By a Joyous Pustinnyk
Category Archives: Poetry
The Coronavirus Diary of a Joyous Pustinik — 26
Believe …
Hristos a înviat
I recall on my first visit to Romania attending the funeral of an old lady in a small village. The Parishioners had kept vigil all night before the funeral, waiting patiently outside her home, saying fervent prayers for their departed friend. There were weeping and sorrow mixed with resurrection hope and humble faith together with profuse expressions of sympathy and compassion for the bereaved family.
St Columba ordains a priest.
In central Scotland, there was a priest called Molluch who wanted to be a priest although he could not read or write. He approached St Columba on one of the saint’s missionary journeys to that region. St Columba wanting to test Molluch’s faith told him to go and fish in the nearby lake and when he had caught a fish to come back. Puzzled by this instruction but obedient Molluch took a small coracle to the lake and started fishing. For two days and two nights, he caught nothing but on the third day he caught a fish. However, on catching the fish he took pity on it; carefully removing it from the hook, he returned it to the water. Rowing back to shore Molluch confessed to the saint and told him what had happened. St Columba commended him for his patience, compassion, and humility; qualities which he saw as necessary for the priesthood. St Columba ordained Molluch who duly proved to be an excellent priest.
O What Faith
Luke 7:9; “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel.”
Gentle gentile strong and brave
Built a synagogue and gave
A chance of life to his dear slave:
By his faith.
He showed his care and great compassion
In more than any normal ration
When humility was not the fashion:
He showed faith.
A Centurion ruled with iron glove
But this one knew of Him above
Whose hands could heal with powerful love:
Given faith.
Considerate in his way and kind
A virtue one would rarely find
In one so masterful a mind:
Blessed by faith.
His faith was simply of the best
Surpassing Israel and the rest
Such trust which passes every test:
This is faith.
To the glory of God
Sayings from the Desert Fathers
The old men used to say, “If someone has faith in another and hands himself over to him in complete submission, he does not need to pay attention to God’s commandments but he can entrust his whole will to his father. He will suffer no reproach from God, for God looks for nothing from beginners so much as renunciation through obedience.”
Εν Χριστώ
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The Coronavirus Diary of a Joyous Pustinik — 25
Christ is Risen!
Animals have a sensitivity that is quite remarkable. I know someone who is blind who has a guide dog. The dog is not only obedient to its master and disciplined to knowing what it should do but is sensitive and even anticipating the needs of its master. It is known that a dog’s acute sense of smell is sensitive to human emotion, anxiety and depression and has the ability to detect ailments and disease. Horses too can read human facial expressions. They possess a gift that can distinguish human mood.
St. Columba his blessings and the white horse. ( part 2 of2)
The white horse which had pulled the wagon for the saint to bless the Island of Iona came to Columba and laid its head on the saint’s chest. It began to whinny and cry. It seemed to know that the saint was ill. One of the monks wanted to take the horse away but St Columba refused: “Let him alone, for he loves me. Let him pour out his tears of grief. You are a man with a rational soul….but this dumb creature, possessing no reason* has been told by the Creator Himself that I am about to leave him.”
His World
Matthew 6:28: “So why do you worry about clothing?
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow they neither toil nor spin.”
God’s creation is too beautiful for the worldly-wise,
It takes the simple, humble mind to stand in awe with open eyes.
The abundance of God’s goodness needs an inner sight and trained,
To wonder at His Universe requires that we have gained;
A sense of veneration for his order and his splendour.
We require a loss of pride and a willingness to surrender,
To gain discernment in our search for beauty and exercise of choice.
We need to listen carefully at that inner, still, small voice
That prompts us to select the best,
And with the angels and the saints attest,
The omnipotence of God in His creation,
The crowning of a Holy Nation,
Dedicated to participation
In His world.
We are indeed the stewards of this earth
Called to cherish and conserve that which is of worth.
