☦
welcome… me… just the sinner… a listener, an observer, a thinker, an admirer… I am an Orthodox Catholic Christian interested in computers, electronics, automation, soccer, music, freedom, life, love, Truth, Holy Tradition, the Holy Trinity, the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church, the Holy Bible/Holy Scripture, ethics, morality, philosophy, religion, spirituality, asceticism, Creation, and pro-life.
The Orthodox Church in America - Archdiocese of Canada received me into membership by Holy Chrismation by priest/monk Fr. Rev. E.A. (Simeon) Weare, memory eternalMemory Eternal, in the parish St. Nicholas the Wonder-Maker in 1992.
—the unworthy servant and chief of sinners, th
“Assume the person you're listening to knows something you don't.” —Dr. Jordan B. Peterson, 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos
“I often quote myself. It adds spice to my conversation.” —George Bernard Shaw
“Inequality is the price of civilization.” —George Orwell
“When a clown moves into a palace, he doesn't become a king, the palace becomes a circus.” —Turkish Proverb
“During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.” —George Orwell
“The past was erased, the erasure was forgotten, the lie became the truth.” —George Orwell, Nineteen Eighty-Four
“We have now sunk to a depth at which restatement of the obvious is the first duty of intelligent men.” —George Orwell
“If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.” —George Orwell
“People will never come to love their oppression, to adore the technologies that undo their capacities to think.” —Aldous Huxley
“The best way to keep a prisoner from escaping is to make sure he never knows he's in prison.” —Fyodor Dostoyevsky
“Censorship reflects a society's lack of confidence in itself.” — Potter Stewart
“Censorship is telling a man he can't have a steak just because a baby can't chew it.” —Mark Twain
“Where they burn books, so too will they in the end burn human beings.” —Heinrich Heine
“Those who forget the past, they lose an eye. Those who dwell on the past, they lose both eyes.” —Hungarian Proverb
“According to Hegel, man will be completely free only ‘by surrounding himself with a world entirely created by himself.’ But this is precisely what he has done, and man has never been so enchained, so much a slave as now.” —E. M. Cioran “Hard men make good times, good times make soft men, soft men make bad times.” —Alex Jones, Tucker on X, Ep. 46 “[Behold] I am become death, the destroyer of worlds.” —J. Robert Oppenheimer (, the Bhagavad Gita, chapter 11 verse 32 of the Bhagavad Gita)
“Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men.” —John Emerich Edward Dalberg-Acton
“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear, and the blind can see.” —Mark Twain
“There's nothing that divides nations like a common language.” —George Bernard Shaw
“Democracy is the dictatorship of the ignorant masses.” —Plato
“Tradition means giving votes to the most obscure of all classes, our ancestors. It is the democracy of the dead. Tradition refuses to submit to that arrogant oligarchy who merely happen to be walking around.” —G. K. Chesterton
“That the dead are as much a part of the present as the unborn is a fundamental conservative idea.” —Armin Mohler
“Having heard all of this, you may choose to look the other way, but you can never say again that you did not know.” —William Wilberforce
“He who strikes terror in others is himself continually in fear.” —Claudius Claudianus
“Ignorance is the cause of fear.” —Lucius Annaeus Seneca
“Who feareth to suffer suffereth already, because he feareth.” —Michel de Montaigne
“…the brain, in and of its physical self, does not think, any more than a musical instrument can give forth melody without the touch of the musician's hand. The brain is indeed the instrument of thinking, but the mind is the skillful player that makes it give forth the beautiful harmony of thought… … It is because of the disastrous results of fear thought not only on the individual but on the nation, that it becomes the duty of every sane man and woman to establish quarantine against fear. Fear is a psychic disease which is highly contagious and extraordinarily infectious. Fear though is most dangerous when it parades as forethought. Combat fear by replacing it with faith. Resist worry with confidence.” —William Samuel Sadler (1875-1969), M.D., F.A.C.S. Director of the Chicago Institute of Research and Diagnosis
“The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only object of good government.” —Thomas Jefferson
“Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.” —Albert Einstein
“There are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen.” —Vladimir Ilyich Lenin
“Time is a violent torrent; no sooner is a thing brought to sight then it is swept by and another takes its place, and this too will be swept away.” —Marcus Aurelius
“The universe is change; our life is what our thoughts make it.” —Marcus Aurelius
“Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habbit. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.” —Lao Tzu
“For everything you have missed, you have gained something else, and for everything you gain, you lose something else. It is about your outlook towards life. You can either regret or rejoice.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Men are, unfortunately generally more careful of the breed of their horses and dogs than of their children.” —William Penn
“The hardest job kids face today is learning good manners without seeing any.” —Fred Astaire
“Political correctness is tyranny with manners.” —Charlton Heston
“Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience. They may be more likely to go to Heaven yet at the same time likelier to make a Hell of earth. This very kindness stings with intolerable insult. To be ‘cured’ against one's will and cured of states which we may not regard as disease is to be put on a level of those who have not yet reached the age of reason or those who never will; to be classed with infants, imbeciles, and domestic animals.” —C. S. Lewis, God in the Dock: Essays on Theology (Making of Modern Theology)
“All tyrannies rule through fraud and force, but once the fraud is exposed they must rely exclusively on force.” —George Orwell
“Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves.” —William Pitt the Younger
“In the time of heroes and tyrants, the true heroes are the small men.” —unknown
“Here is the test to find whether your mission on earth is finished: If you're alive, it isn't.” —unknown
“Don't try to do two things at once and expect to do justice to both.” —Traditional Proverb
“And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count, it's the life in your years.” —Abraham Lincoln
“Birds of a feather flock together.” —English Proverb
“Misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows.” —William Shakespeare, The Tempest, Act 2, Scene 2
“You can want a women for her body, but you can only love her for her character.” —Spanish Proverb
“We must always takes sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” —Elie Wiesel
“The reason it is difficult is that we have been conditioned to laugh at conspiracy theories, and few people will risk public ridicule by advocating them. On the other hand, to endorse the accidental view is absurd. Almost all of history is an unbroken trail of one conspiracy after another. Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception.” —G. Edward Griffin
“Facts don't care about feelings.” —Ben Shapiro
“Arguing that you don't care about the right to privacy because you have nothing to hide is no different than saying you don't care about free speech because you have nothing to say.” —Edward Snowden
“[The best solution to offensive speech is] more speech, not enforced silence.” —Louis Brandeis, US Supreme Court Justice
“I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend to the death your right to say it.” —Voltaire
“The holocaust has to be thought as a chapter in the long history of man's inhumanity to man. One cannot ignore the discrimination inflicted on many people because of race, color, or creed. One cannot ignore slavery. One cannot ignore the burning of witches. One cannot ignore the killing of Christians in the Roman period. The holocaust perhaps is the culmination of the kind of horror that can occur when man loses his integrity, his belief in the sanctity of human life.” —Dr. Randolph Braham, Holocaust Survivor
“Do not judge by appearances; a rich heart may be under a poor coat.” —Scottish Proverb
“Don't talk to me of female beauty, rather virtues of her soul. A beautiful woman who has not decorated herself with virtue is like a painted coffin.” —St. John Chrysostom
“A wife is appealing not in the beauty of her body, rather for the virtues of her soul, neither in creams and cosmetics, nor gold and expensive clothes, rather chastity, meekness, and abiding awe before God.” —St. John Chrysostom
“The beauty of woman is the greatest snare. Or rather, not the beauty of woman, but unchastened gazing! For we should not accuse the objects, but ourselves, and our own carelessness. Nor should we say, ‘Let there be no women’, but ‘Let there be no adulteries’. We should not say, ‘Let there be no beauty’, but ‘Let there be no fornication’. We should not say, ‘Let there be no belly’, but ‘Let there be no gluttony’; for the belly makes not the gluttony, but our negligence. We should not say, that it is because of eating and drinking that all these evils exist; for it is not because of this, but because of our carelessness and insatiableness. Thus the devil neither ate nor drank, and yet he fell! Paul ate and drank, and ascended up to heaven!” —St. John Chrysostom, Homily 15 on the Statues, 10
“Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else.” —Margaret Mead
“Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.” —Antoine de Saint-Exupery
“The root of all wisdom is knowing what an asshole you are.” —Tucker Carlson, Tucker on X, Ep. 46
“To err is human; to forgive, divine.” —Alexander Pope
“It is through error that man tries and rises. It is through tragedy he learns. All the roads of learning begin in darkness and go out into the light.” —Hippocrates of Kos
“When the solution is simple, God is answering.” —Albert Einstein
“There's no mask for a treacherous heart like an honest face.” —Captain Kidd (1945)
“[S]he has an honest face even if it is the result of triumph of plastic surgery.” —The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1964), s2e13
“Sometimes when you're troubled and hurt, you pour yourself into things that can't hurt back.” —Gentleman's Agreement (1947)
“At the center of our being is a point of nothingness which is untouched by sin and by illusion, a point of pure truth, a point or spark which belongs entirely to God, which is never at our disposal, from which God disposes our lives, which is inaccessible to the fantasies of our own mind or the brutalities of our own will. This little point of nothingness and of absolute poverty is the pure glory of God in us… It is like a pure diamond, blazing with the invisible light of heaven. It is in everybody, and if we could see it we would see these billions of points of light coming together in the face and blaze of a sun that would make all the darkness and cruelty of life vanish completely…I have no program for this seeing. It is only given. But the gate of heaven is everywhere.” —Thomas Merton
“I myself am nothing; all that is good in me is accomplished by the grace of God.” —St. John of Kronstadt
“Humility collects the soul into a single point by the power of silence. A truly humble man has no desire to be known or admired by others, but wishes to plunge from himself into himself, to become nothing, as if he had never been born. When he is completely hidden to himself in himself, he is completely with God.” —St. Isaac the Syrian
“Criticism, like rain, should be gentle enough to nourish a man's growth without destroying his roots.” —Frank A. Clark
“And she [Athens] has brought it about that the name "Hellenes" suggests no longer a race but an intelligence, and that the title "Hellenes" is applied rather to those who share our culture then to those who share a common blood.” —Isocrates
“Those who are able to see beyond the shadows and lies of their culture will never be understood, let alone believed by the masses.” —Plato
“He who has a thousand friends has not a friend to spare; and he who has one enemy will meet him everywhere.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson
“While the admission of a design for the universe ultimately raises the question of a Designer (a subject outside of science), the scientific method does not allow us to exclude data which lead to the conclusion that the universe, life and man are based on design. To be forced to believe only one conclusion--that everything in the universe happened by chance would violate the very objectivity of science itself.” —Werner Von Braun, Ph.D., the father of the NASA space program
“With me the horrid doubt always arises whether the convictions of man’s man's mind, which has been developed from the mind of the lower animals, are of any value or at all trustworthy.” —Charles Darwin
“Evolutionary naturalism implies that we should not take any of our convictions seriously, including the scientific world picture on which evolutionary naturalism depends.
That is, naturalism, and therefore atheism, undermines the foundations of the very rationality that is needed to construct or understand or believe in any kind of argument whatsoever, let alone a scientific one.” —Thomas Nagel, Mind and Cosmos
“Supposing there was no intelligence behind the universe, no creative mind. In that case, nobody designed my brain for the purpose of thinking. It is merely that when the atoms inside my skull happen, for physical or chemical reasons, to arrange themselves in a certain way, this gives me, as a by-product, the sensation I call thought. But, if so, how can I trust my own thinking to be true? It's like upsetting a milk jug and hoping that the way it splashes itself will give you a map of London. But if I can't trust my own thinking, of course I can't trust the arguments leading to Atheism, and therefore have no reason to be an Atheist, or anything else. Unless I believe in God, I cannot believe in thought: so I can never use thought to disbelieve in God.” —C. S. Lewis
“Do not say, ‘this happened by chance, while this came to be of itself.’ In all that exists there is nothing disorderly, nothing indefinite, nothing without purpose, nothing by chance… … How many hairs are on your head? God will not forget one of them. Do you see how nothing, even the smallest thing, escapes the gaze of God?” —St. Basil the Great
“There are no coincidences in life. All things are providential. They are allowed for our salvation, in correspondence with our inner state and needs.” —Fr. Seraphim Rose of Platina
“Relativity applies to physics, not ethics.” —Albert Einstein
“When people stop believing in God, they don’t believe in nothing – they believe in anything.” —G. K. Chesterton
“Those who stand for nothing, fall for everything.” —Alexander Hamilton
“Our culture has accepted two huge lies. The first is that if you disagree with someone’s lifestyle, you must fear or hate them. The second is that to love someone means you agree with everything they believe or do. Both are nonsense. You don’t have to compromise convictions to be compassionate.” —Rick Warren
“Evil preaches tolerance until it is dominant, then it tries to silence good.” —Charles J. Chaput
“If everyone has his own truth, where is falsehood? Falsehood hides behind the guise of truth. They say to us: Every person has his own truth, we should respect everyone’s everyone's opinion and have no right to express any opposition to his error because that would be ‘intolerant’. Then where is Truth? Have we erased it? God is absolute Truth.” —Archbishop Stephan (Kalaidjishvili) of Tsageri and Lentekhi, Georgia “Tolerance of falsehood is intolerance to Truth.” —th “Orthodox Christianity is not true because I believe It, I believe It because It is Truth.” —th
“Faithful copies of a counterfeit original yield only more counterfeits.” —unknown
“Seeing, contrary to popular wisdom, isn't believing. It's where belief stops, because it isn't needed any more.” —Terry Pratchett
“To trust God in the light is nothing, but to trust Him in the dark – that is faith.” —Charles Spurgeon
“Faith is not the clinging to a shrine but an endless pilgrimage of the heart.” —Abraham Joshua Heschel
“For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the Lord of hosts.” —Malachi 1:11
“God tends the pagans too, but the Christian knows the donor.” —St. Tikhon of Voronezh
“We do not worship a created thing, but the Master of created things, the Word of God made flesh. Although the flesh itself, considered separately, is a part of created things, yet it has become the body of God. We do not worship this body after having separated it from the Word. Likewise, we do not separate the Word from the body when we wish to worship Him. But knowing that ‘the Word was made flesh,’ we recognise the Word existing in the flesh as God.” —St. Athanasius the Great, Ep. ad Adelph., par. 3
“Take, in the next place, the subjection by which you subject the Son to the Father. What, you say, is He not now subject, or must He, if He is God, be subject to God? You are fashioning your argument as if it concerned some robber, or some hostile deity. But look at it in this manner: that as for my sake He was called a curse, who destroyed my curse; and sin, who taketh away the sin of the world; and became a new Adam to take the place of the old, just so He makes my disobedience His own as Head of the whole body.
