Intro

Steps 1 - 6

Steps 7 - 12

Steps 13 - 18

Steps 19 - 24

Steps 25 - 26

Steps 27 - 30

 

FOR THE MIND:

1) Reading and hearing the Word of God, the writings of the Holy Fathers, and the lives of the God-pleasers. 2) Studying and impressing upon yourself all the God-given truths in brief statements (the catechesis). 3) Asking questions of those older and more experienced. 4) Mutual informative discourse with friends.

 

FOR THE WILL:

1) Submission to the whole Church rule. 2) Submission to civil order, or to family duty, for they are conduits of God's Will. 3) Obedience to God's Will as manifested in your fate. 4) Obeying your conscience in the doing of good deeds. 5) Subjecting yourself to the spirit that is zealous to fulfill its vows.

 

FOR THE HEART:

1) Attending holy Church services. 2) Prayer, as specified by the Church; home prayer rule. 3) Using holy crosses, icons and other sacred substances and objects. 4) Observing holy customs established and promoted by the Church.

St. Theophan the Recluse, "The Path to Salvation"

 

What is Growth?

1. An increase, as in size, number, value, or strength; extension or expansion: population growth.
2. Something that grows or has grown: a new growth of grass.
3. A result of growth; a product: concerns that are a growth of the new responsibilities.

Internal growth causes external growth.

What is Orthodox Growth?

Growth that starts with you...

Ephesians 4
14   That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15   But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16   From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

1 Peter 2
1   Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, all evil speakings, 2   As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:3   If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is good.

2 Peter 3
17   Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.18   But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

2 Corinthians 7:1-10

"Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."

Were it not that the Lord bore our sins (Is. 52:4-6 LXX) and cleansed us in the washing of Holy Baptism (Eph. 5:26), these promises could only lead to despair. However, in urging us to "cleanse ourselves," the Apostle reveals the great hope we have in Christ Jesus. The Lord achieved the essential cleansing, a foundation for purity beyond our capacity. Now, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, we have hope of attaining true purity. St. Paul declares that we must work for moral cleansing by "perfecting  holiness." The word "perfecting" derives from "telos," the word the Lord used when He said: "You must be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Mt. 5:48). "Telos" refers to "an end attained." Hence, cleansing is a process lived in the "fear of God," its end being holiness.St. Paul describes the steps which must be taken to reach the "telos," the ultimate God-defined purity. We may cleanse ourselves when our hearts are open to the teachings of the Apostles (vs. 2), when we are filled with an "earnest desire" to be cleansed (vs. 7), when we mourn and grieve because of our uncleanness and sin (vs. 7), and when we zealously pursue cleansing (vs. 7). Followed diligently as a program of cleansing, these steps naturally lead to repentance, to that "sacrifice" which is pleasing to God, to "a broken spirit, a heart that is broken and humbled" (Ps. 50:17 LXX). Such a heart God does not despise. Rather, He works with us and within us to create such a clean heart and to renew that right spirit within, which He desires (Ps. 50:10 LXX).

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