Conferences of St. John Cassian - Conference Twelve on Chastity Part III

Philokalia Ministries

Cassian and Germanus continue their discussion with Chaeremon on Chastity. The old man tells them that if a person does not believe such purity is possible then he must first enter into the disciplines and the struggle to make it his own. It is only through experience that one can come to see and taste the beauty of this virtue. Furthermore, he tells them that chastity subsist no thanks to a rigorous defense but rather by love of the virtue and by delight in purity. Asceticism, in other words, may lead to abstinence but not to Chastity which is the fruit of God's grace. Perfect Chastity is distinguished by its perpetual tranquillity. For this is the consummation of true chastity, which does not fight the movements of carnal lust but detests them with utter abhorrence, maintaining a constant and inviolable purity for itself. This can be nothing else than holiness. Nature itself begins to be transformed and controlled by the grace that lies within the heart and conforms to the will of the mind.

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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.

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