Illuminate our sight, dear Lord, so that we may grow in grace
Mirrored for a season until we see You face to face.
Working in our clay-bound bodies, a consequence of sin
Resting rarely to consider lilies that neither toil nor spin.
The earth is far too beautiful for the worldly-wise
It takes a simple, humble heart for the soul to rise
Upwards to the heavens, inspired by love
For His world.
Amma Theodora
Amma Theodora said, ‘Let us strive to enter by the narrow gate, Just as the trees, if they have not stood before the winter’s storms cannot bear fruit, so it is with us; this present age is a storm and it is only through many trials and temptations that we can obtain an inheritance in the kingdom of heaven.’
The same Amma said that a teacher ought to be a stranger to the desire for domination, vain-glory, and pride; one should not be able to fool him by flattery, nor blind him by gifts, nor conquer him by the stomach, nor dominate him by anger; but he should be patient, gentle and humble as far as possible; he must be tested and without partisanship, full of concern, and a lover of souls
*The word for horse in Greek is άλογο which means non-speaking or without logic or reason.
Eν Χριστώ
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The Coronavirus Diary of a Joyous Pustinik — 24
Χριστos ἀνέστη!
I love singing. When I was a little boy, I sang in a Church choir which I joined of my own rather stubborn and precocious will. It was through singing about Christ and to Christ that I came to know Christ. Blessed Augustine said:“ To sing is to pray twice!” I know many who would agree!
Although I have an eclectic taste in music, I often relax by listening to J. S. Bach and if in “party” mood to Vivaldi!
Shoes made of Turf ( part 2 of 2)
As he walked (on his Iona-Turf shoes)towards Armagh, St. Columba sang his old songs and many people came out of their homes to listen to him and followed him all the way to the Bishop’s House. The Bishop was displeased to see the saint and said that he did not like the bards because they conveyed the Gospel stories in their own words in song. St Columba replied that the bards sang from the heart and they were inspired by the Holy Spirit. The Bishop could make no answer, but, seeing the large crowds listening with such enthusiasm to Columba’s singing, let the saint and the people go on their way.
Nine Daughters of Memory
Philippians 4:8
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
Louvre, The Nine Muses Sarcophagus
The old lady sat in her chair musing on past times with her daughters:-
Kalliope
“Do you remember your holiday report, my dear?
The story told in stoic, epic verse
How your heroic deeds the battle won
The dragon slayed to end the curse.
Hope from despair by words alone set free
Your voice and pen gave vent to certain harmony.”
Klio
“Do you recall the lyre lessons and the speeches that you gave?
That concert that you played on Parnassus Mount.
Plucking from history well-worn strings
Strumming the tune of truth’s account.
You made famous those who went before
Those close to home and those on distant shore!”
Euterpe
“Do you honour in verse the hymn you used to sing;
To please the congregation of your choice?
Do you still play the flute and entertain
The crowd and encourage them to rejoice.
Such happy days, it still brings a smile
To ponder on your grace and style.”
Erato
“Do you bear in mind the love letters that once you wrote
When you were young and words were rare?”
The playful lines you loved to quote
In summer’s heat, when scent of roses filled the air.
Your dark eyes still claim the other’s sight
Like piercing arrows of the night.
Melpomene
“Do you salute the mask you cherish of pretence?
Your life that hides the other you, ere long
Of celebration in the midst of tragic circumstance
And tears that flow with melodious song.
The knife, the club, the boot, the mask
Would answer all I need to ask.”
Polymnia
“Do you recollect the serious tones you taught?
From solemn spur and gravest revelation
The whispered sacred silence that you sought
Which led eloquence itself to echo in elation.
Praises cannot cloak or veil your name
Your works have earned immortal fame.”
Terpsichore
“Do you celebrate in dance those shows of such delight?
Your movement midst the chosen nine
Seated, waiting for a chance to flirt
With twirling skirt amongst the chorus line.
Does knowledge of the arts still spring from Helicon?
