The Forgotten Way

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. 

Passion 282 Dissimulation

Dissimulation is the concealment of one's thoughts or true character.

Passion 281 Love of Power

Love of power is a compulsive desire to control others and a need for dominance.

Passion 280 Unteachability

Unteachability is a resistance to accept the guidance, instruction, and corrections from others. It stems from self-reliance. 

Passion 279 Lack of Fear of God

Lack of Fear of God is a loss of deep respect, reverence, and remembrance of God.

Saturday Afternoon at St. John's Skete- Isn't it romantic?

Celebrating sacrificial love. 

Passion 278 Contumely

Contumely is the harsh treatment of our neighbor that comes from haughtiness and conceit. 

Passion 277 Curiosity

Curiosity is the strong desire to learn something new, unknown, or unusual. 

Passion 276 Satanic Love

Satanic love is a corruption of love, a desire to satisfy our selfishness, and use our neighbor.

Passion 275 Pusillanimity

Pusillanimity is a weakness of soul, a lack of firm resolution, and lack of courage.

Passion 274 Affectation

Affectation is taking on mannerisms and behaviors to impress others. 

St. George Men's Group at St. Nicholas Parish- Almsgiving

Almsgiving sounds simple enough until we go to give, and then we see the need for discernment, moderation, and spiritual guidance to reach the royal middle way.

Passion 273 Ostentation

Ostentation is a showy, haughty self-display.

Saturday Afternoon at St. John's Skete- Fool...ish

When we try to live apart from the world we begin to look at little foolish.

Passion 272 Clinging to life

Clinging to life is a desperate attempt to hold onto this transient life. 

Passion 271 Ill-temper

Ill-temper is having an irritable and angry disposition that is easily provoked.

Passion 270 Misuse

Misuse is to use something incorrectly, improperly, or carelessly. 

Passion 269 Rancor

Rancor is a bitter remembrance of wrongs. 

Passion 268 Affluence

Affluence is the accumulation of wealth and material possessions. It is a state of abundance. 

Passion 267 Irritability

Irritability is being easily provoked to anger at life's daily annoyances. 

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

Gluttony is sneaky and takes on many forms. We cannot escape the need to eat, which makes temptations plentiful. 

Passion 266 Intolerance

Intolerance is a lack of sympathy for practices differing from one's own and not showing respect for a person right to hold another view. It is important to note that falsehood and attacks against the truth cannot be tolerated. 

Saturday Afternoon at St. John's Skete- The Judgement is Not Something to Play With

But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. 

Passion 265 Depravity

Depravity is moral corruption and wickedness.

Passion 264 Niggardliness

Niggardliness is being stingy and ungenerous with our time and possessions.

Passion 263 Garrulity

Garrulity is being excessively talkative and wordy especially regarding trivial matters. 

Passion 262 Silly Talk

Silly talk is speaking in a nonsensical and meaningless way.

Passion 261 Nonsensicality

Nonsensicality is being foolish, absurd, and lacking sense. 

Passion 260 Bad Habits

Bad habits are a strong tendency to morally wrong actions through repeated sin. 

St. Anne Women's Group at St. Nicholas Parish- Blessed Death

Temporal joy or eternal joy- this is a daily decision. 

If you liked the ladies conversation, also check out:

Saturday Afternoon at St. John's Skete- Bird Funeral | The Forgotten Way

Passion 259 Mindless Friendship

Mindless friendship is being friends and companions with people that do not aid us along the path to salvation. 

Saturday Afternoon Side Note - Squirrel Appreciation Day

The world knows that it is supposed to live liturgically. 

Saturday Afternoon at St. John's Skete- The Duck Lady and the Chipmunk

What is idle chatter and what are its consequences?

Passion 258 Daydreaming

Daydreaming is a stream of consciousness that detaches and distracts us from our duties. 

257 Mindless Joy

Mindless joy is the abandonment of watchfulness and mourning, and exchanging them for transient happiness. 

Passion 256 Empty Words

Empty words are non-salvific words, wasted conversation, and idle chatter.

Passion 255 Verbosity

Verbosity is using more words than are needed. 

Passion 254 Lying

Lying is to speak what is false, misleading, and intentionally inaccurate. 

Passion 253 Confusion

Confusion is perplexity, disorder, and darkness. 

Passion 252 Pettiness

Pettiness is being concerned about trivial matters; it is being small-minded. 

Passion 251 Contemptuousness

Contemptuousness is having a deep dislike, disdain, or scorn combined with a sense of superiority.  

Saturday Afternoon at St. John's Skete- Warfare at All Times

“When you make the beginning of a good deed, first prepare for the temptations that will come to you.” ~ St. Isaac the Syrian

Passion 250 Malevolence

Malevolence is ill will. It is the disposition to do evil. It is characteristic of the devil.

Passion 249 Ingratitude part 2

Ingratitude is a lack of thanksgiving and remembrance of God's goodness and blessings. 

Passion 249 Ingratitude part 1

Ingratitude is failing to acknowledge, give thanks, and return God's love. Ingratitude forgets God's blessing and takes His goodness for granted.

Passion 248 Fault Finding

Fault finding is being constantly critical, petty, and nagging towards our neighbor. 

Passion 247 Blasphemy part 2

Blasphemy can be a willful thought, word, or action that is filled with anger, scorn, and disrespect against God.

New Series Teaser - The Romanian Roundtable

Introduction to a new daily series to launch in March 2026- The Romanian Roundtable

Passion 247 Blasphemy part 1

Blasphemy is to use scornful, disrespectful, and abusive language against God.

Saturday Afternoon at St. John's Skete- Death is Whispering

"For this dear brother 

whether you will live a long or short life

throughout your life never forget,

do not forget that you will die." - St. Paisius of Sihastria 

Passion 246 Complaining

Complaining is to express dissatisfaction and annoyance. It is to grumble and whine.  

Passion 245 Obloquy

Obloquy is a strong condemnation. It is verbal abuse, criticism, and insults. 

Passion 244 Hardness of Heart

Hardness of heart is being cold, insensitive, and resistant to spiritual truth. 

Passion 243 Grave Robbing

Grave robbing is to steal what is due to the deceased.