Saturday, April 25, 2015
The Sin of Smoking ( Elder Nektary of Optina )
I am continuing my mental battle with the vice of smoking, but it's still completely unsuccessful. I have to quit this filthy and stupid occupation; it is noticeably ruining my health — the gift of God — and that is a sin.
The ever-memorable Elder Ambrose once heard an admission from one of his spiritual daughters:
"Batiushka! I smoke and this is tormenting me!"
"Well," the Elder answered her, "this isn't a great misfortune, if you can quit."
"That's just the problem," she said, "I can't quit!"
"Then it's a sin," said the Elder, "and you've got to repent of it and leave off doing it."
I also have to leave off, but how do I do it? I'm consoled by the words of our Elders, who promised me freedom from this sin "when the time is right."
The late patron of Optina Monastery and spiritual friend of its great Elders, Archbishop Gregory of Kaluga, could not stand this vice among the clergy, but he was condescending towards laymen who smoked, and even towards his seminarians, before they joined the clerical staff. He categorically demanded from candidates who were preparing for ordination that they cease from this filthy habit, and he did not ordain those who smoked.
Our friend Fr. Nektary, to whom I often complained about my weakness, informed me of this. "After all," he consoled me, "you, your honor, are a layman — what's to be expected from you? But here..."
And he related the following to me:
"In the days of Archbishop Gregory, a spirit-bearing and monk-loving man, the following incident happened. A seminarian from Kaluga, who had graduated at the head of his class, and who, because of his exceptional giftedness was personally known to the Archbishop, had to prepare himself for ordination to one of the better positions in the diocese. He appeared before the Archbishop for a blessing and to set a date for the ordination. The hierarch received him with extreme affection, conversed amiably with him and, having shown fatherly kindness towards him, dismissed him, assigning a date for the ordination. However, when dismissing the candidate, he did not fail to ask him, 'Well, then, brother, do you smoke, or not?'
"'No, your Eminence,' replied the candidate, 'I don't go in for that.'
"'Well, good,' the Archbishop exclaimed joyfully, 'see what a fine fellow I've got! Well then, prepare yourself, and may the Lord bless you!'
"According to custom, the candidate bowed to the feet of the Archbishop. His frock coat flew open, and from his breast pocket cigarettes began to fall out onto the floor, one after the other.
"The Archbishop flared up in indignation. 'Who made you lie to me?' he exclaimed with great anger. 'To whom have you lied? When have you lied? When preparing to serve God in holiness and in truth?... Get out of here! There is no position for you, nor will there be one!...'
"And with that he drove the liar out of his sight.... So, your honor," added Fr. Nektary, looking at me with his always laughing, kind and affectionate gaze, "why be dejected that it's not the smell of athonite incense that comes out of your mouth? To whom are you obliged?... And, you know what?" — he exclaimed, and his face lit up with a kind smile. "You won't believe it — I myself barely avoided joining the ranks of smokers. This was back in my childhood, when I still lived at home, together with my mama.... In the whole wide world there were only the two of us, Mama and me, and there was also a cat that lived with us.... We were of a low station, and because of this we were poor: who needed people like us? Well, then, once my mama wasn't keeping an eye on me and I went ahead and borrowed some tobacco from some of my rich peers. They had no shortage of tobacco and they willingly treated everyone who wanted it. They rolled themselves a cigarette, smoked and smoked, and then stuck it in my mouth — 'Here, have a smoke!' Well, following them, I myself began to smoke. The first time I tried it I became dizzy, but I liked it all the same. Cigarette butt after cigarette butt, and I already began to get used to this mischief. I began to beg and then to borrow on credit, hoping somehow to pay it back. But what was I going to pay it back with, when my own mother lived, as they say, from bread to kvass, and there wasn't always plenty of bread.... Then my mama began to notice the smell of tobacco coming from me....
"'What's this, Kolya (my name in the world was Nicholas) — you haven't begun to smoke, have you?'
"'What do you mean, Mommy,' I would say, 'I hardly think so!'
"And I would quickly move aside, as if I were doing something. It went that way once, then another time, and then I got caught. Once I had barely managed to inhale some borrowed tobacco on the sly, when suddenly, there was Mama.
"'Were you just smoking?' she asked.
"Again I said, 'No, Mama.'
"But where did I get 'no' from? I reeked of tobacco from way off. Mama didn't say a word to me then, but she gazed at me with such a sorrowful look that you could say that my whole soul was overturned within me. She went away from me somewhere to do the housework, and I hid in a secluded corner and began to weep inconsolably, that I had grieved Mama. And not only had I grieved her, I had deceived her and lied on top of that. I can't express how painful this was for me! The day passed, night came, and my mind sought for sleep. I lay in my bed and whimpered, lay and whimpered.... Mama heard it.
"'What is it, Kolya — you're not crying, are you?'
"'No, Mama.'
"'Why aren't you sleeping?'
"And with these words, Mama got up, lit the lamp and came over to me. My face was all wet with tears and my pillow was soaked....
"And what happened between us then!... We both had a good cry and were reconciled. Having a good cry with one so dear, how nicely we were reconciled!
"And thus ended my mischief with smoking."
