Monday, August 16, 2010


THE 4 WAYS TO GUARD OURSELVES FROM DEMONS' WILES


Temporal
 


Archimandrite Seraphim (Alexiev)

[From the book] SICK AND SOUND MYSTICISM

1) The first and most reliable way to cope with demons is the acquisition of humility.
       Saint Anthony the Great saw once all the snares of the evil one disseminated on earth. Sighing, he said: "Who can avoid them?" – and he heard a voice that said to him: "[wisdom of] humility!"
       Indeed, nothing else could upset so much the plans of the devil as humility. The evil one sends visions in order to inflate one’s pride, while humility disposes of any devilish phenomenon and puts an end to it. He who has reached the [wisdom of] humility has become invulnerable to demons.
       The devil appeared to a monk transformed into an angel of light, and said to him: "I am archangel Gabriel. I was sent to you." The monk said: "See that you are not sent to someone else because I am unworthy to see angels." The devil, scalded by the monk's humility, immediately disappeared.
       And those misguided modern clerics boasting with their visions can be saved from the devil's captivity – if they humble themselves.

2) The second way is to meet every vision in full mistrust.
       A virtuous old man lived in utter silence in his cottage and was often disturbed by demons. They came to him when awake but he met them with contempt. Then the devil resorted to contrivance. He appeared to the hermit in light and said: "I am Christ!" The old man closed his eyes expressing mistrust. The devil repeated: "I am Christ. Why did you close your eyes?" And the old man answered: "I desire to see Christ not here but in the future life." The devil disappeared. The old man – thanks to his prudent mistrust guarded himself from the tempter's wiles. And so today's Christians – who are scammed by devilish visions, can also be saved if they show distrust in their visions.
       But some will object: what if the visions are from God and we reject them, will we not offend with this the Holy Spirit Who gives them?
       To these we shall answer: if we – having taken the road of religious sanity – really reject genuine, gracious visions, God will not be angry with us, because He knows that it is not from stubborn unbelief that we do not trust our visions, but from prudent dread lest we become victims of demons' deceit.
       If prudent rejection of vision occurring to sinners were a sin, then the most responsible ones for such a "sin" would be the Holy Fathers of our Orthodox Church. Because it is they exactly who – protecting us from aberrations after sickly mysticism, quite definitely advise us: "If indeed an angel appeared to you, do not accept him credulously, but humble yourself and say: I live in sins. I am unworthy to see angels."
       That same advice is also given by St. Gregory of Sinai: "Accept it in no way if you see something with your sensual eyes or with your mind outside or inside you, were it even in the image of Christ or of an angel or of some saint, or if you are shown light... Be careful and alert! Do not indulge in trusting such things, do not voice sympathy and consent, and do not be quick to believe the vision quickly, even if it is true and good! Grow cold and foreign to him, constantly guarding your mind to not build itself any image... He who has seen something in his mind or with his senses, even if it is from God and hastened to accept it, easily falls into the deceit or at least reveals one's inclination and ability to believe the fraud as one who accepts the phenomena quick and frivolously... God is not angry at him who guards oneself with utter attention – and fearing a fraud, does not accept what has been sent by God until one discusses it with great attention. To the contrary, He praises him for one's prudence..."

3) The third way is to purify one's heart from sins.
       The Devil can easily slip – without being noticed – into a soul fouled by iniquities the same as the wolf can imperceptibly get close to the sheep pen on a misty winter day. But when the soul is purified of sins, the appearance of the devil can easily be noticed.
       Circumcision [sin purification] is best done in the sacrament of repentance and confession, done before a cleric. At the confession a man should open up one's soul, take out on display all hidden thoughts and dark secrets, appear in all one's carefully concealed hitherto spiritual ugliness, feel spiritually stripped in order for one's spiritual father to see one as one is! What [great] self-abasement the confession is, what self-exposing!; but how salvational it is!
       Where in sincere confession one has shown to one's priest all the abominations of one's heart, then one alone will [be able to] answer oneself whether one is worthy to see angels. Then one shall be so [much] humbled that one would never even think to see visions with one's profane eyes!

