The path to God, vocation, prayer, and the righteous life is not always a straight one. More often than not, it isn't. That is why we need a reminder that some of our greatest saints had their own difficulties. St. Paul the Simple of Egypt (4th century) is one excellent example. He was married, but discovered his wife was unfaithful. So, he left her and went into the desert to live the ascetical life with St. Antony the Great (January 17). Also, Paul was already 60 years old. That's why St. Antony would not initially accept Paul. He thought that an old, previously married man could not handle the rigors of the life of solitude. But Paul proved him wrong by being repentant, humble, hardworking, prayerful, and attentive. After many years, Antony even appointed Paul to be an exorcist. My point? There are times and places when there is nothing saintlier and more glorious than a band of broken brothers who show great courage in the name of God and His Church for the preservation of the faith and the protection of His people. So, let us pray for those men, too. Help us, most venerable and cross-bearing Paul! Raise up the forgotten, faithful disciples who seek not their own glory, but rejoice with the angels for an eternity spent with God! An icon of St. Paul the Simple (with St. Antony, the founder of monasticism) who is commemorated on March 7 and October 4.

"Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and mind. For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in faithfulness to you. I do not sit with the worthless, nor do I consort with hypocrites; I hate the company of evildoers, and will not sit with the wicked. I wash my hands in innocence, and go around your altar, O Lord, singing aloud a song of thanksgiving, and telling all your wondrous deeds. O Lord, I love the house in which you dwell, and the place where your glory abides. Do not sweep me away with sinners, nor my life with the bloodthirsty, those in whose hands are evil devices, and whose right hands are full of bribes. But as for me, I walk in my integrity; redeem me, and be gracious to me. My foot stands on level ground; in the churches I will bless the Lord." - Psalm 25 (26) An icon of the Prophet King David from The Icon by Kurt Weitzmann.

Lead me on the path to the caves where contemplation thrives on the breath of the Spirit and illumination is fed by the fire of the Transfiguration! St. Elijah, my dear and venerable spiritual forefather, intercede for me and teach me the ways of a life spent in prayer, repentance, and teaching. As unworthy as I am, I also beg you to guide me along the path of constant sacrifice for all those who seek spiritual guidance! Saint Elijah Speleota (863-960) or Elia of Calabria, was a Basilian monastic, hermit, and well-known spiritual adviser. This "speleota" (or cave-dweller) is remembered in the Roman Martyrology as having lived in the Monastery of Aulinas in Calabria and was known as a distinguished scholar of the eremitic and cenobitic life. Elijah was born to wealthy and politically connected parents (Peitro Bozzetta and Leonzia de Leontini) but left at 18 to avoid an arranged marriage and go on a pilgrimage. Once in Rome, he became of monastic at the Basilian Monastery of Grottaferrata. After traveling back to Calabria, he and a fellow monk named Arsenio, moved to Patras, Greece to study. Eventually Elijah returned to Italy where he lived in a cave near Melicuccà with the Monks Cosma and Vitale. Elijah became widely known for his wisdom and holiness, which is why pilgrims regularly visited his cave for spiritual direction. The feast day of St. Elijah Speleota is September 11.

My dearest Mary, Theotokos, I bow before your splendor and glory. As a sign of your bodily assumption into Heaven and your love for my beloved St. Thomas, the twice-late Apostle, you gifted him your cincture and later healed Zoe. In all humility, I ask you now to intercede before our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ, for a sisterhood of women committed to catechizing God's people, assisting in the care of those with unclean spirits, and contemplating our Lord all the days of their lives. An icon of the Theotokos giving her cincture to Thomas the Apostle.

