Hoping this is our last snow for the season. 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
Category: The Morning Offering
Novice Theofil, Abbot Tryphon, Hieromonk Paul, and Monk Moses (click photo to enlarge) Forgetfulness of the Things of God The Lenten struggle is a perfect time to do battle with the passions that create a state of unrest in our hearts. Anything that causes us to forget the goal, which
Fasting and Prayer go Together One of the great benefits of fasting is to be found in the aid it lends to the controlling of our bodily inclinations to resist communion with God. Fasting and prayer go together for the precise reason that fasting helps the body conform to the
I’m Back! Due to changes made by Google, I’ve been locked out of my blog since Wednesday, unable to upload any articles. I’m not a tech sort of guy (being old), so have had to rely upon my younger friends. Thanks to Peter and Richard, both tech guys (but by
How to become Humble We have a fairly clear idea of what humility is, for we’ve all met people who are truly humble. Metropolitan Laurus of blessed memory, the saintly man who’d led the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia as her Chief Hierarch, was such a man. Our brotherhood’s
Grateful Dead A Monk is to be Dead to the World A monk is to be dead to the world, for by his very vocation he is called to be set apart, living a life in imitation of the angels. Whether he be praised or offended, a monk must react
Petty Clergy Pettiness is that sickness of the heart that can lead some clergy to constantly be on the lookout for anyone who might offend them. Ready at a moments notice, they are poised to confront the offender. Such clergy build up their low self esteem by finding someone they
Rejected There are people who insist on holding on to resentment, often inventing situations in their minds that never happened, justifying their bad behavior, and putting the blame on others. They see themselves as the abused party, always quick to take offense. Rarely are they able to have healthy relationships,
The Great Fast As we begin the Great and Holy Fast, let us remember that our soul is immortal, and care must be given to ensure its health. Our bodies will die, yet we often give more attention to the health of our bodies, than we do for our souls.
Fasting The late afternoon sun (). The Lord condemned the Pharisee, not because he fasted, but because his motivation was based on pride. The Pharisee wished to be seen by men, and he had no fear of God. He dared to stand before the Lord in pride and arrogance, while