Podcasts about Sarov

Sambata, Iulie 19 - Cuvioasa Macrina, sora Sf. Vasile cel Mare ; Cuviosul Serafim din Sarov; Cuviosii Dia si Teodor;

In a season of Stillness—but I'm still here. ❤️‍

Gesprek met Josef Moes (https://orthodoxia.be/nl/enoria/parochie-van-de-heilige-nektarios-te-eindhoven/) n.a.v. het boek "Geraakt door Gods liefde", leven en wijsheid van oudvader Porfyrios Eem uitgave van uitgevrij Orthodox Logos in Tilburg (https://orthodoxlogos.com/store/geraakt-door-gods-liefde/) Van hun site: Vader Porfyrios, gestorven in 1991, was een Griekse monnik en priester. Hij stond in de lange traditie van geestelijke leiders, beginnend in de Apostolische tijden tot moderne heiligen zoals Serafim van Sarov en Vader Silouan. In dit boek vertelt hij zijn levensverhaal en in eenvoudige, wijze woorden legt hij het christelijk geloof uit voor de huidige mens…

Born in 1866, he married and had three children. In 1920, at the age of 54, he and his wife quietly separated and each entered monastic life. Eventually he became the spiritual father of the St. Alexander Nevsky Lavra in St. Petersburg, where, as a clairvoyant staretz, he also confessed thousands of laity. He said, "I am the storage room where people's afflictions gather." In imitation of his patron saint, he prayed for a thousand nights on a rock before an icon of St. Seraphim of Sarov. He reposed in the Lord in 1949 and the Church of Russia glorified him in August of 2000. Thus his whole life as a monk was spent under Communist persecution.

Welcome back to the Let's be friends Podcast. In this episode we have returning guest and friend Buck Johnson. Buck is the host of the podcast “Counterflow with Buck Johnson.” He is also a musician, firefighter, and Orthodox Christian. In this episode we are going to hear Buck's testimony of how he went from being an atheist to an Orthodox Christian.In our chat, we discuss many topics, including what an atheist really believes, waking up in 2020, recognizing there is a spiritual battle for our souls, the intense purification process of being a catechumen, falling away from faith even though you may have been brought up in the church, the craziness of megachurch culture, the importance of a spiritual father, drifting away from conspiracy and political culture, how the Saints are alive now, St. Seraphim of Sarov and Father Seraphim Rose, and how acquiring the spirit of peace may be the biggest counterflow move Buck has made.Want more Let's be friends? Join the Friendship MembershipWant to read my memoir Here Comes Trouble?  It's available now Order your copy here  www.karamosher.comFind Buck's podcast here Counterflow with Buck Johnson

This is the first episode of a six part book study over "Searching for and Maintaining Peace" by Fr. Jacques Philippe. I am joined by Katie Novitsky and Stefani Blackwell, and we go over the preface along with chapters 1-3 in pt. 1 of the book. We discuss how peace is essential if we want to serve and love others--namely, our families. This peace, as Fr. Jacques Philippe asserts, can only be found through Jesus Christ. Jesus, who knows us and loves us, will never abandon us to our anxieties, but if we come to Him and give our lives to Him, He will grant us never-ending peace. Join us next week for episode 2, where we will discuss part 1, chapters 4-7. Episode schedule: January 21st - preface, pt 1: ch 1-3 January 28th - pt. 1: ch 4-7 February 4th - pt. 2, ch 1-6 February 11th - pt. 2, ch 7-12 February 18th - pt. 2, ch 13-18 February 25th - pt. 3 Discussion Questions: 1. Coming into this book study, where in your life do you currently see peace? Where are you desiring more peace? 2. Share one quote from this section that was especially meaningful to you. 3. On pg. 8, Fr. Jacques tells about Saint Seraphin of Sarov, who brought multitudes toward him because of his peacefulness. Who in your life is an example of that same magnetic peacefulness? 4. Jesus says, “Without me you can do nothing.” How does that make you feel (cared for, powerless, defensive, empowered, etc.) and why do you think that is? 5. On pg. 6, it says that maintaining peace is “not an invitation to laziness and inaction,” but to act “under the impulse of the Holy Spirit… and not in a spirit of disquietude, agitation, or excessive hurry.” Describe a time when you've seen yourself act in either of these ways. 5. Ch. 3 reminds us that our life will be a “constant and sometimes painful battle” against temptation and sin. How can someone remain in peace if that is the truth? 6. Reflect on Hebrews 12:4-13. How does our negative view of discipline point to a “worldly” perspective? How can we shift our view to be more “heavenly” so that we may view discipline as a form of love?

Wake Up to Love, and pray the Holy Rosary, pray the LOVE with us LIVE every weekday morning at 4:44 am ET

"Saint Seraphim was born in the town of Kursk in 1759. From tender childhood he was under the protection of the most holy Mother of God, who, when he was nine years old, appeared to him in a vision, and through her icon of Kursk, healed him from a grave sickness from which he had not been expected to recover. At the age of nineteen he entered the monastery of Sarov, where he amazed all with his obedience, his lofty asceticism, and his great humility. In 1780 the Saint was stricken with a sickness which he manfully endured for three years, until our Lady the Theotokos healed him, appearing to him with the Apostles Peter and John. He was tonsured a monk in 1786, being named for the holy Hieromartyr Seraphim, Bishop of Phanarion (Dec. 4), and was ordained deacon a year later. In his unquenchable love for God, he continually added labours to labours, increasing in virtue and prayer with titan strides. Once, during the Divine Liturgy of Holy and Great Thursday he was counted worthy of a vision of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who appeared encompassed by the heavenly hosts. After this dread vision, he gave himself over to greater labours.   "In 1794, Saint Seraphim took up the solitary life in a cell in the forest. This period of extreme asceticism lasted some fifteen years, until 1810. It was at this time that he took upon himself one of the greatest feats of his life. Assailed with despondency and a storm of contrary thoughts raised by the enemy of our salvation, the Saint passed a thousand nights on a rock, continuing in prayer until God gave him complete victory over the enemy. On another occasion, he was assaulted by robbers, who broke his chest and his head with their blows, leaving him almost dead. Here again, he began to recover after an appearance of the most Holy Theotokos, who came to him with the Apostles Peter and John, and pointing to Saint Seraphim, uttered these awesome words, 'This is one of my kind.'   "In 1810, at the age of fifty, weakened by his more than human struggles, Saint Seraphim returned to the monastery for the third part of his ascetical labours, in which he lived as a recluse, until 1825. For the first five years of his reclusion, he spoke to no one at all, and little is known of this period. After five years, he began receiving visitors little by little, giving counsel and consolation to ailing souls. In 1825, the most holy Theotokos appeared to the Saint and revealed to him that it was pleasing to God that he fully end his reclusion; from this time the number of people who came to see him grew daily. It was also at the command of the holy Virgin that he undertook the spiritual direction of the Diveyevo Convent. He healed bodily ailments, foretold things to come, brought hardened sinners to repentance, and saw clearly the secrets of the heart of those who came to him. Through his utter humility and childlike simplicity, his unrivalled ascetical travails, and his angel-like love for God, he ascended to the holiness and greatness of the ancient God-bearing Fathers and became, like Anthony for Egypt, the physician for the whole Russian land. In all, the most holy Theotokos appeared to him twelve times in his life. The last was on Annunciation, 1831, to announce to him that he would soon enter into his rest. She appeared to him accompanied by twelve virgins martyrs and monastic saints with Saint John the Baptist and Saint John the Theologian. With a body ailing and broken from innumerable hardships, and an unspotted soul shining with the light of Heaven, the Saint lived less than two years after this, falling asleep in peace on January 2, 1833, chanting Paschal hymns. On the night of his repose, the righteous Philaret of the Glinsk Hermitage beheld his soul ascending to Heaven in light. Because of the universal testimony to the singular holiness of his life, and the seas of miracles that he performed both in life and after death, his veneration quickly spread beyond the boundaries of the Russian Empire to every corner of the earth. See also July 19." (Great Horologion)   July 19 is the commemoration of the uncovering of St Seraphim's holy relics, which was attended by Tsar Nicholas II.   Saint Seraphim's life became a perpetual celebration of Pascha: in his later years he dressed in a white garment, greeted everyone, regardless of the season, with "Christ is Risen!" and chanted the Pascha service every day of the year

