“You have to hold onto the spirit. The letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life (II Cor. 3:6). If in monasticism one sees only the form, then it’s not just hard to live, but horrible. Hold fast to the spirit. Look at what unbelief, nihilism, and carrion there is in
Monday October 14, 2024 / October 1, 2024 17th Week after Pentecost. Tone seven. The Protection of Our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary. Apostle Ananias of the Seventy (1st c.). Venerable Romanus the Melodist of Constantinople (556). Venerable Sabbas, abbot of Vishera (Novgorod) (1461). New Hieromartyr Alexis priest (1918). New Hieromartyr Michael priest (1920).
True Transformation It is of critical importance that we avoid any form of Pharisaism. Our Christian faith must be lived out in complete humility and love. When we allow pride to dominate our life as Christians, we will have utterly failed in our imitation of Christ. This requires a daily
Bishop Theodosius (Ivashchenko) visited our monastery yesterday for lunch and to give me Holy Unction. Saturday October 12, 2024 / September 29, 2024 16th Week after Pentecost. Tone six. Venerable Cyriacus the Hermit of Palestine (556). New Hieromartyr John, archbishop of Riga in Latvia (1934). New Hieromartyr Michael Krasnotsvetov (1937).
Friday October 11, 2024 / September 28, 2024 16th Week after Pentecost. Tone six. Fast. Food with Oil Venerable Chariton the Confessor, abbot of Palestine (350). Venerables Cyril, schemamonk and Maria, schemanun (1337) (parents of St. Sergius of Radonezh). Uncovering of the relics of St. Elizabeth Romanov (1918). Martyress Anna
Thursday October 10, 2024 / September 27, 2024 16th Week after Pentecost. Tone six. Martyr Callistratus and his company (49 Martyrs) of Carthage (304). Venerable Sabbatius, wonderworker of Solovki (1435). New Hieromartyr Demetrius priest (1918). New Hieromartyrs Herman bishop of Volsk and Michael priest (1919). Hieromartyr Peter, metropolitan of Krutitsa (1937). New Hieromartyr Theodore
No matter how old or wise we may be, we must always return to the simple truth: “Little children, love one another.” -St. John the Theologian Wednesday October 9, 2024 / September 26, 2024 16th Week after Pentecost. Tone six. Fast. Fish, Wine, & Oil Allowed. Repose of the Holy
The Beauty Beyond Quote of the Day “If here in exile, in this accursed land of weeping, our holy God has given us so much beauty to enjoy, I wonder how much there will be in the place where God Himself dwells!” Geronda Ephraim of Arizona Tuesday October 8, 2024
“With the [Jesus] Prayer man becomes like a child. It brings him back to the simplicity and innocence that Adam had in Paradise before the fall. With the Prayer one acquires blessed, holy dispassion. Through the Prayer you sanctify the place you are sitting and the work you are doing.
Sunday October 6, 2024 / September 23, 2024 15th Sunday after Pentecost. Tone six. Synaxis of All Saints Who Shone Forth in the Spanish and Portuguese Lands (movable holiday on the Sunday before September 29th). The Conception of the Honorable, Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John. Canonization (1977) of St. Innocent Metropolitan of Moscow.