Moderator: Mark Templet
Wretched:
I know that it seems the 40 miles is alot, even at today's prices for gas. But I know what it is to travel to a church that you are comfortable and at peace in. My church is about 38 miles one way. Most people think I'm crazy, but at this point in time that's where I'm meant to be.
Next time, an old baba tells you it's a russian church, give her a hug and kiss and tell her you have a "Russian" Orthodox Soul. 
it will shut her up in a nice way.....
Katya
CHRIST IS RISEN!
Next time, an old baba tells you it's a russian church, give her a hug and kiss and tell her you have a "Russian" Orthodox Soul. it will shut her up in a nice way.....
That's an exellent response, Katya! 
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. (Ps. 50)
Deacon Nikolai wrote:We have 2 large parishes in Mass. Some people drive from some distance and it m,ay be possible that you could get a ride with someone who drives from near your location too.
Thank you, Fr. Deacon Nikolai. Unfortunately both of those locations are 2 hours away if you include traffic... which makes it pretty much an impossibilty for me to get there. Unless of course you know someone who I can bum a ride from and doesn't mind driving 4 hours there and back for every service. I'm up for it.
Ekaterina, thank you for listing those locations. Unfortunately none of them seem feasible:
Methuen - 90 Minutes away - not including Boston traffic.
Roslindale - An hour away just south of Boston.
West Springfield - About 2 and a half hours away.
Frankly, I'm really depressed because I feel I can't grow spiritually in this area. I've thought about moving but I'm only 20 and its hard when you have no experience and you don't know anyone. 
Pray for me.
You are quite welcome RBY. I am not sure of the people that do travel from that distance, but give them a call and explain your situation and they can let you know if they have anyone from the area that can give you a ride. I do know that they have people that travel 2 hours to attend, so it is not hard to think that someone may be near you. If nothing else, it gives you a chance to speak with a priest if you pick up the phone and make those calls.
and Yes Im the one from Northern California,and you know with alot of Prayer and guidance at the holy Relics of St.John Maximovitch,who allowed me to understand Psalm 146 (3),my Friend I have sought out so many Priests and Bishops and have been blessed with great talks with them all(from O.C.A.,Rocor,Rocie,G.O.C.,Patri-archate of Jerusalem,Serbian,and even Retired and in Exile men of Cloth,The fact remains that they are very busy with everybody.and I realized that maybe,just maybe the Pious spiritual Fathers of the Church didnt exist anymore...and then I was Blessed with what many on this Group know..
and that is the reasons the Fathers of the Church recorded thru writings of Spiritual Guidance thru books,and have been interpreted by various new saints for that very reason me and you have found it difficult to find some Words of Spiritual Guidance.....Because the day would come when Worldly matters would become more important than guiding Lost Sheep of CHRIST to pick up that Great SWORD in the Hidden Warfare for CHRIST when all else Sleeps and that most people arent willing to commit too....I would recommend ST.THEOPHAN the RECLUSE-The Path to Salvation.......................
and remember to Trust in God only,ask him from your heart to place that Spiritual Person of Guidance in your reach (whether a block away or 75 miles away,or even thousands of miles away or maybe just maybe in Heaven-AHHHH that is the purpose of our personal SAint that we ask to intercede to God for us and guide us and protect us,and his Blessed mother the THEOTOKOS-no human ever loved CHRIST more than his mother,ask her as well).............................
Ecumenism,I am far from being because those certain priests who have given themselves to SERVE Christ thru his Churches that are O.C.A.,R.O.C.O.R.,Rocie,G.O.C.,GOARCH,Jerusalem Patri-archate,etc.have one thing in common,CHRIST COMES FIRST in there persoanl lives and its amazing.........Find where you are called to,and allow GOD`s Will to work , not yours, not mine ,or any other human being......... Trust GOD,Clean House,And Help Others
I agree with Spyridon,
and that is the reasons the Fathers of the Church recorded thru writings of Spiritual Guidance thru books
I recommend that wretched sinner and rightbyyou, or for that fact anyone to read the writings of St. Cyril of Jerusalem.
Read all his Catechetical Lectures. I am sure you can find them online. As a matter of fact, I am reading them myself, and I have mined some nuggets from just reading the preface and lecture 1. It has shed some additional light on some of the discussions that we have had on this website.
Recently I purchased the 38 volume set of the Ante-Nicene, Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers.
They are to be my reading for sometime now. I have committed to reading each volume.
Here is the link: http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/ ... em_code=WW
I got them for $199.00 plus shipping. Around $216.00 It is probably the best purchase of books that I have ever made in my life. I will share some things as I read and on my blog as well.
Your fellow struggler in Christ,
Rd. Chrysostomos
[....I would recommend ST.THEOPHAN the RECLUSE-The Path to Salvation....and remember to Trust in God only,ask him from your heart to place that Spiritual Person of Guidance in your reach... Trust GOD,Clean House,And Help Others ]
Actually, I have been reading St.Theophan the Recluse, The Path to Salvation.
It is so very far beyond my level at the present time.
It takes baptism and communion as granted for
the starting point in developing one's relationship with God,
and I can't even get my foot into that particular door at present.
I am coming out of a state of the greatest darkness into the light.
(see :
http://euphrosynoscafe.com/forum/viewto ... 6&start=49
for my story, if you're interested.)
I find books meant for children more accessible to me.
Not from a standpoint of literacy, but because they include
things that more elevated works take for granted,
Like the various terms used in services, and how to conduct
one's self in church.
I quite agree with the rest of your post. It occurred to me today that if
a person were ready, and worthy of a spiritual father, he would have one,
even if he lived on a desert island. If he were an unworthy person,
he could live on Mt. Athos for his entire life, and never find a spiritual
director.
I will continue going to services, and I will pray more diligently.
It's not for me to decide of myself to enter Orthodoxy,
but for God to show me the path I must follow.
Please pray for me.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.