Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Parents are like a tree ( St. Kosmas Aitolos )

When you cut down a tree, all its branches immediately whither. Conversely, when a tree is watered at the roots, its branches stand strong and healthy.

Parents resemble a tree. The father and mother comprise the roots of the children. When a father and mother are watered with fasting, prayers, almsgiving, and other virtuous deeds, then God protects the children...

When an apple tree produces sour apples, what is to blame? Will we lay blame on the apple tree or the apples? Obviously, the problem lies in the tree.
Therefore, you the parents, who constitute the appletree, must live correctly and virtuously so that the applesthat are produced also become sweet.

St. Kosmas Aitolos

Matins of the Ecclesiastical New Year: Bless the crown of the year with Thy goodness . . .

O Word of the Father from before the ages, Who, being in the form of God, broughtest creation into being out of nothing; Thou Who hast put the times and seasons in Thine own power: Bless the crown of the year with Thy goodness; give peace unto Thy churches, victory unto Thy faithful hierarchs, fruitfulness unto the earth, and Great Mercy unto us.

Matins of the Ecclesiastical New Year, Tone 3

Saturday, August 27, 2016

Good Deeds ( St. Moses of Optina )


If at some time you show mercy to someone, mercy will be shown to you.


If you show compassion to one who is suffering (and of course, this is not a great deed) you will be numbered among the martyrs.


If you forgive one who has insulted you, then not only will all your sins be forgiven, but you will be a child of the Heavenly Father.


If you pray from all your heart for salvation - even a little - you will be saved.


If you rebuke yourself, accuse yourself, and judge yourself before God for your sins, with a sensitive conscience, even for this you will be justified.


If you are sorrowful for your sins, or you weep, or sigh, your sigh will not be hidden from Him and, as St. John Chrysostom says, "If you only lament for your sins, then He will receive this for your salvation." 


St. Moses of Optina

The true purpose of our Christian life is the acquisition of the Holy Spirit of God. ( St. Seraphim of Sarov )

Fasting, prayer, alms, and every other good Christian deed is good in itself, but the purpose of the Christian life consists not only in the fulfillment of one or another of them. The true purpose of our Christian life is the acquisition of the Holy Spirit of God. But fasting, prayer, alms and every good deed done for the sake of Christ is a means to the attainment of the Holy Spirit. Note that only good deeds done for the sake of Christ bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Everything else that is not done for the sake of Christ, even if it is good, does not bring us a reward in the life to come, not does it bring the grace of God in this life. This is why our Lord Jesus Christ said, "Whoever gathereth not with me scattereth" (Matt. 12:30).
(St. Seraphim of Sarov, Conversation on the Goal of the Christian Life)

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Akathist to Saint Seraphim Rose of Platina


