The Good Soil | The Parable of the Sower!!!

 

Father Iliodor (Gairiyants) of Optina, the “Greek“On October 26, the Our righteous Father Archdeacon Iliodor (Gariyants) of Optina, the “Greek“, reposed in the Lord on 2020.

 

We’re parting, but not saying goodbye

From his youth, Father Iliodor was a virtuoso piano player. In the worldly world, he even had his own musical group and wrote poetry and music. Before entering the monastery, he burned a large pile of his compositions.

– Father, why did you do this? We could learn your songs now.

– Why?

Nevertheless, when visiting his spiritual children, Father Iliodor often played music. His favorite love song was “A Million Scarlet Roses.” “Who among you is ready to do such a thing for the sake of a loved one, huh?” he would ask.

I’ll help everyone in one fell swoop

When my godfather was hospitalized, we were confident he would definitely recover. His condition became serious, but we continued to hope he would recover.

On Sunday evening, October 25th, like a bolt from the blue, news came from the doctors: the only hope was a miracle, his condition was critical. The feast of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God was approaching. The words from the Akathist hymn came to mind: “Rejoice, blessed Gatekeeper, who opens the gates of paradise to the faithful.” We understood everything, but we didn’t want to let our godfather go. We practically cried out to the Mother of God: “No, Queen of Heaven! We need a priest here!”

On the night between Sunday and Monday, we were driving along the night road to Kaluga. I was driving and asking my husband to continue praying for his father. He was reading the Psalter and seemed to hear a familiar voice in his soul: “Volodenka, don’t! It’s all over… The Lord showed me that while I’m here, I won’t be able to help everyone at once, but if I’m there, I’ll help everyone in one fell swoop, you understand?”

Here on earth, we were happy with our godfather, and now we believe that in him we have found a heavenly patron for our family.

Elena Galkina

Source: Monastic Bulletin, No. 1 (49) 2022. Pp. 40–49.

[Google Translate]

https://pravoslavie.ru/146834.html

***

Hierodeacon Iliodor

A story about disobedience

Once we were on Mt. Athos, at the Skete of the Panagia. The skete is a small building: Inside there is a hall with a fireplace that can be kindled to get dry and spend the night in warmth, and part of the building is a small chapel. Pilgrims usually spend the night in the skete, and in the morning, having rested, make the last dash to the Church of the Transfiguration on the summit of Mt. Athos. They also stop for a bit in the skete before going back down.

And we took a break before our descent; we ate, we drank coffee, and we felt good; we were happy. I said: “Now, let’s read the Akathist to the Mother of God, as usual, and then we’ll head down.”

But our secular companions said: “No, we don’t have time to read the Akathist here; we’re in a hurry! We need to get down the mountain faster!”

I gave in to their entreaties, and we all started to go down together.

There is no vegetation on the mountain there, the rocks are slippery under your feet, it’s easy to fall and it’s easy to hurt yourself, rolling down the mountain. And just as we began our descent, thunder cracked and a storm began. And instead of an Akathist in the chapel, we went down the mountain in the rain. We went down to the cross at the fork, where people usually make another stop, dirty, wet, and we stood, looking at each other. Well, we were in a hurry…

We started reading the Akathist to the Mother of God at the cross…

https://iconandlight.wordpress.com/

Father Iliodor (Gairiyants) of Optina, the “Greek“On October 26, the Our righteous Father Archdeacon Iliodor (Gariyants) of Optina, the “Greek“, reposed in the Lord on 2020.

 

“My son, give me your heart…” (Proverbs 23:26)

Above all canons and regulations is love.

Father Iliodor fully brought these words spoken by Saint Gabriel (Urgebadze) to life.

“I approach the hotel, it’s raining and cold, a woman with a child is knocking on the door, but they won’t let her in because the hotel closes at eleven o’clock. So I knock again and complain, ‘How can this be? Are you not letting Christ, the Mother of God, in?'” Father Iliodor recounted.

