Blog Feed: Orthodox way of LIfe

Anonymous 6th century...when you stand in prayer sign yourself with the cross, collect your thoughts to gather and prepare yourself properly; concentrate on him to whom you are praying, and take care that your thought does not depart from him until y

On Prayer

Published on 2013-05-09 15:34:00

By Saint Jacob of SerughPrayer reveals the profundities of the Divine,by it one enters to behold the mystery of hidden things.It is the key able to open all doors.From it one can clearly espy what is hidden,by it the soul can approach to speak with G

Hypocrisy?

Published on 2013-04-30 13:24:00

This article is from the blog

Mirrors for Repentance

Published on 2013-04-22 11:32:00

We are all involved in a life long struggle against our sinful tendencies.

Taxing Our Faults

Published on 2013-04-15 05:00:00

When Elder Paisios was questioned about whether he struggled as a novice he answered, "Every time something happened in my struggle, or if others told me something, I never allowed things to just roll off 'untaxed." This leads to the question, what i

Why Do We Do Good?

Published on 2013-04-08 09:40:00

Is it right to do good so we can get to Paradise where we will be protected and comfortable?

Is the Kingdom of God Within You?

Published on 2013-04-01 05:00:00

In Scripture Jesus tells us "The Kingdom of God is within you." (Lk17:21) How do we know this? We know it

Intentional and Unintentional Sins

Published on 2013-03-29 11:53:00

Does it make a difference if we sin unintentionally or intentionally? The Elder Paisios says that the "errors we fall into through carelessness are of a less serious nature."

Are We Aware of Our Sinfulness?

Published on 2013-03-18 11:13:00

Is everyone aware of their sinfulness?

What Separates Us From God?

Published on 2013-03-11 05:00:00

The story of Adam and Eve is one of the foundations of Christian life. In this story we seen how we are separated from God.

Do You Seek Self-Satisfaction or Union With God?

Published on 2013-03-04 05:00:00

Do you seek self-satisfaction or union with God?Do you seek out self-help programs for your self-satisfaction? I did. I have had experience with many of the self-help programs that continue to be offered.

“Spiritual” Self-Opinion - A Confession

Published on 2013-02-28 05:00:00

When caught in this snare, a person thinks and claims he is acting according to “spiritual principles,” but in actuality he is following his own will, satisfying and preserving his own ego, and remaining hardened in his own opinions. “A web of

On Getting Out of Ruts

Published on 2013-02-25 05:00:00

Many of us get stuck in a rut in our spiritual lives. Usually this comes down to one thing: we have our central sins, our favorite passions, that we just do not want to give up. These passions have become so much a part of us that we think it is impo

Should I Force Myself in Prayer?

Published on 2013-02-20 05:00:00

The key to controlling thoughts during prayer is to attack the wandering mind immediately. The moment you detect a stray thought, rise up, be strong and snuff it out. Be firm and aggressive. As we said before, it takes much effort.Here is more advice

Does One Work to Live or Live to Work?

Published on 2013-02-17 16:12:00

How Can Truth Bring Us Freedom?

Published on 2013-01-15 10:16:00

Jesus said, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." (John 8:31-32)What is the truth and what does it mean to be free? What holds us in bondage? Frankly it seem

Elder Sergei of Vanves on Prayer

Published on 2012-12-31 05:00:00

The Elder Sergei taught that prayer is most important for an Orthodox Way of LIfe. Prayer is of two types. One is asking for God’s help. The other is giving thanks, always remembering that everything comes from God with His help. This attitude is e

Hymn II on the Nativity of Christ, by St. Ephraim the Syrian

Published on 2012-12-25 05:00:00

Blessed be that Child, Who gladdened Bethlehem to-day! Blessed be the Babe Who made manhood young again to-day! Blessed be the Fruit, Who lowered Himself to our famished state! Blessed be the Good One, Who suddenly enriched our necessitousness and su

Bearing the Cross - What Does This Mean?