“The Father is in the Son, and the Son in the Father, whilst the Holy Ghost proceedeth from the Father and resteth in the Son. But at the same time each Person has Its own particular properties: God the Father is not begotten, not created, does not proceed; the Son is begotten; the Holy Ghost proceeds from the Father, whilst the substance of the three Persons is one, a Divine, incomplex substance. This similarity is based upon the words of our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, Who calls Himself the Light of the world, and thus speaks of the Holy Ghost, comparing It in Its actions to the element water: ‘He that believeth on Me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. But this spake He of the Spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive.’ 415 He also compared the Holy Ghost to the air or wind: ‘The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.’” —St. John of Kronstadt, My Life in Christ
“For the Father only is Unbegotten, the Son only is Begotten, and the Holy Ghost from Father Proceeding, Co-eternal to the Father and the Son, for there is One Work, and there is One Operation of the Will in the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost. The Father Unbegotten, the Son Begotten, and the Holy Ghost from the Father Proceeding, Co-Eternal to the Father and Son; but That One [i.e. the Son] is Born, yet This One [i.e. the Holy Ghost] Proceeds, just as in the Gospel of Blessed John ye read: ‘The Spirit, Who Proceeds from the Father, He shall announce all things to you.’ Therefore the Holy Ghost is neither to be the Father Unbegotten, nor held to be the Son Begotten; but the Holy Ghost, Who from the Father Proceeds.” —St. Mochta of Ireland, "Profession of Faith" of St. Mochta [+535AD]
“For when we mention the Omnipotent Father, the appelation of this Fatherly Name is directed to the Person of the Son, and when we mention the Eternal Son, He is referred to the Person of the Eternal Father; and when we name the Holy Ghost we demonstrate Him to Proceed from the Person of the Eternal Father.” —St. Mansuetus, Letter of St. Mansuetus (Archbishop of Milan) at 679 Synod of Milan to Emperor Constantine IV [+685AD]
“This I give you to share, and to defend all your life, the one Godhead and power, found in the three in unit, and comprising the three separately; not unequal, in substances or natures, neither increased nor diminished by superiorities nor inferiorities; in every respect equal, in every respect the same; just as the beauty and the greatness of the heavens is one; the infinite conjunction of three infinite ones, each God when considered in himself; as the Father, so the Son; as the Son, so the Holy Spirit; the three one God when contemplated together; each God because consubstantial; one God because of the monarchia. No sooner do I conceive of the one than I am illumined by the splendor of the three; no sooner do I distinguish them than I am carried back to the one. When I think of anyone of the three I think of him as the whole, and my eyes are filled, and the greater part of what I am thinking escapes me. I cannot grasp the greatness of that one so as to attribute a greater greatness to the rest. When I contemplate the three together, I see but one torch, and cannot divide or measure out the undivided light.” —St. Gregory the Theologian, Orations 40.41, as quoted by Robert Letham, The Holy Trinity, 378
“God – who is truly none of the things that exist, and who, properly speaking, is all things, and at the same time beyond them – is present in the logos of each thing in itself, and in all the logoi together, according to which all things exist… God is whole in all things commonly, and in each being particularly, without separation or being subject to division…but on the contrary is truly all things in all, never going out of His own indivisible simplicity.” —St. Maximus the Confessor
“Perhaps you will say: ‘Then tell me, did the virgin become the mother of the Godhead?’ And to this we reply: There can be no doubt that the living and enhypostatic Word was begotten from Originator the very essence of God his Father, and has his existence without beginning in time, eternally co-existing with his Begetter. He is conceived of as existing in him and with him, but in these last times of the age since he became flesh, that is was united to flesh endowed with a rational soul, he is also said to have been born of a woman in a fleshly manner. This mystery concerning him is in some ways like the mystery of our own birth, for earthly mothers, assisting nature as regards the birth, have the embryonic flesh in their wombs, which in a short time by certain ineffable workings of God, increases and is perfected into the human form. Then God introduces the spirit to this living creature in a manner known to him alone; for ‘he fashions the spirit of a man within him’ (Zech.12.1), as the prophet says. Nonetheless, the Word is different to the flesh, and equally different to the soul. But even if these mothers have produced only the earthly bodies, nonetheless they are said to have given birth to the whole living creature, I mean that of soul and body, and not to have given birth to just a part. To take an example, surely no one would say that Elizabeth was only the mother of the flesh, but not the mother of the soul, since she gave birth to the Baptist who was already endowed with a soul? Surely she is the mother of one thing constituted from both realities; that is a man, of soul and body. We take it, then, that something like this happened in the birth of Emmanuel.” —St. Cyril of Alexandria, the chief opponent of Nestorianism, Saint Cyril of Alexandria and the Christological Controversy
“The power to bear Mysteries, which the humble man has received, which makes him perfect in every virtue without toil, this is the very power which the blessed apostles received in the form of fire. For its sake the Saviour commanded them not to leave Jerusalem until they should receive power from on high, that is to say, the Paraclete, which, being interpreted, is the Spirit of consolation. And this is the Spirit of divine visions. Concerning this it is said in divine Scripture: ‘Mysteries are revealed to the humble’ (Ecclus 3:19). The humble are accounted worthy of receiving in themselves this Spirit of revelations Who teaches mysteries.” —St. Isaac the Syrian, Homily 77
“We, therefore, so long as we are beset by the corruptions of the flesh, in no wise behold the brightness of the Divine Power, as it abides unchangeable in itself, in that the eye of our weakness cannot endure that which shines above us with intolerable lustre from the ray of His Eternal Being. And so when the Almighty shews Himself to us by the chinks of contemplation, He does not speak to us, but whispers, in that though He does not fully develope Himself, yet something of Himself He does reveal to the mind of man. But then He no longer whispers at all, but speaks, when His appearance is manifested to us in certainty. It is hence that Truth saith in the Gospel, ‘I shall shew you plainly of the Father’ (John 16, 25). Hence John saith, ‘For we shall see Him as He is’ (1 John 3, 2). Hence Paul saith, ‘Then shall I know even as also I am known’ (1 Cor. 13, 12). Now in this present time, the Divine whispering has as many veins for our ears as the works of creation, which the Divine Being Himself is Lord of; for while we view all things that are created, we are lifted up in admiration of the Creator. For as water that flows in a slender stream is sought by being bored for through veins, with a view to increase it, and as it pours forth the more copiously, in proportion as it finds the veins more open, so we, whilst we heedfully gather the knowledge of the Divine Being from the contemplation of His creation, as it were open to ourselves the ‘veins of His whispering’, in that by the things that we see have been made, we are led to marvel at the excellency of the Maker, and by the objects that are in public view, that issues forth to us, which is hidden in concealment. For He bursts out to us in a kind of sound as it were, whilst He displays His works to be considered by us, wherein He betokens Himself in a measure, in that He shews how Incomprehensible He is. Therefore, because we cannot take thought of Him as He deserves, we hear not His voice, yea, scarcely His whispering. For because we are not equal to form a full and perfect estimate of the very things that are created, it is rightly said, Mine ear as it were by stealth received the veins of whispering; in that being cast forth from the delights of paradise, and visited with the punishment of blindness, we scarcely take in ‘the veins of whispering’; since His very marvellous works themselves we consider but hastily and slightly. But we must bear in mind, that in proportion as the soul being lifted up contemplates His Excellency, so being held back it shrinks from His Righteous Perfectness.” —St. Gregory the Great (Gregory the Dialogist), Book V, Sec. 52, Morals on the Book of Job
“‘And my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him’ (John 14:23). My friends, consider the greatness of this solemn feast that commemorates God's coming as a guest into our hearts! If some rich and influential friend were to come to your home, you would promptly put it all in order for fear something there might offend your friend's eyes when he came in. Let all of us then who are preparing our inner homes for God cleanse them of anything our wrongdoing has brought into them.” —St. Gregory the Great, on Pentecost in Be Friends of God
The three persons of the Holy Trinity constitute the eternal Church.” —St. Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia, Wounded by Love
“In “Christ, invisible to the history of bodily eye, manifests Himself on earth clearly through His Church … The Church is the human race there have been three principal falls: that Body of Adam, that of Judas, Christ both because its parts are united to Christ through His divine mysteries and that of because through her Christ works in the popeworld.” —St. Justin PopovichJohn (Maximovitch) of Shanghai and San Francisco
“But “How does the Church Liturgy begin? ‘Blessed is the kingdom of God is not subject to a wicked pope; nor even absolutelythe Father, and on all occasionsof the Son, to a good oneand of the Holy Spirit.” —Archbishop Arnulf Amen.’ …What is this kingdom, which is blessed, glorified, honored…? It is the kingdom of Orléansheaven, Synod the kingdom of VerzyGod. It is paradise, 991in which Christ has placed us; it is our holy Church. Its king is the God of three suns: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
“They [Rome] do not know The servants of the king are the angels and archangels, along with the thrones, principalities, authorities, dominions, powers, the many-eyed cherubim, and do not wish the six-winged seraphim. The king's generals are the saints. Our Lady the Theotokos is the queen. The faithful soldiers of this kingdom are all those Christians who are ready to know follow Christ, whatever the truthcost; they argue with all those who proclaim the truth are ready to thembear His honorable Name, and assert their heresyall those who make up His Church.” —St. Basil All of them… are with us during the Great, letter to Eusebius celebration of Samosatathe Liturgy…
“When we Greeks find fault During the celebration of the Liturgy, Christ is with us exactly as he was when he was teaching, when he made the lame leap and walk, the filioqueblind see, they shake Peter's keys at us… … Nevertheless differences of custom and usage are no sufficient ground for schismthe dead return to life. Experience shows that arguing about azyma And this is not simply having the memory of Christ within our thoughts, but having Christ Himself truly and Lenten fasts gets nowhereconcretely present before us. The Greeks should be accommodating and make concessions to He is present – He, the teacher, the ignorant western barbariansprophet, hoping that in time they will correct their errors to conform to the apostolic tradition stemming from Jerusalemmiracle-worker.” —Blessed Theophylact of OchridChrist Who was crucified, The Errors of Who was raised from the Latins in Ecclesiastical Mattersdead, Who ascended into heaven, is now before us! …
“Even if The priest turns his eyes to heaven, and calls the whole universe holds communion with things of heaven down to earth. He commands the [heretical] patriarchcherubim, I will not communicate with him. For I know from the writings of seraphim, even the holy Apostle Paul: Holy Trinity, because God gives the Holy Spirit declares that even priest the angels would be anathema if they should begin power to preach another Gospelhave rights over Jesus Christ. Because He is not visibly present, introducing some new teachingChrist delegates His work to His priests.” —St. Maximus And when the priest is in the Confessorsanctuary, The Life he is beyond every earthly ruler, for he does not govern men, but rather the choirs of St. Maximus saints and the Confessorarmies of angels…
“Those …Saint Gregory Palamas said that the church ‘resides on high, being an angelic and transcendent place’ which ‘raises man to heaven and presents him to the God who do not belong to is above all’ …When we enter church… we are traversing the Truth do not belong distance from earth to heaven. We pass beyond the Church of Christ either; and all stars, we leave the more so, if they speak falsely of themselves by calling themselves, or calling each otherangels below us, holy pastors and hierarchs; [for it has been instilled in us that] Christianity is characterized not by persons, but by we rise up to the truth and exactitude heights of Faiththe Holy Trinity.” —St. Gregory Palamas
“Chrysostomos loudly declares not only hereticsDon't think that when we go to church, we are simply entering and exiting an ordinary building. Instead, we go up to, and make our entrance into, the Holy of Holies, into the heavens themselves… we sinners open the doors of heaven and enter! Although we are sinners, when we enter into the Liturgy, but also those who we go up to the heavenly Jerusalem… So we have communion with them, come to be enemies the church… Let nothing disturb the tranquility of your soul. Godis present.Wherever we look, God is before us!” —St—Archimandrite Aimilianos, The Church at Prayer, pp. Theodore the Studite54, 56-57, 69, Epistle of Abbot Theophilus71-72.
“Some have suffered final shipwreck with regard “Whosoever should ever call himself a bishop over all bishops or a universal bishop shall be the forerunner to the faith. Others, though they have not drowned in their thoughts, are nevertheless perishing through communion with heresyAntichrist.” —St—Pope St. Theodore Gregory (I) the StuditeGreat (Gregory the Dialogist), Forty Gospel Homilies
“Guard yourselves from soul-destroying heresy“And so I, communion with which is alienation from by the will of God Allmighty the Bishop of Rome, am the Universal Bishop, the Bishop over Bishops, the only Vicar of Christon Earth.” —St. Theodore the Studite—Pope Gregory VII, Dictatus Papae
“It “We declare, say, define, and pronounce that it is better to have discord absolutely necessary for piety’s sake, than harmony full the salvation of every human creature to be subject to the passionsRoman Pontiff.” —St. Gregory the Theologian, Oration 6, PG 35—Pope Boniface VIII, 736Bull Unam Sanctam
“All “Even if the teachers of the ChurchPope were Satan incarnate, and all the Councilswe ought not to raise up our heads against him, and all the Divine Scriptures advise us but calmly lie down to flee from the heterodox and separate from their communion.” —Strest on his bosom. Mark of Ephesus
“‘But ifHe who rebels against our Father is condemned to death,’ they say, ‘we had devised some middle ground between the dogmas (of the Papists and the Orthodox), then thanks for that which we do to this him we would have united with them and accomplished our business superbly, without at all having been forced do to say anything except what corresponds to custom and has been handed down (by Christ: we honor Christ if we honor the Fathers).’ This is precisely the means by which many, from of old, have been deceived and persuaded to follow those who have led them off the steep precipice of impietyPope; believing that there is some middle ground between we dishonor Christ if we dishonor the two teachings that can reconcile obvious contradictions, they have been exposed to peril.” —StPope. Mark of Ephesus, Encyclical Letter, Orthodox Word, March-April-May, 1967
“Whoever preserves himself from them (I know very well that many defend themselves by boasting: ‘They are so corrupt, and work all manner of evil!’ But God has commanded that, even if the priests, the Latins) pastors, and Christ-on-earth were incarnate devils, we be obedient and keeps his faith pure will stand rejoicing at subject to them, not for their sakes, but for the right hand sake of God, but whoever willfully draws close and out of obedience to them will stand weeping bitterly with them on the leftHim.” —Catherine of Siena, ‘St. For there is no eternal life for those living in the faith Catherine of Siena’, SCS, pp. 201-202, p. 222 (‘Canonized’ by the Latins or the Saracens…RC ‘Church’ in 1461)
If someone says to you“In the history of the human race there have been three principal falls: ‘Both your and our faith are from God’that of Adam, you child, must reply to him as follows: ‘Who are you, you heretic? Do you think that God has two faiths? Have you not heardof Judas, accursed and perverted as you are by an evil faith that which is written: Thus saith of the Lord: one Lord, one faith, one baptism…’pope.” —St. Justin Popovich
Thus they “But the Church of evil faith, after holding God is not subject to the Orthodox faith for so many yearsa wicked pope; nor even absolutely, have turned away to an evil faith and on all occasions, to Satan's teaching…a good one.” —Archbishop Arnulf of Orléans, Synod of Verzy, 991
They have renounced the preaching of the apostles “They [Rome] do not know and do not wish to know the edification of truth; they argue with those who proclaim the holy fatherstruth to them, and have accepted a faith based on error and a perverted dogma leading to perditionassert their heresy. Therefore, they have been torn away from us and set apart…” ” —St. Theodosius Basil the Great, letter to Eusebius of Kiev, 11th centurySamosata
“That only the canonical Scriptures have infallibility is testified by Blessed Augustine in the words which he writes to Jerome: ‘It is fitting to bestow such honour and veneration only to the books of Scripture which are called 'canonical,' for I absolutely believe that none of the authors who wrote them erred in anything. … As for other writings, no matter how great was the excellence of their authors in sanctity and learning, in reading them I do not accept their teaching as true solely on the basis that they thus wrote and thought.’ Then, in a letter to Fortunatus “The Greeks [St. Mark continues in his citations of AugustineOrthodox] he writes the following: ‘We should … are not hold heretics or schismatics but the judgment of a man, even though this man might have been orthodox most Christian people and had an high reputation, as the same kind best followers of authority as the canonical Scripturesgospel on earth.” —Martin Luther, to the extent of considering it inadmissible for usLuther, out of the reverence we owe such menMartin (1999), to disapprove and reject something in their writing if we should happen to discover that they taught other than the truth which, with GodLuther's helpWorks, has been attained by others or by ourselvesVol. This is how I am with regard to the writings 32: Career of other men; and I desire that the reader will act thus with regard to my writings alsoReformer II, J.’” —StJ. Mark of EphesusPelikan, Second Homily on Purgatorial FireH. C. Oswald & H. T. Lehmann, chsEd. 15-16; Pogodin, pp. 127-13259, Philadelphia: Fortress Press