Often, when we arrived at the monastery, we’d find our godfather not in his cassock, but in sweatpants and a robe. “The abbot took him off. I took a child, a wheelchair user, to Jerusalem without his blessing. I promised him, but the abbot didn’t bless him, but how could I not fulfill my promise?”

There was a children’s camp near Optina in the summer. Having visited there and discovered that the children had neither fresh vegetables nor milk or sour cream, Father Iliodor immediately ran to the brotherhood’s refectory, loaded a cart with boxes of cucumbers, tomatoes, and jars of milk, “harnessed” one of the pilgrims to it, and took it to the children. Hegumen Nikon came running toward him:

– Are you robbing the brethren! Without a blessing?!

– Father, you are a priest, so bless us to feed the children.

“On Valaam there lived ascetics, and at Optina, comforters. Such were the venerable elders of Optina. We must continue this tradition.” This principle became the foundation of Father Iliodor’s monastic life.

Mom, how many times do I have to kiss you?

Father Iliodor taught all his children that they should strive to receive communion often:

“We don’t ask, ‘Mom, how many times do I have to kiss you?’ It’s the same here. In communion, we unite with God, who loves us more than anyone.”

There were cases when priests wouldn’t bless someone for communion. The godfather would go and investigate. Some were even successfully “won back.”

His reverence for the Holy Gifts was also astonishing. One day, a little girl vomited in church immediately after receiving Communion. She had been complaining of feeling unwell since the morning, but her mother insisted on going to church. She had brought a plastic bag with her, into which the child vomited. When she told Father Iliodor about the incident, the girl’s mother heard: “Come back with this in a few hours.” Having fasted, the godfather consumed the contents of the bag.

Heart ultrasound and the formula for Christian life

“No fasting will save us,” Father Iliodor instructed his parishioners on New Year’s Day 2020. “Up in heaven, they won’t do stomach ultrasounds. They’ll do heart ultrasounds. We’ll take with us only our hearts, our consciences, and good deeds, if any of us have any.”

His instructions, even if sometimes stern, never depress anyone, never offend or hurt anyone, never alienate anyone. Around him, people felt inspired.

“A person needs a little attention and nothing more. A listening ear and, if possible, a hug and a kiss.”

Father Iliodor left us all a “formula,” as he called it, for Christian life: “Love everyone, pity everyone, justify everyone, pray for everyone.”

https://iconandlight.wordpress.com/

The Miracle of the Rain 🌧️ | Saint Hilarion's Amazing Story | Christian Animation.

 

The Robber and the Tears | An Orthodox Christian Story of Repentance!!!

 

The parable of the Sower is about evangelism and the importance of “sowing the seeds” of Christ’s gospel.

Today’s Sermon in a Nutshell:

The parable of the Sower is about evangelism and the importance of “sowing the seeds” of Christ’s gospel. Thus, we are reminded that our Church is apostolic and every practicing Christian has the sacred obligation and duty to share, spread, and grow the Word of God so that it bears fruit. Sadly, however, many find this to be an uneasy task; afraid to share steadfast truths amidst an ever-widening sea of political correctness and the oppressive waves of moral ambiguity. They are intimidated by the thought of not knowing what to say or how to say it, terrified of looking foolish, and worse yet, fearful of offending someone.

When God called upon Ezekiel to be His prophet, He said, “Listen closely, and take to heart every word I say to you. Then go to the people and proclaim my word, whether they listen or not.” (Ezekiel 3:10-11)

Therefore, our mission is no greater or lesser than Ezekiel’s: we are simply called upon to take God’s Word to heart and then share it with others as truthfully, honestly, and respectfully as we can. And one need not worry about whether you will succeed or fail, because that is a matter between God and those with whom you’ve shared His Word. If God so chooses to bless your efforts, that’s great, but your obligation to share the Faith comes with no guarantees. In other words, God doesn’t call upon us to be successful, He only expects you to be faithful.

