St. Theophan: Thoughts: June 20/ July 3

(1 Cor. 1:1-9; Matt. 13:24-30) The good seed had been sown but the enemy came and sowed tares in with the wheat. Tares are heresies and schisms in the Church and in every one of us bad thoughts, feelings, desires, and passions. A man that accepts the good seed, the words of God, decides to live a holy life and begins to live such. When such a man sleeps, that is, relaxes attention to himself, then comes the enemy of salvation and embeds in him bad thoughts which, not having been repelled in the beginning, ripen in desires and dispositions and they take their circle of deeds and propositions, having intermixed with good actions, feelings and thoughts. They are as such, both together, until the harvest. This harvest is confession. The Lord sends angels, feelings of destruction and fear of God and they, having appeared like a sickle, gather up all the tares and throw them in the fire of self-condemnation. The pure wheat remains in the granary of the heart to the joy of man, the angels and the all good God worshiped in Trinity.

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St. Theophan: Thoughts: June 9/ June 22

(Rom. 11:25-36; Matt. 12:1-8) "But if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless." So, in order to be delivered from the condemnation of sin it is necessary to develop a merciful heart. A merciful heart not only doesn't convict apparent violation of the law but even violations that are obvious for all. In the place of judgement it perceives regret and is quickly ready to weep than reproach. Actually the condemnation of sin is fruit of an unmerciful heart, spiteful and delighted in the humiliation of those close to it, slander is it's name, in bringing others down is its honor. This is the case: the murderous business happens according to the spirit that is the murderer from time immemorial. There is much calumny which is from it's source the devil, for the devil slanders and everywhere spreads slander. Hasten to awaken within yourself compassion every time there comes evil desire of condemnation. With this compassionate heart turning with prayer to the Lord so that He will have mercy on us all, not only the one who wanted to condemn but even us and mabye more than that stop short evil desire.

St. Theophan: Thoughts: June 5/ June 18

(Rom. 9:18-33; Matt. 11:2-15) "...the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force." The Kingdom binds itself, that is with poverty with labour, with effort and podvig; therefore, the one who reaches the Kingdom is the one who lives life through much labour and podvig. With this, on the way to the Kingdom, is the denial of every type of consolation. Pleasures of every kind take away from the Kingdom, and now we even have only worries that are about pleasures, rarely spiritual, more fleshly: to eat, to drink, to be happy, to walk and to live in luxury in all ways. The Kingdom said, "I ask you, excuse me," though in it is a feast, a kingly feast, to which no one comes prepared, the taste we have isn't right. What is sweet we consider bitter, what is pleasing we are against, what is joyful to us is irksome - it completely clashes with us. The Kingdom with the poor, enrapturing him, moves away from us. We, joyful and ready, quickly would drive them away and our speech about that already leads us away, yes, everyone is crafty that doesn't manage to accomodate this.
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St. Theophan: Thoughts: June 4/ June 17

(Rom. 5:1-10; Matt. 6:22-33). "If therefore your eye is good [pure, clean], your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness." The eye here stands for the mind and the body the whole soul. Thus, when the mind is simple then in the soul it will be light; when the mind is evil then in the soul it will be dark. What is a simple mind and what is an evil mind? A simple mind is one which accepts everything written in the word of God and indesputably is convinced that all is so as it is written: there is no cunning, no wavering or doubts in it. And evil mind is one which comes to the word of God with craftiness, cunning words and disregard. It is not able to believe correctly but submits the word of God under it's own understanding. It comes to the word not as a disciple but as a judge and critic in order to test what it says and then whether to sneer or to haughtily say, "Yes, that's not bad." Such a mind doesn't have a strict position for the reason that it obviously doesn't believe the word of God and it's own understanding is always unstable - now such a way and tomorrow another way. From this it has fluctuation, perplexity, questions without answers; its possessions are not in the same place and it walks rummaging in the dark. The simple mind sees everything clearly: it's well-defined character has all of its possessions, formed with the words of God, therefore, all of its possessions are in the same place and it knows exactly how it is in relationship to what to hold on to, it walks, it knows with comple assurance, by the open visible roads that they lead to the genuine goal.
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St. Theophan: Thoughts: June 2/ June 15