4) The fourth way is the more frequent receiving of communion with the Body and Blood of Christ, the more frequent drinking of holy water and sprinkling with it, making of the sign of the cross and reading the prayer: "Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered!" A Holy Father asked the demons that appeared to him: "What are you most scared of?" Forced in God's name to respond, they admitted against their will: "Of what you call Communion."
       How strongly the sign of the cross is in our fight against demons is seen from the following words of St. Anthony the Great: "They (the demons) are timid and fear exceptionally much the sign of the cross as through the cross the Savior has deprived them of their powers and has given them to disgrace."

Tuesday, August 10, 2010


"THE WAY IT WILL BE"
PERFECTUATE THYSELF
Abba Dorotheus


Temporal
 


[15-26]
"You are urged therefore to read with good will and attention, and to be indulgent in cases where, despite our diligent labor in translating, we may seem to have rendered some phrases imperfectly. For what was originally expressed in Hebrew does not have exactly the same sense when translated into another language. Not only this work, but even the law itself, the prophecies, and the rest of the books differ not a little as originally expressed." (Preface to Sirach, ca. 200 BC)

"And so, above all you are obliged – with the help of God, to not in the least believe in your opinions and with all your strength to try to humble yourself before your brethren, and from all your soul to cut off thy will before them. If anyone of them happens to annoy you or to somehow sadden you, then you – in the word of the Fathers, pray about him, as for one who has granted you great benefit and as for one healing your voluptuousness. Through these things your irritability will reduce, for – in the word of the Holy Fathers, love is irritability’s bridle.
But above all pray to God …"

Translation from Russian

Abba Dorotheus

HOMILIES FOR EACH WEEKDAY
PRAYER AGAINST ANGER

 [CLICK HERE] for English version


Prayer Against Anger
O Lord, merciful and man-loving!
By Thy ineffable goodness having created us out of nothing,
to enjoy Thy goods, and by the blood of Thy Only-begotten Son,
our Savior, Who has called us who retreated from Thy commandments!
Come now again, help our infirmities, and the same as once Thou banned
the heaving sea, ban now the disturbance of our hearts
so that Thou would not lose us both at one hour
– Thy children slain by sin, and so that Thou would not tell us:
"What profit is there in My blood, when I go down to the pit?"
and: "Verily I say unto you, I know you not.",
for our lamps are gone out for the lack of oil.
Amen.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010


Sts. Gervase and Protase
Св. Св. Гервасий и Протасий
14/27 октомври October


T A L M A C H
so much and simple

Life in Russian

КОНДАК
Явихте се като светли светилници, божествени мъченици,
и озарявате творението със светлината на чудесата,
като прогонвате дълбоката нощ на недъзите
и се молите на Христа, Единия Бог,
за всички нас.

прославени през 386 г.; светите им мощи са намерени
през месец юни от св. Амвросий Медиолански;
над мощите им в Милано е била построена
'Базилика на мъчениците' - сега "Св. Амвросий" / Сент Амброджо

"Божественото Писание нарича длъжник онзи, който е получил нещо даром от Господа
и не го дава на други, защото той като че краде от църквата , когато укрива онова, което
може да бъде полезно на останалите. Затова Давид е казал
[ПС 39:11]:
'ТВОЯТА ПРАВДА НЕ СКРИВАХ В СЪРЦЕТО СИ, ВЪЗВЕСТЯВАХ ТВОЯТА ВЯРНОСТ
И СПАСЕНИЕТО ОТ ТЕБЕ, И НЕ ЗАТАЯВАХ ТВОЯТА МИЛОСТ И ТВОЯТА ИСТИНА
ПРЕД ВЕЛИКОТО СЪБРАНИЕ.
'
И като че желаейки въздаяние за това дело, добавил:
[ПС 39:12] 'Не спирай, Господи, Твоите щедрости към мене.' "

=============================

Kontakion
You appeared as bright lamps, o, divine martyrs
and you illumine the creation with the light of miracles
by driving away the dense night of infirmities
and praying to Christ, the One God,
for us all.


