tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382810614574791176.post6371992440574735267..comments2023-10-24T04:24:51.405-04:00Comments on Orthodox Way of Life: Major Steps of the Spiritual LIfeFr Dn Charles Joinerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06402529668011722050noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382810614574791176.post-29340403522895465692010-05-26T16:10:44.402-04:002010-05-26T16:10:44.402-04:00Thank you for this guidance.Thank you for this guidance.Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13773478437489516384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382810614574791176.post-7359631731087171852010-05-22T12:49:06.979-04:002010-05-22T12:49:06.979-04:00Fr Dimitru is an excellent teacher. Be wary thoug...Fr Dimitru is an excellent teacher. Be wary though as we proceed with his teaching as he will most likely go beyond where each of us is on our spiritual journey. I key discernment we all need to make is to recognize our level of development and work on that with great patience. Then the higher levels will follow. For most of us it is at this first step of purification where we work on our passions. Prayer, fasting , participating the sacraments, reading Scripture, and practicing virtues (putting others first) is what we need to do. Each day we need to work on this and gradually do a little bet more in each area.<br />See Ten points for an Orthodox Way of Life at http://www.stgeorgegreenville.org/TenPointProgram/TenPointProgram.html.Fr Dn Charles Joinerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06402529668011722050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382810614574791176.post-48673068228054733422010-05-21T15:52:35.604-04:002010-05-21T15:52:35.604-04:00Thank you for the post. In this day and age I beli...Thank you for the post. In this day and age I believe it is also possible to obtain spiritual insight by reading Blogs like these on a daily basis. "When the student is ready, the master shall appear."Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13773478437489516384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382810614574791176.post-33646557617108119272010-05-19T17:28:17.636-04:002010-05-19T17:28:17.636-04:00Thank you. That was helpful.Thank you. That was helpful.Barnabashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17590070614394099483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382810614574791176.post-67997030456671389522010-05-19T17:02:55.802-04:002010-05-19T17:02:55.802-04:00Pray, be watchful, and you will be given what you ...Pray, be watchful, and you will be given what you need.<br /><br />Here is a posting from Fr. Moser <br />"Do not go in search of a "spiritual father" God has put you in a parish with a priest whom you call "father" You call him such not out of idle talk, but because he is indeed the father of the parish family. While he might not be the equal of the great saints, he does have something very important - he has the grace of the priesthood. One of the effects of that grace is for the guidance of spiritual children. You say that you are only Orthodox 3 years. This is almost no time at all, you are yet an infant, barely able to speak - a "toddler" in the faith. Surely your parish priest (who one would assume has been in the Church somewhat longer) can guide you for now. Should the need arise for someone to guide you who is more accomplished in the faith, then trust in the providence of God to bring such a person to you - do not go and seek someone. <br /><br />Why do I say do not go out and seek someone? It is because there are many in this world who call themselves "spiritual fathers" or "elders" who have taken this role upon themselves. St Iganatii Brianchaninoff warns against such persons with great vehemence. In this manner, I strongly suggest to you that you read "The Arena; An Offering to Contemporary Monasticism" (I've not found it online, but read a review here) and especially Chapters 12 and 13 "Concerning Life in Obedience to an Elder" and "Concerning Consellors and Counselling and Concerning Life Under Spiritual Direction" St Ignatii makes the point that it is nearly impossible to find a true spiritual father, but that the impostors are easily found and following them is detrimental to the soul. Therefore, he says, that in lieu of a true spiritual father, it is more beneficial for us to spend our time searching the Scripture and the writings of the Holy Fathers to follow their lives. The Athonite Elder Porphyrios also says that we must examine the lives of the saints in order to "steal" their secrets for living the spiritual life (in other words by spending our time searching the lives of those we know to be holy, we then imitate them).<br /><br />When (and if) you need a real live flesh and blood holy elder, God will send him to you (or you to him). In the meantime, search the lives and writings of the saints and order your life according to theirs.<br /><br />Fr David MoserFr Dn Charles Joinerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06402529668011722050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382810614574791176.post-57414377567384283792010-05-19T15:52:57.753-04:002010-05-19T15:52:57.753-04:00I agree, a posting on finding a spiritual elder wo...I agree, a posting on finding a spiritual elder would be helpful.Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13773478437489516384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382810614574791176.post-20223910829610161002010-05-17T08:50:21.229-04:002010-05-17T08:50:21.229-04:00These are helpful thoughts.
Question. Spiritual ...These are helpful thoughts.<br /><br />Question. Spiritual Fathers are difficult to find. Any suggestions on finding one?Barnabashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17590070614394099483noreply@blogger.com