If music guides your feet my sweet, dance on.”
Thalia
“Do you memorise the jokes you used to tell?
I didn’t see you with your entourage!
The verdant flourishing of your comic dress
Midst clowns that offered camouflage.
Your crown of ivy, wearing boots
You climbed the heights from humble roots.”
Urania
“Do you honour the heavens and thank God for gifts?
Raise the eyes of others to celestial height from naught
Majestic beauty and grace behold that which lifts
Imagination from the power of rational thought.
You used to ponder cosmic birth
The sun, the moon, the stars, the earth.”
So where now are these daughters?
Covered by the nymphic waters!
“All at sea” they say,
Where is their poetry today?
Their mother too, it seems, has slipped away.
Memory, it appears, no longer lives
Though joy of culture still forgives
The sins of the secular select:
The cynic, philistine, politically correct,
Who sail upon the fashions’ tide,
Who in sterile towers of greed reside,
and for their own intentions guide
The arts and life in Titanic struggle.
Too few hands, too many things to juggle!
Yet there is to each a time and chance
To rescue life
-through poetry, music, art and dance.
- Ὁ βίος βραχύς,
- ἡ δὲ τέχνη μακρή,
- ὁ δὲ καιρὸς ὀξύς,
- ἡ δὲ πεῖρα σφαλερή,
- ἡ δὲ κρίσις χαλεπή.
Hippocrates (c. 460 – c. 370 BC)
“Ars longa vita brevis”―
Full quote:
“Ars longa,
vita brevis,
occasio praeceps,
experimentum periculosum,
iudicium difficile.
Life is short,
[the] art long,
opportunity fleeting,
experiment dangerous,
judgment difficult.”
―
Music doth withdraw our minds from earthly cogitations, lifteth up our spirits into heaven, maketh them light and celestial. (St John Chrysostom)
With the famous image of bees that gather from flowers only what they need to make honey, Basil recommends: “Just as bees can take nectar from flowers, unlike other animals which limit themselves to enjoying their scent and colour, so also from these writings … one can draw some benefit for the spirit. We must use these books, following in all things the example of bees. They do not visit every flower without distinction, nor seek to remove all the nectar from the flowers on which they alight, but only draw from them what they need, to make honey, and leave the rest. And if we are wise, we will take from those writings what is appropriate for us, and conform to the truth, ignoring the rest” (St Basil” Ad Adolescentes” 4).
Eν Χριστώ
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The Coronavirus Diary of a Joyous Pustinik — 23
Serving the Orthodox Mission in Madagascar
Christus resurrexit!
Hospitality is a most prominent social feature of our Orthodox Christian Faith. It is impossible for me to visit my spiritual children and friends in Greece, Cyprus or Romania without being showered with the most lavish hospitality. This, of course, involves the most generous portions of delicious food and the most delightful company attended by conversation that continues deep into the night. Despite my best efforts and most fervent protestations about the quantity of food when serving, I invariably return home a kilo heavier!
Before every meal, the food is blessed and in my experience, there is always consideration for others who may benefit from the generous provisions remaining. I know that at this time many of our Parishes are distributing food to the poor, the elderly and the isolated. Glory to God!
St. Columba, his blessings and the white horse: (Part 1 of 2)
Weary with old age Saint Columba in early May 597 was taken around the Island of Iona on a wagon drawn by a white horse. When he saw his monks working in the field he would stand up and bless them. Whenever he saw cattle or sheep grazing he would stand up and bless them. He also blessed the wild animals and birds that he saw. After this, he went to bless the contents of the barns. He was pleased to see them full and said: “If I have to depart from my family, I shall carry with me the knowledge that they have ample food for the coming year.”
The Meal
Matthew 25:42:” Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.”
“What a meal!” the Abbot said
on the feast of St.Wilfred.
“You excelled yourself this time dear brother!”
“The lamb was perfect, like no other.”