Published on 2012-12-17 05:00:00

Jesus told his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)

Women of Faith - The Philoptochos Society

Published on 2012-12-10 05:00:00

Eighty-one years ago in 1931, the Philoptochos was founded in the Greek Orthodox Church as a philanthropic organization to benefit the poor and disadvantaged. and is now comprised of 27,500 members in 485 Chapters nationwide. Through this massive eff

Elder Sergei of Vanves on Repentance

Published on 2012-11-30 19:31:00

Elder Sergei was born in the Netherlands in 1903. Most of his life was spent in France. His is a spiritual Child of Igumen Chariton the last abbot of Valaam before it was closed by the Communists. He spent his life in a country where there were few O

How Should We Spend Sundays?

Published on 2012-11-22 18:01:00

Sunday is the day set aside to honor God and should be spent differently from all other days. It is a day we raise our minds and hearts to God with deep reverence towards Him and with profound gratitude and prayer. In the Old Testament it was the Sab

How Are We to Conduct Ourselves in Our Daily Work?

Published on 2012-11-16 19:56:00

Our work is different for each of us, but we must all seek to do it as God's work.

How to Conduct Ourselves in Illness

Published on 2012-11-05 09:53:00

We can expect illness and troubles as we live in a fallen world. But, what are we to do when we become ill? Metropolitan Gregory of St. Petersburg gives us some excellent advice from his classic book, How to Live a Holy Life.1. His first point is tha

How to respond when someone speaks badly of us?

Published on 2012-10-29 05:00:00

My father used to always tell me, "Remember you are part of a family and what you do reflects on the reputation of our family." My dad was not a model Christian, but was always an exemplary citizen and lived by Christian principles. I respected him and always remember this simple

What's Required to Acquire the Holy Spirit?

Published on 2012-10-22 05:00:00

Saint Seraphim of Sarov says "the true goal of our Christian life consists in the acquisition of the Holy Spirit."

Dealing with Job Stress

Published on 2012-10-15 05:00:00

A major issue highlighted in a recent WSJ article is job stress.

How to Deal with Wealth

Published on 2012-10-08 05:00:00

When can we say we are rich? Most of us in the United States are rich compared to peoples in most of the world. The basic way to think of being rich is having more resources that you need to support the basic needs of life. A third world development agency that I am familiar with, Sarvodaya in Sri Lanka, identified the following ten basic human needs

On Relationships and Love

Published on 2012-10-04 05:00:00

As Orthodox Christians, how are we expected to relate to one another?

Light of Truth

Published on 2012-09-28 10:37:00

In the first chapter of Genesis after creating heaven and earth God creates light to overcome darkness. This was before the sun or any of the stars, so what is this light and what is its

What Strengthens Faith

Published on 2012-09-17 05:00:00

Pope Shenouda III of the Coptic Church gives us nine points to strengthen our faith.1. Confidence in God's qualities:Pope Shenouda suggests that we "put in our heart that God is a doer of benevolence." He quotes St. Paul, "All things work together for good to those who love God." (Rom 8:28) We should view God as a living Father who treats all his children with tenderness and gives them good gifts. We must have confidence in God's ability to do anything. Remember that He "loves and wants benevole [..]

What is the faith that will bring us salvation?

Published on 2012-08-27 05:00:00

What is the faith that will bring us salvation? Is it enough to believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?St John Chrysostom writesHe that believes in the Son has everlasting life." Is it enough, then, to believe in the Son,' someone will say, 'in order to have everlasting life?' By no means! Listen to Christ declare this himself when he says, 'Not everyone who says to me, "Lord! Lord!" shall enter into the kingdom of heaven'; and the blasphemy against the Spirit is alone sufficient to cast him in [..]

The Two-fold Significance of a Clock

Published on 2012-08-23 19:28:00

The Two-fold Significance of a Clockby St. Nikolai VelimirovichEvery device of which man boasts as an invention of his mind is revealed by Divine Providence and every invented device has its two-fold significance one physical, the other spiritual. Even the clock is a wonderful device but it was not invented merely to tell us the time of day and night but also to remind us of death. This is its spiritual significance. When the small hand completes its rounds of seconds and minutes then the large [..]

Do We Spoil Our Children?

