The Forgotten Way

In spiritual warfare I continually apply the plan of attack that I learned in military service.

Not talking about death does not make it go away.

Catechism p. 58

Jesus -Redeemer and Savior

This is the place and time our salvation.

There is no greater loss than the waste of time.

 

Behold, today another day has passed. Let's ask ourselves- to whom did we offer most of it?

Value the time you have been given. What greater gifts do we desire when the good God has given us time in which to make ourselves radiant solely for Him. 

Who does not experience hidden spiritual declines?

"If you have friends, avoid constant meetings with them. The friends you do have should be a benefit to you and contribute to your way of life."- Evagrios 

Catechism pp. 57-58

Jesus - Light of Light

Tomorrow is another day with a different morning, with other beginnings and graces. Tomorrow is not ours, it belongs to God.

If you heart is not sincere you don't grow spiritually, regardless of who you might be and how many diplomas you might have in your pocket and in your head.

By changing his words, he affected the strength of his relationship with God.

Lord, don't have mercy on me a sinner! And one of the fathers said, "don't say it like that!"

Man's quest for the Divine is one of great inner nobility.

A reflection on the temptation to forego the cross in the midst of suffering. 

Catechism pp. 56-57

Jesus - Lord and God

Heaven is filled with sinners who repented, and hell is filled with unrepentant sinners. And so, you can't advance if you don't have complete freedom within you to draw near to God if you don't know where you're going.

Of course we fear hell. We have to keep our mind in hell as the Lord told St. Silouan the Athonite. 

You should not be scared at the abomination of hell, but of paradise. Meditate on what we are missing out on.

If you err, confess with tears. Don't be dishonest or half-measured. 

Lessons from Pope Leo XIII, St. Paisios, and St. Joseph the Hesychast, on how obedience, acceptance of correction, and emptying ourselves lead to humility. 

 

Don't get discouraged even if you have made terrible mistakes. Don't allow yourself even the slightest discouragement, but don't permit the smallest mistake either. 

"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matthew 10:28)

Catechism pp. 55-56

The Two Natures of Christ

There is no mistake made by a man without a consequence in his life. 

Be constantly vigilant at every moment, you can lose your salvation in a heartbeat, a mere second when you're not watchful!

Your glorious past does not save you. The way you live this present moment saves you.

You fool, the time you waste digs your grave, and tomorrow will become eternity. 

Inspiration and advice from young ladies who attended the ByzanTEEN Youth Rally. 

There are two kinds of joy that cannot be united. You can't take delight in transitory and guilty pleasure here on Earth and reign together with Jesus Christ in Heaven. 

The Evergetinos relates the story of a monk who was dragged to hell for secret eating...

Catechism pp. 55

The God-Man

At the time of your death you could be deified through an act of total self-sacrifice and true confession. 

Don't give way to any sadness. Don't forget that you set out to fight as a hero. 

Have no fear. Here among the temptations, you will also find the beauty and love.

Keep walking on the majestic road of the cross. Nothing will be conquered by quaking hands. 

The protracted struggle of our remaining life is not long for a heart filled with hope.

"A good natural remedy against all typical [] defects is solid, objective work". -St. Edith Stein 

Catechism pp. 54-55

Jesus- The Only Begotten Son of God

The narrow path to divine glory is paved with sorrow. It isn't right to consider yourself alone. There is always Someone generous and strong who supports you.

The so-called fortunate people of this world don't think that they'll need Christ. They fear a wretched death, but they don't fear living a sinful life. But who can guarantee them that they won't die suddenly. 

You turn inward not to discover not the pitch-black inside, but rather the glorious illumination. 

How important it is that an elderly person should live as long as long as possible. It is very wrong for him to consider himself as useless. 

I've seen hungry and content people. God understands all of them. He waits for the content to grow weak and he fills the hungry. 

Cultivating true devotion to the Theotokos. 

Catechism pp. 52-54

The Resurrection 

How difficult is it to accomplish something today? Even the smallest good!

It's known that the conscience lights the candle of the soul.

From the depth of your heart renounce the old man in you and you will discover God within you. Begin!

I asked you not to slay anyone, even by a word, but to only let yourself be slaughtered. 

You cannot inscribe your name in the Heavenly book of life by having someone else do it for you, you have to engrave it with your own blood. 

"{She} who is not submissive in speech, clearly will not be so in act either." St. John Climacus 

Catechism pp. 48-51

The Suffering, Death, and Burial of Jesus

Understand the beauty and depth of scripture lie in the knowledge that we must be all things to all people, if you love as an apostle or the son of one. 

