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The Need for Spiritual Heroes: Ordinary People

When regular people deeply engage themselves in prayer and holy living, a whole society can shine in God’s grace. There is an admiration for Russia in the Orthodox Christian world. Saints such as Ignatius Brianchaninov, John of Kronstadt, and Theophan the Recluse are among the greatest writers of our faith. Kings and queens of theContinue reading “The Need for Spiritual Heroes: Ordinary People”

The Need for Spiritual Heroes

One of the greatest failures of Protestantism is the rejection of the saints as spiritual role models. The “Bible only” and “Jesus only” ideal has taken away the practice of personal imitation and replaced it with one book that is subject to denominational and personal interpretation. Jesus Christ is God the Son. But, to isolateContinue reading “The Need for Spiritual Heroes”

Evangelism to the Death

From 33 to 313 AD, confessing to be a Christian was somewhere between a ticket for ridicule and a death sentence. Even when heretics like Valens and Julian the Apostate ruled the Roman Empire, true believers gladly went to their martyrdom rather than go along with what was safe. St. Nikolai Velimirovich retells the storyContinue reading “Evangelism to the Death”

An Acts/Herman Model of Evangelism

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo,Continue reading “An Acts/Herman Model of Evangelism”

Embracing Struggles and Victories

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load. Galatians 6:2-5 I had the blessing to visit theContinue reading “Embracing Struggles and Victories”

DEVELOPING A PRAYER RULE: BECOMING THEOLOGIANS

Originally posted on The Modern Monastic Order Of Saint Simon of Cyrene:
“If you are a theologian, you will pray truly. And if you pray truly, you are a theologian.” Evagrios the Solitary “We pray not to instruct or inform God, but to be intimate with Him.” St. John Chrysostom “In the Orthodox Tradition, one…

Matthias, the Bible, and Other Books

August 9th is the feast day of an overlooked Saint Matthias. In the Book of Acts (1:12 to 26) he was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot to join the Twelve Apostles. Peter takes the lead in the beginning of the book with Paul’s mission to the Gentiles occupying much of this scripture. Deacon Philip’s evangelizingContinue reading “Matthias, the Bible, and Other Books”

Dormition Fast: Humility in Prayer

Orthodox Churches using the modern calendar began the 14 day fast observing the Dormition of the Theotokos (the Virgin Mary = “she who bore God) this past Sunday. Wise Christians of old often taught that we should remember our own mortality as we live and that we will have to face the Lord’s dread judgementContinue reading “Dormition Fast: Humility in Prayer”

The Importance of Your Cell

“But you, when you pray, go into your room and when you have shut the door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” Matthew 6:6 “Go sit in your cell and your cell will teach you everything.” St. Moses from theContinue reading “The Importance of Your Cell”

Developing a Prayer Rule: Measurement for a Pure Heart

“Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8) said our Lord Jesus Christ in His great Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chapters 5 thru 7). Prayer is one of the most important tools that we can use to seek purification. Lacerations caused by anger, despondency, fear, lust, and other passionsContinue reading “Developing a Prayer Rule: Measurement for a Pure Heart”