Striving towards God and cleaving unto the Lord by its humble love... ( St. John Maximovitch )

Now the Church consists of both her earthly and heavenly parts, for the Son of God came to earth and became man that He might lead man into heaven and make him once again a citizen of Paradise, returning to him his original state of sinlessness and wholeness and uniting him unto Himself.

This is accomplished by the action of Divine grace grated through the Church, but man’s effort is also required. God saves His fallen creature by His own love for him, but man’s love for his Creator is also necessary; without it he cannot by saved. Striving towards God and cleaving unto the Lord by its humble love, the human soul obtains power to cleanse itself from sin and to strengthen itself for the struggle to complete victory over sin.

St. John the Wonderworker of Shanghai and San Francisco

Overcoming pride ( Elder Macarius )

       
We continually hear that pride is at the root of our sinfulness. In God's eyes it is the the penitent sinner that is preferred to the proud person. The remedy to pride is humility, but how does one develop humility?


Here is what Elder Macarius has to say,

Well, acquire this art through reading the Fathers; pitiless self-examination and self-accusation help too; also, making clear to ourselves how much worse we are than others; and refraining from all condemnation of them while we accept all their condemnation of us, as sent by God to cure our hideous spiritual sores.This battle for humility is not an easy one or one that is quickly won. It is not easy to refrain from condemning others while accepting the condemnation that is given to us. We are constantly being tripped up by our passions. A high degree of discipline in life is required. We must always be on the alert. As we progress along this narrow and difficult path we will be tempted to have pride in our progress. When this occurs our progress ends. Our success in life, our well-being at work or in the home, can also hinder us by stroking our pride. Our successes make us feel as if we are in control. The more successful we are in a worldly life it is all the harder to develop humility.


The Elder says,

Humility is the only weapon that wards off all attacks, but it is difficult to fashion, and the art of using it is often misunderstood, particularly by those who live an active life.... Remember always that the whole of human misery is the consequence of pride. Humility alone is the path to joy, the gate to the blessed nearness––the intimacy of God.

Elder Macarius

Εγω πατήρ, εγώ αδελφός, εγώ νυμφίος...( Αγιος Ιωάννης ο Χρυσόστομος )

                
Εγώ πατήρ, εγώ αδελφός, εγώ νυμφίος, εγώ οικία, εγώ τροφεύς, εγώ ιμάτιον, εγώ ρίζα, εγώ θεμέλιος, παν όπερ αν θέλεις εγώ. Μηδενός εν χρεία καταστείς. Εγώ δουλεύσω.
Ήλθον γαρ διακονήσαι, ου διακονηθήναι. Εγώ και φίλος και ξένος και κεφαλή και αδελφός και αδελφή και μήτηρ. Πάντα εγώ.
Μόνον οικείως έχε προς εμέ. Εγώ πένης δια σέ και αλήτης δια σέ, επι σταυρού δια σέ, άνω υπέρ σου εντυγχάνω τω Πατρί κάτω υπέρ σου πρεσβευτής παραγέγονα παρά του Πατρός.
Πάντα μοι σύ και αδελφός και συγκληρονόμος και φίλος και μέλος.

Τι πλέον θέλεις;

Αγιος Ιωάννης ο Χρυσόστομος

"Άλλο ευγένεια και άλλο ευλάβεια" ( Άγιος Πορφύριος )

Κρίνοντας τη συμπεριφορά των σημερινών ανθρώπων ό Γέροντας έλεγε: «Οι άνθρωποι βασανίζονται σήμερα από τις ευκολίες, οι όποιες ξεπερνούν τα όρια τους και γίνονται δυσκολίες. πριν ξεχρεώσουν το ένα μηχάνημα, χρεώνονται το άλλο. Όλα σήμερα ξεπέρασαν τα όρια τους. Από τα θερμοκήπια περάσαμε στις ορμόνες». Ιδού μία αρίστη ανατομία της ζωής των σημερινών ανθρώπων, οι οποίοι μέσα στις ευκολίες του πολιτισμού πού δημιούργησαν πνίγονται, δυσκολεύονται, χάνονται.

