On the Archangel Michael and all the Angelic Host

There is not and cannot be equality, either on earth or in heaven. Equality exists only in the One Holy Trinity. The archangel Michael conquered the Morning Star (that is, Satan) by humility, patience, and courage. The Archangel Gabriel is the messenger of the mysteries of God and of miracles. All of them have their particular duties.

On Guardian Angels

A Guardian Angel is given to each person at the moment of his baptism. How should one guard the union of the soul with its Guardian Angel? He carries out his activity through the conscience and heart. When a person cares for the salvation of his soul, guards his conscience, and avoids all manner of sin, then he senses his Guardian Angel. The Guardian Angel instructs him in every good thing, sends him good thoughts, and warns him against evil. We will see our Guardian Angel on the day of our departure from this life. But what kind of meeting this will be will depend upon us and our deeds. Will our Guardian Angel rejoice or will he sorrow at our careless life: He steps away from those who do acknowledge either him or their own souls; he steps away from those who do everything against their conscience, from those who have committed sin after sin, have become rooted in evil, and have deadened their consciences and hardened their hearts. From such a person a guardian Angel steps away, and the spirit of darkness – that is, the devil – steps in and makes that person his slave. And the soul of that person has perished. The guardian Angel, having stepped away, weeps for that soul.

Let us be attentive towards our Guardian Angel, let us prayerfully beg his help in all good deeds and for deliverance from every sin. Let us entreat him to persistently lead us to the Lord, and let us not disgrace him by our actions.

A Sermon on Time

What is more precious than anything in the world? Time! And what do we waste uselessly and without being sorry? Time! What do we not value and what do we disregard more than anything? Time! When we waste time, we lose ourselves! We lose everything!  When we have lost the most trivial item, we search for it. But when we lose time – we’re not even aware of it. Time is given by God to use correctly for the salvation of the soul and the acquisition of the life to come. Time must be allocated in the same way that a good housekeeper allocates every coin – each one is used for something. Each one has its own purpose. In such a way, let us also allocate time profitably, not for vain amusements and entertainments, conversations, feasts and parties. The Lord will call us to account for having stolen time for our own whims and for not using it for God and our souls.