Thursday, April 2, 2020

St. Porphyrios: "Your house can be a monastery, if you wish..."

An Orthodox Family that gathers in prayer and love at home (source)
  
"Your house can be a monastery, if you wish. There is no difference in this. It is sufficient for you to do what I am saying. It is not the place that makes the Monastery. It is the way of life. Go, pray, and have patience in everything...One can be in Omonia Square***, and there have a concentrated nous like he on Mount Athos. And one can be on Athos, and not have a concentrated nous, like he is in Omonia."
-St. Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia
  
(source)
  
***Note: Omonia Square in Athens is a busy and distracted square in Athens. Compare to Times Square in New York City. Of note, St. Porphyrios worked for many years in the Polyclinic of Athens right here, and proves that one can become a Saint anywhere.
  
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

3 comments:

Unknown said...

I am most gratified by this comment of the saint and I am in the pro ess of doing this very thing but in the line more of a hermit but also a monastic! I already feel great peace and joy with the Lord! Glory be to God!

Hermit Cell said...

I hope your journey as a monastic and a hermit is a wonderful path ,I currently travel such a road full of adventures and wish to serve in Charity and poverty.
God Bless you

Agioi_Anargyroi said...

May God bless, protect and guide all of us. It should be noted that St. Porphyrios always stressed the importance of obedience and having a Spiritual Father who will guide one on the straight path and away from delusion. Please make sure wherever you are and whatever path you may be taking in life, that we do so in obedience and with the blessing of our Spiritual Fathers.