Temptation from the Right

Hieromonk Chrysostomos Koutloumousianos   ‘Right’ and ‘Left’ don’t only have to do with political alignments. The terms were also used to define two categories of temptation in the spiritual life. Indeed, because it’s less perceptible, the temptation ‘from the right’ was considered the more dangerous. When does a temptation come Read more

By Pemptousia Partnership, ago

Humility and its…Frills

Protopresbyter Georgios Dorbarakis   ‘Humility is an anonymous grace of the soul, which can be named only by those who know it from experience. It’s inexpressible riches, it’s an appellation of God, a gift of God’ (Saint John the Sinaite, The Ladder of Divine Ascent, discourse 25, 3). We need to Read more

By Pemptousia Partnership, ago

The Two Paths

Protopresbyter Georgios Dorbarakis   The path of wickedness is easy; the path of goodness is difficult. ‘As easy as it is for the upright to change and fall away, it’s just as difficult for the others, the wicked, to alter’ (Saint John the Sinaite, The Ladder of Divine Ascent, discourse 24, Read more

By Pemptousia Partnership, ago

On Frequent Communion

Saint Nicodemus the Hagiorite   Saint Gregory the Theologian: ‘When they fittingly and worthily partake of the most holy Body of our Lord, this becomes a weapon for those under attack and a return for those who have abandoned God. It fortifies the weak, gladdens the healthy, heals the sick Read more

By Pemptousia Partnership, ago

You reference your pain

Elder Iosif Vatopaidinos   In the name of prayer, the Fathers defined the notion of introversion and particularly that of ‘private’ conversation with God. This is where people throw themselves on God’s mercy and goodness and with tenacious confession, supplication, pleading and thanksgiving reveal their pain and desire to Christ Read more

By Pemptousia Partnership, ago

‘Here’s to us; who’s like us?’

Protopresbyter Georgios Dorbarakis   How often do we do something considered spiritual- prayer, church attendance, fasting, some alms-giving- and think we’ve become ‘Saint Anthony’. Because we compare ourselves… to ourselves. We ourselves are the criterion. It’s like somebody going on a run and thinking they’re running quickly. Then a proper Read more

By Pemptousia Partnership, ago

The Pain that Leads to Joy

Fr. Andreas Agathokleous   The ‘forgive me’ which comes from a heart in pain over a mistake breaks down the hard wall of remoteness, of animosity, and unites that which was divided. This is why it’s neither easy nor painless. Because the easy and painless ‘forgive me’, expressed as a Read more

By Pemptousia Partnership, ago