“Vanity of vanities”, says the Preacher, “vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” ’ "To those who are entering the church of the mind and are wondering at the contemplation of the created things, the Word says, ‘You must not think that these things are the final goal that has been stored up for you by the promises... Continue Reading →
Consecrating An Illustrious Life, Dear to God
"For they did not at all accept the Savior of all; they never stopped insulting him, practicing every kind of wickedness in their cruelty. Their insanity reached such a degree that they nailed to a cross the Author of life, and thought they could conquer by death the one who is greater than death. For... Continue Reading →
Lent and The Exodus From Egypt
"For when first the soul escapes from the Egyptians, the power of God approaches to help and leads it to the truth. But the spiritual Pharaoh, the king of darkness of sin, when it knows that the soul is in revolt and is fleeing out of his kingdom, pursues the thoughts which he so long... Continue Reading →
A Joyous Lent
"Ascend, my brothers, ascend eagerly. Let your hearts' resolve be to climb. Listen to the voice of the one who says: 'Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of our God (Isa 2.3.), Who makes our feet to be like the feet of the deer, 'Who sets us... Continue Reading →
An Unhoped for salvation
“From the beginning, God did bear human being to be swallowed up by the great whale, who was the author of transgression, not that they should perish altogether when so engulfed, but arranging in advance the finding of salvation, which was accomplished by the Word, through the ‘Sign of Jonah’ [Matthew 12:39-40], for those who... Continue Reading →
Our Slavish Idolatry
“But now your possessions are more a part of you than the members of your own body, and separation from them is as painful as the amputation of one of your limbs. Had you clothed the naked, had you given your bread to the hungry, had your door been open to every stranger, had you... Continue Reading →
He Who Sustains All Came to Birth
"The lofty one become like a little child, yet hidden in Him wasa treasure of wisdom that suffices for all. He was lofty but he sucked Mary's milk, and from His blessings all creation sucks. He is the Living breast of living breath; by His life the dead were suckled, and they revived.Without the breath... Continue Reading →
We Are Our Own Birth Givers
"Now, it is certainly required that what is subject to change be in a sense always coming to birth. In mutable nature nothing can be observed which is always the same. Being born, in the sense of constantly experiencing change, does not come about as the result of external initiative, as is the case with... Continue Reading →
Pleasing the crowd
"In trying to please the crowds, you shall become like the crowds."
A Womb Enclosed You and Yet The Heavens Cannot Contain You
"A womb enclosed You, yet how can a word be sufficient for You? A womb carried You, yet who does not fear to speak of You?Arms carried You, but for someone to speak of You is audacious; breasts have nourished You, yet not to marvel [at You] is an ingratitude.Heaven stood in awe, it diminished,... Continue Reading →
More than Meets the Eyes: Icons, Ascesis and The Deception of Empiricism
Icons teach us not to look on reality as what we see but perceive its deeper reality. Asceticism in turn trains our spiritual perceptions to perceive reality properly in order to lead us to God.
Seek what pleases God
"Do not set your will on having your affairs turn out as it seems best to you, but rather as it pleases God. Then you will be untroubled and thankful in your prayer." Evagrius of Pontus, On Prayer, 89
