Repentance and life in the Spirit

Through repentance the filth of our foul actions is washed away.  After this, we participate in the Holy Spirit, not automatically, but according to the faith, humility and inner disposition of the repentance in which our soul is engaged.  For this reason it is good to repent each day as the act of repentance is unending. 

It is better...

It is better to be persecuted than to persecute; it is better to be crucified than to crucify; it is better to be insulted than to insult; it is better to be slandered than to slander.  Elder Justin (Pârvu) +June 16, 2013 

Fr. Justin (Pârvu) was born in the village of Poiana Larguliu on February 10, 1919; he entered the monastery of Durău in 1936, and in 1939 he enrolled in the Theological Seminary in the Cernica Monastery. He served as a chaplain on the Eastern Front during World War II from 1942-1944, but was imprisoned for political and religious reasons between 1948 and 1964. In 1966 Fr. Justin was received into Secu Monastery, and in 1975 he transferred to Bistrita Monasery. In the autumn of 1991, he placed the foundation stone of Petru Vodă Monastery, where he lived and served as abbot, and in 1999 he began the restoration of a convent for nuns in Paltin.

From the end of March 2013, the stomach cancer that he had secretly suffered for several years metastasized, provoking further medical complications that after martyric torments caused Archimandrite Justin's departure to a better world. Fr. Justin is considered the last of the Romanian elders of the period of communist repression to depart this world. May God give rest to his soul!

Pre and post marital prayers

Master, Lord, our God, who bless marriages and preserve the nature of incorruptibility, and Who govern all earthly affairs in wisdom; from the beginning, You created man and set him as king over Your creation, saying:  It is not good that man should be alone upon earth; let Us make him a helpmate.  You therefore established that a man leave his father and his mother and be joined to his wife.  The two become one body and man shall not separate that which God had joined together.  O Master, send Your heavenly grace upon us, Your unworthy servants, and bless this marriage which shall take place before You.  Cleanse us of all our sins, forgive our transgressions and involuntary iniquities.  Unite us in mind, thought and heart, in pure love and unshakable faith, guiding our steps along Your path so that we may ever fulfill Your holy will.  Fill our house with all which is good; grant us healthy children and enable us to live our entire lives in purity as we strive in every way to please You.  Help us to obey all Your commandments with a pure heart, so that we may glorify and praise Your all honorable and blessed name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.  Amen.

 

Lord Jesus Christ our God, Who taught us to pray continually for one another, thus fulfilling Your commandment and manifesting our desire for Your mercy, in Your compassion, watch over and protect my husband (wife) from all seen and unseen enemies.  Grant him (her) health and complete wisdom so that he (she) may fulfill all his (her) obligations according to Your will and commandments.  Protect him (her) from all temptations which he (she) does not have the strength to resist.  Strengthen him (her) in the right faith and in perfect love that we may live together in virtue, and direct our lives according to Your precepts.  For Yours is the power and glory forever.  Amen. 

We implore You, O merciful Lord:  Help us to remember that marriage is indeed holy and strengthen the sanctity of our union.  Shower Your grace upon us so that we may live our lives in true faithfulness and love.  Help us to understand and trust each other fully, keeping quarrels and arguments far from us.  Bestow Your blessings upon us, and in Your mercy, count us worthy of Your kingdom:  for You are our sanctification, and we offer glory to You:  to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.  Amen.

 

 

Prayer in time of need or trouble

The dark clouds of trouble gather above me, O Lord, and the grief of torments terrifies me.  Although I find myself in a state of suffering, I do not complain against You, O Good One, for You are my support and the unshaken rock upon which I place my hope.  You know, O God, the cause of my wretchedness and sorrows, and You continue to look after me.  Even in my suffering I know that You love me, and it is this very knowledge that strengthens me. Thus, hoping in Your very love and goodness, I shall not allow these assaults to overcome me; instead, I will fight with courage, and confident in Your help, I shall be victorious.  It is You Who guide the world and the fate of mortals; thus direct the ship of my life which is assailed by the waves of temptation, so that it may reach the calm harbor.  Alone, I fight in vain against the tempests of life, for without You I can do nothing.  I therefore flee to You, O Good One, and I pray: Come to my aid and save me by Your might, just as You once saved Peter who came to You upon the water.  Stretch out Your hand to me as You did to him, O Lord of mercy, and do not delay.  Amen.

The Lord Jesus helps and saves

icon courtesy of Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Boston

 

There is no need at all to make long discourses; it is enough to stretch out one’s hand and say, “Lord, as you will, and as you know, have mercy.”  And if the conflict grows fiercer, say, “Lord, help!”  God knows very well what we need and He shows us His mercy. 





Repent and do not despair

Let us know the great goodness of God for those who sincerely take refuge in Him and who correct their past faults, by repentance, and let us not despair of our salvation.  In truth, as it was proclaimed by the Prophet Isaiah, God washes those who are dirty with sin, whitens them as wool and as snow and bestows the good things of the heavenly Jerusalem on them. 

Forgive me

I'm in the process of moving house...I'll be back with you soon, God willing.

Pres. Candace