Elder Nektary of Optina
The ever-memorable Elder Ambrose once heard an admission from one of his spiritual daughters:
"Batiushka! I smoke and this is tormenting me!"
"Well," the Elder answered her, "this isn't a great misfortune, if you can quit."
"That's just the problem," she said, "I can't quit!"
"Then it's a sin," said the Elder, "and you've got to repent of it and leave off doing it."
I also have to leave off, but how do I do it? I'm consoled by the words of our Elders, who promised me freedom from this sin "when the time is right."
The late patron of Optina Monastery and spiritual friend of its great Elders, Archbishop Gregory of Kaluga, could not stand this vice among the clergy, but he was condescending towards laymen who smoked, and even towards his seminarians, before they joined the clerical staff. He categorically demanded from candidates who were preparing for ordination that they cease from this filthy habit, and he did not ordain those who smoked.
Our friend Fr. Nektary, to whom I often complained about my weakness, informed me of this. "After all," he consoled me, "you, your honor, are a layman — what's to be expected from you? But here..."
And he related the following to me:
"In the days of Archbishop Gregory, a spirit-bearing and monk-loving man, the following incident happened. A seminarian from Kaluga, who had graduated at the head of his class, and who, because of his exceptional giftedness was personally known to the Archbishop, had to prepare himself for ordination to one of the better positions in the diocese. He appeared before the Archbishop for a blessing and to set a date for the ordination. The hierarch received him with extreme affection, conversed amiably with him and, having shown fatherly kindness towards him, dismissed him, assigning a date for the ordination. However, when dismissing the candidate, he did not fail to ask him, 'Well, then, brother, do you smoke, or not?'
"'No, your Eminence,' replied the candidate, 'I don't go in for that.'
"'Well, good,' the Archbishop exclaimed joyfully, 'see what a fine fellow I've got! Well then, prepare yourself, and may the Lord bless you!'
"According to custom, the candidate bowed to the feet of the Archbishop. His frock coat flew open, and from his breast pocket cigarettes began to fall out onto the floor, one after the other.
"The Archbishop flared up in indignation. 'Who made you lie to me?' he exclaimed with great anger. 'To whom have you lied? When have you lied? When preparing to serve God in holiness and in truth?... Get out of here! There is no position for you, nor will there be one!...'
"And with that he drove the liar out of his sight.... So, your honor," added Fr. Nektary, looking at me with his always laughing, kind and affectionate gaze, "why be dejected that it's not the smell of athonite incense that comes out of your mouth? To whom are you obliged?... And, you know what?" — he exclaimed, and his face lit up with a kind smile. "You won't believe it — I myself barely avoided joining the ranks of smokers. This was back in my childhood, when I still lived at home, together with my mama.... In the whole wide world there were only the two of us, Mama and me, and there was also a cat that lived with us.... We were of a low station, and because of this we were poor: who needed people like us? Well, then, once my mama wasn't keeping an eye on me and I went ahead and borrowed some tobacco from some of my rich peers. They had no shortage of tobacco and they willingly treated everyone who wanted it. They rolled themselves a cigarette, smoked and smoked, and then stuck it in my mouth — 'Here, have a smoke!' Well, following them, I myself began to smoke. The first time I tried it I became dizzy, but I liked it all the same. Cigarette butt after cigarette butt, and I already began to get used to this mischief. I began to beg and then to borrow on credit, hoping somehow to pay it back. But what was I going to pay it back with, when my own mother lived, as they say, from bread to kvass, and there wasn't always plenty of bread.... Then my mama began to notice the smell of tobacco coming from me....
"'What's this, Kolya (my name in the world was Nicholas) — you haven't begun to smoke, have you?'
"'What do you mean, Mommy,' I would say, 'I hardly think so!'
"And I would quickly move aside, as if I were doing something. It went that way once, then another time, and then I got caught. Once I had barely managed to inhale some borrowed tobacco on the sly, when suddenly, there was Mama.
"'Were you just smoking?' she asked.
"Again I said, 'No, Mama.'
"But where did I get 'no' from? I reeked of tobacco from way off. Mama didn't say a word to me then, but she gazed at me with such a sorrowful look that you could say that my whole soul was overturned within me. She went away from me somewhere to do the housework, and I hid in a secluded corner and began to weep inconsolably, that I had grieved Mama. And not only had I grieved her, I had deceived her and lied on top of that. I can't express how painful this was for me! The day passed, night came, and my mind sought for sleep. I lay in my bed and whimpered, lay and whimpered.... Mama heard it.
"'What is it, Kolya — you're not crying, are you?'
"'No, Mama.'
"'Why aren't you sleeping?'
"And with these words, Mama got up, lit the lamp and came over to me. My face was all wet with tears and my pillow was soaked....
"And what happened between us then!... We both had a good cry and were reconciled. Having a good cry with one so dear, how nicely we were reconciled!
"And thus ended my mischief with smoking."
Elder Nektary of Optina
http://agapienxristou.blogspot.ca/2014/01/the-sin-of-smoking-elder-nektary-of.html
Η Γραφή μας λέγει, οτι οι Άγγελοι πανυγηρίζουν στον ουρανό " για ένα αμαρτωλόν μετανοημένο".
