Orthodox Wisdom

Fellow soldiers in Christ’s army: our weapons are fully sufficient to defeat our spiritual enemies. In this brief passage, St. Paisios re-awakens us to the power of Christ and His Cross. Reading from “Spiritual Counsels, Vol. 1: With Pain and Love for Contemporary Man”, p. 58-61 -BUY “Spiritual Counsels, Vol. I”: https://www.holycross.org/products/with-pain-and-love-for-contemporary-man-elder-paisios?srsltid=AfmBOooG0oxZfwjniLoIMF1LXDQHdMBKr8W6eXoQxM2xf-AEqHLNx31u -BUY the Life of the saint: "Saint Paisios of Mount Athos": https://churchsupplies.jordanville.org/products/saint-paisios-of-mount-athos -LISTEN to my playlist "St. Paisios - Teachings and Prophecies" https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzFKi22k2KYiSgEA_N0bQIIeUFas-lw_P -FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you: https://orthodoxyinamerica.org/ ______ —Geronda, my thoughts tell me that now more than ever the devil has great power. —The devil has malice and hatred but he does not have power. It is God's love that is all-powerful. The devil tries to appear powerful but he can't make it. He appears strong but in reality he is powerless. Many of his destructive schemes fail even before they start. Would a good father ever allow a few young hoodlums to bully his children? —Geronda, the demons scare me. —What are you afraid of? The devil has no power. Christ is All-powerful. The tempter is rotten. Don't you wear a cross? The devil's weapons are weak. Christ has armed us with His Cross. Only when we abandon our spiritual armour is the enemy strong. An Orthodox priest had only to show a small cross to a sorcerer and the demon he had invoked started trembling. —Why is the devil so afraid of the Cross? —Because when Christ received the spitting, the blows and the beatings, the kingdom and the power of the devil were crushed. How wonderful is the way in which Christ defeated the devil! The devil's dominion was crushed with a reed," used to say a Saint. When Christ was given the last blow with a reed, at that very moment, the devil's power was destroyed. In other words, patience is our spiritual defence and humility our greatest weapon against the devil. _______ Orthodox Wisdom is dedicated to sharing the writings and lives of the Saints of the Orthodox Church. Glory to Jesus Christ!

Speaking to Russians in exile who saw firsthand the Bolshevik revolution, Archbishop Averky contrasts the true freedom in Christ from the tyrannical slavery of sin, indulgence, and worldly ambition that many falsely call “freedom.” As St. Paul wrote, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage” (Gal 5:1). Reading from "The Just Shine Like The Stars: A Photographic Biography on the Life of Archbishop Averky of Jordanville Including Some of His Selected Sermons", pp. 59-61 -BUY Archbishop Averky’s most popular book “The Struggle for Virtue: Asceticism in a Modern Secular Society”: https://www.holytrinitypublications.com/the-struggle-for-virtue -FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you: https://orthodoxyinamerica.org/ ______ And so now, having lived through all the bloody horrors and the merciless destruction of everything created by our forefathers over the centuries, those of us who still have a conscience can easily give an answer to the author's question: "Do you want a freedom which offers no restrictions and has no bounds?" No! You easily understand that this is not true freedom, not the freedom for which each human soul yearns. True freedom cannot carry with it hatred, sorrow and distress. This is not freedom; this is arbitrariness, a most crude and most cruel arbitrariness. Our reason, our heart and conscience, tell us that true freedom cannot be found in self-will, that self-will and arbitrariness are the enemies of freedom. Golden words! Do we not see, both in our Homeland and in the so-called "free world," this soul-terrifying randomness, under the wicked guise of "freedom"? This self-will reigns everywhere, in all aspects of our lives: personal, social, governmental and religious. People no longer think about the justice, fairness and humanity encompassed in the true sense of this word. Contemporary powers strive towards one goal: to make their own will become law for others, and are prepared to dole out harsh punishment to anyone who stands up in the name of the true Law — the Law of God — and who follows the principles of church and state which conform with this law. Where is this true Christian freedom, to which alone we should all strive? The Apostle Paul gives us the answer: "Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty" (II Corinthians 3:17). And this same holy Apostle commands us to preserve this true freedom unceasingly, admonishing us: "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." In our times it is especially important to parry all the deceitful propaganda of the many false teachers, who are so energetically preparing throughout the world a foundation for the reign of the Antichrist. We must unmask this propaganda whenever possible, and we must act against it using all the means available to us, or we, too, might find ourselves in the camp of these self-proclaimed "teachers." And more than anything else, we must cherish our spiritual freedom, reminding ourselves as often as possible of the words of the Apostles: "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." (Galatians 5:1). "He that hath ears, let him hear." (St. Luke 8:8). _______ Orthodox Wisdom is dedicated to sharing the writings and lives of the Saints of the Orthodox Church. Glory to Jesus Christ!

