Ο πνευματικος γιατρός

Ένας ισχυρός βασιλιάς άκουσε για έναν άγιο ιερέα, πως έχει θεραπευτικές ικανότητες. Τον κάλεσε, λοιπόν, μήπως τον βοηθήσει να αντιμετωπίσει τους δυνατούς πόνους στην σπονδυλική του στήλη.


-Ο Θεός θα μας βοηθήσει, είπε ο άγιος άνθρωπος, όταν έφθασε. Προτείνω στην μεγαλειότητά Σας να εξομολογηθείτε τώρα. Γιατί η εξομολόγηση βοηθά τον άνθρωπο στην αντιμετώπιση των προβλημάτων του, και προ παντός τον απαλλάσσει από πολλές ενοχές και τύψεις, συμφιλιώνοντάς τον με το Θεό.
Ο βασιλιάς, δυσαρεστημένος από μια τέτοια υποχρέωση, είπε:
-Δεν θέλω να μιλήσω για τέτοια ζητήματα. Χρειάζομαι κάποιον που θα με θεραπεύσει χωρίς ερωτήσεις.
Ο ιερέας έφυγε και επέστρεψε λίγο αργότερα, έχοντας μαζί του έναν άλλον άνθρωπο.

-Εγώ πιστεύω πως ο λόγος και η αποκατάσταση της σχέσης μας με το Θεό μπορεί να μας ανακουφίσει από τον πόνο και να μας βοηθήσει -ενδεχομένως- να βρούμε τον σωστό δρόμο προς τη θεραπεία. Σεις. όμως, δεν θέλετε να συζητήσουμε· και έτσι δεν μπορώ να σας βοηθήσω. Να, όμως ο άνθρωπος που χρειάζεσθε: ο φίλος μου είναι κτηνίατρος και συνήθως δεν κουβεντιάζει με τους ασθενείς του (!!).
Εμείς θα λέγαμε: πολύ δηκτικός και σκληρός ο λόγος του παπά! Και ίσως, σε υπερήφανους απόλυτους άρχοντες, να χρειάζονται και κάτι τέτοια. Όμως. το θέμα, που παραμένει ανοιχτό για όλους μας, είναι:
Θέλουμε από το Θεό γρήγορες και προπαντός εύκολες λύσεις στα προβλήματά μας. Αλλά μας διαφεύγει της προσοχής ότι η ταραχή και η θλίψη μας μπορεί να οφείλονται στις αμαρτίες μας! Εφόσον η συγχώρηση των αμαρτιών είναι εντολή του Χριστού και χάρισμα που δόθηκε στους αποστόλους (Ιωάν. 20, 23) και φυσικά στους διαδόχους τους ιερείς και αρχιερείς, είναι πολύ εύκολο να δοκιμάσουμε τη «συνταγή» του Χριστού για την εξομολόγηση. Να μιλήσουμε δηλ. σε ιερέα-πνευματικό.
Υπάρχει και κάτι ακόμη που γίνεται στην εξομολόγηση. Ο Χριστός είπε στους αποστόλους λίγο πριν την ανάληψή Του:
-Να κάνετε μαθητές Μου όλα τα έθνη. Να τους βαπτίζετε στον όνομα του Πατρός και του Υιού και του Αγίου Πνεύματος. Και να τους διδάσκετε να τηρούν και αυτοί όλα εκείνα που έχω είπει σε σας (Ματθ. 28, 19-20).
Συνεπώς, ο ιερέας-εξομολόγος μπορεί να είναι και προσωπικός διδάσκαλος στην πνευματική ζωή. Δηλ. πραγματικός πνευματικός ιατρός, με τις οδηγίες του οποίου μπορεί ο χριστιανός να νικήσει τις αμαρτίες και τις αδυναμίες του.
Τώρα, λοιπόν, που διανύουμε την Μεγάλη Τεσσαρακοστή, ας αναζητήσουμε (αν δεν έχουμε ήδη βρει) ιερέα-πνευματικό, ικανό στα λόγια και στα έργα του Ευαγγελίου και στις πνευματικές συμβουλές· και έτσι να αρχίσουμε δυναμικά την πνευματική μας θεραπεία.
Αρχιμ. Ν. Κ.
(πηγή: «Λυχνία Νικοπόλεως», Μάρτιος 2012)

Akathist to St. Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia

St. Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia (Kafsokalivia) - Commemorated December 2


Akathist to our Venerable and God-bearing Father Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia, the Clairvoyant and Wonderworker

Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone.
The most-holy temple of the Comforter,
And the beloved of the All-Pure Theotokos,
Let us praise Porphyrios from our heart,
For he loves and heals all, and protects,
And intercedes, that we be granted theosis.
Therefore, we cry out:
Hail, O Father Porphyrios.


You lived unknown and hidden in the world,
O shepherd of the Father's sheep.
And having meditated on the life
Of St. John Kalyvites, with zeal you hastened,
O venerable one, to imitate his life.
Therefore, we cry out to you these:
Hail, O shepherd of the rational sheep,
Hail, O source of healing for the passions.
Hail, the fervent friend of purity,
Hail, the godly mystic of the ineffable.
Hail, most-pure vessel of the monastery of the Spirit,
Hail, organ equaling a divine river of grace.
Hail, for you are a guide to men,
Hail, for you guide athletes in their struggles.
Hail, star giving the light of the mysteries,
Hail, you who taught us the things of salvation.
Hail, the glorious offspring of Evia,
Hail, you through whom we are delivered from pain.
Hail, O Father Porphyrios.


You followed the steps of your Elders in asceticism,
And shared their way of life.
You were an ascetic of Kavsokalyvia,
And showed them unquestioning obedience,
Being taught humility by God,
As those who venerate you chant:
Alleluia.


Unspeakable knowledge was given
To you by God, O Father,
As a reward for your holy life.
And you lead towards healings of the passions,
And grant knowledge of mysteries,
Being shown a benefactor to men,
To those that cry out thusly:
Hail, the mystic of divine knowledge,
Hail, the lover of the holy life.
Hail, messenger of the thoughts of God,
Hail, equal to the athletes of Christ.
Hail, most-pure eye that probes hidden things,
Hail, most-holy mouth that studies mysteries.
Hail, the sacred adornment of priests,
Hail, the beauty of those who struggle on Athos.
Hail, you who grants help to many,
Hail, you who speaks to us the truth.
Hail, O wise physician of illnesses,
Hail, O spring of healings of the soul.
Hail, O Father Porphyrios.


As a novice, you wrestled with Belial,
And crushed him through your humility.
And receiving the reward of victory,
You were sent into the world as a help, O Venerable One,
Shepherding and healing those who cry out in thanksgiving:
Alleluia.


Bearing graces in your soul, O Father,
You hastened towards your fatherland.
And you lived in the Monastery of St. Charalampos,
Striving in asceticism and serving, O Venerable One,
Healing those who suffer,
As they chant these with joy:
Hail, the joy of all Evia,
Hail, the fruit of much piety.
Hail, you who studied the mysteries of consciences,
Hail, you who dissolved strands of confusion.
Hail, O heavenly man, who lived on earth humbly,
Hail, O earthly angel, for whom heaven rejoices.
Hail, for you dissipate the bitterness of hearts,
Hail, for you grant joy and hope.
Hail, partaker of the choirs of the angels,
Hail, fellow-partaker of joy and sorrow.
Hail, God's blessing towards us,
Hail, our joy and health.
Hail, O Father Porphyrios.


Being zealous, O godly-minded one,
To bring back many to the flock of Christ to be saved,
You came to Athens humbly,
And serving in a church,
You saved many, who take refuge in you,
Crying out to the Lord:
Alleluia.


You came to Omonia Square
To redeem all,
As an angel dwelling in Babylon.
And you became for the Athenians,
The Physician and guide of all, O venerable one,
Leading many to Christ,
As those who were saved cry out thus:
Hail, you through whom Christ is hymned,
Hail, you through whom the enemy is made fearful.
Hail, the boast of the Church of Greece,
Hail, the radiant diadem of Evia.
Hail, for you always kept your heart pure,
Hail, for you were made worthy to see behold mysteries.
Hail, you who surpassed struggles as victorious,
Hail, you who walked the path of sorrows.
Hail, for you were greatly exalted by humility,
Hail, for you made the simple wise with divine knowledge.
Hail, to whom the Athenians take refuge,
Hail, through whom many return to Christ.
Hail, O Father Porphyrios.


You worked hidden wonders for the sick,
Through your divine prayers, O all-blessed one.
And those healings you attributed
To St. Gerasimos, thus remaining humble, O venerable one.
Through your humility
You gave glory to Christ, crying out:
Alleluia.


You were shown a breeze of fragrant myrrh,
Exhaled through the world,
O most-venerable Father.
And you gladdened the multitudes of the faithful,
Who embrace you with faith,
And cry out with joy such things:
Hail, you who supported many in the faith,
Hail, you who sowed love among the faithful.
Hail, the perfect type of priests,
Hail, the spotless canon of piety.
Hail, flower of Paradise that bloomed upon the earth,
Hail, deeply flowing river of compassion and love.
Hail, the humble servant of the Church,
Hail, he who prays for those in pain and dangers.
Hail, noble dwelling-place of grace,
Hail, radiant substenance of the faithful.
Hail, home of God the King,
Hail, he who adorned many with piety.
Hail, O Father Porphyrios.


You loved the whole world, though you had denied all
Joys and ideas of the world.
A true mystic in the heavens,
you served all with joy,
And sactified all through your prayers,
And teaching all to chant:
Alleluia.


You shone upon all like the sun, O Father,
And your sacred head,
Was visited by God,
And through grace, you worked healings for those who are sick,
Who then chant to you:
Hail, you who were fashioned with the Taborean light,
Hail, you who tasted of the heavenly light.
Hail, the most-reverent priest of Christ,
Hail, most-strict keeper of the commandments.
Hail, dwelling of simplicity and godly love,
Hail, you who were fulled with mystical theoria.
Hail, you who appeared as the lamp of purity,
Hail, for you were shown a partaker of dispassion.
Hail, you who spread joy to all,
Hail, you who greatly loved Christ.
Hail, you who ever intercedes to God,
Hail, you who entreats the Pure Virgin.
Hail, O Father Porphyrios.


