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by St. John Chrysostom Our father among the saints, John (347-407), Archbishop of Constantinople, was a notable Christian bishop and preacher from the fourth and fifth centuries in Syria and Constantinople. He is famous for eloquence in public speaking and his denunciation of abuse of authority in the Church and in the Roman Empire of the time. He had notable ascetic sensibilities. St. John Chrysostom wrote the following on the Jesus … [Read more...]
by St. Isaac the Syrian Our venerable father among the saints Isaac of Syria, also known as Isaac of Nineveh, is a 7th century saint known for his strict asceticism and ascetic writings. St. Isaac is fully accepted as a saint in the Orthodox Church, though during his lifetime, he was canonically a member of the Church of the East, a church that has been associated with the Nestorian heresy, although that charge is widely doubted today. … [Read more...]
by Fr. Patrick Henry Reardon Senior Editor of Touchstone Magazine, and archpriest of All Saints Orthodox Church in Chicago, IL, Fr. Patrick is, perhaps, the most erudite writer in the Orthodox Church in North America today. This article, one of his Pastoral Ponderings, was published by Orthodoxtoday.org. Publican and Pharisee The Lord’s account of the two men who “went up to the temple to pray” (Luke 18:9-14) may be said to … [Read more...]
by St. John Climacus Our venerable and God-bearing Father John Climacus (ca. 579 - 649), also known as John of the Ladder, John Scholasticus, and John Sinaites, was a seventh century monk at St. Catherine's monastery at the base of Mount Sinai. In Greek, his epithet is (Klimakos). The Orthodox Church celebrates his feast day on March 30. For those who have not yet obtained true prayer of the heart, violence in bodily prayer is a great help … [Read more...]
By Fr. Andrew Jarmus "Prayer is the test of everything; prayer is also the source of everything; prayer is the driving force of everything; prayer is also the director of everything. If prayer is right, everything is right. For prayer will not allow anything to go wrong." — St. Theophan the Recluse Perhaps the most popular and basic definition of prayer is that it is a conversation with God. While this is essentially true, Orthodox … [Read more...]
by St. Theophan the Recluse Our father among the saints, Theophan the Recluse, (d. 1894) was the bishop of Tambov in Russia. He was a prolific author, especially on the subjects of the Christian life and the training of youth in the faith. In order to facilitate the development of true prayer, take these steps: … [Read more...]
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