A Quiet Prayer “Sit in a quiet place, in front of an icon, on a chair or stool. Breathe quietly, not forcefully, and make peace in your thoughts and heart as much as you can. Leave your cares aside for fifteen minutes for example. Then, start whispering the prayer: “Lord
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
Saturday November 29, 2025 / November 16, 2025 25th Week after Pentecost. Tone seven. Nativity (St. Philip’s Fast). Fish Allowed Holy Apostle and Evangelist Matthew (60). New Hieromartyrs Theodore Korolev priest and with him Martyr Ananius Boykov and Michael Boldakov (1929). New Hieromartyrs John, Nicholas, Victor, Basil, Makarius and Michael priests, Hieromartyr Panteleimon
Befriend Yourself “When you reach a state of harmony within yourself and become friends with yourself, then, simultaneously, your environment, Heaven and Earth, will become your friends. For such a person there are no enemies, no ‘impure’ people. Everything is pure to those who are pure. Do you realize that
Friday November 28, 2025 / November 15, 2025 25th Week after Pentecost. Tone seven. Nativity (St. Philip’s Fast). By Monastic Charter: Strict Fast (Bread, Vegetables, Fruits) Beginning of Nativity Fast. Holy Martyrs and Confessors Gurias (299), Samonas (306), and Abibus (322), of Edessa. Venerable Paisius (Velichkovsky) of Moldavia and Mt. Athos (1794). New Hieromartyrs Nicholas and Peter priests, Gregory
The Form of Thanksgiving “Every genuine confession humbles the soul. When it takes the form of thanksgiving, it teaches the soul that it has been delivered by the grace of God.” Saint Maximus the Confessor #God #thanksgiving #soul
Thursday November 27, 2025 / November 14, 2025 25th Week after Pentecost. Tone seven. Eve of the Nativity Fast. Holy and All-praised Apostle Philip (1st c.). New Hieromartyrs Demetrius, Alexander, Victor, Alexis, Michael, Michael, Theodore, Peter, Alexis, Sergius, Nicholas, Basil, Alexander, Nicholas, Demetrius, Demetrius, Porphirius, Basil, George, Basil, Sergius priests, Nicholas deacon, New
Become Saints “The reason [why we don‘t all become Saints] is within us. Firstly, due to our bad intent. Secondly, due to our neglect and laziness. Thirdly, due to the lack or complete absence of love for God and the things of Heaven. Fourthly, due to our complete love of
Wednesday November 26, 2025 / November 13, 2025 25th Week after Pentecost. Tone seven. Fast. Food with Oil St. John Chrysostom, archbishop of Constantinople (407). Martyrs Antoninus, Nicephorus, and Germanus of Caesarea in Palestine (308). Martyr Manetha of Caesarea in Palestine (308). New Martyr Damascene of Mt. Athos (1681). St. Bricius, bishop of Tours (444) and St. Quintianus, bishop of Clermont
Greed Into Gratitude “Happiness can only be achieved by looking inward and learning to enjoy whatever life has and this requires transforming greed into gratitude.” Saint John Chrysostom #greed #gratitude #happiness
Tuesday November 25, 2025 / November 12, 2025 25th Week after Pentecost. Tone seven. St. John the Merciful, patriarch of Alexandria (620). Venerable Nilus the Faster of Sinai (451). New Hieromartyr Alexander priest (1918). New Hieromartyrs Constantine Uspensky, Vladimir Krasnovsky, Alexander Arkhangelsky, Matthew Aloin, Demetrius Rozanov, Peter Kosminkov priests and Symeon Krechkov deacon (1937). New