Orthodox Christians On Virtue

discovering virtue An activity book for Orthodox Christian youth

The Orthodox Christian goal is to reach a state of holiness by uniting ourselves through grace to Christ and by acquiring in this present life the virtues rtues of Christian perfection.

What is Vi Virtue?

Theword“virtue”isusedtodefineaperson’scharacter. Theword“virtue”isusedtodefineaperson’scharacter. 

 Everygoodqualitytobefoundin EverygoodqualitytobefoundinapersonisreallyfirstandforemostfoundinGod. andforemostfoundinGod. Hemadeeachandeveryperson eachandeverypersoninHisimage,withthepotentialtobecomelikeHim. withthepotentialtobecomelikeHim.  AllgoodthingscomefromHimand llgoodthingscomefromHimandHedesiresthatweshareinthisgoodness Hedesiresthatweshareinthisgoodness.  Therefore,tobelikeGod,istoacquire Therefore,tobelikeGod,istoacquireHisgoodnessandHisvirtues. virtues.  InGreek,thisis InGreek,thisiscalledηθικηαρετη,or"habitualexcellence." ,or"habitualexcellence." Thesequalities Thesequalitiesarepracticedatalltimes,inastateofperfection, perfection, whichweoftenfallshortofdoingbecausewearesinners. chweoftenfallshortofdoingbecausewearesinners. Howeverthecloserweg thecloserwegrowtowardsChrist,themorewewillresemble wewillresemble HisvirtuesorotherwiseknownasthefruitsoftheSpirit. 

“beyeperfectasyourheavenlyFatherisperfect." 

WordsofChristfromtheGospelofSt.Matthew5:48

"Putontherefore,astheelectofGod, "Putontherefore,astheelectofGod, holyandbeloved,bowelsofmercies, holyandbeloved,bowelsofmercies, kindness,humblenessofmind,meekness,longsuffering; kindness,humblenessofmind,meekness,longsuffering; forbearing forbearingoneanother,andforgivingoneanother, ifanymanhaveaquarrelagainstany: ifanymanhaveaquarrelagainstany: evenasChristforgaveyou,s evenasChristforgaveyou,soalsodoye. Andaboveallthesethingsputoncharity, Andaboveallthesethingsputoncharity, whichisthebondofperfection. AndletthepeaceofGodruleinyourhearts, AndletthepeaceofGodruleinyourhearts, towhichalsoyearecalledinonebody; towhichalsoyearecalledinonebody; andbeyethankful. LetthewordofChristdwellinyourichly LetthewordofChristdwellinyourichly inallwi inallwisdom;teachingandadmonishing oneanotherinpsalmsandhymnsandspiritualsongs, oneanotherinpsalmsandhymnsandspiritualsongs, singingwithgraceinyourheartstotheLord" singingwithgraceinyourheartstotheLord"

 (Colossians3.12-16)

faith Hope Knowledge wisdom Honesty Humility Obedience patience courage faithfulness chastity & self control generosity gratitude love

How do we achieve Virtues?  Weknowit’spossibletoachievevirtuesandsharein Weknowit’spossibletoachievevirtuesandsharein God’sperfectioninthislife,becausetheSaintsoftheOrthodoxChurch God’sperfectioninthislife,becausetheSaintsoftheOrthodoxChurch didso.Ifwelookattheirlives,wewillfindamaptofollow! didso.Ifwelookattheirlives,wewillfindamaptofollow!  AlloftheSaintshavesomethingincommon.They AlloftheSaintshavesomethingincommon.Theystruggle struggled andmadegreat madegreatsacrificesbecauseoftheirloveforGod.  SomeSaintsledsinfullivesatfirst,butthroughrepentancethey Saintsledsinfullivesatfirst,butthroughrepentancethey Saintsledsinfullivesatfirst,butthroughrepentancethey committed tedtherestoftheirlivestoChrist.Othersgaveup greatwealthandfametofollowthenarrowpath.Somewillingly greatwealthandfametofollowthenarrowpath.Somewillingly clothedthemselvesinsimpleattire,ateverylittle,slept clothedthemselvesinsimpleattire,ateverylittle,sleptfewhourstokeep fewhourstokeep vigilduringthenights, vigilduringthenights,offeredeverythingtheyhadtothepoor offeredeverythingtheyhadtothepoorand surroundedthemselveswithsilence. surroundedthemselveswithsilence.Becauseofthis,theirdays heirdays werefilledwith werefilledwithprayerandabundantjoy!  JustasGodblessedthem,Hewillblessustoowhenwe JustasGodblessedthem,Hewillblessustoowhenweattempt mpt small smallgesturesforHimtoshowourgratefulness. 

CanyouwriteafewexamplesbelowofthingsyoucandoforGod?

