Церковные ВѢХИ

Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus. Outside the Church there is no salvation, because salvation is the Church. For salvation is the revelation of the way for everyone who believes in Christ's name. This revelation is to be found only in the Church. In the Church, as in the Body of Christ, in its theanthropic organism, the mystery of incarnation, the mystery of the "two natures," indissolubly united, is continually accomplished. -Fr. Georges Florovsky

ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΙΑ Ή ΘΑΝΑΤΟΣ!

ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΙΑ Ή ΘΑΝΑΤΟΣ!
§ 20. For our faith, brethren, is not of men nor by man, but by revelation of Jesus Christ, which the divine Apostles preached, the holy Ecumenical Councils confirmed, the greatest and wisest teachers of the world handed down in succession, and the shed blood of the holy martyrs ratified. Let us hold fast to the confession which we have received unadulterated from such men, turning away from every novelty as a suggestion of the devil. He that accepts a novelty reproaches with deficiency the preached Orthodox Faith. But that Faith has long ago been sealed in completeness, not to admit of diminution or increase, or any change whatever; and he who dares to do, or advise, or think of such a thing has already denied the faith of Christ, has already of his own accord been struck with an eternal anathema, for blaspheming the Holy Ghost as not having spoken fully in the Scriptures and through the Ecumenical Councils. This fearful anathema, brethren and sons beloved in Christ, we do not pronounce today, but our Savior first pronounced it (Matt. xii. 32): Whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come. St. Paul pronounced the same anathema (Gal. i. 6): I marvel that ye are so soon removed from Him that called you into the grace of Christ, unto another Gospel: which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the Gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you, than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. This same anathema the Seven Ecumenical Councils and the whole choir of God-serving fathers pronounced. All, therefore, innovating, either by heresy or schism, have voluntarily clothed themselves, according to the Psalm (cix. 18), ("with a curse as with a garment,") whether they be Popes, or Patriarchs, or Clergy, or Laity; nay, if any one, though an angel from heaven, preach any other Gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. Thus our wise fathers, obedient to the soul-saving words of St. Paul, were established firm and steadfast in the faith handed down unbrokenly to them, and preserved it unchanged and uncontaminate in the midst of so many heresies, and have delivered it to us pure and undefiled, as it came pure from the mouth of the first servants of the Word. Let us, too, thus wise, transmit it, pure as we have received it, to coming generations, altering nothing, that they may be, as we are, full of confidence, and with nothing to be ashamed of when speaking of the faith of their forefathers. - Encyclical of the Holy Eastern Patriarchs of 1848

За ВѢру Царя И Отечество

За ВѢру Царя И Отечество
«Кто еси мимо грядый о нас невѣдущиiй, Елицы здѣ естесмо положены сущи, Понеже нам страсть и смерть повѣлѣ молчати, Сей камень возопiетъ о насъ ти вѣщати, И за правду и вѣрность къ Монарсѣ нашу Страданiя и смерти испiймо чашу, Злуданьем Мазепы, всевѣчно правы, Посѣченны зоставше топоромъ во главы; Почиваемъ въ семъ мѣстѣ Матери Владычнѣ, Подающiя всѣмъ своимъ рабомъ животь вѣчный. Року 1708, мѣсяца iюля 15 дня, посѣчены средь Обозу войсковаго, за Бѣлою Церковiю на Борщаговцѣ и Ковшевомъ, благородный Василiй Кочубей, судiя генеральный; Iоаннъ Искра, полковникъ полтавскiй. Привезены же тѣла ихъ iюля 17 въ Кiевъ и того жъ дня въ обители святой Печерской на семъ мѣстѣ погребены».

Sunday, March 14, 2010

SPIRITUAL COUNSEL TO AN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN

SPIRITUAL COUNSEL TO AN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN
Metropolitan Filaret (Voznesensky) ROCA, 1981

Remember: you are a son (daughter) of the Orthodox Church. These are not empty words. Remember to what this obligates you.

Life on earth passes by quickly. You will not notice how swiftly it will pass by. But, it will decide your eternal destiny. Do not forget this for one minute. Try to live a pious life. Pray to God in Church, pray to God at home with reverence, with faith, with a devotion to the will of God. Fulfill the holy and saving precepts of the Church, Her rules and commandments. Outside the Church and outside obedience to Her – there is no salvation.

The gift of the word is a great gift from God. It ennobles a person, it elevates him immeasurably above all other earthly creatures. But how does today's depraved humanity abuse it. Guard this gift and know how to use it in a Christian manner. Do not judge, do not speak aimlessly. Beware of cursing and tempting speech like a fire. Do not forget the words of the Lord, the Savior: "By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shall be condemned..." (Mat. 12:37). Do not allow lies. The Holy Scripture sternly warns that: "The Lord will destroy all them which speak a lie..." (Psalm 5:4). Love your neighbor as yourself according to the Lord's commandment. Without love there is no Christianity. Remember: Christian love is self-sacrificing, and is not egotistical. Do not miss an opportunity to do the works of love and mercy.

Be modest, pure and chaste in your dealings, words and thoughts. Do not emulate the depraved. Do not use them as an example and stay away from them. Unless necessary, have nothing to do with the unbeliever – unbelief is contagious. Everywhere and always observe modesty and decency; do not become infected with the shameless customs of our days.

Fear and avoid vanity and pride. Pride cast out the highest and most powerful angel from the heavens. Remember: Thou art earth, and to earth you shall return... Greatly humble yourself.

The basic purpose in life – to save one's soul for eternity. This should be the main task and concern of your life. Woe to those who destroy their soul through negligence and carelessness.

May the Lord bless you and help you.

Your spiritual father † Metropolitan Filaret Metropolitan Filaret (Voznesensky) ROCA, 1981

http://www.roca-sobor.org/node/411

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