Η ηγουμένη την είχε πάντοτε ως παράδειγμα και έλεγε στις νεώτερες: " Βλέπετε την χαριτωμένη αδελφής και οτι κάμνει, να κάμνετε και σεις". Δεν πέρασαν όμως πολλά χρόνια και από την πολύ άσκηση απέθανε., έφυγε από τούτον τον κόσμο η μοναχή αυτή.
Εις τα μοναστήρια υπάρχει η ευλογημένη συνήθεια, όταν αποθάνη μέλος της αδελφότητας να του κάνουν σαρανταλείτουργο, δια την ανάπαυση της ψυχής, που έφυγε από τον κόσμο αυτό. Έτσι λοιπόν και στο μοναστήρι αυτό έγινε σαρανταλείτουργο.
Και όταν ετελείωνε, την τελευταία βραδυά, η ηγουμένη βλέπει σε όραμα τη μοναχή, η οποία της είπε:
- Μητέρα μου, όσα μνημόσυνα και αν μου κάμετε, εγώ κολάστηκα, έχασα τη ψυχή μου.
- Παιδί μου, λέει η ηγουμένη, .... εάν εσύ κολάστηκες, ποιός θα σωθή; Αλοίμονο στον ταλαίπωρο άνθρωπον!!!
Απαντά η μοναχή:
- Εγώ προτού έλθω εις την ευλογημένη συνοδεία σας, εξαπατήθηκα από ένα νέο, ο οποίος μου υποσχέθηκε, οτι θα με έπερνε, αλλά το φοβερό ήταν οτι με κατέστησε έγκυο. Μετά δε απ' αυτό το φρικτό, φέρθηκε άνανδρα και με εγκατέλειψε την δυστυχισμένη. Τότε εγώ πάνω στην απελπισία μου έκανα έκτρωση, φόνο, σκώτοσα και έρριξα το παιδί, που είχα μέσα μου.
Γι' αυτά τα δύο ανόσια αμαρτήματα μου έκλαψα πικρά, μετανόησα, συχάθηκα τότε τον κόσμο και τα του κόσμου, γι' αυτό και αποφάσισα να γίνω μοναχή, να δώσω την καρδιά μου στον Χριστό και εκεί να θρηνώ τις αμαρτίες μου. Γι' αυτές τις αμαρτίες έκλαψα, γι' αυτές έκανα οτι έκανα, για τα οποία όλες σας με μακαρίζατε. Πλήν όμως δεν εξομολογήθηκα τα φρικτά αυτά αμαρτήματα σε ιερέα, απο ντροπή και γι' αυτό κολάσθηκα!
Ω! Θεέ μου! Τι φοβερόν! Βλέπεις παιδί μου, ούτε τα δάκρυα, ούτε οι μετάνοιες, ούτε οι αγρυπνίες, μηδέ η βασίλισσα των αρετών της Μοναχικής πολιτείας, η υπακοή λέγω, ούτε τίποτε άλλο από όσα καλά έκαμε, δεν την έσωσε - εφ όσον έλλειψε η καθαρά εξομολόγησης.
Δεν αρκεί να μετανοήση κανείς για τις πράξεις του και να σωθή, αλλά απαραιτήτωνς θα πρέπει και να εξομολογηθή τα αμαρτήματα για τα οποία μετανόησε.
Χιλιάδες, εκατομμύρια άνθρωποι με φοβερά ακατονόμαστα και παμπολλα αμαρτήματα, δια της μετάνοιας και καθαρής εξομολογήσεως σώθησαν και μάλιστα πολλοί απ' αυτούς, που απέδωσαν καρπούς μετανοίας άξιους, αγίασαν και τους αντιδόξασεν ο Θεός.
Όπως τον άγιο Κυπριανό τον άλλοτε μάγο, τον Μωυσή τον Αιθίοπα τον άλλοτε αρχιληστή, την οσία Μαρία την Αιγυπτία, Πελαγία, Ευδοκία, Μαρίαν του Αβραμίου, που ήσαν πρώτα γυναίκες "κοινές" του υποκόσμου και τόσοι άλλοι που διαβάζουμε στο Συναξαριστή.
Ενώ τόσοι, με πάμπολλα αμαρτήματα, ηγίασαν και εθαυματούργησαν διότι καθαρά εξομολογήθηκαν, η δυστυχισμένη εκείνη μοναχή, που αναφέρουμε προηγουμένως, για δύο αμαρτήματα εκολάσθη
Γι' αυτό μη ξεθαρρεύης λοιπόν αδελφέ μου και στηρίζης την ελπίδα σου στις ελεημοσύνες η σε οτι άλλο καλό και αν είναι αυτό και μη ελπίζης να σωθής, εάν δεν καθαρίσης τη ψυχή σου πρωτίστως, στο Μέγα Μυστήριο της εξομολογήσεως, σε ιερέα Ορθοδόξου Εκκλησίας και να τα πεις όλα, χωρίς ν' αφίσης τον παραμικρό λεκέ, που θα σκιάζη την αθάνατη ψυχή σου.
Τότε μόνο θα αισθανθής ανακούφιση και τότε μόνο θα δικαιωθής από τον Θεό, όταν τα εξομολογηθής όλα.
