PHILOKALIA MINISTRIES

Asceticism as the Healing of Sight and the Revelation of Christ Within “If you keep these observances… your soul will see the light of Christ in herself, and will never be darkened unto all eternity.” — St. Isaac the Syrian, Homily 17 Synopsis of Tonight's Group on The Ascetical Homilies of St. Isaac the Syrian Homily 17 paragraphs 7-9 There is a temptation when reading the closing section of Homily 17 to see it as little more than a long list of prohibitions. Do not quarrel.

What St. Isaac Is Really Guarding “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.” — Psalm 27:4 Few passages in St. Isaac the Syrian can be as easily misunderstood as this one. Read superficially, it can sound severe, even offensive to modern ears. His warnings about women, nuns, relatives, and young companions may appear to reflect suspicion toward persons rather than wisdom about the spiritual