(Rom. 9:6-19; Matt. 10:32-35(36), 11:1) "Whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven." Is it difficult to confess the Lord? In no way is it difficult. How is it difficult to say, when it is demanded, that our Lord Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God and God, Who for our sake came to earth, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man, was crucified, suffered, was buried, arose on the third day, ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father, who will come again to judge the living and the dead, who sent the Holy Spirit upon the holy apostles, who by His power built the holy Church, which teaching truth and performing the mysteries, ... all of its believing children to the Heavenly Kingdom? All of this we repeat every time we hear and say the symbol of faith. So take these truths, imprint them upon your heart and be ready, not being afraid of any human being who comes against you that so, and not otherwise, it is necessary to believe so that you will be saved, prepare to be patient and so that in another situation it will be well with you. Fill your mouth with the words of truth of the teachers of Christianity - and receive what the Lord promises. Confess Him as God and Saviour before man and He will confess you before God the Father, in that you are His true follower and confessor.
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St. Theophan: Thoughts: June 1/ June 14

(Rom. 8:22-27; Matt. 10:23-31) "...there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known." Consequently, as we hide ourselves with our sins there is no profit. The time approaches - is it long in coming? and everything will come into the open. How will we be? It is not necessary to hide. You sinned - go and reveal the sin to your spiritual father. When you receive absolution the sin disappears as if it had never been. If you hide your sin and don't repent and keep it in yourself it will be revealed in it's own time as your denunciation. Everything, first of all, is revealed to us by God, in order that we can now manage to disable His righteous and terrible judgement on us sinners.
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St. Theophan: Thoughts: May 31/ June 13

(Rom. 8:2-13; Matt. 10:16-22) "...he who endures to the end will be saved." And what do we have to endure? - you will not be lacking in things to endure. The field of suffering for everyone is wide; it will be your salvation, by the work of your own hands. Endure all to the end and you will be saved. It is necessary, however, to suffer skillfully or else it is possible to suffer and not receive benefit. Firstly, guard the holy faith and the irreproachable life according to that faith and cleanse every sin with confession. Secondly, everything that comes for you to suffer receive as from the hands of God; remember that without the will of God nothing happens. Thirdly, believe that everything from the Lord is sent for the benefit of our souls, sincerely thank God for everything - for grief and for solace. Fourthly, love every sorrow for the sake of greater salvation and awaken your thirst as to a bitter but healing drink. Fifthly, always remember that when trouble comes not to throw it out like worn clothes - you need to put them on. Whether or not you endure according to Christianity everything you suffer is inevitable; it is better, therefore, to endure according to Christianity. Don't murmer about troubles but only wear them out; with determination and a good nature, in humble submission to the Providence of God, take away the ties of troubles. Sixthly, realize your own unworthiness; if the Lord were to act in all fairness towards us wouldn't it follow that He sent us such trouble anyway? Seventhly, more than all, pray and the merciful Lord will give you strength of spirit, according to which, when others marvel at your troubles, to endure them, to you, it will seem as nothing at all.
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St. Theophan: Thoughts: May 29/ June 11

For anyone who's actually reading these: sorry for the lull, they have been rather difficult to translate of late.

(Rom. 7:1-13; Matt. 9:36-10:8) Sending the holy Apostles to preach the Lord commanded them to proclaim to all that the "Kingdom of Heaven is at hand," that is, the Kingdom has come - enter into it. What follows for us to preach? We need to shout to all: sons of the Kingdom! don't flee from the Kingdom into bondage and captivity - because they are running. Freedom of mind captivates one: "We don't want," they say,"the bonds of faith and the oppression of authority even if it's divine; everyone themselves guessed and decided." Well, they decided. They constructed a fable, in which there is more childishness than in Greek mythology and they praise themselves for this... Others are carried away by the wide road of the passions: "We don't want," they say, "to know the absolute commandments, nor the demands of the conscience, they are all distraction: we need simple feeling." They all went after these things. So what happened? They put on the stupidity of the beasts. Is it not from this that came about the collapse of morality and the theory of the descent of man from beast? Here is where they are going! And everyone flees from the Lord, everyone runs away...
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St. Theophan: Thoughts: May 23/ June 5

