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O strange and inconceivable thing! We did not really die, we were not really buried, we were not really crucified and raised again, but our imitation was but a figure, while our salvation is in reality. Christ was actually crucified, and actually buried, and truly rose again; and all these things have been vouchsafed to us, that we, by imitation communicating in His sufferings, might gain salvation in reality. O surpassing loving-kindness! Christ received the nails in His undefiled hands and feet, and endured anguish; while to me without suffering or toil, by the fellowship of His pain He vouchsafed salvation.:St. [[Cyril of Jerusalem]], ''On the Christian Sacraments''----Repentance is the renewal of baptism. Repentance is a contract with God for a second life. A penitent is a buyer of humility. Repentance is constant distrust of bodily comfort. Repentance isself-condemning reflection, and carefree self-care. Repentance is the daughter of hope and the renunciation of despair. A penitent is an undisgraced convict. Repentance is reconciliation with the Lord by the practice of good deeds contrary to the sins. Repentance is purification of conscience. Repentance is the voluntary endurance of all afflictions. A penitent is theinflicter of his own punishments. Repentance is a mighty persecution of the stomach, and a striking of the soul into vigorous awareness. :St. [[John Climacus]]----<linebreak>Those who seek humility should bear in mind the three following
----
He, therefore, who sets himself to act evilly and yet wishes
others to be silent, is a witness against himself, for he wishes
himself to be loved more than the truth, which he does not wish to
be defended against himself. There is, of course, no man who so
lives as not sometimes to sin, but he wishes truth to be loved
more than himself, who wills to be spared by no one against the
truth. Wherefore, Peter willingly accepted the rebuke of Paul;
David willingly hearkened to the reproof of a subject. For good
rulers who pay no regard to self-love, take as a homage to their
humility the free and sincere words of subjects. But in this
regard the office of ruling must be tempered with such great art
of moderation, that the minds of subjects, when demonstrating
themselves capable of taking right views in some matters, are
given freedom of expression, but freedom that does not issue into
pride, otherwise, when liberty of speech is granted too
generously, the humility of their own lives will be lost.
:St. [[Gregory the Great]], ''Pastoral Care''
----
The Lord of all gave to His apostles the power of the gospel, and
by them we also have learned the truth, that is, the teaching of
the Son of God—as the Lord said to them, 'He who hears you hears
Me, and he who despises you despises Me, and Him Who sent Me'
[Lk.10:16]. For we learned the plan of our salvation from no other
than from those through whom the gospel came to us. The first
preached it abroad, and then later by the will of God handed it
down to us in Scriptures, to be the foundation and pillar of our
faith. For it is not right to say that they preached before they
had come to perfect knowledge, as some dare to say, boasting that
they are the correctors of the apostles. For after our Lord had
risen from the dead, and they were clothed with the power from on
high when the Holy Spirit came upon them, they were filled with
all things and had perfect knowledge. They went out to the ends of
the earth, preaching the good things that come to us from God, and
proclaiming peace from heaven to all men, all and each of them
equally being in possession of the gospel of God.
:St. [[Irenaeus of Lyons|Irenaeus]], ''Against the Heresies'', III
----
The Lord's Day is a mystery of the knowledge of the truth that is
not received by flesh and blood, and it transcends speculations.
In this age there is no eighth day, nor is there a true Sabbath.
For he who said that `God rested on the seventh day,' signified
the rest [of our nature] from the course of this life, since the
grave is also of a bodily nature and belongs to this world. Six
days are accomplished in the husbandry of life by means of keeping
the commandments; the seventh is spent entirely in the grave; and
the eighth is the departure from it.
:St. [[Isaac of Syria]], ''The Ascetical Homilies'', I
----
When a man walks in the fear of God he knows no fear, even if he
were to be surrounded by wicked men. He has the fear of God within
him and wears the invincible armor of faith. This makes him strong
and able to take on anything, even things which seem difficult or
impossible to most people. Such a man is like a giant surrounded
by monkeys, or a roaring lion among dogs and foxes. He goes
forward trusting in the Lord and the constancy of his will to
strike and paralyze his foes. He wields the blazing club of the
Word in wisdom.
:St. [[Symeon the New Theologian]], ''The Practical and Theological Chapters''
----
When we lay bare the hidden meaning of the history, scripture is
seen to teach that the birth which distresses the tyrant is the
beginning of the virtuous life. I am speaking of the kind of birth
in which free will serves as the midwife, delivering the child
amid great pain. For no one causes grief to his antagonist unless
he exhibits in himself those marks which give proof of his victory
over the other.
