ἀνθρώποισι πᾶσι μέτεστι γινώσκειν ἑωυτοὺς καὶ σωφρονεῖν.
Our seventh struggle is against the demon of self-esteem, a multiform and subtle passion which is not readily perceived even by the person whom it tempts. The provocations of the other passions are more apparent and it is therefore somewhat easier to do battle with them, for the soul recognizes its enemy and can repulse him at once by rebutting him and by prayer. Continue reading “Philokalia – Saint John Cassian – On Self-Esteem”
Our fifth struggle is against the demon of dejection, who obscures the soul’s capacity for spiritual contemplation and keeps it from all good works. When this malicious demon seizes our soul and darkens it completely, he prevents us from praying gladly, from reading Holy Scripture with profit and perseverance, and from being gentle and
compassionate towards our brethren. He instills a hatred of every kind of work and even of the monastic profession itself. Undermining all the soul’s salutary resolutions, weakening its persistence and constancy, he leaves it senseless and paralyzed, tied and bound by its despairing thoughts. Continue reading “Philokalia – Saint John Cassian – On Dejection”
Our fourth struggle is against the demon of anger. We must, with God’s help, eradicate his deadly poison from the depths of our souls. So long as he dwells in our hearts and blinds the eyes of the heart with his somber disorders, we can neither discriminate what is for our good, nor achieve spiritual knowledge, nor fulfill our good intentions, nor
participate in true life; and our intellect will remain impervious to the contemplation of the true, divine light; for it is written, ‘For my eye is troubled because of anger’ (Ps. 6:7. LXX). Continue reading “Philokalia – Saint John Cassian – On Anger”
When you decide to embark on a good deed, you must first prepare yourself for the trials that you will encounter. Because, when the enemy sees you beginning to fervently live a God-pleasing life, he usually attacks with various and terrible trials that will render you cowardly and make you abandon your good intention. Continue reading “Abba Isaac the Syrian: Do you want to do a good deed? Prepare to be tested…”
Saint Isidore of Pelousion Mountain
TO COUNT HERMION:
That if the Priest does not live properly, the one he baptizes is not harmed in the least, in regard to the salvific Mysteries Continue reading “If a Priest does not live propeply will the one he baptized be harmed?”
“Giver rest, O Christ, among the Saints to the souls of Your servants, where there is no pain, no sorrow, no grieving, but life everlasting.” Continue reading “Why the Church of God performs the commemoration of souls?”
Novo Scriptorium 