The Evergetinos - Vol. I, Hypothesis IX, Part I

Tonight we began Hypothesis IX on “where the souls of the dying go and how they exist after the separation from the body.”  We are presented both with the experience of the Saints as they witness the death of others their ascent to heaven and also the experience of those who witness, through the action of God and his Angels,  both Hell and the joys of Heaven. 

Our contemplation of these stories is meant to foster kind of urgency within us. We are not to lose ourselves in empty speculation but rather allow the stories to stir within us the desire for God and a spirit of repentance. We are taught that we must have no illusions about our capacity to choose darkness, to dull the conscience, to such an extent that we choose freely the path that leads away from God. It is a frightening prospect but it is also a saving truth.

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Text of chat during the group: 

00:28:47 renwitter: PSA: From now on, the link for this group will always be pghco.org/evergetinos

 

00:29:00 renwitter: The one for Wednesday will be pghco.org/theophan

 

00:35:24 Ambrose: Now we know why the father spoke so little. He could never get a word in edgewise. :)

 

00:50:20 Mark J. Kelly: Erick’s point reminds me of a great quote by Blaise Pascal, “To those who seek God, He gives sufficient light.  To those who do not seek Him, He gives sufficient darkness.”

 

00:50:52 Ashley Kaschl: Gotta go! See ya Wednesday. 😁

 

01:12:51 renwitter: The Church of the Quivering Brethren

 

01:13:22 Rachel (30): Referring to hidden things from ourselves and not living fully in Christ, I think St. Climacus speaks about this in the beginning of The Ladder. He relates a story of a monk who was living an unspeakably sinful life until he confessed his sins and not only to the priest alone but the whole community.

 

01:17:11 renwitter: For those who joined the group a little later tonight. PSA: From now on, the link for this group will always be pghco.org/evergetinos
The one for Wednesday will be pghco.org/theophan

 

01:20:10 Miron Kerul Kmec: will we get e-mail tooo?

 

01:22:09 renwitter: Yes! For each group

 

01:26:15 Ambrose: “There but for the grace of God go I.”

 

01:30:32 Rachel (30): Thank you.

 

01:31:26 D Fraley: Thank you