Here's a special re-release of a classic episode as we celebrate Holy Nativity! Elissa Bjeletich Davis and Kristina Wenger tell about St. Seraphim of Sarov.

Joi, Ianuarie 2 - Inaintepraznuirea Botezului Domnului; Sf. Silvestru, Episcopul Romei; Sf. Serghie; Sf. Serafim de Sarov

Though he has not been glorified by the Church, Fr Lazarus was a pioneer and exemplar of Orthodoxy in the West.   He was born in England in 1902. In his early manhood he moved to western Canada, where he worked as a farm laborer for several years. While working in Alberta, he sensed a call to become a missionary and went to an English missionary college for five years.   Sad to say, our sources are unclear about how he came to the Orthodox faith from this unlikely beginning. But in 1934 he spent seven weeks on Mt Athos, then lived as a monk in Yugoslavia. He was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Theophan (Russian Orthodox Church Abroad), then sent to Palestine to serve the Russian Mission in Jerusalem.   In 1948, the new State of Israel gave the Mission's property to the Soviet Union and the mission was left dispossessed. Fr Lazarus served as priest to the Russian Convent in Aïn Karim and Transjordan, then was sent to India in 1952, where he helped in Orthodox missionary work for twenty years. Several of his books and translations, such as his biography/study of St Seraphim of Sarov, were written while he lived in India. While there, he met Mother Gavrilia of Greece, whose beautiful biography Ascetic of Love includes good descriptions of him during his life in India. Though very strict in his Orthodoxy, he was flexible in externals: in India he wore a white rather than a black cassock, because black clothing had offensive connotations to the Indian people.   In 1972 Fr Lazarus was called to Greece, then in 1974 to Australia, where he served for nine years. In 1983 he moved to California in answer to call from Fr Peter Gillquist to assist members of the former 'Evangelical Orthodox Church' in their move to Orthodoxy. In 1989 he moved to Alaska, where he continued this work. He reposed in Eagle River, Alaska in 1992. Following is an excerpt from an account of his last days by members of his community in Eagle River:   "Father always signed his name with TWA, "Traveling With Angels". A few days before his death, after battling cancer many years, faithfully using the Jesus Prayer as the medicine for his affliction, the Archangel Michael appeared to help him. His final journey homeward had begun, TWA... 'the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.' (2 Timothy 4: 6-8)."

FOR LINKS to all our podcasts, visit the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN TEACHING PODCAST DIRECTORY:ON APPLE PODCASTS APP: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/orthodox-christian-teaching-podcast-directory/id1680765527ON SPOTIFY APP: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ALQ9YkJ0hhZ20GGZv7MH9?si=hVv_aqKtSrypyTLr1YZQIQ

Vineri, Iulie 19 - Cuvioasa Macrina, sora Sf. Vasile cel Mare ; Cuviosul Serafim din Sarov; Cuviosii Dia si Teodor;

As many celebrate the USA's Independence Day, Presvytera Melanie reflects on the societal ideal of independence, examined through the lens of Trinitarian relationship and interdependence. How do families raising children with disabilities strike a balance in encouraging their children's independence, while being at peace with, and understanding where, extra supports are needed? How independent is any human being, truly? Saints Seraphim of Sarov and Theodore of Tobolsk help answer these questions.

Today's True Weird Stuff - Secret City   Sarov is a town in Russia that no longer exists...officially, that is. In the 1940s, Sarov was removed from all unclassified maps, and the entire town was transformed into a center for research and development of nuclear weapons. Dozens of cities like these popped up in the Soviet Union at the time, as Stalin led the charge to bolster their nuclear weapons program. But strict rules and harsh conditions meant...sometimes mistakes were made.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SHARE this podcast: https://anchor.fm/words-of-life-daily — LINKS to all our podcasts: https://anchor.fm/orthodox-christian-teaching

For May, we're diving into Searching for and Maintaining Peace by Fr. Jacques Phillipe.  God is a God of peace. He does not speak and does not operate except in peace, not in trouble and agitation. Let us remember the experience fo the prophet Elijah of Horeb: God was not in the hurricane, nore the earthquake, nor in the fire, but in the whsiper of a gentle breeze.  It is an invitation to act, even to act considerably sometimes, but under the impulse of the Holy Spirit, which is a gentle and peaceful spirit.  Only one who possesses this interior peace can efficaciously help his neighbor.  "Acquire interior peace and a multitude will find its salvation through you," said Saint Seraphim of Sarov.

SHARE this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ministry-of-the-word-uk — LINKS for all our podcasts: https://anchor.fm/orthodox-christian-teaching — A CONFERENCE HOMILY of Metr. Anthony Bloom of Sourozh, of blessed memory.

