The Life Giving Springs

Rule for Life 7 - Sacramental Life

"Rule for Life” series focused on the Church’s sacramental life. It opens with a Paschal greeting and a brief link back to the prior topic of repentance, then frames sacramental participation—especially worship services—as essential to renewing both personal faith and parish life. Drawing on examples from Romanian Orthodox renewal (including Patriarch Daniel), it argues that revival begins with self-examination and daily cultivation of prayer, fasting, and repentance, not as performance to “earn” blessings but as a way to become spiritually fruitful and live in constant union with God.

 

The core of the talk emphasizes the Divine Liturgy and Holy Eucharist as the heart and “heartbeat” of the Church, calling believers to active, prayerful participation rather than passive attendance. It explains the meaning of “liturgy” as the Church’s shared work with Christ as the primary agent, highlights preparation for Communion (reconciliation, confession, prayer, fasting, and abstaining from food), and briefly outlines the main liturgies used throughout the year. It then surveys the other sacraments (Baptism, Chrismation, Confession/Reconciliation, Ordination, Marriage, and Anointing of the Sick), stressing their purpose as Christ’s presence and sanctifying action in believers’ lives—especially correcting misunderstandings that reduce anointing to “last rites.” The latter sections encourage participation through additional church prayers and blessings, faithful observance of feast days and the liturgical calendar, and consistent personal prayer at home as the “water” that keeps the heart receptive so sacramental worship bears lasting fruit.

 

Rule for Life 6 - Repentance

 

The last week’s discussion on fasting answers two practical questions: how to fast when caring for someone who cannot, and how to fast before receiving Holy Communion. In both cases, the main guidance is to speak with a spiritual father/confessor, since fasting should be adapted to a person’s responsibilities, work, and health. Fasting is presented not as rigid rule‑keeping but as a tool to simplify life, reduce distractions, strengthen prayer, and fight sinful passions over the long term.

It then turns to repentance, described as a “forgotten medicine” essential to a strong spiritual life and closely connected to prayer and fasting. Repentance (metanoia) is defined as a change of mind and an ongoing, lifelong turning toward God—not merely guilt, but active transformation and healing of habitual sins. The text warns that neglecting repentance hardens the heart and harms spiritual life, critiques self‑justification and “once saved always saved” thinking, and stresses frequent examination of conscience and regular confession (to a priest) as key aids, alongside Scripture, the Church Fathers, and wise guidance from a consistent confessor/spiritual father.

 

Podcast: https://lifegivingspringspodcast.podbean.com/category/confession 

 

Books mentioned: 

 

The Forgotten Medicine by Archimandrite Seraphim Aleksiev: https://www.sainthermanmonastery.com/The-Forgotten-Medicine-p/fm.htm 

 

The Life of Repentance and Purity by Pope Shenouda III: https://a.co/d/0bliYhnO 

 

The Salvation of Sinners by Monk Agapios: https://a.co/d/0bYxEZIC 

 

 

 

 

 

Rule for Life 5 - Fasting

“Rule for Life – Fasting” teaches that fasting and prayer are inseparable disciplines in Christian life, rooted in Christ’s teaching that certain spiritual struggles are overcome only through “prayer and fasting,” and it frames fasting not as punishment but as a therapeutic “medicine” for soul and body that exposes our weaknesses, strengthens reason, and heals the passions—especially gluttony, described by the Fathers as a “gateway” that opens the door to other sins.

 

It critiques a minimalist approach to church fasting rules, urging believers to grow gradually out of love for God beyond bare minimums, and explains that fasting includes restraint not only from certain foods but also from excess in drink, entertainment, social media, and speech. Practically, it outlines the four annual fasting seasons (Great Fast, Apostles’ Fast, Dormition Fast, Nativity Fast), several strict fast days, the traditional “ideal” fast, and three progressive levels of practice that add meal restriction, services, prayer, and charity.

