Κατά συνείδηση

Ας φροντίσουμε, αδελφοί μου, να φυλάμε τη συνείδησή μας, όσο ακόμα βρισκόμαστε σ’ αυτόν τον κόσμο, χωρίς να την προκαλούμε να μας ελέγξει για κάποιο πράγμα, χωρίς να την καταπατούμε σε τίποτα απολύτως ούτε και στο ελάχιστο. Γιατί ξέρετε καλά ότι από τα μικρά αυτά και ασήμαντα, όπως λένε, φτάνουμε να καταφρονούμε και τα μεγάλα. Γιατί όταν αρχίσει κανείς να λέει: «Τι σημασία έχει, αν πω αυτό το λόγο; Τι σημασία έχει αν φάω λιγάκι; Τι σημασία έχει αν δώσω προσοχή σ’ αυτό εδώ το πράγμα;», από το «τι σημασία έχει αυτό και τι σημασία έχει εκείνο», αποκτάει κανείς κακή και διεστραμμένη διάθεση και αρχίζει να καταφρονεί και τα μεγάλα και βαρύτερα, και να καταπατεί την ίδια τη συνείδησή του. Και έτσι προχωρώντας σιγά-σιγά κινδυνεύει να πέσει και σε τέλεια αναισθησία… Ας φροντίσουμε τα ελαφρά, όσο ακόμη είναι ελαφρά, για να μη γίνουν βαριά…

Οσιομάρτυς Ιωάσαφ, ο μαθητής του Αγίου Νήφωνος Πατριάρχου Κωνσταντινουπόλεως (+1516)

 

Είναι άγνωστη η καταγωγή του. Πιθανώς συνδέθηκε με τον αγιο Νήφωνα, όταν ήταν πατριάρχης στην Κωνσταντινούπολη. Τον συνόδευσε με τον παραδελφό του Μακάριο στη Βλαχία, κηρύττοντας και αυτός τον λόγο του θεου στον διψασμένο λαό. Πάντοτε «εσπούδαζεν όσον το δυνατόν να μιμηται τας αρετάς και τους αγώνας του ιερού διδασκάλου του» κατά τον αγιο Νικόδημο τον Αγιορείτη.

Επιστρέφοντας ο αγιος Νήφων από τη Βλαχία διήλθε τη Μακεδονία και το Μοναστήρι (Βιτόλια) «διδάσκων και στηρίζων τους Χριστιανούς» συνοδευόμενος και από τον μαθητή του Ιωάσαφ Κατέληξαν στη μονή Βατοπαιδίου, όπου παρέμειναν αρκετά, έως του μαρτυρίου του Μακαρίου (+1507), το όποιο μήνυσε στον Ιωάσαφ, πού ήταν μαζί του, παρότι ο Μακάριος ήταν στη Θεσσαλονίκη, όπως αναφέραμε.

Ομιλία του Γέροντος Εφραίμ στο Ευαγγέλιο για τον δαιμονισμένο 25/10/09

Ομιλία Γέροντος Εφραίμ 25-10-09.mp3

Ηχητικά αποσπάσματα από την πανήγυρη του οσίου Ευδόκιμου στην Μονή Βατοπαιδίου (4)

Στους Αίνους έγινε το χρίσμα (χρίση ελαίου) που συμμετείχαν όλοι οι προσκυνητές

Συνεχίζουμε το μουσικό αφιέρωμα από την πανήγυρη του οσίου Ευδοκίμου του Νεοφανούς στην Ιερά Μονή Βατοπαιδίου.

Μπορείτε να ακούσετε από τον Πολυέλεο το «Εξομολογείσθε» και την «Εκλογή», καθώς και τα «Πασαπνοάρια» των Αίνων.

