Richard G. Petty, MD

Surrender and Detachment

Saint Diadochus.jpg




Detachment and surrender are not popular these days, even amongst many spiritual seekers.

But is it worth thinking about the value of each.

“All men are made in God’s image; but to be in His likeness is granted only to those who through great love have brought their own freedom into subjection to God. For only when we do not belong to ourselves do we become like Him who through love has reconciled us to Himself. No one achieves this unless he persuades his soul not to be distracted by the false glitter of this life.”          

–St. Diadochos of Photiki (Theologian, Mystic, and bishop of Photice, Epirus, c.400-c.486)           

On Spiritual Knowledge: “Philokalia Vol. 1”, p. 253, text 4:   


“The Philokalia, Volume 1: The Complete Text; Compiled by St. Nikodimos of the Holy Mountain & St. Markarios of Corinth” (Faber & Faber)

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