be God’s help in leading him out of his sinful mire. But the help of God comes only when the sinner repents with heartfelt contrition and [...]