What is the firmament? What does scripture mean by “waters above the heavens”? St. John expounds upon the Scriptural testimony and raises our minds and hearts both to God’s creation and God Himself. 0:00 Introduction 1:26 Scripture: Genesis 1:6-8 and Psalm 148:4-6 2:33 Commentary on Psalm 148:4 3:00 Commentary on Genesis 1 (Homily 4) 18:16 Commentary on Genesis 1 (Homily 6) 22:00 On the Statues to the People of Antioch (Homily 9) 22:59 On the Statues to the People of Antioch (Homily 12) 25:04 Commentary on Matthew 26:6-7 (Homily 80) 25:22 Commentary on Hebrews 8:1-2 (Homily 14) 26:52 Commentary on Hebrews 9:2 (Homily 15) 27:14 Commentary on Ephesians 5:15-17 (Homily 19) 31:36 Scripture: Psalm 148:4-6 To my knowledge, what follows are all of St. John Chrysostom’s teachings on day two of creation, the firmament and the waters above that are available in English. I did not focus on his commentary on the sun, moon, and stars when placed into the firmament on day four. The golden-mouthed Archbishop poured over the scriptures and his homilies on Scripture continues to stand out as exceedingly faithful to the truth and inspired by the Holy Spirit. Regardless of what modern scientists and astronomers tell us, the Patristic axiom remains immovable: we must follow the Holy Fathers. So much of modern science is saturated with philosophy and pseudo-science. The modern heliocentric model has turned the plain reading of many scriptures on their head. In addition to the many scientific and observational reasons to question the heliocentric dogma so often assumed today, the Holy Scriptures and the Holy Fathers, especially St. John Chrysostom, beckon us to revisit modern assumptions and reconsider the truth about the realm in which we God has placed us to work out our salvation. -READ St. John’s commentary on Genesis 1-17: https://archive.org/details/saint-john-chrysostom-homilies-on-genesis-1-17/page/59/mode/1up -READ St. John’s homilies on Matthew, Ephesians, Hebrews, and more: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/ -READ St. John’s commentary on Psalm 148: https://www.amazon.com/St-John-Chrysostom-Commentary-Paperback/dp/B010TSV5E2 -READ St. John’s homilies On the Statues to the People of Antioch: https://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf109.xix.xi.html#fna_xix.xi-p40.1 -FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you: https://orthodoxyinamerica.org/ _______ St. John teaches: ‘The water above the heavens.’ You hear Moses also saying that he left some of the waters below, and caused some to float on the surfaces of the heavens, fixing the firmament in the middle of the abyss, and let the waters remain on the surfaces. -Commentary on Psalm 148:4 And what is more pleasing or more beautiful than the firmament of Heaven. -Homily 80 on the Gospel of Matthew The text goes on: "God made the firmament, and God divided the water which was below the firmament from the water which was above the firmament." That is to say, once the firmament existed, he ordered some of the water to go below the firmament, and some to be on top of the firmament. Now, what would you say this means, the firmament? Water that has congealed, or some air that has been compressed, or some other substance? No sensible person would be rash enough to make a decision on it. Instead, it is better to be quite grateful and ready to accept what is told us and not reach beyond the limits of our own nature by meddling in matters beyond us, but rather to know only the simple fact and keep it within us—namely, that by the Lord's command the firmament was produced, causing division of the waters, keeping some below and being able to carry the rest elevated on top of it. -Homily 4 on Genesis _______ Orthodox Wisdom is dedicated to sharing the writings and lives of the Saints of the Orthodox Church. Glory to Jesus Christ!

