by St. Theophan the Recluse Rarely does the Rite of Orthodoxy, which is now being performed, take place without censures and reproaches on somebody’s part. And no matter how many sermons are given explaining that the Church here acts wisely for the salvation of her children — still the malcontents just keep repeating their line. […]
On the Responsibility for the Scarcity of Preaching
November 7, 2016 By
From the book, Preaching Another Christ: An Orthodox View of Evangelicalism by St. Theophan the Recluse I agree with you that the priests must speak with the faithful more often and converse with them both inside and outside the church. I do not agree, though, that, if this does not happen, the parishioners lack spiritual […]
Why Orthodox Christianity Should Not Change With The Times
October 6, 2016 By
by St. Theophan the Recluse It reached my ears that, as it seems, you consider my sermons very strict and believe that today no one should think this way, no one should be living this way and therefore, no one should be teaching this way. “Times have changed!” How glad I was to hear this. […]
Regretting the Jesus Prayer
October 4, 2015 By
by St. Theophan the Recluse Many of St Theophan’s books have been translated into English, and are reliable spiritual guides for Orthodox Christians of today. St Theophan’s gift was the ability to present the wisdom of the Fathers in terms which modern people can understand. Since he lived close to our own time, many readers find […]
Nature, Celibacy and Marriage
August 23, 2014 By
by St. Theophan the Recluse The Lord says that originally God Himself blessed the marriage union, and put this law into our nature. About those who do not want to get married He said: “He that is able to receive it, let him receive it”. It is clear that although He admitted that marriage is […]
Everyone Knows A Church Calls For Reverence
August 21, 2014 By
by St. Theophan the Recluse “My House shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.” Everyone knows that a church calls for reverence, for a collecting of thoughts, for deep thinking about God, and for standing in the presence of God, but who fulfills this? People go […]
On The Cross
April 18, 2014 By
by St. Theophan the Recluse The Lord accomplished our salvation by His death on the Cross: on the Cross He tore up the handwriting of our sins; through the Cross He reconciled us with our God and Father; and through the Cross He brought down upon us grace-filled gifts and all heavenly blessings. But this […]
Homily On Prayer
March 27, 2014 By
by St. Theophan the Recluse Why is it, you ask, that one can pray for so many years with a prayer book, and still not have prayer in his heart? I think the reason is that people only spend a little time lifting themselves up to God when they complete their prayer rule, and in […]
