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Geronda Ephraim, the former abbot of Philotheou Monastery and the founder of Saint Anthony’s Monastery, who lived the ascetical life and fell asleep in the Lord in Arizona, appeared to a woman in Northern Greece who at the time was together with her daughter-in-law. At the time of the appearance this woman was not asleep, but in a state of wakefulness. At a certain moment, the woman entered into a state of ecstasy, which lasted about ten minutes, as her daughter-in-law who was watching her related.
The woman herself did not know how long the vision lasted. This was something new for her (i.e., the content of their conversation was unlike any of their previous conversations; for after Geronda’s repose she had seen him several times, both in her sleep and while awake), and for this reason she was astonished and called her spiritual father, in order to ask if what she had seen was delusion or reality.
She saw Geronda Ephraim, who was very sad and who was imploring Christ concerning the coming tribulations—things which certainly correspond with the things Geronda spoke about while he was in this life. And he told her:
“Repentance! Repentance! Christ is very angry. We people today should not be in the spiritual state in which we find ourselves. Great evils are coming—you cannot imagine how evil. Alas, what awaits you! Repent as long as there is time. Get on your knees and weep; shed tears of repentance so that perhaps Christ will soften. This also has to do with what is happening in America. Many people will depart through all that is coming, many people will depart [i.e., they will die]. You are not merciful toward one another, you do not have mercy. You are harsh. One person will devour the other. Tell these things to your spiritual father and to others.”
The woman who saw this vision was a spiritual daughter of Geronda Ephraim for many years, and was in communication with him until his repose. It is authentic and verified.
Another bought and paid for Trump bad, Biden good subliminal ad–probably by the Office of the Vicar of GOA, the deputy Biden campaign manager. Sorry, I am not buying any of this hocus pocus from the Ephraimites.
That you would call it “hocus pocus” demonstrates how little experience you have with them. If you knew them, you would see by their actions, that they don’t pay attention to the likes of Biden. If they did, they wouldn’t have kept their doors open during Holy Week when the rest of us were shut down because of COVID. The last time I heard this sort of “hocus pocus” from them is when they were stocking up on staples and talking about a recession. This was in 2006.
You know who is tight with Biden, though? The Ecumenical Patriarchate and it is the Ecumenical Patriarchate that it is rumored they are leaving.
You really need to get out there, yourself. It’s a trip to be among them, as they live in a whole other reality. They pray for our country, don’t get me wrong, but they live in a world that will remain the same regardless of who is president.
They are worried about us. They are concerned that the “Church,” the cloak we drape around our shoulders, is beginning to wear thin, because we are not able to attend services.
To be Orthodox requires you to be in Church so the grace can wash over you. This grace is what sanitizes and protects us from the rest of the world. We’re wandering around out here in threadbare clothes. They see how it is changing us and it concerns them.
They have a powerful weapon, though. They pray and I don’t know if you have ever asked them to pray for you before, but I’m telling you, it’s something to see. Next time you get yourself into a box, drop them a note and a few bucks and ASK them to pray for you. This “hocus pocus” will seem a LOT more real.
very well said, Gail.
Speaking for myself, I well remember that I was first skeptical of the Ephraimite movement back in the late 90s. Then I went to a service (Holy Archangels back in 1998 I believe). Impressed but still withheld judgment. But then beginning in the Aughts and continuing on until recently, have made about nine pilgrimages total.
American, I would ask you to go and inspect for yourself.
The monastics attached to the monasteries of Elder Ephraim are not fond of being referred to as “Ephraimites” or “the Ephraimite movement.” It is a term that has often been used in a derogatory sense.
Point taken. Henceforth I will refer to them as “Athonites” (Although that may go by the wayside as Mt Athos seems to be wavering.)
I agree, a lot of people were (and mostly still are) unfamiliar with the Athonite monastic life. Even though it may seem some of the larger monasteries are wavering due to probably reasons we will never know, no matter what is said in any media format. We are called on to pray in love, humility, and piety.
You are correct, George. I never thought I’d witness some of the un-Orthodox things coming out of certain Athonite monasteries. This is what happens after decades of Bart driving out devout patristic monks, and replacing them with modernist sycophants.
You lost me, even before “and a few bucks”. I don’t want a monastic life or to led by “spiritual fathers” who are unchecked except by their notion of God. I live in a parish and I want a vibrant parish life with a solid parish priest. That’s my world, not the Desert.
Who gave the Ephraimites permission to call themselves Athonites? The 20 plus entities comprising Athos? Or did he/they just usurp the “brand”? Who audits his treasury? Who holds them accountable? How do I know who they are and where they come from, that they are not money launderers, drug and sex traffickers, and the like? ( like many monastic scandals of the past?).
Again, for me, there is just too much “hocus pocus” in their history and in practice. Through the decades, I have observed the “ecstasy” and cult-like speech and actions of many adherents, especially the old Greek ladies who end up leaving them their homes as inheritance. More questions than answers. I recently mentioned to someone who was nothing spiritually , or identifiablely, as to a religion, to go easy. He went from nothing to a beard to his chest and acting like a Desert Father. More hocus pocus, as I see it. Religiosity is a marathon not a sprint, except in very, very selective cases that prove out decades later.
I will not visit Arizona except to play golf with my buddy in Tucson, nor will I contribute to any “special offering tray” for any visiting Ephraimite or Athonite in the future. Prince Phillip and Prince Charles and all their celebrity followers can do that for me.
You want to see the face of God? You will see it in the face of God in the 88 year woman living alone in a small apt in an urban big city setting eating pet food because she is living on $800 a month and still lights a candle with a dollar every Sunday ( yes we have those). Taking them a box of groceries and leaving $50 bucks in cash is Christ in front of me. I don’t need to rush out to Arizona to kiss hands and butts.
I will give you all the Ephraimites and the Athonites as an early Christmas present. Merry Christmas! (or is that too Protestant?)
It’s not “too Protestant.” It’s very “GOA,” though. – Be careful about assuming YOU’RE the only one doing the giving and to whom you are bragging about it. Because if you knew the truth, it might embarrass you.
“American” it is difficult to evaluate monasteries properly because our bishops do not seem to care enough. In that case the over site will be lax or non-exisistent. Your concerns may be valid. Or the Ephamite monastary may have cultural accretions that do not fit for you or offend you (I have that reaction sometimes) but monasticism remains the heart of Orthodox spirituality. The Church without it is akin to the fact that Protestants do not have the priesthood. Consider the dynamics and consequence of that.
