But someone might say, “Then, if heaven is so great, why don’t you all just go and kill yourselves, and pass over to your God right away, and not bother us anymore?”
In the Christian context: by “mystery,” we do not mean merely that which is baffling and mysterious, an enigma or insoluble problem.
The almighty Christ was the only one which had the right, the power and the capacity to be a tyrant.
You have a spiritual nature. The soul is the image of the Creator. Honor the image of God by being in agreement with all humanity.
I also maintain that those who are punished in Gehenna are scourged by the scourge of love.
Blessed is the man who knows his own weakness, because this knowledge becomes to him the foundation, root and beginning of all goodness.
Elder Joseph of Vatopaidi (+2009) was a very pious monk and we honor his memory each year with much devotion and dedication. His holiness was acquired through his great ascetical feats along with good deeds which he performed throughout his entire life, and in most cases in discretion, just like any other spiritual person.
According to the blameless Christian faith, of the One, Holy Apostolic and Catholic Church, which comes to us as a revelation from God, I confess and hold that I believe in one God, the Father Almighty: God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. I adore and worship one God, the Holy Trinity.
He showed me many trees that had no leaves; they were withered, and they all looked alike to me. And he said to me, “Do you see these trees?” “I see, sir, that they are all alike, and all withered,” I replied. “These trees that you see,” he answered, “are those who dwell in this world.”
The main difference between heaven and hell isn’t the difference of place. There is also a place difference but the main difference is the difference in the existential response of an intelligent being – human or angel – to the same uncreated divine energy which is much more intense than here on earth, both in heaven and in hell.
We know when we will die. Unfortunately this knowledge is lost in the labyrinth of our mind, due to our darkness generated by our sinful life. An enlightened mind will tell us three things:
First we must know that we should be just one man united with the one God but, because of Adam’s fall, we are many separated between us and separated from the Holy Trinity. This generated a chaotic behavior inside and outside of us –
Mourning, according to God, is sadness of soul, and the disposition of a sorrowing heart, which ever madly seeks that for which it thirsts; and when it
Be like a king in your heart, seated high in humility, and commanding laughter: Go, and it goes; and sweet weeping: Come, and it comes; and our tyrant and slave
I saw that there was no tragedy in God. Tragedy is to be found solely in
Happiness can only be achieved by looking inward and learning to enjoy whatever life has, and this requires
There are many miracles which the Holy Belt has performed throughout history. For us, however, the most precious miracle which happens each year is that we are, after 15 (fifteen) hours of
God is allmighty and He could leave us for consolation anything from His mother. However,
A characteristic of those who are still progressing in blessed mourning is temperance and silence of the lips; and of those who have made progress, freedom from
It’s not food or favourable living conditions that ensure our health. It’s a holy life, the life of Christ. I know ascetics who fasted very strictly and never had anything wrong with them. Nobody risks getting ill from fasting. Nobody’s ever done so. “Saint Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia”
Beautiful things are linked to pain, but pain also brings joy. A rose produces a thorn and the thorn a rose. Generally, a rainbow appears after a squall. Unless there are storms, the sky won’t clear. “Saint Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia”
The Lord revealed, through the lives of the Apostles and of all the Saints, that it is not possible for the Holy Spirit to reside in us without us bearing Its fruit. He expressly stressed that the fruits of the Holy Spirit are ‘love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control’. Therefore, we ought to look for such fruit inside ourselves, which indicates the presence of the Holy Spirit. Then we may assess where we stand spiritually. Such critical assessment is necessary and lifesaving. If we embark on this exercise during this festive season, then it will be truly […]
Whether the sword is sent, or sickness, famine, death, or something else that’s considered appalling, they’re all sent to earth for our regeneration and correction, and so that we can concentrate our minds on devotion to God. Because every generation needs to be educated by a visit from the Lord. “Saint Ephraim the Syrian”
Christ comes lots of times and knocks at your door. You ask Him into the sitting-room of your soul and then get involved with other tasks and forget all about the great Visitor. He waits for you to appear and when a long time’s passed He gets up and leaves. Next time, you’re so busy, you answer Him from the window. You haven’t got time even to open the door to Him. “Elder Amphilochios Makris of Patmos”
Temptations in their various forms sadden people, so that they seek divine assistance all the more, and with tears. This is a dispensation of Divine Providence, in order to strip us bare. “Blessed Joseph the Hesychast”
Man has been honored by God in such a way that He Himself comes down to earth with His Angelic Orders every time there is a Liturgy, in order to nurture man with His Most Holy Body and His Most Precious Blood! For He has given us everything. Is there anything physical or spiritual, perishable or everlasting, that has not been offered to us? None! Is there anything superior to His Most Holy Body and Blood, which is given to us on a daily basis? There is certainly not. God has enabled man, who is full of soil and dirt, […]
The way to acquire peace is as follows: forget entirely your fall and the sin and give yourself over to the thought of God’s great and ineffable goodness and the fact that He is willing and desires to forgive every sin, however serious, inviting sinners in a variety of ways to come to their senses and be joined to Him in this life and, by His Grace, to be glorified and be eternally blessed in the next.
Every time we celebrate the Dormition of the Mother of God, it’s as if we’re having Easter – the Easter of the summer. Our Lady the Mother of God prepares Easter for us. A glorious crossing “from death to life”. A second Easter, holy spotless, life-giving for the human race, because today “the laws of nature are overcome”.
Pain and suffering are always inevitable for…
Christians, always rejoice, for evil, death, sin, the devil and hell have been conquered by Christ. But when all of this is conquered, is there anyone in the world who…