      

faith,hope,knowledge,wisdom,honesty,humility,obedience, faith,hope,knowledge,wisdom,honesty,humility,obedience, patience,courage,faithfulness, patience,courage,faithfulness,temperance,generosity,gratitude,love ,gratitude,love

Virtue Match-up up Drawalineconnectingthecorrectdefinition

 

• Faith • Hope • Knowledge • Wisdom • Honesty • Humility • Obedience

tobetruthfulatalltimesand avoidhypocrisy  tofollowthewillofGodby thewillofGodby sometimesdenyingour enyingourown desiresjoyfully  undoubtingbeliefin thingshopedfor illuminationnotfrombooks butfromaholywayoflife pleasingtoGod  beliefinwhatispossible beliefinwhatispossible  completerelianceon Godforallthingsrather rather thanourselvesorothers orothers theabilityofthemind tounderstandGod 

Virtue Match Match-up Drawalineconnectingthecorrectdefinition

 thecareandconcernfor careandconcernfor thewell-beingofothers TowaituponGod’sdoing doing withacceptanceofyourfaults andthefaultsofothers  Acommitmenttoachieve Acommitmenttoachieve yourcalling,andbearing yourcalling,andbearing fruitwiththegiftsandtalents fruitwiththegiftsandtalents giventoyoubyGod Havingnofearevenunto martyrdomorhumiliation orhumiliation beingthankfulforeverything thankfulforeverything andfullofinnerpeace totrulyimitateGod  makingsacrificesanddecisions sacrificesanddecisions foraholiermind,body,andsoul mind,body,andsoul

• Courage • Gratitude & contentment • Self-Control Control & Chastity • Faithfulness • Patience • Generosity & Kindness • love

"The demons very much fear six virtues: 1. Hunger Hunger  2. Thirst Thirst  ThePrayerofJesus(LordJesusChrist,havemercyonme) 3. ThePrayerofJesus  ThesignoftheCross,thatishewhomakes 4. ThesignoftheCross,thatishewhomakes thesignofthecrosscorrectlyuponhimself signofthecrosscorrectlyuponhimself  FrequentCommunionoftheMostPure 5. Frequent MysteriesofChrist,ifoneworthilycommunes MysteriesofChrist,ifoneworthilycommunes  UndoubtinghopeinGod. 6. UndoubtinghopeinGod.

There is nothing more frightful that this weapon against the demons.” -StPaisiosVelichkovsky

Write the number from rom these six virtues that seems the hardest? _____ Which numbers can remember to do daily? ____ _____ _____ _____

FAITH  

'Faithgiveswingstoprayer, 'Faithgiveswingstoprayer, andwithoutitwecannot andwithoutitwecannot flyuptoHeaven.' flyuptoHeaven.'

St John of the Ladder 

Question: Answer:

List two events from the Bible that happened because of faith 1. __________________________________________________________________

2. ________________________________________________________________________________

A story of obedience  IntheSayingsoftheDesertFathersthereoncewasamonkwhowastoldtoplant monkwhowastoldtoplant adrystickinthesandandtowateritdaily.Thespringwassofarfromhiscellthat adrystickinthesandandtowateritdaily.Thespringwassofarfromhiscellthat hehadtoleaveintheeveningtofetchthewaterandhereturnedthefollowingmorning. hehadtoleaveintheeveningtofetchthewaterandhereturnedthefollowingmorning.  ForthreeyearshepatientlyfulfilledhisAbba'scommand.Attheendofthi ForthreeyearshepatientlyfulfilledhisAbba'scommand.Attheendofthisperiod, thesticksuddenlyputforthleavesandborefruit.TheAbbapickedthefruit,tookittothe church,andinvitedthemonkstoeat,saying,"Comeandtastethefruitofobedience."

Circle the people in your life that you can practice obedience with:

Mom

Principal Coach

Teacher

Parish Priest Older Sibling

Dad

Monk/Nun

Grandparents Grand Nouno/Nouna Spiritual Father

Painting rocks of virtue

love

peace
peace





patience


Supplies needed: Smoothrocks,paint,paintbrushes

 Instructions: Chooseafavoritevirtuetopaintonastoneandcarryit aroundinyourpocketasyourspecialreminder.










A story of humility  AmonkonceaskedelderMacariushowtobesaved. AmonkonceaskedelderMacariushowtobesaved. St.Macariusansweredhim,"Gotothetombsandattackthedeadwithinsults." thetombsandattackthedeadwithinsults." Themonkwonderedatthe wonderedattheadvice.Howeverhewent,ashewastold,andcastston ,andcaststones atthetombs,insultingthe atthetombs,insultingthedead.Thenreturning,hetoldwhathehaddone. dead.Thenreturning,hetoldwhathehaddone. Macariusaskedhim,"Didthedeadnoticewhatyoudid?" did?" Andhereplied,"Theydidnotnoticeme." Andhereplied,"Theydidnotnoticeme."  "Go,then,again,"saidelderMacarius,"andthistimepraisethem." Themonk,wonderingyetmore,wentandpraisedthedead,callingthem ,wonderingyetmore,wentandpraisedthedead,callingthem ,wonderingyetmore,wentandpraisedthedead,callingthem righteousmen,apostles,saints.Returning,hetoldwhathehad men,apostles,saints.Returning,hetoldwhathehaddone,saying, done,saying, "Ihavepraisedthedead."ElderMacariusaskedhim,"Didtheyreplytoyou?" Andthemonk themonksaid,"Theydidnotreplytome."  ThensaidelderMacarius, Macarius,"Youknowwhatinsultsyouhaveheapedonthem "Youknowwhatinsultsyouhaveheapedonthem

andwithwhatpraisesyouhaveflattere andwithwhatpraisesyouhaveflatteredthem,andyettheyneverspoketoyou. dthem,andyettheyneverspoketoyou. Ifyoudesiresalvation,youmustbelikethesedead.Youmustthinknothing Ifyoudesiresalvation,youmustbelikethesedead.Youmustthinknothing ofthewrongsmendotoyou,norofthepraisestheyofferyou. Belikethedead.Thusyoumaybesaved.”