Published on 2012-08-14 12:39:00

This is a common concern among parents. We wonder, "Will our children grow up to become self sufficient, able to deal with the tribulations of life, provide for themselves in a fast changing world, and maintain their Orthodox faith?" Children need to be nurtured, but as they grow older they also need to have limits set for them, learn to participate in family routines and be obedient to their parents directions.

On Jesus Prayer

Published on 2012-08-06 12:00:00

By St. John ChrysostomThe remembrance of the name of Jesus rouses the enemy to battle. For a soul that forces itself to pray the Prayer of Jesus can find anything by this prayer, both good and evil. First it can see evil in the recesses of its own heart, and afterwards good. This prayer can stir the snake to action, and this prayer can lay it low. This prayer can expose the sin that is living in us, and this prayer can eradicate it. This prayer can stir up in the heart all the power of the enemy [..]

“As I find you, so will I judge you”

Published on 2012-07-30 05:00:00

What does it mean to be a friend of God?

Published on 2012-07-26 05:00:00

In our spiritual life we are asked to continually grow becoming more and more like Christ. Saint Basil the Great tells us that if we are advancing in virtue we are ever changing. This change involves an inner change. This is a change that affects our attitude towards the world, our friends and our enemies, our entire world view.He writes,'When I was a child' it is said, I spoke as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child. Now that I have become a man, I have put away the things of a chil [..]

Be still, and know that I am God

Published on 2012-07-16 05:00:00

A common theme in the teaching of the church fathers is stillness. This is not a call to idleness but to a task that is very difficult: to quiet our minds. Our minds are too often controlled by our brain and its association with all our bodily needs. It is constantly bombarding us with thoughts, good and bad. It is these thoughts that keep us separated from God and our greatest spiritual challenge is to learn to still the mind so it is able to listen to God. If we are serious about doing God's [..]

Proper Way to Follow the Spiritual Path - Advice from St Isaac the Syrian

Published on 2012-07-09 05:00:00

Saint Isaac the Syrian offers simple and clear advice on the proper way to follow the spiritual path. Often we pick up a book written by one of the Church Fathers on prayer or theosis and begin to put it into effect. We may read the Philokalia and begin to practice the Jesus Prayer. But St. Isaac gives us a big warning about the dangers in this approach. He is clear that there is a step by step apprach to union with God. First we have to tame the passions before we engage in contemplative ac [..]

What is meant by the wrath of God?

Published on 2012-06-29 15:44:00

I have always wrestled with the term "wrath" knowing that God is unchangeable and a loving God. How can I understand this term and still believe in a loving God?Fr Patrck Reardon gives a good perspective on this term in his commentary on Psalm 6 (LXX).Divine wrath is not some sort of irritation; God does not become peeved or annoyed. The wrath of God is infinitely more serious that a temper tantrum. It is a deliberate resolve in response to a specific state of the human soul. In Romans, where th [..]

The Battle With Distractions In Prayer

Published on 2012-06-25 05:00:00

One of my struggles in prayer has been distractions due to thoughts that interrupt my efforts to establish a relationship with God. After many years of struggle I was awakened the other day by an article on prayer by Heiromonk Peter Seregin.

St John Chrysostom on Virtue

Published on 2012-06-18 13:44:00

When we normally think of virtue we tend to think of ethical behavior, following the rules, obeying the commandments. Saint John Chrysostom reminds us that virtue is much more than just being a good person living according to the rules.He writes,Virtue is to scorn all human affairs, to keep the mind on future realities at each hour of the day, to seek no present good but to know that everything human is a shadow and a dream or even worse. Virtue is to adopt the attitude of a corpse in regard to [..]

Saint Basil on Usury and Debt

Published on 2012-06-11 05:00:00

Today consumer debt is 2.5 trillion dollars indicating how far we have moved from Gospel traditions.

Stillness is a Prerequisite for Social Action

Published on 2012-06-04 05:00:00

Often I mistakenly think that my primary effort should be directed toward social activity through some kind of service to society when my most important task is something quite different. Saint Isaac the Syrian says,Do not compare those who work signs and wonders and mighty acts in the world with those who practice stillness and knowledge. Love the idleness of stillness above providing for the world's starving and the conversion of a multitude of heathen to the worship of God. He is advising us [..]

