The Role of Doubt in the Development of Faith At an age when many of my contemporaries are grandfathers, or even great grandfathers, I’ve discovered the truth of something I read about while still a college student. Grandparents are often more sympathetic to the burdens and challenges that young people
Author: Abbot Tryphon
I am abbot of All-Merciful Saviour Orthodox Monastery (ROCOR) on Vashon Island, WA. The island is a twenty minute ferry ride from West Seattle, and a fifteen minute crossing from Tacoma.
Surrounded by the Salish Sea, the island is some 87% undeveloped forest, with a rural population of around eleven thousand citizens. If you wish to contact me personally, you can email me at: abbottryphon@vashonmonks.com
Constructing the Foundation When we face down our own weaknesses, we can begin the process of constructing the foundation for an intimate relationship with God. Ignoring those things that keep us stuck in the quagmire that is the ego, prevents spiritual growth, and the joy of being immersed in the
Behold, YOUR mother!
Our Laziness and Misplaced Priorities Our laziness and misplaced priorities regarding Sunday and holy day services keep us from our obligations to God, and endanger the soul. Keeping ourselves away from God’s temple causes us to remain afar from the cure that comes from participating in the Divine Mysteries. Saint
God Infuses His Energies into the Icons The Old Testament God was revealed to us by Christ Jesus. Prior to the incarnation of the Logos, God’s people were forbidden to make any image of Him, for no one had seen His face. Yet when Christ said to His disciples, “he
Nothing but the truth will help you with God!
We Must Guard Our Hearts As we are all filled with thoughts that flood our minds, let us consider each thought and decide whether it be our own, or those of the enemy of our salvation. If they are the latter they should be dispelled and given no room to
Behold the works of God through his Saints.
I Postpone the Day of My Own Repentance Every aspect of my life should be a reflection of my faith in Christ, yet I utterly fall short in living this out as a reality. I find it difficult to look closely at myself, and at my relationships with others. How
The Divine Flame Will Consume Us At the very first moment we decide to turn to God, our heart begins to be warmed by the action of the Holy Spirit. Our heart is kindled with the divine flame that will transform us. This flame will consume us completely, and will