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Quote 320
Venerable Ephraim the Syrian
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Quote 320 - Форум
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Quote 320
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| readeralexey | Дата: Четверг, 18.09.2025, 22:56 | Сообщение # 1 |
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| Blessed is he who does not intoxicate himself with wine, but is ever glad in remembrance of the Lord, in Whom all the saints rejoice unceasingly.
Venerable Ephraim the Syrian
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| mariafokina99 | Дата: Воскресенье, 21.09.2025, 18:45 | Сообщение # 2 |
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| I fully agree with Ephraim the Syrian on the importance of staying sober, both physically and spiritually. Alcohol clouds the mind and can replace God, so it is best to avoid it. His words remind me that alcohol, like any addiction, can destroy a person and distance them from God. While addictions may provide temporary happiness, living in a relationship with God brings true fulfillment and constant joy. This teaching is echoed in Ephesians 5:18: 'Don't get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.' This passage emphasizes the importance of seeking spiritual nourishment and avoiding harmful substances that can lead to negative consequences.
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Сообщение отредактировал mariafokina99 - Воскресенье, 21.09.2025, 18:47 |
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| oksanaoni2159 | Дата: Понедельник, 22.09.2025, 21:37 | Сообщение # 3 |
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| Venerable Ephraim the Syrian reminds us that the only joy that can be present in a Christian's life is the one that Jesus brings us. Therefore, one simply does not have to fall prey to the lies of the world that tells us that in pursuing sinful substances or endeavors we may find relief and happiness, even if temporary.
On the contrary, all of the Christians collectively deny the need to drink oneself to oblivion in order to forget something or make the days bearable. Christians know that the emptiness inside oneself can only be filled by our Lord Jesus Christ, like nothing else possibly could, which is why the pursuit of other things is unnecessary.
A Christian would not even try to find purpose or resolution to their inner struggle outside of Church. Now, a Christian can have multi-faceted purpose given unto them by God. It may include having children, having a prolific career, having multiple meaningful relationships with other people, being active in the community, and even other things. However, we know that these all are simply extensions of the foremost thing, which is our relationship to the Lord.
So, knowing that we are to rejoice in remembrance of the Lord, and not intoxicate ourselves with wine or any other false god, is a blessing itself.
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С уважением, Онищенко Ксения
Сообщение отредактировал oksanaoni2159 - Понедельник, 22.12.2025, 16:38 |
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| boriskorsun3 | Дата: Вторник, 23.09.2025, 00:50 | Сообщение # 4 |
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| I completely agree with Efrem Sirin that it is important to stay sober both physically and spiritually. People very often drink alcohol excessively, thereby clouding their own minds. Since the memory of God weakens every time, we indulge in temporary earthly temptation more and more, therefore it is better to avoid it. His words remind us that alcohol, like any addiction, can destroy a person and distance him from God. Yes, addiction can calmly bring a short-term surge of happiness, living in a relationship with God brings true satisfaction and lasting joy. Although taking alcohol is not a sin per se, I personally avoid it, because I just don't want unnecessary problems and possible addictions.
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Сообщение отредактировал boriskorsun3 - Понедельник, 22.12.2025, 20:15 |
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| sophianesterenok | Дата: Четверг, 25.09.2025, 02:23 | Сообщение # 5 |
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| Christians are often warned to avoid drunkenness for two reasons: first, that it clouds our judgement and reason, which is part of God’s image imprinted on us, and second, that it may lead to worse sins like violence and lust. However, by contrasting the happiness one gets from wine and from remembering God, this quote illustrates another reason worth thinking about. Wine, along with other substances, provides a temporary escape from our worries, making us forget they ever existed. This is addictive, since many people would rather turn to it than face their life with its chaos and uncertainty. Even in the absence of serious problems we might want to fill our time with entertainment, eating out and other such things in order to escape boredom or anxiety. While I don’t think it is wrong to enjoy these simple pleasures, they can be as intoxicating and debilitating as wine if abused for escapism. I have found from my personal experience that running away from a problem makes it worse, and running away from Him who alone can solve any problem is plainly self-sabotage. It seems far more sensible to find one’s happiness in God and not be swayed by day-to-day troubles, and it is far easier said than done. That is why I think a person who loves God so much that mere remembrance of Him brings them unceasing gladness is blessed indeed.
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A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.
Сообщение отредактировал sophianesterenok - Четверг, 25.09.2025, 02:25 |
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| mariablansh | Дата: Пятница, 26.09.2025, 20:54 | Сообщение # 6 |
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| This quote is very interesting, I totally agree with it, but I would like to understand it metaphorically.
A person who "intoxicates himself with wine" is a person who indulges in sinful pleasures and succumbs to temptations. Such a person may not only drink above measure, but also overeat or be constantly mocking or mimicking others. I believe, the quote suggests that a Christian should rejoice when they pray. The name of God sanctifies us, relieves us of anxious thoughts and brings peace to our hearts. Instead of trying to fill our spiritual emptiness with earthly pleasures, we should pray wherever we are, and God will hear and help us.
Each of the saints has a very special life story, filled with the most difficult trials and spiritual struggle. It would seem that with so many sorrows, they never had time for joy. But their joy was to be with Christ, to feel His closeness and to pray.
I have been thinking for a long time about how we should deal with despondency and even in the most difficult periods of life, manage to see in all events God's providence and His care for us. I think this quote helped me to come closer to the answer.
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Баушова М.