Τα εύκολα έφεραν τα δύσκολα. Οι ανέσεις έφεραν τις πιέσεις, πού προέρχονται από τον εσωτερικό κόσμο του ανθρώπου, ό όποιος, παρά την πρόοδο και τα αγαθά της σύγχρονης κοινωνίας, μένει άδειος και μάλιστα ανικανοποίητος. «Πολλοί άνθρωποι, έλεγε ό Γέροντας, ζουν χωρίς ιδανικά. Δεν πιστεύουν στην άλλη ζωή. Δεν έχουν συλλάβει το βαθύτερο νόημα της ζωής. Το κακό ξεκινά από την έλλειψη πίστης στην άλλη ζωή.
Οι σημερινοί άνθρωποι ομοιάζουν με γερές μηχανές πού έχουν παγωμένα λάδια. Έχουν παγωμένη καρδιά. Δεν χρησιμοποιούν την καρδιά τους, γι' αυτό βασανίζονται. Ευτυχώς, όμως, υπάρχει καλό προζύμι. Οι ορθόδοξοι έχουμε το χάρισμα της ευλάβειας. Οι Ευρωπαίοι έχουν την ευγένεια Δυστυχώς, χάνομε την ευλάβεια και δεν έχομε και την ευγένεια. Έτσι, τα πράγματα γίνονται χειρότερα».
Αλήθεια, πώς μπορεί κανείς να έχει ιδανικά όταν δεν δίδει μεταφυσικές διαστάσεις στη ζωή του; Ή οποία ευγένεια, όσο κι αν «υποχρεώνει», δεν μπορεί να συγκριθεί με την αρετή της ευλάβειας, για την οποία ό Γέροντας έλεγε: «Μία γυναίκα πού έχει ευλάβεια αξίζει περισσότερο από την εικόνα μίας αγίας, γιατί είναι ζωντανή»!
                    
Οι άνθρωποι με παγωμένες καρδιές δεν μπορούν να είναι ευλαβείς. Υπάρχουν όμως και οι εξαιρέσεις των ευλαβών ανθρώπων. Είναι το καλό προζύμι, πού μπορεί να ζυμώσει όλους τους άλλους, σύμφωνα με τη διαβεβαίωση του αποστόλου Παύλου: «Μικρά ζύμη όλον το φύραμα ζυμοί» (Γαλ. ε' 9). Πράγματι, με μικρή ποσότητα από προζύμι μπορεί κανείς να ζυμώσει μεγάλη ποσότητα ψωμιού. Έτσι, και λίγοι ευλαβείς άνθρωποι με το παράδειγμα της κατά Χριστόν ζωής τους μπορούν να επηρεάσουν και πολλούς άλλους, οί οποίοι ζουν διαφορετικά.
Έχουμε πολλά παραδείγματα ευσεβών χριστιανών, συζύγων και μητέρων, πού επηρέασαν θετικά όχι μόνο τους συζύγους και τα παιδιά τους, αλλά και το ευρύτερο οικογενειακό και κοινωνικό τους περιβάλλον.

Repentance, Asceticism and the World ( Abba Isaiah )

Blessed Theodora also narrated that one monk asked Abba Isiah: Why is it that those who live in the world with their negligence toward fasting, neglect for prayer, running away from vigils, and lack of humility; with their taking pleasure in food, living according to their passions, ‘devouring’ each other, spending the entire day cursing and swearing – how is it that they do not fall, and do not even say that they sin? Yet we monks, with our fasts; vigils; sleeping on the ground; eating only bread; abstinence from wine, oil, and all bodily comfort; with mourning and sobbing – we say we have lost our souls, have deprived ourselves of the Kingdom of Heaven, and are condemned to torments? Are not the Law and the commandments given to everyone equally?

