A Christmas Prayer

Holy Nativity Icon

This Christmas night bestowed peace on the whole 

world;

So let no one threaten;

This is the night of the Most Gentle One -

Let no one be cruel;

This is the night of the Humble One -

Let no one be proud.

Now is the day of joy -

Let us not revenge;

Now is the day of Good Will -

Let us not be mean.

In this Day of Peace -

Let us not be conquered by anger.

Today the Bountiful impoverished Himself for our 

sake;

So, rich one, invite the poor to your table.

Today we receive a Gift for which we did not ask;

So let us give alms to those who implore and beg us.

This present Day cast open the heavenly doors to our 

prayers;

Let us open our door to those who ask our 

forgiveness.

Today the DIVINE BEING took upon Himself the seal of 

our humanity,

In order for humanity to be decorated by the Seal of 

DIVINITY.

(St. Isaac the Syrian)

On Passions and Virtue

  If you have ought against any, or any against you, make peace. If you do not do this, anything that you bring to God will not be accepted (Mark 11:25, Matt. 5:23-24). If you fulfill this commandment of the Lord, then you can pray to Him boldly, saying "Lord, forgive me my debts, as I forgive my brother’s, fulfilling Your commandment! And the Lover of Mankind will answer: "If you have released him, I will release you: if you have forgiven, I forgive your debts."

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   Do not think, that you alone carry more sorrows than anyone else. As no one living on earth can avoid its air, thus a person, living in this world, cannot avoid being tempted by sorrows and illnesses. He who is occupied with the earthly, will feel earthly sorrow; he who strives for the spiritual, will suffer about the spiritual. But the latter will be blessed, because their fruit is plentiful in the Lord.

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   God does not permit the soul hoping in Him and patient, to be tried in such measure that it comes to despair, that is to fall into such temptations and sorrows, that it cannot bear them (1 Cor. 10:13). And the evil one cannot tempt the soul and burden it with sorrow as he will, but only as much as permitted by God. Let the soul only bear it courageously, holding on to hope in faith and awaiting God’s help and hope; and it is impossible for it to be abandoned.

Ven. Ephraim of Syria

What is it like encountering a holy man?

This excerpt is taken directly from another blog I frequent, Orthodox Way of Life. This particular story recounts a young man's first visit to Elder Paisios' hermitage on Mt. Athos. The sanctity encountered there is definitely something to strive for. I challange anyone to read the life and counsels of Elder Paisios and not be affected. A true image of Christ.


"  by Dionysios Farasiotis
When I arrived at the elder's cell, I pulled on the cord attached to the bell.  Shortly, the elder stuck his head out the window and called out, "What do you want, my boy?"  I drew near the fence and asked him, "won't you let me in, elder?" He put the keys on a wire that ran down to where I was and told me to relock the gate, and started to walk up to his dwelling.  When I reached the front of his cell underneath the balcony where he was standing, the elder asked me to hand him a jacket that had fallen to the ground.  I picked up the jacket and stretched to hand it up to him.  When the elder bent down to take it from me, our eyes met for the first time.  there was something about his eyes, large and penetrating, that nearly blinded me.  His sweet gaze was powerful and sacred, transcending the limits of human nature as I knew it.  In a flash, I lowered my head, in awe of the spiritual radiance that was before me.  I felt very small.  By the time I had walked the thirty yards around the house, I felt as though a mystery concerning the capabilities of human nature had been revealed to me. 


When we met again a few seconds later, I saw a dear old monk with quite normal eyes.  He now appeared to be merely an average human being, without a trace of the spiritual splendor that I had seen earlier.  We sat down and began to speak.  In a little while, I told him, "Elder, I don't kiss the hands of priests, because I am not a believer."
"Since you are not a believer, you're doing the right thing."

We discussed various topics.  He was so good and kind to me that within a few minutes our souls were quite united. On account of his virtues and discretion, I felt the immense joy of finally getting to know someone I could trust.  At one point, he laughed cheerfully and asked me if he had permission to help me spiritually. "Can I take a walk around inside you?" he asked.


I trusted him so much that I said yes right away.  I couldn't help smiling when he added, "My feet smell, though," since he was clearly as pure as snow with the goodness of Christ.  I answered, "It doesn't bother me."  Then, with great gentleness and courtesy, he stepped into my soul. I felt a luminous and healing presence being united to my soul and illuminating it with a gladsome light.  It was like the joy and peace of returning home after years of cruel exile.  I didn't even know that in this life you could feel such a rejuvenating peace in the embrace of God.  The elder shared my joy.


I learned later that ancient Christians used the term "watchful intoxication" to describe the way those under the influence of the Spirit soar to great, even ecstatic, spiritual heights while nevertheless remaining calm and sober––and that is how I felt as I entered this increasingly luminous, intense state, calm and watchful all the while.


After this, I returned to the monastery a changed man, spiritually and psychologically.  the monks I encountered on the way back would cheerfully ask me if I was coming from Elder Paisios.  It was almost a conspiracy.  The elder's gifts  could be so easily discerned on my countenance that they could all see it  And since I, a neophyte, felt as though I had been bathed in a noetic light, I joyfully told these old-timers, "Yes."  Indeed, I had come into contact with something extraordinary, mysterious, and divine."

From  The Gurus, The Young Man, And The Elder Paisios, by Dionysios Farasiotis  pp54-58