#eldership

[thankgosh]

“Leave safety behind. Put your body on the line. Stand before the people you fear and speak your mind – even if your voice shakes. When you least expect it, someone may actually listen to what you have to say. Well-aimed slingshots can topple giants. And do your homework.”- Maggie Kuhn, founder of the Gray Panthers

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[lgcyab]

Understanding the Role of Elders in Guiding the Congregation

Setting: Ezekiel and Barnabas, affectionately called “Barney” when he says something especially silly, are relaxing at a sunny lakeside park. Children play on the nearby swings, ducks glide across the water, and a gentle breeze rustles the leaves of the surrounding trees. Jeremiah sits nearby, seemingly lost in thought. Ezekiel: [leaning back on the picnic blanket] You know, Barney, I’ve been…

[preacherpollard]

Keeping On Track Until He Comes Back

Wednesday’s Column: Third’s Words I Thessalonians 5.12-13a — Church Leadership Helps Keep Us on Track We have to recognize their value because elders are a critical part of setting the tone of a church family.  Because of their work, God expects us to consider them the MVPs of our congregations.  God will personally reward elders who do good work (I Pt 5.4; Hb 13.17; Acts 20.32).  God…

[hymnrevival]

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[moonmoonthecrabking]

something i find so fascinating about grace chasity’s brand of christianity is that there’s not much sexism in it? let me explain what i mean.

i come from a christian background and a denomination which, in my state, has allowed women in eldership positions for my whole life. i’m friends with other christians whose denominations Don’t have that and also us christian fundamentalism is very sexist, i know bc have access to social media.

aside from mark’s job being mentioned and karen’s not, as well as her doing the cooking, there’s not a real sense of gender hierarchy in the christian circles in hatchetfield. this applies greatly to the purity culture that pervades abstinence camp and npmd, with the jerris saying that “this is a progressive ministry. we believe men and women should just say no!” often, in fundamentalist circles, while men are encouraged to wait until marriage, so much more pressure is put on the women to “stop the men from stumbling” (yes, it’s bad, this isn’t a post about the horrors of purity culture).

however, in npmd (and even ac to an extent), grace is the one at risk of “stumbling” and blames men. in npmd she very much blames max for her corrupted purity (from her perspective) and that is her motivation for revenge, even before she has sex with his ghost. the responsibility is not on her to “gouge out her own eye”, so to speak, at least not without a greater risk to max. even in ac, she makes tiny sweaters for their Jesus status, which reminds me of when i would scroll down to the comments of a youtube video bc i was scared of being attracted to people (1. not a purity culture thing 2. id like to say that this was a me being scared of liking women thing, and to an extent it was, but i also remember doing it to men. 2017 was a weird time and something was probably awakening in me ngl).

as slightly more proof, she is the only one advocating for removing homecoming in npmd, and in ac she ends as the sole leader of the camp. now, an evangelical’s view of women in ministry varies on person to person (source: like two weeks ago when i was desperately trying to not get myself into a debate with other christian women), unless she’s in an ultra-conservative environment (which she isn’t, it’s middlingly conservative frankly), she would be able to do these on her own. however, this is theatre, it’s a demonstration of her desire for power and acquisition of it. she does not view herself as needing to be subservient to a man. also i think northern baptists (my hc for her) are a little less Bad than southern baptists but anyway.

the interesting thing about this, to me, is that she does share views that i would put in those less “yay women” denominations (yes this about the catholic line i guarantee you it annoys me even more when i encounter it in the real world). there’s the (internalised) homophobia. but not the internalised misogyny. this could be related to the respect given to trans identities by the depictions of idontwannabang and the chasitys in hatchetfield, creating the sense of a more egalitarian Biblical perspective than complimentarian.

like grace has this terrible relationship with purity culture, yeah, but she’s the active agent in it, and she shames the passive object of her affections, the man. that doesn’t happen that often. there are countless videos of “what women should wear to be modest” but men can go to the gym shirtless if they so choose. maybe it’s only interesting to me but still

[cardo-de-comer]

Man, I gotta say it!

