"The Saints — those who appear from generation to generation, from time to time, following the Saints who preceded them — become linked with their predecessors through obedience to the divine commandments, and endowed with divine grace, become filled with the same light. In such a sequence all of them together form a kind of…
“The Saints — those who appear from generation to generation, from time to time, following the Saints who preceded them — become linked with their predecessors through obedience to the divine commandments, and endowed with divine grace, become filled with the same light. In such a sequence all of them together form a kind of golden chain, each Saint being a separate link in this chain, joined to the first by faith, right actions and love; a chain which has its strength in God and can hardly be broken. A man who does not express a desire to link himself to the latest of the saints (in time) in all love and humility owing to a certain distrust in himself, will never be linked to the preceding saints and will not be admitted to their succession, even though he thinks he possesses all possible faith and love for God and for all His saints. He will be cast out of their midst, as one who refused to take humbly the place allotted to him by God before all time, and to link himself to that latest saint (in time) as God had disposed.” -St. Symeon the New Theologian
From “Practical and Theological Precepts”, 157-158. Writings From the Philokalia: On the Prayer
of the Heart.
“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” -2 Timothy 2:2
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Yes. Short message yet very potent & I must attune myself accordingly. Thank you.
To be a link in such a chain….
Simple and concise yet rich in meaning beyond that of anything I've read recently.
Amen. May our God deem us worthy. 🙏☦️
does anyone here have any examples of recent links on the chain? Elder ephraim of Arizona, St. John maximovitch, st Paisios, st porphyrios, st nectarios, are some I’ve tried to follow. I also believe Athanasios Mitilinaos, Augoustinos Kantiotes, Seraphim Rose to be on the list
Brother, who are the latest saints in our time? Peace be with you, B.Watchman
I believe that we have 16 (incl. Fr. Ephraim) Orthodox Saints in North America. Saint Sebastian of Jackson, CA is one of the new Saints. There is a beautiful icon depicting 15 of the new saints!
You may be able to find it at Saint Savva in Jackson, CA where I bought my icon.