Lack of Sobriety in World Orthodoxy and on the Internet

[Maria]

Lack of Sobriety - this is not enough to say.

Correct.

However, a lack of sobriety leads to indifference, and indifference into heresy.

One of the greatest heresies today in World Orthodoxy is the pan-heresy of Ecumenism.

Fr. Stephen Fraser's gave a presentation on "Ecumenism" in Appendix D of his book,
Genuine Orthodox Church of Greece (GOC): A Brief History and Commentary.

Rightfully he calls ecumenism the heresy of all heresies. It could even be called the Mother of All Heresies.

A heresy, any heresy, excludes one from the Church. Ecumenism, called the heresy of all heresies, is the umbrella under which all the heresies are being promoted. The justification, or legitimacy, of calling ecumenism the heresy of heresies must come from its title. Without such a descriptive title, one may be led to believe that ecumenism is only one heresy among a plethora of heresies, and no worse than any one of them. Calling ecumenism a heresy is one thing, to recognize it as the greatest of all heresies is another.

Code: Select all

It is the heresy of heresies because it blatantly disregards heresy in order to promote the heresies that:
1) all religions are the same;
2) there is only one God, therefore all,regardless of belief, pray to Him;
3) there is no absolute truth, heresy and Orthodoxy can be tolerated within the Orthodox Church;
4) being in communion with a diseased, heretical Church does not impart the same infection to all those in communion with her;
5) it is preferable to be part of an ecumenist Church out of brotherly love, than it is to offend by separating from her,
6) by remaining in a world orthodox Church, one can impart a nobility, an understanding, and a level of brotherhood that would not be possible if one did not remain.[/quote]

[Maria]

Philotheus of Sinai: Forty Texts On Sobriety,
Writings from the Philokalia: On Prayer of the Heart
Translated from the Russian by E. Kadloubovksy and G.E.H. Palmer
Faber and Faber, London, Boston, 1992 (1952 first published)

Sobriety is very important because it brings heaven itself into our souls so that we become the very dwelling place of God.

Where there is humility, remembrance of God with sobriety and attention,
and frequent prayer directed against enemies, there is the place of God,
or the heaven of the heart where the hosts of demons fear to enter,
since it is the dwelling place of God.

Talkativeness, an uncontrolled tongue, and a mind that wanders away from the Presence of God by indulging in the frivolous pursuit of vain writings are very destructive to our spiritual life.

Nothing is more ruinous than talkativeness and more harmful than an uncontrolled tongue;
and nothing is more destructive and disorganizing to the treasure of the soul. For whatever
we succeed in building in ourselves every day is destroyed by much talking, and what
we collect together with great labor our soul dissipates again through this disease of the tongue. ...

[Matthew]

Philotheus of Sinai: Forty Texts On Sobriety,
Writings from the Philokalia: On Prayer of the Heart
Translated from the Russian by E. Kadloubovksy and G.E.H. Palmer
Faber and Faber, London, Boston, 1992 (1952 first published)

Talkativeness, an uncontrolled tongue, and a mind that wanders away from the Presence of God by indulging in the frivolous pursuit of vain writings are very destructive to our spiritual life.

Nothing is more ruinous than talkativeness and more harmful than an uncontrolled tongue;
and nothing is more destructive and disorganizing to the treasure of the soul. For whatever
we succeed in building in ourselves every day is destroyed by much talking, and what
we collect together with great labor our soul dissipates again through this disease of the tongue. ...

Wow I love that bit about "Talkativeness, an uncontrolled tongue, and a mind that wanders away from the Presence of God by indulging in the frivolous pursuit of vain writings are very destructive to our spiritual life." but it is not even discussed in the text quoted. Where is the bit where discussion is made to illuminate the evils of reading frivolous writings? I want to read that! Seems like it fits the recent descent into my distractions of late against which I ought to be on guard.

[Maria]

Philotheus of Sinai: Forty Texts On Sobriety,
Writings from the Philokalia: On Prayer of the Heart
Translated from the Russian by E. Kadloubovksy and G.E.H. Palmer
Faber and Faber, London, Boston, 1992 (1952 first published)

Talkativeness, an uncontrolled tongue, and a mind that wanders away from the Presence of God by indulging in the frivolous pursuit of vain writings are very destructive to our spiritual life.

Nothing is more ruinous than talkativeness and more harmful than an uncontrolled tongue;
and nothing is more destructive and disorganizing to the treasure of the soul. For whatever
we succeed in building in ourselves every day is destroyed by much talking, and what
we collect together with great labor our soul dissipates again through this disease of the tongue. ...

Wow I love that bit about "Talkativeness, an uncontrolled tongue, and a mind that wanders away from the Presence of God by indulging in the frivolous pursuit of vain writings are very destructive to our spiritual life." but it is not even discussed in the text quoted. Where is the bit where discussion is made to illuminate the evils of reading frivolous writings? I want to read that! Seems like it fits the recent descent into my distractions of late against which I ought to be on guard.

When talking with priests in True Orthodoxy, this is their conclusion of the modern trash novels, Facebook, and most internet forums today where people collect their thoughts without thinking about any ramifications and write horrendous and even demonic stuff that scandalizes their brethren and entices them to sin.

Back in the ancient times, men like Origen were condemned for their heretical writings, which took much longer to pen. With our Internet writings, which we can type and edit in 60 to 100 strokes per minute, our thoughts rapidly appear in windows that will condemn us, not only for heretical musings, but also for dissipative thoughts that are far from God.

Reading novels, watching TV, and viewing movies, which are the result of wild imaginings, leads away from God as most script writers today draw people into their world of filth and depravity.

[Matthew]

Amen, Maria. I feel I have been made a terrible fool of by the devil the past week or so about so many things. I must gather my thoughts and unite my heart in the fear of God and prayer. Thank you for perhaps the most beneficial post I have read in months.
The least of all sinners,
Matthew