Το «Εξομολογείσθε» και η «Εκλογή» ψάλλεται σύμφωνα με την προφορική αγιορειτική παράδοση από τον

Das Leben und Wirken des ehrw. Seraphim von Sarow (2) (Γερμανικά, German)

Seraphim von Sarow (1)

Ein halbes Jahrhundert lang hat der Starez seine Seelsorge verrichtet, und sieben Jahre hatte ihm der Herr noch gegeben, damit er dem russischen Volk seine segensreichen Erfahrungen noch zukommen lasse und die getreuen Kinder der Christuskirche auf den rechten Weg zur Errettung hinlenke. Der selige Starez war im gottesfürchtigen Volk dafür bekannt, daß ihm der Heilige Geist alle Seine Gaben hatte zuteil werden lassen – er besaß einen prophetischen Geist, vermochte Menschen von ihren Krankheiten zu heilen, die Göttlichen Geheimnisse zu erläutern und anderes mehr. Seine größte Gabe und Tugend war die Demut. Als ihn der Gutsbesitzer M. Manturow eines Tages bat, er möge ihm Genesung bringen, da erwiderte er: “Mein Lieber, wenn du so fest glaubst, so glaube doch auch daran, daß der Allmächtige dich genesen lassen wird, denn Er vermag alles. Ich aber, der ich nur schwach bin, werde für dich beten.”

Weiter…

The Elder Joseph the Hesychast (+1959) Strugles, Experiences, Teachings (19)

Continued from (18)

3. On Regime and Disorder

Among the duties which the ever-memorable Elder taught us during the first days of our life under him was that of good order and keeping to a regime, while he described disorder to us in the blackest of colours. He often quoted to us the saying of St Ephrem the Syrian, ‘Those who have no guidance fall like leaves’ – which signifies, as he told us, the lack of any regime. He was also in the habit of referring to various incidents in the lives of more recent Elders and particularly of the Elder Theophylact from the hermitage of St Artemios, who was renowned for his virtue and spiritual gifts.

Read more…

“These Truths We Hold” (Part XXXVII)

Continued from (Part XXXVI)

Mechanics of Prayer.

The Church of Christ teaches us prayers composed by righteous and holy men. The Holy Fathers and Ascetics of the Church, enlightened by the grace of God, have composed many beautiful prayers, filled with holy thoughts and deep feeling for the guidance and admonition of Christians. We hear these prayers in Church during the Divine Services, but for private prayer at home, each Christian must recite the prayers contained in the Prayerbook.

When we begin to pray, we do not immediately break off from our daily tasks and just start praying, but we must prepare ourselves. As the Prayerbook says: “Stand in silence for a few moments until all your senses are calmed.” Furthermore, as Holy Scripture tells us: Before offer-ing a prayer, prepare yourself; and do not be like a man who tempts the Lord (Sirach 18:23). In addition to this, before entering into prayer, one must prepare himself not only inwardly, but also outwardly.

Read more…

Μήνυμα της ημέρας

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Ο άγιος μεγαλομάρτυρας Δημήτριος

Ο άγιος μεγαλομάρτυρας Δημήτριος γεννήθηκε στη Θεσσαλονίκη και έζησε κατά τους χρόνους του Αυτοκράτορα Διοκλητιανού και του Τετράρχη Γαλερίου Μαξιμιανού (284-305μ.Χ), εποχή κατά την οποία έγινε φοβερός διωγμός κατά των χριστιανών.

Ήταν επιφανέστατο μέλος της κοινωνίας της Θεσσαλονίκης, Δούκας της πόλης και Στρατηγός όλης της Θεσσαλίας. Ο Δημήτριος που κατάγονταν από ευσεβή οικογένεια, δε φοβήθηκε από τα διατάγματα των αυτοκρατόρων και συνέχισε να κηρύττει τον ευαγγελικό λόγο, οδηγώντας στην πίστη πολλούς ειδωλολάτρες. Όταν ο Μαξιμιανός έμαθε για την χριστιανική δράση του Δημητρίου διέταξε να συλληφθεί και να οδηγηθεί μπροστά του.

Αίσθησις Ζωής Αθανάτου (14) – Ομιλίες για τον Γέροντα Ιωσήφ τον Ησυχαστή

Συνέχεια από (13)