I really like your drawing of Mr. Qi from Stardew Valley! Whether it's a pixel painting or an oil painting-like texture, the mysterious purple halo that perfectly blends cold tones, I have to say that you really get it! It perfectly demonstrates Mr. Qi's sense of eldership and mystery... If it weren't for bedtime, I could continue to praise...👏🏻

thank you! <3 mr.qi is the best honestly. Here's a quick old sketch for y'all fellow qi fans

[bonefall]

i personally was always confused as to how shellheart and rainflower, two very gray cats, had two brown kittens?? like i understand warriors doesnt really try with genetics but. Huh?

i tried to use your riverclan tree as a reference when seeing which cat could have honor sired and. Not caused later issues when it came to future kits/relationships and the only one I see who could possibly be viable is probably... timberfur? it would explain the sudden brown kittens, unless youve changed colors around?

i would suggest rainflower mightve used queens rights and had an honor sire (i guess) from outside the clan (passing loner or a barn cat or something) but rainflower's character comes across to me as someone who'd never do that.

You guys know that Honor Siring doesn't just have to be a rogue or loner, right? She could have gotten a leader. Like Raggedstar.

That's a fine solution to her seeming like a sort of person who wanted her kits to come from greatness. She wouldn't be able to openly brag that her kids belong to the deputy, but that seems less important than her just having very valuable kits.

But also PLEASE understand that 75% of the time, I don't pick an "actual" father in honor siring cases. It's only when it's plot relevant to a character's motivations, like now.

Anyway, I could also do deputy shuffles.

Rainflower could be the new deputy instead, and get a fiery demotion when she starts mistreating her son

I could make Timberfur the deputy instead, and have Crookedstar choose someone else as his first deputy (or just make Oakheart his first)

Stormpaw is also going to get a new mentor-- a cat called Magpiesky. She's over on the family tree, a cat who comes from the barn repurposed into a RiverClan warrior. She also brings Storm there when he's threatened by early Eldership because of his inability to hunt at first.

[sunset-peril]

Social Makeup Study - Hateno Village (HFS, TotK)

Village Structure

Leadership system: Eldership and a monarchy-like structure both appear to be used at once. An electoral system has become popular with some citizens, and Hyrule's monarchy has begun to restore itself, both further complicating the matter. Traditionally, Hateno used an eldership system exclusively, but Hyrule's sudden destruction 100 years ago brought elements of a monarchy (primarily that there is one leader who inherits the position).

Leader/Ruler: Reede Imperial (leader/mayor, under dispute), Link Hyrule (elder, under dispute, King of Hyrule)

Economy: As a former land of exile, Hateno is traditionally non-exporting. However, the village became known for agriculture and dye production after the Age of Burning Fields. Recently, the village has become a hub for textiles such as clothing and hats. The past century has brought significant changes in this area, which has also brought unease.

Demographics: Historically was 100% Pedigreed Wolfbred, although the modern village has a makeup of approximately 50% Wolfbred/Wolfbred Hybrid and 50% Hylian. This shift was also brought about in the last 100 years.

Beliefs and Afterlife: A Hylia-worshipping village. Wolfbred mythology depicts them having been created by the Twilight's interaction with their ancestor and believe that the Twilight became heritable through his line. Although the Twilight Realm is not an afterlife realm (nor was it intended to be), the Wolfbred still believe their ghosts will be returned to the Realm when their bodies fail because of their own Twilight, and believe that Midna created the Celaeno Orientalis constellation (a wolf-like constellation that appears over Hateno) as a replacement for the Mirror of Twilight to help their souls return "home". Due to the Mirror of Twilight's destruction, there is no way to confirm or deny this belief; however, it appears to have been reinforced by Link's successful command of both Wolfbred-like spirits and Hylia's Honor Guard (souls of past heroes) in battle.