the opposite challenge Fillintheemptyspacesbelowwithanopposingcharactertraitofthevirtuesupabove  faith 







love













hope 









chastity







knowledge

















wisdom













honesty



humility 



obedience

















gratitude



disbelief

indifference

patience

generosity

courage

What is chastity?  

InZadonsktherelabored theasceticGeorge,whowaswell theasceticGeorge,whowaswell-knowninhistime. Earlyonherealizedallthevanityofworldlylifeandwenttoamonastery, Earlyonherealizedallthevanityofworldlylifeandwenttoamonastery, butwasnotsatisfiedevenwiththisandchoseforhimselfabsolutesolitude butwasnotsatisfiedevenwiththisandchoseforhimselfabsolutesolitude—reclusion. Herehespenthistimeinfasting,prayerandcontemplationofGod,buttemptations Herehespenthistimeinfasting,prayerandcontemplationofGod,buttemptations didnotleavehim.Whenhewasstillintheworld,hehadlovedagirlwithapurelove, andherimageoftenstoodbeforehim,disturbinghisstateofspiritualc andherimageoftenstoodbeforehim,disturbinghisstateofspiritualcalm.Once,sensing alm.Once,sensing hishelplessnessinthestruggle,hecriedout:"OLord,ifthisismycross,givemethe strengthtobearit;butifitisnot,thenerasetheveryrecollectionofherfrommy memory."TheLordheardhim.Andonthatverynighthesawi memory."TheLordheardhim.Andonthatverynighthesawinadreamayoung nadreamayoung maidenofuncommonbeauty,clothedingoldraiment.Inhergazethereradiatedsuch unearthlymajestyandangelicpuritythatGeorgewasunabletotearhiseyesawayfrom her,andwithreverenceheasked,"Whoareyou?Whatisyourname?" her,andwithreverenceheasked,"Whoareyou?Whatisyourname?""Mynameis "Mynameis chastity,"shereplied,andthevisioncametoanend.Comingtohimself,theascetic offeredupthankstotheLordforbringinghimtoreason.Theimagehehadseenin offeredupthankstotheLordforbringinghimtoreason.Theimagehehadseenin hisdreamwassoingrainedinhismindthatitcompletelyerasedallothe hisdreamwassoingrainedinhismindthatitcompletelyerasedallotherimages.

-Elder Elder Barsanuphius of Optina

Did you know? The holy canons of the Orthodox Church specify that male candidates for the priesthood are to be virgins. Chastity is for guys and girls alike!


 Abba Longinos was once asked which virtue he considered most important of all. "Just as pride is the greatest of all evils, since it succeeded in casting the angels from heaven to the abyss, so humility is the greatest of all virtues. It had the power to raise the sinner from the abyss up to heaven. For this reason, the Lord blesses, before all others, the poor in spirit."



"Unless a man keeps the commandments of God, he cannot progress, even in a single virtue"

-AbbaAgathon

“

Oneofthem,anexpertinthelaw,testedhimwiththisquestion: Oneofthem,anexpertinthelaw,testedhimwiththisquestion:

"Teacher,whichisthegreatestcommandmentintheLaw?"  Jesusreplied:

“LovetheLord yourGodwithallyourheart yourGodwithallyourheart andwithallyoursoul andwithallyoursoul andwithallyourmind.” andwithallyourmind.” “Andthesecondislikeit:' Andthesecondislikeit:'Loveyourneighborasyourself.” Loveyourneighborasyourself.”  Matthew22:35-38

start

CLOSING PRAYER PrayerofaSinglePerson JesusmyLord,Whobecamemanandgraceduswiththebeautyof Yourlifeandwiththeexampleoffaith,purityandlove;helpme,Ipray, toloveYouwithallmymind,heartandsoul,andtoliveaccording toYourteachings.Strengthenmewhentemptationsstrike,thatImay remainpureinthoughtandsteadfastinvirtue,doingonlythingsthatare pleasingtoYou.GuidemetoliveYourwillandnotmyownasIlook tothefuture.Grantmefaith,courageandlove,thatImayserveYouin holinessallthedaysofmylife,throughtheprayersoftheTheotokos andofalltheSaints.Amen.

It is impossible for a man without legs to walk, even if the rest of his body is healthy, so it is impossible to approach god, or reach god in prayer, without active virtue. BySt.TheophantheRecluse,OnPrayer,Homily4