Living the evangelical life of Orthodox monasticism in witness to the salvific truth of the Gospels of Our Lord, God, and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory to Him forever!

The Morning Offering
Sunday, November 8 / October 26 (Church Calendar)

Saints of the Day:

October26 / November 8. Holy and Glorious Great-martyr Demetrius the myrrh-gusher of Thessalonica. Commemoration of theGreat Earthquake at Constantinople in 740 A.D. St. Athanasius of Medikion Monastery. Martyr Ioasaph, monk of Mt. Athos,disciple of St. Niphon of Constantinople. St. Demetrius of Barsabov in Bulgaria. St. Theophilus of the Kiev Caves, Bishop ofNovgorod. St. Anthony, Bishop of Vologda. (Greek Calendar Martyrs Artemidorus and Basil. Martyr Leptina. Martyr Glycon.)Repose of Ignatius the Bulgarian of Mt. Athos (1927)

Photo of the Day:

Vashon Island is seen in the distance, from the ferry line in Tacoma, Washington. It is good to be back in the monastery, after my long trip from the Pastoral Conference in San Francisco, California. (Click to enlarge.)

Quote of the Day:

"...There is nothing more dangerous than self-indulgence. It prepares the ground for all the vices because it chases out from the soul the fear of God."

Abba Agathon

"Abba Dorotheos of Gaza; Discourses and Sayings"

Scripture Readings for the Day:

Galatians 6:11-18

Glory Only in the Cross

¹¹ See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand! ¹² As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. ¹³ For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. ¹⁴ But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. ¹⁵ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.

Blessing and a Plea

¹⁶ And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
¹⁷ From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
¹⁸ Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Luke 16:19-31

The Rich Man and Lazarus

¹⁹ "There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. ²⁰ But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, ²¹ desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. ²² So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. ²³ And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
²⁴ "Then he cried and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.' ²⁵ But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. ²⁶ And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.'
²⁷ "Then he said, 'I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father's house, ²⁸ for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.' ²⁹ Abraham said to him, 'They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.' ³⁰ And he said, 'No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' ³¹ But he said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.'"

Living the evangelical life of Orthodox monasticism in witness to the salvific truth of the Gospels of Our Lord, God, and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory to Him forever!

The Morning Offering
Saturday, November 7 / October 25 (Church Calendar)

Saints of the Day:

October 25 / November 7. Martyrs Marcian and Martyrius the notaries of Constantinople. . MartyrAnastasius the Fuller at Salona in Dalmatia. St. Tabitha, the widow raised from the dead by the Apostle Peter. St. Martyrius thedeacon and St. Martyrius the recluse of the Kiev Caves. (Greek Calendar: St. George of Amastrida, Bishop of and writer of canons Saints Philadephus and Polycarp. St. Macarius, Bishop of Cyprus. Two Martyrs of Thrace.)

Photo of the Day:

His Eminence KYRILL,
Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America. Photo by Priest Sergei. (Click to enlarge.)

Quote of the Day:

"Do not be surprised that you fall every day; do not give up, but stand your ground courageously. And assuredly, the angel who guards you will honour your patience."

St. John Climacus

Scripture Readings for the Day:

2 Corinthians 5:1-10

Assurance of the Resurrection

 ¹ For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. ² For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, ³ if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. ⁴ For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. ⁵ Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
⁶ So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. ⁷ For we walk by faith, not by sight. ⁸ We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

The Judgment Seat of Christ

⁹ Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. ¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

Luke 7:1-10

Jesus Heals a Centurion's Servant

 ¹ Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum. ² And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die. ³ So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant. ⁴ And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, ⁵ "for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue."
⁶ Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. ⁷ Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. ⁸ For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."
⁹ When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, "I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!" ¹⁰ And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.

Living the evangelical life of Orthodox monasticism in witness to the salvific truth of the Gospels of Our Lord, God, and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory to Him forever!

The Morning Offering
Friday, November 6 / October 24 (Church Calendar)

Saints of the Day:

October24 / November 6. Martyr Arethas and those with him, including Martyr Syncletica and her two daughters. BlessedElesbaan, king of Ethiopia. St. Athanasius, Patriarch of Constantinople. St. Arethas, recluse of the Pskov Caves. St. Sisoes, Schemamonk of the Kiev Caves. St. Theophilus the Silent of the Kiev Caves. St. Senoch, abbot of Tours (Gaul). New-Martyr BishopLawrence of Balakin (1918). Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos The Joy of All Who Sorrow. ) Repose of Blessed Elder Zosimas (Verkhovsky) (1833)

Photo of the Day:

Pastoral Conference participants.  (Click to enlarge.)