Sts. Gervase and Protase
– October 14 / 27
glorified in 386 AD, their holy relics were found
in June by St. Ambrose of Mediolana
;
built above over their relics in Milan was
the 'Basilica of the martyrs' – now of St. Ambrosius / St. Ambrogio

"The Divine Scripture calls a debtor he who has received something as a gift from the Lord
and gives it not to others because he then is as if stealing from the church when hiding
what may be useful to others. Therefore David said [Ps. 40:10]:
'I have not hid Thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared
Thy faithfulness and Thy salvation: I have not concealed Thy loving kindness
and Thy truth  from the great congregation.'

And as if he wanted bestowal for this deed, he added:
[Ps. 40:11] 'Withhold not Thou Thy tender mercies from me'


Four Martyrs of Milan AND St. Cosmas
The Holy Martyrs Nazarius, Gervasius, Protasius and Celsus of Milan AND Kosmas



Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
Thy Martyrs, O Lord, in their courageous contest for Thee received as the prize the crowns of incorruption and life from Thee, our immortal God. For since they possessed Thy strength, they cast down the tyrants and wholly destroyed the demons' strengthless presumption. O Christ God, by their prayers, save our souls, since Thou art merciful.

Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
Let us praise the fourfold company of martyrs: Nazarius, Gervasius, Protasius and Celsus. For they preached the Trinity to all and by their contest dispelled the worship of idols. Through their prayers, O Christ God, have mercy on us all.

Kontakion in the Second Tone
In shedding the light of miracles like shining lamps, O Martyrs of God, ye make the whole creation bright, at all times dispelling the deepest night of sickness and maladies and without cease pleading with Christ, the only God, that He grant His mercy to us.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010


Какво ми дава силата да говоря
What gives me power to talk


Temporal
 
 
 Кое ми дава упование да отварям уста

и да казвам което мисля, чувствам, което ме вълнува...

Вярвам ли че наистина не лъжа - било то и "с чисто сърце"?

Възможно ли е това да е просто чисто човешки страх - че никой не ме чува, че оставам напълно незабелязан?

Да ме чуе някой, да ме забележи...? Какво общо би могло да има това с божественото, с моето отношение/виждане/усещане/догадки/надежди/напразно мъдруване/празнословие... когато се говори за НЕПОСТИЖИМОТО?

ПРОСТИТЕ неща са най-сложни - с най-много томове, които ги описват (любовта напр.),
а ПРОСТИТЕ мисли са ГЕНИАЛНИ!

ПРОСТ / ЧИСТОСЪРДЕЧЕН / искрен / божествен /

. . .


17 / 04 юни 2010 г. 22:30 ч.
Свт. Митрофан, прп Зосима

===========================================
Това е моят SOUL BOOK (душекнижка)- по ЛИЦЕ поне (FACE)
за да скрие действителната й грозота...
===========================================
_____________________________________________________________________________


What is it that gives me confidence to open my mouth

and say what I think, what I feel, what excites me ...
Do I believe that I am really not lying - be that even from "pure of heart"?
Could it be simply a purely human fear - that no one hears me, that I remain completely unnoticed?

For someone to hear me, notice me ...? What could this have in common with the divine, with my attitude / vision / feeling / guesswork / hopes / vain theorizing / claptrap ... when talking about the UNACHIEVABLE?
SIMPLE things are the most complicated - with the most numerous volumes written to describe them (e.g. love), while the SIMPLE thoughts are the work of GENIUS!

SIMPLE / PURE-HEARTED / honest / divine /

. . .