Kontakion 1
Chosen vessel of Christ, Blessed Father Seraphim, we offer to thee a song of thanksgiving and praise, as we contemplate thy God-pleasing activity and sacrifice. As you now behold the risen Lord, on His throne of glory, you intercede for our pitiful generation. Wherefore we sinners cry out:
Rejoice, Holy Father Blessed Seraphim, radiant lamp of Christ illuminating the last times!
Ikos 1
During thy earthly sojourn you traded the corruptible riches of a dying world for the inexpressible, infinite riches of the Heavenly King. Renouncing all ties to the earth you sought to acquire the mind and faith of the Holy Fathers of the Orthodox Church, and transmit this grace unto the salvation of many. Honoring thy exploits we praise thee thusly:
Rejoice, seeker of the Truth above all else!
Rejoice, thou who rejected the many temptations of the wide path to perdition!
Rejoice, thou who confessed the Lord Jesus Christ before the world!
Rejoice, thou who exposed the subtle snares of the enemy!
Rejoice, thou who sought the grace and illumination of the Kingdom within!
Rejoice, thou who renounced the created and sought the Uncreated Light!
Rejoice, Holy Father Blessed Seraphim, radiant lamp of Christ illuminating the last times!
Kontakion 2
Seeing the delusion and folly that passes as the wisdom of this world, you chose the way of Christ and became truly wise. And like a modern Blessed Augustine, you then sought to understand the mystery of the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of man. And desiring His Kingdom, we sing with you to him:
Alleluia!
Ikos 2
Having avoided the dread abyss of apostasy you raised the cry of salvation unto a thirsty world. Answering to your call we sing to thee:
Rejoice, thou who made clear the path of salvation to darkened modern man!
Rejoice, humble servant who followed Tradition as it was handed down to thee!
Rejoice, philosopher who saw history rest in God's hand!
Rejoice, repentant heart that sought forgiveness of sins!
Rejoice, venerator of Orthodox monarchs!
Rejoice, thou who exposed the error of God-rejecting humanity!
Rejoice, Holy Father Blessed Seraphim, radiant lamp of Christ illuminating the last times!
Kontakion 3
Finding thyself with a incurable illness in thy youth, you entreated the Holy Mother of God for healing to have time to produce fruit for her Holy Son. And because you found that mercy, we sing to the Lord Jesus Christ:
Alleluia!
Ikos 3
Having sought ascetic labor as a healing from sin, you have been exalted from on high. You now plead to the Eternal Judge of mankind for your spiritual children and for all who cry to you such things as these:
Rejoice, thou who was purified by sufferings!
Rejoice, thou who sought mercy from the Mother of God to do her Son's work!
Rejoice, thou who sought to walk the narrow path that leads to life!
Rejoice, thou who, unlike the lawyers of old, helped others to walk that path!
Rejoice, thou who shone with the radiance of the Kingdom of Heaven!
Rejoice, tho who humbly accepted your place in the succession of the righteous which was allotted thee by the Holy Trinity!
Rejoice, Holy Father Blessed Seraphim, radiant lamp of Christ illuminating the last times!
Kontakion 4
Having been born in a land separated from the saving truth of Orthodoxy, you labored to present to the west Holy Saints of its own as a lamp out of error. And we, benefitting from thy labors, join the hymn to the Holy Trinity by singing:
Alleluia!
Ikos 4
Having witnessed in thy youth the modern wonderworker, St. John Maximovitch of San Francisco, saving souls like a modern St. Martin of Tours, you followed his example by thy love for the saints of the west. Rejoicing in their light we cry:
Rejoice, thou who glorified God's saints such as St. Gregory of Tours!
Rejoice, thou who followed the path such as St. Herman of Alaska!
Rejoice, thou who indicated the way into the Kingdom of Heaven for many such as St. Innocent!
Rejoice, native born holy vessel such as St. Peter the Aleut!
Rejoice, light to new lands such as St. John Maximovitch!
Rejoice, holy guardian of the Sacred such as Father Gerasim of Alaska!
Rejoice, Holy Father Blessed Seraphim, radiant lamp of Christ illuminating the last times!
Kontakion 5
Seeing many around thee fall into the errors of both the left and right, thou resolved to follow the blessed Royal middle path that leads to the Kingdom of Truth. And we, attempting to follow thy steps, praise the Lord with this song:
Alleluia!
Ikos 5
Desiring to understand how one can remain faithful to Christ in a time when the love of many has gone cold, you found that only suffering endured with pain of heart for Christ's sake leads to salvation. And we, groaning with sufferings cry out:
Rejoice, pastor who taught in word and deed!
Rejoice, true Christian who took up his cross and followed Christ!
Rejoice, teacher who learned from the Saints!
Rejoice, exponent of spiritual sobriety!
Rejoice, thou who condemned the errors of compromise!