Quote of the Day:

"- I think about...that older generation that is now almost gone, and I want to weep for the young know-it-alls who have missed the point. But the understanding comes only through real suffering, and how many can do that?"

Fr. Seraphim Rose

Scripture Readings for the Day:

Colossians 4:10-18

¹⁰ Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), ¹¹ and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.
¹² Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. ¹³ For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis. ¹⁴ Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you. ¹⁵ Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is in his house.

Closing Exhortations and Blessing

 ¹⁶ Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. ¹⁷ And say to Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it."
¹⁸ This salutation by my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.

Luke 10:1-15

The Seventy Sent Out

 ¹ After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. ² Then He said to them, "The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. ³ Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. ⁴ Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road. ⁵ But whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this house.' ⁶ And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you. ⁷ And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house. ⁸ Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. ⁹ And heal the sick there, and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.' ¹⁰ But whatever city you enter, and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say, ¹¹ 'The very dust of your city which clings to us we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near you.' ¹² But I say to you that it will be more tolerable in that Day for Sodom than for that city.

Woe to the Impenitent Cities

¹³ "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. ¹⁴ But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. ¹⁵ And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades.

Living the evangelical life of Orthodox monasticism in witness to the salvific truth of the Gospels of Our Lord, God, and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory to Him forever!

The Morning Offering
Thursday, November 5 / October 23 (Church Calendar)

Saints of the Day:

October23 / November 5. Holy Apostle James the Brother of the Lord. Translation of the Relics of Blessed James of Borovichi, Wonderworker of Novgorod. St. Ignatius, Patriarch of Constantinople. St. Nicephorus of Constantinople. St. Petronius, disciple of St. Pachomius the Great.

Photo of the Day:

The Kazan Church of the Mother of God, San Francisco, California, taken on the occasion of the parish Patronal Feast.  (Click to enlarge.)

Quote of the Day:

"The Holy Spirit often visits us; but if He does not find rest how can He remain? He departs. Joy is in the hearts of those who are cleansed and who are able to maintain within themselves the grace of the Holy Spirit of the All-holy Trinity."

Elder Ieronymos of Aegina

Scripture Readings for the Day:

Colossians 4:2-9

Christian Graces

² Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; ³ meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, ⁴ that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
⁵ Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. ⁶ Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

Final Greetings

⁷ Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. ⁸ I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, ⁹ with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here.

Luke 9:49-56

Jesus Forbids Sectarianism

⁴⁹ Now John answered and said, "Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow with us."
⁵⁰ But Jesus said to him, "Do not forbid him, for he who is not against us is on our side."

A Samaritan Village Rejects the Savior

 ⁵¹ Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem, ⁵² and sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him. ⁵³ But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem. ⁵⁴ And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, "Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?"
⁵⁵ But He turned and rebuked them, and said, "You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. ⁵⁶ For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them." And they went to another village.

Living the evangelical life of Orthodox monasticism in witness to the salvific truth of the Gospels of Our Lord, God, and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory to Him forever!

The Morning Offering
Wednesday, November 4 / October 22 (Church Calendar)

Saints of the Day:

October22 / November 4. The Kazan Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, commemorating the deliverance from the Poles in 1612 Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Abercius, Bishop of and Wonderworker of Hierapolis . The Holy Seven Youths(Seven Sleepers) of Ephesus (see August 4). Martyrs Alexander the bishop, Heraclius, Anna, Elizabeth, Theodota and Glyceria,at Adrianopolis. St. Lot of Egypt. Saints Theodore and Paul, abbots of Rostov. St. James of Luga and Omutch, disciple of St Theophilus of Omutch. (Greek Calendar Martyr Zachariah. St. Rufus of the Paradise.) Repose of Righteous Monk Joseph the Silent of Kuban (1925)

Photo of the Day:

Saint Seraphim of Sarov Church, Santa Rosa, California. (Click to enlarge.)

Quote of the Day:

"The Holy Spirit often visits us; but if He does not find rest how can He remain? He departs. Joy is in the hearts of those who are cleansed and who are able to maintain within themselves the grace of the Holy Spirit of the All-holy Trinity."

Elder Ieronymos of Aegina

Scripture Readings for the Day:

Colossians 3:17-4:1

¹⁷ And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

The Christian Home

¹⁸ Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.
²⁰ Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.
²¹ Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.
²² Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. ²³ And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, ²⁴ knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for^[a] you serve the Lord Christ. ²⁵ But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.