:St. [[Gregory of Nyssa]], ''The Life of Moses''
----
The roof of any house stands upon the foundations and the rest of
the structure. The foundations themselves are laid in order to
carry the roof. This is both useful and necessary, for the roof
cannot stand without the foundations and the foundations are
absolutely useless without the roof—no help to any living
creature. In the same way the grace of God is preserved by the
practice of the commandments, and the observance of these
commandments is laid down like foundations through the gift of
God. The grace of the Spirit cannot remain with us without the
practice of the commandments, but the practice of the commandments
is of no help or advantage to us without the grace of God.
:St. Symeon the New Theologian
----
I shall speak first about control of the stomach, the opposite to
gluttony, and about how to fast and what and how much to eat. I
shall say nothing on my own account, but only what I have received
from the Holy Fathers. They have not given us only a single rule
for fasting or a single standard and measure for eating, because
not everyone has the same strength; age, illness or delicacy of
body create differences. But they have given us all a single goal:
to avoid over-eating and the filling of our bellies... A clear
rule for self-control handed down by the Fathers is this: stop
eating while still hungry and do not continue until you are
satisfied.
:St. [[John Cassian]]
----
In Christianity truth is not a philosophical concept nor is it a
theory, a teaching, or a system, but rather, it is the living
theanthropic hypostasis—the historical Jesus Christ (John 14:6).
Before Christ men could only conjecture about the Truth since they
did not possess it. With Christ as the incarnate divine Logos the
eternally complete divine Truth enters into the world. For this
reason the Gospel says: "Truth came by Jesus Christ" (John 1:17).
:St. Justin Popovich
----
Let us charge into the good fight with joy and love without being
afraid of our enemies. Though unseen themselves, they can look at
the face of our soul, and if they see it altered by fear, they
take up arms against us all the more fiercely. For the cunning
creatures have observed that we are scared. So let us take up arms
against them courageously. No one will fight with a resolute
fighter.
:St. John Climacus
----
God is a fire that warms and kindles the heart and inward parts.
Hence, if we feel in our hearts the cold which comes from the
devil—for the devil is cold—let us call on the Lord. He will
come to warm our hearts with perfect love, not only for Him but
also for our neighbor, and the cold of him who hates the good will
flee before the heat of His countenance.
:St. [[Seraphim of Sarov]]
----
In the matter of piety, poverty serves us better than wealth, and
work better than idleness, especially since wealth becomes an
obstacle even for those who do not devote themselves to it. Yet,
when we must put aside our wrath, quench our envy, soften our
anger, offer our prayers, and show a disposition which is
reasonable, mild, kindly, and loving, how could poverty stand in
our way? For we accomplish these things not by spending money but
by making the correct choice. Almsgiving above all else requires
money, but even this shines with a brighter luster when the alms
are given from our poverty. The widow who paid in the two mites
was poorer than any human, but she outdid them all.
:St. John Chrysostom
----
Every day you provide your bodies with good to keep them from
failing. In the same way your good works should be the daily
nourishment of your hearts. Your bodies are fed with food and your
spirits with good works. You aren't to deny your soul, which is
going to live forever, what you grant to your body, which is going
to die.
:St. [[Gregory the Great]]
----
I saw the snares that the enemy spreads out over the world and I
said groaning, "What can get through from such snares?" Then I
heard a voice saying to me, "Humility."
:St. [[Anthony the Great]]
----
"Remember, O my soul, the terrible and frightful wonder: that your
Creator for your sake became Man, and deigned to suffer for the
sake of your salvation. His angels tremble, the Cherubim are
terrified, the Seraphim are in fear, and all the heavenly powers
ceaselessly give praise; and you, unfortunate soul, remain in
laziness. At least from this time forth arise and do not put off,
my beloved soul, holy repentence, contrition of heart and penance
for your sins."
:St. [[Paisius Velichkovsky]]
----
This is the mark of Christianity—however much a man toils, and
however many righteousnesses he performs, to feel that he has done
nothing, and in fasting to say, "This is not fasting," and in
praying, "This is not prayer," and in perseverance at prayer, "I
have shown no perseverance; I am only just beginning to practice
and to take pains"; and even if he is righteous before God, he
should say, "I am not righteous, not I; I do not take pains, but
only make a beginning every day."
