MONKS AND MERMAIDS (A Benedictine Blog): GOOD SOUND MONASTICISM, EAST AND WEST.

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"Today the concept of truth is viewed with suspicion, because truth is identified with violence. Over history there have, unfortunately, been episodes when people sought to defend the truth with violence. But they are two contrasting realities. Truth cannot be imposed with means other than itself! Truth can only come with its own light. Yet, we need truth. ... Without truth we are blind in the world, we have no path to follow. The great gift of Christ was that He enabled us to see the face of God".Pope Benedict xvi, February 24th, 2012

The Church is ecumenical, catholic, God-human, ageless, and it is therefore a blasphemy—an unpardonable blasphemy against Christ and against the Holy Ghost—to turn the Church into a national institution, to narrow her down to petty, transient, time-bound aspirations and ways of doing things. Her purpose is beyond nationality, ecumenical, all-embracing: to unite all men in Christ, all without exception to nation or race or social strata. - St Justin Popovitch

Monday, 4 June 2012

GOOD SOUND MONASTICISM, EAST AND WEST.

click for a talk on "the Nous, the Jesus Prayer and Sin" by Fr Gregorios (Orthodox)

SOME SOUND MONASTIC ADVICE FROM MOUNT ATHOS

By Elder Aimilianos of Simonopetra

We have a continuous temptation before us.

The unforeseen constantly occurs in our life.

You come to the monastery to find spiritual life, and you encounter evil. This is unforeseen.

You ask for a cell on the side of the monastery where there is no humidity, you acquire it, but you believe the sea brings on allergies, so that you have no joy night or day. Immediately your thoughts will tell you, "get up and leave". This is unforeseen.

I approach you with the idea that you are a good person, and I see that you are upside down. This is unforeseen.

The unforeseen constantly presents itself to us, because we have will and desires.

The unforeseen are contrary to our will and desires, which is why they appear to be unforeseen, but in essence they aren't.

Because a person who loves God expects anything and always says: "Thy will be done".

Rain, storms, hail and lightning come? "Blessed be the Name of the Lord".

Because these things cost our fleshliness, this is why we see them as unforeseen.

To prevent agitation, therefore, every time you get upset, so that you do not have anxiety and get troubled, expect anything, so you can endure whatever comes.

Always say - "welcome sickness", "welcome failure", "welcome martyrdom".

This will bring gentleness, without which there is no spiritual life.

Translated by John Sanidopoulos

see THE CONVENT OF ST ELIZABETH IN MINSK (and watch their videos)

click on STEP TO THE STARS: LIFE IN VALAAM MONASTERY

click on THE HOLY MOUNTAIN ATHOS

LIFE IN AN AMERICAN CATHOLIC MONASTERY