Articles and Essays
Articles and Essays
A Prayer for Mothers
by an anonymous hieromonkO Lord Jesus Christ our God Who didst come into this world not to be ministered unto but to minister and to give Thy life as a ransom for many. Help me, I beseech Thee in my ministry of caring for the children Thou hast given me. Enable me to be patient in tribulations, to instruct with a meek and gentle spirit, to reprimand with inner tranquility and a sober mind, and to serve in humility of heart with love. May I thus live in Thee alone, by Thee alone and for Thee alone showing forth Thy virtues and leading my family upon the path of Thy saving commandments. That we may glorify Thee together with Thine unoriginate Father and Thine all-holy and life-giving Spirit both in this world and that which is to come. Amen.
.
On Motherhood
—by a hieromonk of the Orthodox Church of AmericaYour most important concern seems to be how to live a life in Christ while a housewife and mother and teacher to your children. I will write a little about the vocation of motherhood.In his letter to Timothy the Apostle Paul says: “Woman shall be saved through bearing children, if she continues in faith and love and holiness, with modesty.”It is not the mere act and moment of giving birth that the Apostle is speaking of which is a path of salvation but the vocation of raising children. This is a work, service or obedience, so-to-speak, which God has allotted to women as a means or path of salvation. To be a mother is a great responsibility and must be fulfilled in an Orthodox Christian way according to the commandments of God. more
.
Your Great Hope for Your Children
by a hieromonk of the OCAAs a mother your great hope for your children should be that they will become saints. Probably the greatest joy among those in heaven will be the joy of the mother of a saint. In this world when anyone, whoever it may be, becomes successful at something and others rejoice with that person, the joy is really greatest for the mother of that individual. So then just think what an inexpressible joy it will be in the kingdom of heaven to see your children clothed with glory from God. more
.
Address to Young Men on Reading Greek Literature
By St. Basil the Great
I.There are many considerations which urge me to counsel you, my children, on what things I judge to be best, and on those which I am confident, if you accept them, will be to your advantage. For the fact that I have reached this age, and have already been trained through many experiences, and indeed also have shared sufficiently in the all-teaching vicissitude of both good and evil fortune, has made me conversant with human affairs, so that I can indicate the safest road, as it were, to those who are just entering upon life. Moreover, I come immediately after your parents in natural relationship to you, so that I myself entertain for you no less good-will than do your fathers; and I am sure, unless I am somewhat wrong in my judgment of you, that you do not long for your parents when your eyes rest upon me. If, then, you should receive my words with eagerness, you will belong to the second class of those praised by Hesiod; (1) but should you not do so, I indeed should not like to say anything unpleasant, but do you of yourselves remember the verses in which he says: “Best is the man who sees of himself at once what must be done, and excellent is he too who follows what is well indicated by others, but he who is suited for neither is useless in all respects.” more
Elder Porphyrios on Raising Children
An excellent article from this wonderful contemporary elder who reposed only in 1991. It is easy to read, with his signature warmth of heart and penetration to the heart of the matter. Highly recommended. Click here.
On Modern Education by Archpriest Artemy
A discussion with Archpriest Artemy Vladimirov, rector of the Church of All Saints in Krasnoe Selo, Moscow.
- Batiushka, you have vast experience in teaching. You have taught in secular schools as well as in Church educational organizations. You have also conducted the courses now gaining some momentum in Russia, called, “Fundamentals of Orthodox Culture.” What qualities, in your opinion, should a teacher have if he wishes to teach this discipline?
- By God’s Providence, I have been connected with school teaching since 1983. I remember, when I was a young teacher, I came under strict judgment by soviet bureaucrats, who accused me of non-standard thinking. They requested that I be removed immediately from the soviet high school system, for in the 1980’s everything was supposed to conform to a particular format. archpriest-artemy-vladimirov-on-modern-childhood-education-and-instruction.doc