SHARE this link to share the podcast: https://anchor.fm/ministry-of-the-word — LINKS to all our podcasts: https://anchor.fm/orthodox-christian-teaching

Born in 1866, he married and had three children. In 1920, at the age of 54, he and his wife quietly separated and each entered monastic life. Eventually he became the spiritual father of the St. Alexander Nevsky Lavra in St. Petersburg, where, as a clairvoyant staretz, he also confessed thousands of laity. He said, "I am the storage room where people's afflictions gather." In imitation of his patron saint, he prayed for a thousand nights on a rock before an icon of St. Seraphim of Sarov. He reposed in the Lord in 1949 and the Church of Russia glorified him in August of 2000. Thus his whole life as a monk was spent under Communist persecution.

Born in 1866, he married and had three children. In 1920, at the age of 54, he and his wife quietly separated and each entered monastic life. Eventually he became the spiritual father of the St. Alexander Nevsky Lavra in St. Petersburg, where, as a clairvoyant staretz, he also confessed thousands of laity. He said, "I am the storage room where people's afflictions gather." In imitation of his patron saint, he prayed for a thousand nights on a rock before an icon of St. Seraphim of Sarov. He reposed in the Lord in 1949 and the Church of Russia glorified him in August of 2000. Thus his whole life as a monk was spent under Communist persecution.

SHARE this link to share the podcast: https://anchor.fm/ministry-of-the-word — LINKS to all our podcasts: https://anchor.fm/orthodox-christian-teaching

'If riches increase, set not your heart on them."* When opportunities come, when all the doors are thrown open,  because of how you've opened yourself to Grace, set not your heart on them. Keep your heart Here. Remembering that God is your provider, not what He has turned into, what he seems to become. The riches don't provide, the opportunities don't provide, they appear because of Him. Because of This... that you're hearing in abundance, that you're feeling in abundance. It's always Here, and when you live out from this, you'll always Have. I Love you, Nik ******God is afoot! I'm writing, and working on something BIG (and very useful) for your practice! I'll share #ListenerFavorite episodes until I return with new ones in Spring! Look out for announcements soon! Support the show: ▶▶https://www.patreon.com/goodmornings __________________________________________ Today's Quotes: "Lead me to the rock that is higher than I."* -Psalm 61:2 "There is really only one problem,  distraction.  And therefore only one solutions,  mindfulness." -Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche "My most frequent complaint toward my partner or loved one reveals my greatest emotional need,  not their greatest flaw." -Anonymous via @Mikefoster2000 "Forgive them,  all of your thems.  The more thems you can forgive, the lighter you'll feel." - via IG @Mikefoster2000 "Ask yourself: where am I  Answer: here Ask yourself: what time is it? Answer:Now Say it until you can hear it." -Ram Dass "In a conversation between St. Seraphim of Sarov and Motovilov in the middle of a cold and snowy forest, the latter asked the saint, "How can I discern for myself the true manifestation of the Spirit of God in me?"  The old St. Seraphim firmly took Motovilov by the shoulder and said, "We are both in the Spirit of God now, my dear.Why don't you look at me?"  Motovilov replied, "| cannot look, Father, because your eyes are flashing like lightning. Your face has become brighter than the sun, and my eyes ache with pain."St. Seraphim said, "Don't be alarmed, your God-lovingness! Now you yourself have become as bright as I am. You are now in the fullness of the Spirit of God yourself; otherwise you would not be able to see me as I am." -via IG @annapolozicons "Stop focusing on the forms and focus on what's inside." -Rumi 

Saints du jour 2024-01-14 Saint Séraphim de Sarov by Radio Maria France

"Saint Seraphim was born in the town of Kursk in 1759. From tender childhood he was under the protection of the most holy Mother of God, who, when he was nine years old, appeared to him in a vision, and through her icon of Kursk, healed him from a grave sickness from which he had not been expected to recover. At the age of nineteen he entered the monastery of Sarov, where he amazed all with his obedience, his lofty asceticism, and his great humility. In 1780 the Saint was stricken with a sickness which he manfully endured for three years, until our Lady the Theotokos healed him, appearing to him with the Apostles Peter and John. He was tonsured a monk in 1786, being named for the holy Hieromartyr Seraphim, Bishop of Phanarion (Dec. 4), and was ordained deacon a year later. In his unquenchable love for God, he continually added labours to labours, increasing in virtue and prayer with titan strides. Once, during the Divine Liturgy of Holy and Great Thursday he was counted worthy of a vision of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who appeared encompassed by the heavenly hosts. After this dread vision, he gave himself over to greater labours.   "In 1794, Saint Seraphim took up the solitary life in a cell in the forest. This period of extreme asceticism lasted some fifteen years, until 1810. It was at this time that he took upon himself one of the greatest feats of his life. Assailed with despondency and a storm of contrary thoughts raised by the enemy of our salvation, the Saint passed a thousand nights on a rock, continuing in prayer until God gave him complete victory over the enemy. On another occasion, he was assaulted by robbers, who broke his chest and his head with their blows, leaving him almost dead. Here again, he began to recover after an appearance of the most Holy Theotokos, who came to him with the Apostles Peter and John, and pointing to Saint Seraphim, uttered these awesome words, 'This is one of my kind.'   "In 1810, at the age of fifty, weakened by his more than human struggles, Saint Seraphim returned to the monastery for the third part of his ascetical labours, in which he lived as a recluse, until 1825. For the first five years of his reclusion, he spoke to no one at all, and little is known of this period. After five years, he began receiving visitors little by little, giving counsel and consolation to ailing souls. In 1825, the most holy Theotokos appeared to the Saint and revealed to him that it was pleasing to God that he fully end his reclusion; from this time the number of people who came to see him grew daily. It was also at the command of the holy Virgin that he undertook the spiritual direction of the Diveyevo Convent. He healed bodily ailments, foretold things to come, brought hardened sinners to repentance, and saw clearly the secrets of the heart of those who came to him. Through his utter humility and childlike simplicity, his unrivalled ascetical travails, and his angel-like love for God, he ascended to the holiness and greatness of the ancient God-bearing Fathers and became, like Anthony for Egypt, the physician for the whole Russian land. In all, the most holy Theotokos appeared to him twelve times in his life. The last was on Annunciation, 1831, to announce to him that he would soon enter into his rest. She appeared to him accompanied by twelve virgins martyrs and monastic saints with Saint John the Baptist and Saint John the Theologian. With a body ailing and broken from innumerable hardships, and an unspotted soul shining with the light of Heaven, the Saint lived less than two years after this, falling asleep in peace on January 2, 1833, chanting Paschal hymns. On the night of his repose, the righteous Philaret of the Glinsk Hermitage beheld his soul ascending to Heaven in light. Because of the universal testimony to the singular holiness of his life, and the seas of miracles that he performed both in life and after death, his veneration quickly spread beyond the boundaries of the Russian Empire to every corner of the earth. See also July 19." (Great Horologion)   July 19 is the commemoration of the uncovering of St Seraphim's holy relics, which was attended by Tsar Nicholas II.   Saint Seraphim's life became a perpetual celebration of Pascha: in his later years he dressed in a white garment, greeted everyone, regardless of the season, with "Christ is Risen!" and chanted the Pascha service every day of the year

