Author Archives: Fr. Luke

Disposing of Religious Refuse

By Fr. Luke | Published: December 5, 2009

As a general rule, things that are blessed or otherwise considered “holy” are never to be thrown away.  They are to be disposed of properly and respectfully, usually by burning. The following is a brief summary of how various holy things should be properly disposed of. Holy Communion: Any porous material that gets Holy Communion [...]

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Some Practical Reminders Concerning Holy Communion

By Fr. Luke | Published: December 4, 2009

When we receive the Immaculate Mysteries, we should always make sure that the communion cloth is held carefully under our chin, that our head is slightly tilted back and that our mouth is opened well enough in advance for the Priest to place the Spoon in it easily. We then close our lips on the [...]

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More Practical Reminders Concerning Holy Communion

By Fr. Luke | Published: December 3, 2009

Behold, I approach the Divine Communion. O Creator, let me not be burnt by communicating, For Thou art Fire, consuming the unworthy. But, rather, purify me of all impurity. ~Prayer of Saint Symeon the New Theologian If we approach Holy Communion with the above thoughts in mind, we will reap all of the spiritual blessings [...]

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Cases of Childlessness

By Fr. Luke | Published: October 14, 2008

—Geronta, a husband and wife that both have Mediterranean anemia [1] asked us if they should try to have children. We told them to ask their spiritual father. —Spiritual fathers should not tell such couples not to have children. They must guide them in philotimo, so as to struggle in abstinence (to abstain), and with [...]

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Human Logic and the Will of God for Childbearing

By Fr. Luke | Published: December 13, 2007

Oftentimes couples express to me their insecurity regarding the topic of childbearing, and they ask my opinion. Some only want one or two children, while others want to have many. It would, however, be to their advantage to leave the issue of childbearing to God—to entrust their lives to divine providence and not try to [...]

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Difficulties in Childbearing

By Fr. Luke | Published: December 12, 2007

—Geronta, if a woman is not Orthodox, and if she is not able to conceive a child, is it alright for her to wear the belt we have blessed on the holy relics of St. Arsenios? [1] —Does she believe in the power of the Saint or does she think that it will help in [...]

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Saints Joakeim and Anna are the Most Dispassionate Couple

By Fr. Luke | Published: December 6, 2007

—Geronta, tell us about Saints Joakeim and Anna, the ancestors of God. You once started to speak of them. —Since I was little I’ve had a great veneration for the Holy Ancestors. Surely I’ve told one of you about wanting them to give me the name Joakeim when they made me a monk. We owe [...]

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Through Asceticism, Man Becomes Immaterial (Part II)

By Fr. Luke | Published: November 30, 2007

I know a layman who became holy with the asceticism he practiced. Yes, not many years ago there was a man and his son who worked for years on the Holy Mountain. Later, a good job opportunity presented itself back in his homeland, and the man decided to leave and take his son with him [...]

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Through Asceticism, Man Becomes Immaterial

By Fr. Luke | Published: November 15, 2007

—Geronta, you once had told us: “A blockade is needed in spiritual warfare.” What did you mean? —In a war they try to blockade the enemy. They surround him, confine him within the city walls, and deprive him of food. Then they cut off his water: for if the enemy is left without basic supplies [...]

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Work Doesn’t Make the Man

By Fr. Luke | Published: November 7, 2007

—Geronta, when someone feels strained at work, what is to blame? —Perhaps they don’t approach their work with good thoughts? If they confront it rightly, then whatever job they do will seem like a festival. —Geronta, when someone is upset because his job is difficult or distasteful—for example, he works construction or washes dishes at [...]

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