Friday, May 30, 2014

Elder Sophrony and Major Tom


By John Sanidopoulos

Many years ago I had an existential crisis that seemed to separate me from my surrounding environment, and it felt as if I was living in a state of non-reality and disconnection. I came to call this Major Tom Syndrome, because when I listened to the song "Space Oddity" by David Bowie, which describes the tragic and lonely demise of the fictional cosmonaut Major Tom in outer space, it reminded me of that state I was in. Years later I came to find out that Major Tom Syndrome is actually a term used to describe a persons disconnect with reality, but it is more of a willful disconnection, such as through drug use, which had nothing to do with what I had felt.

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

A Conversation on Psychiatric Illnesses and Demonic Possession with Elder Epiphanios Theodoropoulos


Elder Epiphanios was asked:

"Many Christians maintain that psychiatric illnesses are due to demonic influence and, with this viewpoint, they reject the use of psychiatric medicines. What do you have to say about this position?"

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Elder Epiphanios Theodoropoulos On Psychoanalysis


Elder Epiphanios Theodoropoulos was asked:

"Elder, it is known that a percentage of psychiatrists considers continence during a young age as a cause of psychiatric illnesses. What can we answer them?"

He answered:

Monday, May 26, 2014

The Church and the "Civil Society"


By His Eminence Metropolitan Hierotheos 
of Nafpaktos and Agiou Vlasiou

It is known from various studies that the European Union in its final functional form, either as a federation or as an Intergovernmental Union of States or in any other form, will necessarily have to assign new roles to the State, the regions and the European Union. The combination of these three factors is what will determine future developments.

Friday, May 23, 2014

"Future Shock" (a 1972 documentary)


An interesting perspective on society based on the book Future Shock by Alvin Toffler. This documentary came out in 1972 and features Orson Welles as the narrator. Some funny moments here, but also many things to ponder about the "new society" in which we live. One question to ponder: Is this Future Shock or Shock from the Past?

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Elder Paisios On Clergymen Who Employ Psychology


Those who are not well spiritually are certain clergymen who study psychology in order to help people's souls (with human skill). The strange thing is that their teachers, the psychologists, neither believe in God nor accept the existence of the soul; and if they do, they do it in their own way (almost all of them). These clergymen reveal through their actions that they are spiritually ill and need patristic examinations. After being cured, they will discern for themselves this ill spirit and, at the same time, they will come to know Divine Grace. From then on, they will use divine energy instead of human arts to cure suffering souls.

Elder Paisios the Athonite, Epistles, p. 107.

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Research Finds Repressed Memories Don't Exist


By Karen Berkman
September 6, 2010
Australian Broadcasting Corporation

The idea that traumatised people, especially the victims of child sexual abuse, deliberately repress horrific memories goes all the way back to the 19th century and the theories of Sigmund Freud himself.

But now some experts are saying the evidence points the other way.

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

The 10 Healthiest Ethnic Cuisines: Greek Is #1


August 19, 2010
Health.com

It's dinnertime, and you're craving something with a little flavor. Maybe you'll grab Indian takeout or whip up a taco salad. But, uh-oh, these days it's easy to find yourself biting into the ethnic version of a triple burger and fries.

Monday, May 19, 2014

Alexandros Papadiamantis: The Spiritual Dimension of His Work


By Monk Moses the Athonite

After expressing my warmest thanks to those who kindly invited my lowliness to this vesperal memorial anniversary, I will proceed to my subject, as I do not like wasting time with long introductions.

160 years have gone by since the birth of Alexandros Papadiamantis and 100 since his passing away. Despite the passing of so many decades, his memory remains alive. People have always been writing about him. There are not so many references for any other of our literary men. We will try, in the short time available, to show the religiosity, the Orthodox Christian spirituality, of Alexandros Papadiamantis which is undoubtedly spontaneous and sincere and warm.

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Church Attendance Leads To A More Satisfying Life


By St. Nikolai Velimirovich

If you were to ask many people why they do not go to Church to pray, they will generally answer you: "I have no time, I have to work!"

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

25 Worthwhile Quotes From Charles Dickens


Charles Dickens (7 February 1812 – 9 June 1870) was an English writer and social critic. He created some of the world's most memorable fictional characters and is generally regarded as the greatest novelist of the Victorian period.

1. "A day wasted on others is not wasted on one's self."

Monday, May 12, 2014

50 Worthwhile Quotes By Blaise Pascal


Blaise Pascal (June 19, 1623 – August 19, 1662) was a French mathematician, physicist, inventor, writer and Catholic philosopher.

- We make an idol of truth itself; for truth apart from charity is not God, but His image and idol.

Friday, May 9, 2014

17 Worthwhile Quotes of G.K. Chesterton


Gilbert Keith Chesterton (29 May 1874 – 14 June 1936) was a British writer, critic and author of verse, essays, novels, and short stories.

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Saint Gregory of Sinai on Intelligence and Knowledge


- Only those who through their purity have become saints are spiritually intelligent in the way that is natural to man in his pre-fallen state. Mere skill in reasoning does not make a person’s intelligence pure, for since the fall our intelligence has been corrupted by evil thoughts. The materialistic and worldly spirit of the wisdom of this world may lead us to speak about ever wider spheres of knowledge, but it renders our thoughts increasingly crude and uncouth. This combination of well-informed talk and crude thought falls far short of real wisdom and contemplation, as well as of undivided and unified knowledge.