Citizens

Link (Imperial) Hyrule: The last documented male Wolfbred, and the last Wolfbred born under exile. For this reason, he’s referred to as the last “Pedigreed Wolfbred”.  Champion of Hyrule/Hylians, despite not technically being Hylian, and beloved mate of Princess Zelda. Died during the Great Calamity, but not before becoming King of Hyrule. The first Wolfbred King since Kakku. Cause of death: fatal battle wounds. He was resurrected 100 years after his death, and reigns over Hyrule today with his beloved. The Sheikah crowned him King Sovereign before Calamity Ganon was sealed for good, as the throne would pass to whichever of King Rhoam's heirs/relatives was found alive first. Called "Grandpa" (sometimes written "Grandpaw") by his extended family. Has developed blindness in one eye as well as joint pain, two common signs of a Wolfbred's aging, and is technically retired from all soldiering.

Zelda (Esmerelda) Hyrule: The first Hylian to marry into the tribe in 10,000 years due to the exile, and mother of Hyrule's first (chronologically-speaking) Wolfbred-Hylian hybrid: Zelda Ivee. Said to be the only true Hylian who could speak the Wolfbred tongue fluently before the Calamity. The Sheikah's crowning of Link restarted the Kingdom of Hyrule, so this Princess hasn't seen a need to rush her ascension to the Queen's throne. Her temper was found to be of Wolfbred descent, as she is Karu’s descendant. A beloved teacher at the newly build Hateno Schoolhouse.

Zelda Ivee Hyrule: King Link and Princess Zelda’s beloved little girl and the new Princess Zelda. She is the first Wolfbred hybrid since her distant ancestor Karu, and her soul is over a century old despite her age of five. Her upbringing will likely shape the future of Hyrule, as her parents come from such different backgrounds. Current studies regarding her aim to identify whatever might trigger the aggressive tendencies her family tree is infamous for, so her exposure to such triggers can be limited. 

Reede Imperial: Leader of Hateno Village and descendant of Sydnei (Link's sister). He retains a strong desire to stay in tune with his heritage and prides himself on keeping Hateno just the way it was during the exile: a safe haven for the Wolfbred. He inherited the antagonistic tendencies of his family. Although he is generally a very peaceful, vegetable-loving man, he has recently begun to display aggressive behavior, and has gotten in a few fights. (Now that the villagers think about it, so has Link.)

Clavia Imperial: Reede's wife and the mother of Karin. Clavia is Hylian, but has been accepted into the Clan as if she was Wolfbred. While her daughter is in school, she spends time at Link and Zelda's, often helping tidy the place so the half-blind Link can keep his last good eye on his pup. Besides, she believes it does Link good to have someone other than Zelda to talk to.

Karin Imperial: Reede and Clavia's daughter, and a pupil of Zelda's. Currently, Karin is not affected by her family's tendencies. Purah aims to prevent exposing both her and Zelda Ivee to whatever causes those tendencies to develop. Although, considering how riled up their fathers have suddenly gotten, Purah and her fellow researchers may have to work fast to identify the cause and isolate it from the girls.

Sophie and Cece: A pair of Wolfbred-Hylian sisters. Cece is eldest. Their existence greatly influences modern Wolfbred-Hylian relations as Sophie is considered legally Wolfbred, while Cece is the first hybrid to not be legally Wolfbred, at least within the village. Surprisingly, Sophie is the more docile of the two. Cece recently moved back in after traveling the world to study fashion. Village opinions are mixed. Link and Sophie are friends. Link and Cece are not.

Ivee: Daughter of the family who runs East Wind General Store. It's rumored that she was actually named after Zelda Ivee, as Hateno thought she'd been killed in-utero during the Great Calamity.

