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Online Resources for our Religious Edification
Topic of the Week – The Spiritual Testament of Saint Seraphim of Vyritsa, Russia (+1949)
This is a letter which the Saint sent to his spiritual child, a bishop who was in a Soviet prison at the time, as a consolation and counsel that God the Creator addresses to man’s soul.
“…Keep these words. Know and remember – always, wherever you may be – that every sting will be softened when you learn to see Me in everything.
All has been sent by Me for the perfecting of your soul…”
Booklet for purchase here: This Was From Me
Adult/Family:
“Has serious illness, whether temporary or incurable, overtaken you, and nailed you to your bed?
This was from Me.
For I want you to come to know Me even more deeply through your bodily infirmities, and not to grumble over this trial sent to you from above, and not attempt to penetrate My plans through different means for the salvation of people’s souls, but uncomplainingly and submissively to bow your neck under My goodness toward you.
Did you dream of doing something special for Me, and, instead of that, found yourself fallen onto a bed of pain and weakness?
This was from Me.
For otherwise you would have been absorbed in your own work, and I would not have been able to draw your thoughts to Me.
But I want to teach you My deepest thoughts and lessons, so that your service might belong to Me.
I want to teach you to recognize that without Me you are nothing.
Some of My best sons are those who have been cut off from an active life, so that they might learn to wield the weapon of unceasing prayer….“
Saint Seraphim of Viritsa’s Spiritual Testament
Read about his life and prophecies here: Orthodox Martyria: Holy Elder Seraphim of Vyrytsa
Preschool:
Read Parable of the Day: God Gives You Not What You Ask For, but What You Need
What does God give us in response to what we ask for?
Elementary/Middle School:
“…Have you been let down by your friend, by one to whom you opened your heart – this was from Me.
I allowed this disappointment to affect you that you might know that your best friend is the Lord. I want you to bring everything to Me and to trust Me.
Has someone slandered you?
Leave this to Me, and cleave more closely to Me, your refuge, with all your heart, so that you might hide from the ‘contradiction of tongues.’ I will reveal your righteousness as the light and your judgment as the noonday….”
Read the entire spiritual testament which also teaches a little about his life That Was From Me. What other situations have you experienced?
High School:
“Have your plans been ruined; are you downtrodden in soul and exhausted?
This was from Me.
You formed your plans, and you had your intentions, and you brought them to Me so that I would bless them.
But I want you to leave it to Me to arrange and direct the circumstances of your life; then responsibility for everything will lie with Me.
For you this is too difficult; you cannot manage them by yourself, for you are merely an instrument, and not the operator….”
Read the entire spiritual testament from this video St Seraphim of Vyritsa “This Was From Me”
How many times do we make plans and as the saying goes ‘But God has other plans for us’? Do you get frustrated when things don’t work out the way you expected, or do you say ‘Glory be to God’ and realize that God knows what is best for us, even though it may not be what we had in mind for ourselves?
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A Message from Maria Spanos
I am passionate about our Orthodox Christian faith and seek to help others learn as much as they can about it. My purpose here is to share online resources that help strengthen our relationship with Christ and bind us closer to His Church. I believe they are invaluable in learning about our precious Orthodox Tradition, and are a great aid for teaching family members, friends and others about Orthodoxy. ~Maria
Two of my favorite quotes:
“A true Christian behaves in this life so that it may be a preparation for the future one and not only a life here below. In his actions, he does not think what will be said of him here but of what will be said there in heaven; he represents to himself that he is always in the presence of God, of the angels and all the saints, and remembers that someday they will bear witness of his thoughts, words, and deeds.” — Saint John of Kronstadt
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“Of all the holy works, the education of children is the most holy.”
— St. Theophan the Recluse