A reading of Chapter Four from "Noetic Prayer as the Basis of Mission and the Struggle Against Heresy" by Archimandrite Ephraim Triandaphillopoulos In six short chapters Fr. Ephraim, like a spiritual doctor and specialist in spiritual diseases, dissects the disease of heresy and its cause, offering both as method of cure and cure itself the medicine of noetic prayer. This book is required reading for every Orthodox missionary, or, rather, every Orthodox Christian, for there is no Christian who does not seek to be made whole and bring wholeness and spiritual health to his neighbor. -BUY the book here: https://uncutmountainpress.com/shop/product/noetic-prayer-as-the-basis-of-mission-and-the-struggle-against-heresy/ Archimandrite Ephraim Triandaphillopoulos, an inspirational and influential preacher, is the Protosyngellos (Chancellor) of the Diocese of Siatista in north western Greece. He is the author of many books, including: The New Age: Challenge or Invitation?, Magic and Its Various Manifestations, The Old Testament and the New Idol Worshipers.” You can read more about Fr. Ephraim and his work at: http://www.patirefraim.com/ -FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you: https://orthodoxyinamerica.org/ This recording was originally posted on the @OrthodoxEthos channel in December 2022: https://youtu.be/gqBfkiQbyKA?si=3nOrC-XDg3ar_RL8 _______ Orthodox Wisdom is dedicated to sharing the writings and lives of the Saints of the Orthodox Church. Glory to Jesus Christ!

The story of how Gerondissa Makrina become a beacon of Orthodox life in Greece under the guidance of St. Joseph the Hesychast. Gerondissa's nuns later helped start many monasteries in America and Canada under the leadership of Geronda Ephraim of Arizona. Text is from "My Elder Joseph the Hesychast" by Elder Ephraim of Arizona, p. 574-580 -BUY "My Elder Joseph the Hesychast" here: https://stanthonysmonastery.org/products/my-elder-joseph-the-hesychast -BUY "Words of the Heart", the Life and Homilies of Gerondissa Makrina of Volos: https://stanthonysmonastery.org/products/words-of-the-heart -FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you: https://orthodoxyinamerica.org/ _______ From "My Elder Joseph the Hesychast": From her blessed sisterhood, nuns were sent to populate the monasteries of the Holy Forerunner in Serres and of the Archangel Michael in Thasos. In turn, these monasteries sent nuns to North America who established new monasteries with the ideals of traditional Orthodox monasticism. Something similar happened when Gerondissa Makrina became gravely ill and was coughing up blood. We didn't have a telephone to inform him about it. But in our next letter to him, we concealed her illness from him because we didn't want to upset him and interrupt his prayer. But then he sent us a letter and said: "My little children, why didn't you write to me that Gerondissa is I and is suffering, so that we could pray for her? You made a big mistake thinking that this would interrupt my prayer. When Father Arsenios and I were praying last night, we noetically saw that she was seriously ill, and we prayed hard for her. My children, I want you to inform me about Whatever is happening with the monastery and especialy with Gerondissa. Write me about it." St. Joseph wrote the sisters: “So submit yourselves to Maria, who is trying to benelt you, and all of us here are praying that the Lord will hep you and make you worthy of eternal life.” _______ Orthodox Wisdom is dedicated to sharing the writings and lives of the Saints of the Orthodox Church. Glory to Jesus Christ!