"Saint Seraphim was born in the town of Kursk in 1759. From tender childhood he was under the protection of the most holy Mother of God, who, when he was nine years old, appeared to him in a vision, and through her icon of Kursk, healed him from a grave sickness from which he had not been expected to recover. At the age of nineteen he entered the monastery of Sarov, where he amazed all with his obedience, his lofty asceticism, and his great humility. In 1780 the Saint was stricken with a sickness which he manfully endured for three years, until our Lady the Theotokos healed him, appearing to him with the Apostles Peter and John. He was tonsured a monk in 1786, being named for the holy Hieromartyr Seraphim, Bishop of Phanarion (Dec. 4), and was ordained deacon a year later. In his unquenchable love for God, he continually added labours to labours, increasing in virtue and prayer with titan strides. Once, during the Divine Liturgy of Holy and Great Thursday he was counted worthy of a vision of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who appeared encompassed by the heavenly hosts. After this dread vision, he gave himself over to greater labours.   "In 1794, Saint Seraphim took up the solitary life in a cell in the forest. This period of extreme asceticism lasted some fifteen years, until 1810. It was at this time that he took upon himself one of the greatest feats of his life. Assailed with despondency and a storm of contrary thoughts raised by the enemy of our salvation, the Saint passed a thousand nights on a rock, continuing in prayer until God gave him complete victory over the enemy. On another occasion, he was assaulted by robbers, who broke his chest and his head with their blows, leaving him almost dead. Here again, he began to recover after an appearance of the most Holy Theotokos, who came to him with the Apostles Peter and John, and pointing to Saint Seraphim, uttered these awesome words, 'This is one of my kind.'   "In 1810, at the age of fifty, weakened by his more than human struggles, Saint Seraphim returned to the monastery for the third part of his ascetical labours, in which he lived as a recluse, until 1825. For the first five years of his reclusion, he spoke to no one at all, and little is known of this period. After five years, he began receiving visitors little by little, giving counsel and consolation to ailing souls. In 1825, the most holy Theotokos appeared to the Saint and revealed to him that it was pleasing to God that he fully end his reclusion; from this time the number of people who came to see him grew daily. It was also at the command of the holy Virgin that he undertook the spiritual direction of the Diveyevo Convent. He healed bodily ailments, foretold things to come, brought hardened sinners to repentance, and saw clearly the secrets of the heart of those who came to him. Through his utter humility and childlike simplicity, his unrivalled ascetical travails, and his angel-like love for God, he ascended to the holiness and greatness of the ancient God-bearing Fathers and became, like Anthony for Egypt, the physician for the whole Russian land. In all, the most holy Theotokos appeared to him twelve times in his life. The last was on Annunciation, 1831, to announce to him that he would soon enter into his rest. She appeared to him accompanied by twelve virgins martyrs and monastic saints with Saint John the Baptist and Saint John the Theologian. With a body ailing and broken from innumerable hardships, and an unspotted soul shining with the light of Heaven, the Saint lived less than two years after this, falling asleep in peace on January 2, 1833, chanting Paschal hymns. On the night of his repose, the righteous Philaret of the Glinsk Hermitage beheld his soul ascending to Heaven in light. Because of the universal testimony to the singular holiness of his life, and the seas of miracles that he performed both in life and after death, his veneration quickly spread beyond the boundaries of the Russian Empire to every corner of the earth. See also July 19." (Great Horologion)   July 19 is the commemoration of the uncovering of St Seraphim's holy relics, which was attended by Tsar Nicholas II.   Saint Seraphim's life became a perpetual celebration of Pascha: in his later years he dressed in a white garment, greeted everyone, regardless of the season, with "Christ is Risen!" and chanted the Pascha service every day of the year

Marti, Ianuarie 2 - Inaintepraznuirea Botezului Domnului; Sf. Silvestru, Episcopul Romei; Sf. Serghie; Sf. Serafim de Sarov

Though he has not been glorified by the Church, Fr Lazarus was a pioneer and exemplar of Orthodoxy in the West.   He was born in England in 1902. In his early manhood he moved to western Canada, where he worked as a farm laborer for several years. While working in Alberta, he sensed a call to become a missionary and went to an English missionary college for five years.   Sad to say, our sources are unclear about how he came to the Orthodox faith from this unlikely beginning. But in 1934 he spent seven weeks on Mt Athos, then lived as a monk in Yugoslavia. He was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Theophan (Russian Orthodox Church Abroad), then sent to Palestine to serve the Russian Mission in Jerusalem.   In 1948, the new State of Israel gave the Mission's property to the Soviet Union and the mission was left dispossessed. Fr Lazarus served as priest to the Russian Convent in Aïn Karim and Transjordan, then was sent to India in 1952, where he helped in Orthodox missionary work for twenty years. Several of his books and translations, such as his biography/study of St Seraphim of Sarov, were written while he lived in India. While there, he met Mother Gavrilia of Greece, whose beautiful biography Ascetic of Love includes good descriptions of him during his life in India. Though very strict in his Orthodoxy, he was flexible in externals: in India he wore a white rather than a black cassock, because black clothing had offensive connotations to the Indian people.   In 1972 Fr Lazarus was called to Greece, then in 1974 to Australia, where he served for nine years. In 1983 he moved to California in answer to call from Fr Peter Gillquist to assist members of the former 'Evangelical Orthodox Church' in their move to Orthodoxy. In 1989 he moved to Alaska, where he continued this work. He reposed in Eagle River, Alaska in 1992. Following is an excerpt from an account of his last days by members of his community in Eagle River:   "Father always signed his name with TWA, "Traveling With Angels". A few days before his death, after battling cancer many years, faithfully using the Jesus Prayer as the medicine for his affliction, the Archangel Michael appeared to help him. His final journey homeward had begun, TWA... 'the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.' (2 Timothy 4: 6-8)."

