Articles

Introduction

As Christians we are called to be saints. The Greek word translated ‘saint’ is ‘agios’, ‘holy one’ or ‘set apart one’ or ‘consecrated for His purpose.’

“To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints” (Rom 1:7)

“To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Cor 1:2)

“…but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,  because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’” (1 Pet 1:15)

‘Be holy, for I am holy…..’ Our question should not be is it possible?’ Rather, it should be ‘HOW is it possible?’ This year’s Fasting and Prayer Program, entitled ‘How to Live a Holy Life,’ aims to help us to strive towards holiness by focusing on the How?

In the next seven weeks leading up to the Holy Pascha we will be focusing on seven characteristics of holy people. Each week we will look at one characteristic in depth, with particular focus on how to live this characteristic in our daily lives.

Before we begin our journey we leave you with these words from St Philaret of Moscow to inspire you on your path to holiness:

“Every Christian should find for himself the imperative and incentive to become holy. If you live without struggle and without hope of becoming holy, then you are Christians only in name and not in essence. But without holiness, no one shall see the Lord, that is to say they will not attain eternal blessedness. It is a trustworthy saying that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners (1 Tim 1:15). But we deceive ourselves if we think that we are saved while remaining sinners. Christ saves those sinners by giving them the means to become saints.”. . .

7 characteristics of holy people

Week 1 – Holy people are filled with the love of God

Week 2 – Holy people love others

Week 3 – Holy people are humble, willingly and lovingly attributing to God all that they have and all that they will ever be

Week 4 – Holy people are people of prayer

Week 5 – Holy people are not perfect , they are always striving for repentance

Week 6 – Holy people struggle in their spiritual life to obtain virtues

Week 7 – Holy people love and live the commandments of the Lord