The path of our life in the storm-St. Ignatios Brianchaninov

The path of our life is like unto a voyage across a broad sea. It is sometimes calm on that sea, and sometimes a favorable wind blows; but most often there are storms on it. Seeing the approach of a storm, seeing the storm itself, we must not become disturbed, or fall into despondency or despair; we must fight against the waves and the opposing winds.

Otherwise the ship of our soul might undergo shipwreck, and might even sink. If during a storm something breaks or is damaged in the ship of our soul—again, we must not despond, we must not be troubled. We must spy out a dependable harbor, enter into it, fix and repair that which was damaged, and then continue our voyage with hope in Almighty God.

And Almighty God will not abandon one who hopes in Him! The storms themselves serve for the benefit of the true servant of Christ: they make him an experienced sailor.

Therefore, it is obvious that conversation and acquaintance with a saint will impart sanctity.”

  “The people with whom you talk and associate have a great influence on you. Conversation and acquaintance:  with scientists, result in new knowledge; with poets, in many exalted thoughts and feelings;

LIFE ACCORDING TO THE HOLY GOSPELS St. Ignatius Brianchaninov (+ 1867).

 

       LIFE ACCORDING TO THE HOLY GOSPELS

St. Ignatius Brianchaninov (+ 1867).

Do not be content with a mere fruitless reading of the Gospel; strive to fulfill its commandments, and read it with your deeds. This is the Book of Life, and it must be read by life.

  We will be judged according to the Gospel comm.andrn.ents at the judgment established by God for us Orthodox Christians ... we will be judged according to the Gospel, that carelessness in fulfilling the Gospel commandments is an active rejection of tie Lord Himself.

 The Gospel is the image of the qualities of the new man, who is the Lord from the heavens (i Cor 15:47). This new man is God by nature. He makes His holy tribe of men, who believe in Him and are transformed in accordance with Him. gods by grace.

Humility, love, meekness, and so it would follow, all the holy commandments of'Christ are a throne and resting place, so to say, for the Holy Spirit.

FAITH AND HOPE IN GOD’S PROVIDENCE By St. Ignatius Brianchaninov (+1867).

FAITH AND  HOPE IN GOD’S PROVIDENCE

By St. Ignatius Brianchaninov (+1867).

St. Ignatius Brianchaninov stands out as one of the greatest patristic writers of the nineteenth century. This great saint left to Orthodox Christians a compass by which we can check our direction as vve traverse the complex path of spiritual life, to avoid the dark forests and pitfalls of spiritual delusion and pride.

There is no such thing as blind happenstance (a circumstance especially that is due to chance, Ed. God rules the world, and all that happens in heaven and under the heavens happens according to the wise and omnipotent God, unfathomable in His wisdom and omnipotence,, and unfathomable in His governance.

If there is not a single event that is secret from God, then we must glorify God for everything that happens.

THE DANGER OF DELUSION DURING PRAYER

THE DANGER OF DELUSION DURING PRAYER

By St. Ignatios Brianchaninov, Bishop of the Caucasus and Stavropol (+1867), from “On the Prayer of Jesus, ” ch. 16.

I offer fathers and brothers my poor advice, begging them not to reject it. Do not force yourself prematurely to the discovery within yourself of the action of the prayer of the heart. Prudent caution is most necessary, especially in our time when it is almost impossible to find a satisfactory spiritual guide in these matters, when the ascetic must himself force his way gropingly by the direction of the writings of the holy Fathers to the treasury of spiritual knowledge, and also must gropingly select for himself what is suited to his needs.

While living according to the commandments of the Gospel, attentively practice the prayer of Jesus according to the method of St. John of the Ladder, combining prayer with weeping, having as the beginning and end of prayer repentance. In its own time, as it is only known to God, the action of the prayer of the heart will be revealed of itself.