Hear many examples of how St. Paisios expressed his God-loving heart in daily life. These are expressions of true piety from a great saint of our times. A reading of pp. 414-421 from "Saint Paisios of Mount Athos" by Hieromonk Isaac -BUY "Saint Paisios of Mount Athos" by Hieromonk Isaac here: https://saintnektariosmonastery.com/Elder-Paisios-of-Mount-Athos -FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you: https://orthodoxyinamerica.org/ _______ From "Saint Paisios of Mount Athos": The Elder had an innate reverence, but he also cultivated it a great deal. He placed such emphasis on it that he once said that "reverence is the greatest virtue, because it attracts the Grace of God." To the Elder, reverence was the fear of God and spiritual sensitivity. Reverent people behave carefully and modestly, because they intensely feel the presence of God. "If someone neglects the little things," he taught, "the danger is that he will start neglecting greater, holier things. And then, without realizing it, rationalizing it all to himself—'This is nothing, that does not matter’—he can end up, God forbid, totally neglecting the things of God and becoming irreverent, arrogant, and atheistic." He paid attention to details, but in a way that was not it-Malistic or fastidiously formal. This was his own attitude toward God, which was not laid out in advance by any typicon of the Church: it was his personal disposition. He felt that his whole hermitage, not just his chapel, was sacred space. He arranged his cell, where he prayed, just like a little church. There was an iconostasis with many icons and a lamp that burned continuously, and he would cense and light many candles there. He had constructed his bed so that it was like a coffin, and he would say, "This is the altar of my cell." Icons and holy books never touched his bed, with the exception of an icon at its head. He did not think it was right to refer to the Holy Fathers of the Church simply by their first names; for example, as "Vasileios" or "Gregorios." "We talk about Father So-and-so' and say Father' to monks and clergy," he commented, "and is this how we are going to talk about the Holy Fathers?" _______ Orthodox Wisdom is dedicated to sharing the writings and lives of the Saints of the Orthodox Church. Glory to Jesus Christ! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/orthodox-wisdom/message

St. Daniel of Katounakia (+1929) cuts to the heart of who is a true theologian, and how one might walk the path towards that experience. His letter to a student of theology is especially applicable today when many are more drawn to follow academic theologians, Latin scholasticism and rationalism, and a devotion to an abstract reading of saints centuries ago without living connection to the saints of our day. Text of the letter: https://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2022/09/a-letter-of-saint-daniel-of-katounakia.html St. Daniel was born in 1846, lived in Smyrna and became interested in the life of Christ from a young age. He visited Saint Arsenios of Paros, as he wanted to receive his blessing in order to go to Mount Athos. There he became a monk, living in the monasteries of Saint Panteleimon and Vatopaidi. He was also friends with St. Nektarios of Aegina and had influence on a young St. Joseph the Hesychast. He lived with nephritis (a kidney disease) for almost ten years, before being healed by the Holy Belt of the Theotokos at Vatopaidi on the Belt’s feast day. A few years later he moved to Katounakia and lived alone for three years. More monks came to live there and that is how the Danielaioi brotherhood was founded. Saint Daniel had many God given gifts and abilities, which led to his recognition around the world. He fell asleep in peace in 1929. Saint Daniel’s feast day is celebrated on September 7. _______ ST. DANIEL'S SUMMARY: "To put it simply, he who has preferred the study of Theology, is bound by duty to practice the path of virtue, which in the future he will teach, and to practice without deviation his high profession, without aiming either for the attainment of hollow insignificant glory, or some speculative means, nor in the satiety and gratification of the passions; and then he will see the ageless fruits of his preaching abound." _______ Orthodox Wisdom is dedicated to sharing the writings and lives of the Saints of the Orthodox Church. Glory to Jesus Christ! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/orthodox-wisdom/message

A reading of St. Theophan the Recluse's (+1894) homily examining the teachings of St. John the Theologian 0:21 St. John is above all an example and teacher of love 1:03 How contemporary "wise men" abuse St. John's teaching 2:01 The true teaching of St. John and the false teaching of “Indifferentism” 2:50 St. John binds together his teaching on love with God 5:03 On love and faith, and how St. John “categorically rejects those who say, ‘Believe as you want.’” 6:43 Test the spirits…is that compatible with “Believe as you want”? 7:28 The whole essence of Christianity 8:28 These excerpts should be enough, but the “Indifferentists” speak as though they have never read St. John the Theologian 9:14 We must enter into the right state to act properly 10:20 We enter into this state through baptism which gives us power to live a holy life 11:29 Make your life depend on Christ like you do an injection for your health 12:24 St. Theophan’s summary of St. John’s message 12:43 Some may not object to Christian teaching, but are repulsed by Christian institutions, which are “faith in reality and in action.” 13:54 “Only those who have never tasted the Truth can waver in it.” Read the text here in "Orthodox Life", 1996, # 6: https://orthodoxlifemagazines.blogspot.com/ Learn more about St. Theophan here: https://orthochristian.com/113979.html _______ In the subject of love St. John is especially well known, and no matter who would begin to muse, about love he would immediately bring to mind St. John as the model of love and turn to him as to a teacher of love. Now let us examine how contemporary wise men have made use of this teaching. They possess a special kind of vain wisdom called "Indifferentism" by which they reason say: "believe as you like, it makes no difference—just love everyone like brothers, be charitable to them, and have a good influence on them." What does the will of God consist of? In faith and love: thus the commandment says: "That we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another" (1 John 3:23). It does not only command us to love but to believe in the Lord, and in such a way that faith is the source of love. If one were to gather into one all the places where St. John the Evangelist speaks only of love, one could still not confirm his teaching by the false reasoning: only love and believe as you want. Then there follows the warning: "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Herein know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist" (1 John 4:1-3). He who says, "Believe as you want" does not confess Jesus Christ, for if he did confess Christ he would not speak thus. Therefore he cannot be from God. Where then is he from?—truly from the antichrist. If only they had a clear understanding of how it is indeed possible for man to act in a fruitful way, they would never remain fixed on their teaching. The essence of the matter is—that we are not in the proper state. Therefore we cannot act in the right way. In order for us to act in the correct way we must enter into the right state. By our own powers we are not capable of doing this.... We obtain this state through Holy Baptism, for those who are baptized into Christ have put on Christ. From the time of Baptism we become one with the Lord and begin to live His life and act by His power. Only those who have never tasted the Truth can waver in it. Let us fulfill with humility and in the spirit of truth all that our holy Faith demands. Then we will have, and carry within, a witness which will bring to naught all false arguments from without. May the Lord illumine us by His Truth. Amen. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/orthodox-wisdom/message