“The Ecumenism is a huge lie; they speak in the name of a love outside of Christ, which excludes you from the Truth. If the Ecumenists really loved “When we Greeks find fault with the worldfilioque, they would not disown the truth shake Peter's keys at us… … Nevertheless differences of the value custom and the spiritual richness of Church Tradition and of the Holy Fathersusage are no sufficient ground for schism. They disown Christianity from the gracious beauty. God has left from them, what remains is only their ego. No, we don’t need You. We lead the world, we rule the world, we give the bread, we give the happiness on this earth. Jesus must be arrested again not to disturb our march. Eliminating God from the world Experience shows that arguing about azyma and of the soul in any way – this is the goal of the Ecumenism also repelled by Saint Justin PopovichLenten fasts gets nowhere. The Ecumenism Greeks should be accommodating and the globalization are at the forefront of the apocalyptic times. They want make concessions to accustom the eye and the spirit of the Orthodox with the habit to serve together with these hereticsignorant western barbarians, until hoping that in time they get to have Communion from the same chalice. Because this could give them the right to build will correct their own churches. But no, they want strategically errors to compromise the shrines and the faint hearted priests who are quick conform to “obedience”. The Ecumenists have the false impression that they will bring something new in the Church of Christ. Let us not forget that the Church is the body whose head is Christ. You can not break it apostolic tradition stemming from Christ Who is the Path, the Truth and the LifeJerusalem. The Ecumenists will not fulfill anything. You can not change the reality according to the human interests. The divine reality remains the same in every age. The Holy Spirit speaks through the mouths of the bearers ” —Blessed Theophylact of GodOchrid, not of the bearers of human interests. The Christian Church has never gone after the crowd; not the many lead or hold the truth, but the few, chosen, as the carriers of the Holy Spirit. We do work only under this Father’s truth, the Gospel of our Lord and the Orthodox Church Tradition. All this falsehood which has appeared in our world has no other purpose than to embarrass and undermine the whole tradition and the beliefs of a nation. Questions are not posed and answers are not given, and people take for granted everything that has been written at the official level. But, by not solving these dogmatic problems the untruth slowly settles in our Orthodox Christian Church. All the Ecumenical attempts Errors of unifying the other Christian communities found in heresy, the dialogues which have developed Latins in our Orthodox Christian Church, since I know, haven’t got any result because they have false basis, they are untrue and do nothing but disturb the authentic Christian life.” —Elder Justin (Pârvu) of Romania, Din învățăturile și minunile Părintelui JustinEcclesiastical Matters
“Let “For Petra (Rock) is not usderived from Peter, who would be Christiansbut Peter from Petra; just as Christ is not called so from the Christian, expect anything else but the Christian from it than to be crucifiedChrist. For to be Christian is to be crucified, in on this time and in any time since Christ came for the first time. His life is very account the example – and warning – to us all. We must be crucified personallyLord said, mystically; for through crucifixion is the only path to resurrection. If we would rise with Christ‘On this Rock will I build my Church, we must first be humbled with Him – even to the ultimate humiliation’ because Peter had said, being devoured and spit forth by ‘Thou art the uncomprehending world. And we must be crucified outwardlyChrist, in the eyes Son of the world; for Christ’s Kingdom is not of living God.’ On this worldRock, and the world cannot bear ittherefore, even a single representative of itHe said, even for a single moment. The world can only accept Antichristwhich thou hast confessed, now or at any timeI will build my Church. No wonder then, that it is hard to be a Christian – it is not hard, it is impossibleFor the Rock (Petra) was Christ; and on this Foundation was Peter himself also built. No one For other foundation can knowingly accept a way of life which, the more truly it is lived, lead the more surely to one’s own destruction. And no man lay than that is why we constantly rebellaid, try to make life easier, try to be half-Christian, try to make the best of both worlds. We must ultimately choose – our felicity lies in one world or the other, not in both. God give us the strength to pursue the path to crucifixion; there which is no other way to be ChristianChrist Jesus.” —Fr—St. Seraphim Rose Augustine of PlatinaHippo, from his journal as printed in the biography Father Seraphim Rose: His Life and Works by Hieromonk DamasceneTractate, CXXIV
“A lukewarm clergy lulls “There is nothing more serious than the people to sleep, leaves them in their former condition so they won't be upset. ‘Look’, they say. ‘By all means don't say that sacrilege of schism because there'll be a war, or is no just cause for severing the unity of the Second Coming, that one must prepare oneself for deathChurch.” —St. We must not make people alarmed!’Augustine of Hippo
And others speak with a false kindness“Do not fear sorrows, saying: ‘We mustn't expose but fear the stubbornness of heretics and their delusionswho try to separate a man from Christ, so as which is why Christ commanded us to show our love for consider themas pagans and pharisees.’ Today's people are water-soluble. There's no leaven in them” —St.Anatoly of Optina
If I avoid upsetting myself to protect my fleshly comfort then I'm indifferent to holiness! Spiritual meekness “This is one thing, how you have union with the Roman Catholics and softness and indifference are quite another. Some sayProtestants: ‘I'm a Christian and therefore I have to be joyful and calm.’ But they're not Christian. They're simply indifferent. And their joy is only a worldly joyyou baptize them.” —Bishop Luke of Syracuse
He “…anyone joining the Church ought to become renewed [by baptism], in whom these worldly seeds are present order that within, through the holy elements, he become sanctified… There being but one baptism, and there being but one Holy Spirit, there is no spiritual person. A spiritual person consists of nothing also but pain. In other wordsone Church, he's in pain at what's going onfounded by Christ our Lord… And for this reason whatever they [heterodox] do is false and empty and vain, he's in pain everything being counterfeit and unauthorized… And to those who from error and crookedness come for people's condition. And knowledge of the true and ecclesiastic faith we ought to give freely the mystery of divine comfort is bestowed upon him for his painpower, of unity as well as of faith, and of truth.” —St. Paisios Cyprian of MtCarthage, Third Holy Council held under St. Cyprian of Carthage, On the Reception of the Heterodox, p. Athos81
“In our evil time“Holy priests, when you must have large baptismal fonts in your churches so that the servants of the coming Antichrist are putting forth all their efforts entire child can be immersed. The child should be able to swim in it so that not even an area as large as to undermine and replace authentic Orthodoxy with a false ‘Orthodoxy’ - an Orthodoxy only in name, tick's eye remains dry. Because it is from there have appeared not a few ‘pastors’ also who bear only (the name of Orthodox but deny dry area) that the authentic power devil advances, and spirit of true Orthodoxythis is why your children become epileptics, are possessed by demons, have fear, suffer misfortune; they haven't been baptized properly.” —St. Precisely such false pastors filled up Kosmas Aitolos, On the ranks Reception of the (Soviet) ‘Living Church’ and the ‘Renovationist Church’ clergy in our RussiaHeterodox, p.49
But “One Baptism has been handed down to us Orthodox Christians (Ephesians 4:4) by our Lord as well as by the ‘Living Church’ divine Apostles and ‘Renovationalism’ were not recognized by the believing Russian people, who felt in their hearts their whole falsityholy Fathers; because the Cross and they brilliantly collapsed on the Russian soil, ceasing their official existence. However, the spirit Death of the ‘Living Church’ and ‘Renovationalism’ has not diedLord, but has continued and up until now continues to live among us also in the Russian homeland, type or similitude of which has been enslaved by the godlessbaptism is celebrated, and also abroad among all the Orthodox Local Churches who have become infected with this pestilential spirit, not without, of course, the most strenuous cooperation of those same servants of the coming Antichristwere but one.
These pseudo-pastors, modernists For this reason the present Apostolic Canon prescribes that any Bishop or Priest will be deposed should he baptize a second time anew and ecumenists, in place of true Orthodoxy, preach and insistently propagandize a false Orthodoxy, flattering beginning all the sinful passions and vices of fallen man - striving in everything to go in step over again someone who has been truly baptize as though he were dealing with the times and to adapt the Christian to the ‘world which lies in evil,’ under all possible cunning and well sounding pretexts. Everywhere now they are seizing the reigns of government in the contemporary Orthodox Local Churches. They are striving to play everywhere the leading guiding role, and often they have success, for they skillfully and cunningly make themselves seem to be zealots of Orthodoxyone utterly unbaptized.
But their actual aim This is to undermine true Orthodoxy in accordance with the order given by the Lord and which was spoken of by a false ‘Orthodoxy,’ the Apostles and divine Fathers. He shall be deposed if he rebaptizes someone who has been baptized in order to make it come aboutthe very same manner as Orthodox Christians, in because with this second baptism he is re-crucifying and publicly ridiculing the expression Son of Christ God, which St. Paul says is impossible, and he is offering a second death to the SaviorLord, ‘that the salt over whom death no longer has lost its savor’ dominion (Matthew Hebrews 6:4; Romans 6:5:13), that it might lose its saltiness - that it might lose its spirit and poweraccording to the same St. Paul. This is a special kind of battle against the Church!
Behold of what a frightful undertaking (Likewise in the event that any Bishop or Priest should refuse to baptize with the regular Orthodox baptism of which) we are the living and immediate witnesses! By all means there Catholic Church one who has been polluted, that is being conducted in the world a frightful battle against person who has been baptized by the Faith of Christimpious, or in plain language, baptized by heretics. Such a path Bishop is to be deposed, since he is mocking the Cross and death of falsification and imitations!the Lord.” —St. Nikodemos the Hagiorite
…(this) truly most frightful and nightmarish phenomenon (“This food is) something more frightful than open atheism and warfare against Godcalled among us the Eucharist, (for it) threatens of which no one is allowed to destroy our holy Orthodoxy from partake but the one who believes that the rootthings we teach are true, having corrupted it from within…” —Vladyka Averky and who has been washed with baptism for the forgiveness of Jordanvillesins, and who is living his life as Christ has commanded.” —St. Justin the Martyr
“The faithful remnant of Christians in “Even if the whole universe holds communion with the last days, as our Lord has told us[heretical] patriarch, I will be very small; not communicate with him. For I know from the vast majority writings of those who call themselves Christians will welcome Antichrist as the Messiah … those who are not true Orthodox Christians belong holy Apostle Paul: the Holy Spirit declares that even the ‘new Christianity’angels would be anathema if they should begin to preach another Gospel, introducing some new teaching.” —St. Maximus the ‘Christianity’ Confessor, The Life of AntichristSt.Maximus the Confessor
The Pope “Those who do not belong to the Truth do not belong to the Church of Rome Christ either; and practically everyone else today speaks all the more so, if they speak falsely of ‘transforming the world’ themselves by Christianity: priests calling themselves, or calling each other, holy pastors and nuns take part hierarchs; [for it has been instilled in demonstrations for ‘racial equality’ and similar causes. These have nothing to do with us that] Christianity: they do nothing is characterized not by persons, but distract men from their true goal, which is by the Kingdom truth and exactitude of HeavenFaith.” —St.Gregory Palamas
The coming age “Faith is the unreserved acceptance of ‘peace’, ‘unity’, divine revelation and ‘brotherhood’, if it comes, will be the reign full conviction that all things preached by the grace of Antichrist: it will be Christian in nameGod constitute the only truth.” —St. Basil the Great, On Faith, but Satanic in spiritPG 31.677D-680A.
Εveryone today seeks happiness on earth, and they think this is ‘Christianity’; true Orthodox Christians know that the age of persecutions, which began again under the Bolsheviks“Chrysostomos loudly declares not only heretics, is still but also those who have communion with usthem, and that only by much sorrow and tribulation are we made fit to enter the Kingdom be enemies of HeavenGod.” —Fr—St. Seraphim Rose Theodore the Studite, Epistle of PlatinaAbbot Theophilus
“Brothers and sisters! Let us aspire towards ascetic labor, in which is expressed precisely “Some have suffered final shipwreck with regard to the essence of our Orthodox Christian faith. Others, which is the labor of imitating Christ though they have not drowned in bearing the cross and self-crucifixion – a faith of labor and, laboring lawfully as the Word of God teaches, let us suffer all things for the Truth, not moving away from it, as do many because of their poverty of spirit or self-interest. And let us remember well: where there is no laborthoughts, where there is no steadfastness in the faith – there is neither Orthodoxy nor true faith in God and in His Christare nevertheless perishing through communion with heresy. Amen” —St.” —Archbishop Averky (Taushev) of SyracuseTheodore the Studite
“Being born“Guard yourselves from soul-destroying heresy, then, of the light of truth, shun division and bad doctrines. Where the shepherd communion with which is, there you, being sheep, must followalienation from Christ. For many wolves there are, apparently worthy of confidence, who with the bait of baneful pleasure seek to capture the runners in God's race; but if you stand united they will have no success…” ” —St. Ignatius of AntiochTheodore the Studite
“We all want God “It is better to give unity have discord for piety’s sake, than harmony full of faith to the worldpassions. But you are confusing things” —St.Gregory the Theologian, Oration 6, PG 35, 736
The reconciliation “All the teachers of people is one thingthe Church, while and all the reconciliation of religions is another. Christianity requires Councils, and all of the Divine Scriptures advise us to love everyone with all our hearts, whatever faith they may haveflee from the heterodox and separate from their communion.” —St.Mark of Ephesus
At “Therefore, in so far as this is what has been commanded you by the same time we are ordered Holy Apostles, stand aright, hold firmly to keep our faith the traditions which you have received, both written and doctrines intact. As Christians by word of mouth (2 Thessalonians 2:15), that you must be merciful to the whole world, to all people. Even not deprived of your life firmness if you should give on their behalfare led away by the delusions of the lawless.
But you have no right May God, Who is all-powerful, make them also to touch the truths of Christ. Because they are not yours. The faith of know their delusion; and having delivered us from them as from evil tares, may He gather us into His granaries like pure and useful wheat, in Jesus Christ is not our property Lord, to do Whom belongs all glory, honor, and worship, with it as we wishHis Father Who is without beginning, and His All-holy and Good and Life-giving Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.” —St. Nikolai VelimirovichMark of Ephesus
“We do not change “‘But if,’ they say, ‘we had devised some middle ground between the boundaries marked out dogmas (of the Papists and the Orthodox), then thanks to this we would have united with them and accomplished our business superbly, without at all having been forced to say anything except what corresponds to custom and has been handed down (by our the Fathers). We keep ’ This is precisely the Tradition we means by which many, from of old, have received. If we begin been deceived and persuaded to lay down follow those who have led them off the Law steep precipice of impiety; believing that there is some middle ground between the Church even in the smallest thingstwo teachings that can reconcile obvious contradictions, the whole edifice will fall they have been exposed to the ground in no short timeperil.” —St. John Mark of DamascusEphesus, Encyclical Letter, Orthodox Word, March-April-May, 1967
“Finally, in “Whoever preserves himself from them (the Latins) and keeps his faith pure will stand rejoicing at the twilight right hand of historyGod, the dictator of the world but whoever willfully draws close to them will come, the son of perdition… whom the Lord shall consume stand weeping bitterly with them on the spirit of His mouth (2 Thessleft. 2:8). And For there is no eternal life for those living in all that time of peace, happiness and prosperity, there ‘will be great tribulation such as was not from the beginning of the world, nor will ever be after’ (Mat. 24:21). Because faith of these troubles, many will repent and turn to God the Saviour. And in them Latins or the Lord will have His last harvest.Saracens…
The countries of the world will lead the fight against Christ and His Church… The Church of Christ will be put outside the lawMy son, and public commemoration of Christit is not appropriate to praise another's name will be proscribed with severe penaltiesfaith. But only those who call upon the name Whoever praises an alien faith is like a detractor of the Lord will be savedhis own Orthodox faith. And the Son If anyone should praise his own and another's faith, then he is a man of Man, when He suddenly comes dual faith and destroys the ‘son of perdition’ [iis close to heresy.e. Antichrist]If anyone should say to you: ‘Your faith and our faith is from God,’ you, my son, should reply: ‘Who are you, that last tyrantyou heretic? Do you consider God to be of two faiths? Have you not heard, will He find accursed and perverted as you are by an evil faith on that which is written: Thus saith the earthLord: One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism’ (Ephesians 4:5)?…
It will be foundThus they of evil faith, but not in public. It will be found, but not in magnificent temples, such as are present, but in after holding to the caves and deserts. It will be foundOrthodox faith for so many years, but not as approved have turned away to an evil faith and protected, but as something tossed to and fro. It will be found, but not in lavish liturgies and psalmody but in the temples of the human heart and in whispered speakings. For the Church began in Martyrdom, and in the end there She will find Martyrdom, O holy brethren.” —St. Nikolai Velimirovich, The Orthodox Church in the "twilight of history"Satan's teaching…
“So mine is a little flock? But it is not being carried over a precipice. So mine is a narrow fold? But it is unapproachable by wolves; it cannot be entered by a robber, nor overcome by thieves and strangers. I shall yet see it, I know well, grow wider… I fear not for They have renounced the little flock; for it is seen at a glance. I know my sheep and am known preaching of mine. Such are they that know God the apostles and are known of God. My sheep hear from my voice that which I have heard from the oracles edification of God, which I have been taught by the Holy Fathersholy fathers, which I and have taught in like manner accepted a faith based on all occasions, not conforming myself to fashion, error and which I will never cease a perverted dogma leading to teach; in which I was bornperdition. Therefore, they have been torn away from us and in which I will depart.” set apart…” —St. Gregory Theodosius of Kiev Caves, Testament to the TheologianGreat Prince Izyaslav of Kiev
“Concerning the Patriarch I shall say this, lest it should perhaps occur “It is impossible to him to show me a certain respect at recall peace without dissolving the burial of this my humble body, or to send to my grave any of his hierarchs or clergy or in general any cause of those in communion with him in order to take part in prayer or to join the priests invited to it from amongst us, thinking that at some time, or perhaps secretly, I had allowed communion with him. And lest my silence give occasion to those who do not know my views well and fully to suspect some kind of conciliation, I hereby state and testify before schism – the many worthy men here present that I do not desire, in any manner and absolutely, and do not accept communion with him or with those who are with him, not in this life nor after my death, just as (I accept) neither the Union nor Latin dogmas, which he and his adherents have accepted, and for the enforcement of which he has occupied this presiding place, with the aim primacy of overturning the true dogmas of the Church. I am absolutely convinced that the farther I stand from him and those like him, the nearer I am Pope exalting himself equal to God and all the saints, and to the degree that I separate myself from them am in union with the Truth and with the Holy Fathers, the Theologians of the Church; and I am likewise convinced that those who count themselves with them stand far away from the Truth and from the blessed Teachers of the Church. And for this reason I say: just as in the course of my whole life I was separated from them, so at the time of my departure, yea and after my death, I turn away from intercourse and communion with them and vow and command that none (of them) shall approach either my burial or my grave, and likewise anyone else from our side, with the aim of attempting to join and concelebrate in our Divine services; for this would be to mix what cannot be mixed. But it befits them to be absolutely separated from us until such time as God shall grant correction and peace to His Church.” —St. Mark of Ephesus, The Example of, [as quoted in The Orthodox Word, June-July, 1967, pp. 103ff.]
