ASCETICISM (Gk. Ascesis, “Athlete”)

My beloved brothers and sisters in Our Risen Lord, God and Savior,

CHRIST IS RISEN! TRULY HE IS RISEN! ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ! ΑΛΗΘΩΣ ΑΝΕΣΤΗ!

ASCETICISM (Gk. Ascesis, "Athlete")

Asceticism is a life of struggle–the crucifixion of the desires of the flesh, through a life of prayer, fasting, and self-denial. Through asceticism the Christian fights temptation to sin and thereby grows in spiritual strength. Such spiritual classics as The Philokalia and The Ladder of Divine Ascent, give guidance and direction for the ascetic life (see Luke 9:23; Galatians 5:24).

The holy Apostle Paul in his Epistle to the Galatians writes: "And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its PASSIONS and DESIRES. iF WE LIVE IN THE SPIRIT, LET US ALSO WALK IN THE SPIRIT" {Galatians 5:24-15). Saint John Chrysostom writes, "And who is such a man as this?" he points out by the works those who have attained to this perfection, here again giving the name of the "flesh" to evil actions. He does not mean that they had destroyed their flesh, otherwise how were they going to live? for that which is crucified is dead and inoperative, but he indicates the perfect rule of life. For the desires, although they are troublesome, rage in vain. Since then such is the power of the Spirit, let us live therein and be content therewith, as he adds himself, "If we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also walk," (v. 25) being governed by His laws. For this is the force of the words "let us walk," that is, let us be content with the power of the Spirit, and seek no help from the Law."

Saint Symeon the New Theologian teaches that spiritual struggle IS A DAILY CONSCIOUS EFFORT TO PURIFY THE HEART, DETACH FROM THE WORLD, AND UNITE WITH GOD THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT. He emphasized that true struggle involves tears, repentance, and focused inner attention (hesychasm), asserting that this INNER WORK makes the believer a "bright and shining day" who has already passed from judgment to life. Saint Symeon emphasizes guarding the mind from evil thoughts, (logismoi) arguing that spiritual battle occurs in the heart, not just in external actions. He warns against careless prayer, stating that a wandering mind leaves the soul vulnerable to demonic attack, demanding constant, vigilant attention to prayer. True struggle, he says, requires, abd us accompanied by, tears of repentance, which soften the "hardened heart" and are necessary for unity with the Holy Spirit.

The goal is experience. He teaches that Christianity is NOT mere theory but ihe experiential knowledge of God, where the believer actually feels and sees the Light of the Holy Spirit. Saint Symeon instructs that one MUST STRUGGLE DAILY, as if beginning anew every day, because HOLINESS IS NOT ATTAINED ALL AT ONCE. He highlights the importance of OBEDIENCE TO A SPIRITUAL FATHER TO AVOID DECEPTION. Our holy Father is famous for teaching a specific, focused method of prayer that encourages breathing in the name of Jesus and descending with the mind into the heart, aimed at constant communion with God.

Saint Symeon’s teaching, found in sources like the Philokalia, emphasize that this intense struggle is possible for all believers and is the path to achieving the same spiritual, illuminated state as Adam and Eve before the fall. In his practical and theological writings he says, " When a man walks in the fear of God he knows no fear, even if he were to be surrounded by wicked men. He has the fear of God within him and wears the invincible armor of faith. This makes him strong and able to take on anything, even things which seem difficult or impossible to most people. Such as man is like a giant surrounded by monkeys, or a roaring lion among dogs and foxes. He goes forward trusting in the Lord and the constancy of his will to strike and paralize his foes. He wields the blazing club of the Logos/Word in wisdom."

CHRIST IS RISEN! TRULY HE IS RISEN!

___________
"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!
+ Saint John Chrysostomos

+ + +

With sincere agape in His Divine and Glorious Resurrection,
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George