Elder Ephraim

[MariaRegina]

Lord Jesus Christ, through the prayers of the Most Pure Mother of God and all the saints, have mercy on us and save us.

 

[Oblio]

A friendly reminder to all:

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
(Jam 1:19-20)

Pray to God that He may speak through our words as we discuss among ourselves.

 

[MariaRegina]

St. Ambrosy of Optina seems to have foretold the persecution of monks, like Father Ephraim, and of the Orthodox Church from within:

INSTRUCTIONS by St. Ambrosy of Optina (1891)

"End Times and New Collection of Writings"

Saint Ambrosy (also known as Starets Ambrosy) is one of the better known Elders of Optina. The Russian Orthodox Church declared him a saint in 1988 and his memory is celebrated on October 10th.

My child, know that in the last days hard times will come; and as the Apostle says, behold, due to poverty in piety heresies and schisms will appear in the churches; and as the Holy Fathers foretold, then on the thrones of hierarchs and in monasteries there will be no men to be found that are tested and experienced in the spiritual life. Wherefore, heresies will spread everywhere and deceive many. The enemy of mankind will act skillfully, and whenever possible he will lead the chosen ones to heresy. He will not begin by discarding the dogmas on the Holy Trinity, the divinity of Jesus Christ, or the Theotokos, but will unnoticeably start to distort the Teachings of the Holy Fathers, in other words the teachings of the Church herself. The cunning of the enemy and his "tipics" (ways) will be noticed by very few -- only those that are most experienced in spiritual life. Heretics will take over the Church, everywhere, and they will appoint their servants, and spirituality will be neglected. But the Lord will not leave His servants without protection. Truly, their real duty is persecution of true pastors and their imprisonment; for without that, the spiritual flock may not become captured by the heretics. Therefore, my son, when you see in the Churches mocking of the Divine act, of the teachings of the Holy Fathers, and of God's established order, know that the heretics are already present. Be also aware that, for some time, they might hide their evil intentions, or they might covertly deform the divine faith, so that they better succeed by deceiving and tricking the inexperienced.

They will persecute pastors and the servants of God alike, for the devil who is directing the heresy cannot stand the Divine order. Like wolves in sheep skin, they will be recognized by their vainglorious nature, love for lust, and lust for power. All those will be betrayers, causing hatred and malice everywhere; and therefore the Lord said that one will easily recognize them by their fruits. The true servants of God are meek, brother-loving and obedient to the Church (order, traditions).

At that time, monks will endure great pressures from heretics, and the monastic life will be mocked. The monastic families will be impoverished, the number of monks will decrease. The ones remaining will endure violence. These haters of the monastic life, who merely have the appearance of piety, will strive to draw monks to their side, promising them protection and worldly goods (comforts), but threatening with exile those who do not submit. From these threats, the weak of heart will be very humiliated (tormented).

If you live to see that time, rejoice, for at that time the faithful who possess no other virtues will receive wreaths for merely remaining steadfast in their faith, according to the Word of the Lord, "Everyone who confesses Me before men, I will confess before My Heavenly Father". Fear the Lord, my son, and don't lose this wreath so as to not be rejected by Christ into the utter darkness and eternal suffering. Bravely stand in faith, and if necessary, joyfully endure persecutions and other troubles, for only then will the Lord stand by you...and the holy Martyrs and the Confessors will joyfully watch your struggle.

But, in these days, woe be to monks tied to possessions and riches, and who, for the sake of love of comfort, agree to subjugate themselves to the heretics. They will lull their conscience by saying: we will save the monastery, and the Lord will forgive us. Unfortunate and blinded, they are not even thinking that through heresies and heretics the devil will enter the monastery, and then it will no longer be a holy monastery, but bare walls from which Grace will depart forever.

But God is more powerful than the devil, and will never abandon His servants. There will always be true Christians, till the end of time, but they will choose lonely and deserted places. Do not fear troubles, but fear pernicious heresy, for it drives out Grace, and separates us from Christ, wherefore Christ commanded us to consider the heretic and let him be unto thee as a heathen man and publican.

And so, strengthen yourself, my son, in the Grace of Christ Jesus. With joy, hasten to confession and endure the suffering like Jesus Christ's good soldier who was told: "Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the wreath of life".

 

[Reader Nilus]

. The will not accept the canonization that St. Tikhon of Moscow because they also believed that he was a puppet to the Community regime.

