Sunday, November 8, 2009

St. John Climacus

“An angel fell from Heaven without any other passion except pride, and so we may ask whether it is possible to ascend to Heaven by humility alone, without any other of the virtues.” - from The Ladder of Divine Ascent

7 comments:

  1. Humility is basically realizing I can do nothing on my own...I cannot save myself, I am nothing without God. Right?

    So in that sense, it IS what's needed.

    Thought-provoking quote.

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  2. Susanne,

    As I understand it, humility is being humble. A humble person is one who is unpretentious and modest.

    It's a virtue that (so I have been told) encompasses three skills: yielding one's rights and possessions to God, earning the right to be heard rather than demanding a hearing, and responding properly to anger when others violate one's personal rights.

    *I* think it's so necessary because without it, we have enormous trouble having any other virtues!

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  3. Totally off topic:

    Have you ever heard of "Monastery Icons"? It's an Orthodox company that sells the BEST Icon stuff! ("The Printery House" is great too.)

    Well! I am so thrilled because I found some lovely icon prints (unmounted) that I can use to make a boardbook for Elspeth. And I bought two (pardon the spelling) tryptichs ~ one to take with me into the hospital and one that is a Russian nativity and so lovely! And then there's the Russian Madonna egg... most of this stuff was on sale! I also found icon Christmas tree ornaments and icon magnets for Elsepthy to use on the fridge... I love it when I find great Icon stuff!!!

    Is that a pic of Anne Bolyn ??? Can't see close enough lol...

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  4. LOL who *is* that in your profile pic?? I can't see to tell!! Catherine of Aragon?? Guess... guess... guess from a microscopic pic!

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  5. Michelle,

    Ooohhh...I shall have to check them out and make a list for next year. I'm being good from now on, I've got Christmas presents to buy! *makes determined face*

    Heh. My avatar is Mary I of England (aka Mary Tudor, or, less flatteringly, Bloody Mary).

    ReplyDelete

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