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Do not seek the perfection of the law in human virtues, for it is
not found perfect in them. Its perfection is hidden in the Cross
of Christ.
:St. [[Mark the Ascetic]]
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Do we forgive our neighbors their trespasses? God also forgives us
in His mercy. Do we refuse to forgive? God, too, will refuse to
forgive us. As we treat our neighbors, so also does God treat us.
The forgiveness, then, of your sins or unforgiveness, and hence
also your salvation or destruction, depend on you yourself, man.
For without forgiveness of sins there is no salvation. You can see
for yourself how terrible it is.
:St. [[Tikhon of Zadonsk]], ''Journey to Heaven''
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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]]
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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]]
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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]]
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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]]
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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]]
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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]]
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An old man was asked, 'How can I find God?' He said, 'In fasting,
many stripes' (cf. Luke 12:47).
:St. [[Hesychius the Priest]]
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Behold, this is the true and the Christian humility. In this you
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]]
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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]]
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God descends to the humble as waters flow down from the hills into
like the blossom of grass. For the grass departs and the blossom
dies, but the word of the Lord abideth for ever.
:St. [[Nicon]]Nikon, ''Repent Ye''
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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]]
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Chastise your soul with the thought of death, and through
remembrance of Jesus Christ concentrate your scattered intellect.
:St. [[Philotheus of Sinai]]
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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 of Carthage|Cyprian]]
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Christ is Risen!
armed themselves against nothing so fiercely as against this
sickness—prelest.
:Metropolitan [[Anthony (Khrapovitsky) of Kiev|Anthony Khrapovitsky]]
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We see the water of a river flowing uninterruptedly and passing
labor of repentance, contrition and humility—these humble the
proud mind.
:Elder [[Joseph (Spilaiotis)|Joseph the Hesychast]]----What we need is a little labor! Let us endure this labor that wemay obtain mercy.:St. [[Dorotheus of Gaza]]
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They went down to Egypt and provided food when famine reigned;
:St. Ephrem
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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
blood and who have received through this promise life eternal,
blessed, and unceasing.
:St. [[Amvrosy Ambrose of Optina]]
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Lord God, have mercy on me a sinner: I am not worthy to stand
wantest.
:St. Nonnus (''Life of St. Pelagia'', the former harlot)
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The Holy Eucharist is the first, most important, and greatest
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
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I pray Thee, compassionate Lord, do not allow me to be condemned
attitude.
:Holy New Hieromartyr Barlaam
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The Holy Spirit often visits us; but if He does not find rest how
restrain and draw onwards our nature by main force to purity."
:''Paradise of the Fathers''
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My soul, seek the Only One . . . My soul, you have no part with