A Contrite Spirit I acknowledge my transgression, says David. If I admit my fault, then you will pardon it. Let us never assume that if we live good lives we will be without sin; our lives should be praised only when we continue to beg for pardon. CRITICIZE VS. CORRECT, ACCUSE & EXCUSE But men …
St John Cassian On the Holy Fathers of Sketis And on Discrimination 'From what Abba Serapion said, we can learn that we shall be granted the gift of true discrimination when we trust, no longer in the judgments of our own mind, but in the teaching and rule of our fathers. The devil brings the …
Seven instructions which Abba Moses sent to Abba Poemen. He who puts them into practice will escape all punishment and will live in peace, whether he dwells in the desert or in the midst of brethren. 1. The monk must die to his neighbour and never judge him at all, in any way whatever. The …
Spiritual Life in the monastery according to St Pachomius The monastic foundation by Pachomius was primarily a spiritual one, and if it was to be successful, then the spiritual life of each monk was of paramount importance. He attempted to ensure this in three ways. Firstly by legislation, which would not only protect the spiritual …
The Rules of St Pachomius In the name of the Holy Trinity. The ordinance, which the angel of the Lord commanded to Abba Pachomius. In a place whose name is Tabennesis, in the province of Thebes, there was a man whose name was Pachomius, who was of those that lived a clean life, and there …
Now there are others who blaspheme, saying that Mary did not conceive Christ and that if she had conceived, then her womb would have distended and retracted. Let them hear this from us, that if she did not conceive him, then the prophet spoke in vain, ‘Behold the virgin will be able to give birth …
Let us turn our mind to the task of prayer at appointed hours. Let us always desire the happy life from the Lord God and always pray for it. But for this very reason, we turn our mind to the task of prayer at appointed hours, since that desire grows lukewarm, so to speak, from …
Have you ever noticed, on those days where you have just had enough, things always go from bad to worse? Think of those days where you have had a bad day at work, your boss was horrible to you, you have had a fight with your spouse, your friend is being insensitive, the kids’ school …
By Fr Tadros Malaty At the beginning of the journey of the children of Israel, through the wilderness, God gave them water out of the rock in Horeb. (Exod. 17) On their approach to the Promised Land, God presented them with water from Kadesh (Exod. 20). Why is this? At the beginning, you need the …
O Lord, drive away the darkness from our minds with the Light of your Wisdom, so that enlightened in this way we may serve You with renewed purity. The beginning of the sun’s passage through the sky marks the beginning of the working-day for us mortals: we ask You, O Lord, to prepare in our …