The good Father shed tears and sighed from the depth of his soul and said: You said well, my son, that worldly people do not fall. This is because after they have fallen once, terribly and bitterly, they cannot get up nor do they have any place further to fall. The devil has no need to wrestle or fight against those who are always lying down and never get up. Monks – at times vanquishing and at other times being vanquished; attacking and attacked – they still antagonize the devil. Worldly people, because of their senselessness and ignorance, because of their love for the world and worldly things, remain in their first downfall, not even seeing or realizing their fall. You must understand that not only do you and I – we who only seem to be monks, while not living the monastic life – have need to always weep and lament, but even the great Fathers – in other words, the true ascetics and hermits – had need to be constantly weeping. Listen to this carefully and judge for yourself. Lying is from the devil, as says the Lord (Jn. 8:44). To look upon a woman to lust after her, He put alongside fornication; to be angry with one’s neighbour, He equated with murder, and declared that there is need even to account for every idle word. Who is he, or where do we find anyone who never was tempted by a lie; or by lust for a woman, and was not stained; and would not therefore have need of repentance? For all have sinned, and come short, of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23).

However, know this, that whether one is a monk or a layperson, a bishop or a king – unless one gives himself totally to the Cross, in other words, gives himself to asceticism in humbleness of mind, he cannot be a true Christian. The Lord Jesus Christ our God beatifies such when He says: Blessed are the poor in spirit for their’s is the Kingdom of Heaven (Mt. 5:3). He did not say the “rich,” but the “poor.” Again: Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled… Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted (Mt. 5:6,4).

So where is mentioned here those who lord over luxurious tables and all worldly things, and live in dissoluteness and excess, and enjoy everything to satiety, with laughter, with obscenity, and without fear of God? There are some unfortunate people in the world who say that fasting is demanded only for monks, along with all sufferings and the heavy yoke; people in the world can have pleasures, rest and all sorts of comforts. O you senseless and slow of heart! Do you not hear what the Lord says: Blessed are they which do hunger… for they shall be filled (Mt. 5:6), and Woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger (Lk. 6:24-25). And Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it(Mt. 7:13-14).

This and all similar words are meant not for monks – because there were as yet no monks when Sweetest Jesus our God was teaching this – but for people living in the world, those who lead a bustling life, filled with material love. If the Lord was teaching this only for monks, then people in the world are more to be pitied and more unfortunate than even animals, since they would thereby be deprived of the holy commandments and the Beatitudes. If the Law is common to all, then common too are the yoke and the Beatitudes, the Judgement and Hell.

When the monk heard this from the Abba, my good Teacher, he was struck with amazement, and sighing deeply he fell to the feet of the honourable Father and said: So, holy Father, we need great labour, much sweat and asceticism. Pray for me, holy Father.
And the Abba blessed him and let him go.
 
(Taken from the book Matericon: Instructions of Abba Isaiah to the Honorable Nun Theodora pp. 81-83)

Spiritual Counsels From Elder Cleopas

—What kind of words are the most potent to benefit others? The most powerful word for edifying others is practical—the example of our lives. St. Isaac the Syrian says the same: “The speech of works is one thing; beautiful words without deeds, another.” Afterwards he adds: “Many words without works are like an artist who paints pictures of water on the wall but is not able to quench his thirst.’’

—Another man asked Fr. Cleopas: “Father Cleopas, can a virtuous Christian save his family and his village by the holiness of his life?” How can he not? The more virtuous Christians there are in the world, in a country, in a community, the more that country or community will be preserved from dangers, wars, disturbances, famines, and all kinds of evil. On the other hand, the fewer elect of God there are, the more severe will be God’s chastising blow. Someone asked a certain Saint: ‘’Can one man save a city?’’ ‘’He can,’’ the Saint answered. ‘’The Prophet King David is an example. Listen to what God said: For the sake of David My servant, I will not abandon the city of Jerusalem.’’
—A visiting layman asked him: “Father Cleopas, I quarrelled with someone and have asked his forgiveness many times, but he doesn’t want to forgive me. What can I do to be reconciled with him?” Do not say anything more to him, nor speak evil of him to others, but pray to God for him and forgive him from your heart. In time the anger will be extinguished, like a fire that is starved of wood.

