Without Me you can do nothing (John 15:5)If we be true to our calling as the children of God, we must live in imitation of Christ. We must imitate His meekness and humility. We must love others just as did He. We must be willing to be transformed, and made whole, that others can see in us, the Light of Christ. To do this, we must pray and fast, seeking the help that only Christ can give us. That which is impossible with us, is possible with the help of Christ. Only Christ can ignite our soul for love of God, but we must cooperate by making our hearts open to Him.
We must not allow ourselves to be complacent in our journey into the Heart of God. Our Christian faith demands that we take heaven violently, storming heaven as it were. Only when we are ruthless towards ourselves, and quick to condemn ourselves as the worst of sinners, will we truly be flooded with the grace needed to be transformed and made whole. Like the Holy Apostle Paul, we must see ourselves as the worst of sinners, and like Paul must see that any good we do, is Christ in us.
Just as we light lampadas and candles before holy icons, symbolizing the Light of Christ, so too must we struggle each and every day to let the Light of Christ shine forth in us. If we live our Christian faith with little effort, the Light will be dim, and neither the angels in heaven, or those who come in contact with us, will notice anything different from the unbeliever. We are, as Christians, called to be a holy people, living “not of this world”, but ever in the Kingdom that is to come.
Love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
Photo: Aerial photo of monastery.
The recording of Sunday’s Ancient Faith Radio live call-in with Abbot Tryphon:
http://165.225.128.33/podcasts/aftoday/monasticism_today_abbot_tryphon
Wednesday June 12, 2013
Apodosis of Pascha. Tone five.
Fast. Fish Allowed
Venerable Isaac, founder of the Dalmatian Monastery at Constantinople (383).
New Hieromartyr Basil priest (1942).
Martyr Natalius.
Martyrs Romanus, Meletius and Euplius.
St. Macrina, grandmother of St. Basil the Great (4th c.).
Venerable James, monk of Galich Monastery (15th c.).
Venerables Isaiah and Nikanor of Arkhangel’sk.
Martyr Barlaam of Caesarea in Cappadocia.
St. Venantius of Gaul (374).
St. Hubert of Maastricht (727) (Neth.).
You can read the life of the saint in red, by clicking on the name.
THANKS to all of you who have been able to contribute towards the support of the monastery. These difficult times of economic hardship have impacted the monastery, and those of you who have been able to donate, have been our lifeline. May God bless you for your generosity, and kindness.
With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
The Scripture Readings
Acts 18:22-28
22And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up and greeted the church, he went down to Antioch. 23After he had spent some time there, he departed and went over the region of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.
Ministry of Apollos
24Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. 27And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace; 28for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.
John 12:36-47
36While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them.
Who Has Believed Our Report?
37But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him, 38that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke:
“Lord, who has believed our report?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”
39Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again:
40“He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts,Lest they should see with their eyes,
Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,So that I should heal them.”
41These things Isaiah said when he saw His glory and spoke of Him.
Walk in the Light
42Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; 43for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
44Then Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. 45And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. 46I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. 47And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.