My beloved spiritual children in Christ Our Only True God and Our Only True Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.
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THEY HAVE COMMITTED EVERY SIN OF THE FLESH, BUT I LOVE THEM
[Source: From the book Hieromonk Elder Porphyrios: An Anthology of Advice]
The Elder (Geronda) told me one day: "Boys and girls come to me sometimes. Those poor children, and what haven't they done. They have committed every sin of the flesh, but I love them."
The Elder (Geronda) did not justify the actions of the youth, which he characterized as carnal sins, but at the same time he loved them as precious souls "for whom Christ died". By his love, he attracted them like a magnet and gradually they were healed of their worship of the flesh.
This Patristic attitude of the Elder (Geronda) was misunderstood by conservative puritans, who mourned, and some irresponsible progressives, who rejoiced, for the same reason: that supposedly the Elder (Geronda) "tolerated" carnal sins. They did not understand that sin cannot be combated against with an intolerant condemnation of the sinner nor through guilty legalism of the fall. The Elder (Geronda) effectively fought sin by loving the sinner and helping them become aware of their responsibility for their fall, and the possibility in Christ of them being freed from it and guilt through repentance and forgiveness and the life in Christ. He wanted to guide them to a new life, and not trouble their soul with the past.
The Saint often advised his spiritual children that love, unity, and cooperation of parents and good understanding between them and their children gives a sense of security and confidence to their children. Otherwise, children become unsafe and insecure. Often the insecure children can lead to the "safety" of a gang and/or obtain a violent behavior (as a reaction to a dysfunctional family).
The behavior of the children is related to the situations they experienced in their family. The negative attitude of parents creates wounds in the hearts of the children and leaves scars of injury in their souls that keep during their whole life. These psychological scars are affecting their behavior and their relationship with others, during the rest of their lives.
In other words, the experiences the children carry from their childhood affect their lives and their behavior in relations to others (family, sexual relationship, friends). Children, Saint Porphyrios said, become older, educated, but do not really change. This is obvious even from the most minor events of their life. (Orthodox Heritage)
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"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!" - Saint John Chrysostomos
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With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+Father George