PHILOKALIA MINISTRIES

The great tragedy in community life is not open rebellion. It is partial obedience. A man obeys when it suits him. He obeys when the commandment seems reasonable. He obeys when it does not wound his pride. And he tells himself that he is obedient. But the fathers speak more brutally. Eighty percent obedience is simply self-will wearing the clothing of humility. This is why Archimandrite Zacharias Zacharou speaks with such severity. Obedience is not merely a response to a supe