No vice or passion appears under its real name. Fornication goes by the name of love, covetousness calls itself prosperity, gambling by fun, drunkenness and partying, by friendship, envy by justice and equality. In fact, often behind the rebellion against injustice and inequality is ordinary envy!
☦️ Saint Nikolai Velimirovich
☦️ Saint Nikolai Velimirovich
"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."
☦️St Gregory Palamas, defender of Hesychasm, o on the Second Sunday of Great Lent
St Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessalonica was a defender of the contemplative life of hesychasm (inner silence). He taught that while it is impossible to know God in his essence (God in Himself), it is possible to know God in His energies (to know what God does, and who He is in relation to the creation and to man).
St Gregory also taught that when the Apostles Peter, James and John witnessed the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ on Mount Tabor, they were in fact seeing the uncreated light of God-- a light that can be seen by others with repentance, spiritual discipline and contemplative prayer.
☦️St Gregory Palamas, defender of Hesychasm, o on the Second Sunday of Great Lent
St Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessalonica was a defender of the contemplative life of hesychasm (inner silence). He taught that while it is impossible to know God in his essence (God in Himself), it is possible to know God in His energies (to know what God does, and who He is in relation to the creation and to man).
St Gregory also taught that when the Apostles Peter, James and John witnessed the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ on Mount Tabor, they were in fact seeing the uncreated light of God-- a light that can be seen by others with repentance, spiritual discipline and contemplative prayer.
St. Aristobulus (Mar 15), brother of the Apostle Barnabas and numbered among the Seventy Apostles, was made the first bishop of Britain by the Apostle Paul. There he endured the torments and malice of the pagans who smote him, dragged him through the streets, mocked him and jeered at him. Aristobulus remained steadfast in the Gospel and helped convert many.
Such was the Apostle Aristobulus' influence amongst the Brythonic Celts that a region was named after him: Arwystli. This region later became a small medieval British kingdom, and continues to this day as a district (known as a cantref) in the county of Powys, Wales.
Pray unto God for us, O holy Saint Aristobulus, well-pleasing to God: for we turn unto you who are the speedy helper and intercessor for our souls. Amen.
Such was the Apostle Aristobulus' influence amongst the Brythonic Celts that a region was named after him: Arwystli. This region later became a small medieval British kingdom, and continues to this day as a district (known as a cantref) in the county of Powys, Wales.
Pray unto God for us, O holy Saint Aristobulus, well-pleasing to God: for we turn unto you who are the speedy helper and intercessor for our souls. Amen.
"Fasting gradually disperses and drives away spiritual darkness and the veil of sin that lies on the soul, just as the sun dispels the mist. Fasting enables us spiritually to see that spiritual air in which Christ, the Sun who knows no setting, does not rise, but shines without ceasing. Fasting, aided by vigil, penetrates and softens hardness of heart. Where once were the vapors of drunkenness it causes fountains of compunction to spring forth.
✝️ St. Symeon the New Theologian
✝️ St. Symeon the New Theologian
☦️Starets (Elder) Elias of Optina has fallen asleep in the Lord at age 94.
We should always think about the soul, but especially in old age, so that no one can say to us: "The hair is white, but the soul is black.”
On the soul
“Blessed is the one who has changed his mind in time, or whom God has awakened from the delusion of this world.”
We should always think about the soul, but especially in old age, so that no one can say to us: "The hair is white, but the soul is black.”
On the soul
“Blessed is the one who has changed his mind in time, or whom God has awakened from the delusion of this world.”
“I know for certain, that before I was humbled I was like a stone lying in deep mire, and He that is mighty came and in His mercy raised me up and, indeed, lifted me high up and placed me on top of the wall. And from there I ought to shout out in gratitude to the Lord for His great favours in this world and forever, that the mind of man cannot measure.”
✝️ The Confession of Saint Patrick (Mar 17), Enlightener of Ireland
✝️ The Confession of Saint Patrick (Mar 17), Enlightener of Ireland
Saint Patrick, the Enlightener of the Irish (Mar 17), "was seized from his native Britain by Irish marauders when he was sixteen years old. Though the son of a deacon and a grandson of a priest, it was not until his captivity that he sought out the Lord with his whole heart.
In his Confession, the testament he wrote towards the end of his life, he says, 'After I came to Ireland - every day I had to tend sheep, and many times a day I prayed - the love of God and His fear came to me more and more, and my faith was strengthened. And my spirit was so moved that in a single day I would say as many as a hundred prayers, and almost as many at night, and this even when I was staying in the woods and on the mountain; and I would rise for prayer before daylight, through snow, through frost, through rain, and I felt no harm.' [1/2]
In his Confession, the testament he wrote towards the end of his life, he says, 'After I came to Ireland - every day I had to tend sheep, and many times a day I prayed - the love of God and His fear came to me more and more, and my faith was strengthened. And my spirit was so moved that in a single day I would say as many as a hundred prayers, and almost as many at night, and this even when I was staying in the woods and on the mountain; and I would rise for prayer before daylight, through snow, through frost, through rain, and I felt no harm.' [1/2]
[2/2] After six years of slavery in Ireland, he was guided by God to make his escape, and afterwards struggled in the monastic life at Auxerre in Gaul, under the guidance of the holy Bishop Germanus. Many years later he was ordained bishop and sent to Ireland once again, about the year 432, to convert the Irish to Christ.
