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ABC of Faith

“In the communal monastery where I lived before, there was a monk who in the world worked as a local police officer. He was educated, and therefore he was given the obedience of a reader in the temple. He lived in the monastery for many years, but despite this he disdained everyone around him. He didn’t even touch the door handles, but opened the doors with his foot. If it was necessary to lift the latch, he did it with his elbow, and then also wiped the sleeve with alcohol. He even opened the temple door with his foot. When he grew old, then, by God’s permission, his legs began to rot and worms infested them, especially the one with which he opened the doors to the temple. When I was doing obedience in the monastery hospital, helping the paramedic, he just came there for the first time with a bandaged leg. The paramedic told me to untie his leg, and he went to get bandages. Oh, what did I see when I took off the bandage! The whole leg was swarming with worms! “Go to the sea,” I told him, “and wash your leg, clean it of worms. Then come and we’ll bandage you.” What has he come to? What punishment befell him! I was simply shocked. “Do you understand what the reason is?” the paramedic asked me. “You can’t understand!” I answered. “The reason is that he opened the temple door with his foot.” - Geronda, even in this state, he continued to open the door with his foot? - Yes, with your foot! And he grew old in monasticism! - He still didn’t understand anything? - Don't know. I then left that monastery for the Stomion monastery in Konitsa. Meanwhile, some young monks from the same monastery ate the old monks' leftovers from their plates - as a blessing. They collected “excess ukrukh” after them. Other monks kissed the doorknob out of reverence because the hands of the fathers had touched it. A few days ago, a man who occupied a very high position in one institution came to see me. The unfortunate man experiences such a great fear of germs that from constant rubbing with alcohol his hands became chalk white. He even treated his car with alcohol. I felt sorry for the poor guy. I took a piece of Turkish delight from the box and gave it to him, but he refused because I touched the Turkish delight with my hands. Well, then I take this piece of Turkish delight, bend over, wipe his shoes with it and then eat it. I had to do a similar thing with him several times, and only then, with great difficulty, did I manage to free him a little from this weakness.”

“Guidance on the spiritual path. About the fight against thoughts and how to learn unceasing prayer and once again about delusion. Book Two" p.58-60 Melisa 2005

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ABC of the Christian Schema-Abbot Savva

If you are a Christian, read this alphabet. 1. When you wake up in bed, first of all remember God and place the sign of the cross on yourself. 2. Don’t start your day without a prayer rule. 3. Throughout the day, everywhere, with every task, pray short prayers. 4. Prayer is the wings of the soul, it makes the soul the throne of God, all the strength of a spiritual person is in his prayer. 5. For God to hear a prayer, you need to pray not with the tip of your tongue, but with your heart. 6. Let none of those around you be left without your sincere greetings. 7. Do not give up prayer when the enemy makes you feel insensible; he who forces himself to pray when his soul is dry is superior to the one who prays with tears. 8. You need to know the New Testament with your mind and heart; study it constantly; do not interpret the unclear yourself, but ask the holy fathers for clarification. 9. Take holy water with thirst for the sanctification of your soul and body; do not forget to drink. 10. Say the greeting of gratitude to the Queen of Heaven “Rejoice to the Virgin Mary” more often, at least every hour. In your free time, read the Scriptures of the holy fathers and teachers of spiritual life. 11. In temptations and adversities, repeat the Psalter and read the prayer canon to the Most Holy Theotokos, “We are overcome by many adversities.” She is our Intercessor. 12. When the demons throw their arrows at you, sin approaches you, then sing the hymn of the Seventh (Holy) Week and Holy Easter, read the canon with an akathist to Sweetest Jesus. 13. If you cannot sing and read, then in a moment of battle remember the name of Jesus: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner, stand at the Cross and rejoice in your tears. 14. During fasting time, fast, but know that God is pleased with the fasting of not just the body, but even more so with abstinence of the ears, eyes, tongue, as well as abstinence of the heart from serving the passions. 15. A person embarking on spiritual life must remember that he is sick, his mind is in error, his will is more inclined to evil than to good, and his heart remains impure from the passions bubbling in him, therefore the beginning of spiritual life must be in acquiring spiritual health. 16. Spiritual life is a constant, unceasing war with the enemies of the salvation of the soul: never sleep mentally, your spirit must always be vigorous in this battle, always call on your Savior for help. 17. Be afraid to unite with sinful thoughts that come to you; he who agrees with such thoughts has already committed the sin he thought about. 18. Remember, in order not to perish, you must have sincere repentance before God: “Lord, forgive and help, do not take Your Holy Spirit away from me.” 19. Constantly ask: “Thy fear, Lord, instill in my heart.” Oh, how blessed is he who has constant awe of God. 20. Give your whole heart to God without a trace and you will feel heaven on earth. 21. Never be idle, in idleness, honor church days and Sundays according to the commandment of God. 22.Your faith should be strengthened by frequent resort to repentance and prayer, as well as by communicating with people of deep faith. 23. Create a memorial for yourself, write down the names of all the living and the dead, all those who hate and offend you, and remember them daily. 24. Constantly seek deeds of mercy and love, compassion; without these deeds it is impossible to please God. Be the sun for everyone - mercy is above all sacrifices. 25. Don’t go anywhere unless absolutely necessary, talk as little as possible, don’t laugh, don’t be curious with idle curiosity. 26. Love holy solitude. 27. First endure all insults in silence, then by reproaching yourself, then by prayer for those who offend. 28. The most important thing for us is to learn patience and humility: with humility we will defeat all enemies, demons, and with patience we will defeat the passions that war on soul and body. 29. During prayer, do not show anyone but God your tears of tenderness and zeal for salvation. 30. Honor an Orthodox priest as an angel, a messenger of good news, sent to rejoice you and bring you deliverance. 31.Treat people as carefully as you would the messengers of the Great Kingdom, and also as carefully as you would a creature. 32. Forgive everyone everything and sympathize with everyone in their suffering. 33. Don’t rush around just with yourself, like a chicken with an egg, forgetting your neighbors. 34. Anyone who seeks peace here cannot have the spirit of God abide in him. 35. Melancholy and confusion attack from a lack of prayer. 36. Always and everywhere call on your Angel for help. 37. Always keep your heart crying for your sins, and when you confess them in order to partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ, then quietly rejoice over your liberation. 38. Know only your own indecencies and shortcomings, and be careful about the sins of others and think and reason, do not destroy yourself by judging others. 39. Do not believe any wishes, even your own good ones, before your confessor approves. 40. Every evening, confess to God all your sinful deeds and thoughts during the day. 41.Before going to bed, bow to the ground or bow from the waist to everyone. 42. We are brought closer to God by sorrow, cramped conditions, illness, and labor. Do not complain about them and do not be afraid of them. 43. No one enters heaven living well. 44. As often as possible, with tenderness of heart, partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ. You live only by them. 45. Never forget that HE, our Lord Jesus Christ, is near at the door. Do not forget that Judgment and Retribution is coming soon, on what day and hour no one knows. 46. ​​Remember also what the Lord has prepared for those who love Him and for those who do His commandments. 47. Read this alphabet, Christian, at least once a week, this will help you in fulfilling what is written and strengthen you on the spiritual path. Amen. And to the Lord be glory forever and ever. Your spiritual father, schema-hegumen Savva, is with you in prayer.