—How should Christians stand in church during services, how should they pray, and what duties do they have when they go to church? Christians should stand in church with faith, fear of God, and attention. They should force themselves as much as possible to pray without distraction and with feeling of heart. Also, Christians have the following duties: to go regularly to church, for whoever often misses the services, except for the sick, are barred from the Holy Mysteries; to be reconciled with all men and to ask forgiveness of anyone they have hurt; to preserve their purity at least two days before going to church and at least one day after; to come early to the divine services in order to have time to venerate in peace and hear Matins. Every Christian should offer some gift to the Lord according to his ability, even if it is very small, as a sacrifice from the work of his hands. They should give names for commemoration, and ask the priest to take out parts [from the prosphora] for the living and dead members of their families. Christians should stand in church modestly and in good order, the men on the right and the women on the left. They should wear clean and modest clothes, and women should have scarves on their heads. It is forbidden to talk during services without great need. After Divine Liturgy starts, everyone should remain in his place and not move about to venerate the icons. They should follow the Liturgy with pious attention, and listen to the prayers and singing of the choir, the Epistle and Gospel readings, and the sermon. No one should leave the church before the end of the Liturgy without great need. Those who have confessed and prepared for Holy Communion should read the appropriate prayers before Communion in advance, and before they approach the Holy Gifts they should ask forgiveness of all the faithful. After the Liturgy, those who received Communion should read the prayers of thanksgiving, spending that day in spiritual joy and guarding themselves from all temptations. Parents should bring their children to church regularly, taking care that they receive communion of the Body and Blood of Christ. After the end of the divine services, Christians should reverently return to their homes, spending the rest of the day thinking of holy things, reading spiritual books, and visiting the sick. They are also obligated to tell those at home who didn’t come to church about what they heard and learned in church from the troparia, readings, and the sermon. These are the most important duties of Christians when they go to church on Sundays and feast days.


—What is prayer, and what kinds of prayer exist, according to the Holy Fathers? Evagrius of Pontus says: ‘’Prayer is the converse of the mind with God. Prayer is an offshoot of meekness and angerlessness.” “Prayer is a fruit of joy and gratitude. It is the banishing of sadness and despair,’’ according to Evagrius of Pontus. And the Fathers say it is the union and joining of man with God, the strength of the world, reconciliation with God, the mother and daughter of tears. Prayer is the key of the kingdom of heaven, and according to Theophan the Recluse, it is the ascent of the mind and thoughts to God. Prayer has three degrees: first, spoken or read prayer, performed by the body; second, prayer of the thoughts, or mental prayer; and third, prayer of the feelings, or of the heart.

—Generally our people pray little, but with much humility. Can they hope for salvation through their small quantity of prayer? And how should the sick or those who can’t read pray? Our Savior Jesus Christ said: When you pray, do not use vain repetition like the gentiles, for they think they will be heard for their much speaking. Do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him (Matt. 6:7-8). Then He taught us the ‘’Our Father.’’ Therefore, our Savior Himself taught us brief prayer. Anyone who says short prayers, but with humility and tender feeling, will be saved. Let us remember the holy elder who prayed for forty years with the same prayer: “Lord, I as a man have sinned; do Thou as God forgive me.”

