Boris

@MourningTalk Greater burden?Our ancestors had no painkillers, no refrigerators,and no holidays by the sea.If they broke a bone or got injured,they often remained disabled for life.They didn’t choose their job or their spouse.And approx. 40-50% of their children died before reaching adulthood

Some folks make an assumption that modern, western humans are weaker than our forebears. It could be true, but I think we are under a greater burden in some ways than they were. Or maybe we're under the same burden, but with fewer supports and guardrails.

@Thomasdelvasto_ Agree.Struggling with certain passions and sins helped me see the weakness of human nature, the impact of cosmic evil on us all, and therefore to feel empathy for every human being. Yet without regular confession, I don’t think I would experience enough mercy to reach that point.

the best thing about Orthodoxy is the recognition that sin is not a black and white thing certain activities can even be sinful or salutary for the same person's soul at different stages of their spiritual maturity

Hieromartyr Sysoev to an Orthodox young woman who had long-searched for a husband without success: ‘I think you indeed had better accept that at present it is not God's will that you start a family. You are an Orthodox Christian; do you really have nothing better to do than look for a husband? Do not forget that according to Orthodox teaching, celibacy for Christ's sake is superior to marriage and can be a source of far greater strength. Re-read the apostle Paul's first epistle to the Corinthians, where you will find many of the answers to your questions. Even from a practical standpoint, a person who is hyperfocused on having a family has almost no chance of a normal marriage. It is like trying to sleep when you have insomnia by thinking, “When on earth will sleep come?” Learn to do deeds of mercy or to missionise, and God will help you.’ –Bl. Fr. Daniel (Sysoev), Letter 57

@Thomasdelvasto_ Yeah, I know what u mean. Takes time to see & experience those phenomena not anymore from a psychological but from a spiritual perspective.

@hoppladidi Idk man it’s a lot of stuff about hating yourself and your nature and hating your passions Not what I needed, I guess I needed more milk so to speak

jokes aside I actually did get the whole Philokalia while I was a catechuman. I started hating myself and became so miserable I considered just leaving Orthodoxy entirely my priest found out and told me it's for committed monastics and new converts should never read it

@eatingrapes1488 Probably we will meet persons from all races in heaven and we should be ready to spend eternity with them

There are many things that do not aid in the process of glorification and saintlyhood, but racism is not inherently sinful and thinking so is an incredibly modern idea. Both St Augustine and St John Chrysostom would be classified as racist today.

@MitraHispana @Thomasdelvasto_ Fr Zacharias has an extraordinary article about tears: just google "TEARS: THE HEALING OF THE PERSON By Archimandrite Zacharias of Essex" Maybe best summary about that topic

@hoppladidi @Thomasdelvasto_ St. Isaac the Syrian writes so much about how TEARS are the gateways to God 😳

many famous Christian writers, and many of my friends, say they feel closer to God while suffering I don't really get this, to me I feel closest to God when I'm full of joy. it honestly kind of confuses me

@Thomasdelvasto_ When you are full of joy, whats the reason for it?

@MitraHispana @Thomasdelvasto_ On point

@Thomasdelvasto_ Suffering shatters vanity. It is undeniably real. You are never more alive and present than when you suffer. This process burns the fat off your soul and leaves it free, as it were, from all the busy distractions of life. For many, it leaves only you and God.

@Aserbtt @Thomasdelvasto_ Anarchy is the solution then 🫡

@Thomasdelvasto_ I agree. School systems in particular are seemingly badly designed on purpose.

one of my buddies went up to an Orthodox priest and asked "so, can you convince me that the faith is real?" the priest, without even considering it, immediately said "no." my buddy says he never would've become Orthodox if the priest tried to give him an argument

@katherineortho @nicholasofronto @CivicNatalist Don’t make owning a house and having many children a requirement for being a family. Living in a flat and having one or two children — or none at all — may also be God’s will.

the article is laughable to some1 even semiactive in their church i know a guy from my mine who had a woman refuse to date him because he didnt make 6 figures. you will never meet the impossible standards her 44 single spinster friends have you will 'mortify' them

@katherineortho youtube.com/shorts/77e2NBf…

@orthobilly In my case it was my future wife who told me I have to accept that she will give birth at home with 0 meds

@Fatherspyridon There are elders today!

"I must tell you first of all that, to the best of our knowledge, there are no startsi today—that is, truly God-bearing elders (in the spirit of the Optina elders) who could guide you not by their own wisdom and understanding of the Holy Fathers, but by the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit.  This kind of guidance is not given to our times—and frankly, we in our weakness and corruption and sins do not deserve it." - Hieromonk Seraphim Rose

O merciful Lord, by Your Holy Spirit teach us to love our enemies, and to pray for them with tears. O Lord, send down Your Holy Spirit on earth that all nations may know You , and learn Your love. O Lord, as You Yourself prayed for Your enemies, so teach us, too, by Your Holy Spirit, to love our enemies. St Silouan the Athonite

@primeforchrist More should be written about collective repentance and collective humility as a nation.

Orthodox Christianity & Nationalism – are they compatible? A thread 🧵

@banterwithb This is the way <3 Im still not sure what I should think of his actions as Patriarch. May God give us all discernment & wisdom

@hoppladidi Despite all of his efforts, yes

🤢 🤮

@noetic_healing Most are anyway not ready to receive a word from a spiritual father.

Question. Do you believe that the sacramental life the priest provides to the congregation is enough? Do people need spiritual fathers like monastics? I was told today non monastics don’t need spiritual fathers today. What if a person cannot find a spiritual father what do they do? Ok…go