Abbott Tryphon out on Vashon Island, WA may be a better alternative for you. He seems to live an authentic monastic life in a quite American manner.
ALL I KNOW IS ,I am a fallen person .I ask God to help but end up sliding to and from like the drunk I am wondering were the true light will come .I have been cursed by my own hand.I have spoken cursefully been to proud of everything worldly. The Father’s are not as you say .Like most thing it would be easy to tear something apart in hope you will find some Evil miss guided Priest.For sure they are sinners who know it and carry a heavy burden both personally and professionally before they deside on that life they spend years in preparation.I have been to mass at St Anthonys and certainly was glad to worship and receive sacraments. I never saw any hocus pocus. SOMETIME gossip is just that. I live in that desert and would be hard pressed to find parish close to my home. The Monastery I watched be built,Took me 20 more years before I drove over their. Another 5 before I knelt down and thank God for it.
I read your reply with great interest. I’m a member of a GOA parish in Connecticut, and I can’t agree more about where one truly sees Christ. I have been fully convicted by God that’s where my efforts and spiritual work need to be, evidenced by my commitment to helping others in that same situation.. beyond that, I just stick with the basics and try to be faithful to the faith.
To remain faithful to the Faith, one must accept the Tradition of the Church. Monasticism is part of that Tradition.
It seems as if the two of you are saying you see no value in monasteries but by “sticking to the basics,” you remain ignorant of an important aspect of our Tradition. Why not go and investigate? What could it hurt? George and I will go with you!
Truly.
” Through the decades, I have observed the ‘ecstasy’ and cult-like speech and actions of many adherents, especially the old Greek ladies who end up leaving them their homes as inheritance.”
Matthew 20:15, “Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?”
“You want to see the face of God? You will see it in the face of God in the 88 year woman living alone in a small apt in an urban big city setting eating pet food because she is living on $800 a month and still lights a candle with a dollar every Sunday ( yes we have those). Taking them a box of groceries and leaving $50 bucks in cash is Christ in front of me. ”
Matthew 6:1-4.
“I recently mentioned to someone who was nothing spiritually , or identifiablely, as to a religion, to go easy. He went from nothing to a beard to his chest and acting like a Desert Father. More hocus pocus, as I see it. Religiosity is a marathon not a sprint… ”
Sounds a lot like jealously and excuses. Overall, you come as the type who’d have been insulting Christ Himself for the cult like behavior of His followers, leaving their families and property behind, and not being very respectable Jewish/Roman members of society.
Gail, beautifully said, thank you.
“Another bought and paid for Trump bad, Biden good subliminal ad–probably by the Office of the Vicar of GOA, the deputy Biden campaign manager. Sorry, I am not buying any of this hocus pocus from the Ephraimites.”
Trump has promoting the vaccine pretty hard lately; the price for being allowed his 2nd term may be to force it upon the nation, which would be ideal for the Globalists, since the part of the population most likely to resist would accept it easier from a Republican President.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-12i4mIBco
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFa_KEqr9hs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgmD41eDk9A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F3-zCUw8mQ
Yeah, I’m not hopped up about that.
Seriously though, I would LOVE to be a fly on the wall watching the back-stage negotiations between POTUS and the Globalists going on right now.
If on January 20 DJT is still President, I plan to barrage him and Senator Ron Johnson with lots of info about vaccines. It would help to get that 1986 legislation overturned so producers of vaccines are liable in court and the present financial incentives to billionaire vaccinemakers are stripped away…No checks and balances to the passion of greed presently, so no wonder prophylaxis and early treatment for COVID are not funded or even allowed to be shared and the most caring and altruistic physicians are being reviled. Lifesitenews got its first strike from YouTube due to a nonPC story about COVID so is now off YouTube for a week and posting on Rumble.
“Hocus Pocus” a term used to make fun of the Christians who believed bread and wine were the body and blood of Christ.
Hoc est corpus meum, or “This is my body.”
There is no partisan political message by the elder except possibly in reference to a political divide by the people. Personally I think it’s about the internal schisms that are happening and will happen due to the EP and his actions. America is multijurisdictional so the Church will suffer here worse than the others though they too must choose
Abbot Tryphon: What must we do when we feel broken? https://blogs.ancientfaith.com/morningoffering/2020/11/broken-3/
So I guess this means that Biden wins? Or, the evils will still happen even if Trump gets into office? Maybe the prophesies of St. Paisios are coming to pass with a great war with China
Global/mainstream Orthodoxy has officially jumped the shark. “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”
Memory Eternal to Patriarch Irinej of Serbia, may God grant him admittance into His Kingdom, and may Patriarch Irinej pray to God for us
May God rest his soul !
And may God grant forgiveness to all the “courageous” and “freedom-loving” faithful of Montenegro who did not wear masks 3 weeks ago at the burial of Metropolitan Amfilohije and lovingly infected their Patriarch
https://youtu.be/jpfFOlDjr1c?t=934
They also infected several other bishops who were present; it possible that even the Albanian Archbishop got it from there, via the Metropolitan Andoni of the Albanian Orthodox Church who was present in Podgorica.
ApS, surely you can’t be serious. Did you see all those 10s of 1000s in NYC last week out there “partying like it’s 1999” when Creepy Joe was announced as victor? Or the myriads who rioted non-stop for four solid months in the US to mourn St George Floyd?
Please, compare apples to apples. Say Sweden (no lockdown) with Finland (lockdown).
When he puts his telescope to his blind eye,
he sees no ships…
Sorry, but comparing the Podgorica situation to the meetings in NYC is comparing apples with oranges.
First, as one can see from the video, the liturgy in Podgorica was inside.
Second, in Podgorica there was a 90-year old with underlying heart disease present, and several other older people with multiple health problems. He HAD to be there. And he and several others tested positive 3 days afterwards. So it is clear they got infected there. I doubt there were many 90-year olds with heart problems present at the meetings in NYC. Third, the 90-year old Patriarch had to serve the entire liturgy and burial service and thus could not wear a mask. It was the Christian duty of the faithful to wear masks in order to protect him. Instead, everybody and their brother was speaking loudly in his face, without a mask, thus exposing him to very large viral doses. Seeing him in the midst of all these shouting people I could not stop thinking of Isaiah 53:7
And fourth, you are setting a very low bar for Orthodox Christians by comparing them to the room-temperature-IQ morons who were shouting like animals to celebrate China’s victory in the US elections.
The people of Montenegro kept the faith and resisted successfully heavy Muslim and Communist oppression. And it is very sad to see that their belief in anti-mask Facebook propaganda was stronger than their love and desire to protect their elderly Patriarch.