Η ΥΠΑΚΟΗ ΚΑΤΑ ΤΟΝ ΓΕΡΟΝΤΑ ΙΩΣΗΦ ΤΟΝ ΗΣΥΧΑΣΤΗ

Η υπακοή είναι το θεμέλιο του μοναχισμού. Δεν μπορεί να εννοηθεί ο μοναχισμός δίχως την άσκηση της υπακοής. Η υπακοή αποτελεί το μυστήριο της μοναστικής ζωής, που λίγοι γνωρίζουν και βιώνουν το βάθος του. Η καλογερική δεν μαθαίνεται διανοητικά· παραδίδεται βιωματικά από τον Γέροντα στον υποτακτικό. Ο μοναχός κατά την κουρά του υπόσχεται ενώπιον του θυσιαστηρίου υπακοή μέχρι θανάτου στον Γέροντα και την αδελφότητα. Αυτή η υπόσχεση δεν είναι μικρή υπόθεση· σε αυτήν κρύβεται η ζωή, η πνευματική προκοπή, η ανάσταση, αλλά και ο πνευματικός θάνατος του μοναχού. Η ζωή στο κοινόβιο, στην σκήτη, στο κελλί, διά της υπακοής εξωραΐζεται και γίνεται παραδεισένια· όταν όμως επικρατεί η παρακοή και η αντιλογία, τότε γίνεται δυσβάστακτη, ανυπόφορη.

Τα μωσαϊκά του Βατοπαιδίου

 

…Αυτά τα μωσαϊκά του Βατοπαιδίου είναι τα μόνα που σώζονται στον Άθω, και νομίζω ότι σαν καλλιτεχνικά δημιουργήματα στέκουν σε πρώτη γραμμή. Επάνω σε χρυσό βάθος η Παρθένος μαυροφορεμένη δέχεται τη θεία αγγελία. Στα μάγουλα της δεν υπάρχει το σαρκικό ερύθημα της Δανάης του Κορέτζιο, αίφνης, που δέχεται το μήνυμα του Δία με τη συστολή κόρης οιουδήποτε νοικοκύρη, αφήνοντας συγχρόνως τον απεσταλμένο του θεού να σύρει το λεπτό σεντόνι του παρθενικού της κρεβατιού. Όσο κι αν η τέχνη του μεγάλου Ιταλού ζωγράφου εξαγνίζει και υψώνει τη σάρκα σ’ αυτά όλα, οσφραίνεται κανείς τις αναθυμιάσεις του αίματος. Αλλά εδώ τα πράγματα είναι πολύ διαφορετικά. Η Παρθένος του βυζαντινού ζωγράφου είναι πλάσμα εντελώς υπερκόσμιο, πνευματικό, θείο. Δεν υπάρχει Ευρωπαίος κριτικός, που να μην κατηγόρησε τη βυζαντινή ζωγραφική ως φτωχή από κίνηση και ζωή, δούλη ενός κανόνος, μιας αγιογραφικής συνταγής, που μ’ αυτήν ζήτησε να συντηρήσει, να κράτηση, να φυλακίσει το φθίνον πνεύμα, την φεύγουσα ψυχή της πρώτης ακμής της.

Ποιες ημέρες νηστεύουμε;(2)

Η τράπεζα της Ιεράς Μεγίστης Μονής Βατοπαιδίου

Συνέχεια από (1)

Εορτολόγιο των ακινήτων Εορτών, των τιμωμένων είτε με την κατάλυση τροφών, είτε με τη Νηστεία

Οι καταλύσεις των τροφών που αναφέρονται στον παρακάτω πίνακα ακινήτων Εορτών, ισχύουν ΜΟΝΟ όταν οι Εορτές αυτές πέσουν σε ημέρα ή περίοδο Νηστείας. Διαφορετικά, τις ημέρες αυτών των Εορτών τρώμε τα πάντα.

Επίσης, τις Εορτές που χαρακτηρίζονται με τη λέξη ‘Νηστεία’, στην κατηγορία ‘Κατάλυσις’, τις νηστεύουμε πάντα (είτε πέσουν σε ημέρα ή περίοδο Νηστείας είτε όχι) χωρίς λάδι, εκτός μόνο και εάν πέσουν Σάββατο ή Κυριακή, οπότε και τις νηστεύουμε πάντα με λάδι. Όπου αναφέρεται η φράση ‘Εις πάντα’, τρώμε πάντοτε τα πάντα, όπου αναφέρεται η λέξη ‘Ιχθύος’, τρώμε πάντα το ψάρι, ενώ όπου αναφέρεται η φράση ‘Οίνου & ελαίου’, τρώμε πάντα το λάδι και επομένως μπορούμε να πιούμε το κρασί και τα οινοπνευματώδη ποτά.