The Christian soul loves the Mother of God and that love is exemplified and ignited listening to these reflections from St. Silouan the Athonite. This text is found in "Saint Silouan the Athonite" by St. Sophrony the Athonite, pp. 390-393 -BUY "Saint Silouan the Athonite" by St. Sophrony here: https://churchsupplies.jordanville.org/products/saint-silouan-the-athonite?_pos=1&_psq=silouan&_ss=e&_v=1.0 -FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you: https://orthodoxyinamerica.org/ -PLAYLIST from Orthodox Wisdom: St. Silouan & St. Sophrony - Teachings and Prayers https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzFKi22k2KYiWHl-XYYh_Jqr5w539qw2s _______ St. Silouan writes: Never by a single thought did the Mother of God sin, nor did she ever lose grace, yet vast were her sorrows; when she stood at the foot of the Cross her grief was as boundless as the ocean and her soul knew torment incomparably worse than Adam's when he was driven from paradise, in that the measure of her love was beyond compare greater than the love which Adam felt when he was in paradise. That she remained alive was only because the Lord's might sustained her, for it was His desire that she should behold His Resurrection, and live on after His Ascension to be the comfort and joy of the Apostles and the new Christian peoples. We cannot attain to the full the love of the Mother of God, and so we cannot thoroughly comprehend her grief. Her love was complete. She had an illimitable love for God and her Son but she loved the people, too, with a great love. What, then, must she have felt when those same people whom she loved so dearly, and whose salvation she desired with all her being, crucified her beloved Son? We cannot fathom such things, since there is little love in us for God and man. Just as the love of the Mother of God is boundless and passes our understanding, so is her grief boundless and beyond our understanding. St. Silouan’s prayer to the Mother of God: O holy Virgin Mary, tell us, thy children, of thy love on earth for thy Son and God. Tell us how thy spirit rejoiced in God thy Saviour. Tell us of how thou didst look upon His fair countenance, and reflect that this was He Whom all the heavenly hosts wait upon in awe and love. Tell us what thy soul felt when thou didst bear the wondrous Babe in thine arms. Tell us of how thou didst rear Him, how, sick at heart, thou and Joseph sought Him three long days in Jerusalem. Tell us of thine agony when the Lord was delivered up to be crucified, and lay dying on the Cross. Tell us what joy was thine over the Resurrection. Tell us how thy soul languished after the Lord's Ascension. We long to know of thy life on earth with the Lord but thou wast not minded to commit all these things to writing, and didst veil thy secret heart in silence. _______ Orthodox Wisdom is dedicated to sharing the writings and lives of the Saints of the Orthodox Church. Glory to Jesus Christ!

St. Theophan the Recluse, a revered spiritual figure, shares his wisdom on overcoming boredom and loneliness. He emphasizes the beauty of solitude and how it can lead to profound spiritual engagement. St. Theophan offers practical advice to find meaningful activities that deepen our connection with God and our guardian angels. He reassures that, when spiritually attuned, feelings of loneliness fade away, allowing us to appreciate the presence that surrounds us.

Elder Ephraim reflects on the great love of God for man and how critical humility is to remain in communion with God and His grace. Excerpt "Counsels from the Holy Mountain: Selected from the Letters and Homilies of Geronda Ephraim of Arizona", p. 379-384 -BUY "Counsels from the Holy Mountain": https://stanthonysmonastery.org/products/counsels-from-the-holy-mountain -LISTEN to many audiobooks from St. Anthony's Monastery in Arizona: https://stanthonysmonastery.org/pages/audiobooks -PRAY the Jesus Prayer with Elder Ephraim: https://youtu.be/pmFA4LTADQE?si=ig5DyyyQgX-WEgOA -READ "A Call From the Holy Mountain": https://www.scribd.com/document/166719693/124153494-a-Call-From-the-Holy-Mountain-Elder-Ephraim -LISTEN to "A Demon Reveals the Power of the Jesus Prayer to Elder Ephraim of Arizona": https://youtu.be/sujsxSdh-MM -FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you: https://orthodoxyinamerica.org/ _______ Elder Ephraim writes: Love is the Christian's triumph over the devil, hatred, and envy. In order to reach the divine harbor of God's love, we must first fear Him as God, Who chastens sin and transgression. It is not possible to cross the sea and reach the harbor without a boat. Likewise, it is impossible to reach the harbor of love without repentance. The fear of God, as commander and captain, makes us sit in the boat of repentance and takes us across the murky sea of life and guides us to the divine harbor of divine love. Just as we are unable to live without air, likewise it is impossible to live in the eternal life with God if we do not breathe the very sweet and fragrant air of God's love. God is love and full of compassion. Let us not sadden Him in anything! He endured the Cross for us; His head was pricked by the crown of thorns; His side was pierced by the spear; His feet were nailed; His back was scourged; His All-holy mouth was given gall and vinegar; His heart ached from the insolence and ingratitude; He was naked up on the Cross in front of such a demonic mob. This, my children, is Whom we should not sadden with our carelessness, which intensifies His suffering. The Jews were His enemies, whereas we have been baptized in His holy name we are His disciples who are devoted to serving Him! _______ Orthodox Wisdom is dedicated to sharing the writings and lives of the Saints of the Orthodox Church. Glory to Jesus Christ!

