Having come across a remark in AKC‘s letters that the really cultured and spiritual European does not have a peer in their Eastern counterparts, I returned to a volume of Wilhelm Humboldt‘s collected letters and essays, excerpted by subject. Although one can tell that the writing was not in English … Continue reading
Excerpt from Forming the Soul
The following is an excerpt from a tract circulated within the Orthodox Word; it was written by the Sisters of St. Xenia’s Skete. A good friend of mine gave it to me a long while ago. There is food for thought here, as the writer(s) argue that old Western culture … Continue reading
The Anti-Christ & the Liberal-Democratic Order
In an interesting turn of phrase, St. Paul indicates in Thessalonians 2 that the Anti-Christ will come, not as an idol, but as an iconoclast: “He who opposes and exalts himself against everything that is called God and religion, just as he will sit in the Temple of God, as … Continue reading
Techniques of Prayer
With the initial disclaimer that (in the Christian religion) one must beware of “over-systematizing” the grace of God into specific techniques, the following is shared for the possible benefit of readers who are interested in esoteric Christianity. Boris Mouravieff claims that there is a collection of “scripts” called the Golden … Continue reading
Peter’s Secret Christian Tradition
We have reached the end of our research into the document found in the Ante Nicene Father collection, known as the Clement Journal. It is impossible to sum up so many posts in detail, but one thing is clear — the early Christian religion, as given by Peter to Clement … Continue reading
More Insight into Christian Initiation
This is a continuation of posts on Clement’s Journal, found (in obscurity) in the Ante Nicene Fathers. Peter has been initiating Clement, so we see the “inner workings” of this process, which really amounts to a sort of personal spiritual apprenticeship, which is governed by affectionate command and proud obedience, … Continue reading
Christian Initiation in Clementine Literature
This is a continuation of thoughts from my source, as well as a running summary/commentary on the events described. Please note the tremendous import of one claim made in this treatise: Baptism is a powerful rite because Christ the Only-Begotten made the waters (upper & lower). Peter is initiating Clement … Continue reading
Clement’s Initiation: Peter and Shimon Magus debate
This is a continuation of a previous post. My source document is here, and I have already noted the problems with dates – it is part of the Clementine literature, involving at least two Clements, but its contents are noteworthy. Simon Magus is an under-appreciated character, even though modern sensibilities … Continue reading