With Elder Porphyrios: A spiritual child remembers

Elder Porphyrios was a holy man of our time. His life and teaching convey the simple message that “Christ is Everything” and that we are all called to participate in the Life of Christ. We are all called to become holy our­selves, through God’s Grace. Elder Porphyrios perhaps seems extraordinary to us, since he approached this calling. Yet, he was, in fact, very “ordinary” and simple in the way that he conducted himself and spoke throughout his life. He used very vivid, colloquial speech. In fact, his language is so simple and direct, it may surprise some English speakers.

Those who have chosen to spend their lives in a Monastery would prefer to be silent. Silence is a precious treasure. The harder it is to acquire the easier it is to lose. Without silence we are unable to hear the continual glorifi­cation, which is offered up to God by the whole of creation, from the humble little flower to the proud soaring eagle, from the tranquil lake to the rough sea, from the bright sun to the countless tiny stars, from the hermit to the hosts of heavenly angels, from wailing babes to the intellectual with his penetrating thoughts. Neither can we, without silence, listen to the whisperings of our conscience, the voice of God breathing within us like a light breeze, which will reveal our poverty and will make us desire the wealth of the good Father, Who is waiting for us to return to his arms.

Yet, there are times, when he who has chosen the path of silence is obliged to speak. “When a Christian finds Christ, when he knows Christ, when Christ dwells within his own little soul and he feels Him, he wants to shout it out and tell it everywhere; he wants to talk about Christ, to say what Christ is, he wants to say - love Christ and put nothing before His Love. Christ is Everything, He is the source of life, the ultimate desire, He is everything. Everything beautiful is in Christ.” (Elder Porphyrios)

The Holy Convent of the Transfiguration of the Savior, Milessi (http://www.porphyrios.net)