Oblation!

  Here is BAV, Vat. Lat. 04770, or the Subiaco Missal (yes, that Subiaco, famed after St. Benedict's Monastery founded there), of about 1025. https://usuarium.elte.hu/book/1584/view https://digi.vatlib.it/view/MSS_Vat.lat.4770 If we turn to the section that has the Making of a Catechumen service, part of Baptism, specifically on pages 97v and r we find the Credo recited first in Greek (in transliterated Latin letters), and then in Latin. The transliterated Greek contains the Credo with simply "from the Father Proceeding". If you look on the next page, for the formally recited Latin text, it reads: " Et in Spiritum Sanctum, Dominum et Vivificantem, ex Patre Procedentem, Qui cum Patre et Filio simul adoratur et conglorificatur ." [" And in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Life-Giver, from the Father Proceeding, Who with the Father and the Son together is adored and glorified ."] This is another example of an uninterpolated Credal text in the Latin West prio...

Here’s a brief definition of each vice and its corresponding virtue: Vices of the Soul and Their Corresponding Virtues Forgetfulness - Remembrance of God : Forgetting spiritual truths vs. constantly recalling and honoring God’s presence. Laziness - Diligence : Lack of effort and care vs. persistent and careful work. Ignorance - Knowledge : Lack of awareness or understanding vs. seeking and valuing truth and wisdom. Other Vices of the Soul and Their Corresponding Virtues Impiety - Piety : Disrespect for the sacred vs. reverence and devotion to God. False Teaching - Orthodox Teaching : Spreading incorrect beliefs vs. adhering to and teaching true doctrine. Blasphemy - Praise of God : Speaking irreverently about God vs. honoring and glorifying God. Wrath - Gentleness : Intense anger vs. mildness and kindness. Anger - Calmness : Strong displeasure vs. tranquility and peace. Bitterness - Sweetness : Resentment and cynicism vs. pleasantness and kindness. Irritability - Patience : E...

 by  Metropolitan   ( then , Archimandrite)   Hierotheos (Vlachos) , St John of Damascus "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Be Merciful to me, a sinner" We have mainly five stages. This is, roughly, the course of the development of the Jesus Prayer ( or Prayer of the Heart ). Each stage has its own grace. 1.)      The reciting of the Jesus Prayer  Vocally . We repeat the Jesus Prayer with our lips while trying at the same time to focus our attention on the words of the prayer. 2.)      Then the nous (Greek, “mind”) takes the Jesus Prayer and says it noetically [ within, mentally or spiritually ]. Our whole attention is found again in the words but it is concentrated on the nous [the soul’s attention, the Eye of the soul]. When the nous gets tired then we start again to vocalize the prayer with the lips. After the nous has been rested we start again to concentrate our attention there. St. Neilos advises: Always remember God an...

The Threefold Good  

  https://www.stgregoryoc.org/st-columbanus/ Sermon III. How the monk should please God of St. Columbanus of Bobbio [+615]   1 What is the best thing in the world? To please its Creator. What is His will? To fulfil what He commanded, that is, to live rightly and dutifully to seek the Eternal; for duty and justice are the will of Him Who is dutiful and right. How do we reach this goal? By application. Then we must apply ourselves in duty and justice. What helps to maintain this practice? Understanding, which, while it winnows the remainder and finds nothing solid to rest in amongst those things which the world possesses, turns in wisdom to the one thing which is eternal. For the world will pass, and daily passes, and revolves towards its end (for what does it possess which it does not apportion to an ending?) and in a manner it is propped upon the pillars of vanity. But when an end of vanity is come, then it will fall and will not stand. But that it does not end is no ...

  Each monastery may have variations in their process, so it’s essential to communicate with the specific community you are interested in joining.   If you have any more questions or need further guidance, feel free to ask!   Abbey of the Holy Name 100 Abbey Lane West Milford, NJ 07480 – 3909 Tel:  (973) 838 – 8795 Contact:   His Eminence., Most Rev. Metropolitan JOHN Archbishop of New York and New Jersey chief hierarch, Autonomous Orthodox Metropolia of North & South America and British Isles e-mail:   metropjohn@gmail.com Website:   https://abbeyoftheholyname.org/   Conversion of St Paul Orthodox Hermitage and Mission Contact:  Hieromonk Boniface Lakeland, Florida Phone: (863) 701-6781 Website:   stpaulhermitage.com   Elevation of the Triumphant Cross Orthodox Monastery (Stavropegial Western Rite Monastery under H.B. Metr. John) 100 Lancaster Drive Welland, Ontario, Canada L3C 6M1 Contact:  H.G., ...