Is Lack of Morality Due to Natural Causes? What are Orthodox Ethics?

Published on 2012-05-29 05:00:00

Recently there was an article in the Wall Street Journal about lying that I found interesting. Dan Ariely and his colleagues have conducted research on lying. What they found is that everyone has the capacity to be dishonest and almost everyone cheats if only just by a little.

Path to Salvation - A Brother and the Old Man

Published on 2012-05-22 05:00:00

I was recently moved by reading an article by Saint Maximus the Confessor. I was surprised at its clarity and simplicity, yet its completeness and elegance. I had always thought of Saint Maximus as one to avoid reading because he was so hard to grasp. What I found was the opposite. It will try and capture the essence of this article which is a dialogue between a brother and an old man.It is titled "the Ascetic Life".He begins with a question asked by one of his spiritual children who asks, " [..]

Our Whole Life Becomes a Prayer

Published on 2012-05-17 05:00:00

When we become aware that it is a loving God who makes all happen in the world and that we as individuals are powerless then our life becomes one of prayer.Archimandrite Vasileios of the Iveron Monastery on Mount Athos says,When he spiritually matures, when he recognizes his own powerlessness and the ineffable love of God, he becomes calm and everything proceeds on its own.

Prayer Brings Benefits Beyond Meditation

Published on 2012-05-14 05:00:00

An article,

Why Do We Place Such a High Place for the Veneration of Mary?

Published on 2012-05-10 05:00:00

Mary has the title of Birth-giver of God or Theotokos.

How Can Saints Help Us?

Published on 2012-05-07 05:00:00

There is no question that only Christ is able to save us from sin. So, how can saints aid us? When we honor saints and ask them to pray for us we are not putting them in the place of Christ. They are close to God, so when they pray for us they seek our salvation from Christ.Elder Cleopa puts it this way,When the saints pray for us, it is precisely our salvation that they seek from Christ. They interceded with Him for our salvation. From Christ they entreat our salvation. This is what we mean whe [..]

Why Baptise Infants?

Published on 2012-05-03 05:00:00

There are some who say Baptism should only be given to adults because we must first have repentance and faith. Earlier I was asked to comment on this subject and recently found the teaching of Elder Cleopa on this topic.The Elder begins his explanation by pointing out the precursors to Baptism found in the Old Testament. He writes,There in [the Old Testament] we read how God appeared to Abraham when he was ninety-nine years of age and, among things, told him to circumcise all the men and to circ [..]

Why Pray For the Dead?

Published on 2012-04-30 05:00:00

When you die you will face what is known as the partial judgment. This will include a complete examination of your life.

Do Christians Still Honor the Sabbath?

Published on 2012-04-27 09:32:00

From Scripture we know that's Christ did not abide by the Fourth Commandment according to Jewish Law. It was on the Sabbath that Christ did most of His miracles. Neither did the Appostles abide by this Law as we know they plucked and ate ears of corn on this day. Christ made a new covenant though His Crucifixion and the example of His life, instructing us to no longer observe the day of the Sabbath as a religious observance. If you examine the New Testament you will find that all the commandmen [..]

What is Necessary for Salvation?

Published on 2012-04-23 05:00:00

Zen for High Schoolers? Why Not the Jesus Prayer?

Published on 2012-04-19 17:00:00

Reading the paper this morning I was awakened by an article titled "Zen for Highschoolers." The subtitle was , "Notice the Anxiety. Notice the Fear." Here was an article in a major national publication, The New York Times, with large photograph of students meditating and almost a full page dedicated to this topic. I wondered why is that we do not have such publicity about the Christain traditions that truly lead us to life that relives us of anxiety and fear? Why do we not teach the ascetic prac [..]

Living a Peaceful Life with Purpose

Published on 2012-04-17 05:00:00

I found the following statistics from the Center of Disease Control to be quite thought provoking: only 15% felt calm and peaceful during the last 30 days; only 19% say they are satisfied with their life; 21% say their life has a clear purpose;13% felt full of life during the last 30 days.My guess is that this may not be startling news to most of you who read this blog. So, what is needed to improve our appreciation of this short life we have been granted on this earth? Do we need better healt [..]

