What remembrance of eternity can do

 

Nothing so moves a sinner to repentance as eternity and nothing is so useful to every Christian as remembrance and contemplation of eternity.  Eternity restrains a man from sin, calms his passions, turns him from the world and all its vanity, makes his heart contrite, gives birth to tears of repentance, incites him to prayer, and works true sighing of the heart.  Contemplation and remembrance of eternity can correct even the most depraved man. 

Admonitions from St. Vladimir

 

Above all things: forget not the poor, but support them to the extent of your means. Give to the orphan, protect the widow, and permit the mighty to destroy no man. Take not the life of the just or the unjust, nor permit him to be killed. Destroy no Christian soul, even though he be guilty of murder. 

On father confessors

The proof of authenticity of the spiritual condition of a father confessor is, that while he is very strict with himself, he is very lenient with others and does not use the canons of the Church like cannons against them. 

One of God's choice healers: St. Panteleimon

Mosaic from The Holy Monastery of St. Panteleimon, Kokkinara, Penteli
 

St. Panteleimon is known in the Church as a great martyr and holy unmercenary healer.  His life and martyrdom are commemorated on July 27 each year.  Learn more here:  http://full-of-grace-and-truth.blogspot.com/2009/07/st-panteleimon-great-martyr-and.html

Holy relic (skull) of St. Panteleimon is treasured at the

Panachrantou Monastery on the island of Andros 

Holy Great Martyr Panteleimon, intercede for us! 

 

Wondrous is God in His Saints!



On the two natures of Christ

We sometimes try to distinguish between the divine and human aspects of Christ.  We say that in the desert his divine nature restrained his appetites and desires, while his human nature felt hungry and weary.  His divine nature healed people and performed numerous miracles; his human nature felt power go out of him at every miracle.  His divine nature redeemed humanity on the cross; his human nature endured the most terrible agony.  Yet is such a distinction between divinity and humanity valid?  Can we actually see two quite distinct elements in the person of Christ?  When we look at ourselves we can distinguish between the physical and spiritual aspects of our nature.  We know that at times life becomes a battlefield as the spiritual and the physical aspects struggle for supremacy.  Yet it would be wrong to say that the spiritual aspect should defeat and destroy the physical; rather we want harmony between the two. Our physical wants and desires should not be suppressed or ignored; rather they should be satisfied within the framework of morality which the spirit dictates.  We should understand Christ in a similar way.  It is not a question of his divine nature conquering and destroying his human nature; rather he revealed how human flesh and blood can live in perfect harmony with God. 

Prayer without ceasing for all men

And pray ye without ceasing in behalf of other men.  For there is in them the hope of repentance that they may attain to God.  See, then, that they be instructed by your works, if in no other way.  Be ye meek in response to their wrath, humble in opposition to their boasting: to their blasphemies return your prayers; in contrast to their error, be ye steadfast in the faith; and for their cruelty, manifest your gentleness.  While we take care not to imitate their conduct, let us be found their brethren in all true kindness; and let us seek to be followers of the Lord (who ever more unjustly treated, more destitute, more condemned?), that so no plant of the devil may be found in you, but ye may remain in all holiness and sobriety in Jesus Christ, both with respect to the flesh and spirit. 

 

Update on Meriam Ibrahaim:  http://www.christianpost.com/news/ny-pastor-meets-meriam-ibrahim-in-sudan-offers-to-help-bring-and-take-care-of-her-family-in-us-123588/

A right perspective for a Christian

Some people see the houses in which they live as their kingdom; and although in their minds they know that death will one day force them to leave, in their hearts they feel they will stay forever.  They take pride in the size of their houses and the fine materials with which they are built.  They take pleasure in decorating their houses with bright colors, and in obtaining the best and most solid furniture to fill the rooms.  They imagine that they can find peace and security by owning a house whose walls and roof will last for many generations.  We, by contrast, know that we are only temporary guests on earth.  We recognize that the houses in which we live serve only as hostels on the road to eternal life.  We do not seek peace or security from the material walls around us or the roof above our heads.  Rather, we want to surround ourselves with a wall of divine grace; and we look upward to heaven as our roof.  And the furniture of our lives should be good works, performed in a spirit of love.