Father, be blessed.

In Christ

Carrington

The Book of Needs (Trebnik in Russian) is the priest’s book that has the “necessary” services, such as house blessings, exorcisms, funerals, pretty much everything that is not the regular daily services or liturgy. There is the “lesser book of needs” that is only a small selection, and the complete Great Book of Needs that, in English, is 4 volumes.

In the West, both Roman Catholics and Anglo Catholics have similar books. Quite practical, but usually only familiar to priests. I think the Anglican version is called the Priest’s Service Book.

You said, “I absolutely agree that non-confrontation has as much danger as confrontation.”

The wise Solomon said in his proverbs (26:4 & 5), “Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.” It would seem that the wisdom which comes from above would instruct us as to which one is appropriate for each individual circumstance. Oh, that we may always be open to that wisdom which is “first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits.”

Btw, what is the “book of Needs?” Never heard of it. I’m learning so much from your blog. May you continue in this ministry for many years!

In His Love,

Darlene

Amen! These words of wisdom are apropos for me especially this day. While praying with my husband this morning I asked the Lord to extend His mercy and grace toward me that I might in turn extend His mercy and grace toward others. Since Christ sees fit to shed His mercy and grace upon us without measure and more than we will ever know, then we, who are His creatures, must do the same to our neighbor.

David, I understand what you mean about righteous indignation. Many Christians will defend speaking the truth in a matter claiming they are righteously indignant, when such actions are really being motivated by self-righteousness or even worse, hatred or predjudice. I have fallen into this trap myself. Oh that I should have kept my mouth closed rather than cause more damage with my tongue. St. James has much to say to us about the power of the tongue and the destruction it can cause. I would prefer to err on the side of kindness and compassion with my neighbor than harshness and severity. Such a lesson is often learned from being on the receiving end of the latter.

Darlene

Your thoughts on Nicholas make sense to me. Having just passed the feast of Sts. Boris and Gleb – the concept of “passion-bearer” seems most apropos.

Many critics of the Russian Royal Family (for instance) fail to take into account the peace and equanimity with which he and his family withstood their imprisonment and endured their fate. Those who undervalue such clearly fail to appreciate how difficult inner peace is to maintain under extreme circumstance (or just in our daily routine).

I am inclined to view the issue with St. Nicholas in that manner. He should have been deposed, in order to prevent anarchy within the Church. At the same time, the act of the Council Fathers deposing him creates this iconic image – they depose St. Nicholas for an infraction of a disciplinary canon, while they had been listening, enthralled, to Arius eloquently wax on concerning his grave errors. I don’t know.

Interesting on the evil eye. It makes sense that the passage would be interpreted in that fashion. I began reading about the evil eye a bit after reading Alexander Papadiamandis’ short stories, a couple of which mention the evil eye. It is fascinating to me that the Church does not reject the notion that there is a spiritual power behind the evil eye – a determinism one can be subject to if in certain states of weakness, but, the determinism is not binding on those who are firmly within the bosom of the Church. There is something to fear outside of the protection of Christ, the Theotokos, and the saints, but nothing to fear if in their company.

The old English Great Litany prayed to be delivered from “privy conspiracies” – a proper concern and a wonderfully quaint phrase.

I seem to remember thinking about mutiny stories that such criminals should be convicted even if they were “correct.” Even if they saved the world, what they did should never be justified. They should know going into it that part of their duty will be to receive the punishment that such an act entails.

By the way, the passage in Porphyrios goes on to deal with the “evil eye” (baskania) in a very insightful way. It is something found in Scripture and in the book of Needs, but often not discussed. I have read one book on the subject and found it of interest. It is essentially about jealousy and envy – but also about the spiritual and even physical damage these passions can cause. Porphyrios renders the passage in Wisdom thus: “For the bewitching eye of wickedness obscures what is good.” Interesting.