I’m Busy

In one village, there lived a large family – a husband, a wife and four children. All his life the master of the house worked hard to meet the needs of his near and dear.

Every Sunday, his wife took the children to the church service. However, the head of the family refused to go to church. When his wife asked him why he did not go, he used to say, "You go. And I'm busy."

The master of the house had a habit. Whatever the man started doing, major or minor, he would say, "Lord, help me!" or "With Lord's help!"  Without these words, he did not proceed to any work. Therefore, during his long life he turned to God a large number of times, and a large number of things he did with God's help.

And now it is time for the man to die.

– Let me call a priest, – cautiously suggested the wife, – so that you could confess and take communion.

After his wife's words, the man thought. For a moment, the whole life rolled back in his mind’s eye – at work and worry. He remembered how many times his wife had suggested him going to church, and how many times he had excused himself saying he was busy.

Suddenly, the man made an effort, with great difficulty got out of bed and said to his wife:

- Do not call the priest. I'll go to church myself.  The Lord so many times came to me, and I to him – never!

Then he turned to the children and said:

– However busy you are, do not miss a chance to come to God. Remember – God is much busier than us, but He always helps us as soon as we turn to Him!

Read also

St. John Lampadistes, Wonderworker of All Cyprus

St. John Lampadistes, whose feast day is October 4/17, was a young ascetic in 10th century Cyprus.

St. Kosmas the Hymnographer: Poet, Bishop, and Defender of Icons

The bishop of Maiuma and adopted brother of St. John of Damascus is often forgotten in comparison to his legendary sibling but nevertheless contributed beautiful hymns to the Church and stood against Emperor Leo III during the period of iconoclasm.

Spruce Island Books: An Interview with Abp. Alexei of Alaska

"Mount Athos prepared me by giving me a way of life that I now try to share in Alaska: obedience, prayer, and patience."

The Rise and Fall of 'Anglo-Orthodoxy'

In the 19th and 20th centuries, certain Anglican leaders—with the support of their Orthodox counterparts—sought to forge an "Anglo-Orthodox" movement. Their goal was to lead the Church of England into union with the Orthodox Church.  Such hopes were dashed as the C. of E. was swept away by the tide of liberal theology. Anglicanism's decline culminated yesterday in the election of Sarah Mullally as the first Archbishopess of Canterbury.

REVIEW: The Errors of the Latins

Thomas Aquinas’s Contra Errores Graecorum , built on forged sources, faltered in its bid to reconcile East and West. George Pachymeres’s The Errors of the Latins masterfully defends Orthodoxy, exposing Catholic innovations with scholarly rigor. It is an invaluable resource for those inquiring into Orthodoxy, as well as those resisting the siren-song of ecumenism.

I Will Not Leave You as Orphans

In 2017, Fr. Savvaty suffered a devastating injury. As he was rushed to the hospital, his heart stopped. Then he was visited by St. John the Wonderworker. St. John sat at his bedside, holding his hand and answering his questions. His teachings—like his presence—were nothing short of miraculous.