“….the deadly poison of anger has to be utterly rooted out from the inmost corners of our soul. For as long as this remains in our hearts, and blinds with its hurtful darkness the eye of the soul, we can neither acquire right judgment and discretion, nor gain the insight which springs from an honest gaze, or ripeness of counsel, nor can we be partakers of life, or retentive of righteousness, or even have the capacity for spiritual and true light: "for," says one, "mine eye is disturbed by reason of anger."
From Book 8 of the Institutes by Saint John Cassian.
From Book 8 of the Institutes by Saint John Cassian.
St. Maximos the Confessor emphasizes the importance of zealous spiritual life and keeping commandments. There is no place for a lukewarm faith.
“Let yourself die while striving, rather than living in laziness. For those who die while trying to keep the commandments are just as much martyrs as those who died for Christ’s sake.”
We read about it in the Scripture as well. “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it”, says the Apostle Paul
“Let yourself die while striving, rather than living in laziness. For those who die while trying to keep the commandments are just as much martyrs as those who died for Christ’s sake.”
We read about it in the Scripture as well. “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it”, says the Apostle Paul
☦️🕯️“For Orthodox Christians, the Cross is the heart of our faith. It symbolizes both Christ’s suffering and His victory over death. That’s why it’s such a powerful reminder of hope, forgiveness, and love. Even if you don’t share the faith, you can see why the Cross gives meaning and courage to millions of people.”🕯️☦️
Q: Is Holy Scripture sufficient in order to guide man to salvation?
Elder Cleopa: 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 the salvation of human souls, because before it there was the Holy Tradition. Many years before Moses began writing the first books of the Old Testament, there was sacred piety in the community of the people of Israel.
Elder Cleopa: 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 the salvation of human souls, because before it there was the Holy Tradition. Many years before Moses began writing the first books of the Old Testament, there was sacred piety in the community of the people of Israel.
What may happen if a Christian spiritually relaxes? “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.” (Matthew 12)
“When the enemy destroys the spiritual order in the soul, ….then the spiritual cross is thrown down from the Golgotha of the heart and is covered over with the garbage of the affections and lusts. Lustful self-pleasure then rises like a tower over all our inner peace, and everything in us bows down to it and fulfills its commands until grace shines upon us, inspiring us to cast down the idol and lift up the cross of self-crucifixion.”
St. Theophan the Recluse. From: Letters on the Spiritual Life
“When the enemy destroys the spiritual order in the soul, ….then the spiritual cross is thrown down from the Golgotha of the heart and is covered over with the garbage of the affections and lusts. Lustful self-pleasure then rises like a tower over all our inner peace, and everything in us bows down to it and fulfills its commands until grace shines upon us, inspiring us to cast down the idol and lift up the cross of self-crucifixion.”
St. Theophan the Recluse. From: Letters on the Spiritual Life
DISCOVER THE ANCIENT ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN FAITH!
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DON'T MISS THIS UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE THE ANCIENT CHRISTIANITY!
(an online course)
Every Saturday!
We invite you for a series of 8 online talks about the foundations of the Orthodox Christian faith.
Discover the ancient, apostolic faith preserved unchanged in the Holy Orthodox Church for 2000 years!
WE WILL DISCUSS:
· The core truths of authentic Christianity
· A true understanding of the Bible
· The practice of Christian life and prayer, guided by the wisdom of Orthodox saints
COURSE BEGINS:
October 11, 2025
On Saturdays at:
2:00 PM - Moscow time
4:30 PM - New Delhi time
6:00 PM - Bangkok time
8:00 PM - Seoul time
REGISTER HERE:
[email protected]
or PM @FrStanR here
DON'T MISS THIS UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE THE ANCIENT CHRISTIANITY!
It is very important to be watchful and guard the thoughts coming to our mind.
“First the memory brings some passion-free thought into the intellect. By its lingering there, passion is aroused. When the passion is not eradicated, it persuades the intellect to assent to it. Once the assent is given, the actual sin is then committed.”
St. Maximos the Confessor
“First the memory brings some passion-free thought into the intellect. By its lingering there, passion is aroused. When the passion is not eradicated, it persuades the intellect to assent to it. Once the assent is given, the actual sin is then committed.”
St. Maximos the Confessor
Hieromartyr Archpriest Alexey Porfiriev, a preacher and missionary. He was very wise teaching against the schism, in particular oldbelievers. St. Nicholas Romanov knew him personally. The godless desperately tried to convince him to denounce his priesthood, failed and executed him along with Bishop Laurence and Alexey Neidgardt.
“My poor soul! Sigh, pray and strive to take upon you the blessed yoke of Christ, and you will live on earth in a heavenly manner. Lord, grant that I may carry the light and goodly yoke, and I shall be always at rest, peaceful, glad and joyous; and I shall taste on earth of crumbs which fall from the celestial feast, like a dog that feeds upon the crumbs which fall from the master's table.”
St. Tikhon of Voronezh
St. Tikhon of Voronezh
"I remember when two Russian nuns in my parish in Tbilisi asked a blessing to go to Russia. I decided to send them to Elder John Krestiankin to seek his counsel, and I myself prayerfully entreated God that Batiushka would leave them with me. Fr. John received them with joy, heard them out, and said: “Stay with your batiushka until the end.” And that’s what happened: I buried both of them, Mother Askitria and Mother Anastasia. May they inherit the Kingdom of Heaven! This was another way that Batiushka helped me. It would have been difficult for me without them."
Archimandrite Antony (Guliashvili)
Archimandrite Antony (Guliashvili)