The Forgotten Way

Many go to hell because of unjustifiable carelessness. 

The day to repent is now so that the passions do not take root.

If we just want the aesthetics of traditional practices apart from the ascetical foundation, we are in danger of forming an idol of tradition itself.

Catechism pp. 25-29 Jesus Christ Son of Man The Gospel

Prayer becomes deeper in prison, or in the forest. 

One must walk straight in the Lord's path on the path of spiritual peace without getting caught in the Typicon's confusion.

The snail moves slowly, but it travels with its whole house; we should progress towards God in like manner. 

You must avoid those deceiving thoughts which convince you that you're doing the "right thing". 

When you love, your heart is present, it is awake. It is not proper to do your prayer rule only out of obligation, because we become stiff.

St. Isaac the Syrian teaches, "Fear for the body is often so strong in a man as to make him incapable of any deeds worthy of honor or praise."

2025-2026 High school students reflect on their spiritual growth within their Faith class. 

Catechism pp. 22-23 The Consequences of the Fall The Expectation of the Savior  

One should know that the devil greatly fears the watchful man.

O man if you only knew your own value.

Blessed is the one who prays intensely. 

This means that we must be grateful and in a state of awareness. This provides much greater benefit than many prayers or prostrations done mechanically. 

St. Isaac the Syrian teaches, "A fire cannot be ignited in wet wood, nor can the divine fervor be kindled in a heart that loves ease."

You make 100 prostrations rush, rush, rush. Even if you make them properly what do you do afterwards. 

Striving for uniformity with God's will in the midst of difficulties takes practicing perseverance and cultivating prayer in trials and hardships.

Feminism today is satisfied to steal just a little piece of you. 

Catechism pp. 20-21 Divine Providence 

After finishing his prayer rule a man considers himself absolved of the duty to pray and fruitlessly sets off deceiving himself.

Man is the Master of His creation and has been given the freedom to rise to God. 

Don't think you're insignificant beings and that your prayer is not heard. 

Then it dawned on me that I like the ringing of the bells. It's a song that has significance. 

Who can complain he did not know? The moment that a man experiences that inner trembling is vital. 

We have been blessed by the examples of our family and the saints to lay aside concern for personal health to come to the aid of the suffering. 

Catechism p. 19 The Visible World and The Invisable World

So, the question is why didn't you love? The answer is clear because you hated and preserved enmity.

I am the Author of all things. Why did you focus on worldly thing and not Me?

Instead of being distressed about doing something "bad" the concern should be this- I need to be present.

The fact that without God you can do nothing is fundamental and must be proclaimed. 

Do we realize that God will call us to account for all that He has given us?

St. Isaac the Syrian prayed for the reptiles, St. Paisios was at peace with all creation, even vipers, and Fr. George Calciu befirended a cockroach while in isolation- what is our capacity to love all of creation? 

Catechism pp. 15-18 God as Maker of the Universe The Creation of World and the Human Person

How many times should I say the Jesus prayer each day? How many prostrations should I do each day?

Can you imagine how much we have been given, how rich we are, and how indebted we are?

Be in a state of constant attention, to have your thoughts on God in your own way.

Anyone can and should pray saying, "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on a sinner!" 

It is not grievous if you don't get to do your whole prayer rule, but with one condition- be in a state of awareness of God's presence. 

St. John Climacus, in Step 26 of the Ladder of Divine Ascent, provides an "alphabet for all" a combination of 24 ascetical practices meant to mortify the body, reorient our soul, and restructure our life. 

Catechism pp. 12-15 The Idea of God in the New Testament The Qualities of God

Obviously, there are set prayers, but there are personal prayers too. 

You have not accomplished anything if you think like this, "God I did my prayer rule, now give me something because I have done my duty." 

He who prays only when he prays is not praying. Therefore, prayer must spring forth from the heart.

Prayer is literally our life now and forever. 

Look mother the sheep is pawing the ground with its hoof before going to sleep. Why is it paying? And my mother said, "It is worshipping." 

When the father leads the charge against spiritual attacks the whole family wins.

Catechism pp. 10-12 God is One The idea of God in the Old Testament 

If this prayer doesn't exist, you're simply a featureless clod of dirt, just in the way of others, blocking their path.