Cyprian wrote:Those who promote the writings of heretics such as Kalomiros and Romanides show themselves to be the true lightweights. Their writings are certainly not worth reading. Their writings are neither traditional nor are they Orthodox.
Fr. Seraphim Rose opposed both these two, so it makes no sense to lump the three together. Many of Fr. Seraphim Rose's writings are edifying, but I would not place them on the same level as the great fathers of antiquity.
St. Isaac the Syrian:
Beware of reading the doctrines of heretics, for they, more than anything else, can arm the spirit of blasphemy against you
These haters of the monastic life, who merely have the appearance of piety,
will strive to draw monks on their side, promising them protection and
worldly goods(comforts), but threatening with exile to those who do not
submit. From these threats, the weak at heart will be very humiliated
(tormented).
If you live to see that time, rejoice, for at that time the faithful, not
possessing other virtues will receive wreaths merely for standing in faith,
according to the Word of the Lord "everyone who confesses Me before men, I
will confess before My Heavenly Father".
Fear the Lord, my son!, dont lose the received wreath, not to be rejected by
Christ into the utter darkness and eternal suffering.
Bravely stand in faith, and if needed joyfully endure persecutions and other
troubles, for than the Lord will stand by you...and holy Martyrs and
Confessors with joyfully watch at your struggle.
But, in these days, woe be to monks tied to possessions and riches, and who
for the sake of love of comfort agree to subjugate themselves to the
heretics. They will lull their conscience saying: we will save the
monastery, and the Lord will forgive us.
Unfortunate and blinded, they are not even thinking that through heresies and
heretics, the devil will enter the monastery, and than it will no longer be a
holy monastery, but bare walls from which Grace will depart from forever.
But God is more powerful than devil, and will never abandon His servants.
There will always be true Christians, till the end of time, but they will
choose lonely and deserted places. Do not fear troubles, but fear pernicious
heresy, for it drives out Grace, and separates from Christ, wherefore Christ
commanded consider the heretic as let him be unto thee as a heathen man and
publican.
And so, strenghten yourself, my son, in the Grace of Christ Jesus. With joy
hasten to the confession and enduring the suffering, like Jesus Christ's
good soldier who said: "BE FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH, AND I WILL GIVE YOU THE
WREATH OF LIFE"
To Him, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, honor and glory unto ages of
ages.
Amen
St. Ambrosy of Optina
,, Last times and now,,
collection of writtings