 

The conclusion emphasizes that true fasting must be joined to repentance, purity, obedience, and rejection of evil, and it counsels seeking guidance from a spiritual father because “the fast is for the person, not the person for the fast.”

 

Class - Rule for Life 4 - Questions, Podcasts and Commemoration Book

Podcast to Follow

 

The Life-Giving Springs - https://lifegivingspringspodcast.podbean.com/

The Art of Spiritual Life - https://artofspirituallife.podbean.com/

Philokalia Ministries - https://philokalia.podbean.com/

The New Kollyvades - https://kleined1014.podbean.com/

The Forgotten Way - https://theforgottenway.podbean.com/ by

 

App to Download

 

Byzantine Catholic Companion APP – (both Apple and Android) https://apps.apple.com/us/app/byzantine-catholic-companion/id6758625610

 

 

Commemoration Book - Living and Departed - https://stpaisiusgiftshop.com/new-products/commemoration-book-living-and-departed/?searchid=56249&search_query=comme 

 

Class - Rule for Life 3 - On the Jesus Prayer

This class presents a practical and theological teaching on establishing a consistent Eastern Christian prayer life through intentional preparation, a daily prayer rule, and especially the use of the Jesus Prayer.

 

It explains prayer as essential spiritual warfare and communion with God, emphasizing morning and evening prayers as the framework that orders the day around God. Central to the teaching is the Jesus Prayer, described as a Gospel‑rooted, adaptable prayer for all believers—not only monastics—that can be integrated into every aspect of daily life, including work, family, illness, exhaustion, and intercession for the living and the departed and praying for our enemies. The class outlines how the Jesus Prayer is cultivated—from spoken words to attentive prayer of the mind and heart—and highlights its role in repentance, purification of thoughts, resistance to sin, and gradual transformation into the likeness of Christ.

 

Mentioned Books:

 

The Fruit of Silence (Second Edition): The Jesus Prayer as a Foundation to the Art of Spiritual Life: https://www.amazon.com/Fruit-Silence-Second-Foundation-Spiritual-ebook/dp/B0FM26816W/ref=sr_1_1?crid=29913JASL5XCD&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.8GpcfGtKQFpFGe6f451DTRXebgyWQR14svtzQUUvcwA.auIVTmAFaQBtEZbRt0iYvKd9ia6GJ_zfgEc6H0fRQNE&dib_tag=se&keywords=fruit+of+silence+edward&qid=1772509980&sprefix=fruit+of+silence+edward%2Caps%2C166&sr=8-1

 

Eastern Christian Publications - https://ecpubs.com/ecbs-about/ 

 

Prayer Book - Let us Pray to the Lord - https://ecpubs.com/product/let-us-pray-to-the-lord-a-daily-prayer-book-volume-i/ 

 

How to Live a Holy Life - class insert - Chapters - Intro, Ch 1, and Ch 8. 

https://churchsupplies.jordanville.org/products/how-to-live-a-holy-life?_pos=1&_sid=9c82fb14b&_ss=r 

 

Beginning to Pray: https://www.amazon.com/Beginning-Pray-Anthony-Bloom/dp/0809115093/ref=sr_1_1?crid=N9IUBC13MPX&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.9jJrL3id7FJyyIdLu0tLjpMdLyD0tHteHXbJWz-5-Xmi94RsdO_8F-Ug2kAq-4BYrL772h1ncA_wv87imFzjvPqW_nJ3SG99vgYueNEUz1I.j4VMZt7x3be33N59Wsb5I3R7WJeb2TiFYW9jOSqgz0U&dib_tag=se&keywords=beginning+to+pray+bloom&qid=1772510069&sprefix=beginning+to+pray+bloo%2Caps%2C360&sr=8-1

 

