Gleanings from Orthodox Christian Authors and the Holy Fathers

renunciation

4 Entries

After our renunciation of the world, the demons suggest to us that we should envy those living in the world who are merciful and compassionate, and be sorry for ourselves as deprived of these virtues. The aim of our foes is, by false humility, either to make us return to the world, or, if we remain monks, to plunge into despair. It is impossible to belittle those living in the world out of conceit; and it is also possible to disparage them behind their backs in order to avoid despair and to obtain hope. St John Climacus, "The Ladder of Divine Ascent", Step 2: On Detachment (Boston: Holy Transfiguration Monastery, 1978)

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Let us listen to what the Lord said to the young man who had fulfilled nearly all the commandments: “One thing thou lackest; sell whatsoever thou hast and give to the poor and become a beggar who receives alms from others.” St John Climacus, "The Ladder of Divine Ascent", Step 2: On Detachment (Boston: Holy Transfiguration Monastery, 1978)

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Those of us who wish to go out of Egypt, and to fly from Pharaoh, certainly need some Moses as a mediator with God and from God, who, standing between action and divine vision, will raise hands of prayer for us to God, so that guided by him we may cross the sea of sin and rout the Amalek of the passions. That is why those who have surrendered themselves to God deceive themselves if they suppose that they have no need of a director. Those who came out of Egypt had Moses as their guide, and those who fled from Sodom had an angel. The former are like those who are healed of the passions of the soul by the care of physicians; these are they who come out of Egypt. The latter are like those who long to put off the uncleanness of the wretched body. That is why they need a helper, an angel, so to speak, or rather, one equal to an angel. For in accordance with the corruption of our wounds, we need a director who is indeed an expert and a physician. St John Climacus, "The Ladder of Divine Ascent", Step 1: On Renunciation of the World (Boston: Holy Transfiguration Monastery, 1978)

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"Let none of you say it is impossible to weep each day, for those who say this also say it is impossible to repent each day. First of all, with an unquestionably firm faith and warm love, you ought to approach God and decidedly renounce the world." St. Paisius Velichkovsky

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