On judging others
"Have compassion on him who has not. Do not condemn him for what he does not have, that he is sinful, wicked, deceitful, talkative, a thief, a fornicator, and a liar. If you gain this knowledge, you can never judge anyone, even if you see him mortally sinning. For immediately you say, "He has not Your grace, my Christ, therefore he sins. If You go away from me also, I will do worse. He is poor. So how do you demand that he be rich? Give him riches so he can have them. He is blind. Give him eyes to see."
☦️ St Joseph the Hesychast
"Have compassion on him who has not. Do not condemn him for what he does not have, that he is sinful, wicked, deceitful, talkative, a thief, a fornicator, and a liar. If you gain this knowledge, you can never judge anyone, even if you see him mortally sinning. For immediately you say, "He has not Your grace, my Christ, therefore he sins. If You go away from me also, I will do worse. He is poor. So how do you demand that he be rich? Give him riches so he can have them. He is blind. Give him eyes to see."
☦️ St Joseph the Hesychast
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Annual Theophany Miracle at the River Jordan (Julian Calendar)
The annual Theophany miracle is a re-creation of Psalm 113/114 when the "sea beheld and fled, Jordan turned back" (verse 3), as well as the parting of the Jordan for Elisha (2 Kings 13-14). This is depicted in icons which display the swirling waters at the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan.
What of this miracle and other miracles like the Holy Fire of Pascha and Holy Cloud of the Transfiguration, all unique to the Orthodox Church?
St Paisios of the Holy Mountain reminds us, "From the outside, all things pertaining to the spiritual life seem upside down. Indeed, the mysteries of God will be impossible to know and will appear strange and contrary to nature as long as we don't overturn our secular mindset and see everything with spiritual eyes. Those who believe that they can come to know God's mysteries through mere scientific theory, without a spiritual life, resemble a fool who thinks he can look through a telescope and see Paradise."
The annual Theophany miracle is a re-creation of Psalm 113/114 when the "sea beheld and fled, Jordan turned back" (verse 3), as well as the parting of the Jordan for Elisha (2 Kings 13-14). This is depicted in icons which display the swirling waters at the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan.
What of this miracle and other miracles like the Holy Fire of Pascha and Holy Cloud of the Transfiguration, all unique to the Orthodox Church?
St Paisios of the Holy Mountain reminds us, "From the outside, all things pertaining to the spiritual life seem upside down. Indeed, the mysteries of God will be impossible to know and will appear strange and contrary to nature as long as we don't overturn our secular mindset and see everything with spiritual eyes. Those who believe that they can come to know God's mysteries through mere scientific theory, without a spiritual life, resemble a fool who thinks he can look through a telescope and see Paradise."
☦️ In Thee, O Lord, have I hoped, let me not be put to shame in the age to come; in Thy righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline Thine ear unto me and save me. Be Thou unto me a God that is my defender and a place of strength that Thou mayest save me, for Thou art my foundation and refuge.
Psalm 70 (Psalm 71 - Hebrew Numbering), verse one, from Kathisma 10, Wednesday Vespers
Psalm 70 (Psalm 71 - Hebrew Numbering), verse one, from Kathisma 10, Wednesday Vespers
Christ’s baptism in the Jordan was “theophany,” a manifestation of God to the world, because it was the beginning of our Lord’s public ministry. It was also a “theophany” in that the world was granted a revelation of the Holy Trinity. All three Persons were made manifest together: the Father testified from on high to the divine Sonship of Jesus; the Son received His Father’s testimony; and the Spirit was seen in the form of a dove, descending from the Father and resting upon the Son.
The theme of “manifestation” or “revelation” is also expressed in Scripture with the symbolism of light. In the hymn of the Feast we sing, “Christ has appeared and enlightened the world.” Thus, January 6 is also known as the Feast of Lights. The Church celebrates on this day the illumination of the world by the light of Christ.
—Abbot Tryphon, All Merciful Savior Monastery, Vaschon Island, Washington
The theme of “manifestation” or “revelation” is also expressed in Scripture with the symbolism of light. In the hymn of the Feast we sing, “Christ has appeared and enlightened the world.” Thus, January 6 is also known as the Feast of Lights. The Church celebrates on this day the illumination of the world by the light of Christ.
—Abbot Tryphon, All Merciful Savior Monastery, Vaschon Island, Washington
☦️ When standing before the Holy Chalice, St Porphyrios says: “I bow my head and I pray for you, for this person and that, and for the whole Church. You should do the same. … Don't pray for your health. Don't say, 'O Lord, make me well.' No! Rather say, Lord, Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, with selflessness, with love and without expecting anything. —from “Wounded by Love”
Image: Markogiannakis Evangelos, “Divine Communion”
Image: Markogiannakis Evangelos, “Divine Communion”
“If you do not have a confessional spirit, you will have a hard time dying. It will be hard to answer before God, Whom you did not confess openly, but only secretly, for fear of ridicule.”
☦️ St Alexy (Solovyov)
“My choice is to stay true to myself and my religion.” —Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov, a Russian Orthodox Christian, commenting on his refusal to wear a rainbow jersey for warm ups during “Pride Night”
☦️ St Alexy (Solovyov)
“My choice is to stay true to myself and my religion.” —Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov, a Russian Orthodox Christian, commenting on his refusal to wear a rainbow jersey for warm ups during “Pride Night”
"A tree frequently transplanted does not bear fruit. Whoever desires to do good, can do it from the place where he is."
The 5th-century desert-dwelling, miracle-working ascetic St Euthymius the Great (Jan 20/ Feb 2), drew around him many glorious saints as his disciples. Among them: Cyriac the Hermit, St. Sabas the Sanctified, and Theotictus.