17/04 June, 2010, 10:30 PM
St. Mitrophan, St. Zosima

====================================
This is my SOUL BOOK - on the FACE of it
to hide its actual uggliness...
====================================


A LIST OF PASSIONS:
by Saint Peter of Damascus


Temporal
 


Translated from Greek to English
and [poorly] English => to Bulgarian


The passions are:


Harshness = trickery = malice = perversity = mindlessness = licentiousness = enticement = dullness = lack of understanding = idleness = sluggishness = stupidity = flattery = silliness = idiocy = madness = derangement = coarseness = rashness = cowardice = lethargy = dearth of good actions = moral errors = greed = over-frugality = ignorance = folly = spurious knowledge = forgetfulness = lack of discrimination = obduracy = injustice = evil intention = a conscienceless soul = slothfulness = idle chatter = breaking of faith = wrongdoing = sinfulness = lawlessness = criminality = passion = seduction = assent to evil = mindless coupling = demonic provocation = dallying = bodily comfort beyond what is required = vice = stumbling = sickness of soul = enervation = weakness of intellect = negligence = laziness = a reprehensible despondency = disdain of God = aberration = transgression = unbelief = lack of faith = wrong belief = poverty of faith = heresy = fellowship in heresy = polytheism = idolatry = ignorance of God = impiety = magic = astrology = divination = sorcery = denial of God = the love of idols = dissipation = profligacy = loquacity = indolence = self-love = inattentiveness = lack of progress = deceit = delusion = audacity = witchcraft = defilement = the eating of unclean food = soft living = dissoluteness = voracity = unchastity = avarice = anger = dejection = listlessness = self-esteem = pride = presumption = self-elation = boastfulness = infatuation = foulness = satiety = doltishness = torpor = sensuality = over-eating = gluttony = insatiability = secret eating = hoggishness = solitary eating = indifference = fickleness = self-will = thoughtlessness = self-satisfaction = love of popularity = ignorance of beauty = uncouthness = gaucherie = lightmindedness = boorishness = rudeness = contentiousness = quarrelsomeness = abusiveness = shouting = brawling = fighting = rage = mindless desire = gall = exasperation = giving offence = enmity = meddlesomeness = chicanery = asperity = slander = censure = calumny = condemnation = accusation = hatred = railing = insolence = dishonour = ferocity = frenzy =severity = aggressiveness = forswearing oneself = oathtaking = lack of compassion = hatred of one's brothers = partiality = patricide = matricide = breaking fasts = laxity = acceptance of bribes = theft = rapine = jealousy = strife = envy = indecency = jesting = vilification = mockery = derision = exploitation = oppression = disdain of one's neighbour = flogging = making sport of others = hanging = throttling = heartlessness = implacability = covenant-breaking = bewitchment = harshness = shamelessness = impudence = obfuscation of thoughts = obtuseness = mental blindness = attraction to what is fleeting = impassionedness = frivolity = disobedience = dullwittedness = drowsiness of soul = excessive sleep = fantasy = heavy drinking = drunkenness = uselessness = slackness = mindless enjoyment = self-indulgence = venery = using foul language = effeminacy = unbridled desire = burning lust = masturbation = pimping = adultery = sodomy = bestiality = defilement = wantonness = a stained soul = incest = uncleanliness = pollution = sordidness = feigned affection = laughter = jokes = immodest dancing = clapping = improper songs = revelry = flute playing = license of tongue = excessive love of order = insubordination = disorderliness = reprehensible collusion = conspiracy = warfare = killing = brigandry = sacrilege = illicit gains = usury = wiliness = grave-robbing = hardness of heart = obloquy = complaining = blasphemy = fault-finding = ingratitude = malevolence = contemptuousness = pettiness = confusion = lying = verbosity = empty words = mindless joy = daydreaming = mindless friendship = bad habits = nonsensicality = silly talk = garrulity = niggardliness = depravity = intolerance = irritability = affluence = rancour = misuse = ill-temper = clinging to life = ostentation = affectation = pusillanimity = satanic love = curiosity = contumely = lack of the fear of God = unteachability = senselessness = haughtiness = self-vaunting = self-inflation = scorn for one's neighbour = mercilessness = insensitivity = hopelessness = spiritual paralysis = hatred of God = despair = suicide = a falling away from God in all things = utter destruction -- altogether [290] 298 passions.

