...The twelfth degree of humility is that a monk not only have humility in his heart but also by his very appearance make it always manifest to those who see him. That is to say that whether he is at the Work of God, in the oratory, in the monastery, in the garden, on the road, in the fields or anywhere else, and, whether sitting, walking or standing he should always have his head bowed and his eyes toward the ground. Feeling the guilt of his sins at every moment he should consider himself … [Read more...]

...grandmother and Russian orthodox novice. … [Read more...]

… [Read more...]

… [Read more...]

...The eleventh degree of humility is that when a monk speaks he do sogently and without laughter, humbly and seriously, in few and sensible words, and that he be not noisy in his speech. It is written, "A wise man is known by the fewness of his words"This gentleness and humility is not to say that we shouldn't be firm and truthful. Gentleness is often perceived with mildness of manner, or an attitude that avoids conflict. Gentleness is using discretion and acknowledging that if you can not … [Read more...]

"People are confused. They think that the aim of our existence is primarily to become good human beings, or to become moral, socially well-adjusted and well-balanced personalities. This pietistic notion is not the essential purpose of the Ecclesia. It is a gross misconception. What the Ecclesia primarily teaches is means through a human soul may attain Christoification, its saintliness, its union with God. The ultimate goal is to become perfect, to become one with God. Christ didn't come into … [Read more...]

Ss. Sergius and Bacchus c.5th centuryThe Martyrs Sergius and Bacchus in Syria were appointed to high positions in the army by the emperor Maximian (284-305), who did not know that they were Christians. Envious people informed Maximian that his two trusted counsellors did not honor the pagan gods. This was considered to be a crime against the state. The emperor, wanting to convince himself of the truth of the accusation, ordered Sergius and Bacchus to offer sacrifice to the idols, but they … [Read more...]

"It is as if every year Our Lady invited us to rediscover the beauty of this prayer, so simple and profound. The rosary is a contemplative and Christocentric prayer, inseparable from the meditation of Sacred Scripture; is the prayer of the Christian who advances in the pilgrimage of faith, in the following of Jesus and preceded by Mary." -Pope Benedict XVI … [Read more...]

Pope Benedict XVI says the global financial crisis show the futility of money and ambition, stating that "now with the collapse of big banks we see that money disappears, is nothing and all these things that appear real are in fact of secondary importance." … [Read more...]

"The original icthus was about this tall.""How do you know?""I drew it, sonny."A classic fish tale...caption winner: Peter Rival … [Read more...]

The Holy and Glorious Apostle Thomas was born in the Galileian city of Pansada and was a fisherman. Hearing the good tidings of Jesus Christ, he left all and followed after Him. The Apostle Thomas is included in the number of the holy Twelve Apostles of the Savior. According to Holy Scripture, the holy Apostle Thomas did not believe the reports of the other disciples about the Resurrection of Jesus Christ: "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the … [Read more...]

St. Bruno,Jean Bernard Restout The Order founded by Bruno is one of the strictest in the Church. Carthusians follow the Rule of St. Benedict, but accord it a most austere interpretation; there is perpetual silence and complete abstinence from flesh meat (only bread, legumes, and water are taken for nourishment). Bruno sought to revive the ancient eremitical way of life. His Order enjoys the distinction of never becoming unfaithful to the spirit of its founder, never needing a reform. Six years … [Read more...]

Collect: Father, your love for us surpasses all our hopes and desires. Forgive our failings, keep us in your peace and lead us in the way of salvation. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. … [Read more...]

"...if someone consumes more than they have earned, it means someone else is starving."Hristo Mishkov had a successful career as a broker on the Nasdaq stock exchange in New York until he decided to give it all up to return to his native Bulgaria. His radical change of circumstances may start to look appealing to the tens of thousands of finance sector employees who face the bleak prospect of losing their jobs.Exchanging tailored suits and expensive shoes for a cassock and sandals, Brother … [Read more...]

... a collection by photographer Toni Greaves. … [Read more...]

... just a reminder: that St. Basil the Great has begun having Divine Liturgy EVERY Saturday evening at 5pm. The Eucharistic Congress is this weekend. St. Ann's Parish is selling stained glass memorials. And I'm looking for ways to purchase purple vestements for our priest so he can have them in time for Lent. By "ways" I mean, I'm praying for a sack of money to fall out of the sky. … [Read more...]

... any movie that mocks Michael Moore is alright by me. Opening this weekend, An American Carol. … [Read more...]

The sixth degree of humility is that a monk be content with the poorest and worst of everything, and that in every occupation assigned him he consider himself a bad and worthless workman, saying with the Prophet, "I am brought to nothing and I am without understanding; I have become as a beast of burden before You, and I am always with You" (Ps:22-23).Vittore Carpaccio, Funeral of St. Jerome c.1502 … [Read more...]

... I'll take some good ole fashion verbal smack downs any day over that snooze fest last night. … [Read more...]

... I'll update you real soon, promise. … [Read more...]

... that saying "everything you ever needed to know you learned in kindergarten".The Boy has a girlfriend. Her name is Samantha. She doesn't speak English. Sometimes he asks me how to say something in Spanish so he can go back to school the next day and tell his girlfriend.I was teasing him about his girlfriend at dinner. He defended Samantha against my taunts by firmly declaring that she was the most perfect girl ever ... she can't talk to him.There it is. Relationships summed up by a five year … [Read more...]

... I am totally bat shit crazy! … [Read more...]

The life of St. Sergius. … [Read more...]

… [Read more...]

weyden … [Read more...]