Rejoice, man of understanding who rebuked the modern Pharisees!
Rejoice, Holy Father Blessed Seraphim, radiant lamp of Christ illuminating the last times!
Kontakion 6
Distrusting thine own wisdom, you sought the divine, life saving teachings of the Holy Fathers. As you are now perfected in that wisdom, pray to the Lord Jesus that we may avoid our own understanding, by calling out to Him:
Alleluia!
Ikos 6
Recognizing that you belonged to another sion, you let yourself be grafted into the true vine of Orthodoxy. And following those that taught thee, the grace of God touched your life. And we, desperately needing such nourishment, sing such things as these:
Rejoice, adopted son of Holy Russia!
Rejoice, student of the Fathers of the Philokalia!
Rejoice, champion of Orthodox society!
Rejoice, follower of the Ecumenical Councils!
Rejoice, veneration of the martyrs!
Rejoice, first born holy one of a new land!
Rejoice, Holy Father Blessed Seraphim, radiant lamp of Christ illuminating the last times!
Kontakion 7
Loving the paradise of God before this passing earth, you sought the monastic habit to train your soul to seek the higher things. Having sat at the Lord's feet listening to his words, you took the better part. And we, chasing after many things, long to say with thee to the Lord:
Alleluia!
Ikos 7
Having sought to save thy soul as a humble monk you are exalted beyond passion's reach. And we, plundered by enemies and passions, beseech your prayers by such praises as these:
Rejoice, thou who sought to provide monastic life to perishing modern man!
Rejoice, thou who led the call for an American Thebaid!
Rejoice, lover of the desert dwellers of Egypt!
Rejoice, creator of a Mount Athos in thy heart!
Rejoice, follower of St. John the Forerunner crying out to the world from the wilderness!
Rejoice, veneration of the New Martyrs, forerunners of the monastics of the end times!
Rejoice, Holy Father Blessed Seraphim, radiant lamp of Christ illuminating the last times!
Kontakion 8
Understanding that the knowledge of this life only leads unto death, you accepted ordination to the priesthood at the hands of the inheritor of the Optina Tradition, the Holy Bishop Nektary Kontzevitch. And, functioning as a presbyter, lawful indeed, you brought many to the correct faith, through the waters of baptism. With them, we chant unto God:
Alleluia!
Ikos 8
Seeking to unite the piety of true faith with the understanding of reason, you wrote countless books and articles to provide the Orthodox Word to an age on the decline. As a presbyter, you fed the faithful with Christ's Most Holy Body and Blood. Thus, you satiated your spiritually starving contemporaries, both of mind and soul. And we, attempting to ascend with you, cry:
Rejoice, champion of Orthodoxy!
Rejoice, soldier utilizing the sharp two-edged sword of the Word of God!
Rejoice, exposer of the lie of evolution!
Rejoice, upholder of the greatness of God's creation!
Rejoice, distrust of human reason!
Rejoice, exaltation of the Logos!
Rejoice, Holy Father Blessed Seraphim, radiant lamp of Christ illuminating the last times!
Kontakion 9
Knowing the need to prepare the soul for death, in repentance you sought the teachings of the Holy Fathers on the soul's departure from this place of delusion. And seeking forgiveness from Christ, we praise His mercy and sing:
Alleluia!
Ikos 9
Understanding that man must give account of every thought, word and deed, you warned a heedless generation of the Judgement to come. And we, trembling because of our sins praise thee thusly:
Rejoice, teacher of the truth!
Rejoice, encouragement of the weak!
Rejoice, humbler of the proud!
Rejoice, call to repentance!
Rejoice, plea to the Theotokos!
Rejoice, prayers before the Trinity!
Rejoice, Holy Father Blessed Seraphim, radiant lamp of Christ illuminating the last times!
Kontakion 10
Seeing the world plunge further into madness and unbelief, you spoke of the impending Judgement of God on the straying race of man. And we, terrified at our own lack of faith, sing to God:
Alleluia!
Ikos 10
Having love for all that is loved of Christ, you venerated His holy Mother and sought Her help in times of trial. And we, marveling at thy faith and long-suffering cry to the Mother of God:
Rejoice, Holy Virgin, quick answer of prayers!
Rejoice, protection of those that are afflicted!
Rejoice, hope of the lost!
Rejoice, balm of the wounded!
Rejoice, Mother of Christians!
Rejoice, helper of Blessed Seraphim!
Rejoice, Holy Father Blessed Seraphim, radiant lamp of Christ illuminating the last times!
Kontakion 11
Being a new son of Holy Russia, and seeing that land plundered by godless enemies, you strove to keep Holy Russia alive in a new land. And God rewarded your effort as your Pascha candle lit candles in suffering Holy Russia. Seeing this, we cry to the King of Heaven:
Alleluia!
Ikos 11
