Κατηγορία

In English

Give, Give to the Poor! (Saint John Chrysostom)

Κατηγορίες: In English

  I know that a lot of people here will blame us, again, for speaking about this. They’ll say: ‘Please, don’t be heavy and boring with the congregation. Just leave it to each person’s conscience; leave it to their judgment. You’re embarrassing us; you’re making us blush…’ Well, no! I won’t put up with that. Saint Paul wasn’t ashamed to bother people on these issues and to beg like a mendicant. If I were saying: ‘Give me, bring me things for my house’, that might be shameful. But not really. ‘Do not those who serve at the altar also have a share in the sacrifices?’ (1 Cor. 9, 13). Still, somebody would be bound to blame me for talking about myself. But ...

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Manipulative People (Protopresbyter Themistoklis Mourtzanos)

Κατηγορίες: In English

One of the many difficulties in human relationships, which begins with the way we were brought up, is manipulation. There are people who, consciously or unconsciously, exploit the feelings of others- their goodness, tolerance, desire for a quiet life, their love, in the end- in such a manner that they get their own way. Usually it’s a question of direct or indirect blackmail. The direct way is a clear declaration: ‘This is what I want and you’d better let me have it. Or else’. The indirect way is a conscious effort ‘to get you to agree by any means available until I get what I want’. Begging, whining, threats, long faces, ‘I don’t love you’, ‘You don’t love me’, various ...

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The passion of a sickly soul (Saint Nectarios of Pentapolis)

Κατηγορίες: In English

Cowardice is a passion of a sickly soul which is overwhelmed with fear. It’s pusillanimity, lack of boldness, the want of courage, the instability of a soul in dread of imminent disasters. It makes free people slaves and turns those whom it has fettered into traitors. It’s timidity in the face of possible danger, a lack of moral fiber, a feebleness of mind and a proclivity towards disgraceful works.

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