Scorilo, the man was 90 years-old. The average life expectancy is 73.9 in that country. Your anger is misplaced.
He could have become infected up to 14 days prior. So where he got it isn’t at all clear.
He did not have to be there. He chose to be there.
There are MANY people with heart issues in NY. It’s the number one cause of death in this country! If someone lives to 90, it’s almost a certainty they have something wrong with them.
RE: “The 90-year old Patriarch had to serve the entire liturgy and burial service and thus could not wear a mask.” You say that like you think that because he was not able to wear a mask, it made him vulnerable. Masks are worn to protect the people around you. They are not designed to protect the one wearing it.
It’s possible that the patriarch had COVID and the virus that infected him spread to the people talking into his face. Not assigning blame. Just stating facts. COVID did not hit him hard all at once, as it does some people. He struggled with it for awhile until his heart gave out. – It’s a virus and yet your are ascribing blame to people.
You believe strongly that masks are pivotal in determining who will live and who will die (that propaganda), but this patriarch felt no compunction to hide himself away or wear a mask. He did not operate out of fear. He, correctly, placed his faith in God (not a mask) and knew that God would take him at the appointed time. He wasn’t a victim of “FB anti-mask propaganda”! He was the opposite of a victim! He was courageous. He lived on his own terms until God took him.
Masks do protect the wearer as well. The RN95/KN95 ones more than the surgical ones. But they may be hard to wear when serving. Though some clergy do.
Both the patriarch and at least another bishop got sick there. Everybody in the Serbian synod knows this, this is why today at the Patriarch’s burial a very small fraction of the Serbian synod participated. And the Russians sent Metropolitan Hilarion Alfeyev who has gotten the Russian vaccine and has antibodies.
Coronavirus aside, I do not think the Patriarch had a choice. If he had not gone it would have been interpreted as an insult to the Montenegro faithful and a repudiation of Met. Amphilochius’ legacy. And the anti-church faction in Montenegro would have used this as ammunition in their push towards an “Ukrainian solution.”
I agree with you that what the patriarch did was heroic. He knew full well the coronavirus situation, and he knew that the people in Podgorica were not going to do anything to avoid exposing him (and most likely killing him). But not going was not an option. So he went, like a lamb to the slaughter, and ended up giving his life for his flock.
Just a comment on life expectancy. I assume the age given of 74 refers to life expectancy at birth. Life expectancy changes the longer you live, e.g. a person who made it to 90 would have a life expectancy of perhaps 95 (I used statistics from a different country but I’d guess Serbia isn’t much different). So you might say a preventable disease robbed the patriarch or any other 90-year-old COVID victim of 5 years of life. In any case statistics don’t mean much in an individual case. I just find invoking life expectancy in these kinds of discussions problematic for many reasons.
By this logic, someone who reaches 100 could expect to live another X number of years, and so and so on.
As you increase in age, your life expectancy in years decreases, not increases. Only 4.7% of the population IN THE WORLD are over age 90! My grandmother lived to be 103 (only 1% makes it over 100).
COVID is a virus. Unless the patriarch spent his life in seclusion, he could have gotten it from anyone, even from someone wearing a mask! No scientific journal says wearing a mask prevents COVID. They all say the same thing, almost word for word: “. . .face masks combined with other preventive measures, such as frequent hand-washing and social distancing, help slow the spread of the virus, not stop it.”
I can’t imagine this patriarch would think it was spiritually profitable for us to talk about him being “robbed” of an even LONGER life by a particular group of people because they didn’t wear masks. It is not spiritually profitable to harbor ill feelings toward your brothers and sister in Christ. Read Matthew 5:22-26. Please, for you own sake, let go of the anger.
Having said that, I’m incredibly sorry for your loss and frankly our loss, for Patriarch Irinej was one of the few we could count on to stand up and speak the truth on behalf of the entire Church. He was loved by all and I know he is saying prayers for us as we speak. He has not left us.
Memory eternal.
Indeed, while the life expectancy at 90 is 94, life expectancy at 100 is 102. For the US. (https://www.ssa.gov/oact/STATS/table4c6.html) If someone is new to actuarial life tables, they might find this curious. But there is no absurdity when understood properly.
My comment was directed at what one might say (that is, what is mathematically defensible) about life expectancy when using it in a discussion, as you did replying to aps. As I said further in my comment, I don’t like to! I think it’s inappropriate, and I take it from your reply to me that we agree on that.
As such, I was careful in my wording that any (statistically) stolen years are due to a preventable illness, not a person. I assure you I harbor no anger or ill feelings towards my brothers and sisters. Clearly the patriarch lived as he wished.
Thanks, James.
I would argue that COVID is not preventable from the standpoint that we do not have a mechanism to stop it from infecting human beings. A better description might be “avoidable to the degree that you are able to interfere with it’s transmission”. That said, it is certainly survivable, although the odds of surviving decrease dramatically after age 80.
I’m glad to hear you harbor no ill feelings toward whoever it was that had the virus that was then passed to the patriarch. I believe I confused you with one of other our other readers. My apologies.
The actuary table was very interesting. I’ve heard about them but have never seen one. It would seem that these numbers would hold out assuming you had nothing life threatening wrong with you that would shorten your life in the immediate future. So if at age 89 you were given 6 months to 2 years to live due to a cancer diagnosis, these numbers probably wouldn’t hold true. Is that the thinking?
Thank you and God bless you my sister. I know you deal with all sorts in these comments and, given that, I’m impressed with your prolific throughput and open-heartedness. I like your choices of words.
You hit on one of the reasons I think bringing up life expectancy is problematic, applied to an individual. If you’re responsible for setting premiums on life insurance then you only have to make sure you’re making money, on average. But knowing that the odds of some disease are 1 in 10,000 is no comfort when you find yourself being that 1.
Thank you, James.
Let us also not forget that there is an attendant –and deliberate–hysteria associated with this virus. Which, lest we forget, has a mortality rate of 0.26%
This is by design.
That many Christians have bought into it and –worse–are blaming other Christians for the death of a bishop, is reprehensible.
Perhaps also “morbidity and mortality avoidable” Gail?
George and Gail,
Above I have made my last COVID post for awhile since every person if he or she chooses can keep up with good info on prevention, early treatment and even hospitalization protocols from AAPS and IFM at the links given earlier…Just want Americans to have access to what other countries do to a greater degree and for all to be as healthy and well as possible. Please be aware that because of financial incentives/corporate greed (tech, media, politics, government, pharma, medicine), censorship is greater here in the US than most places in the world ~ as is the death rate from COVID.