The Way of a Pilgrim and The Pilgrim Continues His Way (Shambhala Classics): https://www.amazon.com/Way-Pilgrim-Continues-Shambhala-Classics/dp/1570628076/ref=sr_1_1?crid=NSJGWPJYMIYK&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.J2GAndWvETEsPEmuzcAdrbhVs9dQZM5aPfBvOssUJIJu8xC2f7ON1D6uhAkt2AKbffV6TfldVo905i8sHfmfzhU15IWqc7QsRlDv3eoW1v1NYcznliK1Kgsq59WqRztmJLEv7xrLYEMPJdoI3QBzueCGw6mZpmMhP_9dxxtikz9CcIp17i7t1JM9h611O66KnZq3U65AhxUPatuc5LHkX0uOf2RG1mWED4H9LrKYakQ.BwfnB1RmvcYkP577BY5HEyppCg7UKau-BCdC6_0H7Ns&dib_tag=se&keywords=way+of+pilgrim&qid=1772510102&sprefix=way+of+pilg%2Caps%2C645&sr=8-1

 

On the Prayer of Jesus: The Classic Guide to the Practice of Unceasing Prayer Found in The Way of a Pilgrim: https://www.amazon.com/Prayer-Jesus-Classic-Practice-Unceasing-ebook/dp/B00BXJX630/ref=sr_1_1?crid=27UDUZ3UODSSU&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.uQzu7t-nkW9zO1GrhoLQpVQqZSgLAyGCuojb67wqkHh3Bkm8VKwN8fNGJtCJjlp39I1qH7oNhDVYOnaeLcPe-UsN0kYO7AWgLEo_q9Dx_6ACwZJ3klMXv2c7SkdL4pt1tINdycjDZVWe3Znh6oEn79aYwLdGV2Ukd5frn9uCfgkC9M4zpJxr0ejjrsrEMwEzhhZoQw1i3rSZKGt8f0a_ziJmqKoZ4YhB0ctSZSWkWBw.d8FwJ899I9NhV1wptN5Pj2CItFrQUajJI2ko5JhaG_Q&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+jesus+prayer+ignatius&qid=1772510146&sprefix=the+jesus+prayer+ig%2Caps%2C641&sr=8-1

 

St. John Chrysostom and the Jesus Prayer: https://www.amazon.com/St-John-Chrysostom-Jesus-Prayer/dp/193902885X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=31CDNGOCU6XPR&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.FrfNloxcdbDLeqxelicUqwt4iJfindNojLZ1NIV-2a0pUrQPI-aL_sJ87sP_kYhCgCDMxA8ni_wf1k8c61fGDQUk0-z5yuTCv48YOYmadcsL2bMTL1zws2JUEgQ-Sks9gdBqti7hw90cArbnDUmaZ5uLQ3gKxCuN-8hjq1e9NXJCJQ6Ig1zqWjbYw8eumcklGtvhIslzFTvdA8SjSdc7-Emc5TICtUrCp3RZWynYUiw.AI9LppQElnExaZ__RYbctGPN8s_rdmCoBwaUQrsuAyQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+jesus+prayer+chrysostom&qid=1772510176&sprefix=the+jesus+prayer+chrysosotom%2Caps%2C252&sr=8-1

 

 

Class - Rule for Life 2

Eastern Christian Publications - https://ecpubs.com/ecbs-about/ 

Prayer Book - Let us Pray to the Lord - https://ecpubs.com/product/let-us-pray-to-the-lord-a-daily-prayer-book-volume-i/ 

 

How to Live a Holy Life - class insert - Chapters - Intro, Ch 1, and Ch 8. 

https://churchsupplies.jordanville.org/products/how-to-live-a-holy-life?_pos=1&_sid=9c82fb14b&_ss=r 

Class - Rule for Life 1

Eastern Christian Publications - https://ecpubs.com/ecbs-about/ 

Prayer Book - Let us Pray to the Lord - https://ecpubs.com/product/let-us-pray-to-the-lord-a-daily-prayer-book-volume-i/