March 8th, 2026: Asceticism not Aesthetics

Orthodoxy can start to become something we present rather than something we live. We can end up choosing aestheticism instead of the prayer, fasting, and almsgiving of asceticism. Yes, the faith is true. Yes, the theology is correct. But now the real question begins: has the truth of the faith actually changed us? It is possible to defend Orthodoxy very well and still remain spiritually paralyzed.