Grammy-nominated Kirtan singer and GoOD Friend, Krishna Das (KD) joins Nikki to talk about the first mantra he was given by Ram Dass (that saved him from a car accident), his experiences meeting Indian saints like Anandamayi Ma, his personal spiritual practice (chanting versus meditating), one of his favorite Christian Saints, St. Seraphim of Sarov, his time in India with Neem Karoli Baba aka Maharajji, and his time now, still living in the boundless presence that is his Guru. They cover how to manage doubt,  how to grow in Faith, and KD shares the mantra he turns to when maya/illusion gets very loud. Finally, KD leads a the beautiful 'Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram' chant. Watch on Youtube! राम राम राम राम राम राम राम राम राम राम राम "The words of these chants are called the divine names and they come from a place that's deeper than our hearts and our thoughts, deeper than the mind. And so as we sing them they turn us towards ourselves, into ourselves. They bring us in, and as we offer ourselves into the experience, the experience changes us. These chants have no meaning other than the experience that we have by doing them. They come from the Hindu tradition, but it's not about being a Hindu, or believing anything in advance. It's just about doing it, and experiencing. Nothing to join, you just sit down and sing. The repetition of the holy names reveals a presence hidden within the heart. Something begins to happen that's very disturbing - we get happy." - Krishna Das  The 'Sri Ram' Mantra is known as the victory mantra. 'One gets success and victory in all his ventures who chants this mantra. It is a miracle mantra which can make the impossible tasks possible.' Sri - Honorific title to show respect and reverence Ram - the Light of your Soul  Jai - Victory or Triumph Victory to the Light within me. "Just take Ram's name and all desires will be fulfilled." - Maharajji to Dada in Miracle of Love "Q: Maharajji, what can I do to gain pure love for Ram? -- Maharajji's Answer: You will get pure love for Ram by the blessings of Christ. Hanuman and Christ are one. They are the same." - Miracle of Love "Standing or sitting, eating or lying down, if one chants 'Ram, Ram' constantly, one will be able to gain His Grace, there is no doubt about it. A person, who is anxious to gain God's Grace, can experiment on this and test its truth. He, who constantly chants 'Ram, Ram', will become Ram." -Sri Sitaramdas Omkarath Aditya Hridiyam Mantra Meditation with Ram Dass  - "All evil vanishes from life for him who keeps the Sun in his heart."  "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." - Ephesians 2: 8-10   Chants of a Lifetime by Krishna Das   राम राम राम राम राम राम राम राम राम राम राम To claim your free gift, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, screenshot it and send it to me at nikki@curlynikki.com!  Join us on Patreon to support the show, and tune into and participate in live video Q&As with me!  Support the show राम राम राम राम राम राम राम राम राम राम राम

Elissa Bjeletich Davis and Kristina Wenger tell about St. Seraphim of Sarov.

Elissa Bjeletich Davis and Kristina Wenger tell about St. Seraphim of Sarov.

Elissa Bjeletich Davis and Kristina Wenger tell about St. Seraphim of Sarov.

Bulgaristan 1. Lig'inde mücadele eden Krumovgrad takımının başkanı Basri Sarov; üç yılda amatörden en üst lige çıkan kulübün hikayesini ve planlarını anlattı. İlginize teşekkürler, iyi dinlemeler!

Share this link to share the podcast: https://anchor.fm/orthodox-bible-study — Links to all our podcasts: https://anchor.fm/orthodox-christian-teaching

Dr. Tom Curran and Sr. Mary Eucharista reflect on the power of the Holy Spirit, in anticipation of Pentecost Sunday. What happens at Confirmation? What is the theology of Pentecost? Sr. Eucharista shares insights on the third person of the Holy Trinity. Tom shares insights about St. Seraphim of Sarov.

FULL SHOW NOTES https://podcast.nz365guy.com/452 Vlad Sarov shares his background, growing up in Moldova, his love for music, particularly playing the piano and being part of a band, and his love for cooking and trying out different cuisines. Tune in and get to know Vlad, as he shares his experiences and insights in the world of CRM technology. Discussion on the future of AI and the implications it may have for humankind. They explore topics such as the AI arms race, and the potential dangers of AI surpassing human intelligence. Vlad Sarov shares his views on the hype and reality of AI, stating that before ChatGPT, he did not see the point of using AI everywhere. Talk about how Descript allows users to edit recordings without having to re-record sections that weren't perfect. Topic about voice fraud, where criminals can use voice prints to impersonate someone and commit fraud. Talks about the possibility of programming emotions and understanding the brain better. AI 2041 - must-read book focuses on the next 20 years and covers various topics, including the maturity of autonomous cars. A conversation about the increasing use of AI in various industries and how it has become a game-changer in recent times. The importance of staying up-to-date with technological developments and the potential risks that come with using new technologies. The importance and the future of AI and its potential consequences.  OTHER RESOURCES: Microsoft MVP YouTube Series - How to Become a Microsoft MVP  90-Day Mentoring Challenge - https://ako.nz365guy.com/ Sessionize: https://sessionize.com/Vlad-Sarov/ AgileXRM AgileXRm - The integrated BPM for Microsoft Power PlatformSupport the showIf you want to get in touch with me, you can message me here on Linkedin.Thanks for listening

P. Juan Pablo (México)en las crisis que hay en la vida podemos dejarnos acompañar por Jesús como hicieron los discípulos de Emaús y con Él encontrar luz y esperanza.

You read about Me. You share about Me. Sometimes you even believe in Me, but you still don't trust Me.What you call faith is often just distraction, from the appearances,with other appearances. True Faith is when you face the problem, the appearance, and all you see is My Face, all you hear is My Voice, all you feel is My Promise.That's the difference between yesterday and today-LOVE, sustained. "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His Love endures forever."-Psalm 136:1 ********Today's Practice:Instead of Where's Waldo, keep asking, 'where's Jesus'? Where's the Christ?And keep seeing It shining through appearances, as appearances, as you.  I Love you, Niknikki@curlynikki.comPlease help me keep the show ad free + Get Merch!▶▶https://www.patreon.com/goodmornings________________________________Today's Quotes: "God, may I focus more on what I'm trying to get to, than on where I'm trying to get away from."-@Dayal.gauranga"Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, That my thoughts may all be holy.Act in me, O Holy Spirit, That my work, too, may be holy.Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, That I love but what is holy.Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, To defend all that is holy.Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, That I always may be holy."-St. Augustine"When the Lord God, the Holy Spirit, visits us [he says] and comes to us in the fuliness of his ineffable goodness, then we have to stop praying and refrain from prayer itself. The praying soul speaks and offers up words, but at the descent of the Holy Spirit it must be utterly silent so that it can clearly hear and truly understand the words of eternal life which the Spirit condescends to bring to it."-St Seraphim of Sarov "The will of God will never take you where the grace of God won't sustain you."-Unknown "We live in a Christ-soaked universe that is pulling us into the abundant, resurrection life of Jesus. We can either let go and trust the process or we can resist and suffer. Either way, death is the inevitable entryway into resurrection life."-Brandy Anderson"Just because something hasn't manifested, doesn't mean it can't. You are not miles away from what you want, and you are not years, or hours, or months, or weeks away from what you want. You're only vibrations away from what you want."- Esther Hicks"If you can recognize and accept your pain without running away from it, you will discover that although pain is there, joy can also be there at the same time."- Thich Nhat Hanh, No Mud, No Lotus"God desires to give us everything we just have to be empty enough to receive it."-Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Support the show