You were shown forth as an athlete among the venerable ones,
Showing utter humility in asceticism
And much love within.
And you became the fear and wailing of demons,
As you cast them out, O venerable one,
As we rejoice and chant with you:
Alleluia.


Your nous beheld the rays of the Comforter,
As you beheld terrible and unspeakable mysteries.
You searched men through these,
And were truly shown a prophet, O venerable one,
Informing of events,
As they cried out in amazement thus:
Hail, the prophet of the ineffable things of God,
Hail, the interpreter of the words of Christ.
Hail, you who were precious and sought after in all things,
Hail, the firm foundation of truth.
Hail, God-given gift that was offered to us,
Hail, the refuge and harbor for all who sail.
Hail, you who grants healings to the sick,
Hail, you who studies the mysteries with discernment.
Hail, you who gathers the fruit of theosis,
Hail, you who endured a good transformation.
Hail, temple of heavenly wisdom,
Hail, stole rich in boldness.
Hail, O Father Porphyrios.


Strange things were always worked within you,
Astonishing the world,
As your nous reached the heavens,
As you drove away fearful demons through prayer,
Healing every incurable passion,
Making knowledge to be revealed to the faithful,
Who cry out to Christ:
Alleluia.


While being totally in the world, you partook
Of the joyous desert of Athos.
For your heart was within her,
And you never left her in spirit.
You therefore reposed in Kavsokalyvia,
As we cry out thus:
Hail, joy possessing peace,
Hail, you who grants these to us.
Hail, unsurpassable report of the monastics,
Hail, the boast of those who live in the world in asceticism.
Hail, sweetest nightingale of the hesychastic life,
Hail, soaring golden eagle of the clairvoyant nous.
Hail, for you indicated sources of water,
Hail, for you curtailed the homage of the faithless.
Hail, you through whom elders are humbled,
Hail, you through whom those who stumbled are cleared.
Hail, the healing of many sick people,
Hail, the true witness of Christ.
Hail, O Father Porphyrios.


You were made worthy to behold and to hear
The Revelation on Patmos, as St. John the Theologian.
And for a short time, you went into ecstacy,
And beheld awesome things, O venerable one,
And being filled with fear of the Lord,
You cried out in gratitude:
Alleluia.


Being adorned with grace
Of the Comforter from on high,
You were shown a god-bearer to the world.
And you breathed forth the fragrance of myrrh,
And were seen to visit those who suffered,
As you received saints. We are amazed at this,
And we cry out:
Hail, you who beheld divine visions,
Hail, you who grants us healings.
Hail, you the holy one who comes to us awake,
Hail, you who flies through the air unseen.
Hail, you who were adorned with holiness, and exalted with humility,
Hail, you who received very many graces from the Comforter.
Hail, for you possessed the hearts of the Athenians,
Hail, for you endured the pains of the ailing.
Hail, spring pouring forth healings,
Hail, dawn illuminating the darkness.
Hail, the friend and beloved of God,
Hail you who resurrected many towards Christ.
Hail, O Father Porphyrios.

The frenzy of the heart,
You cease with your prayer,
Granting us peace, O Father.
You shine upon the darkness of the mind
And breathe forth hymns to God, O venerable one.
Therefore, out of gratitude
We hymn God, crying out:
Alleluia.

A perfect shepherd of men
You were shown to be,
And you laid down your life for them.
You cut your will,
And were martyred daily, O venerable one,
Becoming a servant
To those, who now cry out to you with joy:
Hail, you who sought Christ with fervor,
Hail, you who struggled for His faith.
Hail, radiant garment of dispassion,
Hail, you who fulfill every request of the faithful.
Hail, the purest nous beholding mysteries,
Hail, the deliver of all from the battles of Belial.
Hail, you who flaunt the dangers of the foe,
Hail, you who were nourished by the teachings of the Lord.
Hail, sacred icon of meekness,
Hail, you who were granted much gladness.
Hail, you through whom the Church is hymned,
Hail, you through whom faithlessness is shaken.
Hail, O Father Porphyrios.

Hymns of thanksgiving,
As ones delivered from dangers,
We offer to your compassion.
For you loved us as children,
And always had your arms open, O venerable one,
Ever to cherish all,
And to cover those who cry out to the Lord:
Alleluia.

You appeared as light-bearing in prayer, O Father,
Astonishing the faithful who beheld you.
For you shown with the immaterial light
That lead you towards the knowledge to study unspeakable things,
And to heal sicknesses
Of those who hymn you thusly:
Hail, fire-bearing lamp of Christ,
Hail, true father, and Christ-bearer.
Hail, unemptying spring of piety,
Hail, irrefutable voice of truth.
Hail, for through your grace, you foresaw the invasion of Cyprus,
Hail, for you drive away the attacks of the demons.
Hail, for you desired hesychia from your soul.
Hail, for you were an ascetic and humble pastor.
Hail, you who revealed the love of Christ,
Hail, you brought joy to troubled souls.
Hail, your monastery's shelter and protector,
Hail, you who stand beside many in dangers.
Hail, O Father Porphyrios.

You received the grace, O Father,
To truly reveal springs of water from the depths of the earth.
And many beheld this,
As geologists were amazed, O venerable one,
As the landholders rejoiced,
And cried out in thanksgiving:
Alleluia.

We chant joyously
At the multitudes of your graces,
And we hymn the All-Holy Trinity.
For by [the Trinity] you were shown a man
Clairvoyant and pouring forth healings,
Enlightening mysteries,
Breathing forth to those who cry out:
Hail, the pinnacle of every virtue,
Hail, the most-faithful life in purity.
Hail, the unshakable foundation of piety.
Hail, the ever-flowing river of truth.
Hail, fragrant lily of mystical Paradise,
Hail, star most-radiant of the spiritual Heaven.
Hail, the radiance and glory of the Church,
Hail, you who trample on the arrows of the enemy.
Hail, the divine good news of Evia,
Hail, the angel of joy and hope.
Hail, you who cleanse from the stains of the passions,
Hail, you who takes up our souls to the Heavens.
Hail, O Father Porphyrios.

O thrice-blessed Father, the beauty of ascetics,
Porphyrios, and the protector of all (3)
Together with the angels, as we hymn Christ,
Grant us the tears of repentance,
And entreat that we inherit Paradise,
Who cry out together:
Alleluia.

And straightway the Kontakion again.

Written by Evangelos Karademos, "Hairois, Pater Porphyie" ("Hail, O Father Porphyrios"), Paraklesis and Akathist. Athens, 2008




St. Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia

Apolytikion – Mode 1

“The son of Evia (Euboea), the Elder of All Greeks, * the initiate of Divine Vision and True friend of Christ. * Porphyrios, O faithful, let us praise * who from childhood was filled with divine gifts *
the demonized are redeemed and the sick are healed who cry out: “Glory to Him who gave His might to you! * Glory to Him who made you Holy! * Glory to Him, who, through you, effects cures for all.”



Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

http://full-of-grace-and-truth.blogspot.ca/2013/11/akathist-to-st-porphyrios-of.html

Ιησούς Χριστός,όλοι ξέρουμε αυτό το όνομα, όμως πόσοι Τον ξέρουμε;

 
Οι πιο πολλοί δεν Τον κατάλαβαν, δεν μπόρεσαν να αποδεκτούν την ταπείνωσή Του, την ανεξικακία Του, αυτό που πρόσφερε σε όλους αδιακρίτως.
Πολλοί είναι αυτοί που ακόμα Τον αμφισβητούν, Τον κατηγορούν, Τον βλασφημούν μη μπορώντας να εννοήσουν την μεγαλωσύνη Του.
Δεν μπορούν να καταλάβουν το κέρδος διαμέσου της εκούσιας "ήττας", δεν μπορούν να αποδεκτούν ότι καλούνται και οι ίδιοι να χάσουν ώστε να κερδίσουν, να απολέσουν το καλό τους προφίλ και σαν άσημοι να γίνουν τελικά σημαντικοί.
Οι περισσότεροι είμαστε χριστιανοί-θεατρίνοι, είμαστε "χριστιανοί των καλλιστείων".
Μας νοιάζει το προφίλ μας, η εικόνα μας, το κύρος μας, η άποψη της ομήγυρις και όχι η σχέση μας με τον Χριστό, η σχέση μας με τους άλλους.
Ο Χριστός κατάντησε παρείσακτος της ζωής μας, κατάντησε για άλλη μία φορά ο "βλάσφημος διδάσκαλος" που τόλμά να μιλά για κάτι πιο βαθύ από τα ατομικά μας "πνευματικά κατορθώματα". Μας μιλά για κοινωνία αγάπης, για συγχώρεση, για την απώλεια του "εγώ" μας.
Ο Χριστός μας προτρέπει να κάνουμε "τούμπα" την ζωή μας. Να φέρουμε τα πάνω κάτω σε σχέση με αυτά που ο εκκοσμικευμένος μας χριστιανισμός μας καλεί να ζήσουμε.
Κάποιοι ίσως είναι υποψιασμένοι ότι αυτό που ζούν μέσα στην Εκκλησία δεν είναι χριστιανικό, γιατί; Γιατί δεν έχουν χαρά, γιατί ενώ ζούνε μέσα στο Σώμα του Χριστού είναι σαν να ζούνε μέσα στο σώμα της μιζέριας, της σοβαροφάνειας, του καθωσπρεπισμού, της αλαζονείας, του εγωισμού.
Εγκλωβισμένοι μέσα σε μικροπρέπειες, σε "όχι", σε "πρέπει", σε ηθικούς κανόνες τελειοποίησεις της "έξωθεν καλής μαρτυρίας".
Δεν είναι εύκολο να αποδεκτείς ότι τόσα χρόνια, αν και ήσουν άνθρωπος της Εκκλησίας, ζούσες χωρίς Χριστό. Δεν είναι εύκολο να αποδεκτεί κανείς ότι ο χριστιανισμός που βίωνε και ίσως ακόμα βιώνει είναι κάποιο κεκαλυμένο ψυχολογικό τρικ για να μεταλλάσσει τις ενοχές του σε τιμωρία-λύτρωση, και τον Χριστό σε έναν υπέρτατο δικαστή της ζωής που μπορεί να εξαγοράσει κάνοντας "τα θελήματά" Του.
Μερικοί από εμάς Τον ψάχνουμε. Ψάχνουμε όχι κάποιο απομινάρει του Χριστού, αλλά Τον ίδιο. Ψάχνουμε για τον Χριστό των Πατέρων της Εκκλησίας και όχι τον Χριστό του ηθικισμού και της μιζέριας.
Τον αναζητούμε όχι γιατί "πρέπει" να Τον βρούμε, αλλά γιατί θέλουμε...
Νιώθεις την ανάγκη να Τον βρεις. Να κοινωνήσεις μαζί Του, να γίνεις οίκος Του, και ο Οίκος του να γίνει Πατρίδα σου...
Μερικοί άλλοι Τον έχουνε βρει. Είναι λίγοι...
Ασήμαντοι για εμάς. Άνθρωποι που δεν τους "πιάνει το μάτι" σου.
Ζουν σε σπηλιές, σε δρόμους, σε σπίτια, σε ερημιές, σε πόλεις. Ζουν παντού αλλά και πουθενά.
Ζουν στον κόσμο, για τον κόσμο, έχοντας πεθάνει όμως για τον κόσμο...
Ιησούς Χριστός. Ποιος δεν ξέρει αυτό το όνομα; Όλος ο κόσμος!
Ποιος όμως Τον ξέρει;

