• Homily 39. On the Fear of God. -St. Symeon the New Theologian

    The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, says Scripture (Proverbs 1:7). But the only truly wise one is God. Therefore, anyone who desires to enter the kingdom of heaven and live under God as King—so that his mind, thoughts, and reflections may be directed by God Himself, the one and only true…

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  • On the Fear of God. -Abba Dorotheos

    Saint John says in his Catholic Epistles: “Perfect love casteth out fear” (1 John 4:18). What does the holy Apostle wish to tell us by this? Of what love does he speak to us, and of what fear? For the prophet David says in the Psalm: “O fear the Lord, all ye His saints” (Psalm…

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  • What is the Fear of God?

    The fear of God, or the fear of the Lord, is described by the wise King Solomon as the beginning of wisdom. However, there seems to be a visible contradiction when comparing this idea with the teaching of the holy apostles on fear. St. John the Theologian writes in his First Epistle: “There is no…

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  • Worse Than Africans

    By Kiril Tovbin On November 1, 2007, I attended a lecture by Deacon Maximus Urbanovich of the Orthodox Church in America. The topic was “Why I Became Orthodox.” I had prepared many questions, but instead of a lecture I witnessed an ordinary Protestant-style sermon. Urbanovich waved the Bible, made theatrical gestures, and jumped around, shouting…

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  • Faith and Identity

    By Kiril Mikhailov To my friend M.M. Rodin The field lies open—nothing is sacred! A qualitatively new godlessness has arrived. We have entered a time in which faith is wholly overtaken by pretense, by a mere likeness of faith. The believer has been replaced by an actor playing the believer. In my view, no period…

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  • On Temperance

    One of the main virtues of a Christian is temperance. What does it mean, and how can it be practiced in modern life? Temperance is indeed one of the most important virtues of Christian life. It was exemplified by the Old Testament prophets and demonstrated through the life of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Apostle…

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  • On Psychological Stability

    How can a person develop sound judgment, a stable psyche, and a calm, clear mind? Many people today seem to have “chaos” in their heads, muddled thinking, and a restless, scattered mind. Qualities such as sound judgment, a stable psyche, and a calm, clear mind are essential to the Christian virtue of chastity. The word chastity derives…

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  • Prayers at Meals

    He who sincerely gives thanks to God in prayer both at the beginning and at the end of a meal will not fall into drunkenness or disorder, will never suffer the consequences of gluttony, but, restraining his thoughts with the expectation of prayer as with a bridle, will partake of all that is offered in…

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