Born in 1866, he married and had three children. In 1920, at the age of 54, he and his wife quietly separated and each entered monastic life. Eventually he became the spiritual father of the St. Alexander Nevsky Lavra in St. Petersburg, where, as a clairvoyant staretz, he also confessed thousands of laity. He said, "I am the storage room where people's afflictions gather." In imitation of his patron saint, he prayed for a thousand nights on a rock before an icon of St. Seraphim of Sarov. He reposed in the Lord in 1949 and the Church of Russia glorified him in August of 2000. Thus his whole life as a monk was spent under Communist persecution.

Born in 1866, he married and had three children. In 1920, at the age of 54, he and his wife quietly separated and each entered monastic life. Eventually he became the spiritual father of the St. Alexander Nevsky Lavra in St. Petersburg, where, as a clairvoyant staretz, he also confessed thousands of laity. He said, "I am the storage room where people's afflictions gather." In imitation of his patron saint, he prayed for a thousand nights on a rock before an icon of St. Seraphim of Sarov. He reposed in the Lord in 1949 and the Church of Russia glorified him in August of 2000. Thus his whole life as a monk was spent under Communist persecution.

This is a discussion I had with Fr. Andrew Damick and Richard Rohlin from Ancient Faith Ministries about an Orthodox pilgrimage they made to Lithuania. They have an upcoming documentary and a podcast called The Wolf and the Cross about what they learned about Orthodoxy in Lithuania. Original video: https://youtu.be/36mr6G-rHUc?t=1641 Discussed images: - Image of the icon, Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn: https://youtu.be/36mr6G-rHUc?t=1514 - An icon similar to the icon St. Seraphim of Sarov had: https://youtu.be/36mr6G-rHUc?t=1641 The Wolf and the Cross podcast: - Episode 1: The Wolf: Lithuania Before the Cross: https://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/wolfandcross/01_the_wolf_lithuania_before_the_cross My links: https://linktr.ee/jonathanpageau My intro was arranged and recorded by Matthew Wilkinson.

'If riches increase, set not your heart on them."*When opportunities come, when all the doors are thrown open, because of how you've opened yourself to Grace,set not your heart on them. Keep your heart Here. Remembering that God is your provider, not what He has turned into, what he seems to become. The riches don't provide, the opportunities don't provide,they appear because of Him. Because of This...that you're hearing in abundance,that you're feeling in abundance.It's always Here, and when you live out from this,you'll always Have. I Love you, Niknikki@curlynikki.com ▶▶LOVE CHARGING STATION- Free Forum and Live Chat at 6:30am EThttps://forum.curlynikki.com/▶▶Join our new forum, GoOD Friends and enter the Mala Giveaway!Support the show:▶▶https://www.patreon.com/goodmornings__________________________________________Today's Quotes:"Lead me to the rock that is higher than I."*-Psalm 61:2"There is really only one problem, distraction. And therefore only one solutions, mindfulness."-Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche "My most frequent complaint toward my partner or loved one reveals my greatest emotional need,  not their greatest flaw."-Anonymous via @Mikefoster2000"Forgive them, all of your thems. The more thems you can forgive,the lighter you'll feel."- via IG @Mikefoster2000"Ask yourself: where am I Answer: hereAsk yourself: what time is it?Answer:NowSay it until you can hear it."-Ram Dass"In a conversation between St. Seraphim of Sarov and Motovilov in the middle of a cold and snowy forest, the latter asked the saint, "How can I discern for myself the true manifestation of the Spirit of God in me?"  The old St. Seraphim firmly took Motovilov by the shoulder and said, "We are both in the Spirit of God now, my dear.Why don't you look at me?"  Motovilov replied, "| cannot look, Father, because your eyes are flashing like lightning. Your face has become brighter than the sun, and my eyes ache with pain."St. Seraphim said, "Don't be alarmed, your God-lovingness! Now you yourself have become as bright as I am. You are now in the fullness of the Spirit of God yourself; otherwise you would not be able to see me as I am."-via IG @annapolozicons"Stop focusing on the forms and focus on what's inside."-Rumi Support the show

You are what the Christ has transformed Itself into. It's become you, me, your neighbors, your friends, your coworkers, and your enemies. And this year we're loving ALL of our Self-- remembering that where ourselves appear,only He is.Only Joy is,right behind the person, right behind their eyes, beyond those hands,look down at them...Right beyond those hands, is His hand,stretched out still.* Stilling you,enough to feel His Grace ,as that breath that you just took. And that one. And that one. Continue this way.This is The Way.  *Isaiah 9:12, 17I Love you, Niknikki@curlynikki.com ▶▶LOVE CHARGING STATION- Free Forum and Live Chat https://forum.curlynikki.com/▶▶Join our new forum, GoOD Friends and enter the Mala Giveaway!Support the show:▶▶https://www.patreon.com/goodmornings__________________________________________Today's Quotes:"That breath you just took is by God's grace."- @NeilVermillion via IG"Be in love with existence! And let love be like breathing. Breathe in, breathe out, but let it be love coming in, going out. By and by with each breath you have to create that magic of Love. "-Osho"[The Self]...might equally be called the "God within us".-Carl Jung"There is no 'other'.The truth is that you are always alone.Even when you are with others,you are essentially alone. However, it is a beautiful aloneness; it is not psychological.You are not alone anymore as a person.You are alone as everything--as the only One.All the various 'others' are only forms of the single Self."-Mooji"Who are youwhen youare justwith you?"- @sophia.joan.short via IG"This is important. But let me spin this for a moment also and ask you something:How often do you see someone's open hand and hold it?Look at your hands for a moment. There are people out there whose hand yours will fit into. That's why you have hands - to hold the hands of others, to lift up others by their hands, to place things in the hands of others, to work with your hands alongside others.  May God give us eyes to see the open hands; and the willingness to hold them as long as they need."- Mark Gladman @monkindocs via IG"And if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.The Lord will guide you always;he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame.You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail."-Isaiah 58:10-11"…ContinueTo dare to love deeplyAnd risk everythingFor the good thingContinueTo floatHappily in the sea of infinite substanceWhich set aside riches for youBefore you had a nameContinueAnd by doing soYou and your work Will be able to continueEternally"- excerpt from , 'Continue' by Maya Angelou "Your life is to be put out for others.... if you keep it to yourself, it rots...Put your life out there for people & Divinity.."-Sri Sri Ravi Shankar"Acquire the spirit of peace and a thousand souls around you will be saved."-St. Seraphim of Sarov"Our self (I) is what Maharaj transformed himself into leaving behind the image of what is the medium which holds us together with a string of Love. His Love is inifite just like His presence."-Bodhi_Jeevatma via IGSupport the show