:St. Macarius the Great
----
Why do you trouble yourself in a house that is not your own? Let
the sight of a dead man be a teacher for you concerning your
departure from hence.
:St. Isaac the Syrian
----
There is nothing impossible unto those who believe; lively and
unshaken faith can accomplish great miracles in the twinkling of
an eye. Besides, even without our sincere and firm faith, miracles
are accomplished, such as the miracles of the sacraments; for
God's Mystery is always accomplished, even though we were
incredulous or unbelieving at the time of its celebration. "Shall
their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?" (Rom. 3:3).
Our wickedness shall not overpower the unspeakable goodness and
mercy of God; our dullness shall not overpower God's wisdom, nor
our infirmity God's omnipotence.
:St. John of Kronstadt, ''My Life in Christ''
----
It was said about John the Little that one day he said to his
older brother: I want to be free from care and not to work but to
worship God without interruption. And he took his robe off, and
went into the desert. After staying there one week, he returned to
his brother. And when he knocked at the door, his brother asked
without opening it: Who is it? He replied: It's John, your
brother. The brother said: John has become an angel and is not
among people anymore. Then he begged and said: It's me! But his
brother did not open the door and left him there in distress until
the next morning. And he finally opened the door and said: If you
are a human being, you have to work again in order to live. Then
John repented, saying: Forgive me, brother, for I was wrong.
:''Sayings of the Desert Fathers''
When despondency seizes us, let us not give in to it. Rather,
fortified and protected by the light of faith, let us with great
courage say to the spirit of evil: "What are you to us, you who
are cut off from God, a fugitive for Heaven, and a slave of evil?
You dare not do anything to us: Christ, the Son of God, has
dominion over us and over all. Leave us, you thing of bane. We are
made steadfast by the uprightness of His Cross. Serpent, we
trample on your head."
:St. Seraphim of Sarov
----
----
For to despise the present age, not to love transitory things,
unreservedly to stretch out the mind in humility to God and our
neighbor, to preserve patience against offered insults and, with
patience guarded, to repel the pain of malice from the heart, to
give one's property to the poor, not to covet that of others, to
esteem the friend in God, on God's account to love even those who
are hostile, to mourn at the affliction of a neighbor, not to
exult in the death of one who is an enemy, this is the new
creature whom the Master of the nations seeks with watchful eye
amid the other disciples, saying:"If, then, any be in Christ a new
creature, the old things are passed away. Behold all things are
made new" (2 Cor. 5:17).
:St. Gregory the Great
----
The knowledge of the Cross is concealed in the sufferings of the
Cross.
:St. Isaac the Syrian
----
Even if we have thousands of acts of great virtue to our credit,
our confidence in being heard must be based on God's mercy and His
love for men. Even if we stand at the very summit of virtue, it is
by mercy that we shall be saved.
:St. John Chrysostom
----
Monasticism itself is a perpetual labor of conquering passions and
uprooting them in order that, being in a pure and immaculate
state, one may preserve oneself before the face of God. This,
then, is your task! Give your attention to it, and direct all your
powers towards it.
:St. Theophan the Recluse
----
If the soul is vigilant and withdraws from all distraction and
abandons its own will, then the spirit of God invades it and it
can conceive because it is free to do so.
:Abba Cronius
----
The man who follows Christ in solitary mourning is greater than he
who praises Christ amid the congregation of men.
:St. Isaac the Syrian
----
For to despise the present age, not to love transitory things,
unreservedly to stretch out the mind in humility to God and our
neighbor, to preserve patience against offered insults and, with
patience guarded, to repel the pain of malice from the heart, to
give one's property to the poor, not to covet that of others, to
esteem the friend in God, on God's account to love even those who
are hostile, to mourn at the affliction of a neighbor, not to
exult in the death of one who is an enemy, this is the new
creature whom the Master of the nations seeks with watchful eye
amid the other disciples, saying:"If, then, any be in Christ a new
creature, the old things are passed away. Behold all things are
made new" (2 Cor. 5:17).
:St. Gregory the Great
----
As a pilot calls on winds and a storm-tossed mariner looks
homeward, so the times call on you to win your way to God. As
God's athlete, be sober; the stake is immortality and eternal
life.
:St. Ignatius the God-bearer
----
Why do you increase your bonds? Take hold of your life before your
light grows dark and you seek help and do not find it. This life
has been given to you for repentance; do not waste it in vain
pursuits.