Αρχιμανδρίτης Παύλος Παπαδόπουλος

πηγη: http://lllazaros.blogspot.ca/

Those who work for Christ ( Elder Paisios )

Those who work for Christ but are prideful pollute their virtues, just as fried eggs are contaminated when bird’s droppings fall on them. They then can only be thrown in the trash along with the frying pan.

Elder Paisios

Ὁ γέρων Ἀρτέμιος ὁ Νεοσκητιώτης ( Μακαριστοῦ γέροντος Ἰωσήφ τοῦ Βατοπαιδινοῦ )

Ἄλλος ἀστὴρ παμφαέστατος εἰς τὸν χορὸν τῶν ἁγίων πατέρων καὶ πάσης ἀγαθῆς μνείας ἄξιος εἶναι ὁ μακάριος γέρων Ἀρτέμιος, ἐκ τῆς καλύβης τῶν Ἁγίων Ἀρχαγγέλων πεπροικισμένος μετὰ νηπτικῆς ἀθωότητος καὶ συνεχιστὴς τῆς ἀκριβοῦς πατερικῆς παραδόσεως. Μαζὶ μὲ τὴν αὐστηρότητα τοῦ βίου του εἶχε καὶ πολλὴν ὑπομονήν, ἰδίως εἰς τὸν ἕνα ἐκ τῶν δύο του ὑποτακτικῶν,

ὁ ὁποῖος ἠμέλει τῶν μοναχικῶν του καθηκόντων καὶ τὸν ἐστενοχώρει μὲ τὰ θελήματά του καὶ τὰς ἀπροσεξίας του. Πολλὰ ἐξετίμα ὁ ἀείμνηστος τὴν ἐγκράτειαν καὶ μετήρχετο αὐτὴν μέχρι τοῦ βαθυτάτου του γήρατος καὶ ἐξετέλει μετὰ ἀκριβείας τὰ κοπιαστικώτερά του καθήκοντα, πάρ’ ὅλην τὴν ἐγκατάλειψιν τῶν σωματικῶν του δυνάμεων. Ὡς ἐνεθυμοῦντο οἱ πατέρες, ἠγρύπνει καὶ προσηύχετο κατὰ μόνας πολλά, καὶ πάντοτε ἐνήστευε ἕως τῆς ἐνάτης. Ὅταν μετέβαινεν εἰς τὸ ὄρος διὰ ξύλα καὶ ἐπέστρεφεν ἀργά, κατάκοπος ἀπὸ τὴν δίψαν καὶ τὸν ἱδρώτα, δὲν ἐλάμβανε τίποτε διὰ νὰ ἀνακουφισθῆ, οὔτε ἄλλην παρηγορίαν ἐδέχετο πρὶν ἀναγνώση ὅλον τὸν τύπον τῆς ἀκολουθίας του, κατὰ τὸ διὰ βίου καθημερινόν του πρόγραμμα.
Ἀπὸ τοὺς δύο μαθητάς του, ὁ μεγαλύτερος ἔφυγεν εἰς τὴν Σκήτιν τῆς Ἁγίας Ἄννης· ἡ δὲ αἰτία τῆς φυγῆς ἦτο μᾶλλον ἡ δυστροπία τοῦ νεωτέρου παραδελφοῦ. Αὐτὸς ὁ π. Ἀντώνιος, ὅπως ὠνομάζετο, ἤρχετο κατὰ καιροὺς καὶ ἔβλεπε τὸν γέροντά του. Κάποτε ὅμως ποὺ ἦλθε δὲν εὗρε τὸν νεώτερον Γαβριὴλ εἰς τὴν καλύβην καὶ ἠρώτησε τὸν γέροντα, ποῦ εἶχε ὑπάγει. «Λείπει, παιδί μου, τοῦ εἶπεν εἰς τὴν Συκιάν, ἀπέναντι εἰς τὴν Σιθωνία εἶναι, καὶ σὲ παρακαλῶ μὴ φύγης ἐσὺ ἀπὸ πλησίον μου, διὰ νὰ βοηθήσης εἰς τὴν ταφήν μου, διότι αὔριον θὰ ἀποθάνω. Δὲν ἠθέλησα νὰ εἶναι ὁ Γαβριὴλ εἰς τὸν θάνατόν μου καὶ ηὐχήθην περὶ τούτου καὶ πιστεύω ὅτι δὲν θὰ εἶναι». Αὐτὰ δὲν πρέπει νὰ σχολιασθοῦν δυσμενῶς ὡς κακότης τοῦ γέροντος. Δὲν ἔχει οὕτως ἡ ὑπόθεσις, διότι οἱ πνευματικοὶ ἄνθρωποι πάντοτε κινοῦνται ἀπὸ πληροφορίαν τῆς Θείας Χάριτος, ποῖος εἶναι ἄξιος ἢ μὴ νὰ κληρονομήση τὴν εὐλογίαν διότι ἡ Θεία Χάρις τὰ πάντα σαφῶς καὶ δικαίως ρυθμίζει, ὅπως καὶ εἰς τὸν Ἠσαῦ δὲν ἐπέτρεψε νὰ λάβη τὴν εὐλογίαν ὡς ἀνάξιον. Ἐν τῷ μεταξὺ ἀδιαθέτησεν ὁ γέρων καὶ εἰδοποίησε τοὺς πατέρας τῆς Σκήτεως νὰ ἔλθουν πλησίον του. Ἐζήτησε συγχώρησιν καὶ ἔδωκε καὶ αὐτὸς καὶ τοὺς ἀπέλυσε, κρατήσας πλησίον του μόνον τὸν μαθητήν του Ἀντώνιον.

Τὸ βράδυ ἔμεινε μόνος του ὁ γέρων εἰς τὸ δωμάτιόν του καὶ εἶπεν εἰς τὸν Ἀντώνιον: «Μεῖνε καὶ σὺ στὸ δικό σου δωμάτιον καὶ ὅταν σὲ χρειασθῶ θὰ σὲ φωνάξω». Κατὰ τὸ μεσονύκτιον ἤκουσε ὁ μαθητὴς κτύπον εἰς τὴν θύραν του καὶ μία φωνὴν νὰ τοῦ λέγη: «Πήγαινε σύντομα στὸν γέροντα, διότι δὲν θὰ τὸν προλάβης». Ἔσπευσεν ἀμέσως καὶ εὗρε τὸν γέροντα μόλις τελειωθέντα. Τὴν ἑπομένην συνήχθησαν πάλιν οἱ πατέρες τῆς Σκήτεως διὰ τὴν κηδείαν καὶ ἀνησύχησαν διὰ τὴν ἀπουσίαν τοῦ μαθητοῦ του Γαβριήλ, καὶ παρετήρουν μετ’ ἀγωνίας τὴν θάλασσαν, μήπως καὶ φανῆ νὰ ἔρχεται ἀπὸ ἀπέναντι διὰ νὰ καθυστερήσουν ὀλίγον τὴν ταφήν. Ὄντως ἐφάνη πλοιάριον ἐρχόμενον κατ’ εὐθείαν εἰς τὴν Σκήτιν καὶ διεπίστωσαν ὅτι ἦτο αὐτὸ μὲ τὸν π. Γαβριήλ. Μόλις ὅμως ἐπλησίασε καὶ διεκρίνετο καλῶς, εἰς ὀλίγον δὲ θὰ ἔφθανεν εἰς τὸν ἀρσανὰν τῆς Σκήτεως, ἠγέρθη ἐνάντιος σφοδρὸς ἄνεμος καὶ ἠνάγκασε τὴν βάρκα νὰ γυρίση πάλιν ὀπίσω εἰς τὸ χωρίον. Τότε ὁ π. Ἀντώνιος εἶπεν εἰς τοὺς πατέρας τί τοῦ εἶπεν ὁ γέρων πρὶν κοιμηθῆ, ὅτι δὲν θὰ εἶναι ὁ π. Γαβριὴλ εἰς τὴν κηδείαν του, καὶ ἐθαύμασαν τὴν πρόγνωσιν τοῦ γέροντος καὶ τὴν μοίραν τῶν παρηκόων καὶ ἀπειθῶν, οἱ ὁποῖοι ὑστεροῦν τὸν ἑαυτόν των ἀπὸ τὴν εὐλογίαν τῶν Γερόντων καὶ τὸν μισθὸν τῆς ὑπακοῆς.

ΠΗΓΗ : Ὁσίων Μορφῶν Ἀναμνήσεις, Ψυχωφελῆ Βατοπαιδινὰ 4, ἐκδ. Ἱ. Μ. Βατοπαιδίου Ἁγίου Ὄρους.
ΠΗΓΗ : http://agiameteora.net/

Μόνο ότι προέρχεται από την καρδιά μπορεί να αγγίξει μια άλλη καρδιά…( Γέροντας Θαδδαίος της Βιτόβνιτσα )

 
Πρέπει κανείς να κηρύττει όχι από το ορθολογιστικό του μυαλό, αλλά μέσα από την καρδιά του.
Μόνο ότι προέρχεται από την καρδιά μπορεί να αγγίξει μια άλλη καρδιά.
Δεν πρέπει ποτέ κανείς να επιτίθεται σε κανένα ή να μάχεται κάποιον.
Αν ο κήρυκας πρέπει να πει στους ανθρώπους να απέχουν από ένα συγκεκριμένο είδος κακού, πρέπει να το κάνει με πραότητα και ταπείνωση, με φόβο Θεού.