"Saint Seraphim was born in the town of Kursk in 1759. From tender childhood he was under the protection of the most holy Mother of God, who, when he was nine years old, appeared to him in a vision, and through her icon of Kursk, healed him from a grave sickness from which he had not been expected to recover. At the age of nineteen he entered the monastery of Sarov, where he amazed all with his obedience, his lofty asceticism, and his great humility. In 1780 the Saint was stricken with a sickness which he manfully endured for three years, until our Lady the Theotokos healed him, appearing to him with the Apostles Peter and John. He was tonsured a monk in 1786, being named for the holy Hieromartyr Seraphim, Bishop of Phanarion (Dec. 4), and was ordained deacon a year later. In his unquenchable love for God, he continually added labours to labours, increasing in virtue and prayer with titan strides. Once, during the Divine Liturgy of Holy and Great Thursday he was counted worthy of a vision of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who appeared encompassed by the heavenly hosts. After this dread vision, he gave himself over to greater labours.   "In 1794, Saint Seraphim took up the solitary life in a cell in the forest. This period of extreme asceticism lasted some fifteen years, until 1810. It was at this time that he took upon himself one of the greatest feats of his life. Assailed with despondency and a storm of contrary thoughts raised by the enemy of our salvation, the Saint passed a thousand nights on a rock, continuing in prayer until God gave him complete victory over the enemy. On another occasion, he was assaulted by robbers, who broke his chest and his head with their blows, leaving him almost dead. Here again, he began to recover after an appearance of the most Holy Theotokos, who came to him with the Apostles Peter and John, and pointing to Saint Seraphim, uttered these awesome words, 'This is one of my kind.'   "In 1810, at the age of fifty, weakened by his more than human struggles, Saint Seraphim returned to the monastery for the third part of his ascetical labours, in which he lived as a recluse, until 1825. For the first five years of his reclusion, he spoke to no one at all, and little is known of this period. After five years, he began receiving visitors little by little, giving counsel and consolation to ailing souls. In 1825, the most holy Theotokos appeared to the Saint and revealed to him that it was pleasing to God that he fully end his reclusion; from this time the number of people who came to see him grew daily. It was also at the command of the holy Virgin that he undertook the spiritual direction of the Diveyevo Convent. He healed bodily ailments, foretold things to come, brought hardened sinners to repentance, and saw clearly the secrets of the heart of those who came to him. Through his utter humility and childlike simplicity, his unrivalled ascetical travails, and his angel-like love for God, he ascended to the holiness and greatness of the ancient God-bearing Fathers and became, like Anthony for Egypt, the physician for the whole Russian land. In all, the most holy Theotokos appeared to him twelve times in his life. The last was on Annunciation, 1831, to announce to him that he would soon enter into his rest. She appeared to him accompanied by twelve virgins martyrs and monastic saints with Saint John the Baptist and Saint John the Theologian. With a body ailing and broken from innumerable hardships, and an unspotted soul shining with the light of Heaven, the Saint lived less than two years after this, falling asleep in peace on January 2, 1833, chanting Paschal hymns. On the night of his repose, the righteous Philaret of the Glinsk Hermitage beheld his soul ascending to Heaven in light. Because of the universal testimony to the singular holiness of his life, and the seas of miracles that he performed both in life and after death, his veneration quickly spread beyond the boundaries of the Russian Empire to every corner of the earth. See also July 19." (Great Horologion)   July 19 is the commemoration of the uncovering of St Seraphim's holy relics, which was attended by Tsar Nicholas II.   Saint Seraphim's life became a perpetual celebration of Pascha: in his later years he dressed in a white garment, greeted everyone, regardless of the season, with "Christ is Risen!" and chanted the Pascha service every day of the year.

"Saint Seraphim was born in the town of Kursk in 1759. From tender childhood he was under the protection of the most holy Mother of God, who, when he was nine years old, appeared to him in a vision, and through her icon of Kursk, healed him from a grave sickness from which he had not been expected to recover. At the age of nineteen he entered the monastery of Sarov, where he amazed all with his obedience, his lofty asceticism, and his great humility. In 1780 the Saint was stricken with a sickness which he manfully endured for three years, until our Lady the Theotokos healed him, appearing to him with the Apostles Peter and John. He was tonsured a monk in 1786, being named for the holy Hieromartyr Seraphim, Bishop of Phanarion (Dec. 4), and was ordained deacon a year later. In his unquenchable love for God, he continually added labours to labours, increasing in virtue and prayer with titan strides. Once, during the Divine Liturgy of Holy and Great Thursday he was counted worthy of a vision of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who appeared encompassed by the heavenly hosts. After this dread vision, he gave himself over to greater labours.   "In 1794, Saint Seraphim took up the solitary life in a cell in the forest. This period of extreme asceticism lasted some fifteen years, until 1810. It was at this time that he took upon himself one of the greatest feats of his life. Assailed with despondency and a storm of contrary thoughts raised by the enemy of our salvation, the Saint passed a thousand nights on a rock, continuing in prayer until God gave him complete victory over the enemy. On another occasion, he was assaulted by robbers, who broke his chest and his head with their blows, leaving him almost dead. Here again, he began to recover after an appearance of the most Holy Theotokos, who came to him with the Apostles Peter and John, and pointing to Saint Seraphim, uttered these awesome words, 'This is one of my kind.'   "In 1810, at the age of fifty, weakened by his more than human struggles, Saint Seraphim returned to the monastery for the third part of his ascetical labours, in which he lived as a recluse, until 1825. For the first five years of his reclusion, he spoke to no one at all, and little is known of this period. After five years, he began receiving visitors little by little, giving counsel and consolation to ailing souls. In 1825, the most holy Theotokos appeared to the Saint and revealed to him that it was pleasing to God that he fully end his reclusion; from this time the number of people who came to see him grew daily. It was also at the command of the holy Virgin that he undertook the spiritual direction of the Diveyevo Convent. He healed bodily ailments, foretold things to come, brought hardened sinners to repentance, and saw clearly the secrets of the heart of those who came to him. Through his utter humility and childlike simplicity, his unrivalled ascetical travails, and his angel-like love for God, he ascended to the holiness and greatness of the ancient God-bearing Fathers and became, like Anthony for Egypt, the physician for the whole Russian land. In all, the most holy Theotokos appeared to him twelve times in his life. The last was on Annunciation, 1831, to announce to him that he would soon enter into his rest. She appeared to him accompanied by twelve virgins martyrs and monastic saints with Saint John the Baptist and Saint John the Theologian. With a body ailing and broken from innumerable hardships, and an unspotted soul shining with the light of Heaven, the Saint lived less than two years after this, falling asleep in peace on January 2, 1833, chanting Paschal hymns. On the night of his repose, the righteous Philaret of the Glinsk Hermitage beheld his soul ascending to Heaven in light. Because of the universal testimony to the singular holiness of his life, and the seas of miracles that he performed both in life and after death, his veneration quickly spread beyond the boundaries of the Russian Empire to every corner of the earth. See also July 19." (Great Horologion)   July 19 is the commemoration of the uncovering of St Seraphim's holy relics, which was attended by Tsar Nicholas II.   Saint Seraphim's life became a perpetual celebration of Pascha: in his later years he dressed in a white garment, greeted everyone, regardless of the season, with "Christ is Risen!" and chanted the Pascha service every day of the year.

