SSCORRE!
Saint Sophia Cathedral
Online Resources for our Religious Edification
Topic of the Week –
The Ancient Path
“It is my belief that today we all suffer a kind of madness. Our thinking is infected with so many philosophies that are alien to authentic Christianity that it is becoming increasingly difficult for us to recognize the truth of the Gospel….
The madness of our modern world is no accident…. And even those who resist this tide of anti-Christian propaganda cannot claim to be unaffected. We are all tainted by this new world-view. Our goal is to strip away the lies and deception that have corroded our thinking and discover something of the simplicity of ancient Christianity….” Fr. Spyridon Bailey, The Ancient Path
Adults/Family:
“…The Apostles and the Fathers of the Church shine like spiritual beacons through the increasing darkness of the centuries between them and us. The holiness of their lives refutes any notion that we have advanced in any way since their time. We are being led astray and they call us back to the true path. But we should have hope and not let the evils of this world discourage us. Their words share that first vision that was at the heart of the Church’s birth. There are saints living even today whose lives assure us that it is still possible to find the fullness of God’s promises even in the twenty-first century. And it is the same Holy Spirit that descended on them at Pentecost who now guides and strengthens the Church in this age of confusion….”
Preschool/Elementary:
“…Our goal is to strip away the lies and deception that have corroded our thinking
and discover something of the simplicity of ancient Christianity….”
Read The Value of Faith.
What kinds of earthly things did the woman have?
Were these important in having true wisdom? What actually gave her true wisdom and worth?
A lot of times our culture emphasizes more concern about worldly things (how good-looking you are, what kind of family you have, how educated you are, what worldly skills you have) over spiritual things (our belief in and reverence towards God). Which one is more important? Why? Which one will you try to possess and value more?
Purchase Elder Cleopa, Stories for Children, Vol 1 here.
Middle School/High School:
commonplace book – com′monplace book`
n. a book in which noteworthy
Commonplacing was a means of more deeply internalizing an author’s words…. It was a sign of attentiveness, of profound engagement with text. The cutting and pasting, or mashing up, that we do online today tends to be much more cursory and superficial… what’s cut-and-pasted is rarely kept in the way that the passages in commonplace books were kept... —Nick Carr
————————
“In 1988 a monk from Mount Athos gave me some good advice. “When you are reading” he said, “and you find yourself inspired by a phrase or paragraph, write it down. That way you will always have a source of inspiration whenever you need it.”
Below are some sample quotes on trials and struggles that inspired Fr. Spyridon which he wrote down. Do they inspire you as well? Do you already have some favorite spiritual quotes that you can write down? What will you read next to gain more knowledge of the Church’s teachings to guide you and gain more inspiration in living the Christian faith?
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
__________________________________________________________
“Of all the holy works, the education of children is the most holy.”
— St. Theophan the Recluse