I do NOT believe and am NOT saying that most involved in serving these industries even have a clue that this is true (so sad) because the psychological approaches hide the truth by omission or distortion and use fear tactics which divert blood from the prefrontal cortex to the amygdala, thus blocking good thinking. So am praying all will be enlightened and get full information to make good personal decisions about their health and that a good administration will allow freedom of speech, press, information, religion at a minimum. And that the egregious laws will be changed so that Big Pharma cannot advertise directly and Big Everything cannot profit from vaccines for which they have ZERO accountability.
The links I provided in the earlier email are from old-school brilliant superbly-trained physicians with beneficent intent making sacrificial efforts to care for patients and to respect colleagues and patients in a sadly hostile environment engineered to divide and harm. Thank God for them. Reminds me of Georgetown Med School in the 80’s, a beautiful way to practice medicine.
Love in Christ to all,
Nicole
James, indeed you are spot on. I spent 45 years in the life insurance business. Mortality tables are always based on the law of large numbers and, as you say, trying to apply them to an individual life in less than optimal conditions is beyond meaningless.
One thing I learned is that we have no control over individual outcomes.
It’s. The. Flu.
. . . the Chicken Little act notwithstanding.
Misha if it’s the “Flu”, it’s on steroids for the vulnerable. I’m glad at least some physicians are braving the Media blackout and offering the preventatives and early treatment at home protocols through http://www.aapsonline.org for the vulnerable.
anonimus per whatever,
No, No, absolutely No!
This type of thinking comes from the devil.
Do you realize that you are accusing faithful Orthodox Christians of killing their own Patriarch?
Our lives are in God’s hands. His alone. Whatever happens to me is what God allows. If I get sick, it is for my own salvation. If I die, it is God’s will. How can I blame my neighbor for what God allows?
This is just a trick of the devil to cause fear, anger, judgement and hatred among the faithful. Don’t fall for it!
Sorry, but your understanding of God as a cosmic tyrant who slaps sickness and death on us because it is his will, is closer to the Muslim view of God than to the Christian one.
God has given us freedom. If I kill somebody by mis-using my freedom I cannot deny my responsibility by saying that it was “God’s will”.
God allows things to happen. He doesn’t abdicate responsibility. He, alone, has providence over life and death. Why do people survive plane crashes or fatal jumps from bridges or devastating accidents. One of my recent houseguests was pulled out from under this: https://physicsfootnotes.com/footnotes/hyatt-regency-collapse/
No one knows how or who pulled her from the rubble because it frankly wasn’t possible, given where she was. He asked her to put her arms around his shoulders, but that wouldn’t have been possible if the rubble hadn’t been removed. So I ask you: How do YOU think that happened?
God can make a miracle whenever He chooses. And He does it all the time.
But God is not a magician. He does not break the laws that He set to govern creation just because somebody tempts Him.
So jumping from the airplane without a parachute in the hope that God will make a miracle and save us is not recommended. Despite the fact that – by God’s mercy – some people survive.
Similarly, more than 100 people shouting and spitting droplets in the face of a 90-year old is not recommended, especially given the Montenegro rate of coronavirus infection.
Of course God could have made a miracle and saved the Patriarch. But irrespective of whether He did or did not, this does not excuse those who infected the Patriarch of their irresponsible behavior.
You know what is normal, Scorilo? A 90-year-old man dying of something.
But if you want to ascribe blame and pass judgment on a group of people you don’t even know, having no possible way of determining who gave what to whom, then you go ahead and do it but you’re not going to do it here. We’re done with this conversation.
Gail, not sure where to put this but hoping everyone will copy and paste below and send to your physician in the US whose information flow may be censored more than that of physicians in any other country (unprecedented)! Tragic results for the elderly and vulnerable especially NOT to have access to this information. The vulnerable who follow these protocols have fared far better from doing so.
PROTOCOLS: PREVENTIVE & EARLY OUTPATIENT TREATMENT OF COVID
1. https://c19protocols.com/ : (See headings at top of page as well) COVID 19 protocols for prevention, early outpatient treatment, and in-hospital treatment from http://www.aapsonline.org
2. COVID patient guide (available for purchase/donation at http://www.aapsonline.org updated 10.28.2020
3. US Senate Committee November hearing on the Early OutPatient Treatment of COVID as essential part of a solution:
https://aapsonline.org/the-most-important-senate-hearing-ever/. Fascinating and convincing. The opposition expert had never treated a COVID patient. Please ignore the vaccine statements there by politicians and focus on the physicians’ testimonies. (US politicians: President Trump STOPPED taking prophylactic (preventive) HCQ (hydroxychloroquine) after media blow up and about 2 months later contracted COVID. Ben Carson never took anything preventive.)
4. Best physician website to keep up https://aapsonline.org. The American Association of Physicians & Surgeons. Jeremy Snavley is the business manager and moderator of their websites and is very helpful.
RECOMMENDATIONS FROM IFM on COVID:
Institute of Functional Medicine advice on COVID:
https://www.ifm.org/news-insights/the-functional-medicine-approach-to-covid-19-virus-specific-nutraceutical-and-botanical-agents/
https://www.ifm.org/news-insights/functional-medicine-approach-covid-19-additional-research-nutraceuticals-botanicals/
https://www.ifm.org/news-insights/world-covid-19/
APS,
Tanya and Gail are right. Who cursed mankind to experience death and perishability (decay, etc., in a fallen world), praytell?:
* * *
Genesis 3:17-22
17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;
19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
20 And Adam called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.
21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
22 And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever.
* * *
God Himself cursed man to death and to suffer in a fallen world as a perishable creature. It was His will, not that of the devil. Perhaps only the saints can forgive Him for it and it takes a strong person to face it, but that is the truth no matter what nonsense modernists might spew to the contrary. Same people reject God’s holy wrath.
I’ve heard the same tack from modernist priests (OCA, not ROCOR). The clergy has sunk sooooooo low since the end of the 19th century. Part of it is just spiritual corruption. Part of it is the false Gospel spread in the West after the world wars re: “Gentle Jesus, meek and mild”, a sort of Christian Gandhi and God reimagined as a projection of “the Good” as they understand it in humanistic terms.
Christ was nothing like that and Yahweh isn’t either. And Christ IS Yahweh. The difference between Him and the Muslim false god, Allah, is not the presence of wrath and violence but the absence of love. Our God’s love is breathtaking in that forgiveness and deification are open to all and, in a certain sense, He is Love. It’s just that finite creatures that we are we cannot appreciate fully what Love is.