Μη διστάζης, εάν είναι πολλά και φοβερά - όσα περισσότερα και μεγαλύτερα είναι τόσο μεγαλύτερη χαρά θα δώσης στον Θεό και στους Αγγέλους.
Η Γραφή μας λέγει, οτι οι Άγγελοι πανυγηρίζουν στον ουρανό " για ένα αμαρτωλόν μετανοημένο".
Γεροντικο
http://agapienxristou.blogspot.ca/2014/04/blog-post_11.html
Friday, April 24, 2015
Blessed Elder Joseph of Vatopaidi: His 63 Year Monastic Life on Mount Athos in Pictures (1946-2009)
From the Cave of Saint Anne to the Monastery of Vatopaidi
These pictures are from the photographic archives of the Monastery of Vatopaidi which they have offered now to those who honor the Elder.
The Elder came to Mount Athos in 1946 from Cyprus to the Skete of Saint Anne to be with Elder Joseph the Hesychast. This photo was found in his passport.
This is the Church of the Sacred Forerunner John the Baptist belonging to the Brotherhood of the Elder Joseph the Hesychast and where Elder Joseph lived.
The Brotherhood of Elder Joseph the Hesychast. Behind the Elder Joseph the Hesychast's right shoulder is Elder Joseph. Noteworthy also is Elder Ephraim of Philotheou (now America) who is second from the far right of the seated Elder.
The cell of the Annunciation at New Skete where the Brotherhood lived until the death of Elder Joseph the Hesychast.
Elder Joseph at New Skete a few years after the passing of Elder Joseph the Hesychast.
This was taken in 1982 at the Sacred Monastery of Koutloumousiou where the Elder lived for a short time with his own Brotherhood. Depicted is Elder Paisios, Hieromonk Athanasios (now Metropolitan of Limassol) and he who is now Monk Niphon before entering the monastic life.
The cell of the Annunciation at New Skete as it was built for the needs of Elder Joseph's Brotherhood, until the year they left for the Sacred Monastery of Vatopaidi.
Below are a few photos from the Elders daily life at New Skete.
The donkeys of the Elder, whom he named Kitsos and Kastanis.
Fishing
In the Kitchen
Though he was the Elder of his Brotherhood, the Elder did not consider himself above everyone and worked just as hard as they did. Here he is shown resting from work.
With Papa-Haralambos at New Skete, who was then (1986) Abbot of the Monastery of Dionysiou.
The Elder in prayer on the grounds of the cell at New Skete.
The inside of Elder Joseph's cell at New Skete.
The Elder at his desk where he spent much time responding to letters and writing his books.
The Elder with the two hieromonks of his Brotherhood (in 1985) Athanasios (Metropolitan of Limassol) and Ephraim (Abbot of the Sacred Monastery of Vatopaidi).
The last photograph at New Skete on Pascha of 1987 before his departure for the Monastery of Vatopaidi.
The Elder deep in thought in the first years at Vatopaidi Monastery, wich were difficult years.
May of 1988. In front of the gate of Vatopaidi Monastery with Elder Ephraim Katounakioti and Elder Ephraim who was then Abbot of Philotheou (now in Arizona).
The first Pascha at Vatopaidi Monastery in 1989. The Elder looks astonished from when the visitors lit loud fireworks during the "Christ is Risen".
Cheesefare Sunday - March 1990. The installation of Elder Ephraim as Abbot of the Monastery of Vatopaidi.
Sunday of the Myrrhbearers - April 1990. Day of the enthronement of Abbot Ephraim. Visible in this photo also is Blessed Theoklitos Dionysatis.
After the enthronement refreshments were served in the synodikon of the Monastery. Visible also is the Governor of Mount Athos Mr. Loulis, the Archbishop of Athens Christodoulos (then Metropolitan of Dimitriados), the Abbot of Stavrovouniou Monastery in Cyprus, Abbot Ephraim and Elder Joseph.
September 1991. The visit to the Vatopaidi Monastery of Ecumenical Patriarch Dimitrios.
The cell in which the Elder lived at Vatopaidi and died.
One of the last photos of the Elder during Pascha 2009, his last Pascha.
"We believe in the resurrection of the dead."
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp74QJkiISUG01O5ZGVmdBvRfDw6-NXcPwKIcsH9AoQhA-75REv8rWxZu33xIwC0xTnqZamY0UxW5o0CI1gq8od2IxNR3EOgRVQV3OfD4_j05BIDAbbmqhR_tW5ap0_ZdSAPSWDjLzeuvX/s1600-h/j30.bmp
Jesus Prayer in Different Languages
Arabic: Ayyuha-r-Rabbu Yasū` al-Masīħ, Ibnu-l-Lāh, irħamnī ana-l-khāti’ (ana-l-khāti’a if prayed by a female).
Bulgarian: Господи Иисусе Христе, Сине Божий, помилвай мен грешника.
Church Slavonic: Господи Ісусе Христе Сыне Божїй помилѹй мѧ грѣшнаго. (грѣшнѹю if prayed by a female)
Czech: Pane Ježíši Kriste, Syne Boží, smiluj se nade mnou hříšným.
Dutch: Heer Jezus Christus, Zoon van God, ontferm U over mij, zondaar.