“With all our strength let us beware lest we receive Communion from or give it to heretics. ‘Give not what “The Holy Spirit is holy nowhere to be found among them (the dogs,’ says the Lord. ‘Neither cast ye your pearls before swine’Papists), lest we become partakers in because their dishonour and condemnationmysteries are graceless.” —St. John —Dositheos of Damascus, Exposition of the Orthodox Faith, IV, 13Jerusalem
“And, you see, people are not at all aware that we are living during the signs of the times, that the sealing is already advancing. This is why the Sacred Scripture says that even the elect will be deceived“Holy Orthodoxy has two eternal enemies: Mecca and Rome.” —St. Paisios of Mt. Athos, Spiritual Counsels, Vol. II, Spiritual Awakening, p. 198Kosmas Aitolos
“In sum, the Ecumenical Patriarchate, in theory embracing almost the whole universe and in fact extending its authority only over several dioceses, and in other places having only a higher superficial supervision and receiving certain revenues for this, persecuted by “You should curse the government at home and not supported by any governmental authority abroad: having lost its significance as a pillar of truth and having itself become a source of divisionPope, and at because he will be the same time being possessed by an exorbitant love of power--represents a pitiful spectacle which recalls the worst periods in the history of the See of Constantinoplecause.” —St. John (Maximovitch) of Shanghai and San Francisco, from Orthodox Word, vol. 8, no. 4 (45), July-August 1972, pp. 166-168, 174-175.Kosmas Aitolos
“The Lord of all gave to His apostles the power “We do not have merely ‘a group of the gospel, and by them we also have learned the truth, Orthodox that is, the teaching of the Son of God—as the Lord said to them, ‘He who hears you hears Me, consider Roman Catholics 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 Protestants to us. The first preached it abroad, and then later be heretics’ or ‘only pronouncements 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 knowledgeparticular ecclesiastical writers’, as some dare to sayerroneously contend, boasting that they are but the correctors totality of the apostles. For after Saints of our Lord had risen from the dead, and they were clothed Church who dealt with the power from on high when the Holy Spirit came upon them, they were filled with all things and had perfect knowledgethis issue unanimously conclude that Papism is heresy. They went out to the ends There is not one Saint of the earthour Church – no, preaching the good things not one – who contends 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 GodPapism is not a heresy.” —St—Fr. Irenaeus of LyonsAnastasios Gotsopoulos, Against Heresies, IIIOn Common Prayer with the Heterodox
“Those that wish to discern the truth may observe the apostolic tradition made manifest in every church throughout the world. We can enumerate those who were appointed bishops in “The Anglican Communion ignores the churches by the apostles, and their successors (or successions) down to our own day, who never taught, Orthodox Church's dogmas and never knewteachings, absurdities such as these men produce. For if the apostles had known hidden mysteries which they taught the perfect in private and in secretinvocation of Saints, they would rather have committed them to those to whom they entrusted prayers for the churches. For they wished those men to be perfect and unbelievable whom they laughed as their successors and to whom they handed over their own office of authority. But as it would be very tedious, in a book of this sortdead, special honor to enumerate the successions in all Blessed Virgin Mary the churchesMother of God, we can found all those who in any way, whether and reverence for self-pleasingsacred relics, or vainglory, or blindness, or evil mindedness, hold on authorized meetingsholy pictures and icons. This we do by pointing to the apostolic tradition and the faith They say of such teaching that it is preached to men‘a foul thing, vainly invented, which has come down to us through the successions of bishops; the tradition and creed grounded upon no warranty of the greatestScripture, and most ancient church, the church known but rather repugnant to all men, which was founded and set up at Rome by the two men most glorious apostles, Peter and Paul. For with this church, because word of its position God’ (Article of leadership and authorityReligion, must needs agree every church, that is, the faithful everywhere; for in her the apostolic tradition has always been preserved by the faithful from all partsXXII).” —St. Irenaeus of Lyons, Against Heresies, III
"True Christianity There is glorifying God with our own lives. To glorify God with our own life is possible only when we have true faith a striking variance between their wording of the Nicene Creed and when that faith indeed existsof the Holy Orthodox Church; but sadder still, we express it in words and in deeds.” —Stcontains the heresy of the ‘filioque. John (Maximovitch) of Shanghai and San Francisco’
“I will tell you my opinion briefly I do not deem it necessary to mention all the striking differences between the Holy Orthodox Church and without reserve. We ought the Anglican Communion in reference to remain in that Church which was founded by the Apostles authority of Holy Tradition, the number of the General Councils, etc. Sufficient has already been said and continues pointed out to this day. If ever you hear of any show that are called Christians taking their name not from the Lord Jesus Christ, Anglican Communion differs but little from some all otherProtestant bodies, for instanceand, Marcionitestherefore, Valentinians, Men of the mountain or the plain, you may there cannot be sure that you have there not any intercommunion until she returns to the Church of Christancient Holy Orthodox Faith and practices, but the synagogue of Antichrist. For the fact that they took their rise after the foundation of the Church is proof that they are those whose coming the Apostle foretoldand rejects Protestant omissions and commissions.
And let them not flatter themselves if they think they Therefore, as the official head of the Syrian Holy Orthodox Catholic Apostolic Church in North America and as one who must ‘give an account’ (Hebrews 13:17) before the judgment throne of the ‘Shepherd and Bishop of Souls’ (I St Peter 2:25), that I have Scripture authority for their assertionsfed the ‘flock of God’ (I St. Peter 5:2), since as I have been commissioned by the devil himself quoted ScriptureHoly Orthodox Church, and inasmuch as the essence Anglican Communion (Protestant Episcopal Church of the Scriptures is United States) does not differ in things vital to the well being of the Holy Orthodox Church from some of the most errant Protestant sects, I direct all Orthodox people residing in any community not to seek or to accept the ministrations of the Sacraments and rites from any clergy excepting those of the letterHoly Orthodox Catholic and Apostolic Church, but for the meaningApostolic command, that the Orthodox should not commune in ecclesiastical matters with those who are not of ‘the same household of Faith’ (Galatians 6:10), is clear: ‘Any Bishop; or presbyter or deacon who will pray with heretics, let him be anathematized; and if he allows them as clergymen to perform any service, let him be deposed’ (Apostolic Canon 45). Otherwise‘Any bishop, or presbyter, if we follow who accepts baptism or the letterHoly Sacrifice from heretics, we too can concoct a new dogma and assert that order such persons as wear shoes and have two coats must not to be received into the Churchdeposed, for ‘what concord hath Christ with Belial, or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?’’ (Apostolic Canon 46).” —St”—St. JeromeRaphael of Brooklyn, On the Anglican Communion
“Sometimes Japanese protestants come “If a Bishop or Priest baptize anew anyone that has had a true baptism, or fail to me baptize anyone that has been polluted by the impious, let him be deposed, on the ground that he is mocking the Cross and Death of the Lord and ask me for failing to clarify some place in the Holy Scripturesdistinguish priests from pseudo-priests.” —Apostolic Canon 47
"You have your own missionary teachers," I tell them, "Go ask them“Whosoever has fallen from the True Faith cannot be called a Christian. What do they say?" "We have asked them” —St. They say: understand as you know how. But I need to know Athanasius the real thought of God, not my own personal opinion."Great
…It's not like that with us. Everything is clear“The heretics obey the demons; they honor falsehood, trustworthy and simple, since we accept Holy Tradition in addition at every moment they provoke God to the Holy Scriptures. And Holy Tradition is a living, unbroken voice of our Church from the time of Christ and His Apostles until now, and which will exist until the end of the world. In it all the meaning of the Holy Scriptures are preservedanger.” —St. Nicholas of JapanSymeon the New Theologian
“It “Ecumenism is Christ Himself, not the Bible, Who common name for the pseudo-Christianity of the pseudo-churches of Western Europe. Within it is the true word heart of GodEuropean humanism, with Papism as its head. The BibleAll of pseudo-Christianity, read in the right spirit and with the guidance all of good teachersthose pseudo-churches, will bring us to Himare nothing more than one heresy after another. Their common evangelical name is: ‘pan-heresy. We must not use ’ Why? This is because through the Bible as a sort course of encyclopedia out history various heresies denied or deformed certain aspects of which texts can be taken for use as weaponsthe God-Man and Lord Jesus Christ; these European heresies remove Him altogether and put European man in His place. In this there is no essential difference between Papism, Protestantism, ecumenism, and other heresies, whose name is ‘Legion’.” —C. S—St. LewisJustin Popovich
“The humility “For Western Christendom God is indeed dead, and its leaders only prepare for the advent of the enemy of God, Antichrist. But Orthodox Christians know the living God and dwell within the saving enclosure of Jesus His True Church. It is here, in faithful and fervent following of the unchanging Orthodox path – and not a superfluous detail in the gospel narrative. The humility of Jesus dazzling ‘Ecumenical’ union with the new unbelievers that is pursued by Orthodox modernists – that our salvation is essential to the gospel. If Jesus lacked humility, there would be no incarnation, no crucifixion, and no redemptionfound.” —Jack Wisdom—Fr. Seraphim Rose of Platina
“A false interpretation of Scripture causes that “Orthodoxy has one thing to say to the gospel of ecumenical movement: here is the Lord becomes truth, join yourself to it; to remain to ‘discuss’ this truth not merely weakens the gospel of manOrthodox witness, or, which is worse, of the devilit destroys it.” —St—Fr. JeromeSeraphim Rose of Platina
“How long shall “The Ecumenism is a huge lie; they speak in the name of a love outside of Christ, which excludes you from the Truth. If the Ecumenists really loved the world, they would not disown the truth of the value and the spiritual richness of Church Tradition and of the Holy Fathers. They disown Christianity from the gracious beauty. God has left from them, what remains is only their ego. No, we continue don’t need You. We lead the world, we rule the world, we give the bread, we give the happiness on this earth. Jesus must be arrested again not to disturb our march. Eliminating God from the world and of the soul in any way – this manneris the goal of the Ecumenism also repelled by Saint Justin Popovich. The Ecumenism and the globalization are at the forefront of the apocalyptic times. They want to accustom the eye and the spirit of the Orthodox with the habit to serve together with these heretics, our intellect reduced until they get to have Communion from the same chalice. Because this could give them the right to futilitybuild their own churches. But no, failing they want strategically to compromise the shrines and the faint hearted priests who are quick to make ‘obedience’. The Ecumenists have the spirit false impression that they will bring something new in the Church of Christ. Let us not forget that the Church is the body whose head is Christ. You can not break it from Christ Who is the Gospel our ownPath, the Truth and the Life. The Ecumenists will not knowing what it means to live fulfill anything. You can not change the reality according to the human interests. The divine reality remains the same in every age. The Holy Spirit speaks through the mouths of the bearers of God, not of the bearers of human interests. The Christian Church has never gone after the crowd; not the many lead or hold the truth, but the few, chosen, as the carriers of the Holy Spirit. We do work only under this Father’s truth, the Gospel of our conscience, making Lord and the Orthodox Church Tradition. All this falsehood which has appeared in our world has no serious effort other purpose than to keep it pure?” —Stembarrass and undermine the whole tradition and the beliefs of a nation. Questions are not posed and answers are not given, and people take for granted everything that has been written at the official level. But, by not solving these dogmatic problems the untruth slowly settles in our Orthodox Christian Church. Mark All the Ecumenical attempts of unifying the other Christian communities found in heresy, the dialogues which have developed in our Orthodox Christian Church, since I know, haven’t got any result because they have false basis, they are untrue and do nothing but disturb the Asceticauthentic Christian life.” —Elder Justin (Pârvu) of Romania, Din învățăturile și minunile Părintelui Justin
“It is self evident“We must prepare for martyrdom and beyond this, however, that sincere Christians who are Roman Catholics, or Lutherans, or members of other non-Orthodox confessions, cannot be termed renegades or heretics—iI would not have to speak if people were not powerless in spirit and mind to understand.eIt's not easy to live these days. those who knowingly pervert But if the truth… They have been born Lord has so pleased that we should suffer these times, then we must obey and raised and are living according to the creed which they have inheritedreceive with joy all that comes upon us, just as do from the majority of you who are Orthodox; in their lives there has not been a moment of personal and conscious renunciation hand of Orthodoxy. The LordGod, ‘Who will have all men to be saved’ (I Tim. 2:4) and ‘Who enlightens every man born into not from the world’ (Jn. 1.43), undoubtedly is leading them also towards salvation in His own way.” —Metropolitan Philaret of New Yorkenemy…
“You askTherefore, will the heterodox be saved… Why do you worry about them? They have a Saviour Who desires the salvation of every human beingplease stop looking for solutions. He will take care of them. You and I should Human solutions are not be burdened with such a concernexistent, my dears! The solution is to die for Christ. Study yourself and your own sins… I Fathers will tell you one thinggive up their sons, however: should youmothers, being Orthodox and possessing the Truth in its fullnesstheir daughters, betray Orthodoxyunto death. Behold, and enter a different faith, you we witness the fulfillment of this prophecy. If the mother will lose your soul forever.” —St. Theophan let the Reclusechild be vaccinated, it's as if giving him over to die…
“The Orthodox confess Therefore I say to you, trust that SHE IS the OneLord will give you power to confess Him. We live in an anarchic world, Holythe entire political class is an enemy of Christ and a servant of evil, Universal (katholikos) that is why even living our simple life without abdicating our Christian principles is a daily confession and Apostolic Ecclesia! Any other model is gnosticmartyrdom.” —St. Irenaeus of Lyons
“Orthodoxy So: do not receive this vaccine or anything that the new political powers bring you today. The Zionists rule the world and the Americans work for them and they think they have come to own it because they have no shyness. Everything is what Christ taughtin sight and they are aware that they have no opponent to fear and they fight to depopulate the world, with the apostles preachedfew who will remain to worship them. Now they're studying and sorting, and the Fathers keptway they're going to distinguish people from each other is the chips.” —StDo you or do you not have a chip? For what is the chip after all? A weapon against Man. And we have no weapons; our youth is weary, that even if they want to rise from the spell in which they live, they have no power. Athanasius of Alexandria
“He Our only weapons are spiritual ones: prayer, humility, love, but also confession [of Faith]. You can't love without confession [of Faith]. Love is sacrificial, and if we fear to confess the truth, what sacrifice do we have? Or if we do not care about our neighbor who is ‘the same yesterday unaware and we do not inform him and we let him fall prey to this system, what love do we have? Those who still struggle today to awaken their brother, who have not remained indifferent to the future of a nation and forever’ (Hebrews 13:8). Orthodox Christians a church, those are committed to the truth claim children of the Christian Faith not as ideology but as an expression love of holiness.” —Rev. Dr. George C. PapademetriouGod, An Orthodox Reflection on Truth & Tolerancewho lay their lives down for their brethren…
“The beginning of theology It is not the card catalogue, but doing battle against the passionsimportant to oppose all antichrists and die with dignity; and the end of theology is not becoming a professor, but becoming to have a saintcowardly position.” —Dr. David Fagerberg—Elder Justin (Pârvu) of Romania
“Men are converted “Modern man lives on the dregs of Christianity, on Christian experience digested and turned into ‘ideas’ for mass consumption. Hence the parody of Christianity is to God be seen in modern ideas like ‘equality’, ‘brotherhood’, ‘charity.’ … And Christian messianism - the coming Kingdom which is not because someone was able of this world (Jon 18:36) - has been perverted into the coming Kingdom in this world that practically everyone believes in today. Even those who see through the delusion of idealism… fall prey to give brilliant explanationsthe second idea, but because they saw the idea that Truth can somehow be realized in him that lightthis world, joyin the coming age of the ‘spirit, depth, seriousness’ or in the relation of ‘man with man.’ But this world cannot hold the Truth in its fullness, and love which alone reveal any more than it could tolerate the presence and power in it of the God -Man; for man is called upon to be more than man, he is called to deification, and this can only happen fully in the ‘other world’ - which, though it constantly impinges on this world, never does so more than partially, giving us warnings and indications of what is to come. This world must end, man as we know him must die, must be crucified before that ‘other’ worldcan come into being.” —Fr. Alexander SchmemannSeraphim Rose of Platina
“Only “Let not us, who would be Christians, expect anything else from it than to be crucified. For to be Christian is to be crucified, in this time and in any time since Christ came for the Religion of Christ unites first time. His life is the example – and warning – to us all of us . We must pray that they come be crucified personally, mystically; for through crucifixion is the only path to thisresurrection. Thus union will occurIf we would rise with Christ, we must first be humbled with Him – even to the ultimate humiliation, not being devoured and spit forth by believing that all the uncomprehending world. And we must be crucified outwardly, in the eyes of us are the same thing world; for Christ’s Kingdom is not of this world, and the world cannot bear it, even a single representative of it, even for a single moment. The world can only accept Antichrist, now or at any time. No wonder then, that all religions are it is hard to be a Christian – it is not hard, it is impossible. No one can knowingly accept a way of life which, the more truly it is lived, lead the samemore surely to one’s own destruction. They are not And that is why we constantly rebel, try to make life easier, try to be half-Christian, try to make the same… best of both worlds. We must ultimately choose – our Orthodoxy is felicity lies in one world or the other, not related in both. God give us the strength to pursue the path to crucifixion; there is no other religionsway to be Christian.” —St—Fr. Porphyrios Seraphim Rose of Platina, from his journal as printed in the Kapsokalyvitebiography Father Seraphim Rose: His Life and Works by Hieromonk Damascene
“Orthodoxy is life“One who merely knows these truths in the mind will be helpless to resist the temptations of those times, one must not talk about it, one must live itand many who recognize the Antichrist when he comes will nonetheless worship him – only the power of Christ given to the heart will have strength to resist him.” —St—Fr. Nektary Seraphim Rose of OptinaPlatina
“Orthodoxy can“A lukewarm clergy lulls the people to sleep, leaves them in their former condition so they won't be comfortable unless it is fakeupset.” —Fr‘Look’, they say. Seraphim Rose of Platina‘By all means don't say that there'll be a war, or the Second Coming, that one must prepare oneself for death. We must not make people alarmed!’
