spiritual companionship

Leave a comment

“For the company that you do not have, I will find you good company which you already have, even though you are not aware of them. First you have God, who is always with you. Remember and believe in Him for He is everywhere, sees us, hears, us, looks after us, protects us, loves us and keeps us. As the Prophet David says, “The Lord keeps all those who love Him and all the sinners He destroys.”

Second you have the companionship of the Most Holy Mother of God, who is greater than the Heavens and more glorious than the Seraphim. The Mother of God, the Queen of Heaven and earth, she is the protectress of all Christians who call upon her with faith.

Thirdly you have the Archangel Michael, the guardian of our souls and bodies.”

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

with boldness and courage

Leave a comment

Every good work, every God pleasing deed will have its obstacles and temptations. This is why the Holy Fathers had the concern that every virtue which is not received through obstacles and struggles, suffering, temptations and fears is not a true virtue.

This does not mean that we should become frightened by these obstacles, but moving forward with boldness and courage, calling for the help of God and the Saints, over-come and destroy these obstacles. From now on, when you are confronted with such temptations immerse yourself in prayer to God and the Saints.

I pray that the Grace of our Good God and the help of the Theotokos enable you worthily to fulfill your good work in these evil days.

And let us not have hope in our strength but only in God.

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

soul word {smile}

Leave a comment

“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

the cure of the soul

Leave a comment

As sickness is to the physical body, so sin is to the soul. Just as a person becomes sick in his body and goes to a doctor and reveals to him all his symptoms and pains in order to be treated by the doctor with necessary medicine to effect a cure so it is also with sins. These are the ills of the soul. and one must go to a spiritual physician similarly revealing to him all their sins in order to receive the necessary medicine and treatments for the healing of the soul.

The sickness of the body a doctor can not always heal because there are diseases that are incurable, while ALL the sickness of the soul can be cured and restored to righteousness.

I advise you to look for a good and competent doctor to take care of your physical ills so do the same in choosing a spiritual physician.

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

words of salvation

Leave a comment

My first word, or rather the command of God, is to love God with all your soul, your heart, your mind and strength. To be able to love God we must strive with ourselves, for all the good things are acquired by work and suffering… Be thankful to God for all the good that you have, especially that He has enlightened you with divine knowledge and has saved you from evil delusions.

My second word is to love your neighbor as yourself. Love according to the law of the Lord, your enemies also, and do good to those who do you wrong. Love and help the poor according to your strength.

My third word is that you judge no one who sins, because our Lord told us not to judge so that we will not be judged. If you see someone sinning and you know that he will listen to you then admonish that person to leave their sin…

My fourth word is that you go often to church services, and pray regularly, especially pray in your heart when you are walking or working, remember God by praying, “Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me”, or “Glory be to God”, or “Most Holy Theotokos help me”, and other prayers that you know. Study the Holy Scriptures, the life and writings of the Holy Fathers. Always remember God, your own mortality, God’s righteous judgement, Paradise and Hell. These thoughts and remembrances help us not to sin so easily.

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

life is like the sea

Leave a comment

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

Blessed Feast of the Nativity

Leave a comment

IMG_1258

 

This Nativity night bestowed peace on the whole world; So let no one threaten;

This is the night of the Most Gentle One  – Let no one be cruel;

This is the night of the Humble One  -Let no one be proud.

Now is the day of joy – Let us not revenge;

Now is the day of Good Will -Let us not be mean.

In this Day of Peace – Let us not be conquered by anger.

Today the Bountiful impoverished Himself for our sake; So, rich one, invite the poor to your table.

Today we receive a Gift for which we did not ask; So let us give alms to those who implore and beg us.

This present Day cast open the heavenly doors to our prayers; Let us open our door to those who ask our forgiveness.

Today the DIVINE BEING took upon Himself the seal of our humanity, In order for humanity to be decorated by the Seal of DIVINITY

🎄 —————————🌟🎄🌟———————-🎄

Saint Isaac Syrian, Nativity Sermon

🎄 —————————🌟🎄🌟———————-🎄

 

friends of Christ

Leave a comment

IMG_9410

A true friend is known in misfortune. he is our true friend and one who loves us who does not forsake us in misfortune.

Likewise, the true lover of Christ is he who abides with Christ in this world, and cleaves to Him in his heart, and uncomplainingly endures the Cross with Him, and desires to be with Him inseparably in the age to come.

Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk

thanksgiving is

Leave a comment

img_5301

“I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual.” – Henry David Thoreau

Father Alexander Schmemann of blessed memory says that thanksgiving and joy are the essential elements of a life in Christ and Saint John of Kronstadt says that the soul involuntarily longs to praise God.  This blessed gift is already present within each us but requires tending and nurture.

To give thanksgiving is to bless and also to love, for when we give thanks we return and offer back to God what He has bestowed to us.

Gratitude is fertilizer to the soil of prayer germinating seeds of hope, patience in tribulation, and a tissue blessing tears.

Thanksgiving is Eukharistia and seeks not to be right but rather righteousness and it is yielding and forgiving; grounded in reality.

Thanksgiving is healing and the candlelight of vigil.  It rejoices with those who rejoice and mourns with those who mourn (Romans 12:35).  It seeks no glory but glorifies.

Offering thanks gives much peace to the present moment, and cultivates wonder at the fragrant act of a costly oil of spikenard, poured upon and anointing the feet of Jesus.