Patriarch Tikhon was probably the greatest martyr of the Russian Church during the period of its persecution by the communists. That was posted on St John the Forerunner Parish website, a ROCOR parish.
Jeff the Finn

 

[Juice]

St. Tikhon of Moscow, by-the-way, did not die a martyr. I can see how this has been glamourized by the difficulties of being the Patriarch under the Communist regime, but none the less he served the faithful and fell asleep peacefully.

 

[MariaRegina]

St. Tikhon of Moscow, by-the-way, did not die a martyr. I can see how this has been glamourized by the difficulties of being the Patriarch under the Communist regime, but none the less he served the faithful and fell asleep peacefully.

There is every evidence that he was poisoned by the Communists according to the accounts of his life. He suffered extremely for our faith. Therefore, he is properly called a martyr.

 

[Juice]

No... he was not poisoned... and I don't know what conspiracy theories you are reading... and second he was not canonized into the Synexarioon as a martyr.

 

[Photini]

Dear Juice:

He was attacking Father Ephraim on hearsay. We lost Photini because of that. So two people left and Photini has been here a long time. We miss her.

Dear Elizabeth,

I'm not truly gone yet...I've grown to care about many of you very much and pray for you all often. I didn't want to leave because of anyone questioning Elder Ephraim...I mainly left because of an exchange that took place on an entirely different thread, and privately. I've come to find that much of my posts are driven by my pride and sinful passions that are rooted in the depths of my heart. It is better that I try to be more thoughtful with my posts, and less wandering with my curiousities. I am thankful to the member who caused me to see this terrible flaw in myself. I only hope that one day I may truly learn and attain the virtues of patience and humility.


"O Christ Jesus, no one on earth hath ever sinned, O my Jesus, as have I, the wretched one and prodigal. Wherefore, I cry to Thee, my Jesus, have compassion on me as I sing: Blessed art Thou, the God of our Fathers.

O Sweetest Jesus, save me.

O Christ Jesus, I cry: Nail me down with the fear of Thee, O my Jesus, and guide me to Thy calm haven now, O my compassionate Jesus, that as one saved I may sing to Thee: Blessed art Thou, the God of our Fathers.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

O Christ Jesus, ten thousand times have I, the hapless one, promised Thee repentance, O my Jesus, but, wretch that I am, I lied to Thee. Wherefore, I cry to Thee, my Jesus: Enlighten my soul which yet remaineth unfeeling, O Christ, the God of our Fathers.

Both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

(From the Supplicatory Canon to our Lord Jesus Christ)

 

[Juice]

I will finish with this note.

1st Corinthians 3:18-23

Let man no be deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this worldm, let him bceome a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own carftiness. And agin, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; Whether Paul, or Apollos or Cephas or the wrold, or life, or death, or things present or things to come; all are yours. And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.

This again reflects the unity of the Church and the Holy Trinity. I say again, Ihave never made any personal attacks on Elder Ephraim but I always wanted to highlight the importance of having Christ and God, first and only thing at the centre of your lives.

Good-bye

 

[MariaRegina]

I will finish with this note.

1st Corinthians 3:18-23

Let man no be deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this worldm, let him bceome a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own carftiness. And agin, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; Whether Paul, or Apollos or Cephas or the wrold, or life, or death, or things present or things to come; all are yours. And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.

This again reflects the unity of the Church and the Holy Trinity. I say again, Ihave never made any personal attacks on Elder Ephraim but I always wanted to highlight the importance of having Christ and God, first and only thing at the centre of your lives.

Good-bye

 

[eleni]

I once talked with Father Thomas Hopko during a retreat about this judging of priests. He said it is tearing our church apart. When you attack a priest, you are attacking Christ. St. Ignatius of Antioch says the same thing. By believing hearsay, as you are doing, you are cooperating with evil.

Father Thomas Hopko said that we should personally write or visit a priest who is being defamed. Why haven't you? Who are these friends of your? Sorry, I would not accept a friend's account. I would personally investigate.

Again, all the priests and laity I know who have visited Father Ephraim say that he is a living saint. His gaze pierces into their very soul. He draws them into repentance. However, since Father Ephraim follows Orthodox Traditions, he is known as a strict confessor. He follows the rules. For this he is attacked.

I agree with you chanter...I had a similar propblem here inAustralia...about a priest (whom is now passed away.May the Lord bless his soul)he was a great priest and I did not knowhim for very long...The stories I heard about him from another priest saddened me...but I went to see him and spoke with him......he was a very good man with strong faith.....He told me to be careful in the world and only do God's work and have no fear but God.......to tell the truth and to not listen to what others say .no matter who it is...we are all sinners and all will be judged the same .....

