Loading Philokalia Ministries
Philokalia Ministries

The Evergetinos - Vol. I, Hypothesis XVIII, Part II

Philokalia Ministries

Tonight we continued with Hypothesis 18 on the importance of seeking the company of virtuous people and questioning so as to learn about the spiritual life. What we find in the writings and the lives of the desert fathers is a stress on the importance of seeking counsel. One never walks spiritual life in isolation. We should foster a zeal within us to talk about the spiritual life with those who have experiential knowledge that is rooted in many years of striving to live the gospel in its fullness. We are given one example after another of individuals seeking out the counsel of elders, being swept up in the desire for their wisdom, and being willing to travel great distances to learn from them. May God instill within our hearts that same yearning and urgent longing for God and for the truth. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:06:57 Mark: Which version of “The Ladder” are you going to use? 00:07:39 Rachel: good to know 00:08:18 Eric Williams: I shared some quotes from the Evergetinos with my Saturday morning men's group 00:08:37 Anthony: Nice 00:12:27 carolnypaver: Page? 00:13:12 Fr. Miron Jr.: 135 00:16:07 Anthony: They had a visit, it was time to go, and the went outside to leave but kept talking for hours? Maybe they were Italian. ;) 00:17:40 sue and mark: they must have been! 00:23:45 Anthony: Does this maybe come as a result of the "frentic energy" which Father David warns against? A kind of energy that just wants to be dissipated but not focused? 00:34:22 John Clark: Personally praying the rosary silently keeps me in constant contact with the Lord and Holy Spirit 00:46:28 Rachel: It is mostly our own vice 00:50:17 Anthony: Heresy of Americanism, too 00:51:44 Eric Williams: Catholics have forgotten how to be in the world but not of it. 00:53:30 Erick Chastain: Bp athanasius schneider 01:00:02 Eric Williams: Is this a stone age tool? ;) 01:01:03 Rachel: " Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord..".. 01:04:10 Eric Williams: Unfortunately, big books/sets are hard sells these days, even to those who seem engaged in their faith. Attention spans are short, people are busy, and we're conditioned to pay attention to sound bites and memes. 01:07:42 Eric Williams: I still have your notes from the Climacus group you led years ago (20?). :) 01:10:07 Rachel: WOW!! 01:13:01 Erick Chastain: can confirm about cmu 01:13:38 Rachel: I feel like that everytime I talk lol 01:13:57 Wayne: gotta go 01:14:41 Eric Williams: I've always appreciated how succinct and to the point your homilies are. The anxiety was worthwhile! 01:16:19 Ambrose Little: Unless you just don’t like apples. 😄 01:17:15 Fr. Miron Jr.: and also in slovakia 01:17:31 Rachel: haha 01:17:53 Lyle: May hungering and thirsting for God drive us to a passionate, relentless pursuit of Him. 01:20:04 Rachel: Thank you Father

About Podcast

Philokalia Ministries is the fruit of 30 years spent at the feet of the Fathers of the Church. Led by Father David Abernethy, Philokalia (Philo: Love of the Kalia: Beautiful) Ministries exists to re-form hearts and minds according to the mold of the Desert Fathers through the ascetic life, the example of the early Saints, the way of stillness, prayer, and purity of heart, the practice of the Jesus Prayer, and spiritual reading. Those who are involved in Philokalia Ministries - the podcasts, videos, social media posts, spiritual direction and online groups - are exposed to writings that make up the ancient, shared spiritual heritage of East and West: The Ladder of Divine Ascent, Saint Augustine, the Philokalia, the Conferences of Saint John Cassian, the Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian, and the Evergetinos. In addition to these, more recent authors and writings, which draw deeply from the well of the desert, are read and discussed: Lorenzo Scupoli, Saint Theophan the Recluse, anonymous writings from Mount Athos, the Cloud of Unknowing, Saint John of the Cross, Thomas a Kempis, and many more.

Philokalia Ministries is offered to all, free of charge. However, there are real and immediate needs associated with it. You can support Philokalia Ministries with one-time, or recurring monthly donations, which are most appreciated. Your support truly makes this ministry possible. May Almighty God, who created you and fashioned you in His own Divine Image, restore you through His grace and make of you a true icon of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.