Replies

" Kolo, the liturgy is for God. I hope that we don't go to church for us"

Kosta, I'm surprised at you! You're the one who always tells us that God doesn't "need" our praise, which, of course, is completely in accord with the Fathers. The Divine Liturgy and all the sacraments are absolutely "for" us but none of them are "about" us; they are the Thora tou Theou, the Gifts of God to man.

"Monasticism teaches the opposite. Devoting your life to God leaves no room for earthly community and material priorities."

Not so, Kosta. The monastic community, like the parish community, is a Eucharistic community, though one far outside the world we live in, where the members work with each other to strengthen individual theosis of the monks. Only the most powerful, spiritually speaking, are ever allowed to go off on their own and live a life of a hermit.

Monasticism teaches the opposite. Devoting your life to God leaves no room for earthly community and material priorities."

Not so, Kosta. The monastic community, like the parish community, is a Eucharistic community, though one far outside the world we live in, where the members work with each other to strengthen individual theosis of the monks. Only the most powerful, spiritually speaking, are ever allowed to go off on their own and live a life of a hermit.

At the risk of incurring the wrath of my Greek cousin, I agree with kosta. While very few can manage a solitary path to theosis, even within a community the path is a singular one. I know you stated as much in a different manner, but kosta made some good points in the last couple of posts. As material and emotional attachments are stripped away, community will be of little comfort.