“We Orthodox are not waiting for the end of history and the end of time, but through living in Christ we are running to meet the end of history and thus already living the life expected after the Second Coming. St. Symeon the New Theologian says that he who has seen the uncreated light and united with God is not awaiting the Second Coming of the Lord but living it."
—Metropolitan Hierotheos (Vlachos) of Nafpaktos
—Metropolitan Hierotheos (Vlachos) of Nafpaktos
“I was born blind! And I glorify the Panagia because that way I commit fewer sins! At some point, the Panagia gave me my sight, but when I saw that it didn't help me, I asked her to take it back... And she listened to me!”
+ Elder Isidoros the Blind Monk of Philotheou Monastery, of Blessed Memory +
Elder Isidoros, devout spiritual child of the Blessed Geronda Ephraim of Arizona, reposed on Sunday November 27, 2022 at the Athonite Monastery of Philotheou at the age of 87.
Twice a year, when the humble elder would come out of Mount Athos, many souls were blessed by his wisdom and many miracles.
+ Elder Isidoros the Blind Monk of Philotheou Monastery, of Blessed Memory +
Elder Isidoros, devout spiritual child of the Blessed Geronda Ephraim of Arizona, reposed on Sunday November 27, 2022 at the Athonite Monastery of Philotheou at the age of 87.
Twice a year, when the humble elder would come out of Mount Athos, many souls were blessed by his wisdom and many miracles.
"We have found the Messiah.” ☦️ The Apostle Andrew, the Holy and All-Praised First-Called (Nov 30)
“Andrew’s words reveal a soul waiting with the utmost longing for the coming of the Messiah, looking forward to His appearing from heaven, rejoicing when He does appear and hastening to announce so great an event to others. To support one another in the things of the spirit is the true sign of good will between brothers, of loving kinship and sincere affection.” ☦️ St John Chrysostom
“Andrew’s words reveal a soul waiting with the utmost longing for the coming of the Messiah, looking forward to His appearing from heaven, rejoicing when He does appear and hastening to announce so great an event to others. To support one another in the things of the spirit is the true sign of good will between brothers, of loving kinship and sincere affection.” ☦️ St John Chrysostom
Places of the Holy Apostle Andrew (Nov 30)
Greece. St Andrew Church, Patras, Greece, is built at the site of the martyrdom of the Holy First-Called Apostle.
Romania: St Andrew the Apostle Cave. St. Andrew, Patron and protector of Romania, brought the Gospel to the Dacians who together with the Romans are the parents of the Romanians.
Georgia: The Apostle Andrew's missionary influence is strong here. Photo: Gergeti Holy Trinity Church.
Russia: The Church of St. Andrew the Apostle is the world’s only church built on a tiny island— a monolithic rock protruding from the waters of the Vuoksa, about 2 hours from St. Petersburg.
Greece. St Andrew Church, Patras, Greece, is built at the site of the martyrdom of the Holy First-Called Apostle.
Romania: St Andrew the Apostle Cave. St. Andrew, Patron and protector of Romania, brought the Gospel to the Dacians who together with the Romans are the parents of the Romanians.
Georgia: The Apostle Andrew's missionary influence is strong here. Photo: Gergeti Holy Trinity Church.
Russia: The Church of St. Andrew the Apostle is the world’s only church built on a tiny island— a monolithic rock protruding from the waters of the Vuoksa, about 2 hours from St. Petersburg.
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Prayer is war!
“How can a person going to war complain about feeling uncomfortable?”—Father Theodore Gignadze, Tbilisi, 🇬🇪☦️
“How can a person going to war complain about feeling uncomfortable?”—Father Theodore Gignadze, Tbilisi, 🇬🇪☦️
“Without temptations and griefs we cannot be saved. But we should not be disturbed or grow weak in faith, because now the devil attacks men more cruelly than in the past, for he knows that he has only a little more time to rule over the modern world. Let us pray, endure, and remember the words of the Lord, who said that He will be with us until the end of the ages.”
