Below the reader will find, in full, chapter 15 from my translation of select works form St. Dimitry of Rostov. The chapter title in the book is “The Search for Christ.” I believe it offers very profound themes of contemplation for us as we prepare to enter the Great Fast. Ultimately, every blessed thing that …
Tag: Orthodox Life
The Disobedient Disciple
Below the reader will find a beautiful account of a disciple who through his seeming lack of strict obedience brought forth great fruit. He rightly coupled discernment with obedience. For without discernment, it is possible for obedience to become abusive. Of course, such discernment was (and must be) exercised with great Christian love and devotion. …
Spiritual Guidance on the Christian Path
I'm very pleased to announce the republication in book form of my translation of select works by St. Dimitry of Rostov. I formerly had a post on my blog with a PDF version, entitled “Instruction on the Path of Virtue.” I have spent a bit of time revising and editing it for publication in print …
Without the Purification of the Mind, There is only Foolishness
Below is little more of my translation (from Russian) of a work by St. Dimitry of Rostov on the topic of knowledge, reason, and the mind. The reader may find the previous article on this subject, by St. Dimitry, here - “A True Mind and an Evil Mind.”The topic of true knowledge and understanding is …
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The World is Mad
Below the reader will find a sobering and timely message from Archbishop Averky of blessed memory. He delivered these words in the midst of the 20th century when Communism held full sway in the then Soviet Union and he himself lived in the United States. Yet, in a manner similar to Solzhenitsyn, he understands that …
Link to the full work of Archbp. Averky, “True Orthodoxy and the Modern World.”
Greetings in Jesus Christ, dear readers! Two of my recent posts, The Gates of Hell Shall not Prevail, and, Worldly Progress or the Cross, were taken from a collection of writings by Archbp. Averky of blessed memory entitled, "True Orthodoxy and the Modern World." I received some comments from some readers asking if it would …
Continue reading Link to the full work of Archbp. Averky, “True Orthodoxy and the Modern World.”
Worldly Progress or the Cross?
Below the reader will find another teaching from the great lion of the 20th century, Archbishop Averky. The article is taken from “Orthodoxy and the Modern World,” Chapter 28, “The Kingdom of God on Earth, Progress, or the Cross?”1 In these days, our hope must be in Christ Jesus. All of man's “progress,” which for …
There is no place for despair for a Christian on earth
Words and consolation from our sweetest Lord Jesus come in various ways. This past week I encountered a rather tumultuous situation, in the midst of which two dear priests (I believe unbeknownst to each other) shared this letter by St. Justin Popovich with me. Although I fall short, it brought words of consolation to me. …
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The Life of the Holy New Hieromartyr Pavel of the Russian Far East
“I clearly see that the people’s task is not to remake the state system, but to work on the human person, and to be better yourself, and even to suffer for the truth.” Holy New-Hieromartyr Pavel. 1886 saw a terrible cholera epidemic in the city of Kolyvan, Siberia when young Pavel (Paul) Lasareff was 6 …
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Sight: A Cause for Scandal
“One thing I know ... I was blind and now I see” (John 9:25) - O Lord, I am no one. Just a blind beggar in the outer court. I have no eyes to see, I have no wealth by which to live. I am forgotten and despised by men. Have mercy on me. Illumine …
The Inkless Pen 