:St. Isaac the Syrian
----
The Seraph could not touch the fire's coal with his fingers, but
just brought it close to Isaiah's mouth: the Seraph did not hold
it, Isaiah did not consume it, but us our Lord has allowed to do
both.
:St. Ephraim the Syrian
----
Death's awful mystery comes upon us suddenly, and soul and body
are violently severed, divorced from their natural union by the
will of God. What shall we do at that hour if we have not thought
of it beforehand, if we have not been instructed concerning this
eventuality and find ourselves unprepared?
:St. Nil Sorsky
----
O monk, take thou the greatest possible care that thou sin not,
lest thou disgrace God Who dwelleth in thee, and thou drive Him
out of thy soul.
:Abba Epiphanius
----
We were created for eternal life by our Creator, we are called to
it by the word of God, and we are renewed by holy Baptism. And
Christ the Son of God came into the world for this, that He should
call us and take us there, and He is the one thing needful. For
this reason your very first endeavor and care should be to receive
it. Without it everything is as nothing, though you have the whole
world under you.
:St. Tikhon of Zadonsk
de-link
things: that they are the worst of sinners, that they are the most
despicable of all creatures since their state is an unnatural one,
innumerable sins, am in a state contrary to nature.
:St. [[Gregory of Sinai]], ''[[Philokalia]]'', Vol. IV.
----
The wicked one, on the watch, carried me off as booty as I lazily slept.
Thou who dost will that all men be saved.
:Kontakia of St. Romanos, A Prayer.
----
Be strong in Me; and you, too, Andrew; just as you were the first
I alone know what is in the heart.
:Kontakia of St. Romanos, On the Mission of the Apostles.
----
Beguiling and deceptive is the life of the world, fruitless its
am weak. Lord, help me; do not let Thy creature perish, for Thou
carest for me in my misery.
:St. [[Peter of Damascus]]
----
You cannot destroy the passions on your own, but ask God, and He
will destroy them, if this is profitable for you.
:St. [[Anatolius I of Optina|Anatoly of Optina----The soul that really loves God and Christ, though it may do tenthousand righteousnesses, esteems itself as having wroughtnothing, by reason of its insatiable aspiration after God. Thoughit should exhaust the body with fastings, with watchings, itsattitude towards the virtues is as if it had not yet even begun tolabour for them.:St. Macarius the Great----Souls that love truth and God, that long with much hope and faithto put on Christ completely, do not need so much to be put in remembrance by others, nor do they endure, even for a while, to bedeprived of the heavenly desire and of passionate affection to theLord; but being wholly and entirely nailed to the cross of Christ,they perceive in themselves day by day a sense of spiritualadvance towards the spiritual Bridegroom.:St. Macarius the Great]]
----
An old man was asked, 'How can I find God?' He said, 'In fasting,
lord's will and did not do it as a servant, shall be beaten with
many stripes' (cf. Luke 12:47).
:St. [[Hesychius the Priest----Do not seek the perfection of the law in human virtues, for it isnot found perfect in them. Its perfection is hidden in the Crossof Christ.:St. Mark the Ascetic----Do not be surprised that you fall every day; do not give up, butstand your ground courageously. And assuredly, the angel whoguards you will honour your patience.:St. John of the Ladder]]
----
Behold, this is the true and the Christian humility. In this you
will be able to achieve victory over every vice, by attributing to
God rather than to yourself the fact that you have won.
:St. [[Martin of Braga]]
----
We believe that the divine presence is everywhere and that "the
Angels, and let us take part in the psalmody in such a way that
our mind may be in harmony with our voice.
:St. [[Benedict of Nursia|Benedict]]
----
Humility is the only thing we need; one can still fall having
virtues other than humility—but with humility one does not
fall.
:Elder Herman of [[Mt. Mount Athos]]----When you are praying alone, and your spirit is dejected, and youare wearied and oppressed by your loneliness, remember then, asalways, that God the Trinity looks upon you with eyes brighterthan the sun; also all the angels, your own Guardian Angel, andall the Saints of God. Truly they do; for they are all one in God,and where God is, there are they also. Where the sun is, thitheralso are directed all its rays. Try to understand what this means.:St. [[John of Kronstadt]]
----
God descends to the humble as waters flow down from the hills into
the valleys.