Finnish: Herra Jeesus Kristus, Jumalan Poika, armahda minua syntistä.
Georgian: უფალო იესუ ქრისტე, ძეო ღმრთისაო, შემიწყალე მე ცოდვილი.
German: Herr Jesus Christus, Sohn Gottes, erbarme dich meiner, eines Sünders. (einer Sünderin if prayed by a female)
Greek: Κύριε Ἰησοῦ Χριστέ, Υἱέ τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἐλέησόν με τὸν ἁμαρτωλόν (τὴν ἁμαρτωλόν if prayed by a female)
Latin: Domine Iesu Christe, Fili Dei, miserere mei, peccatoris. (peccatricis if prayed by a female)
Maltese: Mulej Ġesù Kristu, Iben ta’ Alla l-ħaj, ikollok ħniena minni, midneb.
Norwegian: Herre Jesus Kristus, forbarm deg over meg.
Polish: Panie Jezu Chryste, Synu Boga, zmiłuj się nade mną, grzesznikiem.
Romanian: Doamne Iisuse Hristoase, Fiul lui Dumnezeu, miluieşte-mă pe mine păcătosul. (păcătoasa if prayed by a female)
Russian: Господи Иисусе Христе, Сыне Божий, помилуй мя грешнаго.(грешную if prayed by a female)
Variants: Господи, помилуй (The shortest form).
Serbian: Господе Исусе Христе, Сине Божји, помилуј ме грешног. / Gospode Isuse Hriste, Sine Božiji, pomiluj me grešnog.
Slovak: Pane Ježišu Kriste, Synu Boží, zmiluj sa nado mnou hriešnym.
Spanish: Señor Jesucristo, Hijo de Dios, ten piedad de mi, que soy un pecador.
Ukrainian: Господи Ісусе Христе, Сину Божий, помилуй мене грішного. (грішну if prayed by a female)/Господи, помилуй (The shortest form).
Thursday, April 23, 2015
Searching for the Truth .....
The problem of where the truth lies has occupied mankind down through the ages; it is a problem that is always contemporary and of its very nature leads man to seek an answer. The Philosophers, especially the ancient Greeks, posed the question: "What is the truth?" and most men have searched for it rationally. Some said that truth is an Idea, a "principle of all things", the "prime mover unmoved" and called it God.
But this "God", the God of the philosophers, cannot redeem. He touches only man's rational faculty, and not man as a whole; no one can come into personal communion with him since he is not a person, but something impersonal; an universal Mind that acts blindly, or is so distant and so transcendental that he has no interest in man or in the world.
There can be no doubt that anyone with a good disposition, upon observing creation and using his human potential, can discover evidence of God's existence. However, he will discover only the concept of God, but not God Himself, salvific truth.
Others, down through the ages, have created world idols and a multitude of deities. They established "divine" laws and rules and created systems of worship of human provenance. All these, however, are simply expressions of man himself; they do not transcend the created realm, created reality; they do not, in other words, reveal the one true God Who transcends the created world.
Again, still others believe that man is by nature God. It remains simply for him to understand "his true self; nothing need change save his stance vis-a-vis his God-self, rejecting any thought that might differentiate him from his own divinity and recognize the existence of a God outside and beyond him.
In the final analysis, such an approach to God cannot satisfy man. It leads to an infinite loneliness which is contrary to human nature. By nature, man seeks warmth, love, communion with others and not only with himself; Without these things, he cannot exist. That is why he continuously seeks them. He is not satisfied with man-made concepts concerning God. He desires to rise above created reality, above creation and seek the meaning of life in communion with the uncreated and eternal God.
http://agapienxristou.blogspot.ca/2013/05/searching-for-truth.html
Οι τρεις τάξεις τής Χάριτος ( Γέρoντος Ιωσήφ τού Ησυχαστή )
Λοιπόν στην «πράξιν» συνεργεί χάρις καθαρτική, η οποία βοηθά στην κάθαρση. Και κάθε ένας, που μετανόησε, η χάρις είναι που τον προτρέπει στη μετάνοια.
Και όσα κάνει της χάριτος είναι, αν και δεν το γνωρίζει αυτός που την έχει, όμως αυτή τον τροφοδοτεί και τον οδηγεί. Και ανάλογα με την προκοπή του, ανέρχεται ή κατέρχεται ή μένει στην ιδία κατάσταση.
Εάν έχει ζήλο και αυταπάρνηση ανεβαίνει σε θεωρία, την οποία διαδέχεται φωτισμός θείας γνώσεως και λίγη απάθεια. Εάν ψυχρανθεί ο ζήλος, η προθυμία, τότε συστέλλεται και η ενέργεια της χάριτος,
Γι’ αυτόν που λες ότι γνωρίζει να προσεύχεται, είναι εκείνος που γνωρίζει τι εύχεται και τι ζητά από τον Θεό. Αυτός που γνωρίζει να προσεύχεται δεν βαττολογεί, δεν ζητά περιττά· αλλά γνωρίζει τον τόπο, τον τρόπο και τον καιρό και ζητά τα αρμόδια και ωφέλιμα της ψυχής του. Επικοινωνεί νοερά με το Χριστόν. Τον πιάνει και τον κατέχει και «δεν θα σε αφήσω, λέγει, εις τον αιώνα».
