Re-Located

So, we are relocated to HERE

This will be the new permanent home for this blog for various reasons.

Finally back

So, after a bit of a hiatus when Father and I were in California at a Byzantine Chant workshop (which was awesome by the way, and there will be more about that at a later date), we're back. There might be some changes to the blog (change in web address, that sort of thing is in the works, and a slight change in format) so keep your eyes out for that.

I found this really cool website that I'm looking into. I think it's important that, as Orthodox christians, we need to be conscious of the world around us, and especially in the giving of alms, or charity. And it's not enough to really just be aware of it, or look to a far away country that is in need (which is important too), but we need to look within our own country, especially our own city that we live in, because like it or not, we ARE a part of that community, and we should look to see what we can do for the people in need.

So here is the website. Check it out. http://www.focusnorthamerica.org/

Spiritual Wisdom

An old man said, "The prophets wrote books, then came our Fathers who put them into practice. Those who came after them learnt them by heart. Then came the present generation, who have written them out and put them into their window seats without using them."

The old man said, "Spiritual work is essential; it is for this we have come to the desert. It is very hard to teach with the mouth that which one does not practice in the body."

Pentecost

Reflection on the meaning of Pentecost
Wisdom of Elder Athanasios Mitilinaios

I will ask, when Christ said, Go out and make disciples of all nations, who was He addressing? To whom was this commandment given? We do not see anything in His words that suggest, if you have spare time and if you have nothing else to do, then just go and talk to the people about the gospel. Not at all! This is a commandment, a must! For whom? For the eleven disciples? Now what would happen once the twelve disciples exited this life? Wouldn’t this commandment become irrelevant? Of course! So, the commandment of evangelizing was only seasonal? - One of a limited time, a certain epoch, necessary only way back when? - Certainly not. This commandment concerns every faithful without exception!
From 2009 Daily Lives, Miracles and Wisdom of the Saints and Fasting Calendar

A brother spoke with Theodore and began to talk about matters of which he had no experience. Theodore said to him, "You've not yet found a ship to sail in, nor put your luggage aboard, nor put out to sea, and you're already acting as if you were in the city which you mean to reach. If you make some attempt to do the things you are discussing, then you can talk about them with understanding."

Evagrius said, "Cut the desire for many things out of your heart and so prevent your mind being dispersed and your stillness lost."

Do not rail against anyone, but rather say 'God knows each one.' Do not agree with him who slanders, do not rejoice at his slander and do not hate him who slanders his neighbour. This is what it means not to judge. Do not have hostile feelings towards anyone and do not let dislike dominate your heart; do not hate him who hates his neighbour. This is what peace is: Encourage yourself with this thought, 'Affliction lasts but a short time, while peace is forever by the grace of God the Word'"
-St. Moses the Ethiopian