All these monastic practices makes monasticism seem to be full of grief and sadness, where does joy fit in all of that? At the first glimpse, monasticism looks like a life of grief, struggle, sadness and tears. A monk deprives himself willingly from the pleasures of this world, living in the dry desert, wearing black …
Perhaps the single most all-encompassing text of Evagrius on abandonment is found in the Gnostikos. Its presence in that particular work shows that understanding the question is the special competence of the gnostic or teacher to whom this work is addressed. Evagrius speaks of it here to indicate that it is part of a father's …
A Self Account: Proper confession accompanied with repentance and regret needs preparation; which is called self account. Be strict and accurate with yourself. Compare God’s kind and good dealings with your denial and harshness towards Him. Compare your life with the lifes of saints. Remember St. Peter’s words, “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, …
The brethren said, “Why do the devils fear the labours of the monks, even as the Fathers say, ‘If you wish the devils to be afraid of you, despise lusts?’” The old man said, “They are afraid because of three things. First, because our Lord treated with contempt three kinds of passions, which included and …
What is Discipleship? Discipleship is where God works in us through righteous persons who fulfill the spiritual task of teachers and father to illustrate the necessity for abiding in Christ’s word, love to show that a disciple is not above his teacher. Inherent in this, there seems to be two aspects which are part of …
Asaph is one of the very little known characters in the bible yet he holds a very prominent position. He wrote 12 of the 151 psalms (psalms: 50, 73-83 Septuagint) in the Orthodox bible that are generally attributed to King David, which means that he wrote more chapters in the bible than many other prominent …
There are people who are humble by nature and there are those who obtained humility through spiritual struggle and much spiritual training. We do not deny that it is a difficult road but it is the same narrow road leading to the City of Joy. It is a long road and needs continuous training, subduing …
In the "Paradise of the fathers," it is said, "Quietness is the first knowledge of the soul." St. Isaac said, "Search for quietness in any place... and keep silent in the place where you find it" This means that when you find, even very little quietness, try to benefit from it, for outward quietness is …
In The Transitional Period Between The Old And New Testaments John the Baptist Was Commissioned by God (John 1:6-7) There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light that all through him might believe. If Priesthood Is A Specific Calling, Selection …
The Coptic Church, in its humble and meek spirit, teaches her children three types of prostration, or metanias (bowing). These are: prostrations of worship, repentance, and honor. 1. Prostrations of Worship These are the prostrations offered to God during our individual or public worship, such as at the beginning of each of the hourly prayers …
