In the teachings of the Holy Fathers the three stages of the spiritual life are characterized by use of the terms "praxis" and "theoria". I think we should dwell upon this subject also, in order, on the one hand, to understand more clearly what is meant by repentance and purification of heart; and, on the other hand, to ascertain the misinterpretation of the terms praxis and theoria by contemporary individuals. I would like to begin with an analysis of the latter.

An Orthodox Church is that part of God's creation which has been set apart and "reclaimed" for the Kingdom of God. Within its walls, the heavenly and earthly realms meet, outside time, in the acts of worship and Sacrifice offered there to God. Angels assist the Priest during the Divine Liturgy, and Saints and members of the Church Triumphant (The Heavenly Church) participate in the Divine Services. The Blessed Theotokos, the Mother of God, is also present and, of course, Our Lord Jesus Christ is invisibly present wherever two or three gathers in HIs Name (St. Matthew 18:20), just as He is always present in the reserved Eucharist preserved on the Holy Table of most Orthodox Churches.

Given these very significant spiritual realities, we sh

Saint Cuthbert, an early Celtic Saint, used to pray standing in the sea. When he stepped out, the sea otters would dry his feet with their fur.

"The more I examine myself, the more I see that a life devoted to constructing and organizing, a life which produces positive results and which succeeds, is not my vocation, even though, out of obedience, I could work in this direction and even obtain certain results. What attracts me is a vocation of loss-a life which would given itself freely without any apparent positive result, for the result would be known to God alone; in brief, to lose oneself in order to find oneself" (Father Lev Gillet).

It is incorrect to say that depression is not an illness or that alcoholism is not an illness or that same-sex attraction is not an illness. The standard definition of an illness is any condition which upsets the homeostasis of a system. There are spiritual illnesses and physical illnesses. I suppose one could even say that there are mental illnesses, although their crossover into spiritual illnesses is profound.

You are not alone

Genesis 50:20: "But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive."

1 Samuel 16:7: "For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

Saint Paul speaking on giving says, "But this I say: He who sows sparingly, will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work" (2 Cor. 6-8).