PHILOKALIA MINISTRIES

On the death of the ego and the obedience that reason cannot accept “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus… who humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:5–8 ⸻ Freud was not entirely wrong. He saw that what most men call faith is a construction. A support. A defense against the terror of being alone in a universe that does not answer them. He saw that men create God in order to survive themselves. He saw tha

On Discovering a Heart Still Untouched by the Fire “He who has seen his sin is greater than he who raises the dead.” Saint Isaac the Syrian I passed through formation without ever being destroyed. This is the truth I did not know how to speak then. And perhaps I did not want to know it. I learned the language. I learned th e theology. I learned how to think clearly, how to speak carefully, how to carry myself with a certain gravity. I learned how to stand before others and sp

Why the Poor in Spirit Are the True Vocation of the Monastery “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.” Luke 5:31 ⸻ There are monasteries that look strong. They have clear entrance requirements, stable finances, orderly choirs, well formed candidates, and well guarded traditions. They appear healthy. They are often admired. They can point to visible signs of success. They seem safe. But Christ did not call the strong. He called the poor. He did