Γέροντας Θαδδαίος της Βιτόβνιτσα

Πηγή: http://www.diakonima.gr/
Πηγη: http://lllazaros.blogspot.ca/2014/06/blog-post_29.html

The way of Love ( Saint Porphyrios )

Meekness and graciousness are terms to apply to one who practices the Way of Love. To influence others we must show great consideration for the opinions of others. We have to listen with understanding and compassion. We have to demonstrate we understand the other person's viewpoint and we care. Listen, listen, listen. Do not attack or condemn in any way. Seek to know their environment and situation. Ask yourself, "Why is it they think this way?" Think about how you can help nurture their soul and then say it simply with love.

Here is how Saint Porphyrios puts its,

In debates, if you say a few words about religion you will prevail. Let the person who has a different opinion give free reign to his thoughts and speak as much as he likes… Let him sense that he is addressing himself to a calm and uncontentious person. Influence him though your graciousness and prayer and then speak briefly. You achieve nothing if you speak heatedly and tell him, for example, ‘What you are saying is untrue, a downright lie!’ What will you achieve? Be ‘as sheep among wolves’ (Matt 10:16). What should you do? Show indifference outwardly, but be praying inwardly. Be prepared, know what you are talking about and speak boldly and to the point, but with saintliness, meekness and prayer. But in order to be able to do this you must become a saint. This last thought is an important one:
“To be able to do this you must become a saint.” Ask yourself, "How do I become a saint?"

Reference: Wounded by Love, p 188

Πόλεμος καί αἰσχρολογία ( Ὅσιος Νήφων Ἐπίσκοπος Κωνσταντιανῆς )

Μά ὁ πονηρός διάβολος, πού γεμίζει τά στόματα τῶν ἀνθρώπων με αἰσχρολογίες, βάλθηκε νά πολεμήσει καί τό Νήφωνα μ’ αὐτόν τόν τρόπο. Ἐκεῖνος ἀγωνιζόταν μέ τήν προσευχή ν’ ἀποδιώξει τό φοβερό κακό. Καί μιά φορά, μόλις ἀποκοιμήθηκε, βλέπει στ’ ὄνειρό του τόν ἅγιο πρωτομάρτυρα Στέφανο.
-Χαῖρε, δοῦλε τοῦ Θεοῦ Νήφων! τοῦ λέει. Καλή εἶναι ἡ ζωή σου, μόνο πού τή μολύνεις μέ βρισιές καί λόγια αἰσχρά. Σοῦ ὑπόσχομαι ὅμως, παιδί μου, πώς, ἄν πολεμήσεις μέ ἀνδρεία τό δαιμόνιο τῆς αἰσχρολογίας, ἐγώ θά εἶμαι στό πλευρό σου, βοηθός σου καί συναγωνιστής σου.
Ὁ Νήφων ξύπνησε καί μουρμούρισε ἀναστενάζοντας:
-Ἀλίμονό σου, ἄκαρπη κι ἀκάθαρτη ψυχή! Ἀκόμα καί οἱ ἅγιοι νοιάζονται γιά τό ἄθλιο κατάντημά σου, ἐνῶ ἐσύ ζεῖς μέ φοβερή ἀμέλεια.
Σηκώθηκε ἀμέσως, πῆρε μαζί του μιά λαμπάδα καί κίνησε γιά τό ναό τοῦ ἁγίου Στεφάνου. Ἄναψε τή λαμπάδα μπροστά στήν εἰκόνα του καί προσευχήθηκε ὥρα πολλή μέ δάκρυα, ζητώντας τή βοήθειά του.
Φεύγοντας, πῆρε ἀπό τό δρόμο μιά μικρή πέτρα καί τήν ἔβαλε στό στόμα του, λέγοντας στόν ἑαυτό του:
-Τρῶγε πέτρες, αἰσχρέ, γιά νά μή βρίζεις τούς ἀνθρώπους! Ἐκείνη τήν πέτρα τήν κράτησε πολλές μέρες μέσα στό στόμα του, ἐμποδίζοντάς τον νά αἰσχρολογεῖ.
Ἄν ποτέ ξεχνιόταν καί ξεστόμιζε καμιά βρισιά, πήγαινε παράμερα καί χτυποῦσε τό στόμα του μ’ ὅλη του τή δύναμη, λέγοντας:
-Ἀκάθαρτε, κανείς μέχρι τώρα δέν σέ τιμώρησε ἔτσι, γι’ αὐτό ἀποθρασύνθηκες. Τώρα θά σέ σωφρονίσω ἐγώ!
Κι ἄν τύχαινε νά ὀργιστεῖ μέ κάποιον ἄνθρωπο καί νά τόν βρίσει, πήγαινε πάλι σέ τόπο μοναχικό καί γρονθοκοποῦσε τό σῶμα του, λέγοντας:
-Ἀθυρόστομε! Δέν φτάνει πού ὁ λογισμός σου κινεῖται ἀνεξέλεκτος πρός τήν ὀργή, βρίζεις κιόλας τόν ἀδελφό σου, κι ἀνοίγεις χάσμα μίσους ἀνάμεσα σ’ ἐκεῖνον καί σ’ ἐσένα; Ἔννοια σου, καί θά σοῦ μάθω ἐγώ πραότητα καί σιωπή! Ὄχι νά γίνεσαι θηρίο ἀπό τό θυμό καί νά βρίζεις..
Ἐπιπλέον ἔβαλε κανόνα νά δίνει κάθε μέρα σαράντα ραπίσματα στό πρόσωπό του.
Ἔλιωνε ἀπ’ τό κακό του ὁ διάβολος, βλέποντας τό Νήφωνα νά πολεμάει τόσο σκληρά, καί τοῦ ἔλεγε μέ πονηρία:
-Ἄθλιε, δέν λυπᾶσαι τό ἴδιο σου τό πρόσωπο, πού εἶναι φτιαγμένο «κατ’ εἰκόνα Θεοῦ»; Πῶς τό χτυπᾶς ἔτσι ἀνελέητα; …..
-Βρωμιάρη, ἤρθες κι ἐδῶ, γιά νά μοῦ πεῖς τί θά κάνω στόν ἑαυτό μου; Ἄχ! Ἄς εἶχες κι ἐσύ σάρκα, κι ἄς ἔπεφτες στά χέρια μου…. Καί τότε θά σοῦ ἔδειχνα πῶς περιποιεῖται ὁ Νήφων…. Οἱ ἄρχοντες δέν ἔχουν ἀξουσία νά τιμωροῦν τούς κακούς δούλους τους; Γιατί κι ἐγώ νά μήν τιμωρήσω τό δικό μου δοῦλο; Δοῦλος μου εἶναι τό σῶμα μου. Παρανομεῖ καί τό τιμωρῶ!
Ὁ πονηρός δέν ἤξερε τί ν’ ἀποκριθεῖ κι ἔφευγε.
Ἐπειδή ὅμως γιά λίγο μόνο ὑποχωροῦσε κι ἔπειτα ξανάρχιζε σκληρότερα τόν πόλεμο, ὁ μακάριος Νήφων ἔγινε πιά ἀμείλικτος μέ τό σῶμα του: Γρονθοκοπιόταν μέ μανία, ἐνῶ τά ραπίσματα ἔφταναν στά ἑκατό καί στά διακόσια κάθε μέρα.
Ἦταν ἕνα παράδοξο θέαμα: Μάρτυρας, πού ἀθλοῦσε καί βασανιζόταν φρικτά χωρίς τύραννο, χωρίς δήμιο!
Ἀπό τά πολλά πού ἔκανε στή σάρκα του, ἔρεψε κυριολεκτικά. Προπαντός τό πρόσωπό του παραμορφώθηκε ἀπό τά πολλά χτυπήματα καί τόν πονοῦσε ἀφόρητα. Ἔβλεπες ἕνα ζωντανό νεκρό, πού μέ δυσκολία ἔσερνε τά πόδια του καί συχνά σωριαζόταν λιπόθυμος στή γῆ. Ὅταν ὅμως συνερχόταν, ἔλεγε στόν ἑαυτό του:
-Ἀλίμονό σου, ταλαίπωρε Νήφων! Ἄν αὐτό τόν μικρό πόνο δέν ὑποφέρεις, πῶς θ’ ἀντέξεις τήν αἰώνια φωτιά τῆς γέενας;….. Μή χάνεις ὅμως τό θάρρος σου! Γιατί «εἰ καὶ ὁ ἔξω ἡμῶν ἄνθρωπος διαφθείρεται, ἀλλ’ ὁ ἔσωθεν ἀνακαινοῦται ἡμέρᾳ καί ἡμέρᾳ»9.
Στό σημεῖο αὐτό θ’ ἀναφέρω κάτι θαυμαστό, πού μοῦ ἀποκάλυψε ὁ ἴδιος**. Εἴχαμε ,βλέπετε, στενό πνευματικό σύνδεσμο, γι’ αὐτό καί δέν μοῦ ἔκρυβε τίποτα.
Πήγαινα συχνά καί τόν ἔβλεπα. Κι ὅταν ἀλλάζαμε τόν ἀσπασμό τῆς ἀγάπης, μιά ἄρρητη εὐωδία, πού ἐρχόταν ἀπό τό πρόσωπό του, μέ τύλιγε καί μέ μεθοῦσε. Τί ἦταν αὐτή ἡ γλυκύτατη εὐωδία; Γιά πολύ καιρό δέν τολμοῦσα νά τόν ρωτήσω. Μιά μέρα ὅμως δέν ἄντεξα:
-Γιά τόν Κύριο, εἶπα δειλά, κάτι θά σέ ρωτήσω καί, σέ παρακαλῶ, μή μοῦ κρύψεις τήν ἀλήθεια.
-Ρώτησε ἐσύ, ἀποκρίθηκε, κι ἄν πρέπει νά σοῦ πῶ, θά τό μάθεις. Ἀλλιῶς ὄχι.
-Πές μου, γιατί ἀπό τό πρόσωπό του ἔρχεται τόση εὐωδία;
-Ἡ πίστη σου σέ κάνει νιώθεις αὐτή τήν εὐωδία. Ἐγώ ξέρω πώς εἶμαι ὁλόκληρος μιά δυσωδία.
Ἡ ὑπεκφυγή του μέ λύπησε. Καθώς ἐπέμενα λοιπόν νά μάθω τήν πραγματικότητα, μοῦ λέει:
-Δῶσε μου ὑπόσχεση πώς δέν θά τ’ ἀποκαλύψεις σέ κανένα, καί θά σοῦ πῶ.
-Σοῦ τό ὑπόσχομαι.
-Ἄκου, λοιπόν: Στίς ὧρες τοῦ πειρασμοῦ, ὅταν χτυπάω τόν ἑαυτό μου, ἔρχεται ἄγγελος, σταλμένος ἀπό τόν Κύριο, μ’ ἕνα θυμιατήρι. Μέ θυμιάζει συνέχεια. Τόσο πολύ μέ συνεπαίρνει τότε ἡ εὐωδία τοῦ οὐράνιου αὐτοῦ θυμιάματος, πού δέν νιώθω τόν πόνο. Ἀντίθετα μάλιστα, ἡ ψυχή μου, εὐφραίνεται καί χαίρεται ὑπερβολικά ἀπό τήν ἀγγελική ἐπίσκεψη καί τήν ἄρρητη εὐωδία. Αὐτή ἀκριβῶς σέ τυλίγει, ὅταν μέ πλησιάζεις.
Ἔμεινα ἔκπληκτος μέ τήν ἀποκάλυψη τοῦ ὁσίου καί δόξασα τόν φιλάνθρωπο Θεό γιά τό θαῦμα Του.