God allows evil, glitches in the Program initiated by the fallen will of men and angels, and works out these glitches for the good. The Why is far, far above our pay grade.
“But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”
[Gen 2:17 KJV]
Despite having been warned, Adam and Eve ate of the tree. Thus they condemned themselves to suffering and death. The lesson to be learned from this (which lesson their descendants still have trouble grasping) is: “Actions have consequences.”
Don’t blame God.
Perhaps this is God’s mercy—shortening the days for some and preparing others for what is to come.
The only accusations that need to be made are against the PRC and those who facilitated/are facilitating her murderous rampage.
I don’t agree with anti-maskers, but accusing faithful Christians of killing their hierarch is very much below-the-belt. Take it from someone who has been there—you can take all the “precautions” in the world, but at this point, if it’s going to get you, it’s going to get you. Whatever the apparent outcome in this life, God will provide and bless in His own way. Look beyond the immediate tragedy and somehow things seem to “fit.”
It is a matter of probabilities. Roughly one person wearing a mask reduces the transmission by a factor of 10, and both wearing masks reduces by a factor of 100 (precise numbers depend on mask type, ventilation, etc) Furthermore, those who do get infected get a lower dose, so get a milder version.
Of course, even with everybody wearing masks the patriarch could have gotten sick and could have died. But this does not mean one should not have tried reducing his risk.
The main problem is that the “faithful” Christians in Podgorica had more faith in Facebook anti-mask propaganda than in whatever the Church teaches. You can see that their anti-mask position is quasi-religious, because to first approximation NOBODY was wearing a mask.
Compare this with the faithful in Belgrade at today’s liturgy, ( http://spc.rs/eng ) they seem much less affected by this anti-mask pseudo-religious ethos.
You don’t get out much, do you? https://principia-scientific.com/why-wont-anyone-publish-the-danish-mask-study/?fbclid=IwAR0bYPETE1j_ZoxW4t8pqSKJOuxRyjngMGUEoNGo3cxEiFuyk16fGI0eozY
Thank you, Gail.
It was a good article. Thank YOU.
In that case, we won the lotto. Superball, Powerball, whatever it is.
Our precautions were over-the-top, a veritable Hazmat suit compared to those sh*tty cloth masks people are peddling on every street corner now.
Anon, are you familiar with the Danish mask study?
Nope, I just crawled out of my cave this morning 🙂
I am familiar with several others studies as well
https://www.bmj.com/content/370/bmj.m3223
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11606-020-06067-8
I have also talked to some physics researchers who studied the way RN/KN95 masks work, and how to sew a washable mask with the right shape and the right materials to reproduce the filtering properties of RN95 masks.
However, I doubt all these details will make any difference to those who have adopted the “masks do not work” ethos, and who view all reality through this filter.
Clearly then, you are not familiar of some of the diseases that are caused to many by wearing the masks?
Here’s a tale of how a mask nearly killed a 4 year old.
And if it can do it to him, it can do it to anyone…
https://principia-scientific.com/covid-insanity-mask-wearing-almost-kills-4-year-old/
sure, I heard many things, including
1 . masks are made from plastic made from oil. When exposed to body heat they releases harmful petrochemicals which poison your lungs/give you lung cancer
2. the mask metal bar above the nose is a 5G antenna which attracts 5G radiation which causes brain cancer
3. mask restrict the flow of air reduces brain oxygenation which destroys your brain cells. Thus, wearing a mask makes you become “like a vegetable” (this one was even spread around the internet by a monk on Mount Athos)
Given that surgeons who are wearing masks several hours a day when operating have not been mowed down in great numbers by mask-induced lung cancer or mask-5G-induced brain cancer and did not look like vegetables last time when I saw one, I tend to have my doubts.
Masks don’t work. See the study George posted. There’s literally no argument anymore.
Additionally, if we’re to believe the surging, inflated and politicized COVID numbers right now then isn’t it obvious social distancing and masks aren’t working?
Lastly, politicians threatening the world with fear in order for your family to stay distant and scared, and hidden from each other, while militantly supporting anal sex, child genital mutilation, youth ‘sex work,’ abortion, the shutting down of churches AND martial law have zero credibility. You believe them?
Forgive me, maybe the pandemic is over:
https://www.zerohedge.com/medical/pandemic-over-former-pfizer-chief-science-officer-says-second-wave-faked-false-positive
It is over, AnonII. However, that doesn’t mean that “it” is over. If anything, wherever the Left rules (or the cuck-Right), you can be certain that lock-downs and other unnecessary restrictions will continue to take place.
The question then becomes, how much will the people tolerate? How quickly will they rise up?
They won’t rise up. Society is in a state of psychological trauma and abulia, brought about by years of alchemical processing through the media. The will to resist is gone for most people.
I understand this of what you are saying! And it saddens me to ! And there is nothing I can do about it! Just pray and fast!
May the Holy Spirit guide them. It does raise a significant question: the nature and extent of obedience in the Church.
It is not an easy or comfortable conversation because one thing it is not is “following orders”!
I am an obstreperous soul and a contrarian but obedience seems to be the golden path. Most of the time it is far more simple than I make it.
But, I have a Bishop I love, trust and can communicate with. He makes it much easier even when I disagree.
We are each and all called to obedience and, being an incarnate faith, that means obedience to specific people in specific situations.
I am not arrogant enough to instruct anyone else other than to say when I have been obedient with an honest heart, even in disagreement, I have been blessed abundantly. Those were in much more personal situations however.
I do not expect any answers here, I just want to raise the question and pray that our good and merciful God will guide us.
How to make a country great again: 10 thoughts of Metropolitan Onouphry
http://orthodoxwitness.org/how-to-make-a-country-great-again-10-thoughts-of-metropolitan-onuphry/
This is sobering and serious. Ignore it at your own peril. These monks are the real deal and they don’t mess around or crave any worldly recognition. This is an act of spiritual love and responsibility on their part to publish this. I pray that I may wake out of my own personal stupor of sin and properly repent. Please pray for me.
Mike
I’m conflicted re: Elder Ephraim. He had visions, or entertained visions, justifying New Calendarism. That makes him suspect since there is no justification for New Calendarism, only a disagreement about how bad it is.