Fr George was his name and he was not accepted by the other priests because he broke away from the new calander to follow the old calander...there is more to this.but it is for God to judge.
helen....
We should pray more and look at our own lives and ask the Lord for forgivess because we are living in terrible times and the cause is the Evil one....let's not give him the power to destroy our true fath in the one HOLY CATHOLIC(universal)and Apostolic Church....
When the evil one sees all this disagreements he smiles and thinks he has won the battle.....but we do know better...it is because we are all one family of true Orthodoxy and he hates that....
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ our God,have mercyon us Sinners..Amen
helen...

 

[MariaRegina]

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, through the prayers of the Most Pure Theotokos, have mercy on us and save us.

 

[Orthodox6]

Glory be to Jesus Christ!

I was surfing by, and signed up in order to leave a couple of brief comments on this thread. I don't have time this evening to wade through so long a thread -- which remark doubles as a request that nobody pounce on me for having "overlooked" something. [Thanks!]

(1) St. Herman of Alaska was not a hieromonk, as someone posted. From deep humility, he plead not to be ordained a priest.

(2) Several years ago, Fr. Ephraim heard my confession when was visiting a town where I have relatives. There is not a speck of arrogance anywhere in him; nor is he a "cult leader."

(3) Monasticism is absolutely essential for a spiritually healthy Orthodox Christian culture. I suspect that Satan rejoices at the vicious attacks made by U.S. Orthodox on traditional monasticism. Although I am a married layperson, blessed to live within a spiritually strong and active Orthodox parish, I pray for God's blessing on our sober monasteries and on the men and women whom He calls to monasticism.

 

[Photini]

Welcome Orthodox6!!! I hope you might stay with us.

 

[Orthodox6]

Thank you, Photini.

I shall visit for a while, and look forward to learning from others. However, if this forum turns out to be "New Calendarists spitting on Old Calendarists" (or vice-versa), or any of the many variations of "Old Calendarists macerating Other Old Calendarists", I'll vanish forever. I have avoided Orthodox boards for over a year now because I cannot live with the internecine venom. Through Christ's mercy, I have been blessed to have friends and outstanding priests on both calendars. My centrist position disgusts Orthodox at the extreme ends; however, it results from over twenty-five years in the Church. (I converted as a young adult.)

[Gee -- I'm out of my closet!]

 

[Reader Nilus]

Welcome Orthodox6 from a new calendarist that is a traditionalist. I am like you in the center.
Jeff the Finn

 

[MariaRegina]

Glory be to Jesus Christ!

I was surfing by, and signed up in order to leave a couple of brief comments on this thread. I don't have time this evening to wade through so long a thread -- which remark doubles as a request that nobody pounce on me for having "overlooked" something. [Thanks!]

(1) St. Herman of Alaska was not a hieromonk, as someone posted. From deep humility, he plead not to be ordained a priest.

(2) Several years ago, Fr. Ephraim heard my confession when was visiting a town where I have relatives. There is not a speck of arrogance anywhere in him; nor is he a "cult leader."

(3) Monasticism is absolutely essential for a spiritually healthy Orthodox Christian culture. I suspect that Satan rejoices at the vicious attacks made by U.S. Orthodox on traditional monasticism. Although I am a married layperson, blessed to live within a spiritually strong and active Orthodox parish, I pray for God's blessing on our sober monasteries and on the men and women whom He calls to monasticism.

Dear Orthodox6:

Welcome to CF. Here are some blessings.

I too, hope you can stay with us. There may be some who disagree with you, after all we are all sinners. However, I do agree with you, as I have dear friends who are Old Calendarists, while I myself attend a parish of the New Calendar.

Yours in Christ our God,
Elizabeth

 

[Photini]

So far, the calendar issue hasn't been a big topic here. I think most of us are converts doing the best we can just to repent and say our prayers faithfully.

 

[Orthodox6]

Glory be to Jesus Christ!

Good afternoon, all.

My family currently is "new" calendar. "Centrists" probably all are, as I have yet to read of, or meet, an Old Calendarist who would consider himself a "centrist." (Only those who like/love our family, and who keep their "hopes" alive!) I raised the [possibly non-] issue only because nearly all of the Orthodox boards that I ever have read become vicious, as soon as the two "camps" collide. Glory be to God if this is a peaceful community!

As to how I wandered in, I was searching for the "prophecies" of St. Seraphim, and a message somewhere on this forum surfaced among the hits.

 

[Orthodox6]

Please excuse: What are "blessings", in the context of this forum? Makes me think of a board game!

Thanks!