A man was building a place he needed. There were many stones in front of him, some big, some small. He saw many he was unable to carry. When he had built it and touched none of them, he thought to himself, 'Is this not madness? Why did I not carry the light ones?' I …
One of the fathers said: “The secret of the strength and flourishing of monasticism in the early centuries was the system discipleship followed. The sweet aroma of Lord Christ, which was in the hearts of the fathers in the wilderness attracted many who became disciples to the Lord. That was why the deserts and wilderness …
"The true fast is that in which sins, anger, tongue, and instincts are under control" - St Basil the Great During these most holy days of Lent, one of the most common questions asked when deciding what to purchase from the supermarket is: "Is it syami (is it fasting)"? You quickly turn the item around …
In His forty days experience of absolute fasting, Christ laid down for us the basis of our dealings with our enemy—along with all his allurements and vain illusions. ''This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting'' (Mk. 9:29). For when a person enters into prayerful fasting, Satan departs from the flesh. As …
We consider fasting a period of love. It is a period to test our love for God, and the love of God for us. We fast plenty in our church. Our church is an ascetic church and that’s how we have come to know Christianity. Fasting in actual fact is a very old commandment. When …
“The brethren asked Abba Agathon: “Amongst all of our different activities, father, which is the virtue that requires the greatest effort?” He answered: “Forgive me, but I think there is no labour greater than praying to God. For every time a man wants to pray, his enemies the demons try to prevent him; for they …
The Coptic monk is one who, above all, abides in the presence of God. Whereas, it may happen that a member of the laity might avoid renting a flat immediately next to a church because the constant reminder of divine immanence can become burdensome (e.g., when a husband and wife argue, or when a child …
No one wants to be hurt, no ones desires pain, no one desires to be broken. But maybe we should! What if I told you that God loves and is very close to the broken hearted. You may argue that it definitely doesn’t feel that way or that is not the case with you. However, …
"She has wet my feet with her tears ... Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much." (Lk 7-44, 47) It is hard to speak of tears. Are not tears a sign of the limitation of speech? When, in bewilderment, the tongue fails, the heart speaks, and the …
Firstly: the power of grace is extremely abundant The power grace has is a strong arm and is capable of changing anyone or anything; it isn’t concerned about an individual, a group or even a country, because grace is way more powerful than that. Let’s go back in history and remember Moses’ stick, which is …
