Monasticism
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| My favorite photo of Hammi and me |
Monasticism
within the tradition of the Orthodox Church has many expressions. Some
are called to live in the wilderness as hermits, living the solitary way
of life. Others, such as Saint Maria
of Paris and Saint John of San Francisco, are called to live their
monastic struggles within cities, surrounded by people. Many live out
their monastic struggle with varying degrees of contact
with others and the 'world', including friends and family, monastic
brethren, etc., and do so quite successfully. I have known personally of
monastics, both nuns and monks, who have become, out of necessity,
caretakers for members of their family.
We have all been instructed, both as lay people and monastics, to love God above all. The Lord also went on to instruct us that we should also love our neighbor as ourselves. There is therefore no benefit whatsoever if we reach the highest perfection and precision in living by all the ascetic and spiritual 'rules' if we have only love for ourselves and pride in our accomplishments. We are called to do battle with the ego, love both God and our neighbor, and make love the chief goal of our life. Everything else ought to be subordinated and contribute to this, that we love God, and that we love our neighbor.
New Hieromartyr Arcadius priest (1918).
New Hieromartyr Alexis deacon (1942).
Martyr Potitus at Naples (2nd c.).
Venerable Peter the Patrician, monk, of Constantinople (854).
St. Angelina, despotina of Serbia (16th c.).
Venerable Nicodemus of Svyatogorsk (1809).
Translation of the relics of Venerable John of Rila (946) from Turnovo to Rila (1470) (Bulgaria).
Holy Julius and Aaron, protomartyrs of Wales (ca. 304) (Celtic & British).
St. Servanus, Apostle of Western Fife of East Scotland (6th c.) (Celtic & British).
St. Leontius, bishop of Radauti in Moldavia (15th c.) (Romania).
Venerable Gallus, bishop of Clermont (551) (Gaul).
25 Martyrs in Nicomedia (Greek).
Venerable Basil, founder of the Monastery of the Deep Stream in Cappadocia (10th c.) (Greek).
Martyr Constantine the Wonderworker and those with him, of Cyprus (Greek).
St. Leo the Hermit (Greek).
St. Serf, bishop of Kinross.
St. Eparchius the Recluse of Gaul (581).
We have all been instructed, both as lay people and monastics, to love God above all. The Lord also went on to instruct us that we should also love our neighbor as ourselves. There is therefore no benefit whatsoever if we reach the highest perfection and precision in living by all the ascetic and spiritual 'rules' if we have only love for ourselves and pride in our accomplishments. We are called to do battle with the ego, love both God and our neighbor, and make love the chief goal of our life. Everything else ought to be subordinated and contribute to this, that we love God, and that we love our neighbor.
With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
Abbot Tryphon
Saturday July 14, 2012 / July 1, 2012
6th Week after Pentecost. Tone four.
Holy and Wonderworking Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian, martyrs at Rome.New Hieromartyr Arcadius priest (1918).
New Hieromartyr Alexis deacon (1942).
Martyr Potitus at Naples (2nd c.).
Venerable Peter the Patrician, monk, of Constantinople (854).
St. Angelina, despotina of Serbia (16th c.).
Venerable Nicodemus of Svyatogorsk (1809).
Translation of the relics of Venerable John of Rila (946) from Turnovo to Rila (1470) (Bulgaria).
Holy Julius and Aaron, protomartyrs of Wales (ca. 304) (Celtic & British).
St. Servanus, Apostle of Western Fife of East Scotland (6th c.) (Celtic & British).
St. Leontius, bishop of Radauti in Moldavia (15th c.) (Romania).
Venerable Gallus, bishop of Clermont (551) (Gaul).
25 Martyrs in Nicomedia (Greek).
Venerable Basil, founder of the Monastery of the Deep Stream in Cappadocia (10th c.) (Greek).
Martyr Constantine the Wonderworker and those with him, of Cyprus (Greek).
St. Leo the Hermit (Greek).
St. Serf, bishop of Kinross.
St. Eparchius the Recluse of Gaul (581).
You can read the life of the saint in green, by click on the name.
THANK
YOU, to all of you who have been able to contribute towards the support
of the monastery. These difficult times of economic hardship have
impacted the monastery, and those of you who have been able to donate,
have been our lifeline. May God bless you for your generosity, and
kindness.
With love in Christ, Abbot Tryphon
With love in Christ, Abbot Tryphon
Donations can be made directly to the monastery through PayPal, or you may send donations to:
All-Merciful Saviour Monastery
PO Box 2420
Vashon Island, WA 98070-2420 USA
1 Corinthians 4:5-8
5 Therefore
judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both
bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of
the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.
Fools for Christ’s Sake
6 Now
these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and
Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond
what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one
against the other. 7 For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?
8 You
are already full! You are already rich! You have reigned as kings
without us—and indeed I could wish you did reign, that we also might
reign with you!
Matthew 13:44-54
The Parable of the Hidden Treasure
44 “Again,
the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man
found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and
buys that field.
The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price
45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, 46 who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
The Parable of the Dragnet
47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, 48 which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. 49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, 50 and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”
51 Jesus said to them, “Have you understood all these things?”
They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.”
52 Then He said to them, “Therefore every scribe instructed concerning[c] the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old.”
Jesus Rejected at Nazareth
53 Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these parables, that He departed from there. 54 When He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, “Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works?
That is an adorable cat, Abbot. :)
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