Ηχητικά αποσπάσματα από την πανήγυρη του οσίου Ευδόκιμου στην Μονή Βατοπαιδίου (3)

Συνεχίζουμε το αφιέρωμα για τους φιλόμουσους (και όχι μόνο) αναγνώστες του ιστολογίου μας από την πανήγυρη του οσίου Ευδοκίμου του Νεοφανούς στην Ιερά Μονή Βατοπαιδίου.

Μπορείτε να ακούσετε τον Πολυέλεο «Δούλοι Κύριον»  σε ήχο πλάγιο του τετάρτου του Χουρμουζίου χαρτοφύλακος σε σύντμηση του ιεροδιακόνου Θεοφάνους Βατοπαιδινού όπως τον απόδωσε

PREDICĂ LA VINDECAREA DEMONIZATULUI DIN GADARA

„Şi s-a dus Iisus în ţinutul gadarenilor” (Luca 8:26)

 S-a dus, zice Evanghelia, s-a dus Hristos în ţinutul gadarenilor. Care era acest ţinut? Se afla la graniţele Israelului, aproape de închinătorii la idoli, pe malul răsăritean al Ghenizaretului.

 Ce erau gadarenii? Iudei erau. Dar deşi credeau în Dumnezeu, nu încercau să împlinească poruncile Lui. Aveau religie, dar o religie formală. Religia spunea că evreul nu trebuie să mănânce carne de porc. Gadarenii însă aveau turme de porci. Făceau comerţ, un comerţ nelegiuit, interzis de legea mozaică. Căutau doar la jalnicele lor interese şi nimic mai sus.

 În ţinutul gadarenilor nu împărăţea Dumnezeu; împărăţea satana. Şi dovezi sunt demonizaţii. Ţinutul lor avea mulţi demonizaţi. Unul dintre ei era fiară sălbatică. Îşi sfâşia hainele, rupea obezile cu care era legat, alerga prin munţi, intra prin peşteri, locuia în morminte în compania oaselor celor morţi, arunca cu pietre. Nu îndrăznea nimeni să treacă pe acolo. Era o frică şi o groază în acel ţinut.

Şi totuşi, acest om sălbatic deodată s-a schimbat. Aşa ne spune Evanghelia astăzi. Cum s-a întâmplat asta? Cel care l-a schimbat a fost Hristos. Hristos a dezrădăcinat din inima sa demonul şi acel om sălbatic s-a îmblânzit şi a devenit cel mai liniştit om.

Hristos un astfel de bine i-a făcut. I-a făcut un bine şi familiei lui, a făcut un bine şi satului său. După asta ce-ar fi trebuit să facă gadarenii? Ar fi trebuit să iasă satul întreg şi să-I spună lui Hristos: îţi mulţumim. Dar ei au făcut contrarul. Au ieşit toţi afară şi i-au zis lui Hristos: Fugi, să nu te mai vedem! Şi Hristos a plecat.

Aceştia au fost gadarenii despre care vorbeşte astăzi Evanghelia. Iubitori de argint, avari, individualişti, nerecunoscători, vrednici de milă şi de trei ori ticăloşi, oameni demonizaţi.

* * *

Astăzi există demonizaţi? Există gadareni? Fericiţi am fi să nu existe demoni şi demonizaţi. Şi totuşi există. Dacă cineva se îndoieşte, să-l trimitem în Kefalonia. Acolo se adună toţi demonizaţii. Nu sunt nebuni, există o diferenţă: altceva este nebunul, altceva demonizatul şi altceva cel ce suferă cu nervii. Pe aceşti demonizaţi îi leagă cu lanţuri şi le rup ca pe nişte aţe. În clipa în care se scot sfintele moaşte (ale cuviosului Gherasim din Kefalonia, tocmai prăznuit pe 20 octombrie n.tr.) urlă ca lupii. Când apropie crucea de fier a Sfântului Gherasim, demonizaţii strigă: Ne-ai ars!… Demonul se zvârcoleşte şi spumegă. Mulţi din demonizaţi se vindecă acolo.

Există aşadar demonizaţi. Dar în afară de demonizatul din Evanghelie, în afară de demonizaţii din Kefalonia, există şi alţi demonizaţi, într-adevăr demonizaţi. Şi aceştia sunt cei mai mulţi. Ca să-i vezi pe aceşti demonizaţi citeşte cartea unui scriitor rus – Dostoievski, carte care se numeşte „Demonii”.

