My beloved spiritual life 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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A GUIDE TO SPIRITUAL LIFE (II)
How to Remain in Communion With God
There are many necessary elements for remaining in communion with God. Among the chief are:
Regular attendance at Sunday Divine Liturgy, as well as consistent participation in the Feasts and fasts of the Church year.
Maintaining a daily prayer rule (for a basic outline; see Morning Prayers and Evening Prayers on pages 755 to 761 in the Orthodox Study Bible).
Daily reading and study of the Holy Scripture.
Regularly partaking of the Holy Eucharist (Holy Communion).
Regular repentance and confession of sins.
Spiritual Helps in the Examination of Your Conscience
Pride: the lack of humility befitting a creature of God
Creed: too great a desire for money or worldly goods.
Lust: impure and unworthy desire for something evil.
Anger: unworthy irritation and lack of self-control.
Gluttony: the habit of eating or drinking too much.
Envy: jealousy of some other person's happiness.
Sloth: laziness that keeps us from doing our duty to God and man.
The Seven Capital Virtues
The seven capital virtues are the opposite of the seven grievous sins.
Humility
Liberality
Chastity
Mildness
Temperance
Contentment
Diligence
The Works of the Flesh
Adultery
Fornication
Uncleaness
Licentiousness
Idolatry
Sorcery
Hatred
Contentions
Jealousies
Outbursts of wrath
Selfish ambitions
Disssensions
Heresies
Envy
Murders
Drunkenness
Revelries
(See Galatians 5:19-21)
Nine Ways of Participating in Another's Sin
By counsel.
By command.
By consent.
By provocation.
By praise or flattery.
By concealment.
By partaking
By silence.
By defense of the sin committed.
The Fruit of the Holy Spirit
Love.
Joy.
Peace
Longsuffering.
Kindness.
Goodness.
Faithfulness.
Gentleness.
Self-control.
Modesty.
Continence.
Chastity.
(See Galatians 5:22, 23)
The Three Theological Virtues
Faith.
Hope.
Love
(See 1 Corinthians 13:13)
The Chief Aids to Penitence
Prayer.
Fasting.
Performance of the spiritual and corporal works of mercy.
(See Matthew 6:1-18)
The Chief Corporal Works of Mercy
To feed the hungry.
To give drink to the thirsty.
To shelter the homeless.
To clothe the naked
To visit those in prison.
To visit the sick.
To bury the dead.
(See Matthew 25:34-45)
(Source: Orthodox Study Bible)
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"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!" -- Saint John Chrysostom
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With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry)
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+Father George