This talk is a continuation of Talk 43. In his own time, Saint Seraphim of Sarov said that Orthodox Christians had forgotten the true aim of the Christian life. Many had become immersed in the darkness of materialism or in routine and mechanical outward piety. Saint Seraphim revealed the true aim of the spiritual life to his disciple, Nicholas Motovilov. This revelation is considered one of modern Orthodoxy's most important spiritual treasures.In this talk, Father Kosmas explains how if such ignorance existed in Saint Seraphim's time, how much more does it exist now. In our times, many have a wrong view of the essence of spiritual life. He emphasizes how many are confused by what exactly is meant by “good deeds”. By analyzing the saint's revelation, Orthodox Christians will discover not only what good deeds are, but also the most important thing of all: what we need to do to be saved.The following questions are also discussed: why is hypocrisy considered the worst of sins? Is confessing Christ as God enough, considering that the devil does the same? External versus internal piety – which is more important? Should not Christ have reprimanded those who followed man-made traditions? Should asceticism be considered more important than following the commandments? What is the first gift that God gives to those who are truly struggling?Other points covered in this talk include: the danger of trusting oneself in the spiritual life; the danger of being obsessed with particular aspects of Orthodoxy; how strictly observing Church practices can become a form of idol worship; how an answered prayer does not always indicate spiritual progress; how the devil can imitate the gifts of the Holy Spirit; and the story of how a prostitute's prayer raised a mother's only son.Acknowledgement: The Transfiguration of St. Seraphim, Mural in St. Seraphim Cathedral, Dallas, TX USA, by Vladimir Grygorenko, www.orthodox-icon.comTalk 44 duration: 3hrs 39minsChanting duration: 13mins (Hymns from the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos)Visit our website: www.OrthodoxTalks.com

This talk is a continuation of Talks 43 and 44. Saint Seraphim of Sarov teaches that we acquire grace through doing good works, not for virtue's sake, but for Christ's sake. In these times, more than ever, there is great confusion about what are good works. In the media, celebrities are often portrayed as doers of good works such as helping the poor, donating to medical research, adopting children and encouraging others to donate to “worthy” causes.In this talk, using the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes as a basis, Father Kosmas shows us what exactly is meant by good works. Furthermore, he explains that what the world considers to be good works are not necessarily recognised as good works by God. In order to avoid deception and to attain salvation, a balanced spiritual life is of utmost importance.The following questions are also discussed: what is meant by “true Christianity consists of practicing the commandments”? What comes first, love for God or love for our neighbour? How can recognizing our lack of love be a good thing? Is it true that the Church encourages physical punishment of children? How does repentance relate to keeping the commandments? Why can focusing on certain aspects of Orthodoxy lead to deception and heresy?Other points covered in this talk include: how the commandment to honor one's father and mother surprisingly also refers to the upbringing of children; the deception of those who think that persecution is easy to endure; how not all anger is considered a sin; how the women's liberation movement has done more harm than good; how the upbringing of children has become a forgotten or despised commandment; and how those who fight against ecumenism frequently lead their children into heresy.Duration: 3hrs 36minsVisit our website: www.OrthodoxTalks.com

Though he has not been glorified by the Church, Fr Lazarus was a pioneer and exemplar of Orthodoxy in the West.   He was born in England in 1902. In his early manhood he moved to western Canada, where he worked as a farm laborer for several years. While working in Alberta, he sensed a call to become a missionary and went to an English missionary college for five years.   Sad to say, our sources are unclear about how he came to the Orthodox faith from this unlikely beginning. But in 1934 he spent seven weeks on Mt Athos, then lived as a monk in Yugoslavia. He was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Theophan (Russian Orthodox Church Abroad), then sent to Palestine to serve the Russian Mission in Jerusalem.   In 1948, the new State of Israel gave the Mission's property to the Soviet Union and the mission was left dispossessed. Fr Lazarus served as priest to the Russian Convent in Aïn Karim and Transjordan, then was sent to India in 1952, where he helped in Orthodox missionary work for twenty years. Several of his books and translations, such as his biography/study of St Seraphim of Sarov, were written while he lived in India. While there, he met Mother Gavrilia of Greece, whose beautiful biography Ascetic of Love includes good descriptions of him during his life in India. Though very strict in his Orthodoxy, he was flexible in externals: in India he wore a white rather than a black cassock, because black clothing had offensive connotations to the Indian people.   In 1972 Fr Lazarus was called to Greece, then in 1974 to Australia, where he served for nine years. In 1983 he moved to California in answer to call from Fr Peter Gillquist to assist members of the former 'Evangelical Orthodox Church' in their move to Orthodoxy. In 1989 he moved to Alaska, where he continued this work. He reposed in Eagle River, Alaska in 1992. Following is an excerpt from an account of his last days by members of his community in Eagle River:   "Father always signed his name with TWA, "Traveling With Angels". A few days before his death, after battling cancer many years, faithfully using the Jesus Prayer as the medicine for his affliction, the Archangel Michael appeared to help him. His final journey homeward had begun, TWA... 'the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.' (2 Timothy 4: 6-8)."