world elders - world religion

[arcmode]

I am gathering as much information as possible about the first Orthodox saint of Australia, saint Nikanor. He was a real Athonite elder they say.

He was the abbot of Hilandar and traveled to Australia to heal the schism between the Serbian church and the Free Serbian church. They eventually united but he reposed shortly before that occurred and is also considered a saint by the SIR Serbs. His tomb is only half an hour drive from where I live, at St Sava's Monastery, Elaine. My friend was healed of a brain tumor by praying there. One time I was out there on my own but I could not enter the church and no one was around to let me in. I wanted to venerate his icon and tomb, which are inside the church and I was sad, but as I stood before leaving I heard a voice in my mind, that seemed to come from inside the church and I knew it was him. He said something important to me, can't say what, but it still keeps me going today.

It's hard to get anything in English, so if anyone has any stories or has heard anything about him or knows someone who might have information, let me know or ask any Serbs you know, I'd appreciate it. I would like to write something about him. If I can get enough material, maybe even a book.

Much was made of the first Australian Catholic saint, Mary Mckillop, canonized in 2010. Saint Nikanor was recognized the same year but I don't know the exact date. I just hope we beat the Latins to the first saint

[arcmode]

Thank you Jean-Serge, that is one quote I haven't seen before.

I got into an email exchange about this with the guy who does the Mystagogy site. He tried to twist the words of St Basil and other saints to make it sound like they agreed with the elders.

All these quotes are helpful.

[joasia]

Thank you Jean-Serge, that is one quote I haven't seen before.

I got into an email exchange about this with the guy who does the Mystagogy site. He tried to twist the words of St Basil and other saints to make it sound like they agreed with the elders.

All these quotes are helpful.

I've read his blogs. HIs personal opinions gave me a big warning about his stance. He also believes in theistic evolution. Many of his comments ridicule traditional Orthodox views and he's made some criticisms of the Old Calendar Greeks. He's a purest ecumenist. But, I didn't bother replying as it would be a waste of my energy.

I suggest to back off from writing to these people. They will never agree with you. As long as you know the truth, that's what matters in your life. Just pray for them. If they really care about the truth, then God will eventually bring them to it. He sees what's in their hearts and if they don't want to come to the truth, then you can never convince them.

If corresponding with him or people like him disturbs your heart then know that it is not for you to do. Whatever we do right by God brings peace and joy to our hearts. Whatever we do because we think we can help someone understand and we become frustrated and disturbed instead means that we are doing it because of our pride.

Don't try to win the argument. Win the spiritual warfare.

[arcmode]

So true.

[TedMann]

Saint Maximus the Confessor, a giant of ascetical theology, whose teachings on the nature of thoughts and their effects are an Orthodox standard.

If we detect any trace of hatred in our hearts against any man whatsoever for committing any fault, we are utterly estranged from love for God, since love for God absolutely precludes us from hating any man.' '

How is he using the word "hatred"? What if the hatred is justified? For example, if a person kills a family member. Or if one feels some bitterness toward an incorrigible heretic? It would not mean such a person is utterly estranged from love for God. I think he goes too far. The phrase "utterly estranged" is a bit extreme. One would have to be an angel or deified saint in Heaven in order to escape feeling any resentfulness or hatred for another person. Saint Maximus is asking the impossible and the unrealistic. And what if the fault resulting in minor hatred or bitterness is due to an incorrigible heretic? To me this seems somewhat virtuous. This certainly would not mean we are utterly estranged from love for God.

Question: would "Elder" Ephraim of Arizona fall into the category of false world elder? I think so.

[Maria]

Saint Maximus the Confessor, a giant of ascetical theology, whose teachings on the nature of thoughts and their effects are an Orthodox standard.

If we detect any trace of hatred in our hearts against any man whatsoever for committing any fault, we are utterly estranged from love for God, since love for God absolutely precludes us from hating any man.' '

How is he using the word "hatred"? What if the hatred is justified? For example, if a person kills a family member. Or if one feels some bitterness toward an incorrigible heretic? It would not mean such a person is utterly estranged from love for God. I think he goes too far. The phrase "utterly estranged" is a bit extreme. One would have to be an angel or deified saint in Heaven in order to escape feeling any resentfulness or hatred for another person. Saint Maximus is asking the impossible and the unrealistic. And what if the fault resulting in minor hatred or bitterness is due to an incorrigible heretic? To me this seems somewhat virtuous. This certainly would not mean we are utterly estranged from love for God.

St. Maximus is teaching us what God expects from us if we wish to be saved. All we can do is try our best to cooperate with the grace of God. However, we must not be careless. If we recognize any hatred against anyone, we must repent, and we must struggle to love everyone as Christ has loved us until the day we die. This is our Christian walk. This is the race we must run in order to win the crown of eternal life.

Question: would "Elder" Ephraim of Arizona fall into the category of false world elder? I think so.

Yes, according to those in True Orthodoxy, Elder Ephraim of Arizona would fall under the category of a false world elder.

[TedMann]

Strangely, it seems like there may be some truth in these ideas. I once read an Orthodox article (authorship unknown to me), where a woman had become demonized and beat her child to death. The "Orthodox" author said that our actions affect each other, and in a certain way, coalesce and eventually impact the world. He was suggesting that our sins may have contributed to this terrible incident. And he asked what we were doing on that particular day.

It seems like our thoughts and actions may in fact touch others in a mysterious way. I personally believe when we do good deeds, we help the consciousness of the entire planet for the better, and attract the grace and presence of God to our world. These are my own personal ideas.