Сообщение отредактировал mariablansh - Понедельник, 22.12.2025, 17:48 |
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| lizaserdyuk06 | Дата: Понедельник, 29.09.2025, 23:27 | Сообщение # 7 |
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| This quote by St. Ephraim points to a simple but profound truth: true, lasting joy isn't found in external things like wine, but in a constant connection to God. I agree with this fully in its essence. The "wine" can be anything we use to escape or seek temporary happiness—endless scrolling, chasing success, or other distractions. These things provide a brief high but often leave us empty.
The idea is not new, but it's a powerful reminder. It squarely fits the Christian ideal of finding peace in God, not the world. In my own experience, I feel most content not after some exciting event, but in quiet moments of gratitude or feeling connected to something greater.
The practical application for me is mindfulness. When I feel the urge to "intoxicate" myself with distraction, I can pause and try to find a moment of that "remembrance"—a short prayer, appreciating nature, or just being present. It’s about choosing a deeper gladness over a shallow escape.
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| davydenkololita | Дата: Пятница, 10.10.2025, 13:06 | Сообщение # 8 |
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| I don't see any contradictions between drinking wine and being ever glad in remembrance of the Lord. Drinking wine is not always followed by intoxication; Jesus turned water into wine at the wedding at Cana not just because he wanted to show a fancy trick, but because people were drinking it and He clearly wanted to help them to have enough. There are occasions in the New Testament that actually show that Jesus took part in drinking from the Passover cup (Mark 14:23). Personally, I don't think adding some more gladness with wine is something sinful. When a person can't move because he'd drunk a bottle or more, this is quite a problem, although an occasional and not an incorrigible one.
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| davidkushakov | Дата: Пятница, 19.12.2025, 11:54 | Сообщение # 9 |
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| I totally agree with St. Ephraim the Syrian. Saint Ephraim's point is clear: real joy doesn't come from a drink or a distraction, but from a living connection with God. "Wine" can be anything we use to numb ourselves, and it always ends up as a poor replacement for what we truly need.I see this in my own life. Choosing to scroll mindlessly or overwork when I'm stressed just leaves me more restless. But a short prayer or a moment of gratitude brings a deeper sense of peace.So my practice is simple: when I feel the urge to escape, I pause. That urge is a signal. Instead of numbing out, I try to turn back toward God, even briefly. It's about choosing the real thing over the substitute. Instead, I can consciously "remember the Lord," shifting my focus to Him through a short prayer or by choosing a life-giving activity. It's about actively choosing the source of unceasing joy over a temporary substitute.
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Сообщение отредактировал davidkushakov - Понедельник, 22.12.2025, 23:58 |
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| claudholloway | Дата: Пятница, 19.12.2025, 18:19 | Сообщение # 10 |
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| I fully agree with this quote, since it tells us about very important thing. I think that it not only about literal wine, but also about our passion about all earthly things. We are often trying to find happiness and joy in something like wine, food, gambling, all sorts of addictions, but these things can barely bring us what we are truly looking for. The true happiness is only within God, happiness not of the body, but of the soul.
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Мария П.
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| solkinaanna57 | Дата: Пятница, 19.12.2025, 21:16 | Сообщение # 11 |
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| Venerable Ephraim the Syrian contrasts bodily intoxication with spiritual joy, teaching that true gladness comes from remembrance of the Lord. This thought is very close to my heart, because I have consciously chosen to abstain from alcohol, even on festive occasions. From childhood and adolescence, I never understood the attraction of wine or other forms of intoxication. It seemed to me not only unnecessary, but also harmful to both body and soul.
Wine may offer a brief feeling of pleasure, but it dulls spiritual vigilance and distracts the mind from prayer. Remembrance of the Lord, on the contrary, brings a quiet and lasting joy that does not exhaust or enslave the soul. I have noticed that inner peace and gratitude arise most naturally when the mind remains sober and attentive. This sobriety allows one to remain spiritually awake and receptive to God’s presence.
The saints rejoice unceasingly not because they escape reality, but because they are rooted in divine grace. For me, choosing sobriety is a way of preserving spiritual clarity and cultivating joy that is not dependent on external stimulation, but flows from communion with God.
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| busiginaliza00 | Дата: Пятница, 19.12.2025, 23:12 | Сообщение # 12 |
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| This quote makes me reflect on two paths to happiness. One is seeking a quick lift from something external, like wine or entertainment, It works for a moment, but then you're back where you started, or even worse off. It's like borrowing happiness.
The other is finding joy internally, through remembering God. To me, that means pausing and consciously connecting with faith-whether in prayer, quiet thought, or gratitude, that kind of joy isn't based on circumstances. That's probably what unceasing rejoicing is about.
I think the quote is less about strict rules and more about asking ourselves, what kind of happiness are we building our lives on?
Сообщение отредактировал busiginaliza00 - Понедельник, 22.12.2025, 16:51 |
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| vvecheslova | Дата: Пятница, 16.01.2026, 04:53 | Сообщение # 13 |
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| I think that this warning against the wine can be taken not only about alcohol. I mean, in our time "intoxication" can take many forms like emotional drama, endless scrolling, workaholism, etc. Anything we use to escape, distract or artificially lift our mood, instead of turning inward and upward, can become a kind of drunkenness. It promises relief but leaves us emptier.
True gladness, as Ephraim says, comes from remembrance of the Lord. Not grand mystical experiences, but the simple, steady awareness of His presence, in silence, in prayer, in the ordinary moments.
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