We Must Beware of False Idols Idolatry is a pejorative term for the worship of an idol, a physical object worshiped as though it were a god. Idolatry can also involve objects, persons, entertainment, even self. Anything that replaces the centrality of God in our life can be a form
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
Our Communal Nature is an Important Element in What it Means to be Human Christianity is a communal faith, one that requires its followers to be actively involved with others. The Church’s worship is communal, and salvation itself is a corporate act, one that necessitates interaction with others. One is
Living According to the Will of God How do we know we are living according to the will of God? We make sure we live a life that is focused on Christ and not let that which is transitory rule, for a life centered in Christ brings about true peace,
Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving Jesus Christ called for a thorough conversion of our heart and mind, and a complete turning away from the old man (our fallen nature). The main act that begins this conversion is metanoia, which means thorough change of mind. This happens when we become aware that
The Church, Much Like the Gardener, Nurtures Her Children We all struggle with our passions, and like Saint Paul we can say that we do what we do not want to do and do not do what we want to do. The passions hold us down to the ground in
The Importance of the Desert for the Inner Life The Russian word, “poustinia”, means “desert”, and the importance of poustinia to inner life can not be dismissed. If we are to hear the voice of God speaking to us, we must listen to His silence. If we are to learn
Living Our Orthodox Faith in a Non-Believing World In this pluralistic society there are many Orthodox individuals who’ve found themselves sharing their lives with non-Orthodox family members. Sometimes these families are not even practicing Christians, so the struggle to keep to the traditions and practices of the Orthodox Faith can
How Can We Possibly Love Everyone? We are instructed by Christ to love our neighbors as ourselves, and even to love our enemies. There are always individuals who come into our lives that we find difficult to like, let alone love. Given this, how do we follow the commandment of