Justin Appel

Dear Friends,

Today, the Kapth portion of Psalm 119 fits into our daily lessons, and it puts me in mind of the sayings of Saint Silouan, a nineteenth-century monk of Mt. Athos. I have mentioned St. Silouan before in connection to Arvo Pärt, for whom Silouan's sayings have been particularly important. I would like to include a few brief paragraphs of his sayings here, as well as video that presents more of his sayings with Russian chant as an accompaniment. I hope you find Silouan's words beautiful and challenging. I certainly do!

Yours in Christ,
Justin

What shall I render Thee, O Lord, for that Thou hast poured such great mercy on my soul? Grant, I beg Thee, that I may see my iniquities and ever weep before Thee, for Thou art filled with love for humble souls and dost give them the grace of the Holy Spirit.

O merciful God, forgive me. Thou seest how my soul is drawn to Thee, her Creator. Thou hast wounded my soul with Thy love, and she thirsts for Thee, and wearies without end, and day and night, insatiable, reaches towards Thee, and has no wish to look upon this world, though I love the earth, but above all I love Thee, my Creator, and my soul longs for Thee.

O my Creator, why have I, Thy little creature, grieved Thee so often? Yet hast Thou not remembered my sins.

From: St. Silouan, Wisdom From Mount Athos - The Writings of Staretz Silouan 1866-1938, Sofronii (Archimandrite), trans. Rosemary Edmonds, (St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, Crestwood, NY 1974) p. 36.

In case the video clip does not play, here is the physical address:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PMX5lfpkz0