Fr. John

The Sparrow and the Silence | An Orthodox Monk’s Lesson in Love (Greek Subtitles)

 

Until Tomorrow | Saint Sabbatius of Solovki (Greek Subtitles)

 

«Create Christ centered families» - π. Γεώργιος Σχοινάς. Με αγγλικούς υπότιτλους.

 

Without place and time!!!!Εκτός τόπου και χρόνου!!!

 

Today’s Sermon in a Nutshell:

Today’s Sermon in a Nutshell:

Imagine receiving an invitation to a king’s banquet, how excited you would feel at having been considered, personally chosen; handpicked to attend such a special event. Now imagine having the audacity to look the king in the face and say “No,” refusing outright to attend the celebration; and worse yet, making light of it. Therefore, the king’s decision to punish those who refuse to attend by having them cast out into the outer darkness is warranted and makes the point of the parable quite clear: Accept the invitation and participate or suffer the consequences of your choice. For either you attend the banquet and feast on Christ, or you don’t and the devil feasts on you!

Fr. John

BEFORE ABORTION.....

 

The Last Loaf | A Story of Faith Inspired by Psalm 37 / Το Τελευταίο Ψωμί | Μια ιστορία πίστης!!!

 

Panic Attacks, Hidden Sins, and Healing: Mother Siluana | Orthodox Church

 

In today’s epistle lesson, St. Paul expresses the most import tenet of the Christian Faith: “Let all you do be done in love” (1st Cor. 16:14).

Today's Sermon in a Nutshell:

In today’s epistle lesson, St. Paul expresses the most import tenet of the Christian Faith: “Let all you do be done in love” (1st Cor. 16:14). Therefore, love for God and our fellow human beings should be our highest priority, inspiring and governing everything we do. It should be the force which motivates us constantly through self-sacrifice.

Jesus Himself sets the example of how we are to love one another: through forgiveness, mercy, compassion, turning the other cheek, and helping all those in need. Such love is the ecosystem in which our lives as believers operate and thrive. It is also what sets us apart from others and distinguishes us from a sinful, fallen world. Thus, to be a true follower of Christ, we must live by, imitate, and demonstrate God’s love, because without this love, all other spiritual efforts and actions fall short.

Fr. John

fr. Nikolaos Loudovikos: Love as violence.

 

When Your Dreams MUST Die (The Truth Society Hides)!!!

 

How Wrong Relationships Could Cost You Your Salvation | An Orthodox Christian Perspective.

 

DORMITION AT THE BURNING BUSH -"Rejoice, fiery throne of the Lord God; Rejoice, the sacred vessel that is filled with manna."

DORMITION AT THE BURNING BUSH -"Rejoice, fiery throne of the Lord God; Rejoice, the sacred vessel that is filled with manna."

From an Article by Sr. Joanna*

St. Catherine’s visitors typically categorize themselves as ‘pilgrim’ or ‘tourist’. Well-aware that mankind’s deepest longing is for God, monastics recognize the fallacy of such distinctions. All arrive here “hoping to experience the stillness that exists between the soul and God,” His Eminence [retired] Archbishop Damianos of Sinai has said. A hermit monk explains this is equally true whether expressed by exuberant hoots disturbing the night on the steps leading to the Holy Summit, or by anxiously searching for the entrance to the Monastery church in the same black night – hoping to arrive before the service begins, when the angels do.

Much has been made of the Sinai Monastery’s preservation of the precious artifacts of ancient Christianity, and also of the unbroken ages of its peaceful co-existence with neighbors in a non-Christian world.  

Less noted is that the Sinai represents the only center of ancient ascetic spirituality open to women – tourist, pilgrim, or monastic [historically]. In a sphere where women have often had to struggle to prove themselves much as in civilian life, female monasticism in Sinai dates from the third century, apparently to the inceptions of the current monastic community itself.

