A man went to Elder Porphyrios: “Geronta, I want your blessing, so that I can take communion tomorrow.” “Do you hate anyone?” “No, Geronta.” “Good. Go and receive communion.” Simple, right? Why do we Orthodox prefer to complicate things, with rules and man-made traditions? Porphyrios was a profound thinker and man of the spirit, but …
A Magnificent Prayer
The Responses to Thalassios is considered by many to be the greatest work of St. Maximos the Confessor, the great Byzantine theologian of the 7th century. The book consists of 65 answers that Maximos wrote in response to Thalassios, a renowned spiritual teacher in North Africa. Question 48 in this book begins with a prayer that …
The Divine
A few weeks ago a friend of mine in England, a very fine spiritual writer and blogger, wrote a short reflection that struck me at the time and I feel I should share it here after my own earlier post today on the Trinity. He has posted many poems and reflections inspired by Rublev's famous …
Life-Giving Fountain
It is blessed to anticipate the celebration of our Lord's Nativity. We all are making sacrifices in how we will celebrate this great holy day, but even a deadly virus cannot stop the holiness that flows from this feast into our lives. Holy, Holy, Holy - the only word that is adequate to expressing the …
God’s Christmas Gift
When all things were enveloped in quiet silence, and when the night had reached the mid-point in its course, your all-powerful Word leaped from he height of the heavens, from the royal throne, into the midst of the land that was doomed… (Book of Wisdom 18:14-15) Don’t look for the Book of Wisdom in your Bible. …
Love in Eternity; Love born in the World
Adrienne von Speyr, whom I introduced in my previous post, wrote a 4-volume series of meditations on the Gospel of John that run to 1,600 pages! The following excerpts are from her meditation on verse 18:37 – For this I was born… – when Jesus faced Pilate. These thoughts, born out of prayer and contemplation of divine truth, …
“I AM THE FIRST AND THE LAST”
Lord, you tell us from heaven that you are the first and the last. Grant us understanding of this word in faith, this word that you speak to us over and over again, that you say again and again, like a confession of love to us and to the Father at the same time. Let …
Jasmine and the Clouds of Life
The jasmine behind my house has been completely ruined by the rains and storms of the last few days. . . . But somewhere inside me the jasmine continues to blossom undisturbed, just as profusely and delicately as ever it did. And it spreads its scent round the House in which You dwell, oh God. …
Paradoxes of the Cross
God prefers to reveal His ways through paradox. Because mystery is paradoxical. But people don't like paradox; people want clearcut answers, clearcut methodologies. And so people get confused. Why did God choose this way? Wouldn't it have been easier and less messy if God did it otherwise, maybe by just waving his hand and telling …
Ancient Hymns of Holy Thursday
The Last Supper, by Julia Stankova (Reproduced here with her permission.) http://www.juliastankova.com/home.html On Holy Thursday we commemorate the Last Supper and the washing of the disciples' feet by Jesus. Throughout Holy Week some of the most profound meditations are found in the various Kanons that are sung throughout the week, usually in the Matins services …
Ancient Answers 