Author compiled by Vladimir Zobern

ABC of the Orthodox Faith

Part I The earthly life of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ

Preface

The history of the earthly life of the Savior is outlined, at the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, by four evangelists. Their names: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

The Gospels were written at different times.

The first Gospel, of the Holy Apostle Matthew, was written in the eighth year after the Ascension of the Lord in Hebrew and was soon translated into Greek, which at that time was most used in the East.

The second gospel of the Holy Apostle Mark was written between the tenth and thirteenth years after the ascension of the Lord, that is, around the year 46. There is a legend that it was written in Rome under the leadership of the holy Apostle Peter.

The Holy Apostle Luke wrote the third Gospel in Corinth, where he accompanied the Apostle Paul, around 48 years from the Nativity of Christ.

The Holy Apostle John the Theologian at the end of the first century wrote the fourth Gospel in Asia Minor.

Word Gospel

– Greek. It means good or good news. Good news about what? That the Lord forgives people's sins and grants them salvation and eternal life through Jesus Christ.

Why did the Lord God send the Savior to earth? So that He would save all believers from sin and give eternal life. When the Lord God created man, He gave him bliss. But the first people, Adam and Eve, lost this bliss through their disobedience. They became unworthy of heaven and eternal blissful life and were punished by expulsion from heaven and death.

Who is our Savior? The Only Begotten Son of God Himself, Jesus Christ. He, leaving His Heavenly Throne, descended to earth, took on human flesh, and by death on the Cross redeemed those who believe in Him for eternal life.

Let us try to learn about the earthly life of the Savior and His teaching.

Chapter 1 Nativity of John the Baptist

As bodily food is for maintaining our strength, so is reading the Holy Scriptures for the soul.

(St. John Chrysostom)

(Feast June 24/July 7) Lk. 1, 5–25; 57–79

Far from us there is a country called Palestine. We call it the Holy Land, because in this country our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

. Many pious people visit these holy places.

This country in former times was called Judea. lived there ,

or
the Israelites,
descendants of the holy patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
The Lord God promised them that the Savior of the world would be born from their tribe. The Lord God was always merciful to them: He protected them from dangers, delivered them from many troubles and often repeated His promise through holy men and prophets
.
one king, the prophet David,
and promised him that it was from his descendants that
the Savior would be born.
The Israelites were ruled several times by foreign nations who oppressed them.

Finally they were conquered by the most powerful people in the world, the Romans.

The Romans imposed tribute on them and appointed their own rulers in Judea. This was very difficult for the Israelis. They proudly called themselves the people chosen by God, but had to submit to foreigners who despised their faith and customs. Only one thing remained for them: hope for deliverance through the Messiah.

The Israelites carefully studied the prophecies and knew that the time of His appearance was near. They were looking forward to the promised Savior and hoped that it would be a great King who would free them from Roman citizenship and restore the throne of King David.

The time of the Savior's appearance was really close.
Forerunner
had to appear . The prophets have long said that first the Lord would send a messenger to prepare the way for the Savior.

* * *

The priest Zacharias lived in a small town .

He was pious, loved God and fulfilled His law.
Zechariah lived to a ripe old age without having children. This greatly upset Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth,
and they prayed to God to give them a son.

One day, when Zechariah was serving in the Jerusalem Temple, he saw an Angel. Zechariah was afraid, but the Angel said to him: Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard; Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, whom you will name John.

[1] . He will turn many to God and prepare people for the Coming of the Savior.

Zechariah was surprised and asked the Angel: how will this happen? After all, my wife and I are already old. He answered: I am Archangel Gabriel,

sent by God to bring you this joy; but because you did not believe my words, you will remain dumb until they are fulfilled.