:St. [[Tikhon of Voronezh----Our holy fathers have renounced all other spiritual work andconcentrated wholly on this one doing, that is, on guarding theheart, convinced that, through this practice, they would easilyattain every other virtue, whereas without it not a single virtuecan be firmly established.:St. Symeon the New Theologian]]
----
If you are praised, be silent. If you are scolded, be silent. If
that is of God is peaceful and useful and leads a man to humility
and to judging himself.
:St. [[Barsanuphius ]] the Great
----
What, then, are the things which are being prepared for those who
to be found among the number of those that wait, that we may
receive a share of the promised gifts.
:St. [[Clement of Rome]]
----
Even if an angel should indeed appear to you, do not receive him
in everything to give Him thanks, to Whom be glory for ever and
ever. Amen.
:St. [[Clement of Rome]]
----
Prove your love and zeal for wisdom in actual deeds.
:St. [[Callistus Xanthopoulos]]
----
What purposelessness, oh the deceit of life; truly in vain does
like the blossom of grass. For the grass departs and the blossom
dies, but the word of the Lord abideth for ever.
:St. NiconNikon, ''Repent Ye''
----
It depends on us whether we wish to be saved.
enslaved to vainglory and the clamors of life, and stand feebly
and lazily at vigils and whisper and jest.
:St. [[Joseph of VolokalamskVolokolamsk]]
----
Chastise your soul with the thought of death, and through
remembrance of Jesus Christ concentrate your scattered intellect.
:St. [[Philotheus of Sinai----Do we forgive our neighbors their trespasses? God also forgives usin His mercy. Do we refuse to forgive? God, too, will refuse toforgive us. As we treat our neighbors, so also does God treat us.The forgiveness, then, of your sins or unforgiveness, and hencealso your salvation or destruction, depend on you yourself, man.For without forgiveness of sins there is no salvation. You can seefor yourself how terrible it is.:St. Tikhon of Zadonsk, ''Journey to Heaven'']]
----
What toil we must endure, what fatigue, while we are attempting to
less. Immortality is given to the one who perseveres; everlasting
life is offered; the Lord promises His Kingdom.
:St. [[Cyprian----A man may seem to be silent, but if his heart is condemningothers, he is babbling ceaselessly. But there may be another whotalks from morning till night and yet he is truly silent, that is,he says nothing that is not profitable.:Abba Pimen----The way of humility is this: self-control, prayer, and thinkingyourself inferior to all creatures.:Abba Tithoes----The body is a slave, the soul a sovereign, and therefore it is dueto Divine mercy when the body is worn out by illness: for therebythe passions are weakened, and a man comes to himself; indeed,bodily illness itself is sometimes caused by the passions.:St. Seraphim of Sarov, ''Spiritual Instructions''----Make glad, O Jerusalem, and all ye who love Sion, keep feast.Today the ancient bond of the condemnation of Adam is loosed.Paradise is opened to us: the serpent is laid low; for of old hedeceived the woman in Paradise, but now he seeth a woman becomethe Mother of the Creator. O the depth of the riches of the wisdomand knowledge of God! The instrument of sin that brought deathupon all flesh hath become the first fruits of salvation for thewhole world through the Theotokos. For God the All-perfect is borna babe of her, and by His birth He doth set a seal upon hervirginity. By His swaddling bands he doth loose the bands of sin,and by becoming a child He doth heal Eve's pangs in travail.Wherefore, let all creation sing and dance for joy, for Christhath come to restore it and to save our souls.:Glory of the Aposticha of the FeastCarthage|Cyprian]]
----
Christ is Risen!
'Thou art our Lord and God.'"
:Kontakia of Romanos, v. 1, On Doubting Thomas
----
Long ago, the wily one cast his weapon and wounded Adam and killed
Whom the soul has received its life and its nature, and for Whom
it must eternally live.
:St. [[Dimitry of Rostov----Those who have truly decided to serve the Lord God should practicethe remembrance of God and uninterrupted prayer to Jesus Christ,mentally saying: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me,a sinner.:St. Seraphim of Sarov]]
----
Let us go forward with the heart completely attentive and the soul
stars, is formed in the blessed heart of one who has reach a state
of watchfulness, or who strives to attain it.
:St. [[Philotheus of Sinai]]
----
My poor soul! Sigh, pray and strive to take upon you the blessed
a dog that feeds upon the crumbs which fall from the master's
table.