—How can people fulfill the Apostle Paul’s command, “Pray without ceasing?” Anyone can pray without ceasing if he always walks before God with his mind and heart. He can work with his hands while his mind and heart are raised to God. The only thing I have to add is that the most important thing in spiritual prayer is that our mind and heart are inseparable from God, regardless of what time and place we are in. We must always be aware of the presence of God. “This work applies to all kinds of prayer, and is considered an uninterrupted prayer,” says St. Theophan the Recluse. This is the feeling and spiritual contemplation of God that the blessed Prophet David had when he said: “I beheld the Lord always before me, for He is at my right hand, that I might not be shaken...” (Ps. 15:8). So we must understand that a faithful man’s life is a ceaseless prayer if his mind is always with God.

—When we do good works, is that also a kind of prayer to God? Yes, it is. The Apostle Paul tells us this when he says: Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him (Col. 3:17). Whenever one does a good deed for the glory of God, or speaks for the benefit of others for the glory of God, he has the prayer of works. Therefore St. Theodore the Studite, counselling his disciples, said to them: “He who does good deeds and obeys with humility and without protest, performs liturgy and priesthood”

Taken from Spiritual Conversations with Romanian Elders by Fr. Ioanichie Balan.

http://agapienxristou.blogspot.ca/2012/11/spiritual-counsels-from-elder-cleopas.html 

Λόγος περί νηστείας- Dialogue With an Athonite Elder on Fasting

Άγιον Όρος…
Μοσχομύριστος, Αγιοβάδιστος τόπος. Σπαρμένος απ’ άκρη σ’ άκρη με λείψανα Αγίων. Χώρος συνάντησης των απογόνων του Αδάμ με τον ξεχασμένο δημιουργό. Εδώ ο άνθρωπος προσπαθεί, αγωνίζεται. Ο Θεός διαρκώς του προσφέρεται. Το ίδιο και ο άνθρωπος. Αγία Τράπεζα, θυσιαστήριο ο Άθωνας. Προχωράς και η ψυχή σου αναπνέει. Κάθε συνάντηση πνευματικό διδασκαλείο. Ρίχνεις τα δίχτυα σου και ψαρεύεις τροφή πνευματική από θάλασσες παραδείσιες.
- Ευλογείτε Γέροντα.


- Ο Kύριος να σε ευλογεί χαρά μου.
- Είστε πολλά χρόνια στο Άγιον Όρος;
- Είμαι εξήντα χρόνια, αλλά τι είναι εξήντα χρόνια για το Θεό; Μια ανάσα είναι.
- Γέροντα θα ήθελα να πείτε δύο πράγματα για τη νηστεία.
- Για να πεις κάτι πρέπει να το βιώνεις, να το ζεις. Μόνο ένας που έχει γεννηθεί κοντά σε θάλασσα ή είναι ναυτικός μπορεί να μιλήσει για τη θάλασσα. Αλλά θα κάνω υπακοή στο θέλημά σου και θα σου πω τί λένε οι πατέρες οι οποίοι ήταν φίλοι της νηστείας.
- Η νηστεία Γέροντα είναι σκοπός;


- Η νηστεία δεν είναι σκοπός, είναι μέσο. Να, σκοπός σου ήταν να έλθεις στο Άγιον Όρος, ήταν ο προορισμός σου. Το καραβάκι που σε έφερε είναι το μέσο. Έτσι και η νηστεία, είναι ένα από τα μέσα που μας έδωσε η αγάπη του Θεού για να Τον ποθούμε. Ο Θεός είναι ο προορισμός μας.

- Πότε εμφανίστηκε η νηστεία;
- Η νηστεία είναι συνομήλικη με την ανθρωπότητα. Μέσα στον Παράδεισο δόθηκε στον άνθρωπο από τον Θεό, μας λέει ο Μ. Βασίλειος.
- Γιατί όμως ο Θεός έδωσε τη νηστεία, για να περιορίσει τον άνθρωπο;
- Όχι, για να τον ελευθερώσει! Ο Ιερός Χρυσόστομος γράφει ότι ο Θεός δημιουργώντας τον άνθρωπο τον έφερε και τον παρέδωσε στο χέρι της νηστείας, η οποία είναι φιλόστοργη μητέρα και άριστος διδάσκαλος. Της εμπιστεύτηκε δηλαδή την σωτηρία του. Άρα η νηστεία είναι παιδαγωγός, δεν περιορίζει αλλά καλλιεργεί τον άνθρωπο.