What is Holy Tradition and Why is It Important?

Published on 2012-04-03 05:00:00

We often tell our Protestant friends that one of the differences in the Orthodox faith is that we rely on Holy Tradition and not solely on Scripture.

Power of a Prayer Habit

Published on 2012-03-29 05:00:00

Much of what we do in life is done by habit. This is necessary because we otherwise would be flooded with decisions, overloading our neural circuits. As you examine your life you will find that are routines that you automatically go through during the day and in differing circumstances. Once established, habits are hard to break and it is difficult to introduce new habits.Daily prayer is a habit that can help us in the darkest of times.

Marriage - nagging and spiritual growth

Published on 2012-03-27 05:00:00

Marriage in the Orthodox Faith is one of the major paths for our salvation. In marriage couples can aid each other in their journey towards salvation. The other major path is celibacy found in the monastic life. Both are recognized at valid paths for salvation.Saint Paul reminds of the following,I...beseech you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and meekness, with long suffering, forbearing one another in love, being eager to keep the unity of t [..]

Is Baptism Sufficient? A teaching of Saint Gregory Palamas

Published on 2012-03-22 05:00:00

Observe All ThingsChrist died and was resurrected showing that death is no longer the end. He told His disciples that he would come again to judge the whole world. He said he would take up to heaven and bestow the kingdom of heaven on those who are justified. Christ then instructed His disciples to baptize in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and go and make disciples of all nations. (Matthew 28:19, 20). There was more than Baptism. Jesus expected those who were baptized to teach othe [..]

Don't Go To Bed Angry

Published on 2012-03-19 05:00:00

One thing my wife has taught me is the necessity to always settle an argument before you go to bed at night. When we live closely with another person and share everything we have as one, there will undoubtably come up arguments in which one person becomes incensed and angry. We found that if we committed ourselves to resolving this difference before we go to bed at night, even if it means staying up latter than normal, our next day begins in harmony and our differences do not accumulate.Robert [..]

A lament for sin by St. Basil the Great

Published on 2012-03-16 05:00:00

St. Basil the Great left us with a lament for sin in which he recognizes many sins and identifies with them as the writer.

On Reading Scripture

Published on 2012-03-15 05:00:00

“When one undertakes to examine Scripture in an idle, intellectual way, he creates hatred and quarreling. Why? Because the intellect approach to Scripture does not help us to turn and reflect on our sins, but instead makes us focus on problems and concepts related to the study of

Dealing with Repetitive Sins

Published on 2012-03-12 05:00:00

A central element of the Orthodox way of life is repentance. We are continually recognizing our shortcomings in our life as lived when compared to the life God calls us to live. As Orthodox Christians we grow by continually seeking forgiveness and committing ourselves to change in our behavior. We fast, pray and participate in the Sacraments of the Church to help us in this life long effort. We know that we cannot do this by our now efforts alone but we need the grace of God to become like Ch [..]

Is Scripture Sufficient to Guide Us to Salvation?

Published on 2012-03-08 05:00:00

When this question was posed to Elder Cleopa of Romania he said the following:No, it is not sufficient to guide man to salvation, inasmuch as , firstly, it wasn't given to man from the beginning and , secondly, when it was given it wasn't the only authentic text, with regard to salvation of human souls, because before there was Holy Tradition. Many years before Moses began writing the first books of the Old Testament, there was a sacred piety in the community of people of Israel. Similarly, th [..]

Avoiding Nervous Breakdowns

Published on 2012-03-05 05:00:00

According to a 2000 report published in American Psychologist, 26% of Americans felt "an impending nervous breakdown." Many say this is a feeling most people nowadays experience periodically. This seems frequently to be triggered by a divorce, a death, or financial and job stress. In addition to the feeling of going crazy, some of the symptoms include heart palpitations, chest pains, shortness of breath, uncontrollable crying, dizziness, disorientation, exhaustion. Unfortunately this condition i [..]

How About Yoga?

Published on 2012-02-29 14:41:00

It is not uncommon for Orthodox Christians to participate in a yoga class. It is normally seen as good exercise for the body. But are you aware of the source of this practice and the purpose of many of its exercises?There was an article recently the NYT about yoga and sex scandals. It was about the founder of Ansura one of the world's fastest growing yoga styles who is accused of sexual impurities with female students. But this is not why I reference this article. It goes on to highlight the na [..]