His words call all of us to "at all times ready for combat and prepared for the departure of the soul from the body, lest, seduced by love of pleasure, we be unbearably tormented at the time of departure…"
The 5th-century desert-dwelling, miracle-working ascetic St Euthymius the Great (Jan 20/ Feb 2), drew around him many glorious saints as his disciples. Among them: Cyriac the Hermit, St. Sabas the Sanctified, and Theotictus.
His words call all of us to "at all times ready for combat and prepared for the departure of the soul from the body, lest, seduced by love of pleasure, we be unbearably tormented at the time of departure…"
He who goes according to the will of the evil one does not experience attacks, but is simply turned more and more toward evil. As soon as one begins to come to himself and intends to begin a new life according to God’s will, immediately the entire satanic realm enters into action: they hasten to scatter good thoughts and the intentions of the repentant one in any way they can.
…
If they do not succeed in suggesting evil they attempt to distort the truth … They do not even let one die in peace; even after death they pursue the soul, until it escapes the aerial space where they hover and congregate.
You ask, “What should we do? It is hopeless and terrifying!”
For a believer there is nothing terrifying here, because near a God-fearing man demons only busy themselves, but they do not have any power over him. A sober man of prayer shoots arrows against them, and they stay far away from him, not daring to approach, and fearing the defeat which they have already experienced.
☦️ St Theophan the Recluse
…
If they do not succeed in suggesting evil they attempt to distort the truth … They do not even let one die in peace; even after death they pursue the soul, until it escapes the aerial space where they hover and congregate.
You ask, “What should we do? It is hopeless and terrifying!”
For a believer there is nothing terrifying here, because near a God-fearing man demons only busy themselves, but they do not have any power over him. A sober man of prayer shoots arrows against them, and they stay far away from him, not daring to approach, and fearing the defeat which they have already experienced.
☦️ St Theophan the Recluse
The number of the New Martyrs of Russia (Sunday closest to Jan. 25) far exceeds that of all the martyrs who died for Christ during the first three centuries of Christianity. The Russian Church lost millions of its sons and daughters, not only at the hands of external enemies, but also those of their own country. Among those who were murdered and tortured in the years of persecution were countless Orthodox: laity, monks, priests, and bishops, whose only “crime” was their unshakable faith in God.
Among those who suffered for their faith were some who labored in America before the Russian Revolution: St. Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia (April 7); St. Alexander Hotovitzky (Dec. 4); St. John Kochurov (Oct. 31).
☦️ Holy New Martyrs of Russia, pray for us!
Among those who suffered for their faith were some who labored in America before the Russian Revolution: St. Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia (April 7); St. Alexander Hotovitzky (Dec. 4); St. John Kochurov (Oct. 31).
☦️ Holy New Martyrs of Russia, pray for us!
Saint Basil the fool for Christ of Moscow had an habit that appeared most strange. As he passed the houses of people who were drinking and cursing, he stopped and kissed the walls.
When he passed outside the houses of pious Christians, he threw stones on the walls.
When people asked him why he did such a thing, the blessed Basil replied: “When a house falls into sin, angels come out of it and stand by the walls crying. For this, I go and kiss them. At the houses that live piously, the demons cannot enter and stay out of the walls. That’s why I throw stones at them.”
Blessed Basil, pray to God for us! #Basil
When he passed outside the houses of pious Christians, he threw stones on the walls.
When people asked him why he did such a thing, the blessed Basil replied: “When a house falls into sin, angels come out of it and stand by the walls crying. For this, I go and kiss them. At the houses that live piously, the demons cannot enter and stay out of the walls. That’s why I throw stones at them.”
Blessed Basil, pray to God for us! #Basil
Seeking employment? Praying to find a spouse? Prayers to St. Xenia of St Petersburg continue to work constant miracles to this day.
Communist officials allowed no one access to the church which was built the burial site of Blessed Mother St Xenia of St Petersburg. A 10-foot high fence was built to keep out the faithful, but they continued to visit, placing flowers in the fence, along with notes asking her for prayers. When flowers were declared forbidden, the faithful made paper flowers. #Xenia #Ksenia
Communist officials allowed no one access to the church which was built the burial site of Blessed Mother St Xenia of St Petersburg. A 10-foot high fence was built to keep out the faithful, but they continued to visit, placing flowers in the fence, along with notes asking her for prayers. When flowers were declared forbidden, the faithful made paper flowers. #Xenia #Ksenia
"He prays, but he answers prayers. He weeps, but wipes away tears. He asks where Lazarus has been laid, for he is man; but he raises him to life, for he is God. He is sold, dirt cheap, for thirty pieces of silver, but he redeems the world, at great cost, with his own blood. … He dies, but he brings to life, and by his own death destroys death. He is buried, but he rises again. He descends into hell, but rescues the souls imprisoned there."
☦ St Gregory the Theologian #Jan25 #Feb7
☦ St Gregory the Theologian #Jan25 #Feb7
At the time of the translation the relics of St. John Chrysostom #Jan27 #Feb9 many who were ill and who touched the sarcophagus were healed. When the relics arrived in the capital, Emperor Theodosius, in the name of his mother (who was responsible for banishment of St John), prayed to him as though his mother, Eudoxia, was herself speaking: "While I lived in this transient life, I did you malice and, now, when you live the immortal life, be beneficial to my soul. My glory passed away and it helped nothing. Help me, father; in your glory, help me before I am condemned at the Judgment of Christ!”
When the saint was brought into the Church of the Twelve Apostles and placed on the patriarchal throne, the masses of people heard the words from St. Chrysostom’s mouth saying: “Peace be to you all.”
When the saint was brought into the Church of the Twelve Apostles and placed on the patriarchal throne, the masses of people heard the words from St. Chrysostom’s mouth saying: “Peace be to you all.”