Orthodox Survival Guide

[JohnTh]

Being in a traditionally orthodox country, I am very impressed by the ones which struggle for Christ on the right path more or less alone - without having a society to help them in their pursuit for the Kingdom of Heavens.

That's why I tried to gather some resources specially targeted at them - you can read the post here.

Praying for you all!

 

[ArmyMatt]

great advice there, thanks!

 

[archer75]

Looks good, although I still wonder what "thoughts" are that we are not to listen to.

 

[Phronema]

Looks good, although I still wonder what "thoughts" are that we are not to listen to.

I think he is telling us to remain watchful just as St. Hesychios tells us in the Philokalia.

 

[archer75]

I think he is telling us to remain watchful just as St. Hesychios tells us in the Philokalia.

Fair, but I could use a little specification. All these materials warn again "thoughts" as a category, but thoughts like "Oh, I should confess this!" are not a problem...as I assume "Oh I need to remember to turn off the burner" is not...

 

[Lukaris]

I think being vigilant of sinful thoughts relates to what the Lord preaches in Matthew 5. What St. Paul preaches in Philippians 3 seems like the commitment aspect these ascetic efforts relate to.

I do not claim any high ground in my post because I have much to answer for.

 

[Phronema]

Fair, but I could use a little specification. All these materials warn again "thoughts" as a category, but thoughts like "Oh, I should confess this!" are not a problem...as I assume "Oh I need to remember to turn off the burner" is not...

I agree that "normal" thoughts are not an issue.

I can only advise checking the Philokalia Vol 1 - St. Hesychios - On Watchfullness and Holiness. It explains it much clearer than I could ever hope to.

 

[archer75]

I agree that "normal" thoughts are not an issue.

I can only advise checking the Philokalia Vol 1 - St. Hesychios - On Watchfullness and Holiness. It explains it much clearer than I could ever hope to.

Will do, thanks for redirecting me away from an ambiguity I could get hung up on...

 

[Phronema]

Will do, thanks for redirecting me away from an ambiguity I could get hung up on...

You're welcome.

I'd also just like to say that Lukaris made a great post by pointing to Holy Scripture as that's undoubtedly what the writers of the Philokalia are expanding upon.

 

[JohnTh]

To everyone - about the watchfulness (from Philokalia), some very, very clear and useful links are the following ones (if someone have questions I am eager to answer, God willing):

Link #1
Link #2

With regards to:

All these materials warn again "thoughts" as a category, but thoughts like "Oh, I should confess this!" are not a problem...as I assume "Oh I need to remember to turn off the burner" is not...

Saint Paisios gives a wonderful example on how to choose.

Besides that, Saint Barsanouphios solves the problem in a marvelous way (adapted):

When you are in a skyscraper at 100th floor and someone is passing on the street and he is swearing against you, you will ignore him.

If that person will enter in the skyscraper and continues to swear but he just remains at the fist floor, you will still ignore him but keep an eye on the problem.

If that person will come at your floor but he doesn't know where you live and he is just wandering around swearing you, you will be attentive at what is happening but you will still remain silent.

However if that one person starts to hit the door of your conscience continuously swearing you, well then you will call the spiritual police, that is you will confess it.

 

[Chesterton]

Confession by phone or e-mail? I guess if that's the only possible way?

 

[ArmyMatt]

Confession by phone or e-mail? I guess if that's the only possible way?

you can do confession over the phone, but you can't receive absolution over the phone.

 

[Coolbutclueless]

I appreciate this post. Living in America I have greatly struggled with being orthodox. We are few and far between, sometimes traveling a significant distance to get to church. Building community is hard enough in our society but add in all the distance and pulls against the faith it is very hard to keep the path.

 

[Not David]

you can do confession over the phone, but you can't receive absolution over the phone.

Why one cannot receive absolution over the phone?

 

[RobNJ]

you can do confession over the phone, but you can't receive absolution over the phone.

Reminds me of the first episode of Ballykissangel... A confessional arrived for the local church, with electric doors, air conditioning (I think), and a built in fax machine! LOL
(Yes, for the culturally deprived, it was a BBC North Ireland comedy series)

 

[ArmyMatt]

Why one cannot receive absolution over the phone?

because the stole needs to go over the head of the penitent, and the Cross is made over him.

 

[ArmyMatt]

Reminds me of the first episode of Ballykissangel... A confessional arrived for the local church, with electric doors, air conditioning (I think), and a built in fax machine! LOL
(Yes, for the culturally deprived, it was a BBC North Ireland comedy series)

haha, sounds about right.