“The wine was good too, sweet and red
Better even than the bread.”
“Who was that unexpected guest,
Who appeared at once with all the rest?”
“I’ve no idea” the monk replied
“But I’ve a feeling that he tried
To take some food out to the poor
I saw some beggars at the door. “
“He’ll not come back I’ll see to that
I’d rather feed the kitchen cat.”
He will come back one day you know
To judge all people high or low
And let us pray it’s not too late
To help the one who’s at our gate
The invitation to the heavenly feast
Depends on how we treat the least!
“Prayer, fasting, vigil and all other Christian practices, however good they may be in themselves, do not constitute the aim of our Christian life, although they serve as an indispensable means of reaching this end. The true aim of our Christian life consists in the acquisition of the Holy Spirit. As for fasts, and vigils, and prayer, and almsgiving, and every good deed done for Christ’s sake, they are only means of acquiring the Holy Spirit of God”- St Seraphim of Sarov.
Eν Χριστώ
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The Coronavirus Diary of a Joyous Pustinik — 22
Hristos a înviat!
From my little chapel in my front room, I never serve the Divine services in slippers! Somehow, although this would be more appropriate and comfortable, it seems rather casual and disrespectful; so I always put on my clean shoes as I would as in Church! I’m sure no one would notice my feet under my cassock, but I know, and I know that all things should be done in order as the Apostle Paul reminds us.( 1 Corinthians 14:40) To dress correctly befitting the task is something that we should not easily dismiss. It was good to see some of the gentlemen wearing ties at Pascha!!
I remember mountain walking in Transylvania with my spiritual brother and some students some years ago- a variety of inappropriate footwear seemed the fashion- trainers, sandals and even grandfather’s old brown brogues, but no walking boots! Needless to say there were some very sore feet at the end of each day.
St Columba and the shoes of Turf. ( part I of 2)
In the early Church in these islands with few writing materials, the Gospel was often conveyed by singing bards. A message came to St. Columba (who was also a singing bard) that the leading Bishop in Ireland had outlawed this practice and that” he was not to set foot on the Island of Ireland!” St Columba remembering how many had been converted on earlier missions by singing the Gospel stories decided to go back to Ireland but in order not to contravene the Bishop’s instructions he cut and took two turfs of soil from Iona with him on the boat. On reaching Ireland he tied these two turfs to his feet!
Mountain Walking in Transylvania
Summer 2003
Matthew 7:14: “Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way
which leads to life ,and there are few who find it.
The climb was hard following the track
It tired the legs and wrenched the back;
Clearer and lighter was the air
Greater and slower was the care.
In which we made our way.
The thin line of friends began to spread,
Like a spider’s hoary thread
On the mountain climb together
Stretched in love for one another.
As we walked the way
Stopping often to refresh and rest,
To view the scene, to pray, to jest,
To share a thought, to catch a sigh
To marvel at the birds on high.
As we walked His Way.
Our destination now in sight,
We summon up our little might,
To reach the summit and the goal
With all our heart, mind, strength and soul.
With Him who is the Way.
What toil we must endure, what fatigue, while we are attempting to
climb hills and the summits of mountains! What, that we may ascend
to heaven! If you consider the promised reward, what you endure is
less. Immortality is given to the one who perseveres; everlasting
life is offered; the Lord promises His Kingdom.
St. Cyprian
Eν Χριστώ
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No Prison Bars
The gentle light of evening. No prison bars, only shades of light!
Love and prayers dear sisters and brothers in Christ.
By a joyous Pustinnyk
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The Coronavirus Diary of a Joyous Pustinik — 21
Greeks Fly Clean Monday Kites as Lent Begins. For Greek Orthodox Christians, Clean Monday marks the beginning of the 40-day fast before Easter; tradition dictates that the faithful start abstaining from eating animal products and fly a kite. … And the higher the kite goes, the closer the person comes to God.