☦️ Elder Cleopas of Romania, interview in “The Orthodox Word”
☦️ Elder Cleopas of Romania, interview in “The Orthodox Word”
I remember once I told Saint Porphyrios (Dec 2): "I'm afraid of what is to come, the ugly times."
He looked at me puzzled and giving me a swift slap on the hand he said: "Who can do you harm, my child, if you have Christ inside your heart. Turn your eyes towards Christ. You don't become saints by chasing away the evil. Forget about the evil. Turn your eyes towards Christ and He will save you. Instead of standing at the door and shooing away the enemy, despise him. When you see evil approaching from one direction, you softly give your attention to something else. So, when the evil is coming to offend you, give your interior strength to good, to Christ. Plead: "Our Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me." He knows how to give you His mercy and in whatever way that is best for you. And after you are full of good, then you no longer turn your attention towards the evil. With the grace of God, you become good. And then the evil is unable to find a place to stand and disappears."
—His Grace Bishop George of Canberra
He looked at me puzzled and giving me a swift slap on the hand he said: "Who can do you harm, my child, if you have Christ inside your heart. Turn your eyes towards Christ. You don't become saints by chasing away the evil. Forget about the evil. Turn your eyes towards Christ and He will save you. Instead of standing at the door and shooing away the enemy, despise him. When you see evil approaching from one direction, you softly give your attention to something else. So, when the evil is coming to offend you, give your interior strength to good, to Christ. Plead: "Our Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me." He knows how to give you His mercy and in whatever way that is best for you. And after you are full of good, then you no longer turn your attention towards the evil. With the grace of God, you become good. And then the evil is unable to find a place to stand and disappears."
—His Grace Bishop George of Canberra
God is a fire that warms and kindles the heart and inward parts. Hence, if we feel in our hearts the cold which comes from the devil - for the devil is cold - let us call on the Lord. He will come to warm our hearts with perfect love, not only for Him but also for our neighbor, and the cold of him who hates the good will flee before the heat of His countenance.
☦️ St Seraphim of Sarov
☦️ St Seraphim of Sarov
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There has been a notable increase in the amount of myrrh streaming from the icon of the Panagia Parigoritria at the Church of Saint Dimitrios in Vyronas, Athens. The icon began weeping myrrh over two years ago.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
Desert monastic Saint Savva the Sanctified (Dec 5/18) is depicted in icons holding a scroll which reads: "He who loves God disdains corruptible things, and prefers the knowledge of Him." He surrendered his soul to God in 552.
Humans and animals alike had an affection for St Savva. Once, while the Saint was in his cave, he prayed to the Lord to send him water. Outside, he heard a noise. Looking out, he saw a donkey digging its hooves into the earth. Soon, clear water appeared. The donkey quenched his thirst and disappeared. The next day the Saint came down from his cave, dug with his trowel a little deeper at the same spot and water gushed out. The monks of the Lavra drink from this water source to this day.
“With the rivers of your tears, you have made the barren desert fertile. Through sighs of sorrow from deep within you, your labors have borne fruit a hundred-fold. By your miracles you have become a light, shining upon the world. O Savas, our Holy Father, pray to Christ our God, to save our souls.”
Humans and animals alike had an affection for St Savva. Once, while the Saint was in his cave, he prayed to the Lord to send him water. Outside, he heard a noise. Looking out, he saw a donkey digging its hooves into the earth. Soon, clear water appeared. The donkey quenched his thirst and disappeared. The next day the Saint came down from his cave, dug with his trowel a little deeper at the same spot and water gushed out. The monks of the Lavra drink from this water source to this day.
“With the rivers of your tears, you have made the barren desert fertile. Through sighs of sorrow from deep within you, your labors have borne fruit a hundred-fold. By your miracles you have become a light, shining upon the world. O Savas, our Holy Father, pray to Christ our God, to save our souls.”