Theophan the Recluse

St Theophan, you are my Patron Saint for 2010 ...
You have confirmed that that for me today on your own feast day! ...
Thank you for today...

... Whenever he was not occupied with writing or praying, the reclusive bishop worked at carpentry or painting icons. He received from twenty to forty letters each day, and he answered all of them. He was able to discern each writer's spiritual condition, then give detailed answers to the questions of those who were struggling for the salvation of their souls.

You cannot be too gentle, too kind ...

Shun even to appear harsh in your treatment of each other.
Joy, radiant joy, streams from the face of him who gives and kindles joy in the heart of him who receives.
All condemnation is from the devil.
Never condemn each other.
We condemn others only because we shun knowing ourselves.
When we gaze at our own failings, we see such a swamp that nothing in another can equal it.
That is why we turn away, and make much of the faults of others.
Instead of condemning others, strive to reach inner peace.
Keep silent, refrain from judgement.
This will raise you above the deadly arrows of slander, insult and outrage and will shield your glowing hearts against all evil.
— Seraphim of Sarov

Sometimes, I have no desire to pray ...

From "Wounded By Love" by Elder Porfyrios:


"Many people ask me to pray for their relatives who suffer. And I do pray and I am moved and impelled by the love of the person who asks me to do so, because I see him or her suffer for his or her relative who is in trouble. This way I can make their pain my own. However, sometimes they disappoint me, and I have no desire to pray for them ... ... What can I say to him [them]? Whatever I tell him [them], he will think I am scolding him for no reason, as he will not understand my point."

Hymn of praise to the Holy Trinity

O, Holy Lord, holy in creating,

All that You create by Your Word, by Your Spirit You consecrate.

O, Mighty Lord, mighty in suffering,

For the world You walk to Your death; for the world, You resurrect.

Immortal Lord, in voice, we praise You;

Father, Son, Holy Spirit - God, have mercy on us!

The Father, Who appeared over Jordan as a Voice,

The Spirit, Who as a White Dove hovered,

The Son, Who by the Prophet John was baptized,

Three rays of light, one light shown,

The Trinity manifested, we praise You in voice:

Father, Son, Holy Spirit - God, have mercy on us!

"For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit and the water and the blood: and these three are together" (I John 5: 7-8)

Anonymous Verses - 8th century

translated by Brendan Kennelly

God's Praises

Only a fool would fail
To praise God in His might
When the tiny mindless birds
Praise Him in their flight.

Christ's Bounty

I pray you, Christ, to change my heart,
To make it whole;
Once you took on flesh like mine,
Now take my soul.

Ignominy and pain you knew,
The lash, the scourge,
You, the perfect molten metal
Of my darkened forge.
You make the bright sun bless my head,
Put ice beneath my feet,
Send salmon swarming in the tides,
Give crops of wheat.
When Eve's wild children come to you
With prayerful words,
You crowd the rivers with fine fish,
The sky with birds.
You make the small flowers thrive
In the wholesome air,
Your spread sweetness through the world.
What miracle can compare?

The Soul's Desire

Anonymous verse from the 11th century

(translated by Eleanor Hull)

It were my soul's desire

To see the face of God;

It were my soul's desire

To rest in His abode.

It were my soul's desire

To study zealously;

This, too, my soul's desire,

A clear rule set for me.

It were my soul's desire

A spirit free from gloom;

It were my soul's desire

New life beyond the Doom.

It were my soul's desire

To shun the chills of Hell;

Yet more my soul's desire

Within His house to dwell.

It were my soul's desire

To imitate my King,

It were my soul's desire

His ceaseless praise to sing.

It were my soul's desire

When heaven's gate is won

To find my soul's desire

Clear shining like the sun.

Grant, Lord, my soul's desire,

Deep waves of cleansing sighs;

Grant, Lord, my soul's desire

From earthly cares to rise.

This still my soul's desire

Whatever life afford --

To gain my soul's desire

And see Thy face, O Lord.

Crown the Year with Goodness

"You crown the year with Your goodness,

And Your paths drip with abundance."

Psalms 65:11

Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of our religion:

 

God was manifested in the flesh,

justified in the Spirit,

seen by angels,

preached among the nations,

believed on in the world,

taken up in glory.