The Way, through tests, introspection, and suffering, is hard and has many pitfalls. There is a strong temptation to look for happiness and consolation right from the beginning...
These three spiritual principles, or disciplines, are really a summation of the Philokalia, the collection of Orthodox Christian spiritual wisdom. And they are disciplines every single one of us can practice, no matter where we are in life...
Christians cannot be distinguished from the rest of the human race by country or language or customs. They do not live in cities of their own; they do not use a peculiar form of speech; they do not follow an eccentric manner of life...
Cynicism was a school of ethical philosophy that provoked extremes of admiration but also hostility. It is interesting that the revival of interest in Cynicism coincided with the emergence of Christianity.
Originally, askesis just meant athletic training: "Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race set before us."
Our parish was founded about eleven years ago by a priest and a three families from California. We had inquirers' meetings in homes for a few months, then set up a chapel and began having daily services.