Εκείνος που προσεύχεται ζητά την άφεση των αμαρτιών, ζητά το έλεος του Κυρίου. Εάν ζητά και μεγάλα, όχι στον κατάλληλο καιρό, δεν του τα δίδει ο Κύριος. Διότι ο Θεός τα δίνει με τάξη.
Και, αν εσύ τον “κουράζεις” ζητώντας, αφήνει το πνεύμα της πλάνης και προσποιείται τη χάρη και σε πλανά, δείχνοντάς σου άλλα αντί άλλων. Γι’ αυτό δεν είναι ωφέλιμο να ζητά κανείς τα υπέρμετρα. Αλλά, και αν εισακουσθεί προ του καθαρισμού, όταν δεν είναι στην τάξη, γίνονται φίδια και βλάπτουν.
Συ έχε μετάνοια καθαρή, κάνε σε όλους υπακοή, και μόνη της η χάρη θα έλθει χωρίς εσύ να το ζητάς.
Ο άνθρωπος σαν βρέφος που ψελλίζει ζητά από τον Θεό το θέλημά του το άγιο. Ο Θεός, σαν Πατέρας υπεράγαθος, του δίδει τη χάρη, αλλά του δίδει και πειρασμούς, Εάν υπομένει αγόγγυστα τους πειρασμούς λαμβάνει προσθήκη της χάριτος. Όση περισσότερη χάρη λαμβάνει, τόσο αυξάνονται και οι πειρασμοί.
Οι δαίμονες, όταν πλησιάζουν, για να σε πολεμήσουν, δεν πηγαίνουν εκεί που εσύ εύκολα θα τους νικήσεις, αλλά δοκιμάζουν, πού έχεις αδυναμία. Εκεί που εσύ δεν τους περιμένεις, εκεί πολιορκούν το κάστρο. Και, όταν βρουν ψυχή ασθενική και μέρος αδύνατο, πάντα εκεί νικούν και τον κάνουν υπεύθυνο για την ήττα του.
Ζητάς χάρη από τον Θεό; Αντί χάριτος σου αφήνει πειρασμό. Δεν αντέχεις τον πόλεμο, πέφτεις; Δεν σου δίνεται προσθήκη της χάριτος. Πάλι ζητάς; Πάλι ο πειρασμός. Πάλι ήττα; Πάλι στέρηση εφ’ όρου ζωής.
Πρέπει λοιπόν να βγεις νικητής. Άντεξε τον πειρασμό μέχρι θανάτου. Πέσε πτώμα στη μάχη, φωνάζοντας κάτω παράλυτος: «Δεν θα σε αφήσω, γλυκύτατε Ιησού! Ούτε θα σε εγκαταλείψω! Αχώριστος θα μείνω στον αιώνα, και για την αγάπην Σου ξεψυχώ στη μάχη». Και ξαφνικά εμφανίζεται στη μάχη και φωνάζει δυνατά: «Εδώ είμαι! Μάζεψε όλες τις δυνάμεις σου και ακολούθησέ με!
Συ δε γεμίζεις όλος φως και χαρά: Αλλοίμονο σε μένα τον δυστυχή! Αλλοίμονο σε μένα τον πονηρό και αχρείο! Προηγουμένως άκουα για σένα, τώρα δε σε είδαν οι οφθαλμοί μου· γι’ αυτό και κατηγόρησα τον εαυτόν μου, τον θεώρησα δε χώμα και στάχτη».
Τότε γεμίζεις από θεία αγάπη. Και φλέγεται η ψυχή σου σαν του Κλεόπα. Και σε καιρό πειρασμού δεν καταλείπεις πλέον τη μάχη, αλλά υπομένεις τις θλίψεις σκεπτόμενος- ότι όπως πέρασε ο ένας πειρασμός και ο άλλος, έτσι θα περάσει και αυτός.
Όταν όμως δειλιάζεις και γογγύζεις και δεν υπομένεις τους πειρασμούς, τότε, αντί να νικάς πρέπει διαρκώς να μετανοείς· για τα σφάλματα της ημέρας, για την αμέλεια της νύκτας. Και, αντί να αυξάνεται η χάρις, μεγαλώνεις τις θλίψεις σου.
Γι’ αυτό μη δειλιάζεις μη φοβάσαι τους πειρασμούς. Και αν πέσεις πολλές φορές, σήκω. Μη χάνεις τη ψυχραιμία σου. Μην απογοητεύεσαι. Σύννεφα είναι και θα περάσουν.
Και όταν, με τη βοήθεια της χάριτος που σε καθαρίζει από όλα τα πάθη, περάσεις όλα αυτά που λέγονται «πράξις», τότε γεύεται ο νους φωτισμό και κινείται σε θεωρία.
Και πρώτη θεωρία είναι των όντων:
Πως όλα τα δημιούργησε για τον άνθρωπον ο Θεός, και αυτούς ακόμη τους Αγγέλους για να τον υπηρετούν. Πόσην αξία, πόσο μεγαλείο, τι μεγάλο προορισμό έχει ο άνθρωπος – αυτή η πνοή του Θεού! Όχι για να ζήσει εδώ τις λίγες ημέρες της εξορίας του, αλλά να ζήσει αιώνια με τον Πλάστη του. Να βλέπει τους θείους Αγγέλους.