Colossians 4

 ¹ Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

Luke 9:44-50

⁴⁴ "Let these words sink down into your ears, for the Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men." ⁴⁵ But they did not understand this saying, and it was hidden from them so that they did not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask Him about this saying.

Who Is the Greatest?

⁴⁶ Then a dispute arose among them as to which of them would be greatest. ⁴⁷ And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a little child and set him by Him, ⁴⁸ and said to them, "Whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me. For he who is least among you all will be great."

Jesus Forbids Sectarianism

⁴⁹ Now John answered and said, "Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow with us."
⁵⁰ But Jesus said to him, "Do not forbid him, for he who is not against us is on our side."

Living the evangelical life of Orthodox monasticism in witness to the salvific truth of the Gospels of Our Lord, God, and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory to Him forever!

The Morning Offering
Tuesday, November 3 / October 21 (Church Calendar)

Saints of the Day:

October 21 / November 3. St. Hilarion the Great. Repose of St. Hilarion, Bishop of Meglin in Bulgaria. Martyrs Dasius, Gaius, andZoticus at Nicomedia. Saints Theophilus and James, abbots of Omutch (Pskov). St. Hilarion, abbot of Pskov. St. Hilarion,Schemamonk of the Kiev Caves. St. Philotheus of Mt. Athos. New-Martyr John of the Peloponnesus. Saints Vissarion (Bessarion)Sarai, hieromonk, and Sophronie of Ciorara, monk, confessors, and St. Oprea of Salistie, martyred by the Latins in Rumania (Greek Calendar: Newly-revealed Martyrs Andrew, Stephen, Paul and Peter. Martyrs Theodota and Socrates the priest in Ancyra Monk-martyr Eucratus. St. Baruch, monk. Monk-martyr Zachariah. Martyr Azes. Translation of the Relics of St. Christodulus theWonderworker of Patmos.) Namesday of Elder Hilarion of Optina.

Photo of the Day:

Concelebrating with my long time friend, Archpriest Lawrence, rector of Saint Seraphim of Sarov Church, Santa Rosa, California. (Click to enlarge.)

Quote of the Day:

"...humility alone is opposite to vainglory, and it is from this, I suppose, that it guards a man."

Dorotheos of Gaza

Scripture Readings for the Day:

Colossians 2:20-3:3

²⁰ Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations— ²¹ "Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle," ²² which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men? ²³ These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.

Colossians 3

Not Carnality but Christ

 ¹ If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. ² Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. ³ For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Luke 9:23-27

Take Up the Cross and Follow Him

²³ Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. ²⁴ For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. ²⁵ For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? ²⁶ For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father's, and of the holy angels.

Jesus Transfigured on the Mount

 ²⁷ But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God."

Living the evangelical life of Orthodox monasticism in witness to the salvific truth of the Gospels of Our Lord, God, and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory to Him forever!

The Morning Offering
Monday, November 2 / October 20 (Church Calendar)

Saints of the Day:

October20 / November 2. Great-Martyr Artemis at Antioch . Martyrs Eboras and Eunous of Persia. St. Matrona of Chios. Martyr Zebinas of Caesaria in Palestine. Righteous Artemius of Verkolsk. St. Gerasimus the New, ascetic of Cephalonia. New-Martyr Ignatius of Mt. Athos. Repose of Abbot Theodosius (Popov) of Optina (1903)

Photo of the Day:

This Redwood tree is wider than my van is long! (Click to enlarge.)

Quote of the Day:

"The path of virtue is a path of effort and toil: "Straight is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it;" whereas the gate of vice is wide and the way spacious, but leading to perdition."

St. Nectarios of Aegina

Scripture Readings for the Day:

Colossians 2:13-20

¹³ And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, ¹⁴ having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. ¹⁵ Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.
¹⁶ So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, ¹⁷ which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. ¹⁸ Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, ¹⁹ and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God.
²⁰ Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations—

Luke 9:18-22

Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ

¹⁸ And it happened, as He was alone praying, that His disciples joined Him, and He asked them, saying, "Who do the crowds say that I am?"
¹⁹ So they answered and said, "John the Baptist, but some say Elijah; and others say that one of the old prophets has risen again."
²⁰ He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
Peter answered and said, "The Christ of God."

Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection

²¹ And He strictly warned and commanded them to tell this to no one, ²² saying, "The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day."