Remember the little things – Day 21
Tha Crìosd air èiridh!
As a small boy, I treasured three things that were given to me as presents by my parents: a globe of the world, a gyroscope and a kite. These possessions in their own way held within them a mystery.
To try to comprehend the vastness of the world spinning in space and the wish to travel to exotic-sounding places held a great attraction.
To try to comprehend the spinning gyroscope that defied gravity held a deep fascination and wonder.
To try to keep a kite flying in the skies brought a delightful joy but was a great test of patience for a small boy.
Of the three, the thrill of holding on to the strings of a kite was perhaps the most challenging and exciting. It was difficult enough to get the kite off the ground, let alone keeping it soaring, turning and flying in the sky. It is difficult to catch the wind whilst holding on to the strings, but with practice and years brings a certain technique and skill.
Prayer too takes lots of practice and hard work until we find ourselves soaring aloft with joy. We need to hold on tight to the strings of doctrine whilst allowing the wind of the Holy Spirit to keep us flying.
“ The soul of the Christian needs to be refined and sensitive, to have sensibility and wings, to be constantly in flight and to live in dreams, to fly through infinity, among the stars, amidst the greatness of God, amid silence.” St Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia.
Nettle soup ( final part 3 )
St Columba, having given instruction that the monks should also consume the fine nettle and milk soup, the cook had now to prepare large amounts in the cauldron. Within a short time, the cook had no milk and had to confess his disobedience to the saint. After a moment of surprise, St Columba burst into laughter saying “It is God’s joke against me. It was my pride that persuaded me to tell others of my diet.” After this, the saint ordered that all monks should eat nutritious meals.
The Kite
John 3:8 “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Look upward to the sky
And allow your wings to fly
Upon the glorious breath of God
In the sunrise of your youth.
Soar swiftly with an eagle’s strength,
Measure the height, breadth, depth and length.
Reach heavenward, dear son by the sacramental
strings on earth,
Hold firm to the lifeline and anchor of new birth.
Let the Holy Spirit lift you high
And allow your wings to fly
Upon the glorious breath of God
In the sunrise of your youth.
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Amma Syncletica said, “In the beginning, there are a great many battles and a good deal of suffering for those who are advancing towards God and, afterwards, ineffable joy. It is like those who wish to light a fire. At first, they are choked with smoke and cry, until they obtain what they seek. As it is written, “Our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:24); so we also must kindle the divine fire in ourselves through tears and hard work.”
Eν Χριστώ
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The Coronavirus Diary of a Joyous Pustynnik — 20
Christ is Risen!
The Light shines in the darkness
Some of the Epitaphios flowers are still fresh. Holy Water revives them.
Our enforced lock-down gives one the opportunity to call others, to send texts and forward emails. It is always lovely to hear from people, especially the ones you haven’t heard from in a long while. Amidst the sad statistics, it is good to hear pieces of good news which bring hope and encouragement as well as to share one another’s burdens. Perhaps God has given us this time to teach us patience and attentiveness; to listen more to His Word and to the words of others, to hear what the other is saying without the busyness of distraction. We should always take care of course what we hear and discern that which is good from that which is evil. The Welsh have a saying, “Gossip, is the devil’s mailbag!”
Messages lie at the very heart of the “good news” of the Gospel. We repeat in this season of Paschal Joy “Christ is Risen!” It has become a greeting as well as a proclamation.
Nettle soup (part 2)
On hearing the message that the Saint (Columba) was to eat only nettle soup, the cook was rather concerned about such a poor diet for his master. He thought to himself; “I will add some milk!” So he hollowed out the stick used for stirring soup and through it he secretly poured the milk. St Columba ate the soup and ordered that all the monks should follow his example and have this tasty soup. (Part three next time!!)
The Message
Luke 24:9 “Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven
and to all the rest.”
Early in the morning with the sorrow that they shared
The women set out with the spices that they had prepared.
