English Corner

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"By abstaining from evil (cf. Job 2:3) and by the practice of good deeds (cf.Ps. 34:15) a person becomes holy. It is not as though he were sanctified simply by works, for no soul will be justified by works of the law (Rom. 3:20; Gal. 2:16), but rather that by practicing such actions he is brought into fellowship with the Holy God."

St. Symeon the New Theologian - "The Discourses"

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How many Christians there are who say, "I believe in God," without in reality believing!
How many mouths are dumb when in the company of men it is necessary to defend the glory of God and of His saints, which is blasphemed by the children of this world!
Some remain silent when it is necessary to support the conversation concerning God, or to put a stop to any disrespect or insolence.
Many say, "I believe in God"; but should any misfortune or temptation arise, they grow fainthearted and despondent. Sometimes they begin to murmur. And what becomes of all their faith?
This should be the very time to show submission to the will of God, and to say,
"Let it be as the Lord wills."
"Blessed be the name of the Lord."
Otherwise it is evident that they only believe in God in the time of happiness, and renounce Him in the time of misfortune.

St John of Kronstadt - My Life in Christ

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Thursday of the 27th Week after Pentecost

Luke 21.28-33

Now when these things begin to take place, look up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees; as soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away till all has taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

1 Timothy 6.17-21

As for the rich in this world, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on uncertain riches but on God who richly furnishes us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good deeds, liberal and generous, thus laying up for themselves a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life which is life indeed. O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid the godless chatter and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge, for by professing it some have missed the mark as regards the faith. Grace be with you.

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Eternal God, Holy King, Maker of Heaven and Earth,
Jesus Christ, Son without beginning of the Father without beginning,
Who with incomprehensible goodness hast called me from nonbeing to this life,
Who hast granted to me the blessing of baptism and heavenly rebirth
and hast set the seal of Thy Holy Spirit on the members of my body,
as Thou hast kindled the desire to seek after Thee, the ONLY ONE TRUE GOD,
Hear now my prayer.

Neither life nor light nor joy have I,
neither wisdom nor strength except Thee, O God,
I am not worthy to look upon Thee,
for the multitude of my sins.
But as Thou hast said the Thy disciples,
"Whatsoever ye ask in prayer, believing, ye will receive",
and "If ye ask anything in My name, I will do it",
in daring I call to Thee.
Cleanse me of every impurity of flesh and spirit
and teach me how to pray to Thee worthily.

Bless this day which Thou hast given me,
Thy unworthy servant, and with the power of Thy blessing,
permit me at all times, and in every place, with pure heart,
to speak and act unto Thy glory, with patience, wise humility and love,
in the spirit of peace, meekness, magnanimity and wisdom,
and to regard Thee before my own needs.
Make known to me, O Lord, the way of Thy will,
according to Thy boundless goodness,
and grant me to walk blamelessly before Thy face.

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Thou King of Peace, seest into the depths of hearts and innermost parts.
Thou knowest my poverty and mindlessness.
Thou knowest my blindness and ignorance, but Thou seest my heart's desire
and my soul's sickness and sorrow are not hidden from Thee.
Hearken then unto my prayer, and by Thy Holy Spirit direct me to the true land.
Whenever my corrupt will should lead me along strange paths,
then I pray Thee, SPARE ME NOT, but by constraint bring me back
to the path of Thy Holly Commandments.
By the power of Thy Love, let me follow in Thy footsteps, wherever Thou goest.

Protect me from every soul-destroying word and deed,
from every agitation of heart and mind which may sorrow Thy Holy Spirit or grieve my brother.
Teach me what it is fitting to say and how to fittingly say it.
If it be Thy will that I keep silent, give me the sense to keep silent in the spirit of peace,
not like those who outrage or trouble my neighbor.
Order me in the ways of thy statutes and even my last breath
do not let me deviate from the light of Thy commandments,
so that Thy commandments shall be the sole low of all my being, both now and ever.

O My Blessed Maker,
Be merciful to me, Thy fallen creature,
be generous with me in my humility and sorrow,
and hide not from me the way of Thy salvation.
Many and great things I ask of Thee, O My God,
but forget not my corruption and my uselessness.
Therefore, have mercy on me, and turn not Thy face from me,
on account of my audacity, but all the more, increase in me the holy audacity,
and make me worthy, most wretched of men,
to love Thee, as Thou hast commanded us,
with all my heart, all my soul, all my mind and all my strength.
With all my being, may I love Thee.

O Lord King, by Thy Holy Spirit,
Teach me prudence and wisdom.
Grant me to know Thy Truth before I descend into my grave.
Prolong my days in this world so that I may bring to Thee the worthy fruits of repentance.
Do not carry me off in the midst of my days, nor in the darkness of my mind.
But when Thou mercifully permittest the end of my cursed life, warn me,
so that my soul will be prepared to see Thee.
On that great day, at that dread hour, be with me, O LORD,
and grant me the ineffable joy of Thy salvation.
Cleanse me of my hidden things and from all unlawfulness lurking in me,
and grant me to bring a good defense at Thy Dread Judgement.

Yea, Lord, according to Thy great mercy and Thy immeasurable love for mankind, hear my prayer. Amen.