Be Ready, An Approach to the Mystery of Death - Athonite

Be Ready, An Approach to the Mystery of Death

$8.00

Be Ready, An Approach to the Mystery of Death - Spiritual Life Series, vol. 2

By Hieromonk Gregorios, Elder of the Cell of St. John the Theologian, Koutloumousiou Monastery, Mount Athos.

Size: 4" x 6" (10.2 x 15.2 cm)

Pages: 62

Binding: Softcover

From the Prologue: When we wish to emphasize the importance of something, we say that it is a matter of life and death. A matter of primary importance for those of us who believe in heaven and hell perhaps even the most important is our departure from the world and the life after death. After we are born, the only thing we can take for granted is that at some point we will die. In Holy Scripture, death is called the way of all the earth (3 Kingd. 2:2), because it is the road which we will all travel. All of us, therefore, must contemplate our death and prepare to encounter it. Christ himself stresses this, saying: Therefore, be ready, for it is at an hour which you do not expect that the Son of Man will come. (Matt. 24:44)

The saints of the Church stress that the remembrance of death is a great and enduring support in our spiritual struggle, both by halting our slide into sin and as a God-given strength in the exercise of virtue. Since we completely forget about death due to the cares and distractions of daily life, sometimes willfully, God reminds us of it in different ways, most poignantly when a family member or friend departs this life for the next.

In the present work we will try to see what it means for a lay person to be mindful of the time of death and how this mindfulness benefits the spiritual life. Everything we say is based on the experiences of the holy Fathers [of the Church] who lived in expectation both of their eventual departure from this life and of the coming of the Lord.

From the Contents: 1. Prologue, 2. The Mystery of Death, 3. Confronting Death, 4. What is the Remembrance of Death?, 5. Remembrance of Death: A Divine Gift, 6. Holy Communion: Preparation for Eternity, 7. The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, 8. Watch for You do not Know the Day, 9. Epilogue: Amen, yes, Lord Jesus come!

AVAILABLE IN GREEK: "Γίνεσθε 'Ετοιμοι" του Ιερομονάχου Γρηγορίου, Ιερόν Κουτλουμουσιανόν Κελλίον Αγιου Ιωάννη του Θεολόγου".

From the Prologue: Repentance is man’s return to God. It is a change-of-heart in the nous from the darkness of sin to the light of Christ. The beginning of this journey is “the awareness of our errors, which is a great opportunity for us to attract divine mercy. This is why the Prophet David says to God: Have mercy upon me,…For I am conscious of my iniquity (Ps. 50: 1, 3).” We acknowledge that we are responsible for our condition, and we humbly seek God’s mercy.

This booklet speaks about repentance, the healing of the wounds of sin, and about holy Confession, the Sacrament through which man’s repentance is accomplished. Particular emphasis is placed on preparation for the Sacrament, as well as on the fruits of repentance that accompany it.

From the Contents: 1. Repentance is Medicine, 2. The Beginning of Repentance, 3. How does the Compassionate Father receive us?, 4. Confession and Holy Communion, 5. Obstacles to Repentance, 6. Examination of the Conscience [a. Our Relationship with God, b. Our Relationship with our Fellows, c. Confronting Ourselves], 7. Fruits of Repentance, 8. The Spiritual Resurrection of Man, 9. The Absolution of Sins and Peace of the Soul, 10. Sons of God by Grace, 11. Our Entrance into the Kingdom of God.

AVAILABE IN GREEK: "Μετάνοια και Εξομολόγηση"

Do Not Judge, Understanding the Vice of Passing Judgment - Athonite

Do Not Judge, Understanding the Vice of Passing Judgment

$8.00

Do Not Judge, Understanding the Vice of Passing Judgment - Spiritual Life Series vol. 3.

By Hieromonk Gregorios, Elder of the Cell of St. John the Theologian, Koutloumousiou Monastery, Mount Athos.

Size: 4" x 6" (10.2 x 15.2 cm)

Pages: 62

Binding: Softcover

From the Prologue: We often complain nowadays that to live according to God's commandments is a difficult struggle. We think that to be truly Christian we have to fast, pray, give alms and perform other such virtuous acts. And as we ponder over the trouble we have to take to be virtuous and live a life in Christ, we lose heart and give up. Christ, however, suggested a very simple and easy way for us to please Him and avoid condemnation at the Last Judgment, saying: Do not judge in order not to be judged (Matt. 7:1-2).

From the Contents: 1. Prologue, 2. Malicious Gossip and passing Judgment, 3. Causes and Types of Criticism, 4. The Results of Judging our Fellows, 5. Saints shelter the Sinner, 6. Correcting a Brother, 7. When we are the Subject of Gossip

AVAILABE IN GREEK: "Το Πάθος της Κατακρίσεως", του Ιεμονάχου Γρηγορίου, Ιερόν Κουτλουμουσιανόν Κελλιον Αγίου Ιωάννη του Θεολόγου, 'Αγιον 'Ορος.

Love your Enemies

$8.00

Love your Enemies - Spiritual Life Series, vol. 4

Βy Hieromonk Gregorios, Elder of the Cell of St. John the Theologian, Koutloumousiou Monastery, Mount Athos.

Size: 4" x 6" (10.2 x 15.2 cm)

Pages: 52

Binding: Softcover

From the Prologue: Oftentimes we look at sin through two completely different lenses. Prior to committing a sin, we view it through the lens of insensibility, and thus consider the sin to be entirely natural. However, after it has been committed, we look at the same sin through the lens of despair, which magnifies it and leads us to the certain belief that we are beyond God’s forgiveness, thereby causing us to despair over our very salvation.

Christ, however, has revealed to us a sure way by which we can obtain the absolution of our sins, no matter how great the offense: by forgiving with all our heart those who have wronged us and loving them without regard to what they have done.

From the Contents:

1. Prologue, 2. How are we to love our enemy?, 3. Forgive us our trespasses, 4. Prayer and Vindictiveness, 5. The Benefits of Forgiveness, 6. We imitate God, 7. How do the Saints love? 8. Epilogue

AVAILABE IN GREEK: "Αγαπάτε Τους Εχθρούς Ημών"

Illness and the Believer

$8.00

Illness and the Believer - Spiritual Life Series, vol. 5

By Hieromonk Gregorios, Elder of the Cell of St. John the Theologian, Koutloumousiou Monastery, Mount Athos.

Size: 4" x 6" (10.2 x 15.2 cm)

Pages: 56

Binding: Softcover

From the Prologue: Today, despite the remarkable progress of medical science, the number of people who are ill is increasing and new diseases and illnesses continue to make their appearance. Almost every family has previously experienced or is currently going through the pain and ordeal of an illness and therefore it can be helpful to examine the causes of illness and how they may be faced spiritually so that those who so suffer may reap some benefit for their souls. As we shall see, illness, whether it is due to sin or to some other cause, is a means by which the soul can be healed and purified.

This small book examines the role of illness in the life of the believing Orthodox Christian, specifically: 1) the cause of illness, 2) the purpose and benefits of illness, 3) how to confront illness in a spiritual manner, 4) healing and the practice of medicine, 5) divine consolation. As in his other books, Father Gregorios approaches his study of illness through the writings of the Holy Fathers and Elders of the Church.

AVAILABLE IN GREEK: "Οι Aσθένειες και ο Πιστός"