Naturally isolated by remote desert, ascetics seeking stillness never needed to fabricate a barrier to worldly civilization by sealing the Monastery off from visits by families. Of course such a step would never have been contemplated by the guardians of a holy pilgrimage of such literally Biblical proportions. By the time the world resolutely landed on their doorstep with the construction of asphalt roads and tourist infrastructure, Sinai monks had long accustomed themselves to a double burden: combining the rigors of eremitic life with hospitality to those seeking deeper understanding of God.

After all, the Holy Mountain capped by the Peak of the Decalogue – of the Ten Commandments – is the mountain of the knowledge of God. And the Burning Bush, which still thrives in the Monastery courtyard, the path to that knowledge – for it burned with the same fire of divine Wisdom that later shone forth upon all creation from the “Bush of the Holy Virgin.”

Let us ever applaud and praise the Lord God

Who was seen of old on the holy mount in glory,

Who by the fiery bush revealed the great mystery of the

Ever-virgin and undefiled Maiden unto the Prophet Moses.

Aflame but not consumed by the fire of divinity just like the Bush itself, the Holy Virgin is the fiery pillar guiding the faithful through the darkness of this world’s trials. The Israelites were led through the Sinai by fire at night and a cloud by day, and the Holy Virgin spreads the protection of her shelter over the world more broadly than a cloud. Under it, her love gathers together not only the monastics of Sinai, but all the faithful who glorify her Son, the God-man who saves the world from sin as He saved His All-holy Mother from the corruption of death at her Dormition.

Monasteries are not islands adrift on a sea beyond the wave length of stress. Tides break over their shores. They are havens only to the degree that one has learned to take refuge in the will of God – and until then, places of fierce struggle. Against the relentless enemies of one’s own egotism and pride, the invincible weaponry of salvation belongs to the Most Holy Theotokos. One says the Jesus Prayer at all times, for as Sinai’s Geronta Pavlos says, “Prayer is the sun of our souls, without which we cannot live any more than we can survive without the physical sun.”

 But in crisis – ask any monastic: The heart that was pierced with a sword at the cross of her Son rushes to help, as Father Pavlos describes, with the reflexive speed of a mother who springs forward to snatch a baby from falling. Power against evil is not lacking to the first person whose human nature was joined to the divine, the Mother of God who was also the first person to see and touch the resurrected Christ (a subtlety of the Gospels elucidated by Saint Gregory Palamas) – and to speak with Him, as she does unto the ages on our behalf. ...

"The heavens were astonished and stood in awe,

and the ends of the earth, Maid, were sore amazed,

for God appeared bodily to mankind as very man.

And behold, your womb has proved to be vaster

and more spacious than heaven's heights.

For this, O Theotokos, the choirs and

assemblies of men and angels

magnify your name."

(Source: The Dormition services’ 13th century Great Supplicatory Canon to the Most Holy Theotokos.)

* From the Article "Dormition at the Burning Bush" by Sr. Joanna, at the FMSM News Blog: https://www.mountsinaimonastery.org/news-blog/dormition2016

She will not grow old.SAINT PORPHYRIOS OF KAFSOKALIVITES.

She will not grow old.

Testimony of Mrs. Georgia Samartzi, Athens

A lady I know, Aikaterini, when she was 24-25 years old, the doctors had told her definitively: “You have a very serious gynecological problem and you will never be able to have children.”  In 1986, she went to the Saint and said to him: "Elder, I have decided, I will adopt a child. To have him, to take care of me in my old age... "You know, if you grow old, You will never grow old. This woman, when she told me, wondered: "Why should I grow old? I will always be young? It seems that I will never fall.." She did not understand what the Saint saw with his prophetic gift. 

Ekaterini, in 2017, at the age of 56, was killed in a car accident. This happened 31 whole years after her visit  to the Holy. 

Bibliography. The Holy Porphyrios the Prophet.

Testimonies.

Publications. 

Agios Paulites Holy Cell of Saints Theodores Mount Athos.