Prologue
One of the best known of the Desert Fathers of fourth-century Egypt, St. Sarapion the Sindonite, travelled once on pilgrimage to Rome. Here he was told of a celebrated recluse, a woman who lived always in one small room, never going out. Skeptical about her way of life — for he was himself a great wanderer — Serapion called on her and asked: “Why are you sitting here?” To this she replied: “I am not sitting, I am on a journey”.
Metr. Kallistos of Diokleia, The Orthodox Way
NOT A SYSTEM, BUT A KEY
NOT A SYSTEM, BUT A KEY
The Church gives us not a system, but a key; not a plan of God’s City, but the means of entering it. Perhaps someone will lose his way because he has no plan. But all that he will see, he will see without a mediator, he will see it directly, it will be real for him; while he who has studied only the plan risks remaining outside and not really finding anything.
Fr. Georges Florovsky
THE MOST PERFECT RULE
The most perfect rule of Christianity, its exact definition, its highest summit, is this: to seek what is for the benefit of all… I cannot believe that it is possible for a man to be saved if he does not labour for the salvation of his neighbor.
St. John Chrysostom
What is pure prayer? Prayer which is brief in words but abundant in actions. For if your actions do not exceed your petitions, then your prayers are mere words, and the seed of the hands is not in them.
The Sayings of the Desert Fathers
“Believe me, there is one truth that reigns supreme from the fringes of the throne of glory down to the least shadow of the most insignificant of creatures: and that one truth is love. Love is the source from which the holy streams of grace flow down unceasingly from the city of God, watering the earth and making it fruitful… It is love that gives life and warmth, that inspires and guides. Love is the seal set upon creation, the signature of the Creator. Love is the explanation of His handiwork.”
When we have reached love, we have reached God and our journey is complete. We have crossed over to the island which lies beyond the world, where are the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit; to whom be glory and dominion. May God make us worthy to fear and love him. Amen.
St. Isaac the Syrian
GREAT ART THOU, O LORD
GREAT ART THOU, O LORD
Great art thou, O Lord, and marvellous are thy works: no words suffice to sing the praise of thy wonders.
OUT OF NOTHINGNESS INTO BEING
For thou by thine own will hast brought all things out of nothingness into being: by thy power thou dost hold together the creation and by thy providence thou dost govern the world.
Of four elements hast thou compounded the creation: with four seasons hast thou crowned the circuit of the year.
All the spiritual powers tremble before thee.
The sun sings thy praises;
The moon glorifies thee;
The stars supplicate before thee;
The light obeys thee;
The deeps are afraid at thy presence;
The fountains are thy servants.
Prayer at the Great Blessing of the Waters — Holy Theophany
THOU HAST STRETCHED OUT THE HEAVENS LIKE A CURTAIN
THOU HAST STRETCHED OUT THE HEAVENS LIKE A CURTAIN
Thou has established the earth upon the waters;
Thou has walled about the sea with sand.
Thou has poured forth the air that living things may breathe.
THE ANGELIC POWERS MINISTER TO THEE
The choir of archangels worship thee; the many-eyed cherubim and the six-winged seraphim, standing around thee and flying about thee, hide their faces in fear of thine unapproachable glory.
By the elements, by the angels and by men, by things visible and invisible, may thy most holy name be glorified, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer at the Great Blessing of the Waters — Holy Theophany
“You are a world within a world: look within yourself, and see there the whole creation.”
Wherever you turn your eyes, there is God’s symbol;
Whatever you read, you will find there his types…
Look and see how Nature and Scripture are linked together…
Praise for the Lord of Nature.
Glory for the Lord of Scripture.
St, Ephrem the Syrian