encircling mercy

weren’t our hearts burning within us….

“when a man becomes humble, at once mercy encircles him, and then his heart is aware of Divine help, because if finds a certain power and assurance moving in itself. And when a man perceives {the coming} of Divine help, and that it is this which aids him, then at once his heart is filled with faith, and he understands from this that prayer is the refuge of help, a source of salvation, a treasury of assurance, a haven that rescues from the tempest, a light to those who are in darkness, a staff of the infirm, a shelter in time of temptations, a medicine at the height of sickness, a shield of deliverance in ware, an arrow sharpened against the face of his enemies and to speak simple, the entire multitude of these good things is found to have its entrance through prayer.”

Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian


humility collects the heart

When a man knows that he is in need of Divine help, he makes many prayers. And by as much as he multiplies them, his heart is humbled, for there is no man who will not be humbled when he is making supplication and entreaty. “A heart that is broken and humbled, God will not despise.: There fore, as long as the heart is not humbled, it can not cease from wandering, for humility collects the heart.

  The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac of Syria 

Homily Eight



within our hearts a lamp

there is a light that never goes out

“And Christ crucified rejoices when He sees us following Him, undaunted and not turning back. Then you should know that in pain and in mourning, in death and in poverty there is, within our hearts a lamp, a light that nobody can ever extinguish.”

Abbot Ephraim of Vatopedi Monastery : Mount Athos Greece

Video  sermon on Lent’s Third Sunday Vespers

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the things of God

The things of God, they say, come of themselves, without one being aware of it. Yes, but only if the place is clean and undefiled. If the pupil of your soul’s eye is not pure, do not venture to gaze at the orb of the sun, lest you be deprived of your sight – which is simple faith, humility, confession from the heart, and your small labors according to your capacity.

The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian

Homily Two

On Thankfulness to God, In Which there are Also Elementary Lessons


there is no other path

A man who talks of virtue from the experience of his own labour transmits virtue to his hearer just as though he distributes money earned from his own commerce, and as it were from out of his own possessions he sows his teaching in the ears of those who give him ear. Such a man opens his mouth with boldness before his spiritual children.

The Ascentical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian

Homily One Number 38


comforting the sick

You should rejoice because you are a daughter of Christ our God. What a great honor, and a great joy that we are called brothers of god. This indicates His great love for us. Those whom God loves are tested and those who are tested a little receive crowning honors. The Holy Spirit tells us, those who are sick, whom God loves, He witnesses to see their patience, faith and love and He will reward them greatly. He will give them the Eternal Kingdom and all the goodness of Paradise.

“Spiritual Advice of the Elder Philotheos Zervakos”

Translated by Archimandrite Polycarpos Rameras



a joy {His promises are true}

Jesus Christ did not promise us an easy time nor even a harmonious one. But He promised us a joy that no man could take from us. He promised us ultimate victory and sure place in His Kingdom. He promised us His companionship,

Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20). That His companionship is worth more than all else, those who have experienced it know for a fact – it is the pearl without price for the possession of which a man might well sell off all that he has.

As we stand on the brink of this new year, which seems to be filled with foreboding, let us face up to whatever it may bring in a truly Christian frame of mind. That is to say, with quietude and confidence, because we trust God with all our joys and sorrows. Putting His will first, we know we have nothing to fear, even if we “walk through the valley of the shadow of death” (Psalm 23:4) for if the Lord is with us, whom shall we fear?

Let us start the new year with a cry of joy, praise and thanksgiving “Praise God in His sanctuary, praise Him in the firmament of His power… Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord” (Psalm 150:1-6)

Princess Ileana (Mother Alexandra) December 12, 1956

“Life Transfigured” A Journal of Orthodox Nuns

volume 50 #3


soul word {smile}

“Three things that are necessary and soul saving I want to tell you my beloved children that you should watch and guard always. They are great patience, True Orthodox faith and above all love for God and your neighbors, even for your enemies.

Do these things and keep the commandments of the Lord and as many times as you sin, repent and confess. Thus in this way you will be saved and inherit the kingdom. Without the sacrament of confession, very few will be saved.

Our whole life is a time of preparation, a time for repentance and salvation.

Blessed and joyful is he who dies in repentance.

I pray that the Lord will save us all. Amen.”

Spiritual Advice of the Elder Philotheos Zervakos” Translated by Archimandrite Polycarpos Rameras


life is like the sea

The temporal life of man is like the sea, and we are like the ships. Just as a boat sails the sea, it does not all the time have favorable waters, but it is now and then tossed into the waters experiencing danger. So it is with us in this worldly life, we come upon dangers, and storms, scandals, temptations, sickness, sorrows, worries, persecutions and dangers. We must not be overcome by fear.

We must have courage, strength of purpose, and faith. And if as men, we become faint-hearted, and weak in faith and timid before dangers, then call out as Peter did before Christ, our most sweet God who is everywhere. Lord save us from danger. And immediately our sweet Jesus will extend His right hand to you and say, “Oh you of little faith, why are you afraid. I am by your side and will not leave you.”

The ship when it is anchored safely in port gives no cause of fear or danger. So also with us when we reach the port of eternal life, we will not experience fear or danger, but rather we will be safe for all eternity. There solace is without disturbance, peace without war, health without sickness, happiness without fears, joy without sorrow, life without death. May the All Good and Heavenly Father, who desires that all men may be saved, and come to the knowledge of truth, make us worthy of the Eternal Blessings and the Heavenly Kingdom.

Spiritual Advice of the Elder Philotheos Zervakos (1884 – 1980)

Saint John the Baptist Church – Skopelos Greece