Why Don't You Fast?

Published on 2012-02-27 12:08:00

The Prophets FastedMoses: When I went up into the mountain to receive the tables of stone...I was in the mountain forty days and forty nights, I ate no bread and drank no water. Deuteronomy 9:9 (LXX)Prophet Jonah: It was by fasting among other things that the people of Nineveh were saved from his prediction of peril. Jonah 3:7 (LXX)Prophet Joel: Fasting associated with repentance: “Now, says the Lord your God, turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting and with wailing, and with mourning. [..]

Prayer Changes the Brain

Published on 2012-02-23 05:00:00

The following report indicates that prayer does change the nature of our brain. This is important as we have many neural connects that continually lead us to sinful activities giving the brian dominance over the godly desires of our soul. With the practice of the Jesus Prayer and other worship activities our brains are rewired, putting our soul back in control, so that we are more likely to to counteract our sinful tendencies.Michael W. Taft writes the following in "Science 2.0":An "Ask the Bra [..]

Essence of a Spiritual Community

Published on 2012-02-20 05:00:00

When we decide to join the Church we are joining a community of believers in the Trinitarian God who promises us eternal life. As we come together in worship, we come as equals of all differing backgrounds, occupations, and ages. There are no earthly status parameters in this gathering. We are all equal in our quest to be united with God in eternal life. We realize that it does not matter what worldly success we achieve, but that our relationship with God is what is most important. The place [..]

Balance

Published on 2012-02-15 10:15:00

One of the common errors we make is to think in either/or or black&white terms. For example we may read from one of the desert fathers about giving up all that is of this world and to only concentrate on God. If this notion is taken literally we will create great problems in our life by ignoring the reality of our integral existence. We are physical and spiritual beings. We cannot separate one from the other. It is equally wrong to ignore spirit and to live according to our physical needs alone. [..]

Speaking Out - Using Our Voice

Published on 2012-02-09 05:00:00

Often when we are in a group we prefer to stay silent rather than speak out when we know we have something important to say. How can we be His disciples if we feel intimidated so easily in this way? If you feel this limitation be assured that you are not alone. Here are some reasons researchers have found as to why we tend to remain silent in groups.We think everyone else is smarter than we are. We fear we may appear dumb in the eyes of others. When we think this way we actually do become du [..]

Ecological Responsibility

Published on 2012-02-08 11:36:00

Ecological destruction is taking place. Those who can, should write and talk about it. - Elder PaisiosEcumenical Patriarch Bartholomew gives the Orthodox view of our responsibility to the environment

Developing a Child's Conscience

Published on 2012-02-02 05:00:00

Key to the Orthodox way of Life is an active conscience. But for many, this sense we are given in our Baptism is lost or dulled by our separation from God. At a young age it is important to nurture a child's use of their conscience. How do you do this?I knew a school principle who was very effective in maintaining discipline in an inner city school. There was an incident where boys were cutting up on the bus and in their zeal to be "smart" they mutilated one of the bus seats. The boys were [..]

Repentance - What does this Mean?

Published on 2012-01-30 05:00:00

"The Church Fathers have called repentance a ‘second baptism’ or a renewal of baptism. At our first baptism, we began a journey towards the kingdom of God… Unfortunately not very many of us know what repentance means and what its greater significance is. Most people do not even know of what things we should repent. Repentance is not, as we think, a legalistic procedure, which exonerates man from certain feelings of guilt. Nor is it the confession practiced by some as a necessary observati [..]

On Prayer: Prayer Walk

Published on 2012-01-26 05:00:00

We live in stressful times. This is both good and bad. Researchers have shown that a certain level of stress is good for us. It leads us to high performance. for example, it is good to feel a bit nervous before giving a speech as this brings the body to top alert status. Stress involves a physical reaction where the sympathetic nervous system and the hypothalamus, pituitary and adrenal glands pump stress hormones, adrenaline and cortisol into the blood stream. We feel "pumped." The blood [..]