Ἕνας Ἀσκητής Ἐπίσκοπος

Ὅσιος Νήφων Ἐπίσκοπος Κωνσταντιανῆς

(σελ.37-40)

Ἱερὰ Μονή Παρακλήτου

The Holy Great Martyr James the Persian

St. James (Jacob) the Persian (Feast Day – November 27)
James, the glorious Great Martyr of Christ, was from Persia. He lived during the years of the pious Kings Arcadius and Honorius, the sons of Theodosius the Great, who ruled in the year 395 A.D. He lived in Veethiavan of Persia, situated in the land of Elouzeesion. Then, Isdigerdis I and Bahram V, his son, ruled over the Persians. They were cruel and pitiless men. They forced the Christians (whomever they found) to worship, as they did, the senseless idols.

Now James was a lord of merit, notable and of good service to the nation. He was honored and beloved by all, as he was wealthy, knowledgeable and virtuous. Wherefore, he was considered first in the palace, and the king exceedingly loved him. He bestowed on him great importance and abundant gifts. So much did Isdigerdis and his son Bahram love James, that they did not wish to be separated even one hour from him. They displayed such favor, that they had him as a brother, for he was well-mannered and his family prominent. But this was so that they could cunningly lure him to impiety. For James was a Christian from childhood just as were his parents and wife, both pious and faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ. So, these villains tried hard to estrange him with gifts and gratuities. They chose to be good-natured and discreet, and to persuade him with benefits and flatteries, rather than with threats and torments. However, this marvelous James, who resisted at first, was defeated by the many generous favors of the ruler, and, alas!, he was captured. He denied the most sweet Christ and worshipped the demons, and became one in spirit with the king.

But do not frown; hearken and strengthen your heart, and attend to this. Because just as one drop of water drips continually onto the hard marble to perforate it, so also many gifts and favors are able to convert the gratified soul with ease and quickness; thus, did the ever-memorable one have the solid rock of his faith hollowed out. But listen to his end to receive exultation and joy, that God (Who foreknows and foresees) does not overlook but straightens the fallen and illuminates the way of the blind.

It was circulated around the land that James had denied Christ. This news came into the ears of his mother and spouse, who were wounded in their hearts upon hearing these unexpected words. Since they were not present to censure his tongue, they sent him a letter, saying thus:

“It was not proper to your nobility to exchange falsehood for the truth; to defraud the faith for the honor of men and temporary rewards, which pass by as a dream and disperse like smoke; and to love the perishable and temporary kingdom, and abandon immortality and eternity. For this violation you would elect to be cast into the inextinguishable fire and endless torment? You, who are unworthy of His love, denied Christ, in order to gain one worm-eaten man? O the mindlessness! What are you able to benefit by them, when you go together into torment? We have been greatly distressed by you and pour forth many tears and, with all our hearts, we pray to the true God not to desert you, as He is compassionate, but to receive your return. So recognize the mischief that you have created to become a son of darkness, instead of light, which you were formerly. Recover and revert again to godliness. And, if you do not repent speedily, know this: you no longer have any relation with us. But we wish to be as strangers and foreigners to you, and you will inherit nothing from us, so as to be completely separated from our society. Because not one particle has the light with the darkness, and the faithful with the faithless. So make a good return. Whereas, you departed badly; but the Master, Whom you denied, will receive you with open arms and rejoicing. If you disdain our advice and tears, when you reach the divine trial, you will be punished in torments endlessly and your crying will be in vain.”


These things James read in the letter, and he remained in a stupor; indeed, as if from sleep and drunkenness, he was roused, realizing the treasure of faith of which he was destitute, and the evil of error into which he had tumbled. He cried bitterly and repented from his heart of the former things and beat his breast, lamenting and crying before the Master to forgive the iniquity, as He is compassionate. In imitation of Manasseh and Peter’s repentance, he studied the Holy Scriptures and recalled the bitter punishments. He was not able to cease the tears, and it was evident he repented of his former impiety. Wherefore, certain idolators perceived and learned the reason for his disquiet. They betrayed him to the king. The king’s heart was wounded on hearing such things. Infuriated, he summoned him for questioning and inquired if he were a Nazarene. James answered boldly and eagerly:
“Yes, I am a servant of my Lord Jesus Christ.”
The king’s rage grew, but he remembered their previous friendship, so he did not make a display or an outburst of anger. As in preceding times, he tested him with flatteries and by promising gifts; but at other times, with threats of hideous punishments and torments, to see, perchance, if he would waver. But the coward was not effective, because the saint thirsted for martyrdom.
The blessed James, in order to cause the tyrant to slay him quickly, answered him thus:
“In vain you labor, attempting with feeble means to sow wheat in the guff, or to hold back the winds in a net. In this way, it is not possible any longer to change my belief from piety. So then, lay aside all hope, so as not to conceal your wrath any more. Cut my body into pieces, punish, burn it, do with it as you will, but my soul you will not be able to turn to godlessness.”
Again, the king tempted him with flatteries to ensnare him. Hiding his anger, he said to him with feigned love:
“James, pity your body, your blossoming manhood, remember our immeasurable friendship. Be not deprived of any worldly pleasures in this sweet life, in order to receive harsh pains and the bitterest death for these uncertain good hopes. I promise you that you will have wealth and power in my kingdom, greater than before. Yes, my beloved and dearest friend, I entreat you not to have contempt for our great friendship and appear before me ungrateful, because, if you disobey, it is necessary – although I do not want to – that you be taught a lesson. But do not think that I will be lenient later: no, it is not true, but I will change the love that I have for you now, into hatred that is commensurate with your disobedience. And I will deliver you to unheard of, horrible torments.”
James boldly replied:
“O king, do not waste time importunely. Do not frighten me with torments, nor insincerely compliment me with tributes and gifts, because I despise from my heart all temporal enjoyments, empty glory, decaying riches and bodily sensuality, in order to inherit the true wealth and the honor, inexpressible delight and bliss. Wherefore, gladly I divest myself of wealth and glory, friends and relatives, mother, wife and all the pleasures of the body. And not only these things, but I am prepared to receive 10,000 deaths, only not to injure my sweet Christ, the Beautiful One among the sons of men, Who fashioned the sun, moon and the remainder of creation, and His divine will is equal to His power. He who denies Him goes to endless death.”
This, in addition to other things, uttered the blessed James. And the king went into a furious rage, realizing it was impossible to pervert him. Wherefore, he took counsel with a certain senator, who recommended such severity, that upon hearing it, the king shuddered. That is: to dissever the joints, starting first with the fingers of his hands, and afterwards, the remainder of the joints. O the inhuman decision! What other unsparing tyrant ever revealed such pitilessness towards his friend? O savage judgment and inexorably merciless soul! Whoever heard this felt empathy; not only the faithful, but even those godless idolators among the nations, who wept at such a ferocious verdict. But our true martyr did not shrink back upon hearing such a sentence; rather, he hastened to the stadium with excessive joy and eagerness.
A large portion of the population assembled in order to witness the hideous sight. Not only people, but also the angels and demons were present at this mighty contest and violent duel. The angels were present in order to assist the saint invisibly to receive the crown, and the adversaries to prevent him, if possible, and to frustrate his purpose. Also, the word of the apostle was fulfilled: “…for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men” (I Cor. 4:9). For even the Great Promoter of contests and Heavenly King was there and stood above him to strengthen him in this match and, in the end, to grant him the imperishable crown. As the admirable and magnanimous man observed the fierce executioners and the forbidding instruments with which they were to cut him into pieces, he did not fear those devices prepared. Every kind soul, seeing another suffering thus, would feel sorrow and pity for him as a man. But he did not show any gloom and never uttered anything foul, nor did he suffer to do anything unworthy of his valor. But, as if his flesh was insensible, he stood with a joyous glance and cheerful face.