Pruce, Amira and Azu: Family of Ivee, runs East Wind. Ancestor was a dear friend of Ordon, which strengthens the rumors about the origins of Ivee's name. Father, mother and younger brother, respectively. Azu has taken fondly to "protecting" the village, a tendency that often develops in Wolfbred males as they approach and reach puberty.

Tamana: A former Cucco rancher, and Teebo's mother.

Teebo: A very polite Wolfbred pup and Tamana's son. Has shown an immense interest in weapons and the warrior arts since he was very young, and now fills a slot on the day-shift Hateno guard. His apparently innate interest in warrior arts and protection have brought him and Link into a mentor-mentee relationship.

Medda: A tomato-raising farmer, and Aster's father. His wife passed many years ago, but he and his daughter seem to be doing well.

Aster: Medda's daughter. Loves tomatos and froggies, and recently moved next door to Link and Zelda.

Dantz, Koyin: A family of Wolfbred who live outside the town on a farm in the forest, completely devoted to the ways of their ancestors. Father and daughter, respectively.

Sayge, Senna and Sefaro: Family running the Kochi Dye Shop. Sayge and Senna are devoted artisans, who are thriving with Hateno's new textile based market. Sefaro, however, is a much more studious soul who prefers to read history books at the schoolhouse. He's tried to badger Link into teaching him more sensitive history like the Great Calamity, Wolfbred Exile and Sheikah Fallout; currently to little-to-no avail. Perhaps when the little historian is older... or when other tensions in the village smooth over....

Prima: Said to be the prettiest Wolfbred after Midna Marie. May be related to Linky due to the strong facial resemblance to his mother, but is clearly not of the Imperial family.

Worten: Prima's husband. A Wolfbred-Hylian hybrid like his wife, which was seen as a milestone for the species (as hybrids had become distant enough to interbreed again)

Uma: An elderly Wolfbred-Hylian. One of the first hybrids to be born, and has lived since the Age of Burning Fields. Full of knowledge about the village and its history, with a priceless ability to see multiple perspectives for almost any conflict in the village. She usually attempts to soothe Link and Reede when they are riled, often with more success than their wives.

Hyrule's Final Stand Masterlist

[qtellerr]

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"Sometimes people don't Talk to you; They Do to you."

Nteasee Elder Levi 🏔️♒

[magicaguajiro]

Caribbean Folk Saints and Mighty Dead: San Lázaro

Patron of Cuba, Father of the Earth, Lord of the Mound, Man of the Crossroads, Babalú-Aye, Asojano. San Lazaro has had many titles attributed to him throughout his existence within the Caribbean. But who is this Saint, and why is he so important to Cubans all over the diaspora?

Origins

Like Caridad del Cobre, this beloved folk saint has multiple origin stories even within each separate community. To cover the catholic versions lightly, he is a combination of two separate biblical figures, Lazarus the Beggar who was treated poorly by a king at the table in life only to return the favor in the afterlife, and Saint Lazarus of Bethany who was raised from the dead by Jesus. The image used in veneration given the name San Lazaro is not the canon Saint but rather the beggar, yet all myths attributed to both are also attributed to the one folk saint.

It’s important to not this slight divorcing from Catholic Canon. This version of San Lazaro still is not canonized to this day. So why would either of these figures end up becoming the patron of a New World country one thousand years later?

From King to Father

San Lazaro is best known for his syncretic relationship with the Orisha Babalu-Aye. This Orisha has a complicated history before he even arrived from Africa. According to one of his origin stories, back in Yorubaland Babalu-Aye was a beggar with disease, feared by the people. they sent him away, with only dogs to guide him. When they banished him, his friend (Sometimes Eleggua, sometimes Orula) went to the Arará people and prophecized that their king woukd arrive from the woods surrounded by dogs. When he arrived he was celebrated as their king and the rest is history.

