Gratitude The second principle of a healthy marriage according to Saint Paisios the Athonite is Gratitude. Someone once asked the Elder, “What is it that most unites a husband and wife”? His one word answer was “gratitude”.[1] The Elder teaches that gratitude cultivates a positive disposition and fondness towards our spouse, and is the antidote to the grumbling and negative thoughts that can slowly eat away at a couple’s marital bond. The Elder encourages married couples to have ... [Read more]
The Teachings of St. Paisios on Marriage – Part II – Respect
The first principle of a healthy marriage according to St Paisios the Athonite is Respect. In the Orthodox Christian Marriage service, the epistle reading is taken from Saint Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.[1] Strong language is used in this Epistle - women are told to “fear” their husbands, and husbands are commanded to “love” their wives; headship of the couple is given to the husband, while the two become “one flesh”. The Elder reminds us that “fear” really means “respect”, and respect ... [Read more]
The Teachings of St. Paisios on Marriage – Part 1
Introduction: The Teachings of Saint Paisios on Marriage (Part 1) This is the first in a series of articles in which we will explore the pastoral advice given to married couples by St Paisios the Athonite, one of the more beloved saints of our Church. The Elder was given the gift of discernment by God, and in turn he has blessed us with his simple and poignant counsels that touch the heart in a powerful way. Most of the quotations that I will use in this series are taken from The ... [Read more]
Celebrating Holy Week and Pascha from Home
Our Family Wellness Ministry is continually updating our website and Facebook page with resources for families during the COVID-19 Pandemic. We've created a special page with the best Holy Week guides, crafts and meditations to help make Holy Week beautiful and meaningful for your family. http://www.familywellnessministry.org/resources/holy-week-at-home/ ... [Read more]
A Message from Papou
The Prayer To The Holy Spirit Young friends, We start our prayer by inviting the Holy Spirit to come in us, to help us pray the right way. Did you notice how many "adjectives,” names we attach to the name of the Holy Spirit? We call the Holy Spirit: “Heavenly King ” - he is the highest Ruler in the universe, together with God the Father and God the Son. “Comforter” - he comforts and protects us in our suffering and pain. We are not alone to be afraid. He is ... [Read more]
Educational and Activity Sites For Families
During these trying times as families are adjusting to school closures and new routines, we are grateful for technology that not only allows us to stay connected through live stream worship services but also offering families opportunities for educational learning. By now most of us are at home with our children for an undetermined amount of time. This is a PERFECT opportunity to make memories with your children and learn things beyond "normal" math and reading. Below, are dozens of links to ... [Read more]
In Times of Growing Uncertainty
As the COVID-19 virus reaches most of our cities and towns, it’s important to step back and recognize the impact this ordeal has on our mental and spiritual health. As an educator, presvytera and also someone who is immune compromised due to recently completing chemotherapy for Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, I’m acutely aware of the anxiety, stress and worry a pandemic of this proportion has wrought on many individuals and families. When things feel unsure or when we don’t generally feel safe, ... [Read more]
Saturday of the Souls – Memorial Day
Every Saturday is a Memorial Day for the Souls. Our Church remembers and commemorates all the “fallen asleep in the Lord.” We pray for all our beloved who have died and await the General resurrection at the Second Glorious Coming of our Lord. All the departed would be resurrected and would then receive their reward for their benevolent deeds on earth. Since the final Judgment has not yet taken place, our beloved ones experience much consolation from our prayers, as a vision of a monk tells us. ... [Read more]
How Do We Charge Our Spiritual Batteries?
How do we Charge our batteries, physical and spiritual? The strength of the batteries is the electric charge that they carry within their cells. In our everyday life, we strive to have the batteries charged so that they can do the job when we try to start the car, for example, or to give us light at night when we need it. We also have biological batteries in ourselves. We charge our bodily batteries with the energy we gather from food we eat and the liquids we consume ... [Read more]
Horizontal and Cyclical – Our Life on Earth
Icon of the Publican and Pharisee Our life on earth is horizontal and cyclical. We are born, grow up, and then we join eternity. The seasons of the year are also cyclical: spring, summer, fall, winter. Our life becomes history and nature bears seeds to prolong its life. Our church calendar with its Feasts is cyclical and it helps us grow spiritually to look forward to our eternal existence. The parable of the Publican and Pharisee opens the season of ... [Read more]
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