monastic life Archives - Saint Sophia

The Fifth Wednesday of Great Lent. The Monastic Life: The Way of Perfection, Part II

04/06/2022

Published by Pemptousia Partnership, June 16, 2015 By Prof. Georgios Mantzaridis Christian monasticism has always been associated with stillness or silence, which is seen primarily as an internal rather than an external state. External silence is sought in order the more easily and perfectly to attain inner stillness. This stillness is not the same as inertia or inaction, but awakening and activation of the spiritual life. It is intense vigilance and total devotion to God. Withdrawing

The Purpose and Method of Christian Life (Part I). The Goal and Telos of Christian Life.

06/22/2017

But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. Romans 6:22 The Goal and Telos of Christian Life We noted that Christian salvation is fundamentally the same, whether pursued in the world or through monasticism. It is this foundational unity, which is the unity of the Holy Spirit himself, that makes monastic spirituality and literature so valuable for the

A Layman in the Desert (Preface, Part II)

11/04/2016

It often seems that we Orthodox only end up spinning our wheels when we try to answer questions… with reference to monastic literature. While we probably have a clear sense that there is something to be learned about such topics there, we do not always have a good picture of how to really find this value while also respecting the basic integrity and purpose of these texts. One of the key sources of this problem

Treasures from our Subsequent Conversations (Part IV)

10/03/2014

Why He left the Holy Mountain “I told you that there on the Mountain I lived a Heavenly life.” “And why did you leave, Elder?” “I did not leave, they expelled me.” “They expelled you? Why?” “It is a long story. I was in constant motion. I did not stay put for one minute. I constantly created work for myself in order to push myself. I always did these things with permission. The one Elder

ON PROGRESS IN DEPTH

10/02/2014

The external rudiments lead us now to the warfare that goes on in the depths. As when one peels an onion, one layer after another is removed, and the innermost core, out of which growth reaches up toward the light, lies revealed. There, in your own innermost chamber, you will glimpse the heavenly chamber, for they are one and the same, according to St. Isaac the Syrian. When you strive now to enter your inmost

Treasures from our Subsequent Conversations (Part I)

07/21/2014

Some Other Things He Told Me about His Life on the Mountain One day, I arrived at his little trailer home about two to two-thirty in the afternoon. “Welcome. How is it that you arrived here at this time of day? Is there another person outside?” “No, I’m the last one. I have come to find out from you how we can acquire the Grace of God.” “I was in obedience to two elders on

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The Fifth Wednesday of Great Lent. The Monastic Life: The Way of Perfection, Part II

The Purpose and Method of Christian Life (Part I). The Goal and Telos of Christian Life.

A Layman in the Desert (Preface, Part II)

Treasures from our Subsequent Conversations (Part IV)

ON PROGRESS IN DEPTH

Treasures from our Subsequent Conversations (Part I)

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