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