On Prayer: The Morning Rush

Published on 2012-01-23 05:00:00

To live an Orthodox Way of Life it is important to begin the day in peace. One cannot live spiritually if your day begins with a harried mad dash to work, eating on the way, rushing through traffic. It's amazing what you see people doing in the morning commute.The morning can be very busy especially if you have small children to get ready for school, but the key is to program enough time for all the essential activities plus Prayer. This may mean getting up an hour earlier so you have time for [..]

It's What God Gives Us That is Important

Published on 2012-01-19 05:00:00

It's what God gives us that is important in attaining perfection – Not what we give Him. He gives us mercy. He gives us forgiveness. He gives us His love. At the moment of our Baptism we are pure. At the moment of absolution in our Confession we are pure, at the moment we receive Him into our body in Holy Communion we are pure. Not as the result of our efforts but as His gift of mercy and love. We then continue to struggle against the evil forces of the world and can be tempted to forget and f [..]

On Prayer: Does God Care About Football

Published on 2012-01-16 05:00:00

Recently there has been a lot of press about Tim Tebow and his public display of prayer relating to his performance in football. Many even describe games won as "miracles." But, does God really care about who wins in football? Is this how God intended for us to pray? Is this what we are supposed to to be praying for?To me this public display of prayer seems a bit misguided as we do not pray to God for our self gain, but for His forgiveness, for His help to do His will, to give thanks for the [..]

Baptism is not Symbolic

Published on 2012-01-11 08:26:00

Holy Baptism and Chrismation are sacraments that we too often take in a routine manner. But, they are of the greatest significance for all Christians. This is the first step towards our salvation. In Baptism we are renewed and united with Christ. We become God’s “adopted son”, a child of the light, a child of the Kingdom. We become His disciple. We become a member of the body of Christ. This is no mere symbolism.From the moment one emerges from the water in the baptismal font a new life [..]

" My Passions are Pretty Much Under Control" Beware!

Published on 2011-06-30 05:00:00

For most of us who are serious about our spiritual life, we feel we have a good degree of self-control. We are able to follow the regular fasts and other Traditions of the Church. We don't seem to have any major sins. This is a good condi

It Is Not So Important Whether You Are a Monk or a Drunk

Published on 2011-06-27 05:00:00

Fr. Artemy Vladimirov says,To stand before the face of God, to cleanse your heart and sanctify the space of your life by invoking His name, this is your aim.We don't know how God cleanses our heart by His name, but we believe that He does so in a sup

A Life of Spirit or Words?

Published on 2011-06-23 05:00:00

Are we stuck with a faith that is external, following this rule or that tradition, or have we developed one that is internal, one rooted in the heart? Saint Paul, as well as Jesus, saw this as problem of the Jews at the time of Jesus. Thi

Are We Capable of Guarding the Heart Against Passions?

Published on 2011-06-20 05:00:00

It is one thing to read the teachings of the Church Fathers about how to control our passions and quite another thing to actually do it. When we experience anger we know that our passions are active and not under control. This is also tru

Overcoming Passions

Published on 2011-06-16 05:00:00

Overcoming our passions is one of our biggest challenges along our path to theosis. Saint Theophan the Recluse assures us that they do not have autonomy. This means we do have control over them if we choose.We do not have to give up our h

Can Prayer Help relieve Headaches.

Published on 2011-06-09 05:00:00

While there is no research on the use of the Jesus Prayer and relief from headaches there is some research from those who meditate.Meditation has been shown to help offset the symptoms of chronic pain, including headaches. One study showed that

Is Continual Prayer Possible for Everyone?

Published on 2011-06-07 05:00:00

Saint Gregory Palamas says,Let no one think, my brother Christians, that it is the duty only of priests and monks to pray without ceasing, and not of laymen. No, no; it is the duty of all of us Christians to remain always in prayer.How is i

Disabilities of attendees at 1st Ecumenical Council

Published on 2011-06-05 05:00:00

A brief account of the 1st Ecumenical Council, as given by Marutha of Meparkat ....The General Council having thus received authority from the king, the fathers directed that there should be gradations in the assembly and that each Bishop should sit

John of Kronstadt: Praying with the Heart

Published on 2011-06-03 05:00:00

Some good advice on Prayer from Saint John of Kronstadt. When praying, we must absolutely subject ourselves to our will, and turn it towards God. It must be neither cold, crafty, untruthful, nor double-minded, otherwise what will be the use of our pr

Trouble Sleeping?

