Christian salvation is fundamentally the same, whether pursued in the world or through monasticism. It is this foundational unity, which is the unity of the Holy Spirit himself that makes monastic spirituality and literature so valuable for the lay Orthodox. Lay and monastic life have the same purpose. According to Abba Moses, a monk's life …
I know that you are heartbroken, stricken with trials, but if you endure nobly, you will possess joy. If trials do not come to you, either openly or in secret, you cannot receive aid above what you are used to receiving. All the saints were found in trials when they asked that their faith be …
The Concept Behind this Exercise: These prayers are called "arrow-like prayers" by the Church for they are, in a manner of speaking, spiritual arrows that penetrate the thick veil that can exist between man and God, rises to the pinnacle of heaven and enters the sanctuary of the Lord and is most effective. Practical Application: …
Open the bed chamber of your heart to let Jesus in and you will find perfect rest, for everything is vain without Him. You will not find anyone to carry your burden to ease it off, but Him. In Him you will find happiness, and with Him you will find eternal life and peace of …
St Macarius is one of the monastic leaders of the fourth century. He was a disciple to St Anthony the first monk. In his life we read this story. “The Lord of Glory sent a cherub, he led him into this mountain and when he had set his seal on Abba Macarius by placing his …
My father, who is like you…Who has offered himself to the Lord?! Who is like you, who has placed his life in the hands of the Lord and sang “My soul is in your hands always”?! Who is like you, who carried the name of a saint who persevered and walked the righteous path before …
“Solitude precedes prayer and is practiced by prayer, and from the two we grasp the love of God…” – Mar Isaac the Syrian If you saw a healthy and fruitful tree and wished to know the secret of its vitality and abundance, no doubt your thoughts ought to turn to the nutrition that are hidden …
Since I see that most people love and admire things that seem to be good, rather than things which are by nature beneficial and truly good, I think that it is necessary to say few words about both of them and to compare with each other both that which the multitude neglects and that which they zealously pursue. By …
It is well documented that in the early centuries, the blood of Coptic martyrs bathed the knees of the horses of their persecutors. However, since the legalisation of Christianity under the reign of Emperor Constantine, there has been a steady decline in the number of martyrs. Martyrdom is arguably non-existent in western countries such as Australia, and the issue has thus …
St Ignatius (35-107 AD) the bishop of Antioch is the second Bishop of Antioch after St Peter the apostle. He was taken from Antioch to Rome to be martyred where he also wrote this letter to the Church at Rome. This letter is the saint’s response to the many attempts by the Christians of Rome to free him …