“As for all those who pretend to confess sound Orthodox Faith, but are in communion And others speak with people who hold different opiniona false kindness, if they are forewarned saying: ‘We mustn't expose heretics and still remain stubborntheir delusions, you must not only be so as to show our love for them.’ Today's people are water-soluble. There's no leaven in communion with them, but you must NOT even call them brothers.” —St. Basil the Great
“TodayIf I avoid upsetting myself to protect my fleshly comfort then I'm indifferent to holiness! Spiritual meekness is one thing, while the overall teachings of the Fathers is under attack and the shipwrecks of Faith softness and indifference are numerous, the mouths of the faithful are silentquite another. Anyone who is capable of speaking the truth but remains silent, will Some say: ‘I'm a Christian and therefore I have to be heavily judged by God, especially in this case, where the faith joyful and the very foundation of the entire Church of the Orthodox is in dangercalm. To remain silent under these circumstances is to betray these, and the appropriate witness belongs to those that reproach (stand up for the faith)’ But they're not Christian.” —StThey're simply indifferent. Basil the Great, epAnd their joy is only a worldly joy. 92
“I beseech you to do and to carry out good to all men with care and assiduityHe in whom these worldly seeds are present is no spiritual person. A spiritual person consists of nothing but pain. In other words, becoming all things to all menhe's in pain at what's going on, as the need of each is shown to you; I want and pray you to be wholly harsh and implacable with the heretics only in regard to cooperating with them or he's in any way whatever supporting their deranged beliefpain for people's condition. For I reckon it hatred towards man and a departure from Divine love to lend support to error, so that those previously seized by it might be even more greatly corruptedAnd divine comfort is bestowed upon him for his pain.” —St. Maximus the Confessor, Patrologia Graeca, VolPaisios of Mt. 91Athos
“Be aware not to be corrupted “You have grown soft. So the worthless have risen up against the honourable, the disreputable against the renowned, the foolish against the wise, the young against the aged. Righteousness and peace are far from love you, inasmuch as you have abandoned the fear of the heretics; for this reason do not accept any false belief (dogma) God and become blind in the name of lovefaith.” —St. John ChrysostomClement of Rome
“If anyone prays “In our evil time, when the servants of the coming Antichrist are putting forth all their efforts so as to undermine and replace authentic Orthodoxy with hereticsa false ‘Orthodoxy’ - an Orthodoxy only in name, he is there have appeared not a hereticfew ‘pastors’ also who bear only the name of Orthodox but deny the authentic power and spirit of true Orthodoxy.” — Pope StPrecisely such false pastors filled up the ranks of the (Soviet) ‘Living Church’ and the ‘Renovationist Church’ clergy in our Russia. Agatho I
“Genuine love is displayed, But the ‘Living Church’ and ‘Renovationalism’ were not recognized by the common tablebelieving Russian people, nor by lofty addresses or flattering wordswho felt in their hearts their whole falsity; and they brilliantly collapsed on the Russian soil, ceasing their official existence. However, the spirit of the ‘Living Church’ and ‘Renovationalism’ has not died, but has continued and up until now continues to live among us also in the Russian homeland, which has been enslaved by the correcting godless, and also abroad among all the seeking Orthodox Local Churches who have become infected with this pestilential spirit, not without, of course, the benefit most strenuous cooperation of one's neighbour and the lifting up those same servants of the one who has fallen.” —Stcoming Antichrist. John Chrysostom
“NeverThese pseudo-pastors, nevermodernists and ecumenists, in place of true Orthodoxy, never let anyone tell you thatpreach and insistently propagandize a false Orthodoxy, flattering all the sinful passions and vices of fallen man - striving in everything to go in order step with the times and to adapt the Christian to be Orthodoxthe ‘world which lies in evil, you must also be eastern’ under all possible cunning and well sounding pretexts. The West was Everywhere now they are seizing the reigns of government in the contemporary Orthodox Local Churches. They are striving to play everywhere the leading guiding role, and often they have success, for a thousand years, they skillfully and her venerable liturgy is far older than any cunningly make themselves seem to be zealots of her heresiesOrthodoxy.” —St. John (Maximovitch) of Shanghai and San Francisco
“Where the bishop But their actual aim isto undermine true Orthodoxy by a false ‘Orthodoxy, there let ’ in order to make it come about, in the multitude expression of believers be; even as where Jesus isChrist the Savior, ‘that the salt has lost its savor’ (Matthew 5:13), there that it might lose its saltiness - that it might lose its spirit and power. This is a special kind of battle against the Catholic Church.” —St. Ignatius of Antioch!
“Take care to do all things in harmony with God, with the bishop presiding in the place Behold of God, and with the presbyters in the place what a frightful undertaking (of which) we are the council of the apostles, living and with immediate witnesses! By all means there is being conducted in the deacons, who are most dear to me, entrusted with world a frightful battle against the business Faith of Jesus Christ, who was with the Father from the beginning by a path of falsification and is at last made manifest.” —St. Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Magnesians 2, 6:1imitations!
“Moreover, in the Catholic Church itself, all possible care must be taken, that we hold that faith which has been believed everywhere, always, by all. For that is …(this) truly most frightful and in the strictest sense ‘Catholic,’ which, as the name itself nightmarish phenomenon (is) something more frightful than open atheism and the reason of the thing declarewarfare against God, comprehends all universally. This rule we shall observe if we follow universality, antiquity, consent. We shall follow universality if we confess that one faith (for it) threatens to be true, which the whole Church throughout the world confesses; antiquity, if we in no wise depart from those interpretations which it is manifest were notoriously held by destroy our holy ancestors and fathers; consent, in like manner, if in antiquity itself we adhere to Orthodoxy from the consentient definitions and determinations of allroot, or at the least of almost all priests and doctors.” —St. Vincent of Lérins, Commonitory, For the Antiquity and Universality of the Catholic Faith Against the Profane Novelties of All Heresies., Chapter II having corrupted it from within…” —Archbishop Averky (circa 434 ADTaushev)of Syracuse
“Roman Catholics teach that original sin robbed Adam “The fundamental task of the original righteousness, grace-filled perfection, but did not harm his very nature. And servants of the original righteousness, according coming Antichrist is to their teachings, was not an organic part of destroy the spiritual old world with all its former concepts and moral nature of man, but an external gift of grace, a special addition ‘prejudices’ in order to the natural forces of man. Hence the sin of the first man, which consists build in rejecting this purely external, supernatural grace, separating man from God, is nothing more than depriving its place a person of this grace, depriving a person of primitive righteousness and returning man to a purely natural state, a state of grace. The very same human nature remained after new world suitable for receiving its approaching ‘new owner’ who will take the fall as it was before the fall. Before sin, Adam was like a royal courtier, from whom external glory was taken away because place of a crime, Christ for people and he returned to the original state in give them on earth that which he had been before.Christ did not give them…
The decrees of the Council of Trent concerning original sin state that the progenitor sin consisted in the loss of the holiness and righteousness granted to them, but it did not define exactly what kind of holiness and righteousness they were. There it is stated that there is absolutely no trace of sin or anything in a regenerated person that would One must be unpleasant to God. Only lust remains, whichcompletely blind spiritually, due completely alien to its motivation of a person to fight, is more useful than harmful to people. In any case, it is true Christianity not sin, although it itself from sin and entails sin. The fifth decree says: ‘The Holy Council confesses and knows that lust remains among baptized persons; but she, as left to fight, cannot bring harm to those who disagree with her, and those who bravely fight by the grace understand all this!” —Archbishop Averky (Taushev) of Jesus Christ, but, on the contrary, crowns the one who will gloriously struggle. The Holy Council declares that this lust, which the Apostle sometimes calls sin, the Universal Church never called sin in the sense that it is true and proper to the regenerated, but that it is from sin and entails sin.’Syracuse
This Roman Catholic teaching is unfounded, since it represents “Those forces that are preparing the original righteousness and perfection appearance of Adam as an external gift, as an advantage, which is added to nature from the outside and from nature separableAntichrist will have a leading significance in public life. Meanwhile, it is clear from the ancient apostolic-church doctrine that this primitive righteousness of Adam was not an external gift and advantage, but an integral part of his divinely-created nature. The Holy Scripture claims that sin has shaken and upset human nature so deeply that Antichrist will be a person is weak for good man and when he wants, he cannot do good ( Romans 7: 18-19 ), but he cannot commit it just because sin has a strong influence on not the nature of devil incarnate. … That man. In addition, if sin did not damage human nature so much, there would wants to be no need for the Only Begotten Son in place of God Christ, to incarnate, come into the world as the Savior occupy His place and demand from us a complete bodily and spiritual rebirth ( John 3: 3, 3: 5-6 )possess that which Christ ought to possess. In addition, Roman Catholics can not give the correct answer He wants to possess the question: how can the intact nature carry lust in itself? What is the relation between this lust same attraction and authority over the healthy nature?whole world.
