Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Meaningful Support

I'm sharing this cartoon, sent to me by my friend Archpriest Basil Rhodes
How better can I support you?

My main reason for writing each day is to lend support to so many of you who are struggling in today's world. The hardships you face, both economically, socially and spiritually, are great. Keeping a balance can be difficult. I have therefore tried to write about subjects that are relevant to living the Orthodox life in today's world. I'm not a theologian, nor am I a patristic scholar, but rather a priestmonk who cares for those of you who are struggling with life and need support. I want to help in whatever way I can. Please let me hear from you. Tell me topics that you'd like me to address, subjects for future blog entries. Let me know how I can better serve you.

Love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon





Tuesday November 29, 2011 / November 16, 2011

25th Week after Pentecost. Tone seven.
Nativity (St. Philip's Fast). Fish Allowed


Holy Apostle and Evangelist Matthew (60).
New Hieromartyrs Theodore Korolev priest and with him Martyr Ananius Boykov and Michael Boldakov (1929).
New Hieromartyrs John, Nicholas, Victor, Basil, Makarius and Michael priests, Hieromartyr Panteleimon (1937).
Martyr Demetrius (1938).
St. Fulvianus, prince of Ethiopia, in holy baptism Matthew (1st c.).
Hieromartyr Hipatius bishop of Gangra (360).
Venerable Sergius, abbot, of Malopinega (1585).
St. Eucherius of Lyons (449).
St. Lubuinus, missionary to Friesland (773) (Neth.).
St. Otmar, abbot and monastic founder in Switzerland (759).


Thank you for your prayerful and financial support of the Monastery. 

For those of you who live locally, we have a wonderful bookstore and gift shop (likely the best Orthodox store in the region). Please consider purchasing your Christmas gifts with a visit to Way of a Pilgrim Bookstore here at the monastery on Vashon Island (please call the monastery (206.714.8319) before taking the ferry, just to make sure your visit is a convenient time for the monastic community). 

For those who do not live in the region, you can make donations directly to the monastery through PayPal.

Again, we thank you for remembering the holy work of the monastery during this season of the Nativity Fast.

2 Thessalonians 1:10-2:2


10 when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.
11 Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, 12 that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 2

 

The Great Apostasy
 1 Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come.                        


Luke 14:25-35

 

Leaving All to Follow Christ

 

25 Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it29 lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.
Tasteless Salt Is Worthless
34 “Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? 35 It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill, but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
The PodCast is always different than the blog article.

5 comments:

  1. Abbot Tryphon... please be encouraged. Your writing and speaking is a blessing. It is because you are not an avowed 'theologian', or 'patristic scholar', that your words and your ideas are so easily received by us... the common people. The greatest in the kingdom of God are not always seminary and doctoral candidates...just ask John the Baptist. Be encouraged. Thank you

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  2. This little cartoon really hits home about fasting - it's not just about food. Thank you for the reminder.
    Edward

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  3. Father, bless,

    Just looking forward to reading your blog entry everyday is enough. Every afternoon it makes me stop and refocus myself...to realize there is more going on outside my own little sphere of issues...a healthy dose of perspective.

    Even when you don't write about anything that I can personally relate to it makes me aware of things outside myself. That makes me have to think, that makes me grow or at least be more aware of things around me.

    I love you photos. They too are inspiring in their own way.

    from: a catechumen who resides south of you

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  4. Just an idea: I've been thinking about your blogs about the monetary issues the monastery has. Have you ever considered selling your lovely photos done as calendars? Perhaps even several different types: photogenic Hammi would probably be a hit or of the chapel or a mix of the grounds or a mix of all of the above?

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  5. Thank you for your posts. I would especially like to have some encouragement on practicing patience.

    In case you are looking for more cartoons, the source for the one above is here: http://pithlessthoughts.blogspot.com/2010/03/orthograph-55-lenten-morning-routine.html

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