Κατηγορία

In English

As members of the Church (Elder Efraim Vatopaidinos)

Κατηγορίες: In English

Saint John says something very much inspired by God: ‘Monastics are the light for lay people; angels are the light for monastics’. He says this not to denigrate lay people. He says it to show the majesty of the experience of the Church, in which a monastic can strive, dedicate himself or herself and receive the Grace of the Holy Spirit in a special way, though they do so as members of the Church.

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On Love (2) (Elder Germanos Stavrovouniotis)

Κατηγορίες: In English

There’s love in a Godly manner, but there’s also love in a devilish manner. There’s Godly hatred and also devilish hatred. Godly love is that which springs from the observance of His commandments. Devilish love is demonic, hedonistic, malevolent, such as, for example that which a married man feels for a woman other than his wife, which sometimes reaches the point of him leaving his lawful wife for the sake of the outsider. Demonic love is also that which governs those who fall into sodomite passions. Such forms of ‘love’ are not only repulsive and abhorrent to God, but, if there’s no repentance and change in attitude, He punishes them in exemplary fashion. Godly hatred is hate of sin. Diabolical ...

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Did you ever see a Shroud with Pockets? (Saint Paisios the Athonite)

Κατηγορίες: In English

A very well-known doctor once came to see me. His wife, who was also a doctor, came with him. They were religious people, both of them. They complained that their children were living secular lives and not only didn’t observe the religious traditions of the family, but mocked them. They called Christians backward, smug, insincere, hypocritical and impious because- according to them- their words didn’t match their deeds and their deeds weren’t Christian. Once a year the parents held a service of the blessing of the oil at their house and, although the children had taken part when they were little, they now no longer did so. The doctor seemed very tired and depressed over the religious apathy of his children. He felt ...

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