In the same way, there is an inaccurate Roman Catholic statement And he will receive that in a regenerated person nothing remains sinful and unpleasant to God authority before his own destruction and that all this gives way to that which is immaculate, holy and pleasing to God. For we know from Holy Revelation and the teachings of the ancient Church that the grace given to whole world. He will have a fallen man through Jesus Christ does not act mechanicallyhelper, does not give sanctification and salvation immediatelya Magus, in the blink of an eyewho, but gradually penetrates all by the psychophysical powers power of manfalse miracles, in proportion to will fulfill his personal feat in the new thus he simultaneously heals from all sinful ailments, will and sanctifies in all thoughts, feelings, desires and deeds. It is an unreasonable exaggeration to think and argue kill those that do not recognize the regenerated have absolutely no remnants authority of sinful ailments when the mystery beloved by Christ clearly teaches: ‘If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us’ Antichrist.” —St. John ( 1 John 1: 8 Maximovitch); of Shanghai and San Francisco, The Antichrist and the great Apostle Signs of the Nations writes: ‘I do not do End of the good I wantWorld, but I do Homily on the evil that I do not want. But if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but the sin that lives in me’ ( Romans 7: 19-20, Romans 8: 23-24 ).” —St. Justin Popovich, Orthodox philosophy of truth (Dogma of the Orthodox Church)Last Judgement
“In all the Eastern Churches, candles are lit even in the daytime when one is to read the Gospels, in truth not to dispel the darkness, but as a sign “The miracles of joy…in order under that factual light to feel that Light of which we read Antichrist will be chiefly manifested in the Psalms (119:105): Thy word is a lamp to my feetaerial realm, and a light to my pathwhere Satan chiefly has dominion.” —St—Fr. Jerome, Works, part IV, 2nd ed., Kiev, 1900, pp.301-302Seraphim Rose of Platina
“The candles lit before icons of saints reflect their ardent “Without sanctification and illumination from above, our love for God for Whose sake they gave up everything that man prizes in life, including their very lives, as did the holy apostles, martyrs – if it indeed is within us – lacks Gospel purity and othersholiness. These candles also mean that these saints are lamps burning for us It is poisoned by our self-love and providing light for us by their own saintly livingegoism, their virtues which is so subtle and their ardent intercession for us before hard to grasp that we do not even notice it. We think that we truly love God through their constant prayers by day and night. The burning candles also stand for our ardent zeal and the sincere sacrifice we make out of reverence and gratitude to them neighbor, but in reality this is self-love, not love for their solicitude on our behalf before Godand neighbor.” —St. John —Archbishop Averky (Taushev) of KronstadtSyracuse
“The saints faithful remnant of God live even after their death. Thus, I often hear Christians in church the Mother of God singing her wonderfullast days, heart-penetrating song which she said in the house of her cousin Elizabeth, after the Annunciation of the Archangel. At times, I hear the song of Moses; the song of Zacharias--the father of the Forerunner; that of Hannahas our Lord has told us, the mother of the prophet Samuelwill be very small; that of the three children; and that of Miriam. And how many holy singers vast majority of those who call themselves Christians will welcome Antichrist as the New Testament delight until now Messiah … those who are not true Orthodox Christians belong the ear of the whole Church of God! And the Divine service itself--the sacraments‘new Christianity’, the rites? Whose spirit is there, moving and touching our hearts? That of God and ‘Christianity’ of His saintsAntichrist.” —St. John of Kronstadt, My Life in Christ
“Each person is an icon of God, The Pope of God in heaven Rome and practically everyone else today speaks of God on ‘transforming the cross. Yet, each person is also an icon of the Mother of God, who bears Christ through the Holy Spirit. Our soul, therefore, unites itself in two images; participating world’ by Christianity: priests and nuns take part in the principles and realities of both Christ demonstrations for ‘racial equality’ and his Mothersimilar causes. These are age old archetypeshave nothing to do with Christianity: they do nothing but distract men from their true goal, symbols by which is the soul orients itself on the journey.” —StKingdom of Heaven. Maria Skobtsova, On The Imitation of the Mother of God
“The The coming age of ‘peace’, ‘unity’, and ‘brotherhood’, if it comes, will be the reign of Antichrist: it will be Christian who does not feel that the Virgin Mary is his or her mother is an orphanin name, but Satanic in spirit.” —Pope Francis
“Creating man according to his image, God diffused into man's very being the longing for the divine infinitude of life, of knowledgeΕveryone today seeks happiness on earth, and of perfection. It they think this is precisely for this reason ‘Christianity’; true Orthodox Christians know that the immeasurable longing and thirst age of humanity is not able to be completely satisfied by anything or anyone except God. Declaring divine perfection as persecutions, which began again under the main purpose for humanity's existence in the world – ‘Be ye therefore perfectBolsheviks, even as your father who is in heaven is perfect.’ (Matth. 5: 48) – Christstill with us, and that only by much sorrow and tribulation are we made fit to enter the Savior, answered the most elemental demand and need Kingdom of our God-like and God-longing humanityHeaven.” —St—Fr. Justin Popovich, Orthodox Faith and Life in Christ, Highest Value and Last Criterion in OrthodoxySeraphim Rose of Platina
“Concerning “It may be, brethren, that soon you will again experience a time of turmoil, and some of you will be called to take the charge path of idolatry: Icons are not idols but symbolsdenying those sacred laws and to submit to laws established by mere human authority. ThereforeBeware of such a path! Beware of the path taken by the thief on the left, when an Orthodox venerates an iconfor by the weight of blasphemy, by the weight of reviling Christ he went to his eternal perdition. Those who revile the laws of the Church revile Christ Himself, Who is not guilty the Head of the Church, for the laws of the Church were given by the Holy Spirit through the Apostles. And the laws of local Churches are based on those same laws and canons of idolatrythe Church. He is Let us not worshiping consider ourselves wiser than those saints and hierarchs who established the symbol, but merely venerating itrules of the Church; let us not imagine ourselves to be great sages. Such veneration is not directed toward woodRather, or paint or stonelet us humbly call out together with the wise thief: Remember me, but towards the person depicted. Therefore relative honor is shown to material objectsO Lord, but worship is due to God alone.in Thy kingdom!” —St. John (Maximovitch) of Shanghai and San Francisco, Homily on the Sunday of DamascusOrthodoxy
“We do not bow before “Brothers and sisters! Let us aspire towards ascetic labor, in which is expressed precisely the nature essence of woodour Orthodox Christian faith, but we revere which is the labor of imitating Christ in bearing the cross and self-crucifixion – a faith of labor and bow before , laboring lawfully as the one who Word of God teaches, let us suffer all things for the Truth, not moving away from it, as do many because of their poverty of spirit or self-interest. And let us remember well: where there is no labor, where there is no steadfastness in the faith – there is depictedneither Orthodoxy nor true faith in God and in His Christ. Amen.” —St. John —Archbishop Averky (Taushev) of DamascusSyracuse
“We do not make obeisance to “Being born, then, of the nature light of woodtruth, but we revere shun division and do obeisance to Him who was crucified on bad doctrines. Where the Cross… When the two beams shepherd is, there you, being sheep, must follow. For many wolves there are, apparently worthy of confidence, who with the Cross are joined together I adore the figure because bait of Christ who was crucified on baneful pleasure seek to capture the Cross, runners in God's race; but if the beams are separated, I throw them away and burn them.” you stand united they will have no success…” —St. John Ignatius of DamascusAntioch
“The whole earth “We must not mind insulting men, if by respecting them we offend God.” —St. John Chrysostom “A time is coming when men will go mad, and when they see someone who is not mad, they will attack him, saying, ‘You are mad; you are not like us.’” —St. Anthony the Great “There will come a living icon of time when corruption and lewdness among the youth will reach the face utmost point. There will hardly be any virgin youth left. They will see their lack of punishment and will think that everything is allowable for them to satisfy their desires. God. … I do not worship matterwill call them, but the Creator of matterhowever, who and they will realize that it will not be possible for my sake became material and deigned them to dwell continue such a life. Then in mattervarious ways they will be led to God… that time will be beautiful. That today they are sinning greatly, who through matter effected my salvationwill lead them to a deeper repentance. Never will I cease honoring Just like the matter which wrought my salvation! I honor candle before itgoes out, but not as God. Because of this I salute all remaining matter it shines strongly and throws sparks; with reverenceits light, it enlightens the surrounding darkness; thus, because God has filled it with his grace and powerwill be the Church’s life in the last age. Through it my salvation has come to me And that time is near.” —St. John Seraphim of DamascusVyritsa
“That “When I remember the evil sins from which the word communicates by soundLord has delivered me, the painting shows silently by representationI have imperishable food for salvation.” —St. Basil the Great, On the 40 Martyrs Mary of SebasteEgypt
“We depict Christ as our King and Lord, and do not deprive Him all want God to give unity of His army. The saints constitute faith to the Lord's armyworld. Let the earthly king dismiss his army before he gives up his King and Lord. Let him put off the purple before he takes honour away from his most valiant men who have conquered their passions. For if the saints But you are heirs of God, and co-heirs of Christ, (Rom. 8.17) they will be also partakers of the divine glory of sovereignty.” —Stconfusing things. John of Damascus
“One who has the judgment The reconciliation of Christ before his eyespeople is one thing, who has seen while the great danger that threatens those who dare reconciliation of religions is another. Christianity requires all of us to subtract from or add to those things which have been handed down by the Spiritlove everyone with all our hearts, must not be ambitious to innovate, but must content himself with those things which whatever faith they may have been proclaimed by the saints.” —St. Basil the Great, Against Eunomius 2, PG 29.573-652
“Our afflictions At the same time we are well known without my telling; the sound of them has now gone forth over all Christendom. The ordered to keep our faith and doctrines of the fathers are despised; apostolical traditions are set at nought; the speculations of innovators hold sway in the churchesintact. Men have learned As Christians you must be merciful to be theorists instead of theologians. The wisdom of the whole world has the place of honour, having dispossessed the boasting of the crossto all people. The pastors are driven away, grievous wolves are brought in instead, and plunder the flock of Christ, Houses of prayer are destitute of preachers; the deserts are full of mourners: the old bewail, comparing what is with what was; more pitiable are the young, as not knowing what they are deprived of. What has been said is sufficient to kindle the sympathy of those who are taught in the love of Christ, yet compared with the facts, it is far from reaching Even your life you should give on their seriousness.” —St. Basil the Great, epbehalf. 90
“I urge But you not have no right to faint in your afflictions, but to be risen by touch the love truths of God and to increase every day to your zeal, knowing that it is necessary to preserve in you this relic of the true religion that the Lord will find when he comes to the earthChrist. Even if the bishops Because they are trained out of their churches, don't be dismayed. If traitors have appeared among the clergy, do not betray your trust in Godyours. We are saved The faith of Christ is not by names, but by our mind and by our purpose, and by a true love property to our creator. Think that in the attack of our Lord, the great priests and the scribes and the elders have designed the conspiracy, and that few people have been found getting the word. Remember that do with it is not the multitude that is being saved, but the elected ones of God. So don't be scared by the multitude of people who are swept away by the winds like the waters of the sea. If one is saved, as a lot in Sodom, he must remain in a fair judgment, keeping his hope in Christ steadfast, for the Lord will not abandon his saints. Say hello to all the brothers in Christ from me. Pray with fervor for my miserable soulwe wish.” —St. Basil the GreatNikolai Velimirovich
“So, “We do not change the boundaries marked out by our Fathers. We keep the Tradition we have received. If we begin to lay down the Law of the question, ‘Do we believe Church even in conspiracy theories?’the smallest things, the answer is, ‘We don't believe whole edifice will fall to the ground in them, we have long experience of themno short time.’” —Fr” —St. Peter Heers, On Demonic Methodology, Part II: Q & A, May 6, 2020John of Damascus
“Let us be firm“At this dawn of modern history, my brothers, on the rock of faiththirteenth century, in all the tradition seeds of the Church, and not remove or change the boundaries established by our Holy Fathersmodern mentality are present. Let us close the road to innovators and not permit them to demolish the structure of the holy, catholic, and apostolic Church of GodAnd modern history follows logically from these seeds. If we allow, howeverEssentially, it is one thing – the introduction of any innovation search for a new Christianity which is better than Orthodoxy, we unconsciously support better than the collapse Christianity of the Church. No, my brothersHoly Fathers, you who love which Christ, no, you children of the Church, you will never want gave to surround your Mother Church with confusion.” —St. John of Damascus, Concerning Images, IIIus.41
“ThereforeLater on, brethrenthis will take forms which go through atheism and all kinds of wild beliefs, let us stand on but essentially the search remains the rock of faith same, and on in the tradition of end the Churchworld will be Christian, and because it's Antichrist who gives them a new religion, which is not remove the boundaries which our Holy Fathers have setsomething foreign to Christianity. Thus, we It will not give the opportunity to those who wish to innovate and destroy the edifice be some kind of the holy, catholic and apostolic Church of Godpaganism. For if permission is granted to It will be something which everyone who wants itwill accept as Christianity, little by little the whole body of the Church but will be destroyedanti-christian. Do not, brethren, do not, oh Christ-loving children of the Church of God …” —Jeremiah II (Jeremias II) Tranos, Ecumenical Patriarch and Archbishop of Constantinople, letter to A substitute for Christianity which denies the Most Wise Theologians, Residents very essence of the Famous City of Tübingen, in the month of May, 1579, Indiction 7, ppChristianity. 197-8 (prophetic warning of to the Lutheran scholars)
“For to err And that is human, but why the main history of the correction rebellion against Christ is angelic and salvificno less than the apostasy which St. Paul talks about.” —Jeremiah II (Jeremias II) TranosIt is not by means of persecution as it was in the beginning, Ecumenical Patriarch but by means of taking Christianity and Archbishop of Constantinople, letter to changing it so that it will no longer be Christian. And this is what we can call the Most Wise Theologians, Residents Unfolding of the Famous City Mystery of Tübingen, Iniquity in the month preparation for Antichrist.” —Fr. Seraphim Rose of May, 1579Platina, Indiction 7, p. 210excerpt from Orthodox Survival Course
“Unbelief is an evil offspring “We who wish to remain in the true tradition of an evil heart; for Orthodoxy will have to be zealous and firm in our Orthodoxy without being fanatics, and without presuming to teach our bishops what they should do. Above all we must strive to preserve the guileless and pure true fragrance of heart discovers God everywhereOrthodoxy, everywhere discerns Himbeing at least a little ‘not of this world’, detached from all the cares and always unhesitatingly believes politics even of the Church, nourishing ourselves on the otherworldly food the Church gives us in His existencesuch abundance.” —St—Fr. Nectarios Seraphim Rose of AeginaPlatina
“He who learns must sufferAnd even “Test your bishops in our sleep pain that cannot forgetFalls drop by drop upon only one respect: try and find out whether they are Orthodox, whether they teach dogmas contrary to the hearttrue Faith, and whether they concelebrate with heretics,And in our own despiteor schismatics. As far as other things, against our they act out of ignorance or because the days are evil and they will,Comes wisdom give an account to us by the awful grace of Godonly.” —Aeschylus—St. Gennadios (II) Scholarios, Patriarch of Constantinople
“The greatest wisdom often emerges “Regarding the affairs of the Church, in the words of the Saviour, one of the most awesome phenomena of the last days is that at that time ‘the stars shall fall from heaven’ (Matt. 24.29). According to the Saviour’s own explanation, these ‘stars’ are the Angels of the Churches, in other words, the Bishops (Rev. 1.20). The religious and moral fall of the deepest woundsBishops is, therefore, one of the most characteristic signs of the last days. The fall of the Bishops is particularly horrifying when they deviate from the doctrines of the faith, or, as the Apostle put it, when they ‘would pervert the Gospel of Christ’ (Gal. 1.7). The Apostle orders that such people be pronounced ‘anathema’. He said, ‘If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that which ye have received, let him be accursed (anathema)’ (Gal. 1.9). And one must not be slow about this, for he continues, ‘A man that is an heretic, after the first and second admonition reject, knowing that he that is such is subverted, being condemned of himself’ (Titus 3.10-11). Moreover, you may be subject to God’s judgement if you are indifferent to deviation from the truth: ‘So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold not hot, I will spew thee out of My mouth’ (Rev. 3.16).” —Jane Lee Logan—Archbishop Theophan of Poltava
“Monarchy can easily “The bishops of the end times will be debunked, but watch the faces, mark well the debunkers. These are subservient [obedient and compliant] to the men whose taproot in Eden has been cut: whom no rumour powerful of the polyphonyworld, and they will make decisions according to the dance, can reach - men to whom pebbles laid in a row are more beautiful than an arch. … Where men are forbidden to honour a king gifts they honour millionairesreceive from everywhere, athletes or film stars instead: … For spiritual nature, like bodily nature, will be served; deny it food and it will gobble poisonconsulting the rational logic of the academics.” —C. S—St. LewisPambo
“There is nothing impossible unto those “Do not show obedience to bishops who exhort you to do and to say and to believe; lively and unshaken faith can accomplish great miracles in the twinkling of an eye. Besides, even without our sincere and firm faith, miracles things which 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 celebrationnot to your benefit. 'Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effectWhat pious man would hold his tongue? Who would remain completely calm?' (Rom. 3:3). Our wickedness shall not overpower the unspeakable goodness and mercy of God; our dullness shall not overpower God's wisdomIn fact, nor our infirmity God's omnipotencesilence equates to consent.” —St. John Meletios of Kronstadt, My Life in ChristAntioch
“The quality “Geronda, is the silence of mercy is not strained.It droppeth as the gentle rain from heavenChurch an indication of approval?Upon the place beneathYes. It is twice blest:It blesseth him that gives Someone wrote some blasphemous things about Panaghia and him that takesno one spoke up.'Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomesThe thronèd monarch better than his crown.His scepter shows the force of temporal powerThen I told someone,The attribute to awe and majestyWherein doth sit the dread ‘Did you see what so-and fear of kings;But mercy is above this sceptered sway.It is enthronèd in the hearts of kings;It is an attribute to God Himself;-so has written?’ And earthly power doth then show likest God'sWhen mercy seasons justice. Thereforehe told me, Jew,Though justice be thy plea‘Well, consider this:That in the course of justice none of usShould see salvation. We what can you do pray for mercy,And that same prayer doth teach us all with those people? You'll get soiled if you try to renderThe deeds of mercydeal with them. I have spoke thus muchTo mitigate the justice of thy plea,Which, if thou follow, this strict court of VeniceMust needs give sentence ’ They'gainst the merchanttherere afraid to speak up.” —William Shakespeare, Portia, The Merchant of Venice, Act 4, Scene 1