Elder Ephraim left the Phanariotes for the Russian Church Abroad briefly in 1991 and wrote an interesting and more or less accurate defense of his new digs at that time. Visions of the eucharist transformed into raw meat and blood on the altar to “prove” the legitimacy of New Calendarist mysteries provoke doubt. God is not in the habit of granting genuine visions to transgressors in repudiation of those clearly more righteous.
“Hocus pocus” has an interesting etymology. It is a reference to supposed superstition based on a corruption of the words of institution in the Roman Catholic Mass: Hoc est enim corpus meum. Thus, it is referring to the Real Presence as a superstition.
PS: “Abra Cadabra” is based on the Aramaic for “Create what I speak.”
“That makes him suspect since there is no justification for New Calendarism”
St. Joseph the Hesychast also faced the dilemma as to whether or not to celebrate with those on the new calendar. He ultimately discerned that the new calendar is not without grace. Having said that, I believe when they cut ties with Bart and Elpi, they will attach themselves to a jurisdiction on the old (true) calendar.
“He ultimately discerned that the new calendar is not without grace.”
That’s because they’re in communion with the Old Calendar churches, and the “Old Calendarists” aren’t (ROCOR always remained in communion with everyone, even if only indirectly through the Serbs), when and if that changes, pretty sure everyone will want to be on the Old Calendar side of things.
I don’t know what else I can do ! I wanted to find a place that is quiet and peaceful but not with alot of noises so i could pray in secret! And not be bothered by people! And i am finding out that i need to leave the internet alone because of the evil that it’s becoming more now than ever before! Years ago i didn’t have the internet to look things up and it was better before but not now ! I don’t like Facebook or any of the other social media sites! I have had a hard time trying to keep my focus on my prayer life! Than being on the internet! I am trying to overcome some lustful thinking! And other things that go along with it! But i found out that fasting it helps a whole lot more then i had thought originally! But i still need to pray more ! To keep the demons off of me ! I have started to get into the ascetical life more ! And it helps ! But i was told by another person that I need to find a monastery to help me out with my spiritual life! But i am not able to do that and because I am handicapped with some traces of aspbugrers and a bad back ! But i live alone ! I have always loved my god and wanted to be a monastic? But i don’t know where i could go for training? I am 56 years old and soon to be 57 on December the 25 ! I don’t know if you have any advice for me or not ?
Stay with us.
David, be of good cheer. Try https://blogs.ancientfaith.com/glory2godforallthings/
Perhaps you cannot owing to your back, but getting outside as much as possible helps me much . . . gardening, walking through woods, trips to the country, etc. It reminds me how wonderful it is to be alive. Every day when I feel the sun on my face, I think of its maker and thank him. I understand why the heathen worshiped the heavenly bodies; they really are glorious. How much more their creator and director.
David,
You might try:
~All-Merciful Saviour Monastery~ – A monastery of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (vashonmonks.com)
Holy Cross Monastery
I have been to Holy Cross and have corresponded on occasion with one of the leaders out West (it’s been years though). For vocations, you might try:
Home | Holy Trinity Monastery (jordanville.org)
Good Guys Wear Black | Discerning Your Vocation In The Orthodox Church — For Orthodox Christian Men Discerning A Vocation
I don’t know much about the “Good Guys” outfit but I’d heard of them and they have some interesting articles online.
Jordanville is excellent, it’s also our main seminary here and sometimes referred to simply as “the Lavra”. I knew a priest trained there who had been a street-person/homeless. He was dropped off by the city bus driver in front of the monastery because he’d been on the bus just riding with no place to go. They took him in, trained him to be a priest, found him a wife, etc. He reposed several years ago but was very beloved by his parish and in the wider church. Toward the end of his life, he developed Parkinson’s but served as long as he was physically able and even after that assisted at the altar.
Dear David,
You are now in my prayers and I ask for yours please! I too have back issues which changed my life. I am finally able to get in a swimming pool and paddle a bit now (and learned the Y offers sliding scale memberships in case that is an issue.) That helps me physically to get some endorphins and sleep better. Now that I can finally sit a bit again, I can go to Church and sit outside for awhile in the sun but everything else is changed. Joseph is so on target about being outside and in nature, just may be from a comfortable chair, I know. At least I hope. If you feel like it, please share what is doable and what is not for you.
Re the spiritual I rely on wonderful email lists from Orthodox priests/monks like Abbot Tryphon (whose monastery Misha mentions uptop for vashonmonks) He is also on Ancient Faith under “The Morning Offering” as Michael Bauman recommends. And I also found my spiritual father a few years ago from subscribing to his email list for a year and then asking him to be my SF. Father Demetrios Carellas or Papa Demetri who is now in Texas near St. Paraskevi monastery, glory to God. Please just google Orthodox Agape and tinyletter and hopefuly it will pop up, can’t figure out how to post the link. As Andonakis mentions, going to uplifting web sites is marvelous. Www.Orthodoxriver.org is one by a priest from Australian without any politic statements, just quotes from the Holy Fathers, which is very peaceful.
The Elder Ephraim monasteries are wonderful but sounds as if too far for you to visit at present? I so hope there is an Orthodox Church nearby if you are able to attend. That is my big car trip each week and the greatest blessing. So hope you can find a parish too for the healing of Christ in His Presence.
I also find great hope and encouragement in Fr Peter Heers’ online classes on Patreon and am viewing all three courses but on replay (not live) and how uplifting the “Truth of the Faith” for Inquirers and the Divine Liturgy Courses are, just awesome. The Fr Seraphim Rose course is excellent but activating and concerning given our present situation, so if you are trying to stay peaceful, the others are key. You might check these out too? His main site is http://www.orthodoxethos.com and for the courses please search for Patreon and Fr Peter Heers. Sorry I am technologically inept!
Now you are in the prayers of a lot of devout and loving folks on this blog, David, and I know every one of us would be grateful to be in your yours.
All the best in Christ,
Nicole
David, if getting to the monasteries is holding you back, let us get you there. What state are you living in? This is doable!!!!! It would help you and it would help us. Please reply…
David
I am a long time reader and have never posted but your letter was unique and it was brave to reach out. I hesitate to add my 2 cents as I am sure you will have heard it before. Joseph has already made some excellent points and the points I make I must remind myself to follow them also. Perhaps they may be of use. If not just remember your not struggling alone.
I just wanted to wish you well, it sounds like your going through a rough patch. Of course with this crazy world that is an easy thing to do.
The internet can definitely feed our fears and anxieties. If it is an issue I think limiting exposure is a good thing and try to look at primarily inspiring and things that uplift you. During this lockdown it is more important than ever to interact with friends and family. Call, write snail mails, meet with neighbors over a beer in the evening on the driveway if they won’t come over due to Covid. Volunteer. Help others less fortunate. Have a hobby or should I say more than one.
