What is Sin?

Reposted from Simply Orthodox

Sin is primarily a metaphysical phenomenon whose roots lie in the mystic depth of man’s spiritual nature. The essence of sin consists not in the infringement of ethical standards but in a falling away from the eternal Divine life for which man was created and to which, by his very nature, he is called. Sin is committed first of all in the secret depths of the human spirit but its consequences involve the individual as a whole. A sin will reflect on a man’s physcological and physical condition, on his outward appearance, on his personal destiny. Sin will, inevitably, pass beyond the boundaries of the sinner’s individual life, to burden all humanity and thus affect the fate of the world.

- Archimandrite Sophronius Sakharov

Reposted from Simply Orthodox

A Prayer Book - Archbishop Hilarion of Austin

So, I have someone staying with me and they have deposited their books.
I go for a rummage (naughty I know) and come across 'Orthodox Prayers of Old England', a Western Rite publication.

I am careful to form views regarding the Western Rite and am open to receiving the perspectives of all whom it concerns; nevertheless, the Preface to the book is brilliant in its concise summary of the purpose of a prayerbook.

A Prayer book for Christian people can have but one true purpose - the salvation of their souls. This intention is that ordained by Almighty God Himself through the grace of His Son our Lord Jesus Christ and sanctified and envivified by the Holy Spirit. The compositions contained in this book were written by men inspired by the Holy Spirit Himself (consider, for example, the Psalms of St. David, King of Israel); therefore, they assist our salvation by bringing us to petition for Grace. That they are historical means that they connect us with our spiritual forebears, Western and Eastern; and they are also instructive, thereby enlightening the intellect. The intellect, after all, is no enemy to faith, but was itself created by God to guide the heart, so that humankind might seek their Creator.

The book (I have yet to explore its contents) is available at St. John Cassian Press

Pray for the Terrorists

Pray for the Terrorists.

Pray that their hearts may be softened and they may come to repentance.

There are those among us who pray for demons; how much more so should we pray for our fellow humanity who, bearing the likeness of God in the Incarnation, have forgotten their divine calling and have become subject to passions.

"Forgive them, for they know not what they do."

As for those who have died in recent violence against their fellow man, let us pray for their souls. 

The burden they carry with them before the Throne of God Almighty is immense.

They were drunk on delusion but are now sober in despair.

Pray for the young men and women who are seduced into believing they must commit atrocities to gain favour with God. 

Wounds such as these are not healed by retribution but with forgiveness.

"For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions."

Pray for the Terrorists 

Fluctuat Nec Mergitur - Tossed [by the waves] but not sunk
Motto of City of Paris

Brace Yorselves - Advent is Coming