Having reverence for the deep, ancient faith of the Russian Orthodox people, you spoke of the resurrection of Holy Russia and from this you became a bright light shining throughout the world. Truly, you were amongst the early fruits of St. Seraphim's great prophecy concerning the revelation of the Orthodox faith to the entire world. Honoring thy faith and far-sightedness we cry:
Rejoice, new fruit of an ancient tree!
Rejoice, seed of a new spring!
Rejoice, prophet of resurrection!
Rejoice, champion of the New Martyrs!
Rejoice, soldier of Christ's army!
Rejoice, instrument of God's providence!
Rejoice, Holy Father Blessed Seraphim, radiant lamp of Christ illuminating the last times!
Kontakion 12
During your life in the flesh, you ever increasingly sought Christ the Lord. And at the time of your departing this life of delusion, the Lord granted you great bodily sufferings to prepare your soul for eternity, thereby causing many miracles through your sanctification. And now that you are perfected in the heavenly Kingdom, pray for us that we all come to Christ chanting:
Alleluia!
Ikos 12
The ways of the Lord are ignored by man, which has taken up arms against its Creator and His Church. Seeing this you warned us to be strong in the trials ahead by saying "It's later than you think!" Seeking your prayers we cry out:
Rejoice, warning against the lukewarm!
Rejoice, encouragement for the weak!
Rejoice, denouncer of confusing heresies!
Rejoice, upholder of Orthodox truth!
Rejoice, light in the darkness!
Rejoice, lantern of Christ!
Rejoice, Holy Father Blessed Seraphim, radiant lamp of Christ illuminating the last times!
Kontakion 13  [3 times]
Oh, Our Holy Father Blessed Seraphim, at your funeral Bishop Nektery instructed us to seek your intercessions. Then, forty days after your repose, he chanted the Glorification to you, thus numbering you among the saints. By most this passed unnoticed until, after sixteen years you were proclaimed "Blessed". Now we know you are singing forever to God:
Alleluia!
Oh, Our Holy Father Blessed Seraphim, at your funeral Bishop Nektery instructed us to seek your intercessions. Then, forty days after your repose, he chanted the Glorification to you, thus numbering you among the saints. By most this passed unnoticed until, after sixteen years you were proclaimed "Blessed". Now we know you are singing forever to God:
Alleluia!
Oh, Our Holy Father Blessed Seraphim, at your funeral Bishop Nektery instructed us to seek your intercessions. Then, forty days after your repose, he chanted the Glorification to you, thus numbering you among the saints. By most this passed unnoticed until, after sixteen years you were proclaimed "Blessed". Now we know you are singing forever to God:
Alleluia!
Ikos 1  Repeated
During thy earthly sojourn you traded the corruptible riches of a dying world for the inexpressible, infinite riches of the Heavenly King. Renouncing all ties to the earth you sought to acquire the mind and faith of the Holy Fathers of the Orthodox Church, and transmit this grace unto the salvation of many. Honoring thy exploits we praise thee thusly:
Rejoice, seeker of Truth above all else!
Rejoice, thou who rejected the many temptations of the wide path to perdition!
Rejoice, tho who confessed the Lord Jesus Christ before the world!
Rejoice, thou who exposed the subtle snares of the enemy!
Rejoice, thou who sought the grace and illumination of the Kingdom within!
Rejoice, thou who renounced the created and sought the Uncreated Light!
Rejoice, Holy Father Blessed Seraphim, radiant lamp of Christ illuminating the last times!
Kontakion 1 Repeated
Chosen vessel of Christ, Blessed Father Seraphim, we offer to thee a song of thanksgiving and praise, as we contemplate thy God-pleasing activity and sacrifice. As you now behold the risen Lord, on His throne of glory, you intercede for our pitiful generation. Wherefore we sinners cry out:
Rejoice, Holy Father Blessed Seraphim, radiant lamp of Christ illuminating the last times!
Prayer to Blessed Father Seraphim of Platina
Oh, Our Holy Father Blessed Seraphim, you lived your life in accordance with the commandment of Christ to die to yourself, pick up your cross and follow Him. Having done so, you produced much fruit for God's harvest. Please pray to the Lord for us, your spiritual children, who live in an age of unbelief and hostility to absolute truth. Pray that Christ our God strengthen us and give us the wisdom and faith to survive the ordeals ahead. Pray for our family and friends, both living and dead. Pray that the inner eyes of our souls be opened to see the divine and true Gospel of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ, that we might acquire the Holy Spirit within ourselves. Pray that we all might someday dwell in bliss with you and the other Saints in the Kingdom of Heaven. Pray to the Mother of God to entreat her Son to have mercy on our souls. For glorious and unending is the Kingdom of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Sunday, August 21, 2016