The executioners tied the hands and feet of the martyr and after, they placed his right arm on the anvil, saying to him:
“Behold what will happen to you for your disobedience. We have been instructed to cut off your members one by one: your fingers, hands, feet, arms, ankles, knees, and finally your head. Therefore, reason before you taste these horrors and do that which is for your own good, for there is no repentance afterwards.”
Certain of his friends and acquaintances implored him with tears to have pity on himself and not voluntarily receive such a horrendous and evil death. The saint answered them:
“Weep not for me, O wretched ones, but lament for yourselves and your children, as you will go to eternal damnation with your gods for these temporal pleasures. I, for a day’s pain, will inherit the Kingdom of my Lord Jesus Christ and, also, indescribable joy and everlasting bliss.”
After saying this, he noticed that the executioners were readying their tools to cut off his limbs. Consequently, he asked time to make a prayer to the Lord, and he prayed that He would strengthen and assist him to complete the contest and receive the crown of martyrdom.
As they began the martyrdom, the executioners cut off his thumb. And he turned toward heaven and said:
“O Lord Jesus Christ, the Help of all those who are helpless, the Hope of all the hopeless, and the Strength of all the weak: receive the first branch of this tree by Thy mercy. For as the vineyard gives forth leaves even when it is trimmed, thus will I appear before Thy judgment seat, safe and upright on the Day of Resurrection.”
When they cut off his second finger, he said, “Receive, O Lord, the second branch of the tree that Thy right hand hath planted.”
His face was joyous and festive, as if he perceived our Lord’s future endowments. Then, they cut off his third finger, and he said, “With the three youths in the furnace, I sing to Thee and honor Thee, O Lord; with the choirs of martyrs, I sing praises to Thy holy name.”
As they cut off his fourth and fifth fingers, his mouth was filled with praise, and he said, “In my five senses I bless Thee, O Lord; wherefore, receive the good pains of my right hand as a blessed fruit, O Master.”
Then they severed the fingers of his left hand, one by one, and he was grateful at each, saying an appropriate praise and hymn.
Certain of his friends who stood by said to him, crying bitterly:
“Beloved brother, have pity upon yourself, for they will administer upon you an evil death, and in losing your life, you will be deprived of your mother, wife, and the rest of life’s enjoyments. Do not grieve for your fingers, as we have doctors here capable of curing them. You have sufficient wealth and do not require the use of your hands. So listen to us, for your own good, and just say one small word with your mouth, so that it will appear as if you obeyed the king’s command and, thereby, you will be delivered from the evil torturers. But in your heart, you believe in God and, when you return again to your country, you can repent and ask forgiveness of Him.”
And he answered them:
“God forbid! I will not commit such a pretense. One cannot serve two masters. Whosoever puts his hand to the plough and turns back, is not worthy of the heavenly bliss. It is not right for me to love my mother and wife more than I love my God and Savior. Whosoever does not lift up his cross to follow Christ, is an unworthy servant. For these small pains, I go to my Master to receive the laurel of martyrdom. Therefore, I pray thee, do not sorrow for me, but rejoice and be glad with me.”
As the executioners heard this, they cut off the toes of his feet one by one, in order to submit him to even more pain. But he was firm and adamant, thanking them at each toe, singing a hymn. At one point he was heard to say, “The afflictions of the present are not worthy of the future glory.”
At other times, he encouraged himself, saying, “Why is my soul saddened?” and many other verses.
Then, they cut off his feet at the ankles. And then, they severed them again at the knees. Afterwards, they mercilessly cut off his hands and arms. But the resolute one endured with a great soul, as he saw his fingers, hands and legs on the ground. He did not utter one angry word at the executioners or the judge, but only prayed incessantly, in order to comfort and encourage himself, with verses from the Old Testament, such as: ‘I will sing unto the Lord throughout my life, I will chant to my God for as long as I have my being. May my words be sweet unto Him, and I will rejoice in the Lord.”
Behold a true martyr’s valor! Behold Thy wonders, O Christ King! How did the invincible one withstand such rigorous pains and afflictions? O ye listeners, were you not awe-stricken, or was not your soul grieved at the sight of such an unprecedented mutilation? All those who were present at this fearful and horrid sight (not only the faithful, but even the persecutors, and the very senseless rocks), must have felt pity. Only that unbending soul and friend of Christ did not weep, but withstood those terrifying and awful tortures with a serene and upright face. For such is the love of God. When it possesses a noble soul, it empowers it to overcome nature and not to fear pains and punishments. Without this power, it would have been impossible for him to bear so many torments’ as did the others who, for the loss of an arm or leg, died instantly, being unable to bear the excruciating pain. But the praiseworthy and ever-blessed one did not experience three or ten deaths, but twenty or thirty. The blood ran as rivers, the flesh fell, the veins were severed, the nerves plucked out, the arteries destroyed, the members were scattered. The audience fainted and the executioners grew weary. The demons, having been vanquished, were horror-stricken and panicked. The angels marvelled. But he that endured, seemed joyous, and his eye was not morbid, but cheerful, and he looked merry, rather than dismembered.
Then they cut off the thighs of the martyr, and the pain was so acute, that he cried out saying, “Christ, help me!”
And the executioners said to him: “Did we not tell you that you will suffer extreme pains and tortures, and you did not believe us? Now ask your God to save you from these punishments.”
And he answered: “I do not ask Christ to rescue me from the torments, but to strengthen me till the end, so that I may receive the laurel, O senseless ones. I felt pain, in order to prove that I am in the flesh. But earlier, my mind was in my Lord Jesus Christ, Who lessened my pains, and I did not feel anything. Truly, just as the anvil is struck by the hammer and feels nothing, also I felt nothing, as I was being tormented. Therefore, I thank my God, and beg of you not to feel sad for me, but do dissolve this old structure of my flesh, that a new and brighter one will be raised up. Since you have cut off the branches, do not hesitate to chop down the tree also, that I may receive the heavenly bliss. For just as a deer wishes to reach the rivers of water, so I desire in death to attain my Creator.”
Even though he was dismembered thus, the invincible one safeguarded his piety and won trophies against all of them, with the aid of the Holy Spirit and his unsurpassed desire. He remained, therefore, only with his head and torso, a dreadful sight to behold. Alas! But the villainous rulers, seeing that, even though he was dismembered, he was not afraid, but, rather, they were frightened. They had no further hope for him, so they ordered his honored head to be cut off, as the other members of his body. They ordered this, not because of any merciful sentiments or sympathy, but from their excessive shame, so that it would not seem that James defeated them, dismembered thus, and that the invisible power of the Lord might not be confessed in the saint.
After the decision [to cut off his head], the saint was solaced somewhat. He moved his honored head with difficulty, and prayed thus: “O Lord, Father Almighty and Lord Jesus Christ and Most Holy Spirit, I thank Thee that Thou hast enabled me to endure these torments for Thy holy name. But I pray Thee, make me worthy to complete this contest, for ‘the pangs of hell came round about me’ (LXX, Psalm 17:5). They have severed all my limbs. I have no legs to stand on and worship Thy majesty, nor hands to lift up to heaven to pray and call Thy name. They left me neither knees, nor arms, the merciless ones, but I remain as a branchless tree without roots. Therefore, I beseech Thee, O Most Holy King, abandon not Thy servant, but take my soul out of the prison of my body, and place it among Thy holy martyrs, so that we may glorify forever Thy majesty in the ages to come. Amen.”
After he said these things, they cut off his honorable head, and thus, he achieved all those indescribable blessings: “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God bath prepared for them that love Him” (I Cor. 2:9).
If then, as Saint Paul says, each one of us will receive a reward according to his own labor, how great will be his reward, who died a myriad deaths and witnessed suffering above all human endurance? In all truth, just as the pains and anguish were atrocious, so will the pleasures be painless, the rewards countless, the delights unutterable, and the crowns glorious. The blessed James received his martyrdom in Babylon, on Friday, November 27. Immediately afterwards, certain Christians, beloved of God, approached the guards and offered them money, in order to permit them to take part of his holy relics. But out of fear for the king, they did not wish to consent to this. Then the pious ones left, as if to depart, but actually they hid nearby and awaited till it was dark to procure at least a part of the relics. And as the night wore on, the guards fell asleep, the pious Christians crept forward, quietly, and carried away the precious relics of the martyr. They buried them devoutly and with honor, as an everlasting memorial and remembrance to the glory and praise of our Lord Jesus Christ, to Whom is meet honor, song and worship, with the Father and the All-Holy Life-giving Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

From the Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church.


Relics
According to St. Nikolai Velimirovich: “His head is to be found in Rome and a part of his relics in Portugal, where he is commemorated on May 22.” Portions of his relics are found in many other shrines throughout the world, including the Great Cave Monastery in Kalavryta, Greece as well as the Barlaam Monastery at Meteora.



A Further Reflection Offered By St. Nikolai Velimirovich
When the executioners severed the thumb of St. James’s right hand, he said: “Even a vine is pruned in this manner, so that in time a young branch may grow.” At the severing of his second finger, he said: “Receive also, O Lord, the second branch of Thy sowing.” At the severing of his third finger, he said: “I bless the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.” At the severing of his fourth finger, he said: “O Thou who acceptest the praise of the four beasts [symbols of the four evangelists], accept the suffering of the fourth finger.” At the severing of the fifth finger, he said: “May my rejoicing be fulfilled as that of the five wise virgins at the wedding feast.” During the severing of the sixth finger, he said: “Thanks be to Thee, O Lord, Who at the sixth hour stretched out Thy most pure arms on the Cross, that Thou hast made me worthy to offer Thee my sixth finger.” At the severing of the seventh finger, he said: “Like David who praised Thee seven times daily, I praise Thee through the seventh finger severed for Thy sake.” At the severing of the eighth finger, he said: “On the eighth day Thou Thyself, O Lord, wast circumcised.” At the severing of the ninth finger, he said: “At the ninth hour, Thou didst commend Thy spirit into the hands of Thy Father, O my Christ, and I offer Thee thanks during the suffering of my ninth finger.” At the severing of the tenth finger, he said: “On a ten-stringed harp I sing to Thee, O God, and thank Thee that Thou hast made me worthy to endure the severing of the ten fingers of my two hands, for the Ten Commandments are written on two tablets.” Oh, what wonderful faith and love! Oh, the noble soul of this knight of Christ!
HYMN OF PRAISE: The Holy Martyr James the Persian
By St. Nikolai Velimirovich
The Creator does not lose repentant souls:
He loves a true penitent the most.
James denied Christ the Living God
For the sake of the godless emperor, his flatterer.
His mother reproached him as did his wife:
“All the riches of the earth are as transient as foam.”
James repented, and bitterly repented,
Then openly spoke about what he had kept secret:
“A Christian I was, and again I am a Christian:
Foolish and weak are your idols!”
This James said, as he stood before the emperor;
This he said openly and remained true to it.
The emperor took all his imperial gifts from him,
And clothed the wondrous James with torture.
James was reddened with wounds and blood,
And like eagles on a carcass, men attacked him!
They dismembered the body of Christ’s hero,
And cut St. James into bits.
Now James prays before God in Paradise
That all Christians overcome all attacks.


