Those who abide by the Word need no one to tell them that its full acceptance implies that we always remain steadfast in two things: in seeking mercy and in patiently enduring those whom we see transgressing it. Those who are captivated by the Word and its righteousness do not get swept away by self-esteem ...
Read moreMonthly Archives: April 2024
Fasting and Orality
I was directed by a gathering of regeneration young people to reread the book by Brother Costi Bendaly, "Fasting and Orality: The Psychological, Spiritual, and Pastoral Aspects of Orthodox Fasting," published by the "An-Nour Orthodox Cooperative" in 2020. Those among you who have perused works by Brother Costi are not in need of anyone to ...
Read moreThe Communion of Heaven
I saw him, after the Great Compline, still seated in his place as if he were waiting for someone. I greeted a few brethren on my way to him. It seemed like he was waiting for me. He told me about a visit he had made to one of the monasteries. This is due to ...
Read moreLoving the Lord and the Brethren
Love is always due to the Lord first. I have read many pages showing that the genuineness of loving the Lord is revealed by loving the brethren, both near and far. However, those who have written them had learned from God that He is love. God, if we love Him first, makes the world an ...
Read moreInternational Law...
Let us speak objectively. We can understand what the United States’ National Security Council’s spokesperson, Ms. Adrienne Watson, meant when she deemed the seizure of the ship "a blatant violation of the international law..."! But, with all due respect to her, let her present to the people an explanation that would be convincing to herself, ...
Read morePope Francis
From his position, His Holiness Pope Francis overlooks the news of the world, both its joys and its sorrows... If we follow what he says in several contexts, two things become evident: that he is always praying for people, especially those afflicted by injustice and neglect, and then, his urgent call for the work of ...
Read moreThe Voice of Kindliness
I was struck by the words of our venerable Father John Climacus: “Lovers of God are moved to holy gaiety, to divine love and to tears both by worldly and by spiritual songs”. (15:61). I have read Climacus's book several times in my life; yet I had never noticed these words before. The Fathers’ words ...
Read moreThe Benevolence of Heaven
You might not notice that the rain is falling upon you from above before it falls from your own hand onto the barren lands you walk past each day. Everything changes within you when you truly realize that heaven is above you, and that it is benevolent first towards you and towards others, those of ...
Read moreThe Song of Tears
I will not be contradicting my conviction that knowledge is not bound to a particular season if I call upon you and myself to devote more time to reading during Lent. All of life is for us to grow in our awareness that God is the Truth. Just as we have eliminated certain foods from ...
Read morePrayer
Lent is also meant for us to pray and to love, to grow in our prayer and our love, our love for the Lord and for the brethren, both the great ones and the least ones (Matthew 25:40). Today I will talk to you about prayer. Only he who truly prays is actually fasting. Prayer ...
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