“The more the rain falls on the earth, the softer it makes it; similarly, Christ’s holy name gladdens the earth of our heart the more we call upon it.” St Hesychios the Priest, #41, p.169. “When combined with watchfulness and deep understanding the Jesus Prayer will erase from our heart even those thoughts rooted there […]
The Case for Abbots
“We who live in coenobitic monasteries should of our own free choice gladly cut off our whole will through obedience to the abbot. In this way, with God’s help, we shall become to some degree tractable and free from self-will. It is good to acquire this art, for then…we shall not excite our incensive power […]
Hesychios the Priest
For this month the house of St. Michael has been spending time in the deep reading of Hesychios the Priest. In this writing, Hesychios reflects on the two virtues of watchfulness and stillness. He claims, “that through these two virtues one can develop a life that leads to, as much as possible, a sure knowledge […]
To Scorn All Vanities
“For if with God’s help we make progress daily by means of our watchfulness, we should not behave indiscriminately and damage ourselves through a host of random meetings and conversations. On the contrary, we should scorn all vanities for the sake of the beauty and blessings of holiness.” – St. Hesychios the Priest, On Watchfulness […]