And know your not alone. We all suffer with anxiety, temptations, frustration etc. Life is not easy. It has its ups and downs and when we are down it can be difficult seeing the path. You said you want to pray in secret one does not need a monastery for that. One can sit on a park bench and have a prayer rope in the jacket pocket. Or even on a subway. Our Lord said to go to our room and shut the door and the Father who sees all will see us. Monasteries are wonderful oasis’ of prayer but one does not need to go there to encounter God.
I have benefited from the 55 Maxims of Fr Thomas. https://holycrossoca.org/newslet/0907.html
Lastly when one is struggling with temptation it is good to share your struggle with a trusted person. It lessens the load.
I will remember you in my prayers I pray you do the same.
Andonakis
Forgive me!
I have never replied to any blog posts before but feel I need to say something!
I’ve only recently started listening to Father Ephraim’s podcasts! In everything I’ve heard so far, he describes a God of immeasurable love and mercy for mankind! Yes, we have all been called to repentance from the time of St John the Baptist! This is nothing new!
What is new and alien is that Christ is angry! That is so different to the way we Orthodox Christians view God! Would God not have been angry when we hit, spat on and crucified Christ ! Yet what did He do? He pleaded for our forgiveness! He sent down the Holy Spirit and made our hearts the Holy of Holies , the sacred temple where we can meet with Christ!
We sin constantly, so we should turn our hearts towards Him constantly ( repent) and strive to make ourselves just a little worthy of that love that is so deep and divine ! The greatest evil that can befall us is to become distracted from the love of Christ and search from where in the world an earthly calamity will arise!
Our only fear should be to grieve our God who loves us so much!
We’ve seen Christ angry: Matthew 16:12, Matthew 16:23, Matthew 21:12.
God was angry all through the Old Testament to the point of wiping out all but one family. He often delivered Israel into the hands of their enemies due to their rebellion. He wiped out all but Lot’s family in Sodom and Gomorrah.
But this is righteous anger which differs from regular anger. Righteous anger is just; not harsh. It does not involve the passions.
I find it interesting that Elder Ephraim says, “Tell these things to your spiritual father and to others.” In other words, this message is not just meant for us. It is also meant for those who are accountable for us.
When he says, ” Many people will depart through all that is coming, many people will depart [i.e., they will die]” he may be talking about spiritual death, which is far worse than physical death. The Churches are still in lockdown and people are being turned away, possibly never to return again. This lockdown impacts the very salvation of others. It would make sense that Christ would be angry! There have been pandemics and plagues before, but the Church has never been shut down for the better part of a year. Did He not say, “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea”? (Matthew 18:6) A lot of “little ones” (new to the Faith) are falling through the cracks and evangelizing is all but impossible under the circumstances.
We people today should not be in the spiritual state in which we find ourselves. Of course, this also has to do with what is happening in America.
Look at the state of our Local Churches! The EP won’t call a Council to resolve the problem in Ukraine. The Russians are out of communion with the Greeks. For the EP to say they had their chance in Crete is not merciful. – Some of the other bishops need to soften their hearts, as well. They are being harsh with one another and are trying to “devour the other” by moving into one another’s territories.
Elder Ephraim may have said, “Tell these things to your spiritual father and to others” because he is talking to them! Great evils are coming. We see them even now. They are aborting full-term babies!
The being said, the rest of what you said was heartfelt and true. Thank you.
Gail, I hope each of us can find a priest/archimandrite who is a long-time spiritual son of Elder Ephraim who might know and be able to interpret him well. I cannot recall what the Holy Fathers have said specifically about God’s “anger” or “wrath” in the Old Testament but understand that we as Orthodox laity always defer to the more enlightened among us to interpret Holy Scripture — the Saints primarily in consensus. I know it is hard for me as a former Protestant to get out of the mindset that I am interpreting correctly and am always surprised and gratified by the very different understanding that the enlightened have to offer us “Corinthianians in need of St. Pauls” so to speak. I would love to hear how Archimandrite Paisios or Dositheos or the Abbot of Philotheou on Mt Athos might “unpack” his message to us for intended application. What little I have read suggests we are to repent for our own sins first, and then? Well I await their word on what else…Hope we will hear…
Memory eternal Father Ephraim! I wonder so many people in comments choosing sides on the election, and perhaps Fr Ephraim may not be talking about the election and instead on the hatred coming out from all peoples.
Lest we trust more in princes and men and not in God. How much love do we show those who we do not agree with, or even hate? Are we praying for them? What does the text of Fr Ephraim say?
“You are not merciful toward one another, you do not have mercy. You are harsh. One person will devour the other.”
This can be leveled at the neo-Bolsheviks as well as the right-American who thinks the US military needs to save the world and all communists should perish instead of turning from their ways and finding salvation with God!
Did Christ our Lord preach a prosperity gospel, or that His Kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36)? Are we to establish His kingdom through an election of the United States and start new Crusades? Of what then is the Cross and His sacrifice!?
Lest we forget Christ Jesus our God ignoring the great worldly issue of Judea and Samaria and where to worship – Jersusalem, or on the Mount – when speaking with St Photina at the well (Jn 4:19-21).
concordid:
Well said. I will add :
“But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.” Mt 5:22
Agreed. It’s also an indictment of our hierarchs. One of whom has caused schism in Ukraine by not acting in humility and without charity.
Thank you Father Paisios for the words of confirmation.
Portuguese Court Rules PCR Tests Unreliable & Quarantines Unlawful
Important legal decision faces total media blackout in Western world
https://off-guardian.org/2020/11/20/portuguese-court-rules-pcr-tests-unreliable-quarantines-unlawful/
They need to start looking at the viral load. For those who don’t know how this works:
Standard tests identify SARS-CoV-2 [COVID] infections by isolating and amplifying viral RNA using a procedure known as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which relies on multiple cycles of amplification to produce a detectable amount of RNA. If a positive signal isn’t seen after 37 to 40 cycles, the test is negative.
But samples that turn out positive can start out with vastly different amounts of virus for which the CT value provides an inverse measure. A test that registers a positive result after 12 rounds, for a CT value of 12, starts out with more than 10 million times as much viral genetic material as a sample with a CT value of 35.
https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/09/one-number-could-help-reveal-how-infectious-covid-19-patient-should-test-results
Yes, but the test cannot distinguish between RNA from a live virus which has infection potential and RNA from a dead virus which the immune system has chopped up and spat out. In that sense, tossing a coin is just as accurate.