(Rom. 4:4-12; Matt. 7:15-21) "Beware of false prophets." In the beginning of Christianity and even up to now there hasn't been a time which hasn't had this warning. The Lord didn't show in what way exactly to beware of false prophets or how to determine them. They change, like fashion, and every time gives rise to their own. They always appear in sheeps' clothing with goodwill in their step and truth in their speech. In our time their clothing is woven from progress, civilization, enlightenment, freedom in thoughts and deeds, personal freedom, the abandonment of faith and whatever is comfortable. All these are flattering deceptions. Therefore, upon meeting a show of these clothes, don't rush to open your mouth and with your speech proclaim in them prophets. Take a look whether a wolf is hidden in this sheeps' clothing. Know that the Lord is the one driving force to genuine truth, the one softener of hearts and dispositions, the one enlightener, the one giver of freedom filling the heart with true feelings, who doesn't forcibly sway anyone. Because if you notice in the speech of such new prophets a hint of opposition to the teaching of the Lord, know that these are wolf-predators and turn away from them.

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St. Theophan: Thoughts: May 21/ June 3

(Heb 11:22-12:2; Matt 10:32-33, 37-38, 19:27-30) Every day the Holy Church remembers the saints but since there were saints of God, having struggled in obscurity, not being revealed to the Church, in order not to leave them without a celebration the Holy Church established a day, in which all those pleasing to God from all generations are glorified. This day was created for commemoration immediately after the descent of the Holy Spirit because all the saints became and are becoming holy with the grace of the Holy Spirit, which grace brings repentance and the abandonment of sin. Grace eneters into battle with the passions and lusts and is crowned in this podvig with purity and passionlessness. In such a way appears a new creature, fit for the new heaven and the new earth. Being jealous we follow after the saints of God. Today's Gospel teaches us how to do this: it demands fearless confession of faith in the Lord, a principled love towards Him, taking up the cross of selflessness and a heart-felt renunciation. According to these instructions we establish our beginning.

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St. Theophan: Thoughts: May 19/ June 1

(Rom. 2:14-29; Matt. 5:33-41) "But I say unto you, that ye resist not evil"; otherwise you give yourself up to sacrifice to wayward and evil people. Is it possible to live that way? Don't worry - the one who gave this command is our guide and guardian. When with complete faith, from all your soul you wish to live this way, in order not to resist any evil person, then the Lord himself will make for you a way of life, not only tolerable but happy. In addition to this, conflict further incites the antagonist and prompts him into further unpleasantness but a concession disarms and subdues him. From this it occurs that you suffer only the first onslaught of rage - people then have pity and and leave you in peace. But conflict and revenge unleashes rage which from the first multiplies sevenfold and then from generation to generation.

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St. Theophan: Thoughts: May 18/31

(Rom. 1:28-2:9; Matt. 5:27-32) "Whoever looks at a woman...has already committed adultery with her". How is it possible to live in society and not look upon women? After all, not simply looking upon a woman is committing adultery but looking with lust. Look but keep your heart on a leash. Look with the eyes of a children, who look upon women purely, without a wicked thought at all. It is necessary to love women for in the commandment about love they are not excluded but with pure love, which has in it's thought spiritual means besides all else. In Christianity, as before God, there is not male nor female, and it is such in inter-relations of Christians.

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St. Theophan: Thoughts: May 17/30

(Rom. 1:18-27; Matt. 5:20-26) "Unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven." The characteristics of scribes is such-knowledge of the law without a life according to the law. The characteristics of the Pharisees is such-correctness in external conduct without genuine working for correctness of the heart and the thoughts. This and other moral patterns of judgement are external to the Kingdom of Heaven. Take from this all the necessary lessons for yourself. Find out the law of the gospel to know it but in order to set up your life according to knowledge. In conduct try to be correct but at the same time take a hold of your internal disposition and feelings. Having discovered this do not stop with this knowledge but go farther and complete the conclusion, to which, in this case, this knowledge obliges you and requires that you act. In this same conduct act such that your feelings and disposition don't go beyond your external acts and that your external acts won't be called feelings and dispositions and serve simply as expressions. In such a way you will be higher than the scribes and pharisees and the door of the Kingdom won't be shut before you.

