About Sins of the Mind - St. Nikolai (Velimirovich)

A Letter from St. Nikolai Velimirovich to Monk Avakum

You ask if sins of the mind are dangerous? As a monk you know this best. You know that one of the holy fathers has said that the essence of monasticism is the cleansing of the mind of evil thoughts. You also know that the Church lists three types of sin: in deed, in word, and in thought. This is why we pray to the Father of light for the dead, that He would forgive them all sins, whether in deed, in word or in thought. And the fact that God knows the sinful thoughts, you read in the Gospel, “And Jesus, seeing their thoughts, said, ‘Why do ye think evil in your hearts?’”1 Satan did not sin in any other way except through evil thoughts. That is why he was cast out from before the face of the Lord and thrown into Hades.

Evil thoughts are the seed of every evil. From that seed sprout sinful words, sinful desires and sinful deeds. Remember Christ’s second parable about the sower. “A man sowed good seed in his field. And when people were asleep, their enemy came, and sowed tares among the wheat.”2 God sows good thoughts into the soul of every man. If someone gets lazy and does not keep watch over his soul like he would over a sown field, he is like the sleeper. And while he sleeps, the evil spirit comes, the enemy of God and man, and sows tares, which is to say evil thoughts, into the soul. And from evil thoughts to evil words, the distance is no greater than from a seed to a root of a plant. Which means, there is no distance, the two are organically connected.

So therefore, keep watch over yourself. Close your eyes more often, and as Saint Nikita Stifat said, “examine the thoughts sailing on the sea of the mind.”

In the rules of monasticism, the main exercise defined is the uprooting of evil thoughts—before they develop, grow, and rule over the soul, and finally turn into action. Dash them against the stone. As the Psalmist said, “O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed, happy shall he be that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones!”3 Do you understand the spiritual meaning of this? Babylon is the kingdom of the devil and his children are the thoughts. Christ is the Stone. Blessed is, therefore, the one who dashes the evil in himself from the start, destroying it with the eternal stone—Christ.

So, since you and I both know this, we have no other choice but to also act accordingly.

Rejoice in the Lord.

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“IT IS GOOD for a man to confess his failings, rather than 

harden his heart.” 

Holy Hm. Clement, Bishop of Rome, 1st century

“If I forget thee, O Jerusalem…” - Seraphim Rose

                     

Weak and forgetful, even in the midst of the Great Fast we live as though Jerusalem did not exist for us. We fall in love with the world, our Babylon; we are seduced by the frivolous pastimes of this “strange land” and neglect the services and discipline of the Church which remind us of our true home. Worse yet, we love our very captors – for our sins hold us captive more surely than any human master – and in their service we pass in idleness the precious days of Lent when we should be preparing to meet the Rising Sun of the New Jerusalem, the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

There is still time; we must remember our true home and weep over the sins which have exiled us from it. Let us take to heart the words of St. John of the Ladder: “Exile is separation from everything in order to keep the mind inseparable from God. An exile loves and produces continual weeping.” Exiled from Paradise, we must become exiled from the world if we hope to return.

This we may do by spending these days in fasting, prayer, separation from the world, attendance at the services of the Church, in tears of repentance, in preparation for the joyful Feast that is to end this time of exile; and by bearing witness to all in this “strange land” of our remembrance of that even greater Feast that shall be when our Lord returns to take His people to the New Jerusalem, from which there shall be no more exile, for it is eternal.

Fr. Seraphim Rose, March 1965

HOW TO LIVE ACCORDING TO THE FAITH (1)- Saint Philaret

FAITH in Christ has existed on earth for 2,000 years now, and is in no way overcome. Hundreds of thousands of people have joyously borne terrible torments out of love for Christ, for faith in Him. And if in present times there have appeared men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the Faith (2 Tim. 3:8) and stood against the Faith and the Church of Christ, all their efforts are in vain: the Lord said that the gates of Hades shall not prevail against His Church (see Matt. 16:18). Let us look at ourselves. Is there among us firm faith and love for Christ? Do we not stifle it with our passions, laziness, doubts?

Ah, friends, without faith in the Lord Christ there is no salvation! We must by all means kindle in ourselves the spirit of faith, that is, stimulate it, feed it with prayer, the Word of God, patience, sincere remembrance of the Saviour, Who suffered for us. All of this can be done every day.

What to do in the morning

When you wake up, first of all let your soul and heart say “Glory to Thee, O Lord, Who has preserved us this night! Glory to Thee, Who has shown us the light! Lord, bless this day for us!” 

In doing this, think about how God gives you the day which you could not give to yourself, and devote the first hour, or perhaps even the first quarter hour of the day given you and offer it as a sacrifice to God, in  grateful, supplicatory prayer. The more zealously you do this, the more you will sanctify your day, the more strongly you will protect yourself from the temptations that  we meet every day.

