Dealing with Slanderers - St. Maximos the Confessor

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Maria
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Dealing with Slanderers - St. Maximos the Confessor

Post by Maria »

Dealing with Slanderers - St. Maximos the Confessor

On Ancient Faith Radio, a passage from St. Maximos the Confessor was read. In summary, it dealt with loving and praying for those who gossip and slander us. If we bear a grudge, we will not be able to enter Heaven. If we grumble about them, then we are also slandering and gossiping. The only Christian response is to pray earnestly for those who hate and slander us, to love them as Christ loves them, to see only good in them, and to speak only good about them. Through our example of loving and praying for all mankind, not only will people around us be edified, but also those who hate and slanderer us might be led to repentance.

Does anyone know the reference for this passage, which would most likely be found in the Philokalia?

Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me a sinner.

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Maria
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Re: Dealing with Slanderers - St. Maximos the Confessor

Post by Maria »

I found these references:

http://orthodoxchurchquotes.com/categor ... confessor/

“If you are remembering evil against someone, then pray for him; and as you remove through prayer the pain of the remembrance of the evil he has done, you will stop the advance of the passion. And when you have attained brotherly love and love for mankind, you will completely cast this passion out of your soul. Then when someone else does evil to you, be affectionate and humble toward him, and treat him kindly, and you will deliver him from this passion.”

– St. Maximus the Confessor, Chapters on Love, 3.90

“When you are insulted by someone or humiliated, guard against angry thoughts, lest they arouse a feeling of irritation, and so cut you off from love and place you in the realm of hatred.”

– St. Maximos the Confessor

http://orthodoxchurchquotes.com/tag/slander/

“A soul that is nurtured by hatred toward man can not be at peace with God, Who has said: If you forgive not men their sins, neither shall your Father forgive your sins (Matt. 6:15). If a man does not want to be reconciled, you must at least guard yourself from hating, praying with a pure heart for him, and speaking no evil of him.”

  • St. Maximus the Confessor, Chapters on Love, 4.35

“Inasmuch as you pray with all your soul for the one who has slandered you, so much will God reveal the truth to them who have believed the slander. “

– St. Maximus the Confessor, Chapters on Love, 4.89

These were part of the passage that was read on Ancient Faith Radio today, July 6, 2014.

Below is another relevant quotes from that same website:

“You should know that you have been greatly benefited when you have suffered deeply because of some insult or indignity; for by means of the indignity self-esteem has been driven out of you.”

– St. Maximos the Confessor

Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me a sinner.

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Maria
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Re: Dealing with Slanderers - St. Maximos the Confessor

Post by Maria »

Here is a recent translation on Love written by St. Maximos the Confessor,
Translated by Fr. Nicholas Palis from the Greek Book “Voice of the Fathers”
The Sacred Paracletos Monastery, Oropos, Attica.

http://www.denver.goarch.org/liturgical ... /pm-01.pdf

Below is a facebook page with 400 Texts on Love by St. Maximos.

Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me a sinner.

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Barbara
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Re: Dealing with Slanderers - St. Maximos the Confessor

Post by Barbara »

Good reminders, all of these passages !

And, a positive use of that dastardly social media site, for once !

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