The path to the Kingdom of Heaven ( Saint Silouan the Athonite )

If a man does not tell everything to his spiritual father, then his path is crooked and does not lead to the Kingdom of Heaven. But the path of one who tells everything leads directly to the Kingdom of Heaven. 

Saint Silouan the Athonite

A proud soul is the slave of fear ( St. John of the Ladder )

Whoever has become a servant of the Lord fears only his Master. But whoever is without the fear of God is often afraid of his own shadow. Fearfulness is the daughter of unbelief. A proud soul is the slave of fear; hoping in itself, in comes to such a state that it is startled by a small noise, and is afraid of the dark. 

(St. John of the Ladder, The Ladder, 21.11,1,4)

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Do not say, "this happened by chance, while this came to be of itself." ( St. Basil the Great )

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 nothing, even the smallest thing, escapes the gaze of God? 

St. Basil the Great

Happiness is a pure heart, for such a heart becomes the throne of God. ( St. Nektarios of Aegina )


How mistaken are those people who seek happiness outside of themselves, in foreign lands and journeys, in riches and glory, in great possessions and pleasures, in diversions and vain things, which have a bitter end! In the same thing to construct the tower of happiness outside of ourselves as it is to build a house in a place that is consistently shaken by earthquakes. Happiness is found within ourselves, and blessed is the man who has understood this. Happiness is a pure heart, for such a heart becomes the throne of God. Thus says Christ of those who have pure hearts: "I will visit them, and will walk in them, and I will be a God to them, and they will be my people." (II Cor. 6:16) What can be lacking to them? Nothing, nothing at all! For they have the greatest good in their hearts: God Himself! 

St. Nektarios of Aegina

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

There is not greater happiness that to love God with all the mind and heart ( St. Silouan the Athonite )


When the soul knows the love of God by the Holy Spirit, then he clearly feels that the Lord is our own Father, the closest, dearest Father, the best. And there is not greater happiness that to love God with all the mind and heart, and our neighbor as ourself. And when this love is in the soul, then all things bring joy to the soul. 

St. Silouan the Athonite

Saturday, August 6, 2016

Christ comes only at the end of the world to begin the eternal kingdom of heaven ( Fr. Seraphim Rose )




So, to repeat the first point: we watch the signs of the times in order to recognize Christ when He comes, because there have been many false Christs, many more false Christs will come, and at the very end of the world there will finally come one who is called Antichrist. The Antichrist will unite all those who are deceived into thinking he is Christ, and this will include all those whose interpretation of Christianity has gone off. Often you can look at some people who confess Christianity, and it seems that many of their ideas are correct—they go according to the Bible. Then you look here and there, and you see that here’s a mistake, there’s a mistake.

Just recently Fr. Dimitry Dudko, in the little newspaper he puts out, said there came t him someone who claimed to be Christian. As he began to talk to him, he began to feel that this person wasn’t Orthodox, and he said, “What confession are you?” “Oh, that’s not important. We’re all Christians. The only important thing is that we be Christians.” He said, “Well, no, no, we have to be more precise than than that. For example, if you’re a Baptist and I’m an Orthodox, I believe that we have the Lord’s Body and Blood, and you don’t.” We must be precise because there are many differences. It’s good to have the attitude: I have respect for you, and I won’t interfere with your faith, but nonetheless there’s a true way of believing and there are ways which go away from the truth. I must be according to the truth.

In the same way we can see that many people who ae not Orthodox have many good things about them, and then they go off in some respect. In the end it’s up to God to judge, not to us. But we can see what will happen if all these little ways people go off now are projected into the last times, if people still believe that way when the last times come. These mistakes cause people, when they see Antichrist, to think that he is Christ. There are very many sects now which believe that Christ is coming to rule for a thousand years form the Temple in Jerusalem. Therefore, when the Jews start building the Temple, these sects will only rejoice because, to them, this is the sign of Christ’s coming. On the contrary, we know that this isn’t he sign of the Antichrist coming, because Christ will no more come ot the Temple. The Temple has been destroyed. Christ comes only at the end of the world to begin the eternal kingdom of heaven. The only one who will come to the Temple is Antichrist.

So, this is why the correct Orthodox Christian understanding and preparation based upon this understanding are absolutely necessary. The closer we get to the very last times, the more indispensable this understanding and preparation are.

Fr. Seraphim Rose

Thursday, August 4, 2016

Can seven words—Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me—change lives?


          Science studies the Jesus Prayer

It may seem a lot of effort over just seven words: Finding 110 Eastern Orthodox Christians, giving them a battery of tests ranging from psychology to theology to behavioral medicine, and then repeating the tests 30 days later. But the seven words—”Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me” (a.k.a. the Jesus Prayer)—are among the most enduring in history. What Boston University psychologist George Stavros, Ph.D., wanted to find out was whether repeating the Jesus Prayer for ten minutes each day over the 30 days would affect these people’s relationship with God, their relationships with others, their faith maturity, and their “self-cohesion” (levels of depression, anxiety, hostility, and interpersonal sensitivity). In short, Stavros was asking whether the Jesus Prayer can play a special role in a person’s “journey to the heart.”

The answer—at least on all the scales that showed any significant effect compared to the control group—turned out to be a resounding yes. Repeating the contemplative prayer deepened the commitment of these Christians to a relationship with a transcendent reality. Not only that, it reduced depression, anxiety, hostility, and feelings of inferiority to others. So powerful were the psychological effects of the prayer that Stavros urges his colleagues to keep it in mind as a healing intervention for clients. He recommends that the prayer be used along with communal practices so that one’s relationship with God and others is “subtly and continuously tutored.” In other words, going inside to find God does not mean going it alone.


http://agapienxristou.blogspot.ca/2013/08/can-seven-wordslord-jesus-christ-have.html