Saint John Sinaites ‘Climacus’ gives us the answer in the following excerpts from the ‘Ladder’. Continue reading “What saves a Christian who lives in the World?”
Modern Loneliness and Staying Put
Fr. Stephen Freeman
In monastic tradition, a monk makes four vows: poverty, chastity, obedience and stability. Most people are familiar with the first three but not with the fourth. In classical monastic practice it meant that a monk stayed put: he did not move from monastery to monastery. It was not a new idea. Before this vow was formalized in various Rules, there was already the saying from the Desert: “Stay in your cell and your cell will teach you everything.” Continue reading “Modern Loneliness and Staying Put”
Who are the ‘humble’ men according to St. Isaac the Syrian?
A humble man is never rash, hasty or perturbed, never has any hot and volatile thoughts, but at all times remains calm. Even if heaven were to fall and cleave to the earth, the humble man would not be dismayed. Not every quiet man is humble, but every humble man is quiet. Continue reading “Who are the ‘humble’ men according to St. Isaac the Syrian?”
Who are the ‘logical’ men according to St. Anthony the Great?
“Men are often called logical wrongly. Continue reading “Who are the ‘logical’ men according to St. Anthony the Great?”
The three kinds of love
What are the three kinds of love according to a Saint? Continue reading “The three kinds of love”
A Better World is Within You
by Fr. Stephen Freeman
“We must eliminate poverty, oppression, racism…”
How is it possible to disagree with the demand for justice? Who would not agree to end all suffering? How can we not commit our lives to bringing about a better world? Continue reading “A Better World is Within You”