This Is What “Eye of the Soul” Means (Sermon)

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By Father Joachim

Created on Friday, 04 July 2025 19:53

Sermon delivered by Father Joachim at Saint John of San Francisco Orthodox Monastery, Cobleskill, NY — Sunday, June 16/29, 2025.

In this sermon, Father Joachim delves into the Orthodox teaching on the nous—the “eye of the soul”—and its vital role in the Christian life. He reminds us that true spiritual vision requires purification: a process of repentance, humility, and healing through the sacramental life of the Church. As the Apostle Paul exhorts, we must be “transformed by the renewal of the nous” (Romans 12:2).

Key Themes:

• The distinction between the mind (rational thought) and the nous (spiritual vision)
• How sin darkens the heart and blinds us to divine reality
• Why Orthodoxy is not merely a belief system, but a healing method—a spiritual hospital
• The role of temptation in awakening the soul to its need for God
• The importance of persistent repentance, confession, and prayer of the heart
• Warnings against spiritual indifference, hidden pride, and self-deception
• A call to sincere self-examination and active participation in the Church’s sacramental life

We are called to cultivate continual remembrance of God, even amidst our daily responsibilities, and to reject the false dichotomy between worldly concerns and spiritual life. Repentance is not just sorrow—it is a change of the nous, a reorientation of the heart toward God. This is the path to light, healing, and salvation.