"What is the hallmark of a priest? To gather prosphora? To perform nice services? To preach sweetly and 'usefully' from the ambo and make a few young ladies tear up emotionally from his contemplative thoughts? What is the hallmark of a priest and bishop in these difficult years?..." A reading from "The Christian in the End Times", 2nd edition, pp. 39-41 -READ the text here: https://www.orthodoxethos.com/post/how-to-recognize-a-good-priest-or-bishop -FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you: https://orthodoxyinamerica.org/ _______ Met. Augustinos says: I'll say something that I've never said before. You'll say it's egotistical, but I'll give you a set of scales so you can weigh the priests, the bishops and all the clergy and theologians. What is that set of scales? What is the hallmark of a priest? To gather prosphora? To perform nice services? To preach sweetly and "usefully" from the ambo and make a few young ladies tear up emotionally from his contemplative thoughts? What is the hallmark of a priest and bishop in these difficult years? The hallmark of a bishop and a priest is their fighting spirit, their outspokenness. It's what the Apostle Paul said, that all who desire to lead a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. (2 Tim. 3:12). If you see a priest, if you see a theologian, if you see a metropolitan or archbishop who is not being persecuted, but is enjoying the love and honour of all, then the following word of God is being applied: Woe to you when all men speak well of you (Lk. 6:26). You should know very well, that that person is not heading in the right direction. The same thing applies if he is called Orthodox but doesn't want to go against the trend, the avalanche which is coming to demolish the world. An Orthodox priest goes against the trend. _______ Orthodox Wisdom is dedicated to sharing the writings and lives of the Saints of the Orthodox Church. Glory to Jesus Christ!

The miraculous sign of St. Euphemia at the 4th Fourth Ecumenical in Chalcedon proved the truth of the Orthodox confession of two natures in Christ, united and yet distinct. This text includes a brief Life of St. Euphemia, the events of the 4th Ecumenical Council, including those preceding it, and the miracle of St. Euphemia. St. Euphemia's miracle is commemorated on July 11th. She is also commemorated on September 16th. This reading is from The Great Synaxaristes (Lives of Saints) Thumbnail: icon of St. Euphemia embracing the Orthodox confession in her hands and placing the heretical Monophysite confession under her feet. -READ the Life of St. Euphemia: https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2023/09/16/102626-great-martyr-euphemia-the-all-praised -READ additional historical sources testifying of St. Euphemia's miracle: https://arizonaorthodox.com/2022/07/21/historical-sources-for-the-miracle-of-st-euphemia-at-the-fourth-ecumenical-synod/ -BUY ($6) the best text in English (to my knowledge) on the Non-Chalcedonian/Oriental/Monophysite controversy: "The Non-Chalcedonian Heresy" by Elder George of Gregoriou https://www.ctosonline.org/ecumenism/N.html -MORE resources on the Orthodox and Non-Chalcedonians, including recent developments: http://orthodoxinfo.com/ecumenism/ea_mono.aspx -WATCH videos by David Erhan refuting the heresies of the Non-Chalcedonians: https://youtu.be/TAa2iwupUZA?si=RscJPZLdAqbCb-FL -READ teachings from St. Justin Popovich, Vladyka Philaret of NY, and St. John Maximovitch on "The Anti-Chalcedonian Monophysites" -READ Craig Truglia has a handful of articles and videos on this issue, including some videos with an Oriental Orthodox subdeacon. Here is one article: https://orthodoxchristiantheology.com/2022/07/14/the-miaphysite-schisms-inauspicious-origin/ -FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you: https://orthodoxyinamerica.org/ _______ Orthodox Wisdom is dedicated to sharing the writings and lives of the Saints of the Orthodox Church. Glory to Jesus Christ!