“The Fathers have declared the singing of psalms to be a weapon, prayer to be a wall, and honest tears to be a bath … without which no one subject to passions will see the Lord.” St. John Climacus

ISOLATION Community: The Essential Element Christianity is a communal faith, one that requires it’s followers to be actively involved with others. The Church’s worship is communal, and salvation itself is a corporate act, one that necessitates interaction with others. One is not “saved” in a vacuum, but as part of the corporal life of the […]

Just as a man whose head is under water cannot inhale pure air. So a man whose thoughts are plunged into the cares of this world cannot absorb the sensation of the world to come. St Issac the Syrian

“How will it be with us in the future life, when everything that has gratified us in this world: riches, honors, food and drink, dress, beautifully furnished dwellings, and all attractive objects—how will it be, I say, when all these things leave us—when they will all seem to us a dream, and when works of […]

When we ask something from God, we must not obstinately say, “I want this now!” This is not only unacceptable but impious towards our Creator as well. We must ask something from God in a beseeching and gentle manner for a certain period of time. If we see that God refuses to give it to […]

“Stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the Gospel.” (Phil.1:27) The Elder taught that the basic element of the Spiritual life in Christ, the great mystery of our faith, is unity in Christ. It is that sense of identifying with our brother, of carrying the burdens of one […]

“It is not necessary to roam heaven and earth after God or to send our mind to seek Him in different places. Purify your soul, O son of man, remove from yourself the thought of memories outside of nature; hang the veil of chastity and humility before your impulses. By means of these you will […]

“No one on this earth can avoid affliction; and although the afflictions which the Lord sends are not great, men imagine them beyond their strength and are crushed by them. This is because they will not humble their souls and commit themselves to the will of God. But the Lord Himself guides with His grace […]

As we enter into the Nativity Lenten period, we are reminded by the fast to struggle against our habitual sins and addictions. Christ is born exactly to overcome the power of sin and death in our lives. So to turn the Christmas season into a time of self-indulgence and/or over indulgence is to ignore the […]

Prayer at Daybreak to be said each day on rising from sleep Eternal King without beginning, You who are before all worlds, my Maker, Who have summoned all things from non-being into this life: bless this day that You, in Your inscrutable goodness, give to me. By the power of Your blessing enable me at […]