They came to the place where he was laid, the stone was rolled away
Expecting only death, they found an empty tomb at the break of day.
Perplexed and troubled at this scene, two angels then appeared
The women bowed their faces to the ground as they were afeared.
The angels in bright garments addressed the myrrh bearers and said:
“Why is it so that you seek the living among the dead?”
Remember how he spoke to you of how the Son of Man would die
There is no reason for your presence here, nor need for you to cry.
Did he not say that this would come to be at the hands of sinful men,
How he would be crucified and on the third day rise again.
Go proclaim the good news to the eleven and to others who will listen,
That Jesus Christ who died upon the Cross has today arisen.
Glory be to the Risen Lord!
Faith and love which are gifts of the Holy Spirit are such great and powerful means that a person who has them can easily, and with joy and consolation, go the way Jesus Christ went. Besides this, the Holy Spirit gives man the power to resist the delusions of the world so that although he makes use of earthly good, yet he uses them as a temporary visitor, without attaching his heart to them. But a man who has not got the Holy Spirit, despite all his learning and prudence, is always more or less a slave and worshipper of the world.
St. Innocent of Irkutsk, Indication of the Way into the Kingdom of Heaven.
My love and poor prayers
Eν Χριστώ
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The Coronavirus Diary of a Joyous Pustynnik — 19
Christ is Risen!
I have in my collection a rare stone- it is from the Island of Iona. It is not precious in terms of monetary value but extremely precious in terms of faith. It comes from the Island where St Columba had his monastery and from where he launched his missionary journeys to Britain in the 6th.century. At the age of eight years of age, I visited the Island and the Monastery with my parents and collected a few of the distinctively green and white mottled pebbles from the beach (which you are not allowed to pick today.) It is rather beautiful how the roaring of the waves and tumbling of the rocks has smoothed the rough edges of the pebbles. Perhaps likewise we too will have our sharp edges smoothed by the storms and tides that beset us in these days.
Nettle soup ( part 1)
There is a story that on one occasion the saint (Columba) was going to the island cemetery to pray over the graves, when he saw an old woman cutting nettles. On enquiring why she was doing this, the old woman informed him that she was waiting for her cow to come into calf so that she could have milk; so until then she was living on nettle soup. St Columba thought that if the woman could have only nettle soup in expectation of a calf, he could have nettle soup in expectation of the Kingdom of Heaven.
The Mathematical Bridge*
“The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone.”
Psalm 118:22
Unhewn, estranged, indifferent,
Inactive, confused and alone;
The fire of the Spirit breathes movement
Forms shape into coarse living stone.
We will make a bridge together
We will cross the wat’ry divide,
Following Christ the God-man
Mystically at His side.
Beholding Mount Zion’s Vision,
Viewed from a Silver street,
Paved in ruby, topaz and beryl,
There, would-be disciples meet.
Turquoise, emerald, jacinth
Agate and amethyst glow
Chrysolite, onyx and jasper
Reflect on the pavement below.
Hope adds to the seeker’s salvation
Faith multiplies joy in the heart.
Love’s dividend shares the sorrow
Subtracts the self-seeking part.
We will break down walls of division
We will tread where saints have trod;
In fellowship as pilgrims
To build the City of God.
Holy Triangulation-Cross examination
Points to the One unknown.
The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone.
Circled by thousands of angels
Assembled around and above;
Living Stones brought together
As beautiful bridges of love!
Such is friendship, that through it we love places and seasons; for as bright bodies emit rays to a distance, and flowers drop their sweet leaves on the ground around them, so friends impart favour even to the places where they dwell. With friends even poverty is pleasant. Words cannot express the joy which a friend imparts; they only can know who have experienced. A friend is dearer than the light of Heaven, for it would be better for us that the sun were exhausted than that we should be without friends. St John Chrysostom
*The so-called Bridge crosses the River Cam in Cambridge, England.
Eν Χριστώ
ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN FAITH AND LIFE 