  An Orthodox Christian person, lay or ordained, who wishes to become a Benedictine oblate American Congregation of the Primitive Observance of the Order of St. Benedict within the Autonomous Orthodox Metropolia of North and South America and the British Isles , a Synod of the True Orthodox Church must: Be of upright character and have a sincere desire for spiritual advancement according to the Christian ideas set forth in the  Rule of St. Benedict . Not be an oblate of another monastery. Be an active member of your Orthodox parish and in good standing according to Church norms. Be, at least, 17 years of age. Male or female. Proof (copy) of Baptismal/Chrismation Certificate Request your parish priest to send a recommendation to the monastery you are applying to.   Becoming a Benedictine oblate involves several steps, each designed to help you integrate the principles of Benedictine spirituality into your daily lif...

  The Rule of St. Benedict emphasizes ten core values that guide the monastic and spiritual life. These values are: 1.      Love : Central to all Benedictine values is central to Christian Faith, love for God and others. 2.      Prayer : Regular and structured prayer as a foundation for spiritual life. 3.      Stability : Commitment to a particular community and place; as well as stability in your life and activities. 4.      Conversatio : Ongoing conversion and openness to growth. Dying to Self and arising through and in Christ daily. 5.      Obedience : Listening and responding to God’s will and the community. Steadfastly honoring your Oblation. 6.      Discipline : Self-control and order in daily life. Struggling with the ascetic life taught by the Orthodox Church: prayer, fasting, almsgiving (or hospitality) 7.      Humility ...

In imitation of the monastic vows, the Oblates make the promise to live their lives in the world disciplined by poverty, obedience, stability  and  conversatio morum (conversion of life). Oblates of Saint Benedict make promises to live their lives according to the values expressed in the Rule of Saint Benedict. Here’s how they incorporate these disciplines into their daily lives: 1.     Poverty : Oblates practice simplicity and detachment from material possessions. They strive to live with what is necessary and avoid excess, focusing on spiritual wealth rather than material wealth. 2.     Obedience : Oblates learn to listen to God’s call in all aspects of their lives. This involves meditative reading of Scripture, especially the Gospels, and frequent meditation on passages of the Rule of Saint Benedict. They apply the fruits of their meditation to everyday life, seeking to align their actions with God’s will. 3.     Stability : Oblates commi...

  Those in oblation, or oblates, are expected to integrate the principles of the Rule of St. Benedict into their daily lives while living outside the monastery. Here are some key expectations: 1.    Prayer and Worship : Oblates are expected to maintain a regular prayer life, including the Liturgy of the Hours, and participate in the sacraments as much as possible. 2.      Study and Reflection : They are encouraged to study the Rule of St. Benedict and other spiritual writings to deepen their understanding and practice of Benedictine spirituality. 3.    Community Involvement : Oblates should stay connected with their monastic community through regular meetings, retreats, and correspondence. 4.      Service and Work : They are expected to integrate the Benedictine motto “ Ora et Labora ” ( Pray and Work ) into their lives, balancing prayer with their daily work and responsibilities. 5.      Hospitality an...

  Why is this Orthodox Christian venue addressing such a Catholic thing as “Benedictine Oblates”?, you might ask!   You would be correct in referring to Benedictine Oblates as Catholic simply because, prior to the Great Schism (circa 1054 a.d.), the universal undivided Church then was referred to as the Catholic Church.   In Post Schism, the word Orthodox came into use to differentiate the Eastern Church from the heretical Western Church.   Therefore, not only was St Benedict of Norcia an Orthodox Christian, so too were the Oblates he welcomed into his care. Who were these Oblates?   In St Benedict’s day, both wealthy and poor families would offer ( oblature ) their sons to the monasteries so these young lads might receive a proper education and grow healthy.   These, later, became known as Intern Oblates i.e., those who resided in the monastery while following the monastic discipline and daily routine of the monks but did not commit themselves to...