Striving from good to better and desiring even higher levels of perfection, Cassian traveled from Rome to Constantinople to personally hear and see St. John Chrysostomos. Chrysostomos instructed him and ordained him a deacon.
Benefiting much from the wise Chrysostomos, Cassian traveled farther east, to learn even more and become more perfected. He remained in Egypt, the longest time in Nitria, among the famous spiritual athletes from whom he learned the art of every virtue. He finally returned to the west and settled in the town of Marseilles [French Seaport]. Here he established two monastic communities: one for men and one for women.
At the request of the monks, Cassian wrote many essays which are especially beneficial for the lovers of the spiritual life: "Eight Books on the struggle against the eight principle passions" [Institutes of the Monastic Life and Conferences on the Egyptian Monks].
Of great importance is his essay against the heretic Nestorius. This essay was written at the request of Archdeacon Leo.
He served our Lord faithfully and enriched many with his wisdom and took up habitation in eternal life in the year 435 A.D. The relics of St. Cassian repose in Marseilles [France] even today.
↣↣↣ No "Readings" are provided today.
PREPARATION FOR GREAT LENTHOW TO IDENTIFY A FASTERby Saint John Chrysostomos
Yes. Fasting makes us contrite and still, we become lowly and we react to offence and anger slowly. Fasting has nothing to do with food but with what one fills the belly of the heart and mind. St John Chrysostomos tells us that those who fast from food but bite their brothers aren’t fasting at all. What is more pleasing to God, one who eats but expresses affection and suffers others, allowing others to see Christ, or one whose belly is empty of food but from it churns out offences created by the most evil of fasters, Satan?
This is Great Lent. Everyone should be so filled with the joy of the Resurrection that it is difficult not to be pleasing and happy with others even if they should lose control occasionally and speak or act in an offensive way. The hymns and prayers given us by the Church at this time (if you listen to them) contain a double portion of grace, grace that you should be experiencing. Yes, experiencing, not simply aware of!!
Grumbling, attacking others, foul dispositions, etc. have no part in fasting or Great Lent. They have no part in Christ. He never acted in that way to anyone. Do not forget, it wasn’t simply because He is God but that He lived on earth as a man, and was tempted as a man, like you and I. Consider your attitude while enjoying something very pleasurable how agreeable, generous and patient you are with others. Know what I mean? Isn’t it harder to get angry and isn’t it easier to be agreeable when you are having a good time? If you don’t feel this way during Lent, you are not participating in the fast because patience, kindness, gentleness, longsuffering, good cheer and affection are characteristics freely given by the fast itself and expressed by one who truly fasts.
AGIA SOPHIA
CONSTANTINOPLE
No comments:
Post a Comment