The Forgotten Way

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.  

Catechism pp. 36-39

The Parables of Christ 

- The Weeds and the Wheat (St. Matthew 13:24-30; 36-43)

- The Rich Fool (St. Luke 12:13-21)

- The Ten Virgins (St. Matthew 25: 1-13)

Seek to be commemorated at the Divine Liturgy. 

Confession is the sacrament that saves, not Holy Communion. 

You grow to realize that confession is the mystery that saves us. The absolution of our sins is the greatest thing we have to present for ourselves at the Last Judgement. 

Confession never ends, and you become attentive to all things. Carelessness is a grave fault that can cause a sin to be repeated. It's like washing under one armpit, which means you haven't paid heed to yourself. 

If you consider that you must make a thorough confession, you'll control yourself in all you do, and this is a way of life. 

A Saturday afternoon with the Forgotten Woman. Something may be allowable, but that does not mean it is useful for eternal salvation. 

Catechism pp. 36-39

The Parables of Christ 

- The Unmerciful Servant (St. Matthew 18:21-35)

- The Good Samaritan (St. Luke 10: 25-37)

- The Rich Man and Lazarus (St. Luke 16: 19-31)

Meditate frequently on Christ, the Eternal truth, knocking gently at the door of your heart. 

One of the beatitudes says that you can see God. All of our desires are fulfilled in seeing Him, this is blessedness. 

The devil shows us who we truly are, and when we sin, he truly humbles us. Thus, the devil works indirectly towards man's salvation. 

God is the one who overcomes the devil, not you. It is a terrible mistake to engage in conversation with the devil.

The devil continually troubles you because he despises your relationship with God.

What if this is the last time we see each other, or the last time we talk, or the last time we have a chance to forgive? 

Catechism pp. 36-39

The Parables of Christ 

- The Strong Man (St. Matthew 12:29)

- The Mustard Seed (St. Matthew 13:31-32)

- The Treasure in the Field (Matthew 13:44)

I say, " O, Lord! O Lord!" with every fiber of my being. There is no cheating.

Entire treatises have been written on the Jesus Prayer. The conclusion is: say it your own way.

It's a terrible mistake to say the Jesus prayer with agitation.

The Jesus Praper is a very important prayer. First, you have to say it. 

In order to change our life, we need a strong will and a great trust in the Mother of God's mercy and almighty help.

"He who cherishes his stomach and hopes to overcome the spirit of fornication, is like one who tries to put out a fire with oil. " St. John Climacus 

Catechism pp. 36-39

The Parables of Christ 

- The Wedding Feast (Luke 14:16-24)

- The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)

- The Wicked Tenants (Matthew 21:33-41)

It has been said that the mother of God is displease with all those who never ask anything of her. 

How hard is it for each of us to ask God just a little, simply, and directly to help us in our trials and needs. 

You have the noble and great responsibility to pray.

Prayer is a like a sharp arrow launched for thousands of years by all the saints even the simplest Christians.

If you're on the path of truth, you should undoubtedly consider, "Lord I'm to blame that my brother is disturbed."

The world continues to cheapen the definition of marriage and run away from difficult marriages. But Christians of the true faith are called to put on the crown of martyrdom at marriage. 

Catechism pp. 35-36

The Transfiguration of the Lord

I greatly desire to preserve this blessed freedom, this purity of heart.

Smile at your neighbor who provokes you. Do not smirk at him, but smile at him so that he can see that you are not his enemy.

Mother I am happy, I'm saved by the prayers of St. Thecla!

Mother I died without baptism!

St. Gregory began a conversation with the one who save, and he enabled Trajan, (a pagan) to partake in the Kingdom of Heaven

Permanent spiritual formation is part of the rule for life and involves daily spiritual reading, turning to our spiritual father regularly, and good companionship. Permanent spiritual formation is not designed to win apologetic arguments or write sophisticated theological essays. Permanent spiritual formation is about learning the art of the spiritual life. 

Catechism pp. 32-35

The Miracles of Jesus Christ

Miracles and Faith

If you commemorate someone who happens to be far away from you, it is not possible for him to know that you are praying for him, but you pray for him and God then helps him. 

If you have the obedience to pray the Psalter continuously, you can read it without interruption while under this obedience. 

Curiosity seeks to acquire knowledge that is unprofitable for our salvation or the fulfillment of our duties; curiosity distracts us at our time of prayer; it leaves our mind scattered. 

You should nor think, "I said a lot!" After you have read many prayers, you're tempted to think, "Lord, I said so many prayers...that I have surpassed many people!"

You should place your heart in God's presence. Not just saying a lot of prayers, for in the end a deep prayer embodies a deep silence. 

Deacon Edward Kleinguetl joins and shares his experience and love for the Jesus prayer; Romanian saints and elders; and encourages the family, as a domestic church, to be grounded in the teachings of the Holy Fathers, the Jesus prayer, confession, and the Eucharist. 

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

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. 

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

Catechism pp. 30-32

The Baptism of Jesus and the Beginning of His Preaching

Drawing inspiration from saintly mothers.

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. 

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.