18 years ago now . This year has been the most difficult, especially Lent and Pascha. I'm still hurting. Some, much, of this pain was caused by people who were at the service and celebration today. Still, becoming Orthodox was the best decision we ever made.
Almost 17 years ago I showed up for my first Orthodox service. I'd been told I should try a Vespers service before I tried a Liturgy, because it would be easier. They didn't tell me to make sure it wasn't a Lenten service.
I showed up with my 6 kids, ages 8 to 6 months.
๐งต
Forgive my penmanship, please; I am practicing with my new fountain pen.
I saw these two quotes yesterday. One was from my reading and one popped up on Instagram. I thought they were good together.
One of the most compelling things I heard coming into Orthodoxy was a quote by St. John Chrysostom
โThe Church is a hospital, and not a courtroom, for souls. She does not condemn on behalf of sins, but grants remission of sins.โ
This concept was far removed from my understanding or at least what I was taught in protestant spheres. Outright judgement was often excused as "discernment". Condemnation cloaked as "tough love."
No one knows the trauma being carried by the next person. That trauma requires treatment. I guess I never thought of it until now, but as a cancer survivor myself but remission makes absolute sense.
Unless the illness is treated continually there's always a chance it can return.
@OrthoRedneck Whew. My godson, who's never been a great reader, recently a asked me for book. recommendations to improve himself. He was a little irritated when I sent him a list of mostly classic fiction, including Dostoevsky and Dickens. Now I can send him this to back me up.
@luinalaska I am obviously NOT a priest, but my take is that breaking a spell with another spell is not the way to go. This is why God gives us Holy Water. Literally.
Yes. 100%, because right now we even have this infiltrating the Orthodox world, even with books about Orthodox saints. AI being used, proudly even, to write their stories and generate their images.
So the lessons we learned.
1) Dont send nudes
2) If you receive any nudes, just delete them and do not share them with anybody.
3) If someone wrote you something in private or shared some photo with you, keep it private.
4) If you are going to condemn someone, be fair. Condemn everyone who is in the wrong. Condemn all sinners, not just your favorite one
5) or maybe dont condemn anyone.
6) X sucks and maybe its better for your soul to just log off.
So the lessons we learned.
1) Dont send nudes
2) If you receive any nudes, just delete them and do not share them with anybody.
3) If someone wrote you something in private or shared some photo with you, keep it private.
4) If you are going to condemn someone, be fair. Condemn everyone who is in the wrong. Condemn all sinners, not just your favorite one
5) or maybe dont condemn anyone.
6) X sucks and maybe its better for your soul to just log off.