The Rule of Saint Benedict: Chapter 20

This is the last chapter that deals with formal prayers. And while this chapter is short, I think it is a little profound what Saint Benedict writes for us to read. 

The Rule of Saint Benedict: Chapter 19

This next chapter is back to being short again. After this chapter, we have one more that deals with prayers and things, then things go more into life and governance of the monastery. This chapter talks about the discipline of Psalmody.

The Rule of Saint Benedict: Chapter 18

This next chapter is not as short as the other ones that we have recently had. This chapter is a little lengthy, but it is not that long. Believe it or not, but I actually enjoy typing out the longer chapters; it makes me feel like I've worked at the blog post.

The Nativity Fast

Today, the 15th of November, the Orthodox Church starts the Nativity Fast. This fast will last for 40 days. Some people may call this fasting period Advent, which is slightly shorter in the West. During this fasting season falls such feasts as the Presentation of the Theotokos, and Saint Nicholas Day- when Orthodox traditionally gave gifts.

The Rule of Saint Benedict: Chapter 17

I apologize for missing two days of updates. My wife and I have been very tired as of late, so when my day is done I usually go straight to bed. Anyway, we continue on where we left off, explaining how the prayers of the Hours should be practiced.

The Rule of Saint Benedict: Chapter 16

This next chapter deviates from what we have seen with the services thus far. This chapter talks about praying during the day. Some of my readers may remember that I have touched on such things before in previous blog posts. Also, this is still a short chapter.

War is Hell

War is Hell. I should know, I've been there, got the t-shirt.

The Orthodox West

In my post on Chapter 15 of the Rule of Saint Benedict, I mentioned toward the end that the West was once Orthodox. Many people - at least those who know that there is such a thing as Eastern Christianity - often think of the West as being distinctly Roman Catholic, and the East as being distinctly Orthodox. While today that assumption pretty much holds true, at one point in time it did not.

The Rule of Saint Benedict: Chapter 15

Not much for an introduction today; I'm running out of things to say to open these short chapters. I will say this, though, and that is for everything there is a reason. I may not know what the reason is, nor how to accurately explain the reasonings behind the thing, but there is a reason for the thing.

The Rule of Saint Benedict: Chapter 14

This next chapter is really short, like only 2 verses long. And again it covers the proper procedure for services.

Nektarius the Wonderworker

On November 9, we commemorate Nektarius the Wonderworker, Metropolitan of Pentapolis:

The Rule of Saint Benedict: Chapter 13

It has been a long time since I posted. I apologize, I've been swamped with schoolwork, life as a father of a newborn yet again (she's squishy!), life as a father of two girls who are running circles around me, and life as a husband of a grad student. There is so much on my plate right now, but things are starting to calm down.