Fiţi atenţi şi judecaţi. Demonizatul din Evanghelie nu se duce noaptea acasă. Dar  nu cumva şi astăzi există mulţi care nu se duc noaptea la casele lor? Odată am fost nevoit să trec cu maşina, noaptea târziu, printr-un sat şi văd deodată patru oameni că duceau pe un altul. Am crezut că este mort. Cobor şi văd o tânără de 25 de ani plângând.

E mort? – am întrebat.

Aaa, îmi zice, nu este mort. Este beat. Nu vine acasă. Merge la crâşmă şi după miezul nopţii se întoarce astfel, într-o stare jalnică.

Iată demonizatul! Aşadar unul are demonul beţiei. Vreţi să vedeţi şi altul? Îl vezi pe altul?! S-a înroşit, deoarece a văzut în ziar că odrasla altuia a intrat primul la facultate. O vezi pe alta? Nu vorbeşte, îi vine să moară, deoarece vecina s-a măritat şi a luat un soţ bun. Unul din cei mai mari demoni este demonul urii, al invidiei.

Îl vezi pe altul care se află continuu în tribunale şi pune palma pe Evanghelie şi face jurământ mincinos?! Acesta are demonul răzbunării, demonul tribunalului.

Îl vezi pe altul care se scoală şi-şi numără lirele? Trec văduve şi orfani şi nu dă nimic! Nici apă nu dă îngerului său. Acesta are demonul iubirii de arginţi şi al avariţiei.

Îl vezi pe altul care îşi deschide gura şi scoate şerpi şi scorpii? Este cel care huleşte şi înjură pe Maica Domnului, pe Hristos, candelele, candelabrele, toate.

Iată deci că există demonizaţi. Aceştia sunt demonizaţii societăţii umane. Trebuie să înţelegem că trăim nişte vremuri rele. Astăzi nu împărăţeşte Hristos şi nici Sfânta Lui Evanghelie! Astăzi împărăţeşte satana. Astăzi societatea noastră este condusă de satana de la o margine la alta. Satana în şcoli, satana în familie, satana în tribunale, satana pe drumuri, satana la teatre, satana pretutindeni. Stăpâneşte în lume. Acesta este stăpânitorul lumii, înaintea căruia cad şi se închină toţi. Într-o sută de creştini caută să găseşti unul şi care să împlineacă voia lui Dumnezeu. Astăzi oamenii sunt ca şi gadarenii şi mai răi. După cum aceia L-au izgonit pe Hristos, tot aşa Îl izgonim şi noi şi îl chemăm pe satana.

Unde este desfrânare şi adulter, acolo este satana. Unde este lăcomie şi iubirea de argint, acolo este satana. Unde este ură şi invidie, acolo este satana. Unde sunt divorţuri şi paza de a nu face copii, acolo este satana. Acolo unde se înjură, acolo este satana. Acolo unde este jurământul mincinos, acolo este satana. Acolo unde este ateismul, acolo este satana. Unde este nemulţumirea, acolo este satana şi toate acestea există acum în lume. Prin urmare împărăţia iadului stăpâneşte.



- Satana pretutindeni! Dar va zice cineva: Dar aşa, cum le zici, lucrurile sunt fără întoarcere, pline de deznădejde. Nu! Nu deznădăjduim. Hristos a venit să şteargă cuvântul ”deznădejde” şi să scrie „nădejde”. Pentru că cine este puternic să schimbe omenirea? După cum pe demonizat nu l-a schimbat decât numai Hristos, astfel şi lumea doar Hristos poate s-o schimbe.

Într-un sătuleţ aproape de graniţă erau treisprezece alcoolici. S-a  dus medicul, le-a ţinut o predică minunată. Nu l-au ascultat. S-a dus poliţia, nu au ascultat. S-a dus primarul; nu l-au ascultat. Astăzi din treisprezece alcoolici au mai rămas doar trei. Cum s-a întâmplat minunea? Am trimis un preot. (Există două categorii de preoţi: preoţi-Iude şi preoţi care Îl iubesc pe Hristos). Am trimis acolo un preoţel neînvăţat. S-a dus în casele alcooliştilor. Şi s-a pocăit cu dânşii şi din treisprezece, zece şi-au spart paharele; nu mai beau. Adică unde există grijă şi lucrare duhovnicească, unde există predică şi cateheză, acolo lumea se îndreaptă.