Excerpts from Vol. 1 & 2 from the 12 Volume Booklet Series by Fr. Daniel Sysoev titled "How to Inherit Eternal Life". These booklets are great to give out to inquirers and catechumens, to sell at parish bookstores, and more. This recording covers two excerpts from each of the first two booklets. BUY the entire 12 volume, 560 total page booklet set here ($45): https://mission-shop.com/product/how-to-inherit-eternal-life-whole-series-of-12-books/ 0:00 Intro Booklet 1: God's Love and God's Will 0:20 The Path to Divine Love 4:27 How Are We to Will Where Holy Scripture is Silent? Booklet 2: The Divine Names 8:10 The Meaning and Significance of Names 10:08 The Names of God Who Gives Life TITLES of the 12 booklets: --God’s Love and God’s Will --The Divine Names --How Does God Rule the World? --On Fear of God and Good Works --On Meekness and Freedom from Anger --On Internal and External Prayer --Spirit, Soul, and Body --On Gluttony and Avarice --On Envy and Despondency --How We Should View the Government --Orthodox Upbringing of Children --The Resurrection of the Dead LEARN more about Fr. Daniel: https://mission-shop.com/daniel/ DONATE to the Benevolent Fund to support Matushkas (priest wives) who have lost their husbands and need support for themselves and their children: https://mission-shop.com/pozhertvovanie-na-fond/ WATCH an interview with the wife, daughter, and spiritual son of Fr. Daniel Sysoev: --Who Was New-Martyr Daniel Sysoev? with Yulia Sysoeva: https://www.youtube.com/live/cXFNiKcoi9I?feature=share _______ Fr. Daniel teaches: "The apostle Peter says that we have already been given all the gifts that are necessary for salvation. They are given at the time of the sacraments of baptism and chrismation. These gifts are achievable through knowledge of God. The Lord, however, bestows not only gifts, but also the promise that we will be participants in the Divine nature, that through divine grace we will become participants in the nature of the Creator Himself." -from "God’s Love and God’s Will" "If there is no obvious answer to our question in Holy Scripture, how are we then to learn God’s will? For this we have the holy Church of God. We must go to the Church and ask the advice of the priest. This advice must be given grounded in Holy Scripture and the holy fathers. This is necessary not because we do not trust the priest, but so that we might learn, and the next time the choice will be simpler for us.... There are cases, however, where it is not possible to go to a priest or an elder for advice, and the situation must be resolved without delay. In this case there are several means of learning God’s will..." -from "God’s Love and God’s Will" "Ordinarily names are given by those in authority. For example, parents give their children names, exercising their authority over them.... Thus, on the one hand the name signifies personal contact, and on the other—a subordinate status. Hence, strictly speaking, our God is a nameless God. If we ask what God’s sole, absolute name is, the answer is that there is none! For there is no one greater than He." -from "The Divine Names" _______ Orthodox Wisdom is dedicated to sharing the writings and lives of the Saints of the Orthodox Church. Glory to Jesus Christ! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/orthodox-wisdom/message

The story of St. Isaac, a great ascetic who was tricked by the devil who appeared to him in bright light, saying he was Christ. St. Isaac, after prostrating before him, was overcome by demonic power. They made him dance all night, leaving him near dead by the morning. After an arduous struggle, and with immense help from St. Anthony and St. Theodosius, St. Isaac regained his strength and abilities to take care of himself. He no longer lived as a hermit, but stayed with the brethren where he redoubled his ascetic efforts. By the grace of God, he conquered the demons and received a eternal crown from Christ. You can read the Life of St. Isaac (pp. 205-210) and the entire Kiev Caves Paterik (Patericon) here: https://diasporiana.org.ua/wp-content/uploads/books/11678/file.pdf _______ Orthodox Wisdom is dedicated to sharing the writings and lives of the Saints of the Orthodox Church. Glory to Jesus Christ! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/orthodox-wisdom/message