Talk 22: An Elder’s Advice to Parents on Children
The questions most frequently asked by Orthodox parents concern the raising of their children and the problems associated with this. Unfortunately, the answers they are given are often incorrect, confusing or lacking. For truly Orthodox answers to these questions, we can turn to Elder Porphyrios of Greece (†1991), who spoke with great discernment about issues specific to the times in which we live.
In this talk Fr. Kosmas discusses the following questions, drawing on the teachings of Elder Porphyrios: Can we blame children’s problems on their parents’ mistakes? Can putting pressure on children cause serious problems? Why, after one’s spiritual rebirth and initial zeal, does one begin to feel a lack of zeal for prayer, spiritual reading, church attendance, and participating in the Mysteries of Confession and Holy Communion? Does the subconscious play a role in the spiritual life? Can constant arguing lead to holiness? Does a child in the womb inherit its mother’s passions? Can a mother’s aversion for her unborn child affect it in later life? Should selfish couples avoid having children? How can prayer heal those with mental illness? Can a person with OCD progress spiritually?
Other topics covered in this talk include: the false idea that holiness is a life without passion and sin; demonic fasting and prayer; how the elder’s prayer brought a group of rebellious youth to church; how a lack of love between husband and wife can result in “problem children”; post-natal depression; the negative effects of feminism on Orthodox women; suicidal children; the destructive consequences of jealousy between siblings; spoiled children; the dangers emotionally disturbed persons present to priests and Christians; the tragic effect of forcing people to go to Confession; and the need for parents to pay attention and respond to their children’s anxieties and fears.
Talk Duration: 170 minutes
3 CD set