Exact acest scop îl are Biserica noastră. Biserica se numeşte liman, Casă a lui Dumnezeu, izgonitoarea demonilor. Da, nu este minciună; cine intră în Biserică cu lacrimi, cu durere, cu credinţă, acela vede minunea. Intră negru, dar iese alb ca zăpada. Intră păcătos, dar iese sfânt. Intră tâlhar şi devine mărturisitor al credinţei. Aceste minuni le face Sfânta noastră Biserică.

Şi concluzia noastră care este? Că singura cale de a ne mântui este să credem cu sinceritate în Domnul nostru Iisus Hristos, Căruia I se închină toate, îngerii şi toţi sfinţii. Amin.

† Augustin, Mitropolit de Florina, Prespes şi Eordea

Komanos, 20.10.1974

(traducere din elină de monahul Leontie)

Icoană la același eveniment relatat în Evanghelia după Matei.

„Şi s-a dus Iisus în ţinutul gadarenilor” (Luca 8:26)

S-a dus, zice Evanghelia, s-a dus Hristos în ţinutul gadarenilor. Care era acest ţinut? Se afla la graniţele Israelului, aproape de închinătorii la idoli, pe malul răsăritean al Ghenizaretului.

Ce erau gadarenii? Iudei erau. Dar deşi credeau în Dumnezeu, nu încercau să împlinească poruncile Lui. Aveau religie, dar o religie formală. Religia spunea că evreul nu trebuie să mănânce carne de porc. Gadarenii însă aveau turme de porci. Făceau comerţ, un comerţ nelegiuit, interzis de legea mozaică. Căutau doar la jalnicele lor interese şi nimic mai sus.

În ţinutul gadarenilor nu împărăţea Dumnezeu; împărăţea satana. Şi dovezi sunt demonizaţii. Ţinutul lor avea mulţi demonizaţi. Unul dintre ei era fiară sălbatică. Îşi sfâşia hainele, rupea obezile cu care era legat, alerga prin munţi, intra prin peşteri, locuia în morminte în compania oaselor celor morţi, arunca cu pietre. Nu îndrăznea nimeni să treacă pe acolo. Era o frică şi o groază în acel ţinut.

Das Leben und Wirken des ehrw. Seraphim von Sarow (1) (Γερμανικά, German)

 

1. O. Schwedow, “Das Leben und Wirken des ehrw. Seraphim”.

Der ehrwürdige Seraphim, der Wundertäter von Sarow, war am 19. Juli 1754 als Sohn des Kaufmanns Isidor Moschnin geboren und wurde auf den Namen Prochor getauft. Seine ganze Erziehung hatte er seiner Mutter – Agafija Moschnina – zu verdanken, denn der Vater war gestorben, als der Knabe drei Jahre alt war. Gott der Herr hatte dem ehrwürdigen Seraphim schon von dessen Kindheit an sein besonderes Wohlwollen erwiesen – so blieb der Knabe unversehrt, als er eines Tages von einem in Bau befindlichen Glockenturm herunterfiel.

The Elder Joseph the Hesychast (+1959) Strugles, Experiences, Teachings (18)

Continued from (17)

2. On Discovering the Will of God

Our life with the Elder had the character of childhood rather than a mature state. Our effort, in basic terms, was directed towards the monastic tradition, and we exerted ourselves as forcibly as possible in the obligations of our rule. What we lacked, essentially, was the discernment of an experience in discrimination so as to evaluate the situation, so that the spiritual scope of the Elder did not elude us in its depth and breadth and height. But is it perhaps usual and inevitable for disciples to discover their teacher ‘when he is taken from them’? (cf. Lk 24:31). Untiringly, the Elder made a constant effort to pass on to us everything that is spiritual and he did not fail in his aim, because ‘the wise man has his eyes in his head’ (Eccl. 2:14). It is true, however, that ‘for everything there is a season, and a time for every matter’ (Eccl. 3:1).

