The Evergetinos: Book Two - Part XXXV, Part IV

The Fathers teach that anger is a form of idolatry. Just as the pagans once bowed before false gods, so too does the man who gives himself to wrath bow before the idol of rage, making himself a slave rather than a disciple of Christ. To renounce anger is to trample down idols and become a bloodless martyr, confessing Christ not with words but with meekness.

 

The first step in overcoming anger is silence — not speaking when provoked. From this small beginning, grace can bring the soul to tranquility. Abba Moses, once insulted, at first bore it in silence, and later even welcomed humiliation, reproaching himself instead of others. Anger, the elders say, is like a fire that lives on fuel: self-will, pride, contention, the need to be right. If these causes are cut off, the fire goes out; if they are fed, it consumes the heart with remembrance of wrongs and bitterness until the soul is destroyed.

 

The devil seizes every chance to inflame anger — sometimes over trifles, sometimes under the guise of justice. Yet the one who follows Christ must become a stranger to wrath. The Fathers themselves struggled long: some spent years begging God for freedom from this passion, knowing that controlling the tongue is the doorway to purifying the heart. Outward restraint is not enough; even hidden hatred makes a man a murderer before God. For the Lord searches not only deeds but thoughts, and will judge the secrets of the heart.

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Text of chat during the group:

00:04:58 Catherine Opie: Good evening/morning what page are we currently on?

00:07:04 Bob Čihák, AZ: P 276, G

00:07:46 Catherine Opie: Reacted to "P 276, G" with ❤️

00:09:28 Anna: He participated in Byzantine Liturgy. In the records there's details on it.

00:10:39 Fr. Charbel Abernethy: Evergetinos Volume II page 276

00:11:09 Anna: My daughter is doing a college paper on consecrated life that will bring in desert fathers thanks to these meetings.

00:12:28 Catherine Opie: NZ

00:12:42 Anna: Starting with historical aspects initially which brings in desert fathers and ending in women consecrated life because she feels called to Byzantine monasticism

00:26:48 Anthony: The demons say "what have you to do with us" as if Jesus is the interloper. But they are the outsiders and usurpers.

00:29:44 Maureen Cunningham: Thinking of Saint Padre Pio

00:31:03 Fr. C Mase: There is something to be said for keeping ones mind fixed on ones own repentance. I think that is what Abba-Moses did here. He could have focused on the hurt inflicted on Him but rather focuses on God and on His own repentance. Often it is easy to, when we are wronged, focus on the evil another has done to us. We can especially nowadays with so much evil in the world spend all our time railing about others and turning our eye away from our own vocation. Repentance.

00:32:33 Julie: Reacted to "There is something t…" with 🙏

00:32:44 Andrew Adams: Reacted to "There is something t..." with 🙏

00:33:02 wayne: Reacted to "There is something t..." with 🙏

00:33:08 Janine: Reacted to "There is something t…" with 🙏

00:37:50 Rick Visser: "the causes of anger are giving and taking." I don't understand. What is "giving and taking?"

00:42:17 Anthony: What are the causes due to the passions that if we give them, they go away?

00:44:33 Anthony: So we see it , recognize it and there is no sin if we desire to cut it off?

00:45:42 Forrest Cavalier: The literal greek for "their due" is προῖκα = dowry.

00:53:37 Anthony: Am I correct I can loathe ideas but at the same time wish goodness for people who lived out those ideas?

00:57:52 Maureen Cunningham: Divine Mercy Saint

01:15:54 Maureen Cunningham: Thank You Blessing

01:16:09 Andrew Adams: Thanks be to God! Thank you, Father! Great discussion tonight!

01:16:14 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you☺️

01:16:18 Catherine Opie: Thank you Fr. This was so perfect for me today. God bless. See you Thursday

01:16:22 Jonathan Grobler: Thank you father, love you lots ! Bye

01:16:26 Troy Amaro: Thank You Father

01:16:37 Janine: Thank you  Father

01:16:50 Bob Čihák, AZ: Thank you & bless you