:St. [[Tikhon of Voronezh]]
----
Even a pious person is not immune to spiritual sickness if he does
not have a wise guide—either a living person or a spiritual
armed themselves against nothing so fiercely as against this
sickness—prelest.
:Metropolitan [[Anthony (Khrapovitsky----Go and have pity on all, for through pity, one finds freedom ) ofspeech before God.:Abba PamboKiev|Anthony Khrapovitsky]]
----
We see the water of a river flowing uninterruptedly and passing
go the way of all flesh. I was born in order to die. I die that I
may live. Remember me, O Lord, in Thy Kingdom!
:St. [[Tikhon of Voronezh----It is better to eat meat and drink wine and not to eat the fleshof one's brethren through slander.:Abba Hyperechius]]
----
'Wine makes glad the heart of man' (Ps. 104:15). But you who have
rejoice in spiritual gifts. If you rejoice in wine, you will live
with shameful thoughts and distress will overwhelm you.
:St. [[Theodore of Edessa]]
----
Acts of charity, almsgiving and all the external good works do not
labor of repentance, contrition and humility—these humble the
proud mind.
:Elder [[Joseph (Spilaiotis)|Joseph the Hesychast----Oh, what great happiness and bliss, what exaltation it is toaddress oneself to the Eternal Father. Always, without fail, valuethis joy which has been accorded to you by God's infinite graceand do not forget it during your prayers; God, the angels andGod's holy men listen to you.:St. John of Kronstadt----What we need is a little labor! Let us endure this labor that wemay obtain mercy.:St. Dorotheus of Gaza----For Christians above all men are forbidden to correct thestumblings of sinners by force...it is necessary to make a manbetter not by force but by persuasion. We neither have autoritygranted us by law to restrain sinners, nor, if it were, should weknow how to use it, since God gives the crown to those who arekept from evil, not by force, but by choice.:St. John Chrysostom]]
----
They went down to Egypt and provided food when famine reigned;
:St. Ephrem
----
While the [[Christ The Bridegroom (O Nymphios)|Bridegroom]] tarried, they slumbered and slept:
Give ear, ye prudent, to our Lord's parable, for it is all light.
All of them slept, both the foolish and the wise --
The good die, as the wise virgins slept;
And the bad die, as the foolish also slept.
Behold, all creation looketh for the coming of the [[Christ The Bridegroom(O Nymphios)|Bridegroom]],
Christ, Who cometh at the end with His angels.
But since He hath tarried, all generations slumber and sleep
throughout his life—'seven times shall he rise again' [Prov.
24:16].
:[[John of Karpathos----No one on this earth can avoid affliction; and although theafflictions which the Lord sends are not great men imagine thembeyond their strength and are crushed by them. This is becausethey will not humble their souls and commit themselves to the willof God. But the Lord Himself guides with His grace those who aregiven over to God's will, and they bear all things with fortitudefor the sake of God Whom they have so loved and with Whom they areglorified for ever. It is impossible to escape tribulation in thisworld but the man who is giver over to the will of God bearstribulation easily, seeing it but putting his trust in the Lord,and so his tribulations pass.:Archimandrite [[Sophrony (Sakharov)|Sophrony]]
----
The evil one cannot comprehend the joy we receive from the
and sets traps for us, and we become grieved and fall. We must
struggle, because without struggles we do not obtain virtues.
:Elder [[Ieronymos of Aegina----For those who believe in Him, Christ will become all this and evenmore, beyond enumeration, not only in the age to come but first ithis life, and then in the world to come. Thou in an obscure wayhere below and in a perfect manner in the Kingdom, those whobelieve see clearly nonetheless and receive as of now thefirst-fruits of everything they will have in the future life.Indeed, if they do not receive on earth everything that waspromised to them, they do not have any part of foretaste of theblessings to come, their higher hope being set on the hereafter.However, it is through death and the resurrection that God in Hisforesight has given us the Kingdom, incorruptibility, the totalityof life eternal. Given these conditions, we unquestionably becomepartakers of the good things to come, that is, incorruptible,immortal, sons of God, sons of the light and of the day,inheritors of the Kingdom of Heaven, since we carry the Kingdomwithin.:St. Symeon the New Theologian]]
----
Self-accusation before God is something that is very necessary for
to be unacceptable and rejected, and `it will be turned back
empty' to our bosom.
