ASCETICISM IS THE HIGHEST FORM OF ORTHODOX SPIRITUALITY

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.

Asceticism is the Highest Form of
Orthodox Spirituality.

ASCETICISM. The term is not of Christian origin. The two Greek Philosophical schools–Stoicism and Cynicism—used the term to denote a whole system of personal discipline for the purpose of combating vice and developing personal virtues. In the New Testament, the word is mentioned only once in its verb form–meaning to strive–but the idea behind it is pronounced throughout the New Testament. Our Lord Jesus Christ, in calling His Disciples, said, "If any man would come after Me, let him DENY HIMSELF and TAKE UP HIS CROSS and FOLLOW ME." Thus, He gave the two sides of Christian asceticism, SELF-DENIAL and FOLLOWING CHRIST. The invitation is repeated over and over throughout the entire New Testament. During the first three centuries, Christian asceticism was identified with personal preparation FOR MARTYRDOM and with THE IDEAL OF VIRGINITY.

The ascetic ideal as an entire way of life spread throughout the Christian Church in the 3rd century. It was at this period that the Holy Fathers of the Desert (Anachoretai) appeared who withdrew to the desert in order to avoid "THE WICKEDNESS OF THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD." Prominent among these and well known to the Orthodox is Saint Antony (Anthony). Following this ascetical movement, MONASTICISM began to develop in the 4th century, the monks becoming the leading representatives OF THE ASCETICAL WAY OF LIFE by way not only of TOTAL SPIRITUAL ATTUNEMENT TO CHRIST, BUT BY WAY OF EXTERNAL EXERCISES ALSO, such as ABSTINENCES, FASTS, VIGILS, and other self-denials inherent in the monastic life.

Various systems of MONASTICISM developed later, especially during the Middle Ages, all of them having as their ideal the identification between the ascetic’s experience and the life of Christ. Asceticism was taken to be a necessary means of fighting the passions (desires) of the flesh and the pride of life. It was taken to be the only means of expiation of one’s own sins and actually those of others. Asceticism is believed to GENERATE FROM LOVE OF GOD AND ITS IAM TO OVERCOME IN THE SOUL OF THE INDIVIDUAL ALL ADVERSARY FORCES TO THIS LOVE. Therefore, THE ASCETICAL WAY OF LIFE IS ACTUALLY A PREPARATION FOR A UNION WITH GOD BY WAY OF FULLY DEVELOPING IN THE SOUL OF THE ASCETIC THE LIFE OF AGAPE TO ITS FULLEST EXTENT WITHIN THE EXPERIENCE OF MAN. [Rev. Nicon D. Patrinacos]

The Orthodox ascetics inspire them to call Christians with all power to the humble acknowledgment of one’s own infirmity, so that the saving Grace of God might act. Very expressive in this case are the expressions of Saint Symeon the New Theologian [10th century]:

"If the thought comes to you, instilled by the devil, that your salvation is accomplished not by the power of your God, but by your own wisdom and your own power,and if your soul agrees with such a thought, Grace DEPARTS FROM IT. The struggle against such a powerful and most difficult battle which ARISES IN THE SOUL must be undertaken by the soul until our last breath. The soul, together with the blessed Apostle Paul, callout in a loud voice, in the hearing of Angels and men: "NOT I, BUT THE GRACE OF GOD WHICH IS WITH ME." The Apostles and Prophets, Martyrs, and Hierarchs, Holy Monastics and Righteous ones–ALL HAVE CONFESSED THIS GRACE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND FOR THE SAKE OF SUCH A CONFESSION AND WITH ITS HELP THEY STRUGGLED WITH A GOOD STRUGGLE AND FINISHED THEIR COURSE" (Homilies of Saint Symeon the New Theologian, Homily 4).

He who bears the name of Christian, we read in the sme Holy Father, "If he does NOT BEAR IN HIS HEART THE CONVICTION THAT THE GRACE OF GOD, GIVEN FOR FAITH, IS THE MERCY OF GOD… IF HE DOES NOT LABOR WITH THE AIM OF RECEIVING THE GRACE OF GOD, FIRST OF ALL THROUGH BAPTISM, OR IF HE HAD IT AND IT DEPARTED BY REASON OF SIN, TO CAUSE IT TO RETURN AGAIN THROUGH REPENTANCE, CONFESSION, AND A SELF-BELITTLING LIFE; AND IF, IN GIVING ALMS, FASTING, PERFORMING VIGILS, PRAYES, AND THE REST, HE THINKS THAT HE IS PERFORMING GLORIOUS VIRTUES AND GOOD DEEDS VALUABLE IN THEMSELVES–THEN HE LABORS AND EXHAUSTS HIMSELF IN VAIN." (Homily 2].

What, then, is the significance of ASCETIC STRUGGLE? IT IS A WEAPON AGAINST "THE LUST OF THE FLESH, AND THE LUST OF THE EYES, AND THE PRIDE OF LIFE" [1 John 2:16]. It is THE CLEANING OF THE FIELD OF THE SOUL FROM STONES, OVERGROWN WEEDS, AND SWAMPY PLACES, IN PREPARATION FOR A SACRED SOWING, WHICH WILL BE MOISTENED FROM ABOVE BY THE GRACE OF GOD.

THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD AND GRACE

From what has set forth, it follows that there is a difference between the concepts of God’s PROVIDENCE and GRACE. PROVIDENCE is what we call God’s power in the world that supports the existence of the world, its life, including the existence and life of mankind and of each man; while GRACE is THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT PENETRATES THE INWARD BEING OF MAN, LEADING TO HIS SPIRITUAL PERFECTION AND SALVATION.

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 SORROWS, PERSECUTION 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 BATTLING AGAINST ONE’S PASSIONS AND LUSTS.

Such a path of following Christ was taken by His Holy Apostles. "I AM CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST." writes the Holy Apostle Paul (Galatians 2:20). "GOD FORBID THAT I SHOULD GLORY, SAVE IN THE CROSS OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, BY WHOM THE WORLD IS CRUCIFIED UNTO ME, AND I UNTO THE WORLD" (Galatians 6:14). Following the path of Christ, the Holy Apostles finished the struggle of their life WITH A MARTYR’S DEATH.

All believers are called to struggle according to their strength: "THEY THAT ARE CHRIST’S HAVE CRUCIFIED THE FLESH WITH THE PASSIONS AND LUSTS" (Galatians 5:24). The moral life CANNOT EXIST WITHOUT INWARD BATTLE, WITHOUT SELF-RESTRAINT. The Holy Apostle writes: "For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the Cross of Christ; whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things" (Philippians 3:18-19). [Resources: Orthodox Dogmatic Theology]

(To be continued)

____________
"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