St. Elias the Younger, also known as Elias of Enna, Elias of Salinas, and Giovanni Rachites, was a contemplative and spiritual guide in Southern Italy during the 9th century. He was born in 823 in Sicily and grew up during a time of turmoil when Muslim Saracens invaded his homeland. To escape widespread persecution, Elias fled to Jerusalem where he received the monastic habit from the Patriarch of Jerusalem and took the name Elias. He embarked on a spiritual journey, first spending three years in a monastery at Sinai, immersing himself in prayer and contemplation. Seeking further spiritual growth, he embarked on an extensive pilgrimage to Alexandria, Persia, Antioch, and later, to both Rome and Constantinople where he deepened his connections to both the Roman and Byzantine Churches. In 878, Elias decided to settle in Calabria where he embraced a life of simplicity and prayer, which became an inspiration to others. Recognized for his deep spirituality and wisdom, Elias founded a monastery near Salinas in 884, which became a center of spiritual guidance and teaching for others who sought counsel about their own spiritual journeys. Elias died in 903 in Thessalonica and was laid to rest in the Salinas monastery, which was destroyed by an earthquake in the 18th century. The life of Saint Elias the Younger reflects his profound commitment to contemplation, spiritual guidance, teaching, and monasticism. His feast day is celebrated on August 17th. An icon of St. Elias the New.

Do you live with undeniable faith and hope? Do you speak with a divine tongue? Do you hear with ears of amazement? Do you see with eyes of astonishment? Do you give with hands of undeniable joy? Today is the day of Pentecost: the coming of the Holy Spirit! Today is the day of Pentecost: the completion of Jesus' promise! Today is the day of Pentecost: the fulfillment of the hope of the disciples! Today is the final feast of the mystery of God's incarnation! The day heavenly doctrines were written! The day the unlearned became wise! The day the Apostles were ordained! The day apostolic preaching began! The day 3,000 souls were converted! Today is the baptism of the Holy Spirit! Today marks the creation of the stewards of divine mystery! Today begins the celebration of the Eucharist! Today is the proclamation of good tidings. Today is the day of the unquenchable fire of faith, hope, and love! Today is the day your life begins anew! Rejoice and be glad! An icon of Pentecost

Do you blaspheme the Holy Spirit? You better know the answer to that question because Christ made clear that it is the unforgiveable sin. "Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation (Mark 3:28-30)." As we approach the Feast of Pentecost, we have to admit we do not entirely grasp what it means to 'blaspheme' the Holy Spirit. What's more, it is often hard to detect it in ourselves and others. To help you better understand, below are six signs you are showing contempt for the Holy Spirit. Letting go of the hope of eternal life with God Assuming that salvation is a given Lacking contrition for sins, especially when it comes to rejecting God Denying a Dogma of the Church (e.g., God exists, God is a Trinity, the Incarnation, Resurrection, Ascension, Descent of the Holy Spirit, etc.) Resenting the divine gift of sanctification in others (essentially, this is the gift of holiness; the grace that gives people spiritual courage to seek the divine will, follow it, endure great trials, and be more virtuous, etc.) Obstinately continuing to sin even after receiving the light, help, and sanctification of the Holy Spirit. This last one is truly unnerving because we know deep down inside that we have received help from the Holy Spirit and yet, refused to be transfigured by the experience. That is why we must regularly participate in the sacramental life of the Church. Going to confession and partaking of the Holy Eucharist are divine gifts given to us to help keep us on the path of listening to the Holy Spirit and following His will. However, if we choose not to humbly partake of these Holy Things, then we are in grave danger of falling deeper into the clutches of evil and forever offending the Holy Spirit. So, pray. Pray silently. Hear the will of God in the uncreated silence of the Holy Spirit. Live it without limits. Icon of the Ladder of Divine Ascent

My Lord and my God I wake up each day Praising You Loving You Asking forgiveness from You. Today, as every other day before and after, I ask what I can do to know Your will and To live Your will as fully and completely as I am capable. I also ask what I can do to Assist others in living Your will fully too. For this I have to come to know is the Greatest act of love toward You and them. To strive to know, to live, to act according to Your desire, not my own - and to Offer up my prayers, my actions, my desires In loving service to You who loves us all More than we can ever imagine More than we can ever fully replicate On this earth, in this time, in a manner Befitting Your Holiness, Your Truth, Your Beauty. I am in awe of You. I am in love with You. Knowing full well the weight of my sins I truly, deeply desire to be closer to you Every day, all day, and into eternity. Give me the strength to carry such Love to others. For it is not mine to keep but to cherish. It is not mine to hold, but to share. It is not mine, and yet it is in me, around me On top of me and below me. For You, O God, are One. You are a Triunity of love Outpouring and Overflowing This day and every day From the beginning of time to its end. Amen. The icon of the Holy Trinity by Rublev.