Να ακούει την άρρητη μελωδία τους. Τί χαρά! Τί μεγαλείο! Μόλις τελειώνει αυτή η ζωή μας και κλείνουν τα μάτια, αμέσως ανοίγουν τα άλλα και αρχίζει η νέα ζωή. Η αληθινή χαρά, που πλέον τέλος δεν έχει.
Αυτά σκεπτόμενος βυθίζεται ο νους σε μία ειρήνη και γαλήνη, που απλώνεται σε όλο το σώμα, και ξεχνά τελείως ότι υπάρχει σ’ αυτή τη ζωή.
Τέτοιες θεωρίες διαδέχονται η μία την άλλη. Όχι να πλάθει φαντασίες με το νου του, αλλά η κατάσταση είναι τέτοια – ενέργεια χάριτος, που φέρνει νοήματα και ασχολείται ο νους στη θεωρία. Δεν τα πλάθει ο άνθρωπος· μόνα τους έρχονται και αρπάζουν το νου στη θεωρία. Και τότε απλώνεται ο νους και γίνεται διαφορετικός. Φωτίζεται.
Είναι όλα ανοικτά σ’ αυτόν. Γεμίζει σοφία, και σαν υιός κατέχει τα του Πατρός του. Ξέρει ότι είναι μηδέν, πηλός, αλλά και υιός Βασιλέως. Δεν έχει τίποτε, άλλα όλα τα έχει. Γεμίζει θεολογία.
Φωνάζει αχόρταστα, με πλήρη επίγνωση, ομολογώντας ότι η ύπαρξή του είναι μηδέν. Η καταγωγή του είναι ο πηλός· η δε ζωτική δύναμή του, η πνοή τού Θεού – ή ψυχή του. Αμέσως πετά η ψυχή στον ουρανό! – Είμαι το εμφύσημα, η πνοή του Θεού! Όλα διεσώθησαν, έμειναν στη γη, απ’ όπου και ελήφθησαν! Είμαι Βασιλέως αιωνίου υιός! Είμαι θεός κατά χάρη! Είμαι αθάνατος και αιώνιος! Είμαι, μετά μία στιγμή, κοντά στον ουράνιο Πατέρα μου!
Αυτός είναι ο αληθινός προορισμός του ανθρώπου· γι’ αυτό πλάσθηκε, και οφείλει να έλθει απ’ όπου ήλθε. Τέτοιου είδους είναι οι θεωρίες, με τις οποίες ασχολείται ο πνευματικός άνθρωπος. Και περιμένει την ώρα που θα αφήσει το χώμα και θα πετάξει η ψυχή στα ουράνια.
Έχε θάρρος λοιπόν, παιδί μου, και με αυτή την ελπίδα υπόμενε κάθε πόνο και θλίψη. Αφού μετά από λίγο θα αξιωθούμε να απολαύσουμε αυτά. Για όλους μας είναι τα ίδια. Όλοι είμαστε παιδιά του Θεού. Αυτόν φωνάζουμε ημέρα και νύκτα και την γλυκειά μας Μανούλα, τη Δέσποινα του Παντός, την οποίαν όποιος παρακαλεί, δεν τον αφήνει ποτέ.
Γέρoντος Ιωσήφ τού Ησυχαστή
Πηγή: «Έκφρασις Μοναχικής εμπειρίας», Επιστ. Ι΄, εκδ. Ι. Μ. Φιλοθέου, σ. 84-88. Aπόσπασμα σε νεοελληνική απόδοση.
http://agapienxristou.blogspot.ca/2013/05/blog-post_5744.html
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
How The Lord Chose His Twelve Apostles ( St. Cyril of Alexandria )
"And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve, whom He also named apostles." (Lk 6: 13)
Choosing the Twelve Apostles
Our Lord Jesus Christ spent the night in prayer, conversing with His Father and God in heaven in a way indescribable and beyond our powers of understanding, a way which is solely known to Himself. He thus makes Himself an example to us of that which is necessary for salvation, for He taught us in what way we too may rightly and blamelessly offer our prayers. He then came down from the mountain, and appointed those who were to be the world’s teachers, according to the words He spoke, "You are the light of the world." (Matt. 5: 14) Of this appointment of the holy Apostles, the blessed David also makes mention addressing himself, as it were to Christ, "You shall make them princes in all the earth; I will make Your name to be remembered in every generation." (Ps. 45:16) For truly, while they were in the body, they make mention of the glory of Christ, telling His mystery both in cities and villages. Now that they have been called to the mansions that are above, they still converse with us about Him, by the most wise history which they have written concerning Him.
