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Dear Parish Faithful & Friends in Christ,
I thought I would share this book promotion that I just received. This is Volume Two of a series that I have turned to before for some great insights into the "spiritual life" that we find among the great saints of the Church. That is their specialty!
I like to occasionally send these out to everyone so that we can collectively listen carefully to this "wisdom of the divine philosophers." Perhaps you remember or saved some of the gems from Volume One.
And again, these "philosophers" are not Heraclitus, Pythagaros, Socrates or Plato. They are the great teachers of the Church - the ones we call the Holy Fathers & Mothers - from ancient times or of more recent times.
The promotion below offers an excellent sampling of what may be found in this Volume Two. Please read them carefully. These are the types of sayings that invite meditation and reflection. Even that deep "pondering" that allows us to unpack what on the surface seems like a short and pithy insight.
I am particularly drawn to the practical wisdom conveyed below by the Elder Joseph the Hesychast ( a 20th c. saint, by the way) on the issue of "anger management." Just think how much grief we could save ourselves and those around us by "attending" to his advice!
The saying of St. John Climacus is deeply profound. He understands the cause of our fear of death; yet takes us beyond that into the realm of judgment, making a real distinction between a natural fear of death" and the "terror of death." The other sayings below may have other forms of appeal.
You may even desire to purchase the book!
That is St. Seraphim of Sarov (+1833) on the cover. He once said, somewhat enigmatically:
"Save yourself and thousands around you will be saved."
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Volume Two of Wisdom of the Divine Philosophers features spiritual counsels from our Orthodox saints and elders that are categorized under 67 topics. They will provide you with a wealth of wisdom to help guide you on the path to salvation.
BOOK DETAILS:
STURDY SOFT-COVER, 166 PAGES
$13.95 plus $2.00 shipping
Order online at www.DivinePhilosophers.com
Or Call: 412-736-7840
SPIRITUAL COUNSELS
On Humility:
In the mercy of God, the little thing done with humility will enable us to be found in the same place as the saints who have labored much and been true servants of God.
~ St. Dorotheus of Gaza
We should try to have good thoughts which will radiate from us. A meek and humble person is always very pleasant to be with, for he emanates peace and warmth. That person may not say a single word, yet we rejoice to be in his presence.
~ Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica †
On Worry:
If the head of a family is burdened with cares and worries about the future of his family, he will have no peace. All the members of the family will feel his unrest. They will know that something is wrong, but they will not know exactly what. We can see how much our thoughts influence others. Misunderstandings in the family also happen because of our thoughts.
~ Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica †
On Anger:
Never correct someone with anger, but only with humility and sincere love. When you see anger ahead, forget about correcting for a moment. When peace has returned, then your powers of discernment are functioning properly and then you can speak beneficially. Since man was created rational and gentle, his is corrected far better with love and gentleness. An angry and irritable man is not accepted into the Kingdom of God even if he raises the dead. Therefore, suppress anger with all of your might, and you will find it weaker the next time.
~ Elder Joseph the Hesychast †
On Repentance:
This life has been given to you for repentance; do not waste it in vain pursuits.
~ St. Isaac the Syrian
Fear of death is a property of nature due to disobedience, but terror of death is a sign of unrepented sins.
~ St. John Climacus
On the Soul:
If human beings...could see their inner ugliness, they would not pursue external beauty. When our souls have so many stains—so many smudges—are we going to be concerned, for instance, about our clothes? We wash our clothes, we even iron them and we are clean outside; while inside—well, do not ask!
~ St. Paisios the Athonite
On Prayer:
Whatever we do without prayer and without hope in God turns out afterwards to be harmful and defective.
~ St. Mark the Ascetic
Always let the remembrance of death and the Prayer of Jesus, being of single phrase, go to sleep with you and get up with you; for you will find nothing to equal these aids during sleep.
~ St. John Climacus
On Evil:
Those who have realized how dangerous and evil is the life they lead, the devil succeeds in keeping in his power mainly by the following simple, but all powerful suggestion, “Later, later; tomorrow, tomorrow.”
~ St. Nicodemus the Hagiorite
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