Published on 2011-06-01 05:00:00

Two articles in todays papers caught my attention. One in the WSJ was titled, "Feeling Groggy? Your Brain May be Half Asleep." The other in the NYT was titled, "A Good Night's Sleep Isn't a Luxury; It's a Necessity." Sleep is a criti

Lay People and the Prayer of the Heart

Published on 2011-05-24 05:00:00

To a layman who asked about Noetic Prayer (Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me), Elder Ephraim of Katounakia had this to say:Set aside half an hour out of the twenty-four to say the Prayer. Whenever you are able; but the evening is best. Say it witho

Value of Afflictions

Published on 2011-05-18 10:06:00

From Homily 36 of St. Isaac the Syrian "This is the will of the Holy Spirit, to be His beloved in continual reality. The Spirit of God does not dwell in those who live in rest because the Most-Good God wished that His beloved servants should not

Bible's Message on Living Life Well

Published on 2011-05-12 11:17:00

Some of God’s truths and guidelines found in the Bible regarding mental health and living life well:“A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.” Proverbs 14:30 “A happy heart makes the face cheer

Why Go To Church When I Can Pray At Home?

Published on 2011-05-11 05:00:00

They say: "We can pray at home". Thou art deceiving thyself, O man!Of course, one can pray at home. But it is impossible to pray there as in church, where such a multitude of hearts are uplifted to God, merging into one unanimous cry.Thou wilt not be

Science Studies the Jesus Prayer

Published on 2011-05-09 05:00:00

Can seven words—Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me—change lives?It may seem a lot of effort over just seven words: Finding 110 Eastern Orthodox Christians, giving them a battery of tests ranging from psychology to theology to behavioral medicine

Humility Key to Deification

Published on 2011-05-06 10:34:00

Holy Fathers say that we may achieve the Deification in the Church. However, Deification is a gift from God and not something that we ourselves achieve. We have to love, to struggle and be prepared to be worthy, capable and acceptable to receive and

A New Baby - A Time of Change

Published on 2011-04-28 08:43:00

An recent article in the WSJ peaked my interest . It reported that a new baby can have a negative impact of a marriage relationship. With the arrival of a child into a relationship there are new responsibilities, such as who gets up in th

THE OMNIPOTENT PRAYER

Published on 2011-04-24 12:09:00

Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me ...By Elder Joseph, the quieter and Spilaiotou (1897-1959)Always try to make sure that the prayer of Jesus Christ is included in your daily cycle, your work, your every breath and your every sense. Oh, then how wil

Understanding God’s Role in Disasters

Published on 2011-04-21 05:00:00

Understanding God’s Role in Disasters How can we ever understand why God allows disasters like the horrible earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan? To the survivors, there is no answer that will lessen their suffering and grief. Silence

Dealing with Anger with the Help of the Jesus Prayer

Published on 2011-04-20 05:00:00

One of the common issues we all face is becoming upset due to the actions of another person. Often this involves the one we most love. When we are upset and angry we say and do things we wish we had not done. We are like Saint Paul who sa

Four Things Essential for Our Spiritual Struggle

Published on 2011-04-11 05:00:00

Saint Hesychius give this advice on our struggle to overcome the passions:One who is engaged in the spiritual struggle must have at every moment the following four things: humility, extreme attentiveness, refutation (of the thoughts) and prayer.Humil

When Passions Strike, Seek the Lord

Published on 2011-04-08 05:00:00

Attacking the thoughts that lead us to actions that are not in keeping with the teachings of Christ is a simple matter. Attack with vigor! We have to see them as something we hate and forcefully take a stand and they will desist. Of cours

Published on 2011-04-06 05:00:00

Our passions develop in a very logical way. First, think about the normal state of our mind. It is continually occupied with thoughts that are wandering every which way, usually without much direction. Mostly they are associated with mund

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