The Ladder of Divine Ascent is a foundational work of Orthodox asceticism and it is one of the few universal classics of world spirituality. It is the inspiration from a renowned icon, pictured along with this article, and it lent its name to its author, St John of Sinai, more commonly known as St John Climacus or St John of the Ladder. Although it was written originally for … [Read more...] about Selections from The Ladder of Divine Ascent
Spirituality
Tending Time in Lent
By Nicole Roccas As I prepared for my first confession some years ago, I was given a rubric that I still follow. It asks me to reflect on how I've sinned against myself, others, and God. If nothing comes to mind, I'm directed to consider the ways I’ve fallen short of the ten commandments, the beatitudes, the virtues enumerated in the Prayer of St. Ephrem, etc. As … [Read more...] about Tending Time in Lent
The Cross as a Means of Sanctification and Transformation of the World
Fr. Dumitru Staniloae's many works include commentaries on the Church Father, a Romanian translation of the Philokalia, and his 1978 masterpiece The Orthodox Dogmatic Theology. Fr. Dumitru endured several years of imprisonment for his faith at the hands of Communists, after which he began to work for the Romanian Holy Synod and often traveled to international conferences to … [Read more...] about The Cross as a Means of Sanctification and Transformation of the World
Orthodox Spirituality 101: A Primer with Benchmarks
Lent is that time during the Christian Year when we can all, to some humble degree, emulate the life of monastics — attending numerous services during the week along with the usual Saturday Vespers and the Divine Liturgy on Sunday.not to mention keeping the Great Lenten Fast, all of this together with our Orthodox brothers and sisters. But it is also a time to get … [Read more...] about Orthodox Spirituality 101: A Primer with Benchmarks
The Message of the Teachings of Saint Gregory Palamas for our Time
Source: Mystagogy Resource Center By Protopresbyter George Metallinos Hesychasm1 is the quintessence of the Orthodox tradition, identified with what it encompasses and expresses, the term ORTHODOXY. Outside of the hesychast tradition Orthodoxy is non-existent and inconceivable. The practice of hesychasm, moreover, is the "touchstone" for the recognition of authentic … [Read more...] about The Message of the Teachings of Saint Gregory Palamas for our Time