PHILOKALIA MINISTRIES

Discerning the Counsel of God When the Soul Wakes from a Dream Epigraph “Yet I was always in your presence; you were holding me by my right hand. You will guide me by your counsel, and so you will lead me to glory.” — Psalm 73 (Grail Translation) The disciple returned after some days. Not at the hour he usually came. Earlier. When the light was thin and the air still cool. He stood again without speaking. The elder did not look up. After a long while the elder said, St. Arsen

A Dialogue with St. Arsenius on Withdrawal, Discernment, and the Mercy That Saves the Heart The disciple came and stood for a long while without speaking. The elder did not look up. At last the elder said, St. Arsenius: Why do you come as one who has already been standing too long? Disciple: Because my heart is tired, father. Not of prayer, but of the noise that follows it. I have tried to remain faithful to what has been entrusted to me, yet I feel myself growing thin. St. A