Gifts given to the Apostles
Indeed, those who were appointed priests according to the law of Moses, even Aaron and his company, were made beautiful to the senses by vestments suitable to their priestly dignity. But the divine disciples, being adorned with spiritual gifts, had entrusted to them the ministry of the Gospel oracles. For it was said to them, "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons." (Matt. 10:8) Being thus invested with Christ’s power, they filled the whole world with astonishment. But notice the extreme moderation of the Evangelist. He does not simply say that the holy Apostles were appointed, but rather, by introducing the record of these chief ones each by name, takes care that no one should venture to enroll himself in the company of those that were chosen. For as Paul said, "No man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God." (Heb. 5: 4) Though the holy Apostles were called by name to this great and splendid dignity, yet from time to time, some men have gone to such a pitch of madness and audacity, as even to name themselves Apostles of Christ, and to seize an honor not granted unto them. Of these the divine disciples made mention, for they said, "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder; for Satan even transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness." (2 Cor. 11: 13-14) However, we neither acknowledge nor will receive any one, except those only so named in the Evangelic writings, and also the one who was appointed after them, the most wise Paul. The Savior Himself bore witness to him saying, "He is a vessel of Mine, to bear My name before all the gentiles." (Acts 9: 15)
Symbols of the Holy Apostles
The law pointed them out before in type, and the prophets also proclaimed them. As for instance, it is written in the Mosaic record, "And you shall take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes with it; and you shall set them in two rows, six in a row, on the pure gold table before the Lord. And you shall put pure frankincense on each row, that it may be on the bread for a memorial." (Lev. 24: 5-6) Who else can be the bread that came down form heaven and gives life to the world, except Christ, the Savior of the universe? In a similar manner the blessed disciples also are named loaves. Having been made partakers of Him, Who nourishes us unto life eternal, they also nourish by their own writings those who hunger and thirst after righteousness. As the Savior is the true light, He also called His disciples, "You are the light of the world."(Matt. 5: 14) Also being Himself the bread of life, He has bestowed upon His disciples to be ranked as loaves. Please, observe the marvelous art of the law: for you shall put, it says, upon the loaves of frankincense and salt. Now the frankincense is the symbol of a sweet odor; and the salt that of understanding and good sense. Both of them existed in the highest degree in the holy Apostles. Their life was one of a sweet savor, as they also said, "For we are to God the fragrance of Christ." (2 Cor. 2: 15) More over, they were also full of understanding, so that the prophet David sang of them in the Psalms, "There is Benjamin, their leader, the princes of Judah and their company, the princes of Zebulun and the princes of Naphtali." (Ps.68: 27) The blessed disciples were chosen out of almost every tribe of Israel, and were the bearers of light to the world, holding up the word of life. Indeed, the wonder is that the sages of the Greeks possessed eloquent speech, and an admirable beauty of language, but the disciples of our Savior were mere artificers (skilled craftsmen), boatmen, and fishermen, having no boast of words and no fluency of picked phrases. In expression they were indeed simple men, but rich in knowledge. The literature of the Greeks, with it eloquent phrases, is silent, while the power of the Evangelic preaching has possession of the world. God also make mention of them by the voice of Jeremiah, say of the enemy of all, Satan, "Woe to him who increases. What is not his-how long? And to him who loads himself with many pledges? Will not you creditors rise up suddenly? Will they not awaken who oppress you? And you will become their booty." (Hab. 2: 6-7) Satan gathered unto him all the inhabitants of the earth, though they were not his, and had caused them to be his worshippers, making his collar heavy. But those who were to plunder his goods woke up; for the net of the apostolic teaching caught all those that were in error, and brought back unto God the whole world.
St. Cyril of Alexandria
Ὁ Ἅγιος Μακάριος ὁ Μέγας καί ὁ πατήρ Σεραφείμ Ρόουζ
Ο π. Σεραφείμ Ρόουζ μην ξεχνώντας ποτέ την ανάγκη να «βιάζει τον εαυτό τον στη χριστιανική πνευματική ζωή, έζησε σύμφωνα με τα ακόλουθα λόγια του αγίου Μακαρίου του Μεγάλου, τα όποια είχε ως οδηγό στην καθημερινή πνευματική του πράξη: «Ένας άνθρωπος, ερχόμενος προς τον Κύριο, πρέπει να βιάσει τον εαυτό του σε ότι είναι καλό,
ακόμη και αν αυτό έρχεται σε αντίθεση με την κλίση της καρδιάς του, προσμένοντας συνεχώς τον έλεός Του με βέβαιη πίστη. Να πιέζει τον εαυτό του στην αγάπη όταν δεν έχει αγάπη, να είναι πράος όταν δεν έχει πραότητα, να είναι οικτίρμων και φιλεύσπλαχνος, να επιζητά την ταπείνωση και όταν καταφρονείται να τον υπομένει καρτερικά... Να βιάζει τον εαυτό του στην προσευχή όταν δεν έχει πνευματική προσευχή. Έτσι, ό Θεός, σε εκείνον πού προσπαθεί και βιάζει τον εαυτό του, σε αντίθεση με αυτόν πού έχει απρόθυμη καρδιά, παρέχει την αληθινή προσευχή τού Πνεύματος, αληθινή αγάπη, πραότητα, φιλευσπλαχνία (Κολ. | 3:12), αληθινή ευγένεια και, με ένα λόγο, τον γεμίζει με πνευματικούς καρπούς».
ΒΙΒΛ. Π. ΣΕΡΑΦΕΙΜ ΡΟΟΥΖ Η ΖΩΗ ΚΑΙ ΤΑ ΕΡΓΑ ΤΟΥ ΤΟΜΟΣ Β
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