Other stories say he was a great king from the beginning, but his reckless spirit and unfaithful ways led Obatala to scolding him, and telling him should he continue his ways he would be punished. He continued to party and thus caught a venereal disease from one of his mistresses. The disease spread all over his body and this is sometimes referred to as the origin of STDs that affect the skin. In some versions, he ends up dying and being raised by his friend from earlier, very similar to San Lazaro!

His name even reflects this. Originally Obalouaye and called Omolu Brazil, his name originally meant King of the Earth. In the diaspora we call him Babalu-Aye, Father of the Earth. So as you can see, Babalu Aye can be the both the underdog and the protagonist with too much hubris. He is both a patient old man, and a rowdy drunk who likes to dance. He is a man of immense liminality, existing as both the personification of Healing and of Disease, the Father of the Earth and The Lord of Death. He is the man of the crossroads. In the wet season he runs and lives in the forests, and kn the dry he returns to reign in the cities amongst the people.

It is impossible to mention ATRs and not mention Haitian Vodou. San Lazaro is actually associated with Legba in Vodou, and more strongly tied to the crossroads and liminality. He plays a different but still similarly fills the role of gatekeeper between worlds in a way. His stories of being resurrected also lend to this idea that he is a traveler between the worlds.

Father Earth, Grandfather Fire

Throughout the Caribbean, many times we see multiple Indigenous entities consolidated into one figure. We see this in the way Cuba’s Caridad del Cobre is tied to both Atabey and Guabancex, or in DR where Anacaona and Taiguabo are both tied to multiple Cemí.

San Lazáro shares a similar story. The symbology of the aching old beggar who is truly a king despite his outward appearance is one that resonates deeply in the rural Guajiro communities where value is often placed in eldership and community ties rather than monetary means. Before colonization, Indigenous Cubans held stories of Bayamanaco, considered by some to be the Taino version of Grandfather Fire, an archetypal class of ancestral spirit seen throughout South America. In the creation stories, this old man was a gatekeeper of the sacred plant medicine and magic of Cohoba, as well as being seen as both firm and punishing yet patient all the while, much like our beloved Lazarus.

We also see him take on a role of the masculine counterpart to Caridad del Cobre, in a way acting as Yucahu. One way I have seen it described is Atabey is the dirt, while Yucahu is the plants growing in the dirt so both are the Earth in a way. San Lazáro has become closely associated with many Indigenous plants and healing methods, such as passing with beans and offerings of corn and tobacco. San Lazaro is also deeply tied to the natural world in general.

Practice

There are alot of practices attributed to San Lazáro, including the use of gold milagros although this is more broadly Catholic and I rarely hear of Cubans actually doing this. Rather, our practices have been deemed unworthy of Catholic Canon and yet we persist.

Most commonly you will see people making offerings of mixed beans with red onion, coffee, liquor and tobacco and purple or yellow candles and flowers to San Lazaro in thanks for miracles he has already performed. He is renowned for his patience and love, taking pity on those who can approach him with integrity and appreciate the comedic crassness that is part human life, especially in this part of the world. This is shown because despite his condition, he still loves to have a good time.

Most people will do a sweep with handfuls of beans before placing them in the higuero in front of him. This is done while praying for San Lazaro to help alleviate any disease or health issues and replace them with prosperity and wealth.

On December 17th, his feast day, some of his more devout followers will don burlap for the day, a fabric the Saint holds sacred. They will then crawl on their knees, usually from their statue at home all the way to the nearest church procession. While doing this, the burlap helps to remind us of the skin conditions the saint suffers and the crawling to teach us how it feels for him to walk while being disabled.

In all of his associated practices, we see the theme of humility. We are meant to humble ourselves in his honor. San Lazaro is a humble, patient old man. He is kind and giving, and wants his followers to be the same. The absolute best way you can honor him on any day is simply by treating the unhoused people around you with dignity and respect, and helping them out whenever you are able with food or money. These small acts were instilled in me my whole childhood, and to this day I stand by that most homeless people you meet will treat you better than any rich man. There are even stories of San Lazaro disguising himself as beggars to trick his unsuspecting followers, seeing if they truly take pity on the poor when noone else is around.

