The Forgotten Way

Elder Arsenie Episode 51- Prayer and Remembrance of God part 51

You know that the Psalter is very profitable and so you start to read it cover to cover- lack of discernment!

Saturday Afternoon at St. John's Skete- Stability of Place

St. Isaac the Syrian teaches that the foundation of all good things is built on two practices; stability of place and continual fasting. Today we will focus on cultivating stability of place. 

The Forgotten Woman- Why We Veil: Trisha

Every woman's journey to veiling is different- sometimes you just need to find the right fit.

Friday Faith Formation 11 - Jesus Christ Son of Man part 3

Catechism pp. 30-32

The Baptism of Jesus and the Beginning of His Preaching

St. Anne Women's Group at St. Nicholas Parish- Mother's Day

Drawing inspiration from saintly mothers.

Elder Arsenie Episode 50- Prayer and Remembrance of God part 50

You are advanced in prayer when you feel the need to pray as you feel the need for feel the need for air and water. 

Elder Arsenie Episode 49- Prayer and Remembrance of God part 49

Others who pray with a humble heart, experience some sort of comfort, and thus they pray contentedly just to receive consolations. But this is a mere delusion in the form of bargaining. 

Elder Arsenie Episode 48- Prayer and Remembrance of God part 48

Take to heart what I am telling you- as soon as you wake up in the morning don't procrastinate for a second saying, "Let me warm up a little more." 

Elder Arsenie Episode 47- Prayer and Remembrance of God part 47

Miserable as we are we scatter our love into senselessly vain and frivolous things as if we had it in excess. 

Elder Arsenie Episode 46- Prayer and Remembrance of God part 46

Don't you consider it a blessing to know how to talk to God in prayer?

Saturday Afternoon at St. John's Skete- Role Models in Motherhood

Saintly mothers raise saintly children as demonstrated through the lives of modern saints and elders. 

Friday Faith Formation 10- Jesus Christ Son of Man part 2

Catechism pp. 26, 30

The Birth of Christ

Elder Arsenie Episode 45- Prayer and Remembrance of God part 45

Nobody can force you to live a life of great ascetism, which for many is foolishness; but no one can keep you from it. 

Elder Arsenie Episode 44- Prayer and Remembrance of God part 44

The enemy is lack of faith in God; lack of training and mastering yourself.

Elder Arsenie Episode 43- Prayer and Remembrance of God part 43

Carelessness and neglect are unbearable enemies. 

Elder Arsenie Episode 42- Prayer and Remembrance of God part 42

O soul why didn't you pray? Why did you pray superficially? 

Elder Arsenie Episode 41- Prayer and Remembrance of God part 41

Many go to hell because of unjustifiable carelessness. 

Saturday Afternoon at St. John's Skete- I'll get to it later

The day to repent is now so that the passions do not take root.

The Forgotten Woman- Dangers of Tradition

If we just want the aesthetics of traditional practices apart from the ascetical foundation, we are in danger of forming an idol of tradition itself.

Friday Faith Formation 9- Jesus Christ Son of Man part 1

Catechism pp. 25-29

Jesus Christ Son of Man

The Gospel

Elder Arsenie Episode 40- Prayer and Remembrance of God part 40

Prayer becomes deeper in prison, or in the forest. 

Elder Arsenie Episode 39- Prayer and Remembrance of God part 39

One must walk straight in the Lord's path on the path of spiritual peace without getting caught in the Typicon's confusion.

Elder Arsenie Episode 38- Prayer and Remembrance of God part 38

The snail moves slowly, but it travels with its whole house; we should progress towards God in like manner. 

Elder Arsenie Episode 37- Prayer and Remembrance of God part 37

You must avoid those deceiving thoughts which convince you that you're doing the "right thing". 

Elder Arsenie Episode 36- Prayer and Remembrance of God part 36

When you love, your heart is present, it is awake. It is not proper to do your prayer rule only out of obligation, because we become stiff.

Saturday Afternoon at St. John's Skete- Isn't That Bad for Them?

St. Isaac the Syrian teaches, "Fear for the body is often so strong in a man as to make him incapable of any deeds worthy of honor or praise."

St. Nicholas Co-op Special

2025-2026 High school students reflect on their spiritual growth within their Faith class. 

Friday Faith Formation 8- The One God and Father part 6

Catechism pp. 22-23

The Consequences of the Fall

The Expectation of the Savior

 

Elder Arsenie Episode 35- Prayer and Remembrance of God part 35

One should know that the devil greatly fears the watchful man.

Elder Arsenie Episode 34- Prayer and Remembrance of God part 34

O man if you only knew your own value.

Elder Arsenie Episode 33- Prayer and Remembrance of God part 33

Blessed is the one who prays intensely. 

Elder Arsenie Episode 32- Prayer and Remembrance of God part 32

This means that we must be grateful and in a state of awareness. This provides much greater benefit than many prayers or prostrations done mechanically. 