The Dwelling and Clothing of the Christian

 From the start of the morning and throughout the day, make thought about Christ the soul of your life, the moving force of your actions. So, for example, if you glance over your dwelling, remember Christ in the manger, in swaddling clothes, lying on straw, all through this life not having where to lay His head, finally imprisoned, nailed to the Cross, and thank God for your house, your shelter, however humble and poor it may be. Do not envy magnificently decorated mansions: the mansion of Christ is a pure heart!

 As you dress in your simple clothing, remember Christ stripped naked and then robed in the clothing of mockery. Do not dwell on apparel, do not follow slavishly the whims of fashion, but try to garb yourself in goodness, humility, meekness, long-suffering, gazing mentally on the meek and humble heart of Jesus.

 If you are eating a meal, remember the vinegar and gall that Christ tasted, and do not demand plentiful, luxurious food and drink: the heavenly Guest does not love to enter the house of feasting, but always loves to enter the one that opens the door of his heart to Him. Place in your heart Christ suffering and dying on the Cross, and in His unseen presence mortify your passions and lusts.

Contact with people

 Later, when you deal with people, both relatives and others, before saying a word, think about what its effect will be, and think even more seriously before you do something in their presence, for actions speak louder than words.

Worldly Affairs

 If you are undertaking anything, before asking any other adviser, ask the advice of faith. Appeal in the words of the Apostle: Lord, what wilt Thou have me do? (Acts 9:6). Is what I would undertake pleasing to Thee, Lord? If it is pleasing, bless it; if not, do not let me do what isdispleasing to Thee. And then listen to what the Lord tells you in your conscience, in your reason, in the counsels of pious and wise people and, having begun the course that you select, pray in your heart, O Lord, make haste to help me (Ps.69:1).

Absences

 If you are going anywhere, go with God, as our pious forebear said as a farewell; walk before me (Gen.17:1) as the Lord Himself demanded; always see Him before you, for He is at thy right hand (see Ps.15:8). As much as possible keep in your thoughts and in your heart that God sees you, so that you may be both ashamed and afraid to attempt anything unworthy before the eyes of God.

Word and Feelings

 If you enter the company of people, behave with extreme caution. If you hear a word of praise for yourself there, be careful: praises frequently conceal flattery and can arouse in you self-satisfaction and neglect of your further improvement. If you hear an insulting or humiliating word, take care not to become inflamed with anger which worketh not the righteousness of God (James1:20).

Answer the one who insults you either with silence or a meek word of truth. If you hear a word that accuses a neighbour, be careful that you not take part in the sin of someone else’s tongue. Do not join in words that are more harmful to the one who judges than to the one being judged. If you hear a word that saddens one with bad news, be careful lest your sorrow become stronger than your common sense; dissolve it with hope in God’s mercy and with the warm prayer: O my Rejoicing, deliver me from them which have encircled me (Ps. 31:7). Endure without complaint sorrows and misfortunes. Sorrows are inescapable on the path leading to the Kingdom of God! Many are the sorrows of the righteous! Christ Himself endured them; the Mother of God endured them as well. Without sorrows we will not be saved, but  even in the depth of sorrow believe that the Lord loves you truly, and is  only testing you. Remember: you sometimes return home from afar by  a bad road, in a storm, in frost, or in terrible heat, but you go patiently, willingly; likewise patiently go by the difficult and sorrowful path to the heavenly home, the Kingdom of God.

Saint Philaret, 

Metropolitan of Moscow

1783 A.D. - 1867 A.D.

St. Isaac the Syrian : What is a merciful heart?

It is a heart on fire for the whole of creation, for humanity,for the birds, for the animals, for demons, and for all that exists.

By the recollection of them the eyes of a merciful person pour forth tears in abundance. By the strong and vehement mercy that grips such a person’s heart, and by such great compassion, the heart is humbled and one cannot bear to hear or to see any injury or slight sorrow in any in  creation. For this reason, such a person offers up tearful prayer continually even for irrational beasts, for the enemies of the truth, and for those who 

harm him, that they be protected and receive mercy… because of the great compassion that burns without measure in a heart that is in the likeness of God.

Words of Wisdom (Elder Arsenie Papacioc)

On Humility

The humble man never acknowledge himself as such… for he would not be humble!

Humility is the only power that can free the human soul and the nations.

There is only one way to follow: humility! Christ was humble, then who are we not to be…? Do you wish to overcome evil: humble yourself and do not judge. Then, you will be free. Humility leads you to God, but love tastes God! Humble yourself, for the Grace to abound in you.