This is why it is important to note that Papa Viejo, as he is affectionately called, is known as a two-handed Saint. This is where people’s healthy fear of him stems from as well. He can harm and punish just as easily as he can help. This is another reason we never want to be rude to the less fortunate, because we can be put in their position just as easily. However, this also means he can help to put others in that same position if you know how to petition him.

By using sesame, you can blow it at your enemy or their property and with the help of San Lazaro you will bring pestilence to their home. Just be sure they deserve it and haven’t made better offerings than you did.

Bendiciones 🕯️

[ceekbee]

Very happy indeed, having a new cargo of essays for you, arriving in this second volume: here is one of them: Sojourn. DW

SOJOURN

is what we all do, every day of our restless lives: arrive, stay a while and then move on. Sojourn captures that simultaneous sense of recent arrival, intriguing stay, and adventurous departure necessary to the underlying joy and happiness of our human essence. Sojourn is a word that melds the three tenses of past, present and future together. We are creatures of the sudden hello, the getting to know and the long or the short goodbye, but sojourn is also a word that understands that even in our briefest stays we are changing and being changed by what we stay with. Staying with something is to change and deepen whatever we are staying with; staying itself is a journey that always leads to altering our further departures. Sojourn takes its definition by being a stay between journeys that is also a journey in itself.

Human beings love the idea and the ideal of the eternal and the unchanging, but seem to meet that eternal only in the never ending invitation to see and experience the underlying unstoppable and changing nature of existence. We intuitively understand that we conspire in this state of affairs, we are both helpless witnesses and unconscious engines of change every moment of our day, witnessing and causing trouble even in our simple passing through. Indeed, there is no trouble-making change agent to match our very own bodies, which moves on without our asking or without a bye or leave, through the thresholds of maturation without a stop or a halt. By the agency of some hidden, unstoppable driver of change, the body makes its pilgrim way through childhood, into adolescence, into adulthood, into eldership, into the sudden realisation that our next journey is into our own disappearance all accompanied, we hope, by our own noble attempt at a brave goodbye. The body we realise, seeing in that one single glance in the mirror, the youth we were, the person we are now and the elder we are about to become, is the ultimate sojourner.

Whether we are world travellers or home bound stick-in-the-muds, we are creatures just traveling through: our essence and our attention caught, even as we sit in our arm chairs gazing at our screens, by mythological images that mirror our traveling nature: that stranger at the door asking for alms and hospitality, that handsome traveller at a bar asking not so innocently for a good time, that good Samaritan on the road offering to help, that ultimate pilgrim of the restless, Clint Eastwood, turning his horse toward the sunset, having freed the town from awful predators, all of us, believers or not, vicarious travellers in great and timeless religious images inherited from our past: Christ entering Jerusalem, St Paul struck down on the road to Damascus, Basho’s narrow road to the far north; all of us, caught imaginatively whether we go or not, by the pilgrim roads of the world: the road to Varanasi, the road to Santiago the road to Graceland, the trackless roads across the oceans our ancestors explored: all beckoning us on to some place where something wonderful already happened and where something wonderful, something beyond my present, might well happen to me.

The underlying undertow of existence, even in our most rested state is restless, tidal change, and our agency and context for this restless travel is longing in all its forms: physiological and psychological: even Zen students, refusing to move, sitting stock still in their black robes, on their black cushions, travel invisibly on the road of longing: the longing, strangely, to be free of the restless mind, in order to be at rest with the true, underlying restless movement of the world. Each of us, sojourners all, even when we seem to be as quiet and as still as a mouse, journeying on into some other, longed for spaciousness, every step of our restless way.

