Monastic Tradition: December 2008 Archives

Listening to Tradition, Tuesday, December 16, 2008

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For now is the time to labour for the Lord, for salvation is found in the day of affliction: for it is written: 'In your patience gain ye your souls' (Luke 21:19) 

Abba Isidore of Skete 

Listening to Tradition, Friday, December 5, 2008

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"But Adam did not wish to say, "I sinned," but said rather the contrary of this and placed the blame for the transgression upon God Who created everything "very good," saying to Him, "The woman whom Thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree and I ate." And after him she also placed the blame upon the serpent, and they did not wish at all to repent and, falling down before the Lord God, beg forgiveness of Him. For this, God banished them from Paradise, as from a royal palace, to live in this world as exiles. At that time also He decreed that a flaming sword should be turned and should guard the entrance into Paradise. And God did not curse Paradise, since it was the image of the future unending life of the eternal Kingdom of Heaven. If it were not for this reason, it would have been fitting to curse it most of all, since within it was performed the transgression of Adam. But God did not do this, but cursed only the whole rest of the earth, which also was corrupt and brought forth everything by itself; and this was in order that Adam might not have any longer a life free from exhausting labors and sweat..." 

St. Symeon the New Theologian 

About this Archive

This page is a archive of entries in the Monastic Tradition category from December 2008.

Monastic Tradition: November 2008 is the previous archive.

Monastic Tradition: January 2009 is the next archive.

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