THE SINFUL PASSION OF ACEDIA

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Only True Lord, God, and Savior,

CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.

THE SINFUL PASSION OF ACEDIA

Man’s passions are without a doubt not only the great obstacles to spiritual wellness that must be overcomed but lead to the death of the soul. One such passion is the passion of acedia. Basically the passions are the enemies in our spiritual warfare that must not only be controlled but must be destroyed if we are to win this spiritual war.

Most Orthodox Christians, however, are not all aware of the existence of acedia and the danger that it presents to everyone. Others who are more spiritually attuned and aware of it, and are familiar with it, struggle to overcome it. This dangerous and sinful passion of acedia causes restlenesses, disatisfaction, sadness, indifference, apathy, loss of interest, laziness, and even an obsession with social media. Acedia causes a spiritual paralysis and the loss of communication and connection with other people.

A Christian suffering from the passion of acedia is easily distracted, especially when it comes to spiritual matters. The desert dwellers and ascetics considered this sinful passion as the tool of the evil one to prevent them from concentrating on their prayers, vigils, fasting, and daily discipline. The problem is that acedia is not only a sinful passion but an illness of the soul and must be treated as such. Everyone suffering from it should make every effort to seek a cure for it. It is most important, when suffering this spiritual illness, to first acknowledge its existence and secondly to combat it.

The evil one always uses passions such as acedia to prevent us from making any spiritual progress or to grow in Christ. We are tempted by him to postpone any spiritual activity or to maintain any kind of spiritual consistency with prayer, sacramental life, and worship. Also, the side effects of this passion are listlessness, anxiety, hopelessness, despair, anger and sadness. However, we must remain strong and fight all these negative feelings and to always keep our spiritual sights on our Lord Jesus Christ. It is imperative, however, to seek the holy intercessions of the Mother of God, our Holy Fathers and Holy Mothers, the Holy Martyrs and Saints of our Church and of course to never lose faith in God.

Saint Andrew of Crete in one of the hymns written by him says, "My soul, my soul arise! Why are you sleeping? The end is approaching and you will be confounded. Awake then, and be watchful, that you may be spared by Christ God, Who is everywhere and fills all things." No Orthodox Christian must never be caught unprepared spiritually for the salvation of our soul is at stake. Spiritual wellbeing takes much effort, determination, patience, devotion and commitment. No one should take the salvation of their soul. for granted. It is natural for one to be concerned about his physical health and to eat well and have the guidance of a good physician but what does one do to make sure that he/she is spiritually healthy? Our Holy Church, our spiritual Hospital, provides both the Physician, Christ, and the spiritual medicine, the Mysteries, to keep those interested and concerned in excellent spiritual health.

Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ has provided all of us with a panoply of spiritual weapons to fight the enemy but it is up to each believer to use them and to defend his life and salvation. Our spiritual warfare is not a one day experience but a life-long experience. We are never abandoned by our Lord Christ, the Theotokos, the Archangels and Angels, and the Saints of our Holy Church to fight the enemy and arch-deceiver on our own. Without them and their help, mankind would have absolutely no chance of survival. However, it takes synergy between God and man to win this war.

Although these sinful passions can take different faces or forms, the threats and outcome is the same. We all know that our spiritual fight is not acedia alone but every passion of man which has the same intent; to poison the mind, the heart, and soul of the human person. In other words to deprive him/her of the Kingdom of God and eternal life. Where does the believer find strength for struggle? He/she finds it through COMMUNION WITH CHRIST GOD, THROUGH LOVE FOR CHRIST, WHICH INSPIRES HIM TO "FOLLOW AFTER HIM." "The Orthodox path of the Christian is "the path of the Cross and of struggle." In other words, it is the path of patience; of the bearing of our sorrows, persecutions for the name of Christ, and dangers from the enemies of Christ, of despising the goods of the world for the sake of Christ, of healing against one’s passions and lusts."

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"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
– Saint John Chrysostomos
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With sincere agape in His Divine and Glorious Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George


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