From Consolations II

The Solace, Nourishment and Underlying Meaning of Everyday Words

David Whyte

Now Available in Preorder Signed by the Author

https://davidwhyte.com/store/book/consolations-ii/

Consolations II was written in something of an intense delirium between January and the end of July this year. I wrote sixty essays in those seven months, fifty two of which are included in this volume. It was such a physically intense experience that in the hours of daily writing, I began to undergo all kinds of strange psychological phenomena, many of which folded back into and magnified the depth and reach of the later essays. The essay entitled 'Time' most especially, propelled me into a full blown, out -of-body experience in the room in which I was writing, overlooking the Italian countryside. As in my life in general, the essays in this second volume are a little more intense, a little edgier, and ask a little more of the reader than the first volume. I hope you enjoy them while being challenged and being invited a little further than you might have contemplated wanting to go... DW

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

by Murray Capill | The elder-led church will only be effective…when their work is undertaken, not as detached directors, but as godly men active in church life and engaged in people’s lives. Many elder-led churches are broken. Think, for example, about these all-too-familiar scenarios. Laissez-faire elders: The elders are mere “yes men” to the lead minister. They look…

[orthodoxydaily]

SAINTS&READING: WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2024

august 22_september 4

MARTYR AGATHONICUS OF NICOMEDIA, AND THOSE WITH HIM, WHO SUFFERED UNDER MAXIMIAN (4th c.)

The Martyrs Agathonicus, Zoticus, Theoprepius, Acindynus, Severian, Zeno and others accepted death for Christ during the reign of the emperor Maximian (284-305).

The Martyr Agathonicus was descended from the illustrious lineage of the Hypasians, and he lived at Nicomedia. Well versed in Holy Scripture, he converted many pagans to Christ, including the most eminent member of the Senate (its “princeps” or leader). Comitus Eutolmius was sent to the Pontine (lower Black Sea) region, where he crucified the followers of the Christian Zoticus, who had refused to offer sacrifice to idols. He took Zoticus with him.

In Nicomedia, Eutolmius arrested the Martyr Agathonicus (together with the princeps), and also Theoprepius, Acindynus and Severian. After tortures, Eutolmius ordered that the martyrs be taken to Thrace for trial by the emperor.

But along the way, in the vicinity of Potama, the Martyrs Zoticus, Theoprepius and Acindynus were unable to proceed further behind the chariot of the governor because of wounds received during torture. Therefore, they were put to death. The Martyr Severian was put to death at Chalcedon, and the Martyr Agathonicus together with others was beheaded with the sword by order of the emperor, in Selymbria.

The relics of the Martyr Agathonicus were in a church named for him at Constantinople, and were seen in the year 1200 by the Russian pilgrim Anthony. And in the fourteenth century Philotheus, the archbishop of Selymbria, devoted an encomium to the Martyr Agathonicus.

VENEABLE ISAAC ( ANTIMONOV, THE "ELDER" OF OPTINA(1894)

Saint Isaac, in the assembly of Optina elders, represents a type of ascetic-builder. For 32 years, he headed Optina Monastery, devoting himself entirely to the monastery, taking care of the brethren, continuing to create that particular “Optina” spirit that his predecessors planted. He took over the management of the monastery after the death of Archimandrite Moses. He was abbot during the flourishing of the monastery—during the time of the Elder Ambrose, and his successors in eldership, Father Hilarion and Father Anatoly (the Elder). Under his leadership, the future Elders Joseph, Barsanuphy, and Anatoly (the Younger) grew and developed. Archimandrite Moses revived Optina Monastery after a period of desolation, and Father Isaac continued his work, consolidating the state of the monastery, while not sparing himself from hard labor for its improvement. Elders Macarius and Ambrose blessed him in the difficult obedience of superior, seeing the high spiritual qualities, prayerfulness, simplicity, and humility of Father Isaac, and from these the ability to take care of the organization of the monastery—both external and internal.