You must be able to grasp and strengthen the spirit of unity where you are. It will strengthen and propel you toward a state of honorable humility, that is crowned obedience, if you desire to enter the angelic realm. 

Your zeal should be tempered with discernment, otherwise you will consider yourself above the rules of the place where you live and greater than a soul that humbly bears its cross. 

Consider yourself your own parent, that is, hold yourself responsible for all your deeds. 

After the ByzanTEEN Youth Rally, members of the St. George Men's Group at St. Nicholas discuss courage, hope, discernment, and the role of prayer and relationships in the spiritual life. 

The group also discusses modern challenges like AI and technology, emphasizing discerned use, maintaining real human relationships, and the importance of perseverance, spiritual reading, and community support for growing in faith.

Don't train yourself to expect instant gratification for your deeds.

Illness can be a source of temptation. Stumbles can be an opportunity for repentance and renewal. Spouses are called to be there through it all. 

Catechism pp. 46-47

The Last Supper

Having a spiritual character means knowing yourself and the motives for the reproofs and praises aimed at you. 

All things are possible with proper discernment, with love. Don't appear to be different than others. Always do things according to custom. 

Understanding the 4 main attacks of the enemy against women. 

We should first think about thanking the good God for being alive and for dedicating our hearts solely to Him.

The Lord Jesus whispers," Love, love gracefully, love all of mankind, love more ardently the wounded heart." 

You have to entreat God greatly to be freed from the consequences of single thoughtless word, one that might even appear to be harmless said in a moment about somebody. 

Perpetual availability can pull us out of real stability. 

 

Catechism pp. 45-46

Disputes on Purity and Impurity 

A thousand-fold bless is the one who loves despite being slandered. 

Sacrifice yourself for all those who seek resurrection.

We humans can attain anything beautiful on earth. Any bad thought no matter how vicious can be rejected and burned by your yearning for salvation. 

If you know there is eternity and don't do anything to mend your ways, you deserve to be locked in a mental institution. 

Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life." If there is no way there is no movement, if there is no truth there is no knowledge, and if there is no life there is no living.

We are at peace when we give up the idea of comfort and accept the circumstances, we find ourselves in with gratitude. 

Catechism pp. 43-45

Law of Moses and Disputes on the Sabbath 

Well, this heart does not just beat to keep the body alive, but to enable us to feel that we have to be continually in God's presence. 

I recommend a state of continuous presence, which has no obstacles, which has no historical or political moment. 

Support yourself with your own wings and the joy kindled in your heart will not cease.

The more love you showed yesterday, the more beautiful and resplendent you will be today.

I recommend watchfulness, I do not recommend ascetism, I exhort them to be continually present, in an opposition to sin and the passions.

Christ's first Gospel commandment was to repent. St. Isaac teaches us this life has been given to us for repentance. So how does this pillar of the spiritual life form our domestic monasteries? 

Catechism pp. 42-43

Jesus' Opponents

Father what counsel do you give first to Christians who desire to grow in the spiritual life? Elder Arsenie replied, "A state of true joy..."

Don't be careless! Don't let the hand stretched out to you remain empty when it asks from you or when it gives to you. 

Beggers are biblical figures. You've passed by your so easily. The savior cannot forget you when you gives alms. 

Besides you can't be sure that the one you're helping is not Christ. He stretches his hand to you, and you don't know. 

Glory to Jesus Christ. Welcome to the Forgotten Way's recording of the St. George Men's Group at St. Nicholas in Barberton, where parish men gather to discuss the role of sacred chant versus contemporary worship music and its place in family and parish prayer.

Samuel, a young presenter, shares research comparing sacred and contemporary Christian music, and the group reflects on how music affects spiritual formation, home prayer rules, and attracting young people to deeper liturgical life.

What is the relation of our heart to those suffering around us? 

Why are we more attentive to the dangers that threaten our body than to the ones that threaten our soul? 

Catechism pp. 40-42

The Kingdom of Heaven 

"There is nothing more tragic in all the world than wasted pain." Venerable Fulton Sheen 

Every trial, cross, and suffering is a time to unite our will to God's and a time of grace if we keep our heart open. 

Brother don't be upset; I don't have anything, but I give you a warm handshake. 

I was looking at myself laid in the coffin, and when the coffin was lowered into the grave, I said, "It's so good to set something aside for your inner self, something that will testify for you."

My heart aches for the poor. Doesn't your heart have any compunction for them at all?

Do charity and give alms. My friend do not fear that you will become poor.

God sustains the Earth due to the Divine Liturgy that is celebrated on it.

Failure can guide you to the royal middle way.