Monk Anatolios Kavsokalyvitis (1862-1938)
Monk Anatolios Kavsokalyvitis (1862-1938), who displayed happiness “like a child.” When we look to the Holy Mountain of Mount Athos in Greece, we often hope to have our minds and hearts graced with even a touch of the great wisdom that the monastic life produces. Yet, often times the most...
Hesychasm and Missions
Pemptousia recently interviewed Elder Elisaios, Abbot of Holy Monastery of Simonos Petras. Here is one idea derived from the engaging interview, which can be found at the link below. When places like Madagascar come to mind, the first things we think of are the endless beaches and jungles. The very...
One Desires, Another Gives
Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty… I have never in my life envied a human being who led an easy life. I have envied a great many people who led difficult lives and led them well. ― Theodore Roosevelt In...
Keeping Contemporary Conveniences at Bay
In this interview Nikolaos Koios, Editor-in Chief of Pemptousia, and Elder Elisaios, Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Simonos Petras, Mt Athos, Greece, discuss the concern of modern conveniences on Mt. Athos. They aren’t necessarily talking about wifi or Google, but automobiles and electricity. “We are careful how we use...
The Mystery of the Eucharist and Life with God
Is bread a worthy offering to Christ towards the Eucharist? Watch this short video of Fr Alexander Rentel, Assistant Professor of Canon Law and Practical Theology at St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, as he explain show we enter into the mystery of a life with God, through the Holy Eucharist.
Are You Prepared?
As we prepare for Sunday’s Liturgy here is a quote from St. Augustine of Hippo to remind us of the importance of forgiveness. Before you come to Holy Communion, pay attention to what you say: ‘Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors’. Do you forgive? You’ll be forgiven....
St. Gregory Palamas on the Dormition
Are you celebrating the Great Feast of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary? Read some excerpts from St. Gregory Palamas on the Mother of God which reveal why we all love her so much. May we have her prayers and intercessions. With her ascension, the Mother of God joined the...
The Transfiguration of Our Lord on Mt. Tabor
It’s so relaxing to take a family vacation during the summer. We slow down, turn off the alarms and allow the day to go on without us. Yes, this is what vacations are all about. You probably even lost track of the days of the week, puzzled if it was...
A Conversation with Elder Sophrony — Part 3
Read part 2 here E.S.: Silouan would say, of course he was without passion, “If a thought upsets us, we are free to discard this thought and to focus our attention on something else.” He was able to do this; other people, however, are like slaves to passionate thoughts. A.E.:...
A Conversation with Elder Sophrony — Part 2
Read part 1 here A.E.: Your book, St. Silouan the Athonite, was the reason that many people came to the Holy Mountain to become monks. And throughout Europe, the book led many heterodox to Orthodoxy. E.S.: It can also help people in Russia, because they have completely lost the ascetic culture....
A Conversation with Elder Sophrony — Part 1
The abbot of the Great and Holy Monastery of Vatopedi, Archimandrite Ephraim, spoke with Elder Sophrony of blessed memory at the Holy Monastery of St. John the Baptist in Essex, England on 20 September 1992. From this meeting, one is struck by Elder Sophrony’s spirituality and ascetic vision, and can...
Do Not Forget Christ, So that He also Remembers You
By Saint Paisios the Athonite The basis of everything is to keep our minds on God by offering Him our heart, which He desires. When our mind is on God and the heart distances itself from the body, then man does not live on earth anymore, but in Heaven. He...