It may seem that the Elder Isaac, who carried the cross of superiorship, dwells, as it were, in the shadow of the elders who spiritually nurtured the monks and pilgrims of the monastery—Ambrose, Hilarion, and Anatoly. Little of his teachings and statements were saved, so there are no such detailed memories of him. But this is his special achievement—by carrying the heavy burden of economic affairs of the monastery, he served the brethren and pilgrims, revealing an amazing height of humility. Behind his simplicity is an amazing depth, integrity, and strength of spirit. The period of his superiorship was the best time in the life of Optina.

Antimonov Family

Ivan Ivanovich Antimonov (the name of Saint Isaac in the world) was born on May 31, 1810, and was descended from an eminent, wealthy merchant family of the city of Kursk. The Antimonovs had the title of honorary citizens. The patriarchal spirit reigned in the house of the Antimonovs; the way of life was built strictly in accordance with Church rules, and only respect towards elders and obedience to them were accepted. Thus, the skills of piety and obedience, which are so important for a monk, the future ascetic received in his own home.

The head of the house was Ivan's grandfather—Vasily Vasilyevich Antimonov. He was particularly zealous to attend divine services. His eldest son Ivan Vasilyevich had thirteen children from three marriages. Ivan Jr. was the last, fifth child from his first marriage with Anna Puzanov. Little Ivan was a favorite of his grandfather, who often took his grandson with him to the church. Vasily Vasilyevich visited the church every day—he went without fail to the Matins and Vespers services.

Ivan Vasilyevich inherited his father’s piety and love for the Church, according to his upbringing; his simplicity and good disposition towards people produced a favorable impression on everyone. A family story is preserved about Saint Isaac’s father’s journey to Kiev in 1809 to the elder, Hieromonk Parfeny, who greeted Ivan Vasilyevich with the words: “Blessed be the womb that gave birth to a monk.” In raising the young Ivan and other children, he adhered to strict rules but never allowed himself to be rude to the children. He did not raise his hands at them—although at that time this was common in merchant families. The children, while behaving respectfully towards their father, loved him at the same time.

The Antimonov family enjoyed universal respect in the city for impeccable honesty, true piety, and wide charity—they were generous donors for Church needs and helped the needy. In the house there was even a certain day of the week appointed in which alms were given to the poor.

It was in such an atmosphere that Ivan Ivanovich’s years of childhood and youth passed. Details about this period of his life do not survive, but it is known that he was distinguished by modesty and was fond of silence. At the same time, despite his reserved nature, Ivan was endowed with natural gaiety and wit; his presence always enlivened family gatherings.

Life in the World

Upon reaching mature age, Ivan Ivanovich began to help his father in trade affairs. He constantly had to deal with people, give orders, and conduct financial calculations. He knew how to find an approach to a man, and he won people over by his heartfelt kindness and sense of justice. He had the most beneficial influence on his subordinates; he forced them to end any habit of fraud, any attempts to act deceitfully. Immaculate honesty in business earned Ivan Ivanovich universal respect.

Although strict in his requirements, the venerable one never took offense. Such a case is known: one of his workers, a man of obstinate nature, because of the constant punishments that Ivan Ivanovich gave him for carelessness and audacity, decided in his mind to kill him. When this became known to him, Ivan Ivanovich forgave the worker and released him, not handing him over to the hands of justice... Continue reading

2 Corinthians 3:4-11

4 And we have such trust through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 7 But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, 8 how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? 9 For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory. 10 For even what was made glorious had no glory in this respect, because of the glory that excels. 11 For if what is passing away was glorious, what remains is much more glorious.

Matthew 23:29-39

29 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, 30 and say, 'If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.' 31 Therefore, you are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. 32 Fill up, then, the measure of your father's guilt. 33 Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell? 34 Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city, 35 that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. 36 Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation. 37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! 38 See! Your house is left to you desolate; 39 for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!'

[seththebrave]

The world would be a better place if pastors and elders could just love unconditionally. Listen to my latest thoughts on eldership.👇