:[[Martyrius of Edessa----The enemy of our salvation especially strives to draw our heartand mind away from God when we are about to serve Him, andendeavours to adulterously attach our heart to somethingirrelevant. Be always, every moment, with God, especially when youpray to Him. If you are inconstant, you will fall away from life,and will cast yourself into sorrow and straitness.:St. John of Kronstadt]]
----
There was a man who at a lot and was till hungry, and another who
satisfied.
:''Apophthegmata Patrum''
----
The work of prayer belongs to the angels, and is, therefore, the
confiding, requesting—and through this becomes one with our
Maker Himself.
:St. [[Symeon of Thessalonica----He who really keeps account of his actions considers as lost everyday in which he does not mourn, whatever good he may have done init.:St. John of the Ladder----We truly love God and keep His commandments if we restrainourselves from our pleasures. For he who still abandons himself tounlawful desires certainly does not love God, since he contradictsHim in his own intentions. . . Therefore, he loves God truly,whose mind is not conquered by consent to evil delight. For themore one takes pleasure in lower things, the more he is separatedfrom heavenly love.:St. Gregory the Great----A greedy appetite for food is terminated by satiety and thepleasure of drinking ends when our thirst is quenched. And so itis with the other things. . . But the possession of virtue, onceit is solidly achieved, cannot be measured by time nor limited bysatiety. Rather, to those who are its disciples it always appearsas something ever new and fresh.:St. Gregory of Nyssa----Observe your thoughts, and beware of what you have in your heartand your spirit, knowing that the demons put ideas into you so asto corrupt your soul by making it think of that which is notright, in order to turn your spirit from the consideration of yoursins and of God.:Abba Elias]]
----
Have unfeigned love among yourselves, keep the tradition, and may
the God of peace be with you and confirm you in love.
:St. [[Paul of Obnora]]
----
Bringing doxology to the One born of the Virgin in church hymns
blood and who have received through this promise life eternal,
blessed, and unceasing.
:St. Amvrosy [[Ambrose of Optina----If we wear our heavenly robe, we shall not be found naked, but ifwe are found not wearing this garment, what shall we do, brethren?We, even we also, shall hear the voice that says, "Cast them intoouter darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth." (Matt.22:13) And, brethren, there will be great shame in store for us,if, after having worn this habit for so long, we are found in thehour of need not having put on the wedding garment. Oh whatcompunction will seize us! What darkness will fall upon us, in thepresence of our fathers and our brethren, who will see us beingtortured by the angels of punishment!:Abba Dioscorus----When an archer desires to shoot his arrows successfully, he firsttakes great pains over his posture and aligns himself accuratelywith his mark. It should be the same for you who are about toshoot the head of the wicked devil. Let us be concerned first forthe good order of sensations and then for the good posture ofinner thoughts.:St. John Chrysostom]]
----
Lord God, have mercy on me a sinner: I am not worthy to stand
wantest.
:St. Nonnus (''Life of St. Pelagia'', the former harlot)
----
The Holy Eucharist is the first, most important, and greatest
continued to effect a miraculous change in those people who
communicate of the Divine Mysteries with faith and humility.
:St. [[Ambrose of Optina]]
----
Strive as well as you can to enter deeply with the heart into the
the heart.
:Abbot Nazarius
----
Blessed is he who always has before his eyes that "the earth is
the Lord's and the fulness thereof" (Ps. 23:1 [24:1 in the NIV]), and keeps in mind that God is powerful to arrange for His servants as is pleasing to Him.
:St. Barsanuphius
----
I pray Thee, compassionate Lord, do not allow me to be condemned
more or to presumptuously contemplate further. But as always I
fall down before Thee, crying from the depths of my soul. . .
:St. [[Peter of Damascus]]
----
At the Last Judgment the righteous will be recognized only by
attitude.
:Holy New Hieromartyr Barlaam
----
The Holy Spirit often visits us; but if He does not find rest how
joy and happiness for man. I am not able to describe to you how
one feels then.
:Elder [[Ieronymos of Aegina]]
----
Keep the body properly slim so that you reduce the burden of the
heart's warfare, with full benefit to yourself.
:St. [[Philotheus of Sinai----I consider those fallen mourners more blessed than those who havenot fallen and are not mourning over themselves; because as aresult of their fall, they have risen by a sure resurrection.:St. John of the Ladder]]
----
I shall tell you something strange, but do not be surprised by it.
in the depths of humility, you will be exalted above the clouds no
less than the man who is dispassionate.
