Here we present words of wisdom of Saint Mark the Ascetic, taken from the book ‘Philokalia” Continue reading “St. Mark the Ascetic – On the Spiritual Law”
St. Mark the Ascetic – On the Spiritual Law
The Wisdom of Obedience
The various Books of the Elders, ancient and modern, take us into the world of the monastic state. There the genuine way of the Christian/Gospel life continues, as does the human reality of blunders and failures, which are overcome through asceticism. One very important and substantial mode of asceticism is obedience. Continue reading “The Wisdom of Obedience”
Why Morality is not Christian
By Fr. Stephen Freeman
I recall my first classes in Moral Theology some 35 or so years ago. The subject is an essential part of Western thought (particularly in the Catholic and Anglican traditions). In many ways the topic was like a journey into Law School. We learned various methods and principles on whose basis moral questions – questions of right and wrong – could be discussed and decided. These classes were also the introduction of certain strains of doubt for me. Continue reading “Why Morality is not Christian”
Psychology and Orthodox Christian therapy
By Abbot Tryphon, a recovering psychologist
I was a psychotherapist, in private practice, and teaching in a small college, many years ago. It became increasingly difficult for me, facing, as I did, the “cut throat” behavior of fellow professors, ever trying to be on the top of the pile. I also came to believe that most of my patients were not mentally ill, but spiritually ill, and my profession seemed to be contributing to the problem. Many of my colleagues, in my opinion, were nurturing codependency in their clients, their income dependent on keeping people returning for “therapy.” Continue reading “Psychology and Orthodox Christian therapy”
Love as the Essence of Orthodox Asceticism
You might ask why it is that we today, who are less ascetic as Christians, are overcome with fear and trembling when we hear about asceticism. It makes us feel somewhat uncomfortable. This is because we’ve lost sight of a great truth of our faith. It’s summed up by Saint John of the Ladder: ‘love is conquered by love’*. Continue reading “Love as the Essence of Orthodox Asceticism”
Is secular “psychotherapy” compatible with the principles and the anthropology of the Orthodox Church?
An interview with Dr Jean Claude Larchet(*), University Professor who holds a doctorate in the Humanities, has studied Psychopathology, Philosophy and the Eastern Church Fathers and has also had clinical experience in psychiatric hospitals. Continue reading “Is secular “psychotherapy” compatible with the principles and the anthropology of the Orthodox Church?”
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