“The human spirit needs places where nature has not been rearranged by What did he have to fear, Geronda?That people might write something about him and ridicule him in the hand press. And so he tolerates blasphemous things about Panaghia! We want others to pull the chestnuts out of the fire so that we can have our peace of mind. This indicates a lack of love. Then manbegins to act out of self-interest.”—Elder Paisios of Mt. Athos, Spiritual Counsels II, Spiritual Awakening, p.” —unknown40
“People were created “If Christians don't begin to be lovedwitness their faith, to resist evil, then the destroyers will become even more insolent. But today's Christians are no warriors. Things were created If the Church keeps silent, to be used. The reason why avoid conflict with the government, if the world is in chaos is because things Metropolitans are being loved and people are being usedsilent, if the monks hold their peace, then who will speak up?” —Elder Paisios of Mt.” —unknownAthos
“No man stands so tall as when he stoops to help a child“When they are blaspheming your faith, and you stay silent, you become worse than that blasphemer.” —unknown—St. Gabriel Urgebadze of Georgia, Confessor and Fool for Christ
“If we could look into each others hearts“The clergy in the last years will become an instrument of the Antichrist. They will teach blind obedience as a virtue of peace and salvation. A satanic obedience, which will require from the believer ‘ignorance’ and understand contempt for the unique challenges each teachings of us faces, I think we would treat each other much more gently, with more love, patience, tolerance, the Saints and indifference to the truth and caresuperficial piety.” —Marvin J—St. AshtonNiphon of Constantia (Cyprus)
“Teach me “Christian shepherds, that is, bishops and priests, are going to feel another's woebe filled with vainglory (with some exceptions), utterly failing to hide distinguish the fault I see; that mercy I to others show, that mercy show right way from the left… The Churches of God are going to mebe deprived of godly and pious shepherds.” —Alexander Pope—St. Nilus the Myrrhgusher of Mt. Athos
“Tolerance is “Just as the last virtue unskilled doctor sends many people to the gates of a depraved society. When you have an immoral society that has blatantlyHades [physical death], proudlysimilarly, violated all of the commandments of Godincompetent and irresponsible spiritual father sends many souls to Hades. O, there is one last virtue they insist upon: tolerance what a terrible evil for their immoralitysomeone to find [spiritual] death while seeking treatment.” —Dennis James Kennedy—St. Nektarios of Aegina
“The greatest thing a man can do to a woman is to lead her closer to God than time will come when you will be sold by your shepherds. They will watch you being ripped apart by the wild beasts and they will not come to himselfyour help.” —unknown—Elder Justin (Pârvu) of Romania
“A snowflake “In the last days, evil and heresy will have spread so widely that the faithful will not be able to find a priest or shepherd to protect them from delusion and guide them to salvation. At that time, the faithful will not receive safe guidance from men; but their guide will be the writings of the Holy Fathers. Especially at this time, every believer will be responsible for the whole fulness of the Church. Brethren, it is one of time for us all to undertake our responsibility to God's most fragile creations, but look what they can do when they stick together!and to history. Do not tolerate any more foolishness or misguidance from priests or archpriests. Do not turn a blind eye for you will be co-responsible. The Saints are forewarning you.” —unknown—St. John (Maximovitch) of Shanghai and San Francisco
“God cannot give us happiness and peace apart from Himself because it is not “The last days are starting. Soon, therewill be an ecumenical council called ‘holy’. But that will be the very ‘eighth council’ which will be the assembly of the godless. There is no such thingAll religions will unite into one at that council.” —CThen, all fasts will be canceled, monasticism will be completely destroyed, bishops will be married. SThe new calendar will be implimented in the Universal Church. Lewis
“The supreme happiness of life is Be vigilant. Try to go to God's church while they are still ours. Soon, you won't be able to go there. Everything will change. Only the conviction of being loved for yourselfchosen will see this. They will be forcing people to go to church, or more correctly, being loved but we should not go there under any circumstances. Stand in spite the Orthodox Faith until the end and you will be saved!” —St. Kuksha (Velichko) of yourself.” —Victor HugoOdessa
“It is hardly complimentary “When the traces of the past historical order have become extinguished, and the new order has taken ground, the Holy Mount will have no peace. Monastic dignity will be destroyed or disposed of for the freedom of the state and the bishops to God that we should choose him as an alternative to hellsquander its priceless treasures and relics.” —C. S—Elder Costas the Caveot and Fool for Christ of Mt. LewisAthos
“Hell can't “But woe to the monks in those days who will be bound with possessions and riches, who because of love of peace will be made attractiveready to submit to the heretics. They will lull to sleep their conscience, so saying, ‘We are preserving and saving the devil makes attractive monastery and the road Lord will forgive us.’ The unfortunate and blind ones do not at all consider that leads therethrough heresy the demons will enter the monastery and then it will no longer be a holy monastery, but merely walls from which grace will depart.” —St. Basil Anatoly the GreatYounger of Optina
“If you die before you die“Let us flee from those who reject patristic interpretations and attempt by themselves to deduce the complete opposite. While pretending to concern themselves with the literal sense of the passage, they reject its godly meaning. We should run away from them more than we would from a snake, for when you diea snake bites it kills the body temporarily, you will not die.” —written on separating it from the immortal soul, but when these evil men get their teeth into a cell wallsoul, they separate it from God, Stwhich is eternal death for that soul. Paul's MonasteryLet us escape as far as we can from such people, Mtand take refuge with those who teach piety and salvation in accordance with the traditions of the Fathers. Athos” —St. Gregory Palamas, Homily 34, On the Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord and God and Savior Jesus
“War “Brother Christians! Raise your voices in defense of the Church's Apostolic Faith, the holy things of the Church, the Church's heritage. Defend your right to believe and confess your faith as you learned it in days of old, as you were taught it by the holy apostles, the name holy martyrs, the God-wise fathers of religion the Church, the Christian ascetics. Take care of the holiness of your souls, the freedom of your consciences. Say loudly that you have been accustomed to pray and save yourselves in the churches, that the holy things of the Church are dearer to you than life itself, that without them salvation is impossible. No power can demand from you that which is war against religionyour faith, your religious conscience: ‘We must obey God rather than men’, said the holy apostles. That is what we, too, must say. The apostles joyfully suffered for the faith. Be you also ready for sacrifice, for podvig, and remember that physical arms are powerless against those who arm themselves with powerful faith in Christ. Faith moves mountains, ‘the faith of the Christians has conquered the pagan boldness’. May your faith be bold and courageous! Christ destroyed Hades.” —His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch BartholomewHe will also destroy the snares of the enemies of our Church. Believe - and the enemy will flee from before your face. Stand in defense of your faith and with firm hope say: ‘Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered!’” —St. Hermogenes, Hieromartyr and Bishop of Tobolsk, response to the Bolshevik tyranny in 1918
“Believe me“The times ahead, if God revealed more perhaps than ever before in the Church's history, are a time of what St. Gregory the Theologian called ‘suffering Orthodoxy.’ We truly live in apocalyptic times: atheism is conquering the public sphere in the whole world, false religion increases as never before and captures many of those who awaken from the sleep of unbelief, the ecumenical movement draws nearer its goal of a false world church (the harlot of the Apocalypse), and the spirit of the coming Antichrist begins to place its seal on everywhere. Those who would be faithful to us Christ in these terrible times must be prepared for sufferings and trials which will truly test the disasters faithfulness of our hearts to which we were exposed Him. And yet, greater than these sufferings and from which the prince of this world who will inflict them upon us is He protected Who has promised to be with us, our whole lives would not suffice even to offer Him thanksthe end of the age (Matt. 28:20).” —H.H—Archbishop Averky (Taushev) of Syracuse, The Apocalypse, translated by Fr. Pope ShenoudaSeraphim Rose of Platina
“In heaven“Satan has spread 666 traps. His seal will be made not only invisibly but also visibly, on the forehead and arm. If the seal impression is made by force, God in God’s sight it will not ask us why we have sinned; He be considered like a virgin disgraced. The hardest trial for Christians will ask us why we did not repentbe their relatives who accepted the seal.” —HThe seal won’t affect if made against someone's will.HBut imagine the trap set by the antichrist for a mother having left with five children. Pope Shenouda IIIHow to feed them if she does not accept the seal?
“Even if all spiritual fathersAt first, patriarchsthe seal will be offered to volunteers. However, hierarchswithin the enthronement of Antichrist everyone will be forced to accept the seal. Disobedience will be claimed a treachery. People will flee to the forests. Precautions should be taken to move in groups of about ten-fifteen, and all as the demons might try to nudge single people forgive from the cliffs. The believers will be protected by the Holy Spirit. Whatever happens, never lose your hope. Help each other. God will clear your mind and youwill know how to react. The one who endures will be saved. No true believer will feel either hunger, you are unforgiven if you don’t repent or thirst. The believers won't wither in actionthe time of disasters. The Lord will work miracles for them. One leaf of a plant will be enough food for a month. Even the lump of the earth will be changed into the bread by making a sign of the cross over it.” —St. Kosmas AitolosGabriel Urgebadze of Georgia, Confessor and Fool for Christ
“Nobody “Everyone is as gracious and mercifulunder the influence of a power that masters the mind, as the Lord iswill, but even He does not forgive and all the sins powers of the man who does not repent; … we soul. And this power is cunning, because its source is the devil, and his tools are being condemned not because cunning people. Through them work the Antichrist and his forerunners. The Apostle said, ‘Because of that, God delivered them into the multitude spirit of delusion, of our evilsdeception, but because we do they did not want to repentaccept the love of the truth’. Something dark and scary is coming over the world. The human will stay more or less under his mastery, and the more the power of that cunning one has on the human under his mastery, the less the human will be aware of what he is doing.” —St. Mark the AsceticBarsanuphius
“As a handful “The servants of Antichrist more than anything else strive to force God out of sand thrown into the oceanlife of men, so are that men, satisfied with their material comfort, might not feel any need to turn to God in prayer, might not remember God, but might live as though He did not exist. Therefore, the sins whole order of all flesh today's life in the so-called ‘free’ countries, where there is no open bloody persecution against faith, where everyone has the right to believe as compared he wishes, is an even greater danger for the soul of a Christian (than open persecution), for it chains him entirely to the earth, compelling him to forget about heaven. The whole of contemporary ‘culture’, directed to purely earthly attainments and the frantic whirlpool of life bound up with it, keeps a man in a constant state of emptiness and distraction which gives no opportunity for one to go at least a little deeper into his soul, and so the mercy of Godspiritual life in him gradually dies out.” —St. Isaac —Archbishop Averky (Taushev) of Syracuse, True Orthodoxy and the SyrianContemporary World
“Just as “They have built a strongly flowing fountain church career for themselves on a false but attractive premise: that the chief danger to the Church today is not blocked up by a handful lack of earth, so strictness. No – the chief danger is something much deeper – the compassion loss of the Creator is savor of Orthodoxy, a movement in which they themselves are participating, even in their ‘strictness.’… ‘Strictness’ will not overcome by save us if we don't have any more the wickedness feeling and taste of his creaturesOrthodoxy.” —St—Fr. Isaac the SyrianSeraphim Rose of Platina
“God is loving to man, and loving “We ourselves have a feeling–based on nothing very definite as yet–that the best hope for preserving true Orthodoxy in the years ahead will lie in no such small measure. For say notgatherings of believers, I have committed fornication as much as possible ‘one in mind and adultery: I have done dreadful things, and not once only, but often: will He forgive? Will He grant pardon? Hear what soul.’ The history of the Psalmist says: ‘How great is twentieth century has already shown us that we cannot expect too much from the multitude of Your goodness‘Church organization’; there, even apart from heresies, O Lord!’ Your accumulated offenses surpass not the multitude spirit of God's mercies: your wounds surpass not the great Physician's skillworld has become very strong. Only give yourself up in faith: tell the Physician your ailment: say thou Archbishop Averky, and our own Bishop Nektary also, like David: ‘I saidhave warned us to prepare for catacomb times ahead, I will confess me my sin unto when the grace of God may even be taken away from the Lord’: ‘Church organization’ and the same shall be done in your caseonly isolated groups of believers will remain. Soviet Russia already gives us an example of what we may expect–only worse, which he says immediately: ‘And you forgave for the wickedness of my hearttimes do not get better.’” —St” —Fr. Cyril Seraphim Rose of JerusalemPlatina, Catechetical Lecture 2Hope, On Repentance and Remission of Sins Father Seraphim Rose: His Life and Concerning the Adversary, Ezekiel xviii. 20-23Works by Hieromonk Damascene
“Years “In those days the remnant of the faithful are not needed for true repentanceto experience in themselves something like that which was experienced once by the Lord Himself when He, hanging on a cross, felt Himself so forsaken by His Divinity, that He cried out ‘My God, and not dayswhy hast Thou forsaken me?’ The last Christians will experience in themselves a similar abandonment of humanity by the Grace of God, but only an instantfor a short time.” —St. Ambrose Seraphim of OptinaSarov
“There is no sin which cannot be pardoned except “Finally, in the twilight of history, the dictator of the world will come, the son of perdition… whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth (2 Thess. 2:8). And in all that one which lacks repentancetime of peace, happiness and prosperity, there is no gift which is ‘will be great tribulation such as was not augmented save that which remains without acknowledgement. For from the portion beginning of the fool is small in his eyesworld, nor will ever be after’ (Mat. 24:21).” —StBecause of these troubles, many will repent and turn to God the Saviour. Isaac And in them the SyrianLord will have His last harvest.
“When a man abandons his sins The countries of the world will lead the fight against Christ and returns to GodHis Church… The Church of Christ will be put outside the law, his repentance regenerates him and renews him entirelypublic commemoration of Christ's name will be proscribed with severe penalties.” —StBut only those who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved. Isaiah And the Son of Man, when He suddenly comes and destroys the ‘son of perdition’ [i.e. Antichrist], that last tyrant, will He find faith on the Solitaryearth?
“And so it is incumbent upon us It will be found, but not in public. It will be found, but not in magnificent temples, such as are present, but in the caves and deserts. It will be found, but not as approved and protected, but as something tossed to striveand fro. It will be found, ratherbut not in lavish liturgies and psalmody but in the temples of the human heart and in whispered speakings. For the Church began in Martyrdom, to correct our faults and to improve our behaviorin the end there She will find Martyrdom, O holy brethren.” —St. John CassianNikolai Velimirovich, The Orthodox Church in the "twilight of history"
“Let us strive to purify ourselves through repentance and humility“During the days of Antichrist, and to unite all our senses as one to the God who strongest temptation will be the anticipation of salvation coming from the cosmos, from humanoids–that is goodfrom extraterrestrials, and transcends the goodwho are actually demons. Then, truly, everything which I have not quite been able One should rarely look up to say or to demonstrate search the skies with my many wordsthe naked eye, you will since the signs might be taught in an instant, all at once. You will hear with your sight, deceptive and see with your hearing. You will one might be taught while seeing and, again, hear what is unveileddeceived.” —St. Symeon the New TheologianGabriel Urgebadze of Georgia, Confessor and Fool for Christ
“Where there “So mine is Goda little flock? But it is not being carried over a precipice. So mine is a narrow fold? But it is unapproachable by wolves; it cannot be entered by a robber, nor overcome by thieves and strangers. I shall yet see it, I know well, there grow wider… I fear not for the little flock; for it is no evilseen at a glance. I know my sheep and am known of mine. Such are they that know God and are known of God. Everything coming My sheep hear from my voice that which I have heard from the oracles of God is peaceful, healthy which I have been taught by the Holy Fathers, which I have taught in like manner on all occasions, not conforming myself to fashion, and leads a person which I will never cease to the judgment of his own imperfections teach; in which I was born, and humilityin which I will depart.” —St.Gregory the Theologian
When “If it should happen that a person accepts anything Godlypatriarch, then he rejoices in his heartmetropolitan, or bishop is a heretic, and such a heretic publicly professes heresy and disseminates heretical opinions boldly and confidently among the people, whoever separates from him will not only not be punished, but when he has accepted anything devilishrather honored, then he becomes tormentedfor they deserve recognition for separating from an association with a certain faith.” —Fr.Joannes Zonaras (9th century Byzantine canonist and historian on Canon 15)
The devil “If every Orthodox Christian is like commanded by the canons to depart from a lionheretical bishop even before he is officially condemned, or be guilty also of his heresy, hiding in ambush how much more must we depart from those who are worse (Ps 10:19and more unfortunate) than heretics, 1Pe 5:8)because they openly serve the cause of Antichrist?” —Fr. He secretly sets out nets Seraphim Rose of unclean and unholy thoughts. SoPlatina, it is necessary to break them off as soon as we notice themLetter 40, by means of pious reflection and prayer.1970
It is necessary “Concerning the Patriarch I shall say this, lest it should perhaps occur to him to show me a certain respect at the burial of this my humble body, or to send to my grave any of his hierarchs or clergy or in general any of those in communion with him in order to take part in prayer or to join the priests invited to it from amongst us, thinking that at some time, or perhaps secretly, I had allowed communion with him. And lest my silence give occasion to those who do not know my views well and fully to suspect some kind of conciliation, I hereby state and testify before the Holy Spirit enter our heart. Everything good many worthy men here present that we I donot desire, that we in any manner and absolutely, and do not accept communion with him or with those who are with him, not in this life nor after my death, just as (I accept) neither the Union nor Latin dogmas, which he and his adherents have accepted, and for Christthe enforcement of which he has occupied this presiding place, with the aim of overturning the true dogmas of the Church. I am absolutely convinced that the farther I stand from him and those like him, is given the nearer I am to us by God and all the saints, and to the degree that I separate myself from them am in union with the Truth and with the Holy SpiritFathers, but prayer most the Theologians of the Church; and I am likewise convinced that those who count themselves with them stand far away from the Truth and from the blessed Teachers of the Church. And for this reason I say: just as in the course of my whole life I was separated from them, so at the time of my departure, yea and after my death, I turn away from intercourse and communion with them and vow and command that none (of allthem) shall approach either my burial or my grave, and likewise anyone else from our side, which is always available with the aim of attempting to join and concelebrate in our Divine services; for this would be to mix what cannot be mixed. But it befits them to be absolutely separated from usuntil such time as God shall grant correction and peace to His Church.” —St. Mark of Ephesus, The Example of, [as quoted in The Orthodox Word, June-July, 1967, pp. 103ff.]
