Parable of the Most Humble Monk

In one monastery, the abbot was noted for his righteousness and zeal in serving the Lord. God noticed his efforts and sent an angel to him in order to reward him for his diligent service.

But the abbot refused the reward, and instead asked:

"Show me the most humble of the monks of my monastery, so that I can offer prayers for his soul."

The angel pointed to one of the brothers. The astonished abbot exclaimed:

“But this is the most intemperate of the brothers!"

To which the Angel answered him:

"If this man had not fought with himself every second, he would have killed you all a long time ago!"

 

 

Homily Two on the Entry into the Temple of the Most Holy Theotokos (Archpriest Rodion Putyatin)

 

By Archpriest Rodion Putyatin

Angels, having seen the entrance of the Most Pure One, were in awe.

When I remembered the Entry into the Temple of the Most Holy Theotokos, it occurred to me that we were going to the temple of God. How the holy angels must be in awe when they see some Christians entering the temple of God. Ah, listeners, some of us come here sometimes with such anger and bitterness in our souls that we, unworthy ones, cannot help but wonder how they come in like this, stand like that and remain so angry, spiteful. In our temple of God, God is present by His grace, the All-Gracious, Almighty God, and therefore there is so much of everything that is holy, sanctifying, rejoicing, consoling, that, it seems, it would be impossible for an evil and spiteful person not to calm down, not to leave behind their anger and bitterness.

Saint Titus the Presbyter of the Kiev Caves (+ 1190)

St. Titus the Presbyter of the Kiev Caves (Feast Day - February 27)

Kiev Caves Paterikon

Discourse 23: The Priest Titus and the Deacon Evagrius, 

Two Brothers Who Were on Very Bad Terms With Each Other 

(which is part of the epistle of Bishop Simon 

of Vladimir and Suzdal to Polycarp the Monk)

Now I will tell you yet another remarkable miracle, which I myself witnessed. It happened as follows in the same holy Caves Monastery.

There were two spiritual brothers, the deacon Evagrius and the priest Titus. They loved each other deeply and sincerely, so that everybody marveled at their harmony and boundless mutual affection. But the devil, that hater of good who is always roaring like a lion seeking some­one to devour, made enmity between them and instilled such hatred that they would not look at each other. The brethren often begged them to be reconciled, but they would not listen. When Evagrius was standing in the church and Titus came in with the censer, Evagrius would avoid the incense; and if he did not do so, Titus would go past without censing him. They remained for a long time in the darkness of sin, since when Titus was cele­brating Evagrius refused to accept absolution and received communion in anger. It was the enemy that put them up to this.

An Interpretation of the Beatitudes of Christ (3 of 9)

...continued from part two.

By His Eminence Metropolitan Hierotheos

of Nafpaktos and Agiou Vlasiou

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matt. 5:5).

The third beatitude of Christ refers to those who have meekness and are meek. And because there is a sequence between each of the Beatitudes, it seems clear that after humility and mourning, through which a person receives comfort and consolation from God, there follows meekness. This means that meekness is not a natural virtue, but a spiritual gift given to those who repent.

Meek people are not those who never get angry, because such people are unconscious. And of course Christ by blessing meekness does not praise one who is in an unconscious state. Rather, the meek are those who have anger but hold it back, or even better they use it to implement Christ's commandments through the practice of the virtues.