:St. [[Theognostus]]
----
One of the old men said, "It is written concerning Solomon that he
restrain and draw onwards our nature by main force to purity."
:''Paradise of the Fathers''
----
My soul, seek the Only One . . . My soul, you have no part with
an immaterial spirit, immortal. . . In Him alone you will find
your rest.
:St. [[Tikhon of Voronezh----It is by warfare that the soul makes progress.:Abba John the Short----Why do you beat the air and run in vain? Every occupation has apurpose, obviously. Tell me then, what is the purpose of all theactivity of the world? Answer, I challenge you! It is vanity ofvanity: all is vanity.:St. John Chrysostom----When you pray to God in time of temptation do not say, 'Take thisor that away from me', but pray like this: 'O Jesus Christ,sovereign Master, help me and do not let me sin against Thee. . .':Abba Isaiah the Solitary]]
----
The evil one cannot comprehend the joy we receive from the
and sets traps for us, and we become grieved and fall. We must
struggle, because without struggles we do not obtain virtues.
:Elder [[Ieronymos of Aegina----For now is the time to labour for the Lord, for salvation is foundin the day of affliction: for it is written: 'In your patiencegain ye your souls' (Luke 21:19).:Abba Isidore of Skete----But Adam did not wish to say, "I sinned," but said rather thecontrary of this and placed the blame for the transgression uponGod Who created everything "very good," saying to Him, "The womanwhom Thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree and Iate." And after him she also placed the blame upon the serpent,and they did not wish at all to repent and, falling down beforethe Lord God, beg forgiveness of Him. For this, God banished themfrom Paradise, as from a royal palace, to live in this world asexiles. At that time also He decreed that a flaming sword shouldbe turned and should guard the entrance into Paradise. And God didnot curse Paradise, since it was the image of the future unendinglife of the eternal Kingdom of Heaven. If it were not for thisreason, it would have been fitting to curse it most of all, sincewithin it was performed the transgression of Adam. But God did notdo this, but cursed only the whole rest of the earth, which alsowas corrupt and brought forth everything by itself; and this wasin order that Adam might not have any longer a life free fromexhausting labors and sweat...:St. Symeon the New Theologian]]
----
Fortunate is the man who has come to have God as his helper and
his God." Such were all the Prophets, the Apostles, the Martyrs,
the Holy Ascetics and all the Saints from the beginning of time.
:St. [[Nikephoros of Chios----The soul has followed Moses and the cloud, both of these servingas guides for those who would advance in virtue; Moses herrepresents the commandments of the Law; and the cloud that leadsthe way, its spiritual meaning. The soul has been purified bycrossing the Sea; it has removed from itself and destroyed theenemy army. It has tasted of the waters of Marah, that is, of lifedeprived of all sinful pleasure; and this at first had seemedbitter and unpleasant to the taste but offered a sensation ofsweetness to those who accepted the wood. Next it enjoyed thebeauty of the palm trees of the gospel and the springs; it filleditself with the living water, that is, the rock. It took withinitself the bread of heaven. It overwhelmed the foreign host—avictory due to the extended arms of the Lawgiver, which thusforeshadowed the mystery of the Cross. Only then can the soul goon to the contemplation of transcendent Being.St. Gregory of Nyssa</linebreak>----Do not be despondent when fighting against the incorporeal enemy,but even in the midst of your afflictions and oppression praise theLord, Who has found you worthy to suffer for Him, by strugglingagainst the subtlety of the serpent, and to be wounded for Him atevery hour; for had you not lived piously, and endeavored to becomeunited to God, the enemy would not have attacked and tormented you.:St. John of Kronstadt [source unknown]----We should not desire the death of a sinner but his repentance. Nothing so grieves the Lord, Who suffered on the Cross for sinners, than when we pray to Him for the death of a sinner, thereby to remove the sinner from our path. It happened that the Apostle Carpus lost his patience and began to pray that God would send down death upon two sinful men: one a pagan and the other an apostate from the Faith. Then the Lord Christ Himself appeared to Carpus and said: ‘Strike me; I am prepared to be crucified again for the salvation of mankind.’ St. Carpus related this event to St. Dionysius the Areopagite, who wrote it down as a lesson to all in the Church that prayers are needed for sinners to be saved and not for them to be destroyed, for the Lord is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (II Peter 3:9).—St. Nikolai, ''The Prologue of Ohrid'' ]
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[[Category:Quotes]]