concerning prayer {cling to Christ}

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“To become children of God and gods by Grace, let us always pray. All good things are given from above by the Father of Lights. If we wish to be children of God, let us entreat and pray continuously to make us worthy of such a grace.

Let our souls cling to God as the prophet David says, “my soul clings to you and my right hand upholds you” Saint Gregory the Theologian says, “remembrance of God brings us rest.” The God Bearing Maximos the Confessor writes, “The mind unified in prayer and Love of God becomes wise, good, merciful, and long-suffering, reflecting all the Divine energies in itself.”

Let us love God with all our strength and our neighbors as ourselves, that we may be worthy to be children of God and gods by Grace. Amen.”

“Spiritual Advice of the Elder Philotheos Zervakos”

Translated by Archimandrite Polycarpos Rameras

offering {loaves and fishes}

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First you must consider Christ. You will ask me what need does Christ have, but the need is not His, it’s yours. Give to Him the treasure that He gave to you and He will increase it a hundred, a thousand and a million more times.

“Spiritual Advice of the Elder Philotheos Zervakos”

Translated by Archimandrite Polycarpos Rameras

good works are by grace

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“It is for us to confess with contrition of heart that all the good words are done by the grace and help of God. We people, without God can do nothing. Whatever we have, our being, our life, health, strength, wisdom, and riches are gifts of God. We ourselves are nothing, for out of nothing were we created. Every good thing, therefore that we do is by the grace of God. The Apostle Paul, who worked and suffered greatly said in humility, not me but the grace of God that is in me. We may labor, but if we do not have the Grace of God or the intercessions of the Saints our labors will amount to nothing.

Let us then humble ourselves and ask the Lord to give us true and fervent faith…

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

spiritual companionship

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“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

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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}

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“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

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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

Blessed Feast of the Nativity

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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

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Saint Isaac Syrian, Nativity Sermon

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thanksgiving is

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“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.