At a mature age, when the Elder was no longer with us, we understood the depth of his words and his actions even down to the details, whereas while he lived they seemed, to our inexperience, riddles that made no sense. We put all our meagre powers into our effort to be obedient and not to grieve the Elder. But we had virtually no comprehension of the meaning and main aim of the spiritual law which the Elder passed on to us with such fervour. I will not go into biographical details again, but I want to comment a little on the aforementioned subject of the spiritual law, which is what chiefly governs human beings.

We observed that the Elder never embarked on anything without first praying. We would ask him about something in the future or for the next day, and his reply was that he would tell us tomorrow. The object was so that he could pray first.

Our desire focussed on knowledge of the divine will: how should one recognise the divine will? He would say, ‘Are you asking about this, boys, when it is the most basic thing?’ We would encourage him with increased curiosity, ‘But, Elder, isn’t God’s will known in general terms through the Scriptures and the whole of divine revelation? Since everything in our life is regulated – what other question should we monks have?’ And the Elder replied, ‘May God give you “understanding in everything” (2 Tim. 2:7). St Nilus the Calabrian prayed that he might be granted “to think and speak according to

the divine will.”

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“These Truths We Hold” (Part XXXVI)

Continued from (Part XXXV)

Orthodox Prayer.

The goal of the Christian’s life on earth is salvation in our Lord Jesus Christ and, at the same time, communion with God. The means for this communion is prayer, and through his prayer the Christian is joined in one spirit with the Lord (I Cor. 6:17). Prayer is the focal point and foundation of spiritual life and the source of salvation. Without prayer, as St. John Chrysostom says, there is no life in the spirit. Without prayer man is deprived of communion with God and can be compared to a dry and barren tree, which is cut down and thrown into the fire (Matt. 7:19).

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Μήνυμα της ημέρας

Aπόκτησε την εσωτερική ειρήνη και χιλιάδες θα βρουν κοντά σου τη σωτηρία

Όσιος Σεραφείμ του Σαρώφ

Message of the day

Acquire internal peace, and thousands around you shall find salvation.

St. Seraphim of Sarov

Ρίο ντε Τζανέιρο: 33 νεκροί και ερωτηματικά για την ασφάλεια

Από το Σάββατο, 33 άνθρωποι έχασαν τη ζωή τους σε εκτεταμένα επεισόδια βίας που ανακινούν τις ανησυχίες για την ασφάλεια στο Ρίου, μερικές εβδομάδες μόλις μετά την ανάληψη της διοργάνωσης των Ολυμπιακών Αγώνων του 2016.

Όλο και περισσότερα ερωτηματικά προκύπτουν όσον αφορά την ασφάλεια των Ολυμπιακών Αγώνων του 2016 στο Ρίο ντε Τζανέιρο. Ο αριθμός των νεκρών μετά από το πρόσφατο ξέσπασμα βίας στις φαβέλες της πόλης ανήλθε στους 33.

Ο ΑΓΙΟΣ ΑΡΕΘΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΟΙ ΜΑΖΙ ΜΕ ΑΥΤΟΝ ΜΑΡΤΥΡΗΣΑΝΤΕΣ (24 ΟΚΤΩΒΡΙΟΥ)

Το μαρτύριο του αγίου Αρέθα και των συν αυτώ. Έργο του Πέρη Ιερεμιάδη (ζωγραφική με επεξεργασμένο χώμα). Από τον "Νέο Συναξαριστή της Ορθοδόξου Εκκλησίας", εκδ. Ίνδικτος.