These, then, are the passions which I have found named in the Holy Scriptures. I have set them down in a single list, as I did at the beginning of my discourse with the various books I have used. I have not tried, nor would I have been able, to arrange them all in order; this would have been beyond my powers, for the reason given by St. John Klimakos: 'If you seek understanding in wicked men, you will not find it.' For all that the demons produce is disorderly. In common with the godless and the unjust, the demons have but one purpose: to destroy the souls of those who accept their evil counsel. Yet sometimes they actually help men to attain holiness. In such instances they are conquered by the patience and faith of those who put their trust in the Lord, and who through their good actions and resistance to evil thoughts counteract the demons and bring down curses upon them.

A LIST OF THE PASSIONS, Saint Peter of Damascus
The Philokalia; The Complete Text compiled by St. Nikodimos of the Holy Mountain and St. Makarios of Corinth, Volume Three
Translated from the Greek and edited by G.E.H. Palmer, Philip Sherard, Kallistos Ware faber and faber, 1984


__________________________________________________________________________________
[невеж] превод от английски

Списък на страстите: от Св. Петър Дамаскин 
велик монах-исихаст от 12 в. [1027-1107]

Страстите са следните:


Грубост = мошеничество = злоба = перверзност = безразличие = сладострастие = съблазняване = тъпота = липса на разбиране = леност = мудност = глупост = ласкателство = глупавост = идиотизъм = лудост = умопомрачение = рязкост = прибързаност = малодушие = отпуснатост = недостиг на добри действия = морални грешки = алчност = свръх-пестеливост = невежество = безумие = неистински знания = забрава = липса на благоразумие = упоритост = несправедливост = зло намерение = безсъвестна душа = мързеливост = брътвеж = накърняване на вярата = злодеяние = греховност = беззаконие = престъпност = страст = прелъстяване = съгласяване със зло = безсмислено съвокупление = демонична провокация = празноделие = телесен комфорт извън нужното = поквара = прегрешаване {препъване} = болест на душата = ослабление = слабост на интелекта = небрежност = мързел = осъдително униние = презрение към Бога = отклоняване = прегрешение = неверие = липса на вяра = грешно вярване = маловерие = ерес = причастност към ерес = многобожие = идолопоклонство = непознаване на Бога = безбожие = магия = астрология = врачуване = магьосничество = отричане от Бога = любов към идоли = разпуснатост = безпътство = приказливост = вялост = самовлюбеност = невнимателност = липса на напредък = измама = заблуда = безочливост = магьосничество = оскверняване = ядене на нечиста храна = безметежен живот = разрвратност = лакомия = нецеломъдрие = скъперничество = гняв = униние (отпадналост) = равнодушие = самомнение = гордост = самонадеяност = само-възгордяване = самохвалство = заслепление = низост = преситеност = тъпоумие = вцепенение (до тъпота) = чувственост = прекомерно ядене = лакомия = ненаситност = тайноядство = свинщина = ядене сам = равнодушие = непостоянство = самоволие = необмисленост = самодоволство = любов към популярността = невежеството към красотата = непохватност = нетактичност = лекомислие = дебелащина = грубост = свадливост = кавгаджийство = злоупотребяване = викане = шумно каране = биене = ярост = безумно жадуване = жлъчност = вбесяване = обиждане = враждебност = натрапчивост = изврътливост = рязкост = злословие = порицание = клевета = осъждане = обвинение = омраза = ругателство (насмешливост) = наглост = безчестие = свирепост = бесноватост = строгост = агресивност = отричане по клетва = кълнене = липса на състрадание = омраза към събратята = пристрастност = отцеубийство = майцеубийство = нарушаване на пости = слабохарактерност = приемане на подкупи = кражба = грабителство = ревност = разпри (несъгласие) = завист = неприличие = присмехулство = хулене = подиграване = присмех (осмиване) = експлоатиране = потисничеството = презрение към ближния = бичуване = взимане другите на подбив = обесване = задушаване = безсърдечие = непреклонност = нарушаване на завет (договореност) = омагьосване = жестокост = безсрамие = наглост = омрачаване на мислите = невъзприемчивост = умствена слепота = привличане към бързотечното (краткотрайното) = острастеност = фриволност = неподчиняване = тъпоумие = сънливост на душата = прекомерен спане = фантазиране = много пиене = пиянство = безполезност = небрежност = безумно наслаждение = само-снизхождение = venery (венеричество?) = използване на нечист език = женственост (за мъж) = необуздано желание = изгаряща похот = мастурбиране = сводничество = прелюбодеяние = содомия = скотщина = омърсеност = поквареност = замърсена душа = кръвосмешение = нечистоплътност = замърсеност = мизерия (нищета) = престорена обич = смях = шеги = нескромни танци = (ръко-)пляскане = неприлични песни = гуляене = свирене на флейта = разпуснатост на езика = прекомерна любов към реда = неподчиняване = безпорядъчност = влизане в осъдително споразумение = конспирация = воюване = убиване = разбойничество = светотатство = незаконни печалби = лихварство = лукавство = ограбване на гробове = коравосърдечност = безчестене = оплакване = богохулство = намиране на недостатъци = неблагодарност = злоба = надменност = дребнавост = объркване = лъжене = многословие = празнословие = безсмислена радост = мечтателност = безсмислено приятелство = лоши навици = неразумност = приказване на глупости = словоохотливост = свидливост = поквара = нетърпимост = раздразнителност = охолство = озлобение = злоупотребяване = лошо настроение = вкопчването в живота = суетност = преструване = малодушие = сатанинска любов = любопитство = оскърбление = липса на страх Божи = невъзприемчивост = безчувствие = надменност = самохвалство = самовъзгордяване = презрение към ближния = немилостивост = нечувствителност = безнадеждност = духовна парализа = омраза към Бога = отчаяние = самоубийство = отпадане от Бога във всичко = пълно унищожение – всичко на всичко [290] 298 страсти.

