In times of peace or persecution

In time of religious peace, we take up our cross and follow Christ by putting our evil passions and desires to death through virtuous living.  But when persecutions come, we must despise our own life, give up our soul for the sake of our Faith and therefore take up our cross and follow the Lord, so as to inherit eternal life. 'He that findeth his soul,' says the Scripture, 'shall lose it; and he that loseth his soul for My sake shall find it' (Matt. 10:39). 

How the poor benefit the wealthy

Just as the poor should give thanks to God and return rich love to those who assist them, so all the more should the wealthy give thanks, for through God's providence they are able to perform acts of charity, and so are saved both in this age and in the age to come.  For without the poor they cannot save their souls or flee the temptations of wealth.  St. Peter of Damascus

Back on March 25, you'll see an entry about the ministries of the Philanthropic Society of the Orthodox Church in Calcutta.  Since that posting I have learned more about the current situation of the ministry—that is, it has acute needs at present.  Long-term funding which had been coming consistently from Greece has fallen off (due to economic hardships in the country) to the point that the ministries in Calcutta are now in a crisis situation.  I would like to ask the readers here if they would take a look at the posting once more and if at all inclined, send a gift of any amount to the St. Basil Orphanage Fund at this link:  http://thepsoc.org/donate/

Perhaps those of you who read this can pass along this request to your church’s philanthropic ministry as well, asking them to consider the needs.  It could be that your local church might be willing to take up the needs of these two orphanages and feeding program for the poorest of the poor on a routine basis.  The children who are sheltered by these orphanages pray for their benefactors daily.  What could bring a greater blessing than being remembered by these young and otherwise vulnerable people, beloved by God?

Herein lies an opportunity and a blessing; a small thing to us, perhaps, but of inestimable value to them.  The recompense goes on to heaven, stored up for those who respond with love.

With appreciation and love,

Pres. Candace

On the grace of the Saints and their icons

The saints, during their earthly life, are filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit.  After their departure the same grace remains in their souls as in their bodies.  The very same grace is present and active in their sacred images and icons.  St. John of Damascus

On prayer and Christian fasting

Prayer and fasting, but Christian fasting, is useful as a means of examining ourselves, of diagnosing our true ethical state, of precisely appraising our sins, and of our understanding their true character.  Without fasting and prayer we are deprived of the means to self-knowledge; we are unable to acquire a true picture of our sins and complete consciousness and contrition of heart, and, consequently, true and fruitful confession.  Therefore, since Christian fasting and prayer is the only method of preparation for true confession, we are obligated to observe these commandments of the Church diligently, we are obligated to confess truly and with faith to reconcile with God, so that we do not fail to reach the goal but achieve the desired ultimate good. 

On possessions and wealth

Cheerfulness consists in not regarding these things as our own, but as entrusted to us by God for the benefit of our fellow-servants. It consists in scattering them abroad generously with joy and magnanimity, not reluctantly or under compulsion (II Cor.9:7ff). Further, we ought cheerfully to empty ourselves of that which we stored up in the hope of the true promise God has made to us of giving us a hundredfold reward for this. For since God knows that we are all wholly possessed by the lust for possessions and mad desire for wealth and how difficult it is for us to tear ourselves loose from them, and how those who in various ways have been deprived of them despair of life itself, He has made use of the corresponding remedy. He has promised to give us, as we have said, a hundredfold reward for that which we spend on the poor. This He has done, first, that we may be set free in this matter from the condemnation of covetousness, and second that we may cease to put our trust and hope in possessions and find our hearts set free from such bonds.

Once we have been set free we can proceed without hindrance to the practice of His commandments and 'serve Him with fear and trembling' (Ps.2:11), not as though we were doing Him some favor, but as receiving a benefit by being admitted into His service. Otherwise it would be impossible for us to be saved! The rich have been commanded to lay aside their wealth as being some kind of burden and hindrance to a life pleasing to God, and thus to take up the Cross on their shoulders and follow the Master in His footsteps (Mk.8:34; Mt.16:14), for it is wholly impossible for us to bear both burdens at once. As for those who are not in their case and live in moderate circumstances, or even go short of the necessities of life, they have nothing that  impedes them if they wish to walk on the narrow and difficult way (Mt. 7:14). The former need no more than the intention to do so; the latter are already walking on that way, and must live with patience and thanksgiving. God, because He is just, will prepare a place of rest for those who are thus on the way to eternal life and enjoyment.  St. Symeon the New Theologian (10^th century)

St. John Climacus on repentance

Repentance is a renewal of baptism.  Repentance is a contract with God for a second life.  A penitent is a buyer of humility. 

Honor due the Virgin Bride of God

To express, as is her due, the honor of the Virgin Bride, she did not just act as a mediator for certain chosen races; but - standing between God and every race of men - she made God the Son of man, and men the sons of God.  She alone was shown to be the natural mother of God in a supernatural way; and, by her indescribable child-bearing, she became the Queen of the entire Creation --- in this world and beyond.  St. Gregory Palamas

(Platytera icon--Uncut Mountain Supply)