If someone does not receive Holy Communion constantly, he cannot defeat the enemies (demons), nor progress spiritually.

 If someone does not receive Holy Communion constantly, he cannot defeat the enemies (demons), nor progress spiritually.

I hear some say:

- I have received Holy Communion and I do not feel anything!

The changes that take place within us are slow and secret, because our faith is small.

The first thought that we will have, immediately after Holy Communion, will reveal what Grace we have received and what is the fruit of the greatest Gift on earth.

If the first thought that will sprout in the intellect is humble, is an acquisition of self-reproach, is the fruit of self-knowledge, then we have received Holy Communion well.

Otherwise, someone can receive Holy Communion, but Christ will immediately leave him.

When we receive Holy Communion, Christ does not go to the stomach, he goes to the soul... He nourishes the soul, which is graced, sanctified and deified.

This Grace of the Holy Spirit is then transmitted to all the cells of the body. Thus, first the soul receives Holy Communion, and then the body. That is, both the body and the soul are sanctified.

 

+ Elder Ephraim of the Skete of Saint Andrew

Let yourself be persecuted, do not persecute…

 Let yourself be persecuted, do not persecute…

Let yourself be crucified, do not crucify…

Let yourself be wronged, do not do wrong…

Let yourself be slandered, do not slander...

Be kind, do not repay evil with evil…

Do not hate the sinner…

Remember that you too are a partaker of earthly nature, and be beneficial to all.

 

- Saint Isaac the Syrian

The voice of Satan and The voice of God

 The voice of Satan            The voice of God              

He creates obsessions       He calms down         

He is filled with worry     He comforts      

He condemns                       He checks in                  

He discourages                     He encourages         

He’s confusing                     He illuminates         

He’s pressing                        He guides               

He’s scary                              He reassures    

He rushes things                  He calms down

 

Incense has blessing, it has grace, it has power against demons

 Incense has blessing, it has grace, it has power against demons, so use the incense and censer, cense there in the iconostasis, next to the lamp.

During the time of Prayer, morning and evening and noon, and when there is tension in the house - the house will change atmosphere, change colour, become fragrant, serious, peaceful, loving, and the souls will become rejuvenated.

I remember a child, a little boy who was 15 years old, when he saw his parents fighting he would immediately go and light incense and cense them. He would incense his dad and mom!

“Make peace”, he would tell them. “I am a child, what examples will I take from you? Make peace, dad and mom”. With the presence of our all Holy God, the Shelter of our Virgin Mary, the gentle fluttering of the angels, along with the incense in the house, clearly misunderstandings and disturbances disappear.

Temptations and demons have no place in this beautiful house. So, do not fail to incense your house, and your shop and your work if possible, and I will close with “Incense, incense, incense”.

While censing we should chant troparions, whatever we remember, and when we are incensed we should bow our heads and make the sign of the Cross.

Incense transforms the house into a Church at home.

And I repeat that it drives away demons and temptations.

The souls of all the relatives are filled with Divine Blessing through incense.

 

- D. Papadaki

Elder,” he said, “the world is filled with evil. Everywhere I see injustice, lies, and darkness.

 Once a young man went to Saint Paisios very disappointed.

— “Elder,” he said, “the world is filled with evil. Everywhere I see injustice, lies, and darkness. What can I do on my own?”

The Saint did not answer him immediately.

That evening he took him to a small room. He closed the door and turned off the light. The room was plunged into absolute darkness.

— “Drive out the darkness,” he said.

The young man began to wave his hands, to blow, to look for a way to drive it away. No matter how hard he tried, the darkness remained.

Then the Saint lit a small candle.

Immediately the whole room was illuminated.

The Saint looked at him with love and said:

— “See? You don’t fight the darkness. You turn on the light. That’s how it is in life. Don’t constantly dwell on evil. Make sure you become light: with prayer, kindness, humility and love. A little light is enough to defeat a lot of darkness.”

The young man left the cell with tears in his eyes, having understood that the greatest change in the world begins in our own hearts.

Do not let evil disappoint you.

Be an example of love and kindness.

The light of Christ, no matter how small it may seem, is stronger than any darkness.

“Do not fight the darkness. Light the light of Christ within you and the darkness will go away by itself.”

-Saint Paisios