Apolytikion in the First Tone
Be entreated, O Lord, by the sufferings endured for You by the Saints, and we pray You, heal all our pain.
Kontakion in the Second Tone
O stout-hearted James, persuaded by thy noble wife, and fearing the dread tribunal, thou didst scorn all fear of the Persians with their profane decrees, and thou wast shown forth to be a most wondrous martyr of Christ, when all of thy body was pruned like a vine.

Αυτοί που διακονούν αρρώστους ( Γέροντας Παΐσιος )

Χθες βράδυ, την ώρα που πήγαινα στον ναό για την αγρυπνία, είδα σε μια άκρη έναν πατέρα με ένα παιδάκι σε αναπηρικό καροτσάκι. Πλησίασα, αγκάλιασα τον μικρό και τον φίλησα. «Είσαι ένας άγγελος, του είπα, το ξέρεις;». Και στον πατέρα του είπα: «Μεγάλη τιμή για σένα να υπηρετείς έναν άγγελο. Να χαίρεστε, γιατί θα πάτε και οι δύο στον Παράδεισο». Έλαμψαν από χαρά τα πρόσωπά τους, γιατί ένιωσαν την θεϊκή παρηγοριά.

Αυτοί που διακονούν αρρώστους, αναπήρους κ.λπ. με αγάπη και υπομονή, αν έχουν αμαρτίες, σβήνουν τις αμαρτίες τους με την θυσία που κάνουν· αν δεν έχουν αμαρτίες, αγιάζονται. Κάποτε μια γυναίκα μου διηγήθηκε μερικά γεγονότα από την ζωή της πολύ θαυμαστά. Απόρησα, γιατί ήταν καταστάσεις που συναντούμε στους βίους των Αγίων και αυτή ήταν μια απλή γυναίκα. Όταν μου είπε πως είχε περάσει τα περισσότερα χρόνια της ζωής της, είδα ότι όλη η ζωή της ήταν μια θυσία. Από νέα ακόμη υπηρετούσε αρρώστους, γιατί στο πατρικό της σπίτι είχαν και τον παππού και την γιαγιά, που ήταν άρρωστοι. Όταν παντρεύτηκε, έμενε με τον πεθερό και την πεθερά της, που ήταν επίσης άρρωστοι. Μετά αρρώστησε ο άνδρας της, έμεινε κατάκοιτος και τον υπηρετούσε. Όλη την ζωή της δηλαδή αυτή η γυναίκα την πέρασε διακονώντας αρρώστους. Διψούσε όλα αυτά τα χρόνια να μελετήσει, να πάει σε κάποια αγρυπνία, αλλά δεν είχε χρόνο. Επειδή όμως ήταν δικαιολογημένη, ο Θεός στο τέλος της έδωσε μαζεμένη την Χάρη Του.


- Γέροντα, μερικοί άνθρωποι, όταν αρρωσταίνουν, αποκτούν πολλές παραξενιές.

- Ναι, αυτό συμβαίνει, αλλά και οι υγιείς πρέπει να δικαιολογούν λίγο την ανησυχία, την γκρίνια ή την ιδιοτροπία των αρρώστων, γιατί αυτά είναι φυσικά στους αρρώστους. Ειδικά, όποιος δεν έχει αρρωστήσει, δεν μπορεί να καταλάβει τον άρρωστο, γιατί δεν έχει πονέσει και η καρδιά του είναι λίγο σκληρή.

Όσοι υπηρετούν έναν άρρωστο, έναν κατάκοιτο, χρειάζεται πολύ να προσέξουν να μην τον κάνουν να γογγύσει. Μπορεί να τον υπηρετούν για χρόνια, αν όμως μια φορά στο τέλος τον κάνουν να γογγύσει, τα χάνουν όλα. Είναι βαρύ να φύγει η ψυχή με γογγυσμό από αυτόν τον κόσμο. Αλλά και εκείνους μετά ο πονηρός θα τους βασανίζει, λεπταίνοντας δήθεν την συνείδησή τους.

- Γέροντα, όταν υπηρετείς έναν άρρωστο, δεν σε καταβάλλει μόνον η κούραση, αλλά και η στεναχώρια, γιατί βλέπεις έναν δικό σου άνθρωπο σιγά-σιγά να σβήνει.

- Ναι, αλλά και ο Θεός όλους τους οικονομάει! Βλέπεις, όταν αρρωσταίνει ένα μέλος από την οικογένεια, όλη η οικογένεια πονάει. Και αν τυχόν είναι ο πατέρας και δεν μπορεί να εργαστεί, ολόκληρη η οικογένεια και πονάει και δυστυχεί. Έχει την αγωνία, «θα ζήση ο πατέρας, δεν θα ζήση;». Βασανίζεται αυτός, βασανίζονται και οι άλλοι. Σβήνει αυτός, σβήνουν και οι γύρω του. Και η μητέρα τότε πρέπει να δουλέψει περισσότερο. Να φροντίσει τα παιδιά, να πάει και στο νοσοκομείο, για να κοιτάξει τον άρρωστο. Θέλω να πω, όταν κάποιος αρρωστήσει από μια βαριά αρρώστια, και ο ίδιος υποφέρει, κουράζεται και θέλει να πεθάνει, αλλά και οι δικοί του που τον υπηρετούν, στεναχωριούνται, ταλαιπωρούνται και κουράζονται. Και όσο περισσότερο δεμένοι και αγαπημένοι είναι, επιτρέπει στο τέλος ο Θεός, και ο άρρωστος και αυτοί που τον υπηρετούν να ταλαιπωρούνται πιο πολύ, να πονούν πιο πολύ, μέχρι να φθάσουν να πουν: «ας τον πάρει ο Θεός, για να ξεκουρασθεί» - αλλά για να ξεκουρασθούν και αυτοί. Βλέπετε, όταν μια οικογένεια είναι πολύ αγαπημένη, και οι γονείς πεθαίνουν στα καλά καθούμενα, χωρίς να αρρωστήσουν, και δεν ταλαιπωρούνται ούτε αυτοί ούτε τα παιδιά τους, γιατί χρειάσθηκε να τους υπηρετήσουν, ο πόνος του χωρισμού για τα παιδιά είναι πολύ οδυνηρός.

- Γέροντα, ο ψυχικός παράγων πόσο μπορεί να επηρεάση την σωματική υγεία;

- Όταν κανείς είναι ψυχικά καλά, ο σωματικός πόνος ελαφρώνει. Όταν δεν είναι καλά ψυχικά, η άσχημη ψυχική κατάσταση επιδεινώνει την υγεία του. Πάρε έναν καρκινοπαθή που τον έχουν ξεγραμμένο οι γιατροί. Αν πιστεύει στον Θεό και βρεθεί σε μια χαρούμενη πνευματική ατμόσφαιρα, μπορεί να ζήση περισσότερο, ενώ διαφορετικά μπορεί να λιώσει από την στεναχώρια του και να σβήσει μέσα σε λίγες εβδομάδες. Καμιά φορά μπορεί κάποιος από ιατρικής πλευράς να είναι υγιής, οι εξετάσεις να μη δείχνουν τίποτε, αλλά, αν έχει κάτι που τον σακατεύει ψυχικά, τότε να μην είναι πραγματικά καλά. Γιατί οι περισσότερες αρρώστιες από την στεναχώρια ξεκινούν. Όλοι οι άνθρωποι έχουν κάποιο ευαίσθητο σημείο. Μια στεναχώρια άλλον θα τον χτυπήσει στο στομάχι, άλλον στο κεφάλι.

Το καλύτερο φάρμακο για μια αρρώστια είναι η πνευματική χαρά, γιατί σκορπάει την θεία Χάρη στην ψυχή. Η πνευματική χαρά έχει την μεγαλύτερη ιαματική δύναμη για όλες τις αρρώστιες. Είναι η θεϊκή αλοιφή που επουλώνει τις πληγές, ενώ η στενοχώρια τις ερεθίζει.
Από το βιβλίο «Οικογενειακή Ζωή - Τόμος Δ'»

A contemporary miracle of St. Savvas of Kalymnos

On the radio station of the Metropolis of Piraeus, on the feast of St. Savvas of Kalymnos, Lykourgos Markoudes relates the following astonishing miracle:


Every Friday, I work a shift at the church bookstore of Kalymnos. About three years ago, an elderly tourist couple entered the bookstore, and having bought something, I gave them a small icon of St. Savvas as a blessing.


They asked: “Who is this?”


I told them that this was the Saint of our island, St. Sabbas.


They asked, again in English: “Why is he a Saint? What has he done?”


I told them that he is a Saint because he loved God very much, he lived in asceticism, and works many miracles, heals those with cancer, and helps childless couple have children...


As soon as they heard this last point, they immediately called to their daughter and her husband who were outside, and told them what I said. They said that St. Sabbas helps many childless couples bear children. This couple was married for many years, and could not bear a child. They asked if they could go to the Monastery of St. Savvas.


This girl was not Orthodox, but she had great reverence and piety, and she asked if she could go inside the church as she was not Orthodox. I told them that they of course could, and she also asked permission from the Abbess if she could venerate the reliquary, where is kept the whole relic of St. Sabbas, and she said of course she could.


Having venerated, she kneeled for about 10 minutes before the Saint, and with tears prayed, saying, among other things: “O Saint Savvas, I am not Orthodox, I don't know many things about Christ, but I believe in God, and I believe that you can help me.”


After she stood up, the Abbess gave her holy oil from the vigil lamp of the Saint to anoint herself with. Having thanked her, they all left.


One year later...
One Friday, the same older parents of the couple came to the bookstore, found Niko, greeted him with joy, and asked if he remembered him. They then called their daughter and her husband, and they entered, holding their newborn baby in their arms.


They said: “This is Sabbina!”


They had a beautiful little girl in their arms, and in addition, they admitted that they all—parents, children—were baptized Orthodox, through the help of the well-known Metropolitan Kallistos Ware in England.


They asked if they could visit the Monastery of St. Savvas to thank the Saint. As soon as they reached the church, with great emotion, they placed the little Sabbina on top of the reliquary of the Saint, and said: “Take it, this is yours, it's not mine!”