His arduous labours bore so much fruit that within seven years, three bishops were sent from Gaul to help him shepherd his flock, "my brethren and sons whom I have baptized in the Lord - so many thousands of people," he says in his Confession. His apostolic work was not accomplished without much "weariness and painfulness," long journeys through difficult country, and many perils; he says his very life was in danger twelve times.
When he came to Ireland as its enlightener, it was a pagan country; when he ended his earthly life some thirty years later, about 461, the Faith of Christ was established in every corner."
—from Orthodox Daily Posts for Inspiration on Facebook
His arduous labours bore so much fruit that within seven years, three bishops were sent from Gaul to help him shepherd his flock, "my brethren and sons whom I have baptized in the Lord - so many thousands of people," he says in his Confession. His apostolic work was not accomplished without much "weariness and painfulness," long journeys through difficult country, and many perils; he says his very life was in danger twelve times.
When he came to Ireland as its enlightener, it was a pagan country; when he ended his earthly life some thirty years later, about 461, the Faith of Christ was established in every corner."
—from Orthodox Daily Posts for Inspiration on Facebook
Abba Macarius of Egypt said there is no need to waste time with words when praying. “It is enough to hold out your hands and say, 'Lord, according to your desire and your wisdom, have mercy.'
If pressed in the struggle, say, 'Lord, save me!' or say, 'Lord.' He knows what is best for us, and will have mercy upon us."
If pressed in the struggle, say, 'Lord, save me!' or say, 'Lord.' He knows what is best for us, and will have mercy upon us."
Be kinder than necessary because everyone is fighting their war or battle and suffering losses. Live simply, love generously, care deeply for the needs of your neighbour, speak softly... And leave the rest to the Lord. It is not faith, nor dogmatics, nor mysticism, nor ascetism, nor fasting, nor long prayers, but love that makes one a true Christian. Everything becomes pointless without this fundamental thing - love for our neighbour.
☦️ St. Luke the Surgeon
☦️ St. Luke the Surgeon
“In the last times, the followers of the Antichrist will go to church, be baptized and preach the gospel commandments. But do not believe those who do not have good deeds. Only by deeds can a true Christian be recognized. True faith is in the heart, not in the mind. The Antichrist will be followed by the one who has faith in the mind, and he will be recognized by the one who has faith in the heart."
☦️Venerable Gabriel of Georgia
☦️Venerable Gabriel of Georgia
St. Edward the Holy and Right-believing Martyr, King of England (Mar 18/ Mar 31) was generous and holy, loving above all things God and the Church.
However, Edward’s reign was full of upheaval. The root of the trouble were nobles who coveted the lands which King Edward’s father, King Edgar, had given to the monasteries.
In all the turmoil King Edward stood firm together with the archbishop in defense of the Church and the monasteries. For this reason some of the nobles decided to remove him and replace him with his weaker younger brother, Ethelred. They were aided by Ethelred's stepmother, Queen Etheldritha.
After the murder, the queen ordered that the king’s holy body be seized and hidden in a hut nearby.
In the hut a lived a woman blind from birth whom the queen used to support out of charity. While she spent the night there alone with the holy body, suddenly, in the middle of the night, a wonderful light appeared and filled the whole hut. At this, she suddenly received her sight.
However, Edward’s reign was full of upheaval. The root of the trouble were nobles who coveted the lands which King Edward’s father, King Edgar, had given to the monasteries.
In all the turmoil King Edward stood firm together with the archbishop in defense of the Church and the monasteries. For this reason some of the nobles decided to remove him and replace him with his weaker younger brother, Ethelred. They were aided by Ethelred's stepmother, Queen Etheldritha.
After the murder, the queen ordered that the king’s holy body be seized and hidden in a hut nearby.
In the hut a lived a woman blind from birth whom the queen used to support out of charity. While she spent the night there alone with the holy body, suddenly, in the middle of the night, a wonderful light appeared and filled the whole hut. At this, she suddenly received her sight.
This is the season to blossom!
“The Lenten spring is welcomed by Christians in the Church not as the time for self-inflicted agony or self-improving therapy. It is greeted as the sanctified season consecrated to the correction, purification, and enlightenment of the total person through the fulfillment of the commandments of the crucified God. It is received as the time for battling with evil spirits and blossoming with the fruit of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Gal 5.22). It is accepted as “the great and saving forty days” set apart for complete and total dedication to the things of God. It is the “tithe of the year” that tells us that all times and seasons belong to the Lord who has created and redeemed the world.
—Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko of Blessed Memory (+March 18, 2015)
“The Lenten spring is welcomed by Christians in the Church not as the time for self-inflicted agony or self-improving therapy. It is greeted as the sanctified season consecrated to the correction, purification, and enlightenment of the total person through the fulfillment of the commandments of the crucified God. It is received as the time for battling with evil spirits and blossoming with the fruit of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Gal 5.22). It is accepted as “the great and saving forty days” set apart for complete and total dedication to the things of God. It is the “tithe of the year” that tells us that all times and seasons belong to the Lord who has created and redeemed the world.
—Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko of Blessed Memory (+March 18, 2015)