St. George Men's Group at St. Nicholas Parish- Crippled by Comfort

St. Isaac the Syrian teaches, "A fire cannot be ignited in wet wood, nor can the divine fervor be kindled in a heart that loves ease."

Elder Arsenie Episode 31- Prayer and Remembrance of God part 31

You make 100 prostrations rush, rush, rush. Even if you make them properly what do you do afterwards. 

Saturday Afternoon at St. John's Skete- Positive Like Peter

Striving for uniformity with God's will in the midst of difficulties takes practicing perseverance and cultivating prayer in trials and hardships.

The Forgotten Woman Episode 1- You Deserve This

Feminism today is satisfied to steal just a little piece of you. 

Friday Faith Formation 7- The One God and Father part 5

Catechism pp. 20-21

Divine Providence 

Elder Arsenie Episode 30- Prayer and Remembrance of God part 30

After finishing his prayer rule a man considers himself absolved of the duty to pray and fruitlessly sets off deceiving himself.

Elder Arsenie Episode 29- Prayer and Remembrance of God part 29

Man is the Master of His creation and has been given the freedom to rise to God. 

Elder Arsenie Episode 28- Prayer and Remembrance of God part 28

Don't think you're insignificant beings and that your prayer is not heard. 

Elder Arsenie Episode 27- Prayer and Remembrance of God part 27

Then it dawned on me that I like the ringing of the bells. It's a song that has significance. 

Elder Arsenie Episode 26- Prayer and Remembrance of God part 26

Who can complain he did not know? The moment that a man experiences that inner trembling is vital. 

Saturday Afternoon at St. John's Skete- When Did We See You Sick?

We have been blessed by the examples of our family and the saints to lay aside concern for personal health to come to the aid of the suffering. 

Friday Faith Formation 6- The One God and Father part 4

Catechism p. 19

The Visible World and The Invisable World

Elder Arsenie Episode 25- Prayer and Remembrance of God part 25

So, the question is why didn't you love? The answer is clear because you hated and preserved enmity.

Elder Arsenie Episode 24- Prayer and Remembrance of God part 24

I am the Author of all things. Why did you focus on worldly thing and not Me?

Elder Arsenie Episode 23- Prayer and Remembrance of God part 23

Instead of being distressed about doing something "bad" the concern should be this- I need to be present.

Elder Arsenie Episode 22- Prayer and Remembrance of God part 22

The fact that without God you can do nothing is fundamental and must be proclaimed. 

Elder Arsenie Episode 21- Prayer and Remembrance of God part 21

Do we realize that God will call us to account for all that He has given us?

Saturday Afternoon at St. John's Skete- With Frank

St. Isaac the Syrian prayed for the reptiles, St. Paisios was at peace with all creation, even vipers, and Fr. George Calciu befirended a cockroach while in isolation- what is our capacity to love all of creation? 

Friday Faith Formation 5- The One God and Father part 3

Catechism pp. 15-18

God as Maker of the Universe

The Creation of World and the Human Person

Elder Arsenie Episode 20- Prayer and Remembrance of God part 20

How many times should I say the Jesus prayer each day? How many prostrations should I do each day?

Elder Arsenie Episode 19- Prayer and Remembrance of God part 19

Can you imagine how much we have been given, how rich we are, and how indebted we are?

Elder Arsenie Episode 18- Prayer and Remembrance of God part 18

Be in a state of constant attention, to have your thoughts on God in your own way.

Elder Arsenie Episode 17- Prayer and Remembrance of God part 17

Anyone can and should pray saying, "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on a sinner!" 

Elder Arsenie Episode 16- Prayer and Remembrance of God part 16

It is not grievous if you don't get to do your whole prayer rule, but with one condition- be in a state of awareness of God's presence. 

Saturday Afternoon at St. John's Skete- An Alphabet for All

St. John Climacus, in Step 26 of the Ladder of Divine Ascent, provides an "alphabet for all" a combination of 24 ascetical practices meant to mortify the body, reorient our soul, and restructure our life. 

Friday Faith Formation 4- The One God and Father part 2

Catechism pp. 12-15

The Idea of God in the New Testament

The Qualities of God

Elder Arsenie Episode 15- Prayer and the Remembrance of God part 15

Obviously, there are set prayers, but there are personal prayers too. 

Elder Arsenie Episode 14- Prayer and the Remembrance of God part 14

You have not accomplished anything if you think like this, "God I did my prayer rule, now give me something because I have done my duty." 

Elder Arsenie Episode 13- Prayer and Remembrance of God part 13

He who prays only when he prays is not praying. Therefore, prayer must spring forth from the heart.

Elder Arsenie Episode 12- Prayer and Remembrance of God part 12

Prayer is literally our life now and forever. 

Elder Arsenie Episode 11- Prayer and Remembrance of God part 11

Look mother the sheep is pawing the ground with its hoof before going to sleep. Why is it paying? And my mother said, "It is worshipping." 

Saturday Afternoon at St. John's Skete- Playing Offense

When the father leads the charge against spiritual attacks the whole family wins.