This girl had brought from England a whole envelope full of tests and doctor's opinions from the best hospitals, which mentioned that it would be impossible for her to remain pregrant, as she had a problem with her fallopian tubes. They told Mr. Niko to read these to confirm the greatness of this miracle. They had been tested scientifically, and had spent much money, even selling a plot of land, in order to afford it.


The Lord God lives!



Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

http://full-of-grace-and-truth.blogspot.ca/2012/12/a-contemporary-miracle-of-st-sabbas-of.html

Συμβουλή για τα νέα ζευγάρια ( Γέροντας Δημήτριος Γκαγκαστάθης )

Ο αείμνηστος Γέροντας πατήρ Δημήτριος Γκαγκαστάθης σε κάθε νεαρό ζευγάρι τους έλεγε:

«Μάθετε από την αρχή της γνωριμίας σας και μάλιστα του γάμου, από την πρώτη νύκτα του γάμου σας, να κάνετε μαζί την πρώτη προσευχή, το πρώτο απόδειπνο. Και αφού τελειώσει το απόδειπνο -όπως γίνεται στα μοναστήρια- να κάνετε μια μετάνοια ο ένας στον άλλον και να ζητήσετε συγγνώμη».

Τον ρώτησα λοιπόν -τότε που μας το είπε ο Γέροντας αυτό:

«Κι αν δεν έχουμε καμία διαφωνία, γέροντα, γιατί να το κάνουμε αυτό;»

Λέει: «Να το κάνετε υποχρεωτικά, γιατί έτσι θα μάθετε να ζητάτε ο ένας από τον άλλο συγγνώμη».

Διότι, όταν θα έρθει το πρόβλημα, κι όταν πλέον θα έρθει ο ίδιος ο διάβολος για να γεμίσει τον νου με τις δικές του αναρiθμητες πληροφορίες, τις αλλοτριωμένες πληροφορίες, τότε βλέποντας τους δύο συζύγους να κάνουν μετάνοια και να υπακούουν ο ένας στον άλλον, επειδή δεν μπορεί να σταθεί σε μια τέτοια ταπεινοφροσύνη, ασφαλώς θα φύγει.

Γιατί σιχαίνεται τους ανθρώπους αυτούς οι οποίοι έχουν ταπεινοφροσύνη και έχουν αυτό το φρόνημα των μετανοιών.

Πραγματικά, μια τέτοια κατάσταση, όταν από την αρχή λειτουργήσει, μπορεί να διαφυλάξει τον νου, τον ηγεμόνα νου και των δύο ανθρώπων από την παραπληροφόρηση, ώστε να μην κατέβουν οι πληροφορίες στην συνέχεια στην καρδιά και πλέον τραυματίσουν την αγάπη.

Γέροντας Δημήτριος Γκαγκαστάθης

http://agiameteora.net/

We should regard all people as saints ( Saint Porphyrios )

We should regard all people as saints. We all carry within us the same '' old self ''. Our neighbor, whoever he is, is '' flesh of our flesh, '' he is our brother and, according to St. Paul, we owe no one anything, except to love one another. We can never pass judgment on others, for no one ever hated his own flesh.


Saint Porphyrios

Περί σιωπής

Το να σιωπάς είναι πράγματι αποτέλεσμα και καρπός βασιλικής και ευγενικής παιδείας. Αυτός που έμαθε να σιωπά, αυτός έμαθε και να μιλάει. Γιατί η σιωπή είναι προϊόν σύνεσης όχι μικρότερης από το να μιλάει κανείς συνετά.

Έτσι λοιπόν αυτός που δεν ξέρει να σιωπά, ούτε να συζητάει μπορεί. Για τον νέο μάλιστα, η σιωπή δημιουργεί περιβάλλον ασφαλές΄ και μάλιστα όταν ακούει τον άλλον και δεν ταράζεται ούτε αντιμιλάει με άπρεπα λόγια.

Ακόμη κι αν τα λόγια που ακούει δεν του πολυαρέσουν, να τα ανέχεται και να περιμένει να σταματήσει ο συνομιλητής του. Ούτε αμέσως να προβάλλει την αντίρρησή του, αλλά, όπως λέει ο Αισχίνης, να του αφήνει χρόνο, μήπως και θέλει να προσθέσει κάτι ακόμη στα λεγόμενά του ο άλλος, ή κάτι να διορθώσει ή να αφαιρέσει από μόνος του.

Αυτοί δε που αμέσως διακόπτουν, ούτε ακούν ούτε ακούγονται, μιλούν σ’ αυτούς που ταυτόχρονα μιλούν κι έτσι καταλήγουν να φέρονται άσχημα (Πλούταρχος).Η σιγή είναι μητέρα τής προσοχής, κρίκος τής πύλης τού ουρανού, κλειδί τού Παραδείσου» (Ιωάννης της Κλί­μακας).

Η σιγή είναι ένδειξη σωφροσύνης’ ωστόσο, αυτή, από μόνη της, δεν μπορεί να φέρει τη μεταμέλεια. Ακόμη κι αυτούς που δεν έχουν παιδεία, η σιωπή τους μεταμορφώνει σε φρόνιμους και σεμνούς.

Είναι αγαθό το να σιωπάς, παρά να μιλάς και μακάριος αυτός που έχει βρει και κρατήσει αυτό το κλειδί. Είναι καλύτερος αυτός που σιωπά απ’ αυτόν που μιλάει, ακόμη κι αν μιλάει σωστά. Όταν η γυναίκα σιωπά, φορά το καλύτερο στολίδι. Μάθε να σωπαίνεις καθότι αυτό είναι καλύτερο από το να μιλάς.

«Η παροιμία λέει ότι η σιωπή είναι ακίνδυνος έπαινος. Αυτός που φυλάει το στόμα του, διατηρεί την ψυχή του μακριά από θλίψεις. Από στόμα κλειστό μόνο αγαθά προκύπτουν. Ο σιωπηλός και νοήμων αξιώνεται πολλών τιμών. Υπάρχει αυτός που μιλάει και δεν είναι αρεστός.

Και υπάρχει κάποιος που σιωπά και βρίσκεται σοφός» (Σειράχ). «Μίλησε αν έχεις κάτι καλύτερο να πεις από το να σιωπήσεις. Αγάπα την ησυχία΄ εκεί η σιγή είναι καλύτερη από τον λόγο» (Γρηγόριος ο Θεολόγος).

Το να σωπαίνεις, δεν προκαλεί ούτε δίψα, ούτε λύπη, ούτε πόνο. Απ’ αυτούς που σιώπησαν, κανείς δεν μετάνιωσε. Απ’ αυτούς που μίλησαν πάρα πολλοί το μετάνιωσαν. Το να συγκρατεί κανείς τη γλώσσα του είναι τιμητικό και για τον γέρο και για τον νέο.
Για τα λόγια σου φτιάξε ζυγαριά και μέτρο και για το στόμα σου θύρα που θα το κρατά κλειστό. Αν έχεις κάποιο λόγο συνετό να πεις, αποκρίσου στον πλησίον σου΄ αν όχι, κλείσε καλύτερα το στόμα σου με το χέρι σου. Ο Σολομών ευχόταν στον Θεό να βάλει φίμωτρο στο στόμα του και να σφραγίσει τα χείλη του.

Ο Δαυίδ ζητούσε «φυλακήν τω στόματι αυτού και θύραν περιοχής περί τα χείλη του».
Η σιγή τής γλώσσας είναι σαν το δένδρο τής ζωής΄ αυτός δε που τη διατηρεί, γεμίζει με Άγιο Πνεύμα΄ ο θάνατος και η ζωή είναι στο χέρι τής γλώσσας΄ αυτοί δε που την εξουσιάζουν, απολαμβάνουν τους καρπούς της.
Είναι πολύ καλή η σιωπή που διατηρείται όταν πρέπει΄ τίποτα άλλο δεν είναι παρά μητέρα σοφότατων λογισμών. Το αγαθό πνεύμα αποφεύγει την πολυλογία.

(Από το βιβλίο «Γνώθι σαυτόν», Εκδόσεις «ΑΘΩΣ»)

http://agiameteora.net/

Saint Stylianos of Paphlagonia

Saint Stylianos was born in Paphlagonia of Asia Minor sometime between the fourth and sixth centuries. He inherited a great fortune from his parents when they died, but he did not keep it. He gave it away to the poor according to their need, desiring to help those who were less fortunate.

Stylianos left the city and went to a monastery, where he devoted his life to God. Since he was more zealous and devout than the other monks, he provoked their jealousy and had to leave. He left the monastery to live alone in a cave in the wilderness, where he spent his time in prayer and fasting.

The goodness and piety of the saint soon became evident to the inhabitants of Paphlagonia, and they sought him out to hear his teaching, or to be cured by him. Many were healed of physical and mental illnesses by his prayers.

St Stylianos was known for his love of children, and he would heal them of their infirmities. Even after his death, the citizens of Paphlagonia believed that he could cure their children. Whenever a child became sick, an icon of St Stylianos was painted and was hung over the child’s bed.

At the hour of his death, the face of St Stylianos suddenly became radiant, and an angel appeared to receive his soul.

Known as a protector of children, St Stylianos is depicted in iconography holding an infant in his arms. Pious Christians ask him to help and protect their children, and childless women entreat his intercession so that they might have children.

Περί σημειοφόρων - Μεγαλο Γεροντικο

Έλεγε ο αββάς Δουλάς, ο μαθητής του αββά Βησαρίωνα: Καθώς βαδίζαμε κάποτε στα αμμώδη υψώματα δίπλα από τη θάλασσα, δίψασα και είπα στον αββά Βησαρίωνα: «Αββά, διψώ πολύ».

Και ο Γέροντας, αφού έκαμε ευχή, μου είπε: «Πιες απ΄ τη θάλασσα». Κι έγινε γλυκό το νερό και ήπια. Ωστόσο όμως εγώ γέμισα και το δοχείο μου, μη τυχόν διψάσω παρακάτω. Και μόλις με είδε ο Γέροντας μου είπε: «Γιατί γέμισες νερό;» «Συγχώρησέ με, του απάντησα, μη τυχόν διψάσω παραπέρα».

Και η απάντηση του Γέροντα: «Ο Θεός είναι εδώ αλλά και παντού είναι ο Θεός».

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