- Είναι αναγκαία η νηστεία Γέροντα;
- Θα σου απαντήσει πάλι ο Χρυσόστομος: «Αν η νηστεία ήταν αναγκαία στον Παράδεισο, είναι πολύ περισσότερο αναγκαία έξω από τον Παράδεισο. Αν ήταν χρήσιμο το φάρμακο πριν από τον τραυματισμό, είναι πολύ περισσότερο χρήσιμο μετά τον τραυματισμό». Κατάλαβες;
- Τι;
- Η νηστεία μέσα στον Παράδεισο δόθηκε προληπτικά στον άνθρωπο για να μην πέσει. Αφού ο άνθρωπος έπεσε δίδεται θεραπευτικά.

- Τελικά ποιος ο σκοπός της νηστείας;
- Η νηστεία μαραίνει τις κακές επιθυμίες, λέει ο Άγιος Μάξιμος ο Ομολογητής, την καρδιά μας την μαλακώνει, συμπληρώνει ο Άγιος Συμεών ο νέος Θεολόγος. Κάθε καλό και αγαθό έργο δια της νηστείας κατορθώνεται και τελειοποιείται, γράφει ο Άγιος Γρηγόριος ο Παλαμάς. Για όλους αυτούς τους λόγους ο Ιερός Χρυσόστομος μας εξομολογείται την αγάπη του προς τη νηστεία. «Αγαπώ τη νηστεία, γιατί είναι μητέρα σωφροσύνης και πηγή κάθε φιλοσοφημένης πράξεως».

- Πώς πρέπει να νηστεύουμε;
- Η νηστεία είναι μέσο και όπλο πνευματικό το οποίο δεν περιορίζεται μόνο στη διατροφή, πρέπει όλος ο άνθρωπος ψυχοσωματικά να συμμετέχει. Άκου τι μας λέει ο Ιωάννης ο Χρυσόστομος. «Νηστεύεις; Απόδειξέ το δια μέσου των ίδιων των έργων. Αν δεις εχθρό, να συμφιλιωθείς μαζί του. Αν δεις φτωχό, να τον ελεήσεις. Να νηστεύουν τα χέρια, παραμένοντας καθαρά από την αρπαγή και την πλεονεξία. Να νηστεύουν τα πόδια ξεκόβοντας από δρόμους που οδηγούν στην αμαρτία. Δεν τρως κρέας; Να μη φας και την ακολασία δια μέσου των ματιών. Ας νηστεύει και η ακοή. Και η νηστεία της ακοής είναι να μη δέχεσαι κακολογιές και διαβολές. Ας νηστεύει και το στόμα από αισχρά λόγια. Διότι τι όφελος έχουμε, όταν απέχουμε από πουλερικά και ψάρια, δαγκώνουμε όμως και κατατρώγουμε τους αδελφούς μας;


- Πως δαγκώνουμε και κατατρώμε τους αδελφούς μας;
- Με την συκοφαντία και την κατάκριση, που ξεκινούν από την έλλειψη αγάπης για τον αδελφό μας.
- Ευχαριστώ Γέροντα, πολύ με ωφελήσατε.
- Ευχαριστίες πρέπουν στον Θεό που φώτισε του Αγίους μας.
- Την ευχή σας.
- Στο καλό η Χάρις του Θεού να σε σκεπάζει, η Παναγιά μας να σε προστατεύει και οι Άγιοί μας να σε συντροφεύουν. Και μη ξεχνάς νηστεία κυρίως είναι να πεινάσεις για Θεό!!!

