By: John Watson Kyrillos was first and foremost a priest who celebrated the Eucharist daily. He was also a monk. ‘Priest-monk’ is not always a useful description of either one who has given himself to the sacerdotal life nor to one who has joined a monastery as a monk. The priesthood has often been little …
By: Fr Youssef Asaad The disciples said to Him, “If this is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry!” But He said to them, “Not everyone can accept this teaching, but only those to whom it is given. For there are eunuchs who were born this way from …
The Lord was asked this question by the young rich man who was beloved and respected, the Lord “looking at him, loved him’’ (Mark 10:21). He was also religious and a leader in the Jewish community. He was also polite approaching the Lord kneeling gently and meekly. Most importantly he was seeking the kingdom of …
But if we wished also to examine the nighttime, we would see the monk adorned with the worship of God and with prayers, singing much earlier than the birds, living with the angels, conversing with God, enjoying the goods of heaven. But he who commands many nations and peoples and armies, who rules over much …
Monasticism is grounded on celibacy, voluntary poverty, chastity and obedience. These monastic vows are distinguished in the monastic life from their superficial appearance to the true practice of these virtues in their depth. It is not enough to abide by these vows only in the monks exterior life but it should also extend to the …
I am glad to be around all the bishops and our beloved fathers the monk(s) of this great monastery. I have a strong notion the success of the church in spreading the word of God worldwide comes from nowhere other than the monastic prayers. I believe that without the prayers raised from our monasteries worldwide, …
Monastic life above everything is a life of continuous prayer. A layman can do everything that a monk does, except continuous prayer. This is the major difference between a monk and a layman because continuous prayer involves no distractions and laymen do not have this luxury. The monk's entire life is dedicated to God. Laymen …
It is an important question that most young people ask themselves, “How do I know if monastic life is for me? As it seems too hard, lifelong commitment, fasting, asceticism, obedience. Many young people think that something miraculous has to happen to them to know what is God’s will for me, especially when people read …
When I left the bishopric and returned to my desert cave at the beginning of January 1964, I found the monk Antonius (Pope Shenouda’s name before becoming a bishop) at the door and he said to me, “I knew that you would return”, as he hugged me tightly so that we became one. At that …
In the Orthodox Church the rite of monastic tonsure has a sacramental character. It is called a ‘sacrament’ (mystery) by Dionysius the Areopagite and other early Christian authors. It is also called a 'sacrament' in the rite itself. Like Baptism, it is death to fleshly life and a birth into a new, spiritual mode of …
