At the time when the wise Cyril summoned Saint Abba Shenouda to the holy synod that met in Ephesus concerning the impious human worshipper Nestorius, our Lord Jesus Christ gave them friendly assistance until they subscribed to the deposition of that despicable person. After this battle waged by Saint Cyril and the holy synod of …
And now I desire to narrate to you the excellent history and the great repentance of the blessed woman, Thais. For speech concerning her is most excellent, and it is full of encouragement and penitence of soul to those who love God. This woman had a mother who, because her daughter was beautiful of face, …
Do you wish that I shall speak of the ways of repentance? They are many, and various, and different, and all lead to heaven. The first way of repentance is condemnation of sins. “You must declare your own sins first that you may be justified.” Wherefore also the prophet said “I said, I will speak …
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 …
We have already mentioned that a sinner in need of repentance is in the same position as a man who is submerged in deep sleep. Just as one who is in deep sleep cannot awaken by himself and cannot get up if some danger approaches-he needs someone else to come and awaken him-so also one …
Let us look at an extract from the beginning of the first sermon: "So listen, O you who have friendship for the man who is discouraged, and look at his affliction when he says, 'Behold, Lord, I am tormented, my heart has become disturbed, and my heart has turned within me because I am in …
“Love God, and do whatever you will” - St Augustine This brief quote from one of the most eloquent Christians in history is a profound description of the liberty of the spirit that has truly known God. Our Lord Jesus Himself described this person’s freedom of spirit poetically when He said: “The wind blows where …
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: …
