Comments on: Ritual, Spiritual, Gluttony or Growth. http://theodorakis.org/2009/04/17/ritual-spiritual-gluttony-or-growth/ theodorakis.org is a digital repository of all my written work (in text and podcast formats)… Tue, 12 Oct 2010 02:30:26 -0500 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.3 By: Jacki Huestis http://theodorakis.org/2009/04/17/ritual-spiritual-gluttony-or-growth/comment-page-1/#comment-50 Jacki Huestis Sun, 26 Apr 2009 08:25:06 +0000 http://theodorakis.org/2009/04/17/ritual-spiritual-gluttony-or-growth/#comment-50 Hi Vas Hear Hear... What do you think about posting this on the VVOV website? I think it is so relevant. You've really hit the nail on the head. Jacki Hi Vas

Hear Hear…

What do you think about posting this on the VVOV website? I think it is so relevant. You’ve really hit the nail on the head.

Jacki

]]> By: Eleni McDermott http://theodorakis.org/2009/04/17/ritual-spiritual-gluttony-or-growth/comment-page-1/#comment-47 Eleni McDermott Sat, 18 Apr 2009 11:07:16 +0000 http://theodorakis.org/2009/04/17/ritual-spiritual-gluttony-or-growth/#comment-47 Vasili, as you so rightly say ...at a time when we should be reflecting on what Christ has done for us, surrendering our ego in the act of repentance, we are appeasing ourselves with the fact that we fast, go to Holy services and perform orthodox rituals.<br /> <br /> As I ponder your commentary, I am reminded of my readings today. Alone, in my apartment in China, where the stillness of Holy Saturday resonates. Where there is no church, no rituals to distract me and make me feel `good' because I attended 5 services during Holy week. Here, there is only me and the struggle to surrender the `me'.<br /> <br /> The critical mirror that you hold up to brothers and sisters of the Orthodox faith, serves to remind us all that the inner struggle requires more than physical work, abstinence and attendance. For the abolition of pride, vanity and arrogance and the release of resentment is what can lead us to humbly ask God for forgiveness. This insight and action is surely the best gift that Christ, (who shed his blood) would like to give us, this Holy Pascha!<br /> <br /> May the Lord have mercy on the animals that sacrificed their blood for us this Pascha.<br /> <br /> Eleni McDermott Vasili, as you so rightly say …at a time when we should be reflecting on what Christ has done for us, surrendering our ego in the act of repentance, we are appeasing ourselves with the fact that we fast, go to Holy services and perform orthodox rituals.

As I ponder your commentary, I am reminded of my readings today. Alone, in my apartment in China, where the stillness of Holy Saturday resonates. Where there is no church, no rituals to distract me and make me feel `good’ because I attended 5 services during Holy week. Here, there is only me and the struggle to surrender the `me’.

The critical mirror that you hold up to brothers and sisters of the Orthodox faith, serves to remind us all that the inner struggle requires more than physical work, abstinence and attendance. For the abolition of pride, vanity and arrogance and the release of resentment is what can lead us to humbly ask God for forgiveness. This insight and action is surely the best gift that Christ, (who shed his blood) would like to give us, this Holy Pascha!

May the Lord have mercy on the animals that sacrificed their blood for us this Pascha.

Eleni McDermott

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