The Cross is the door to mysteries. Through this door the intellect makes entrance in to the knowledge of heavenly mysteries. The knowledge of the Cross is concealed in the sufferings of the Cross. And the more our participation in its sufferings, the greater the perception we gain through the Cross. For, as the Apostle […]

“Return my soul to the sweet garden of paradise, and may it abide in light that, surrounded by the delights of paradise, I too may say with all the saints: Glory to the Immortal Father; honor to Him Who presents heavenly gifts to this worthless one, that he may bring a tithe of glory to […]

But then, how is one to relate to such depths? The task is difficult since they are not a “place” in themselves. One sees the depths, actually, only through those contents which flow from them. This is a condition synonymous with love, which one truly sees only through the acts which demonstrate and incarnate that […]

“God gave you your soul to be responsible for it before Him, like a steward who was entrusted with a stewardship. Are you busy with it or with others?” “The love which does not sacrifice is a barren love, without fruit.” “The resurrection drew men’s attention to the glories of the other world; thus, the […]

Rather than control, we want merely to relate to and make contact with our depths, so that we may see disclosed through them the emerging Divine Light. Relating to them constantly will inform our conscious acts and lives, giving us direction in living more fully the Christian existence. But then, how is one to relate […]

He was the perfect example of a great, strong and courageous heart that bore the injustice of the wicked and said, “Father forgive them.” This beautiful phrase has moved and moved the hearts of people throughout the generations. Thus, He transformed the Cross of shame to a Cross of glory and transformed pain and suffering […]

How pathetic the complacency of our outlook on this present life is ! The insubstantial little island of our “normal” existence will be washed away in the worlds beyond the tomb. Here is the source of sin and folly – an aimless self-will instead of voluntary and spontaneous submission to God. Fr. Alexander Elchinanov

“The most important thing in the spiritual life is to strive to receive the grace of the Holy Spirit. It changes our lives (above all inwardly, not outwardly). We will live in the same house, in the same circumstances, and with the same people, but our life will already be different. But this is possible […]

It is absolutely necessary to confess at least once every year. The longer we go on without confessing, the worse it is for us, the more entangled we become in the bonds of sin, and therefore the more difficult it is to give account. We ought to confess our sins more frequently, in order to […]

How do we know we’re living according to the will of God? The Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica tells us, “He who lives according to God’s will has no worries. When he needs something, he simply prays for it. If he does not receive that which he asked for, he is joyful as though he had […]