Επί της βασιλείας Ιουστίνου (518-527), βασίλευε στην Αξώμη της Αιθιοπίας ο άγιος βασιλεύς Ελεσβαάν (Σημείωση: Ονομάζεται επίσης και Κάλεβ Έλλα Ασμπέχα (520-540). Σχετικά με την πρώτη χριστιανική ιεραποστολή στην Αιθιοπία, βλ. τον Βίο του αγίου Φρουμεντίου [30 Νοεμ.]). Στο γειτονικό βασίλειο της Ομηρίτιδος στην Ευδαίμονα Αραβία (Σημείωση: Το αρχαίο βασίλειο του Σαβά, η σημερινή Υεμένη.), η εξουσία ήταν στα χέρια ενός άνδρα σκληρόκαρδου και πολεμοχαρούς, του Δου-Νοουάς, ο οποίος είχε ασπασθεί τον Ιουδαϊσμό λαμβάνοντας το όνομα Γιουσούφ, και ο οποίος δεν έπαυε τις επιδρομές εναντίον του χριστιανικού βασιλείου της Αιθιοπίας. Μετά από λαμπρές νίκες, ο Ελεσβαάν κατόρθωσε να τον υποτάξει, να εγκατασταθεί στο βασίλειο του και να τον υποχρεώσει να καταβάλει φόρο υποτέλειας (518). Μετά από κάποια χρόνια ωστόσο ο Δου-Νοουάς κατάφερε να συγκεντρώσει μεγάλο στράτευμα και άρχισε τις επιδρομές εναντίον των χριστιανικών πόλεων που βρίσκονταν στο βασίλειο του για να εξοντώσει όσους αρνούνταν να αλλαξοπιστήσουν και να ποδοπατήσουν τον τίμιο και ζωοποιό Σταυρό.

Ποιες ημέρες νηστεύουμε;

Όλα τα Σάββατα και τις Κυριακές του έτους τρώμε το λάδι (εκτός από το Μεγάλο Σάββατο). Αυτό συμβαίνει διότι: α) Η Ημέρα του Σαββάτου είναι Ευλογημένη από τον Ίδιο τον Θεό κατά τον καιρό της Δημιουργίας του κόσμου. Όταν έφθασε η έβδομη Ημέρα της Δημιουργίας, ο Θεός σταμάτησε (αφού είχε ολοκληρώσει όλα τα έργα Του) και αναπαύθηκε, την δε Ημέρα αυτή Αγίασε και ονόμασε Σάββατο (που σημαίνει «Κατάπαυση»). β) Η δε Κυριακή (που ονομάστηκε έτσι διότι είναι η Ημέρα του Κυρίου μας) αποτελεί την Ημέρα της Αναστάσεως. Κάθε Κυριακή Εορτάζουμε την Ανάσταση του Χριστού μας, με εξαίρεση την Κυριακή των Βαΐων (κατά την Οποία Εορτάζουμε μόνο την Θριαμβευτική Είσοδο του Κυρίου στην Ιερουσαλήμ) και την Κυριακή της Πεντηκοστής (κατά την Οποία Εορτάζουμε μόνο την Έλευση του Αγίου Πνεύματος στους Αγίους Αποστόλους).

“These Truths We Hold” (Part XXXV)

Continued from (Part XXXIV)

Holy Matrimony.

In the theology of the Orthodox Church man is made in the Image of the Most-holy Trinity, and, except in certain special cases (such as monasticism, for example), he is not intended by God to live alone, but in a family situation. Just as God blessed the first humans, Adam and Eve, to live as a family, to be fruitful and multiply, so too the Church blesses the union of a man and a woman. Marriage, however, is not a state of nature, but is rather a state of grace, and married life is a special vocation (no less than the special calling of monasticism), requiring a gift or charism from the Holy Spirit — this gift being conferred in the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony.

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The Elder Joseph the Hesychast (+1959) Strugles, Experiences, Teachings (17)

Continued from (16)

Part Two: Teaching

1. On Sanctification and Dispassion

We have already said how difficult it is to describe spiritual figures. We repeat this once again, adding that it is a very bold undertaking to try to enter into the depths and breadth of illumined minds and spirit-bearing beings. But this attempt becomes even harder when the person undertaking it is ignorant and inadequate to the task. We have therefore ‘cast our anxiety upon the Lord’ (1 Peter 5:7) in order that ‘in the riches of His kindness’ (Rom. 2:4) He may make known to the hearts of our readers ‘what is the breadth and depth and height’ (Eph. 3:18) of the spiritual realm into which ‘all who are led by the Spirit of God’ (Rom. 8:14) enter and and in which they move, becoming and remaining sons of God. ‘For to all who received Him… He gave power to become children of God’ (Jn 1:12).

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Μήνυμα της ημέρας

Ρώτησα ένα λουλούδι, ένα πουλί και έναν άνθρωπο τι είναι η αγάπη, και το λουλούδι άνθισε, το πουλί κελάηδησε και ο άνθρωπος δάκρυσε.

Ανώνυμος