Dialogue With an Athonite Elder on Fasting


Mount Athos…

A fragrant-smelled saint-walkled land. Strewn from end to end with the relics of the saints. A meeting place of the descendants of Adam with their forgotten Creator. Here man is trying, he is struggling. God is constantly being offered. The same with man. Athos is a Holy Altar, a place of sacrifice. You move forward and the soul breathes. Every meeting is a spiritual education. You throw your nets and fish for spiritual food from the seas of paradise.

Bless Elder.

"The Lord bless you, my joy."

Are you on Mount Athos for many years?

"I’ve been here for sixty years, but what is sixty years to God; it is a breath.

Elder, I would like you to tell me a few things about fasting.

"In order to say something you must experience it, you must live it. Only one who was born near the sea or is a seaman can speak of the sea. But I will be obedient to your will and tell you what the Fathers said who were friends of fasting."

Elder, is fasting the aim?

"Fasting is not the aim, but the means towards it. See, it was your aim to come to Mount Athos, it was your destination. The boat which brought you was the means by which you arrived. Such is fasting; it is one of the means given to us by the love of God to crave for Him. God is our destination."

When did fasting appear?

"Fasting is commingled with humanity. In Paradise it was given to man by God, says Basil the Great."

But why did God give fasting? To reduce man?

"No, in order to free him! The Sacred Chrysostom writes that when God created man He took him and placed him in the hands of fasting, which is an affectionate mother and excellent teacher. He entrusted it for his salvation. Though fasting is a teacher, it does not limit but it cultivates man."

Is fasting necessary, Elder?

"Chrysostom will again reply to you: ‘If fasting was necessary in Paradise, it is much more necessary outside of Paradise. If medicine was useful before an injury, it is much more useful after an injury.’ Do you understand?"

What?

"Fasting was given in Paradise as a precaution to not fall. Since man fell it is given therapeutically."

Then what is the purpose of fasting?

"Fasting withers evil desires, says Saint Maximus the Confessor; and Saint Symeon the New Theologian says it softens our hearts. Through fasting every good work is accomplished and perfected, says Saint Gregory Palamas. For all these reasons Sacred Chrysostom confesses his love for fasting: ‘I love fasting, because it is the mother of wisdom and the well of philosophical acts.’"

How should we fast?

"Fasting is a means and spiritual tool which is not limited to food, but the entire man must participate in it psychosomatically. Listen to what John Chrysostom says: ‘Do you fast? Give me proof of it by your works. If you see a poor man, take pity on him. If you see a friend being honored, do not envy him. Do not let only your mouth fast, but also the eye and the ear and the feet and the hands and all the members of our bodies. Let the hands fast, by being free of greed. Let the feet fast, by ceasing to run after sin. Let the eyes fast, by disciplining them not to glare at that which is sinful. Let the ear fast, by not listening to evil talk and gossip. Let the mouth fast from foul words and unjust criticism. For what good is it if we abstain from birds and fish, but bite and devour our brothers?’"

How do we bite and devour our brothers?

"With slander and criticism, which proceed from the lack of love for our brother."

Thank you, Elder. You have benefited me much.

"May we thank God for enlightening our saints."

Your prayers.

"Go in goodness, and may the Grace of God cover you, the Panagia protect you, and the saints accompany you. And don’t forget that fasting is primarily to hunger for God!"

http://agapienxristou.blogspot.ca/2013/11/dialogue-with-athonite-elder-on-fasting.html

Do you know that cancer is the greatest sickness? ( St. Porphyrios )

“Do you know that cancer is the greatest sickness? Because with the other sicknesses, you don't take the issue seriously, because you hope that you will get better and usually you don't change. With cancer, however, you say 'Here it was, it's over, the lie is finished, now I'm leaving.' Men can't help you, and you find yourself alone before God. Only hope in God remains, and you cling to this hope and are saved.”

St. Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia  

Το Παραδειγμα τῆς μῦγας ( Αγίου Ιωάννη της Κρονστάνδης )

«Τί θησαυρὸ ἔχομε στὴν προσευχή. Μὲ τὴν προσευχὴ μποροῦμε νὰ λάβωμε ὅλα τὰ ἀγαθὰ ἀπὸ τὸν Κύριο καὶ νὰ κατανικῶμε κάθε πειρασμό, νὰ ξεπεράσωμε κάθε δοκιμασία καὶ θλίψη.
«Μάτουσκα, κοίταξε πῶς παλεύει αὐτὴ ἡ φτωχὴ μύγα! Ἐδῶ κοίτα, να την! Ὁ ἄνεμος τὴν πῆρε καὶ τὴν κτύπησε τὴν καημένη πάνω στὸ πλοίο, την ἔριξε στὸ πάτωμα καὶ δὲν μπορεῖ νὰ σηκωθή, αλλά δὲν χάνει την ἐλπίδα της, μάχεται με τον άνεμο.

Αὐτὸς τὴν σπρώχνει πρὸς τὰ πίσω, ἀλλὰ ἐκείνη πάλι προχωρεῖ σιγά-σιγὰ πρὸς τὰ ἐμπρός. Τί ἔξυπνο! Ἔτσι ἀκριβῶς μάχεται καὶ ὁ ἐχθρὸς - ὁ διάβολος- τὴν ψυχή. Τὴν πετᾶ σὰν ἀνεμοστρόβιλος μακριὰ ἀπ’ τὸ μονοπάτι τῆς σωτηρίας, πάνω στὸ ὁποῖο κινεῖται, ἀλλ’ αὐτὴ ἀντιμάχεται καὶ δὲν ὑποχωρεῖ. Αυτὴ ἡ μύγα μᾶς δίνει ἕνα μάθημα» … ««Πόσο θαυμαστὸς εἶναι ὁ Δημιουργὸς στὴν δημιουργία Του! Κοίταξε αὐτὸν τὸν ἥλιο! Τί σπάνια ὀμορφιά! Κι ἂν τὰ δημιουργήματά Του εἶναι τόσο μεγαλόπρεπα, φαντάσου πόσο πιὸ μεγαλόπρεπος εἶναι ὁ ἴδιος ὁ Δημιουργός!»

 Αγίου Ιωάννη της Κρονστάνδης

http://proskynitis.blogspot.gr/2013/11/blog-post_8616.html

A prayer to St. Ephraim of Nea Makri for those suffering from drug or alcohol addition (or other needs)...

A Special Prayer of Intercession to St. Ephraim of Nea Makri, the Newly-revealed Hieromartyr and Wonderworker
 
 O Holy Martyr Ephraim, look with compassion upon my distress and, as thou didst deliver the young man from his cruel addiction, so also pray for me that our Lord and Saviour, for Whom thou didst witness unto death, may deliver my soul from captivity to Satan. For I am in cruel bondage and suffering because of my weakness and sinfulness. Beseech our merciful Lord that, as He didst lead the Hebrews forth from slavery in Egypt and called His people out of Babylon, as He delivered the youth from the demon, and freed the daughter of the Canaanite woman, and healed the woman taken in adultery and restored the Samaritan woman, that He may also set me free and deliver me from the demon of addiction***. I confess that I have fallen into this evil through my own slothfulness and weakness, but have mercy and pray for me, 0 saint and martyr of God.


A short prayer to be said continually by one who is struggling with addiction to drugs or alcohol***:
O Lord, Jesus Christ, through the prayers of Thy Holy Martyr Ephraim, have mercy on me and deliver me from this cruel bondage.
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***Note: that this could potentially be changed based on whatever one's specific need might be, e.g. depression, disease, passion, etc.

http://full-of-grace-and-truth.blogspot.ca/search/label/Alcohol%20abuse