Тези, значи, са страстите, които съм намерил посочени по име в Светото Писание. Събрах ги в един списък, както го сторих в началото на общението ми с различните книги, които използвах. Не съм се опитал - нито пък съм могъл - да ги подредя; това би било извън силите ми поради причините, изложени от св. Йоан Климакос: "Ако търсите разбиране в нечестивци, няма да го намерите." Защото всичко, което демоните произвеждат, е безредно. Ведно с безбожниците и несправедливите, демоните имат само една цел: да унищожат душите на онези, които приемат злите им съвети. Но понякога те всъщност помагат на хората да постигнат святост. В такива случаи те биват победени от търпението и вярата на онези, които се уповават на Господ и които – чрез своите добри действия и противене на злите помисли, противодействат на демоните и свалят проклятията върху тях. 
"Списък на страстите", Св.Петър Дамаскин
'Филокалия' (Philokalia - Добротолюбие); пълният текст, съставен от Св. Никодим Светогорец и Св. Макариос Коринтски, том трети
Преведено [на английски] от гръцки и редактирано от Г.Е.Х. Палмер, Филип Шерард, Калистос Уеър Фабер и Фабер, 1984 г.

4U2C

4U2C

A Prayer Before Communion
by St Dimitry of Rostov


Open, O doors and bolts of my heart
that Christ the King of Glory may enter!
Enter, O my Light and enlighten my darkness;
enter, O my Life, and resurrect my deadness;
enter, O my Physician and heal my wounds;
enter, O Divine Fire, and burn up the thorns of my sins;
ignite my inward parts and my heart with the flame of Thy love;
enter, O my King, and destroy in me the kingdom of sin;
sit on the throne of my heart and [You] alone reign in me,
O Thou, my King and Lord.



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А има ли друг баир оттатък смъртта?
- Стойко Попович (в писмо до сина си [Георги] Сава Раковски)



БОЖИЕТО / OF GOD
Higgs Boson / Holy Sepulchre / the Eye / Aurora Borealis / Rock (Mauritania)
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