Correct.
Then there’s the fact that last week, Elon Musk took the COVID-19 test four times. Twice he tested positive. Twice negative.
Riddle me that, Batman!
Australia has a spray!
“Australia to begin human tests of revolutionary anti-COVID nasal spray”
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/coronavirus/2020/11/22/australia-test-virus-nasal-spray/
Tomcats have sprays too… 🙂
We must weary of visions and dreams and should not “advertise” them. The message which was ‘delivered’ to this woman is given to us through the Holy Gospels and not necessary to be exploited by visions which only create chaos, division and controversy. We must return to the infallibility and safety of Holy Scriptures. Otherwise we are in danger of falling into deception, πλάνη, прелесть. Forgive me.
This message came from Father Paisios and he asked that it be shared. No one is “exploiting” anything.
The Holy Gospels are but part of our Holy Tradition. You might enjoy Fr. Whiteford’s book on Sola Scriptura. https://www.google.com/books/edition/Sola_Scriptura/5jUyAAAACAAJ?hl=en
Fr bless. You are correct in the main. However, as Gail has pointed out, Fr Paissios has asked us (and I’m sure others) to disseminate news of this vision.
I think we all can agree that we are living in extraordinary times. I for one, would be astonished if the Lord in His mercy, did not send a visitation from some as venerable as the late Elder Ephraim to exhort repentance. Or at the very least, to prepare us for upcoming horrors.
“This is the day the Lord has made! Let us Rejoice and be glad in it. ”
Let us remember that Christ is Risen, trampling down death by death.
In the face of all the death, disruption and depravity it can be difficult.
May everyone who reads this be uplifted and comforted through the mercy of our Lord.
Prof. Sucharit Bhakdi on Coronavirus, PCR Tests, Vaccines and Politics.
It’s an hour long interview. He explains what the virus is and how PCR tests work.
He castigates Governments and politicians for killing people. It’s rivetting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnpnBYgGARE
“[F]ederal courts have set precedent that mandating
experimental vaccines in the military is illegal.”
https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/former-officer-warns-military-pitfalls-covid-vaccine-mandate/?utm_source=salsa&eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=0cb081a7-64ba-4eeb-97b2-a70486bd965b
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-plasma/plasma-from-recovered-patients-shows-little-benefit-in-those-hospitalized-with-covid-19-study-idUSKBN2843AR
So are we back to square one with no (supposed) therapeutic agents?
I think we are all going to have to confront COVID: whether it’s through an mRNA vaccine, where a specific amino acid chain, or polypeptide, that later folds into an active protein is injected into us (causing symptoms strikingly similar to COVID, BTW, especially with the second dose), or being exposed to it outright.
Between the two, I’d rather get COVID, proper, but that’s just me.
Our stage in life and the particulars of our immune response will determine how well we do. Fortunately, the vast majority of us will survive.
This is news:
“The Georgian Orthodox Church has opened a new monastery in America.”
https://orthochristian.com/135726.html
This is OUR monastery that George and I have mentioned from time to time. They just made the move from Tulsa to Piedmont!!!! We are very excited about it.
You should host a Monomakhos get-together there sometime.
Great idea!
YES!!!!!
Gail, here is part 2 of Hieroschemamonk Nilus’ essay on “ The Appearance of Elder Ephraim and the anger of God”. Here he specifically alludes to the Saints’ interpretation of the Scriptural passages you mentioned earlier so please see what you think. And he’s in Decatur TX at the St. Arsenius Hermitage if you are ever on the way to Dallas and can see him there. One of my favorite refuges, monks, and Orthodox Patristic blogs…I thank God that he came here from St. Tikhon’s monastery, such a force for stability and harmony here. And God bless Metropolitan Isaiah for elevating him (if that’s the term) to HSM…So down to earth, kind, devoted to the Saints and perceptive. Of course don’t tell him I said that!
https://panagiaquicktohear.com/2020/12/04/the-appearance-of-elder-ephraim-and-the-anger-of-god-conclusion/
To remind people, this was the vision:
‘ “Repentance! Repentance! Christ is very angry. We people today should not be in the spiritual state in which we find ourselves. Great evils are coming—you cannot imagine how evil. Alas, what awaits you! Repent as long as there is time. Get on your knees and weep; shed tears of repentance so that perhaps Christ will soften. This also has to do with what is happening in America. Many people will depart through all that is coming, many people will depart [i.e., they will die]. You are not merciful toward one another, you do not have mercy. You are harsh. One person will devour the other. Tell these things to your spiritual father and to others.”
***
I previously said that he was talking about righteous anger with respect to Christ (zeal) which differs from regular anger. Righteous anger is just; not harsh. It does not involve the passions.
I stand by that and the author apparently agrees with me on that.
When Elder Ephraim purportedly said, “Tell these things to your spiritual father and to others.” I stand by saying this message was meant for those who are accountable for us, i.e. our bishops.
I stand by this, as well.
When Elder Ephraim says, ” Many people will depart through all that is coming, many people will depart [i.e., they will die]” I said he may be talking about spiritual death, which is far worse than physical death. The Churches are still in lockdown and people are being turned away, possibly never to return again. This lockdown impacts the very salvation of others. It would make sense that Christ would be angry! There have been pandemics and plagues before, but the Church has never been shut down for the better part of a year. Did He not say, “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea”? (Matthew 18:6) A lot of “little ones” (new to the Faith) are falling through the cracks and evangelizing is all but impossible under the circumstances.
I stand by this.
Now, Bartholomew is moving toward communion with Rome which the elder would have known. It is CHRIST’S Church that he intends to take with him! It is now obvious what was meant by, “Many people will depart through all that is coming, many people will depart [i.e., they will die].” Those who follow the patriarch will die outside the Church and he is absolutely talking about a spiritual death. When Elder Ephraim says, “Get on your knees and weep; shed tears of repentance so that perhaps Christ will soften,” he is talking to Bartholomew, his metropolitans, the Greek Church and every one connected to them, as well as to us here in America.
This is also what was meant by, “One person will devour the other.” Pope Francis will devour Patriarch Bartholomew.
As usual, eloquently spoken Gail.
I don’t want to depart from the spiritual message of the Elder’s prophecy (or your interpretation of it) but I must add something on a more mundane level: if Bartholomew thinks that there will be a place for two popes in the New World Order Religion which he is hastily ushering in, he will be gravely disappointed.
And sooner, rather than later.