By St. Nikodemos of the Holy Mountain, from the book “Christian Morality” published by That the time of our life is [all too] brief for us to acquire perfection and blessedness. You, my Christians, suppose that the span of your life is so long that it is sufficient for you to expend it both on the service of your soul and on amusements and shows. But can your supposition be correct? No, it is, in fact, quite erroneous. For the service of the soul is so great and the Heavenl

From “Unseen Warfare” by Ss. Nikodemos of the Holy Mountain and Theophan the Recluse Chap 43. One should not desire too strongly to be free from the attack of afflictions, but should wholly abandon oneself to God’s will If you are enduring some affliction with thankfulness, pay good heed, lest your enemy succeeds in tempting you, or your self-love conceives a desire to be rid of it. For then you will suffer a double loss. The first is that, although the appearance of such a d

From the Book “Reflections of a Humble Heart” Before beginning to read this monastic text, I would like to say that though it was originally intended and written for a monk, everything about what this elder writes could be applied to a layperson. Simply replace, if you will, the word “monk” with “Christian” and “monastic vows” with “baptismal promise” and one can see how perfectly we can follow the elder’s counsel. “There is no time like the present.” -Fr. Photios Beloved Bro

Prayer is a Mighty Weapon

Examples of Meekness from the Spiritual Meadow, by John Moschos Once robbers rushed into the cell of one elder and told him that they would take all his things. The elder answered humbly: "Children, take what you desire." They took everything and left. But they did not notice a small sachet with money, which was hanging on the wall. The elder took it and ran after the robbers crying: "Children, take this sachet, which you did not notice." The robbers were touched by the elder

"Father, my son says he doesn't see God in the world, or miracles, and that he's starting to believe that God doesn't actually care about us." Brothers and Sisters, here we are: "Living" So many people have been numbed by the World and struggle to see God -and thus struggle to keep a spiritual life drawn to Him- because we are distracted and stuck on the little box in our hands. If you can't see God, it's because you're not looking. He's everywhere, and He's trying to get yo

By St. Philaret the New Confessor of New York From the compendium Sermons and Teachings of Metropolitan Philaret, v. II, (Russian Orthodox Youth Committee, New York, 1989). Recently, brothers and sisters, we spoke of how people today often forget the main goal that stands before each person, the task of saving one's soul for eternity. This concern for salvation must be the main objective for every person of faith. The great teacher of Christian living--indeed in the best sens

"So, when a Christian resists the flesh with its passions and lusts and does not do what it wants, but even more so tries to subdue its spirit, then a battle takes place between the Christian and the flesh."

From St. John Chrysostom, third homily on Lazarus and the Rich Man, On Wealth and Poverty Some people, if they stumble at all, or are slandered by anyone, or fall ill with a chronic disease, gout or headache or any such ailment, at once begin to blaspheme. They submit to the pain of the disease, but deprive themselves of its benefit. What are you doing, man, blaspheming your Benefactor, Saviour, Protector, and Guardian? Or do you not see that you are falling down a precipice