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St. Theophan: Thoughts: May 15/28: The Day of the Holy Spirit

(Ephesians 5:9-19; Matthew 18:10-20) Consoling His disciples, the Lord said that it is better that He ascends to heaven; for, having ascended He will send in His place and Comforter-Spirit. The Holy Spirit, having descended and remaining in the Church accomplishes in every believer the works of Christ. Every Christian is a participant in the Spirit. This is essential - the one who doesn't have the Spirit doesn't have Christ. Take a closer, more thorough look, do you have the Spirit of grace? He does not remain in everyone, it happens that He leaves. Here is an example: First one finds the spirit of repentance and it teaches the Christian to appeal to God and correct his life. The spirit of repentance, having accomplished its task, gives the Christian to the spirit of sanctity and purity, whose successor, in the end, is a spirit of sonship. The first characteristic is industrious zeal; the second characteristic is a warm and burning light heart; the third characteristic is the feeling of adoption, according to which the heart cries out to God, "Abba, father!" Look and see on which level you are; if you are not on any take up your work and take charge of yourself.

Once again, compare here if able.

St. Theophan: Thoughts: May 14/27

This is a rather rickety translation but you should get the idea. Once again, if any happen to read Russian go here and tell me how it should really be translated.

(Acts 2:1-11; John 7:37-52, 8:12) Accomplished is the economy of our salvation! The activity of the complete person of the Holy Trinity in this action henceforth entered into effect. God the Father is disposed towards the one who the Son of God Himself fills; then descends the Holy Spirit to the believer. For our salvation "according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:2). For this sake "baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" being bound "to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you" (Matt. 28:19, 20). The one not confessing the All-Holy Trinity may not have a part in the saving activity of its person nor consequently receive salvation. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, Trinity one in essence and undivided, for having given us this confession! "Father Almighty, Word and Spirit, linking in Thy Hyposteses presubstantiality and superdivinity, in Thee we were baptized, Thee do we bless unto all ages."

St. Theophan: Thoughts: May 10/23

This is my 'umble translation of St. Theophan's Thoughts for every day of the year. (If you want to compare the original go here)

(Acts 23:1-11; John 16:15-23) The Lord says to the holy apostles before his crucifixion: "A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me". The crucifixion and death of the Lord so struck the holy apostles that the eyes of their mind became muddled and they ceased to see the Lord as Lord; the light being hidden, they sat in bitter and agonizing darkness. The light of the resurrection of Christ chased away this darkness and they again beheld the Lord. As the Lord explained His own words: "You will weep," He said, "and lament but the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful but your sorrow will turn into joy." It is said that every soul on the way to perfection experiences such trials. The darkness completely covers the soul and it doesn't know where to go; but the Lord comes and its sorrow is converted into joy. Truly these trials are necessarily so as it is necessary for a woman to suffer before giving birth. Can we conclude from this that the one who isn't tried does not grow into a genuine Christian?

Insidious self-esteem

Self-esteem is so deeply rooted in us and so firmly enmeshed in us, making us think that we are something, and something not unimportant, that it always hides in our heart as a subtle and imperceptible movement, even when we are sure that we do not trust ourselves and are, on the contrary, filled with complete trust in God alone. In order to avoid this conceit of the heart and act without any self-reliance, led only by your trust in God, take care always to preserve an attitude in which the consciousness and feeling of your weakness always precede in you the contemplation of God's omnipotence, and let both alike precede your every action.
St. Theophan the Recluse, et al.

outside the Church there is no salvation... !(?)

For those who would malign my posts, know that they are directed as much at Orthodox (myself and others).

You ask, will the heterodox be saved... Why do you worry about them? They have a Saviour Who desires the salvation of every human being. He will take care of them. You and I should not be burdened with such a concern. Study yourself and your own sins... I will tell you one thing, however: should you, being Orthodox and possessing the Truth in its fullness, betray Orthodoxy, and enter a different faith, you will lose your soul forever.
St. Theophan the Recluse