Most everyone has experienced those rare moments when God seems very close, very real to us on a direct and even personal level. G.K. Chesterton once described this poetically as when a person with their eyes closed is suddenly aware that someone has walked quietly by them – they are dimly aware of the vibration of the other person walking and the wind as the other person’s clothes flutter in the breeze. But for some it seems that they are made aware of Him or reminded of His presence in an active and even personal way through people, events and even “things” which we suddenly become aware of, either in…

“A monk is he who forces himself” (Abba Dorotheus). Monks war with the world. Monks are never idle. Monks are always vigilant.. A monk’s life is always a struggle and laborious. A monk’s life is a re-creation of the life in the catacombs, evinced in the 2nd-3rd century and in present day Holy Russia. Monks must be vigilant, sober and never take themselves seriously. Monks are warriors who conduct war with the world, the flesh and the devil. Monks should never “relax” in the sense of leisure. Monks are always considerate of others. “All falls are preceded by pride” (St. Nilus of Sora). It is necessary for monks to read…