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#273404 01/16/08 04:44 AM
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I'd like to take a moment and wish our beloved Administrator Archmandrite Anthony a blessed and spiritually rewarding namesday. Mnogaya Leta! Maybe my favorite writing of his namesake, St Anthony the Great is in order:

"Every man whose effort is to become truly spiritual must try to hold himself aloof from noisy crowds and not go near them, so as to be outside the vortex and turmoil of men in body, heart and mind; for where there are men, there is turmoil. Our Lord showed us an example of withdrawal from people and solitude when He used to go alone up into a mountain to pray. In the wilderness too he conquered the devil, who dared to wrestle with Him. Naturally He was not powerless to conquer him even among the multitude; but He acted thus to teach us that we can more easily overcome the enemy and reach perfection in silence and solitude. Neither did the Lord show His glory to the disciples in the midst of people, but led them up into a mountain and there showed them His glory. John the Forerunner also dwelt in the wilderness until he appeared to Israel. In the world it is easier for the enemy to press upon us with his weapons, both inner and outer; attracting some men as helpers and assistants obedient to him, he there wages war against the faithful. Some shameless woman may serve as a very strong weapon to him, spreading wide her ensnaring nets. When Ezekiel saw four living creatures, each with four faces, all showing the glory of the Lord, he was not in a city or a village but outside in a plain; for God said to him, "Arise, and go forth into the plain, and there shalt thou be spoken to" (Ezekiel 3:22). In general such visions and revelations were given to the saints only in mountains and wilderness. Prophet Jeremiah, knowing how much solitude pleases God, also said, "It is good for a man when he bears a yoke in his youth. He will sit alone, and be silent" (Lamentations 3:27-28). Again, knowing well how much harm human talk brings to those who want to please God, he could not refrain from saying, "Who would give me a most distant lodge in the wilderness, that I might leave my people, and depart from them?" (Jeremiah 9:2). Also Prophet Elijah received food from the angels, and this not among a crowd of people, nor in a city or a village, but in the wilderness. All these and similar things, which occurred to the saints, were written to persuade us to imitate those who loved retirement, for it can lead us too to the Lord. So try to be well grounded in it, that you may be led to the vision of God, which is the most spiritual contemplation."


Alexandr

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XRONIA SAS POLLA KAI Mnohaja Lita Father Anthony!

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God bless you today and everyday!

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Father Anthony, may you have a blessed namesday. Next year I'm sending your pyrohy as a gift.

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Blessed Nameday, Fr. Anthony ! Thank you for all your service here ! Many years !

-- John

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Blessed name day and many happy years! John

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Prayers for our virtual "pastor" on his Namesday!

Gordo

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I was going to wait until tomorrow when his feast day is celebrated, (but we can't blame Alexandr, since he follows a different calendar)-- so since this thread already got started...

CHRONIA POLA PATER!!

and may St. Anthony the Great always intercede for you before God, and may God grant you all spiritual blessings, good health and happiness!

In Christ,
Alice

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May St Anthony the Great cover our Father Anthony with the mantle of his holy protection always!

Alex

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Eis polla eti!

Ray

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CHRONIA POLA PATER!!

God grant you many years!

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From the life of St Anthony the Great.

A holy Father visited St Anthony and asked him why it was that St Anthony did more miracles than he, even though he prayed much more than St Anthony.

To this, Anthony replied, "It is because I love God more . . ."

Alex

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FATHER ANTHONY:

May the Lord continue to bless your pilgrimage and your continued prophetic witness to His People by your fidelity to the holy priesthood and to the monastic calling.

BOB

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I pray that God will continue to bless and guide Father Anthony for many many years.

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Many years to Fr Anthony on this day

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Moderated by  Alice, Father Anthony 

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