We cover a lot in less than ¾ of an hour! Another lively session. We start with the edifying story of St Abramius and his niece Mary, which teaches us that love is creative, and that we should never “own” our sin, and that we can recover from anything. We discuss the difference between despondency and depression, balance in prayer, fasting, and considering ourselves to be great sinners vs having hope in God. The timestamps give the best explanation of the content. Audio: http://www.orthodox.net/catechism/catechesis_2022-11-13+abramius-mary+despondency-love-obedience-prayer-balance.mp3 Video: https://youtu.be/9tb2ioviLbQ Timestamps: 00:00 – 14:32 St Abramius and his niece, Mary. Oct 29 0:30 1:04 Why do I pick certain lives of saints to tell you about? 2:57 – 6:52 What is despondency compared to depression? 7:13 – 8:48 We must learn to not “own” our sin. 14:34 – 17:39 NMs Angelis, George and Nicholas of Crete, Oct 28 17:39 – 22:42 What is a good balancing point, between regarding ourselves as sinners, but not identifying with our sin? 22:44 – Questions about the prayer rule – what is enough vs too much? 25:03 About fasting for beginners. And about obedience – it is GOOD to be obedient to someone, many “someones” 28:02 – 29:00 There he goes! Another Grandson story (about obedience this time, MY obedience to them). 31:51 – 32:09 If you know someone, and care about them, but do NOT pray for them, you DO NOT love them. 32:09 - 34:10 34:11 – 35:47 How do you evaluate certain food as regards fasting? For instance, what is “whey” is an ingredient? 35:47 Love is very creative, Being a Christian is learning to love. 36:18 Do not “own” a sin. Be obedient. Do not try to do too much, without any counsel. 37:51 – 41:21 Story of a monk who disobeyed his spiritual father, and a demon, impersonating St Spyridon, convinced him that he could fly! And how demons can imitate, but never perfectly. 41:21 - 43:29 Story of Julian the Apostate and the sign of the cross, and when to make the sign of the cross, and when NOT to make it. ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tb2ioviLbQ

The story of the former apostate priest and soldier, and politician Theodore is golden! It shows us that God's mercy is not only greater than our own - it is inconceivable to us! In our difficult days, we must know the exploits of martyrs like Theodore, and ask their prayers. YouTube:https://youtu.be/wG8WZRqbVOA ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wG8WZRqbVOA

As told in the Gospels, the beheading of St. John the Baptist presents us a model of salvation in St. John, and several more models of damnation as represented in the other people involved. Father Seraphim teaches us how these events show us how to live. 1 Corinthians 16:13–24 Matthew 21:33–42 ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emJzd-Rnlcs

On this Sunday we commemorate the fathers of the First Ecumenical Council. Largely the ecumenical councils were concerned with the question of who Jesus is. In John’s Gospel today Jesus tells us in His High Priestly prayer who He is, and what it means to be saved. Salvation is described in four ways in the Gospel reading: 1. God reveals Himself to us, through the person of Jesus Christ. 2. God manifests Himself to us. 3. God unites us with Himself and with each other. 4. God gives us His joy. ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=273YQtZPYLc