Silence...

"Our ignorance, O holy brothers, has cast as much light for you as it could on the knowledge and teaching of the illustrious fathers. Even if perchance our unskilled language has confused it instead of clarifying it, I pray that our blameworthy rudeness not nullify the renown of our Judge to lay bare this magnificent teaching, if one reflects upon its sublime insights, the offensive boorishness of our words cannot hinder the reader's profit. And we ourselves are concerned more about usefulness than renown. To be sure, I advise all into whose hands these little works may fall to realize that whatever is pleasing in them is from the fathers, whereas whatever is displeasing is ours" (17.30.3).

"It remains for the spiritual zephyr of your prayers to accompany me now, tossed about as I have been thus far by a most dangerous tempest, to the safe harbor of silence" (24.26.19).

The main purpose of this weblog's short run was to increase awareness of St. John Cassian and his works, especially for Christians in the Western Hemisphere. Hopefully it has fulfilled its purpose for at least a few people.

Since this blog has nothing of its own to contribute, it is better for it to remain silent. Moreover, it is best to read St. John's actual works rather than poor summaries of his works. These brief summaries were intended to encourage people to read the actual conferences.

The Conferences should be read with attention by all who desire union with God. They are even more helpful when they are read indefinitely alongside the Holy Scriptures. For Christians they should be required reading, yet they have been sadly neglected. Perhaps, St. John will enjoy a wider readership in the future.

Our God-bearing Father John Cassian, pray to Christ our God to grant us His great mercy.

Cassian on His Conferences

"Our ignorance, O holy brothers, has cast as much light for you as it could on the knowledge and teaching of the illustrious fathers. Even if perchance our unskilled language has confused it instead of clarifying it, I pray that our blameworthy rudeness not nullify the renown of our Judge to lay bare this magnificent teaching, if one reflects upon its sublime insights, the offensive boorishness of our words cannot hinder the reader's profit. And we ourselves are concerned more about usefulness than renown. To be sure, I advise all into whose hands these little works may fall to realize that whatever is pleasing in them is from the fathers, whereas whatever is displeasing is ours." (The Conferences: 17.30.3)

"It remains for the spiritual zephyr of your prayers to accompany me now, tossed about as I have been thus far by a most dangerous tempest, to the safe harbor of silence." (24.26.19)

Now to that great harbor of silence...

Father Seraphim Rose on Orthodox Living

"Prayer, fasting, vigil and all other Christian practices, however good they may be in themselves, do not constitute the aim of our Christian life, although they serve as the indispensable means of reaching this end. The true aim of our Christian life consists in the [increasing] acquisition of the Holy Spirit of God. As for fasts, and vigils, and prayer, and almsgiving, and every good deed done for Christ's sake, they are only means of acquiring the Holy Spirit of God." - St. Seraphim of Sarov

A Christian Ending to Our Life

“Everything, therefore, has to do with the end.”- Abba Paphnutius (The Conferences, 3.5.4)

Reaching the end requires much labor.  If the end is not well, the beginning and the middle are of little consequence.  If the athlete trains to win the race and fails to do so, he looks upon his preparation as inadequate.  If the farmer does not yield a good harvest, he suffers despite his best intentions.