April 6, 2016

The "Higher Mathematics" of our Religion (St. Porphyrios of Kavsokalyva)


St. Porphyrios of Kavsokalyva said:

1. God wants us to become like the angels. The angels only glorify God.

This is their prayer, only doxology. Doxology is something thin, it escapes the human. We humans are very material and over-anxious to please, which is why we pray to God selfishly. We ask Him to arrange our issues, that everything will go well with our business, our affairs, our health, our children. However, we pray in a human and selfish way.

Doxology is selfless prayer. The angels do not pray to gain something, they are selfless. God gave us this ability as well, that our prayer may be a continuous doxology, an angelic prayer. Here is the great secret. When we enter this prayer, then we glorify God continuously, leaving all things to Him, as our Church prays: "Let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God."

These are the "higher mathematics" of our religion!

2. Pray for the purification of every human being, in order to imitate the angelic way in your life. Yes, the angels do not pray for themselves. This is how I pray for people, for the Church, for the Body of Christ. When you pray for the Church, you are released from your passions. When you glorify, your soul is relieved and sanctified by divine grace. I want you to learn this art.

Source: From the book Ο Χριστός είναι το παν – Αγίου Πορφυρίου Καυσοκαλυβίτη (Ι.Μ.Χρυσοπηγής – Χανιά 2016). Translated by John Sanidopoulos.