No Chance “Do not say, “this happened by chance, while this came to be of itself.” In all that exists there is nothing disorderly, nothing indefinite, nothing without purpose, nothing by chance… How many hairs are on your head? God will not forget one of them. Do you see how
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
Weaponized Imagination “Imagination is the most cunning weapon of Satan; imagining the past, and imagining the future; imagining good works, imagining bad ones. Various thoughts come and preoccupy the nous, so that it ceases to meditate on the name of Jesus. He tries to make man not to show interest
Acquiring Humility The struggle to become humble is painful, but its profit lasts forever. #pride #humility #god Tuesday March 25, 2025 / March 12, 2025 Fourth Week of the Great Lent: Adoration of Cross. Tone six. Great Lent. By Monastic Charter: Food without Oil Venerable Theophanes the Confessor of Sigriane (818). St.
Prepare for Temptations “If you wish to make a right beginning in your spiritual activity, first prepare yourself for the temptations that will befall you. For the devil has the habit of visiting with terrible temptations those whom he sees starting a righteous life with ardent faith. . . Therefore prepare yourself to
Tired of Our Sins “The Lord is not tired of hearing us complain all the time. He is tired of our sins, not our turning to Him for help! He wants us to call upon Him all the time and to pour out our hearts to Him.” Elder Thaddeus #prayer
Ease The Burden “We must learn to ease the burden of thoughts that bears down upon us. As soon as we feel burdened, we must turn to the Lord and give our worries over to Him, as well as the worries and cares of our loved ones.” Elder Thaddeus #jesuschrist
Prayer & Back Again “I know thousands of souls in the world—throughout the whole world, I would say—who compel themselves in the prayer with wondrous results. The prayer fortifies them in their spiritual struggle; it enlightens them inwardly, and they confess thoroughly and sincerely. Distressed by the thoughts and temptations
No Hurry “When praying, keep to the rule that it is better to say five words from the depth of your heart than ten thousand words with your tongue only. When you observe that your heart is cold and prays unwillingly, stop praying and warm your heart by vividly representing
The Only Judge “Do not judge others, for you cannot know what is inside the other man. Do not condemn, for he may still rise whilst you may fall. Beware of even talking about others, lest you start judging them. Enquiring into other people’s sin is a curiosity hateful to
Friday March 28, 2025 / March 15, 2025 Fourth Week of the Great Lent: Adoration of Cross. Tone six. Great Lent. By Monastic Charter: Strict Fast (Bread, Vegetables, Fruits) Martyrs Agapius, Publius (Pauplios), Timolaus, Romulus, two named Dionysius, and two named Alexander, at Caesarea in Palestine (303). New Hieromartyr Alexis priest (1938). New Hieromartyr Michael priest (1940).