Humility is the blood of life. One cannot be saved without it. Man can never say: “I am humble!” Humility is the art to descend into yourself and to remain there, in the humble you. Sometimes the grace abandons you, so you may humble yourself before God!

On Prayer

God is very rich! And He’s awaiting us! … He waits for us to ask! Wherever you are, and whenever you’re tempted, pray and do not be discouraged!

Anyone who wants to acquire the gift of prayer, must keep silent and pray. We speak so much about prayer. That’s one thing that it cannot be discussed but practiced.

A deep silence is a deep prayer. And a deep prayer is like a deep silence. Every moment is a time [in eternity] and every sigh can become a prayer.

We must not cease to pray, even with the mind. If you pray, you are always present in you.

On the Worldly Wisdom

It’s hard for the intellectual to live a life of prayer. God is not revealed to the sharp mind, but to the humble pure heart that is constantly shown towards Him. The philosophers have only created some notions, but they did not solve any problem. Intelligence and education have no value, if they are not in the service of love.

About Satan

To the devil, we don’t need to give explanations!

We cannot talk about the devil without speaking about God. In God’ creation, the devil is a tolerated.

Do you believe that the devil is free? No! He’s the most bounded for he is not in Christ … So do not be afraid of him. He is a tolerated, not a power. If you wound know how much zeal Satan puts to interrupt our prayer!

It is a great mistake to enter into conversation with the devil. We ought to converse only with God. If you want to drive him away, say: “Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me”, and speak to God. The power of His Name will rid him. It suits the devil to enter into a dialogue for it means that you acknowledge him. Thus through prayer, we ignore him. If we first address the issue of hell, then we ignore heaven!

Walking on a wrong path, sinning means hell.

Pride is a devilish state, an absolutely diabolical one. No other passion brings man closer to devil’ resemblance, as does pride. If you do not listen to those whom God had appointed for you, it is easily understood that you rather obey Satan. Lucifer fell hopelessly. The greatest fall and only two words: “I am” … 

Indirectly, the devil confesses God through temptations. 

There is no relationship between good and evil. Our Savior says, “Give Me your whole heart!” But the devil says, “I only need one of your finger.” But through it, soon he’ll take over your whole being. The whole you.

Sin brings humility. So it is understood that the devil plays an indirect “role” in our salvation for he reveals our infirmities, and by this helps us to grow. If he would realize how much help is to our salvation, he would trouble us less… Whatever may be the reason for your sorrow, it’s only from demons. The grace of God doesn’t come where is grief, or sadness because you would not know what to do with it and waste it.

On Monasticism

The monastic life cannot be defined by any quote. No philosophical word can explain monasticism. The monastic life is… an entry into paradise. Ii’s no small thing to serve Christ and His Pure Mother your whole life! If we gave ourselves up to God, He will not abandon us! The monks are not perfect, but they are in the making. The Cross of the monk is cutting his own will. To give up what he likes. To carry what is not convenient. The cenobitical [communal] life with renouncing your will is a great work in God’s creation.

Cutting off his will, should be the main focus of the monk, and not the solitude, where he can do what he wants, and not receive reward. If you evaded from obedience, you’re strayed and cannot grow. If you do not obey your spiritual elder, you’ll be enslaved!

The state of disobedience is diabolic. Wherever you are, keep vigilant then you’ll live like in the desert… You need to know to live as a hermit, while [physically] been in the midst of the world!

We cannot talk about Hesychasm having cakes on the table. There is no hermitage if you do not carry the [whole] world’ pain in your heart! Renouncing the world can also take place in the soul of the layman. The Holy Scripture applies to everyone. The entire world received the Commandments.

On the Monastery

The entrance into the monastery is an entrance into heaven and leaving the monastery is leaving paradise.

No school can compare to the monastic training! In the monastery one is disbanded from his human personality to enter into the angelic reign. It means that by losing yourself, you are awakened. If one wishes to embrace the monastic life, cannot do it for the sake of the monastery; but you ought to become “the monastery”!

There is no grace without the abbot’ blessing… if I have a joy at my age [94], is because I did not do one thing without the blessing. Satan hates monasteries the most. He is able to engage the whole world against you, not to enter the monastery. When you decided to go, do not look back! One cannot enter the monastery for any another reason, then the spiritual… Only after you have died to yourself, then come to the monastery. It is no small or insignificant thing to live in the monastery confident in your purpose and without murmuring.

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Christians carried love and goodness -Metropolitan Paul Yazigy

            

His Eminence, the Most Reverend Metropolitan Paul (Yazigi) of Aleppo is the metropolitan of the archdiocese of Aleppo (Haleb), Syria, of the Church of Antioch.

He was kidnapped in Aleppo along with the Syriac archbishop John Ibrahim on April 

22nd 2013.