You must have a remarkably holy priest and bishop, or do you duck out during the homily? Do you really believe that even the Harps of the Spirit, who in council spoke infallibly in the Acta of the Ecumenical Councils lived up to that prescription?
BTW, there is a notable story of a hesychast who was vouchsafed to see the Uncreated Light without retreating to a monastery, and a recent convert at that--a cross-country trucker from Eastern Kentucky, who prayed the Jesus prayer in his rig (though I guess the interstates are a kind of desert). That he had received the grace only came to light when he innocently asked Fr. Thomas Hopko why he no longer saw it.
I guess that should be an encouragement to those of us living in the world to pray more, and more fervently.
It seems to me that the protestant penchant for dividing and confusing has worked.
There's still enough crazy-eyed protestant innovation being bandied about here that might best be answered in unison...
They may be holy, I don't know. I hope they don't judge as most people do. You would know what I mean if you read Tolstoy's "Three Little Hermits."
I have no reason to duck during homily. Mercy, humility, purity of heart, etc. are things that are mentioned at homilies. It's all good. If we had all those characteristics, the world would be a much better place.
BTW, there is a notable story of a hesychast who was vouchsafed to see the Uncreated Light without retreating to a monastery
And +Symeon the Theologian says "I neither fasted, nor kept vigils, nor slept on bare ground, but — to borrow the Psalmist's words — 'I humbled myself' and, in short, 'the Lord saved me.'" ("On Faith," Philokalia, Vol. IV, p. 16)
It's not where you are physically, but where you are spiritually that counts, TRD. It's not the vestments or how much tithe you pay, or if you have memorized the Bible in three languages, but if you have attained the likeness of Christ that makes the difference; in other words, what you have become, so that you may receive grace.