Form IV
Recitation & Copywork

Set 3: Recitation & Copywork

Term 1:

Advice of a Bishop to students:

Do not think it strange, then, if I say to you, who each day resort to teachers and hold converse with the famous men of the ancients through the words which they have left behind them: you should not surrender to these men once for all the rudders of your mind, as if of a ship, and follow them whithersoever they lead; rather, accepting from them only that which is useful, you should know that which ought to be overlooked. 

Now if there is some affinity between the two bodies of teachings, knowledge of them should be useful to us; but if not, at least the fact that by setting them side by side we can discover the difference between them, is of no small importance for strengthening the position of the better. 

“Since the life to come is to be attained through virtue, chief attention must be paid to those passages in which virtue is praised. In the pagan literature virtue is lauded in deeds as well as in words, wherefore one should study those acts of noble men which coincide with the teachings of the Scriptures. Young men must distinguish between helpful and injurious knowledge, keeping clearly in mind the Christian's purpose in life.”

St. Basil the Great *If you are studying Greek and want to see the original “St. Basil the Great to Students on Greek Literature”

Term 2:

I will now show thee, O my soul, examples from the New Testament, to lead thee to repentance. Follow the example of the righteous and avoid following the ways of the sinners and strive to regain the grace of Christ through prayer and fasting, purity and reverence.

Christ became man, calling thieves and harlots to repentance. Repent then, O my soul! For the doors of the Kingdom are already opened and the Publicans and penitent Pharisees and adulterers pass through before thee.

Christ became man by assuming my flesh and He willingly experienced all that belongs to our nature apart from our sin. Thus, He set before thee, O my soul, an example and image of His own condescension.

Christ saved the Magi, called the Shepherds, transformed a host of infants into Martyrs and glorified the Elders and the aged Widows, whose lives and deeds thou hast chosen to ignore, O my soul. But woe unto thee when the time of thy Judgement comes!

When the Lord had fasted for forty days in the wilderness, He became hungry thus showing us His human nature. Do not be dismayed, O my soul, and when the enemy attacks thee, drive him away through prayer and fasting.

Canon of St. Andrew, Ode 9

Find all three along with all pieces for all forms in Set 3 in this printable document.

Set 2: Recitation & Copywork

This year, we recommend a quotation on spiritual warfare by Monk Vsevolod (Filipyev), Translated by Kosara Gavrilovic for term 1, “A Morning Hymn” by St. Ambrose of Milan for term 2, and an excerpt from Thou Hast Proved Me, O God and Knowest: The Life of Hieromonk Vasily.  Find all three in this printable document.

Set 1: Recitation & Copywork

All three terms this year are devoted to reciting the communion prayer of St. Symeon the New Theologian. You can access the prayer here or use the printable handout.