How can one practice relaxation of fast during the Pentecost and still keep his spiritual life intact? St John Cassian answers this question in his Conferences as follows: The celebration of the aforesaid days is to be observed in such a way, that the relaxation which has been conceded helps rather than hinders the well …
St Theodore once asked Apa Pachomius “I desire you to tell me, O my father, that I shall see God; otherwise, what good is it to me ever to have been born?” Our father Pachomius asked: “Do you wish to see Him in this world or in the world to come?” Theodore answered: “I wish …
How can man pray continually, as the body becomes ill through constant prayer? What limit ought there be to prayer? And suppose I am talking with someone, how can I fulfill the command? The standing up of a man in his prayer [once] is not said to be prayer, but he must do so continually. …
How do I benefit from what I read? Whoever reads much with meditation, exercises his spiritual senses for the intent that he finds an atmosphere for spiritual meditation in all subjects of his reading. He may come out with a benefit from any good book he reads, if he reads it in a spiritual manner. …
How do I convince my family and friend about my monastic calling? When Moses asked Pharaoh to let the children of Israel go to the wilderness to worship their God, Pharaoh refused and even gave orders to his workers, “You shall no longer give the people straw to make brick as before. Let them go …
A brother asked a certain Elder: How does one become foolish for the sake of Christ? The Elder replied to him: There was a young boy in a monastery. He was given to an ascetic Elder to rear and to teach the word of God. So, the Elder said to the boy, 'My child, when …
