that you may dwell in gladness

dwell in gladness

 

 

There are many who say, “Who will show us good things?” O Lord, the light of Your face was stamped upon us. You put gladness in my heart;  From their season of wheat, wine, and oil they were multiplied.   I will both sleep and rest in peace, For You alone, O Lord, cause me to dwell in hope.

Psalm 4:7-9

 

When you behold light, remember who gives it to you; When you see heaven and earth and sea and all they contain, be in awe  and give praise to their Creator.  When you put on your clothes, remember whose gift they are and give thanks to Him who takes care of your needs.  In a word, remember and praise God in all your actions, and then you will be praying incessantly and your soul will be filled with gladness.

The Way of a Pilgrim


wholeness and chastity

the spirit of chastity

the true and full meaning of the Greek word for chastity, sophrosini, is “wholeness” or “wholemindedness.” Chastity is therefore a state of being in which the soul and body work together as one.

Vassilios Papavassiliou

MEDITATIONS FOR GREAT LENT:

Reflections on the Triodion




prayer of saint ephrem

prayer of saint ephemera

Lord and Master of my life, give me not a spirit of sloth, idle curiosity, love of power, and useless chatter. Rather grant to me, Your servant, a spirit of chastity, humility, patience , and love. Yes, Lord and King, grant me to see my own faults and not to condemn my brother; for You are blessed to the ages of ages. Amen.


lamp to my feet

candles before God

Your word is a lamp to my feet

And a light to my paths.

(Psalm 118:105)

 

“Like candles, so our souls must stand upright before God.

The narrow way, my brothers, leads to the Kingdom of God.   Only in restraint of mind, heart and will can the candles of virtue be lit, the flames of which rise up before God.   We must, under the image of burning candles,  understand the Christian virtues.”

 

The Prologue

18 January


great lent and renewal

prayer during Lent

“We must always pray. But Lent is the time of an increase of prayer and also of its deepening. The simplest way is, first, to add the Lenten prayer of St. Ephrem the Syrian to our private morning and evening prayers. Then, it is good and profitable to set certain hours of the day for a short prayer: this can be done  “internally”—at the office, in the car, everywhere. The important thing here is to remember constantly that we are in Lent, to be spiritually “referred” to its final goal: renewal, penitence, closer contact with God.”

Father Alexander Schmemman

Great Lent: A School of Repentance

Its Meaning for Orthodox Christians



know your friends

know your friends

 

“Let him be your father who is able and willing to labour with you in hearing the burden of your sins; and your mother contrition, which can cleanse you from impurity; and your comrade who toils and fights side by side with you in striving toward the heights.”

Saint John Climacus


the God of all

open our eyes

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He is “the God of all mankind…”

Jeremiah 32:27

“God belongs to all free beings.  He is the life of all, the salvation of all – faithful and unfaithful, just and unjust, pious and impious, passionate and dispassionate, monks and laymen, wise and simple, healthy and sick, young and old.  Just as the effusion of light, the sight of the sun and the changes of the seasons are for all alike.  For there is no respect of persons with God.”

 

 

Saint John Climacus

The Ladder of Divine Ascent