Friday Faith Formation 3- The One God- Father and Creator part 1

Catechism pp. 10-12

God is One

The idea of God in the Old Testament 

Elder Arsenie Episode 10- Prayer and Remembrance of God part 10

If this prayer doesn't exist, you're simply a featureless clod of dirt, just in the way of others, blocking their path. 

Elder Arsenie Episode 9- Prayer and Remembrance of God part 9

Know that when parents are educating their children the first thing they teach them is how to pray.

Elder Arsenie Episode 8- Prayer and Remembrance of God part 8

Do not lose the time of this day! Do you know the value of time and how you can waste it?

Elder Arsenie Episode 7- Prayer and Remembrance of God part 7

Seriously reflect on the Judgement and the answer you will give then.

St. George Men's Group at St. Nicholas Parish- Inner Work and Zeal

The father's zeal and inner work lifts his wife and children and is not accomplished in isolation. 

Elder Arsenie Episode 6- Prayer and Remembrance of God part 6

Christ is crucified for you at the moment you are estranged in any way from your brother's soul

Saturday Afternoon at St. John's Skete- Patronal Feast

St. John of the Ladder is commemorated on the 4th Sunday of the Great Fast and on March 30th and here is why we love him.

Friday Faith Formation 2 - The Faith part 2

Catechism pp. 8-10

Divine Revelation 

Scripture and Holy Tradition 

Elder Arsenie Episode 5- Prayer and Remembrance of God part 5

Go to sleep and arise with Christ's cares. 

Elder Arsenie Episode 4- Prayer and Remembrance of God part 4

The prayer rule kindles our fervor. 

Elder Arsenie Episode 3- Prayer and Remembrance of God part 3

God is a God of the heart.

Elder Arsenie Episode 2 - Prayer and Remembrance of God part 2

Striving to acquire unceasing watchfulness and inner peace.

St. Anne Women's Group at St. Nicholas Parish- Chastity

Ladies of all ages can never let their guard down against the demon of lust. 

Elder Arsenie Episode 1- Prayer and Remembrance of God part 1

Prayer should be a desire and habit; it should be continuous. 

Saturday Afternoon at St. John's Skete- That's Uncomfortable

Christianity is not always pleasant, and the world would like to make it polite and whitewashed instead of honest. Guile and discomfort frequently infect our conversations. 

Friday Faith Formation 1 - The Faith

Catechism pp. 4-8

- What is Faith?

- Faith as Obedience to God

Updated Release Schedule - The Forgotten Way

1. Sunday through Thursday: Romanian Roundtable- Reflections on "Every Sigh Can Be a Prayer" the teachings of Elder Aresenie Papacioc

 

2. Friday- Faith Formation- Reflections on Catcheism: A Short Guide to Orthodox Christianity by Metropolitan Hilarion Alfeyev

 

3. Saturday: Saturday Afternoon at St. John's Skete

Passion 298 A Falling Away from God in All Things

A falling away from God in all things is disregard for His love, His commandments, and our own salvation- it is utter destruction. 

Passion 297 Suicide

Suicide is the intentional act of taking one's own life.

Passion 296 Despair

Despair is when a person gives up all hope of salvation.

Passion 295 Hatred of God

Hatred of God is the active opposition of God, treating Him with contempt and rejecting His will. 

Passion 294 Spiritual Paralysis

Spiritual paralysis is spiritual stagnation, where our soul's movement towards God has halted. 

Passion 293 Hopelessness

Hopelessness is to fall into despair and distrust God's mercy.

Saturday Afternoon at St. John's Skete - Detailing the Soul

General confession is thorough cleansing of our soul that can help us grow in humility, avoid forgetfulness, and trust in God's mercy. 

Passion 292 Insensitivity

Insensitivity is callousness and hardness of heart. It is difficulty in responding to our neighbor with love. 

Passion 291 Mercilessness

Mercilessness is lacking compassion and a desire to forgive. It is ruthlessness.

Passion 290 Scorn for One's Neighbor

Scorn for one's neighbor is ultimately to be unconcerned with their suffering and salvation. 

Passion 289 Self-Inflation

Self-inflation is the boasting of one's own importance; it is a high self-esteem.

Passion 288 Self-Vaunting

Self-vaunting is boasting, bragging, or speaking pridefully about ourselves.

Passion 287 Haughtiness

Haughtiness is an attitude of disdainful pride and arrogance. 

Saturday Afternoon at St. John's Skete- For the Dead

All-Souls Saturdays are time to intensify our liturgies, prayers, alms, and sacrifices on behalf of the deceased. 

Passion 286 Senselessness

Senselessness is being ignorant, stupid. and unreasonable. 

Passion 285 Frivolous Talk

Frivolous talk is conversation that is shallow, trivial, and lacks serious purpose.

Passion 284 Treachery

Treachery is a breach of loyalty; it is a betrayal of trust. 

Passion 283 Irony

Irony is false self-abasement. It is a form of lying to appear humble.