Oh Thomas, my Thomas! We've accused you almost 2,000 times (Each year since our Lord Ascended) Of having no faith Of having no courage. In your despair over the death of our Lord You doubted your brothers Who told you the good news of the Resurrection (John 20:25). When you declared your need for proof, Our Lord chastened you (John 20:27). And yet, without hesitation, you recognized the risen Jesus and Immediately exclaimed: "My Lord and my God!’ (John 20:28). For He was the one to whom you pledged your own death And roused your brothers to follow suit: "Let us also go, that we may die with Him" (John 11:16). You were courageous because Christ had already shown you the path. "I am the way, the truth, and the life... No one comes to the Father except through Me' (John 14:5-6)." That is why He entrusted you to gather the lost sheep and Proclaim the good news (Mt 10:6-7). You lacked no faith in Christ as you were given authority Over unclean spirits and you cast them out... You were blessed to cure every disease and every sickness (Mt. 10:1). This was so important that Matthew repeated it. Cure the sick, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons, and raise the dead (Mt. 10:8). On this Sunday of Thomas, we beg you to Teach us how to be 'constantly devoting ourselves to prayer' (Acts 1:14). An icon of St. Thomas the Apostle.

"The One, Who at all times, and at every hour, both in Heaven and earth, is worshipped, and glorified, O Christ, our God, long-suffering, plenteous in mercy and full of compassion, Who loves the righteous and is merciful to sinners, calling all to salvation, through the promise of blessings to come, accept our supplications in this present hour, and direct our lives according to Your commandments. Sanctify our souls; purify our bodies; set aright our minds; cleanse our thoughts; and deliver us from all affliction, evil and distress. "Surround us with Your Holy Angels, that guided and guarded by their interposition, we may attain the unity of faith, and the knowledge of Your ineffable glory. For You are blessed unto the Ages of Ages. Amen." - A prayer from the Imperial Hours on Great Friday Morning. The icon depicted is known as “Η Συναξις Των Αγγελων” (The Assembly of the Angels). It is an oil painting by the Greek artist Doménikos Theotokópoulos, commonly known as El Greco.

Just in case you haven't heard the news, The world is dying and There's nothing we can do to stop it. But not in the ways you think. Christ was quite clear the World would pass away. And that Only His Word would last forever (Mark 13:31). This is why we work every day to live in, through, and for God. The beloved disciple himself also explained: Those believers that hate other believers Live in darkness (1 John 2:11). This is what it means to truly live, even as the world dies. Loving God more than anything. Loving others. Rejecting the promises of the world (1 John 2:15-17). This is what it means to live peacefully. Seeking holiness Living godliness Waiting "for new heavens and a new earth..." (2 Peter 3:11-15). An icon of the Good Shepherd.

Beginning a new phase of life, Especially if the old one was filled with strife, Takes a new approach. We just can't keep doing the same things, Over and over, and simply Hoping for a new result. Or worse, begging God for help, and Asking Him to ignore it when the Unwilling parts of the self won't cooperate with the nous. That is why personal change happens at the speed of Cliffs worn down by the tumultuous sea. One wave at a time, one day at a time. This is what I have discerned. When I go to sleep, I thank God for all I have and All I have not. When I wake up, I ask forgiveness from God for all I have done and All I have not. In between, I meditate upon the Trinity with Every breath. To the Father, I pray the Lord's Prayer (Mt 6:9-14) To the Son, I pray the Jesus Prayer (Lk 18:13) To the Holy Spirit, I pray "save me from myself and sanctify me" (John 14:16-17). The rest of the time, I remain silently in God's presence (Exodus 24:18). One wave at a time, one day at a time. View of Stone Mountain downloaded from Pexels on 22 April 2024.