Good Guys Wear Black | Discerning Your Vocation In The Orthodox Church
For Orthodox Christian Men Discerning A Vocation
If you aren't following Dn. Michael Hyatt (blog, Twitter, podcast, Facebook), then you have a wealth of practical wisdom waiting for you! In this episode of his podcast, he takes on a critical skill: avoiding taking offense. Let's face it: clergy have plenty of opportunity to get upset: they hear all kinds of criticism being directed against them, their parish, their bishop, their families, even Orthodoxy itself. Dn. Michael argues Read more…
Treatise on the Priesthood.Saint John Chrysostom(source: www.ccel.org/fathers) Book IV. On the Dangers of Unworthy Ordination Basil heard this, and after a little pause thus replied: If you were ambitious of obtaining this office on your own, then your fear would have been reasonable; for in being ambitious of undertaking it, a man confesses himself to be qualified for its administration, and if he fail therein, after it has been Read more…
Treatise on the Priesthood. Saint John Chrysostom (source: www.ccel.org/fathers) Book III. The Power and Temptations of the Priesthood 1. Chrysostom: As regards the insult to those who have done me honor, what I have already said might be sufficient to prove that in avoiding this office I had no desire to put them to shame; but I will now endeavor to make it evident, to the best of my ability, that I was not puffed up by arrogance Read more…
Treatise on the Priesthood, by St. John Chrysostom(source: www.ccel.org/fathers) Book II. On the Qualities of a Good Pastor. 1. Chrysostom: That it is possible then to make use of deceit for a good purpose, or rather that in such a case it ought not to be called deceit, but a kind of good management worthy of all admiration, might be proved at greater length; but since what has already been said suffices for demonstration, it would Read more…
Treatise on the Priesthood, by St. John Chrysostom (source: www.ccel.org/fathers) Book I. The Deception. 1. I had many genuine and true friends, men who understood the laws of friendship, and faithfully observed them; but out of this large number there was one who excelled all the rest in his attachment to me, striving to outstrip them as much as they themselves outstripped ordinary acquaintance. He was one of those who were Read more…
Abbot Tryphon says at the end of his essay;"I'm sharing all of this with you because I know your priest will not." He's right; I'm reluctant to post it myself. I've never countenanced whining, especially when it seems to cheapen the "One thing Needful." But it's a good essay and worth sharing for at least three reasons; 1) those considering a vocation need to adjust their expectations to match the realities of life in clerical Read more…
How to Avoid the Priesthood Priest Sergei BegianPravoslavie.ru (16 December 2013) Whoever has been to an ordination knows how grace fills the church at the moment of the imposition of hands…. Joy fills the hearts of those praying, even if they do not personally know the person being consecrated to the priestly rank. With what stateliness and joy do they sing the troparia “Holy Martyrs,” “Glory to Thee, O Christ God,” and “Dance, Read more…
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