A sign of spiritual life “With all our strength, therefore, let us beware lest we receive Communion from or give it to heretics. ‘Give not what is holy to the dogs,’ saith the immersion of a person within himself Lord. ‘Neither cast ye your pearls before swine’, lest we become partakers in their dishonour and the hidden workings within his heartcondemnation.” —St. Seraphim John of Damascus, Exposition of Sarovthe Orthodox Faith, IV, 13
“The Spirit offers its own light to every mind“And, to help it in its search for truthyou see, people are not at all aware that we are living during the signs of the times, that the sealing is already advancing. This is why the Sacred Scripture says that even the elect will be deceived.” —St. Basil the GreatPaisios of Mt. Athos, Spiritual Counsels, Vol. II, Spiritual Awakening, p. 198
“Sometimes a man's happiness “The Church is so deep inside him that he may forget suffering today because Divine illumination is missing and people understand things as it's there suits them. The human element gets involved; passions are aroused, and start looking elsewhere hunting a fantasythen, an illusionthe devil comes and thrashes about. That is why people who are governed by their passions should not seek to govern others.” —Mr—St. Paisios of Mt. Roarke (Fantasy Island, s2e14)Athos
“If he seeks answers to questions related to his faith“In sum, his purpose the Ecumenical Patriarchate, in theory embracing almost the whole universe and in fact extending its authority only over several dioceses, and in lifeother places having only a higher superficial supervision and receiving certain revenues for this, persecuted by the government at home and not supported by any governmental authority abroad: having lost its significance as a pillar of truth and having itself become a source of division, he will find happinessand at the same time being possessed by an exorbitant love of power--represents a pitiful spectacle which recalls the worst periods in the history of the See of Constantinople.” —Elder Justin —St. John (PârvuMaximovitch) of RomaniaShanghai and San Francisco, from Orthodox Word, vol. 8, no. 4 (45), July-August 1972, pp. 166-168, 174-175.
“The person 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 loves God values knowledge 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 God more our salvation from no other than anything created from those through whom the gospel came to us. The first preached it abroad, and then later by the will of Godhanded it down to us in Scriptures, to be the foundation and pursues such pillar of our faith. For it is not right to say that they preached before they had come to perfect knowledge ardently , 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 ceaselesslyeach of them equally being in possession of the gospel of God.” —St. Maximus the ConfessorIrenaeus of Lyons, Against Heresies, III
“A time is coming when “Those that wish to discern the truth may observe the apostolic tradition made manifest in every church throughout the world. We can enumerate those who were appointed bishops in the churches by the apostles, and their successors (or successions) down to our own day, who never taught, and never knew, absurdities such as these men will go madproduce. For if the apostles had known hidden mysteries which they taught the perfect in private and in secret, they would rather have committed them to those to whom they entrusted the churches. For they wished those men to be perfect and unbelievable whom they laughed as their successors and when to whom they see someone handed over their own office of authority. But as it would be very tedious, in a book of this sort, to enumerate the successions in all the churches, we can found all those who in any way, whether for self-pleasing, or vainglory, or blindness, or evil mindedness, hold on authorized meetings. This we do by pointing to the apostolic tradition and the faith that is not madpreached to men, they will attack himwhich has come down to us through the successions of bishops; the tradition and creed of the greatest, and most ancient church, the church known to all men, which was founded and set up at Rome by the two men most glorious apostles, Peter and Paul. For with this church, because of its position of leadership and authority, must needs agree every church, sayingthat is, ‘You are madthe faithful everywhere; you are not like usfor in her the apostolic tradition has always been preserved by the faithful from all parts.’” ” —St. Anthony the GreatIrenaeus of Lyons, Against Heresies, III
“Adorn yourself with truth, try to speak truth in all things; and do not support a lie, no matter who asks you.If you speak the truth and someone gets mad at “If you, don’t be upset, but take comfort in the words of the Lord:Blessed are those who are persecuted wait for the sake of truthperfect conditions to work out your salvation, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven (Matt. 5:10)then you will never begin a God-pleasing life.” —St. Gennadius Nikon of Constantinople, The Golden Chain, 26,2Optina
“You that are strong "True Christianity is glorifying God with our own lives. To glorify God with all might in the inner man ought by rights to carry on the struggle against the enemies of the truth, and not to shrink from the task, that we fathers may be gladdened by the noble toil of our sons; for this own life is the prompting of the law of nature: but as you turn your ranks, possible only when we have true faith and send against us the assaults of those darts which are hurled by the opponents of the truthwhen that faith indeed exists, we express it in words and demand that their hot burning coals and their shafts sharpened by knowledge falsely so called should be quenched with the shield of faith by us old menin deeds.” —St. Gregory John (Maximovitch) of NyssaShanghai and San Francisco
“I shall set forth the best contributions of the philosophers of the Greeks“When I, while still in Australia, because whatever began to receive information from America already post factum that here [in New York City] there is of good has had been given to men from above by Godprotests, since ‘every best gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights’ (Js. 1.17). If, however, there is anything that is contrary to the truthdemonstrations, then it is a dark invention of the deceit of Satan and a fiction even molebens in front of the mind of an evil spirit, as that eminent theologian Gregory once said (Homily 39.3). In imitation of the method of the beeSoviet consulate, I shall make my composition from those things which are conformable with the truth became quite alarmed and from our enemies themselves gather the fruit of salvation. But all regretted that is worthless and falsely labeled as knowledge I shall reject. Then, next, after thiswas not here, since I shall set forth in order the absurdities would have decisively opposed much of the heresies hated of Godwhat took place. In particular, so that by recognizing the lie we may more closely follow holding a moleben in such a place. Did they not sing the truth. Then, with GodLord's help and by His grace I shall expose the truth–that truth which destroys deceit and puts falsehood song in a strange land? What cause was there to flight and which, as with golden fringes, has been embellished and adorned by display the sayings holy things of the divinely inspired prophets, Church's services before the divinely taught fishermen, and the God-bearing shepherds and teachers–that truth, gaze of the glory frenzied servants of which flashes out from within Antichrist? Was it really not possible to brighten with its radiance, when they encounter it, them that are duly purified and rid of troublesome speculations. However, as I have said, I shall add nothing of my own, but shall gather together into one those things which have been worked out by the most eminent of teachers and make a compendium of them, being pray in all things obedient to your command.” —St. John of Damascus, The Fount of Knowledgechurch?
“If we have obtained I must say frankly that I am always seized by dismay when I hear of protests, demonstrations, and the like. In the grace of GodUSSR, none shall prevail against uslife is governed by him (the one with horns) who fears only Christ and His Cross; and who fears nothing else in the world. And he merely chortles over protests and demonstrations. Public opinion? Why, the antichrist regime has nothing but we shall be stronger than all who oppose usthe uttermost contempt for it! They wanted to seize Czechoslovakia and they seized it, paying no heed to the commotion that was raised.” —StThey wanted to invade Afghanistan and they invaded it, again paying no attention to the protests and threats of the various Carters & Co. John ChrysostomAll attempts to shape public opinion in the so-called Free World in favor of those suffering from Communism are powerless and fruitless, since the Free World stubbornly closes its eyes and imitates the ostrich, which hides its head under its wing and imagines that it cannot be seen…” —Metropolitan Philaret of New York, A letter from Metropolitan Philaret (Voznesensky) to ROCOR Priest Victor Potapov concerning Father Dimitry Dudko and the Moscow Patriarchate
“But our opinion “That only the canonical Scriptures have infallibility is testified by Blessed Augustine in accordance with the Eucharistwords which he writes to Jerome: ‘It is fitting to bestow such honour and veneration only to the books of Scripture which are called 'canonical,' for I absolutely believe that none of the authors who wrote them erred in anything. … As for other writings, no matter how great was the excellence of their authors in sanctity and learning, in reading them I do not accept their teaching as true solely on the Eucharist basis that they thus wrote and thought.’ Then, in turn establishes our opiniona letter to Fortunatus [St.” Mark continues in his citations of Augustine] he writes the following: ‘We should not hold the judgment of a man, even though this man might have been orthodox and had an high reputation, as the same kind of authority as the canonical Scriptures, to the extent of considering it inadmissible for us, out of the reverence we owe such men, to disapprove and reject something in their writing if we should happen to discover that they taught other than the truth which, with God's help, has been attained by others or by ourselves. This is how I am with regard to the writings of other men; and I desire that the reader will act thus with regard to my writings also.’” —St. Irenaeus Mark of LyonsEphesus, Second Homily on Purgatorial Fire, Against Heresieschs. 15-16; Pogodin, 4:18:5pp. 127-132
“If “All who foolishly and proudly reject the poison of pride is swelling up in youHoly Fathers, turn to who approach the Eucharist; and that Bread, Which is your God humbling Gospels directly with foolish brazenness and disguising Himself, will teach you humility. If the fever of selfish greed rages in you, feed on this Bread; unclean mind and you will learn generosity. If the cold wind of coveting withers you, hasten to the Bread of Angels; and charity will come to blossom in your heart. If you feel the itch of intemperance, nourish yourself with the Flesh and Blood of Christ, Who practiced heroic fall into lethal self-control during His earthly life; and you will become temperatedeception. If you The Gospel has rejected them, for it only accepts those who are lazy and sluggish about spiritual things, strengthen yourself with this heavenly Food; and you will grow fervent. Lastly, if you feel scorched by the fever of impurity, go to the banquet of the Angels; and the spotless Flesh of Christ will make you pure and chastehumble.” —St. Cyril Ignatius Brianchaninov (Bryanchaninov) of AlexandriaCaucasus, The Field, Chapter 3
“Don't be anxious about what you have“The holy scriptures were not given to us that we should enclose them in books, but about what you arethat we should engrave them in our hearts.” —St. Gregory the GreatJohn Chrysostom
“The soul “I will tell you my opinion briefly and without reserve. We ought to remain in that is in all things devoted Church which was founded by the Apostles and continues to the will this day. If ever you hear of God rests quiet in Him, for she knows of experience and any that are called Christians taking their name not from the Holy Scriptures that the Lord loves us much and watches over our soulsJesus Christ, but from some other, for instance, Marcionites, Valentinians, quickening all things by His grace in peace and love. Nothing troubles Men of the man who is given over to mountain or the will of Godplain, you may be it illness, poverty or persecution. He knows sure that you have there not the Lord in His mercy is solicitous for us. The Holy SpiritChurch of Christ, whom but the soul knows, is witness thereforesynagogue of Antichrist. But For the proud and the self-willed do not want to surrender to God's will because fact that they like took their own way, and rise after the foundation of the Church is proof that is harmful for they are those whose coming the soulApostle foretold.” —St. Silouan the Athonite (From the Life and Teachings of Elder Siluan by Bishop Alexander and Natalia Bufius translated by Anatoly Shmelev)
“The man who cries out against evil menAnd let them not flatter themselves if they think they have Scripture authority for their assertions, since the devil himself quoted Scripture, and the essence of the Scriptures is not the letter, but does the meaning. Otherwise, if we follow the letter, we too can concoct a new dogma and assert that such persons as wear shoes and have two coats must not pray for them will never know be received into the grace of GodChurch.” —St. Silouan the AthoniteJerome
“Those who dislike “The key [to interpreting Holy Scripture]… is the Tradition of the Church… Now if you want to interpret the way you want, due to your satanic pride, then you will most certainly fail. You will become a heretic, and heresy is nothing other than the logical interpretation of dogma. When I attempt to interpret things that cannot be interpreted with logic and intellect, when I attempt to interpret a deep mystery using my mere mind and reject their fellow-man are impoverished in their beingmy intellect, then I go astray. They do not know ” —Elder Athanasios Mitilinaios, Homiles on the true GodBook of the Revelation, who is all-embracing loveVol.” —StI, p. Silouan the Athonite46
“If we detect hatred in our hearts against any man whatsoever for committing any fault, we are utterly estranged “Christianity did not come from love for GodJudaism: rather, since love for God absolutely precludes us from hating any manJudaism is a perversion of Christianity.” —St. Maximus the ConfessorIgnatius of Antioch
“One must not harbour anger nor hatred towards a person that “Jesus Christ is hostile towards usKing of Israel. On Christians are the contrary. You must love him and do as much good as possible towards him. Following the teaching of our Lord Jesus ChristIsraelite race.” —St. Seraphim of SarovJustin the Martyr
“Do not ask “The synagogue is a refuge for love from your neighbordemons, for and it is more correct to say not only the synagogue but also Jewish souls; if you ask and he does not respondconsider yourself a true Jew, then why are you will be troubled. Instead show your love for your neighbour and you will be at rest, and so will bring your neighbour to loveburdening the Church.” —St. Dorotheos of GazaJohn Chrysostom, Against the Jews (Adversus Judeos), Homily 1 IV:2
“Love should never “So it is that I exhort you to flee and shun their gatherings. The harm they bring to our weaker brothers is not slight; they offer no slight excuse to sustain to the folly of the Jews. For when they see that you, who worship the Christ whom they crucified, are reverently following their rituals, how can they fail to think that the rites they have performed are the best and that our ceremonies are worthless? For after you worship and adore at our mysteries, you run to the very men who destroy our rites. Paul said: ‘If a man sees you that have knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not his conscience, being weak, be emboldened to eat those things which are sacrificed to idols’? And let me say: If a man sees you that have knowledge come into the synagogue and participate in the festival of the Trumpets, shall not his conscience, being weak, be emboldened to admire what the Jews do? He who falls not only pays the penalty for his own fall, but he is also punished because he trips others as well. But the sake man who has stood firm is rewarded not only because of some dogmatic differencehis own virtue but people admire him for leading others to desire the same things.” —St. Nektarios of AeginaJohn Chrysostom, Against the Jews (Adversus Judeos), Homily 1 V:7
“No term is used–and misused–among “But do not be surprised that I called the Orthodox people in America more often than the term canonicalJews pitiable.” —FrThey really are pitiable and miserable. Alexander SchmemannWhen so many blessings from heaven came into their hands, they thrust them aside and were at great pains to reject them. The Problems morning Sun of Orthodoxy Justice arose for them, but they thrust aside its rays and still sit in Americadarkness.” —St. John Chrysostom, The Canonical ProblemAgainst the Jews (Adversus Judeos)
“Even “Certainly it is the slightest thought time for me to show that demons dwell in the synagogue, not only in the place itself but also in the souls of the Jews. As Christ said: ‘When an unclean spirit is gone out, he walks through dry places seeking rest. If he does not founded on love destroys peacefind it he says: I shall return to my house. And coming he finds it empty, swept, and garnished. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself and they enter into him and the last state of that man is made worse than the first. So shall it be also to this generation.’ Do you see that demons dwell in their souls and that these demons are more dangerous than the ones of old? And this is very reasonable.” —Archimandrite Thaddeus Strabulovich—St. John Chrysostom, Against the Jews (Adversus Judeos)
“What does love look like? It has “The teachers of Judaism refuse to admit that the hands to help othersSeptuagint is correct. It has the feet to hasten They attempt to frame another translation of the poor and needyScriptures. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has ears to hear Observe that they have taken away many Old Testament Scriptures, by which the sighs and sorrows proof of men. That Christ's crucifixion is what love looks likeset forth.” —St. Augustine of HippoJustin the Martyr
“Your Lord is love: love Him and “The Jews are wise only in Him all mendoing evil, as His Children in Christ. Your Lord is fire: do not let your heart be cold, but burn with faith and love. Your Lord is light: do not walk in darkness are thus unable to know the hidden plan of mind, without reasoning or understanding, or without faith. Your Lord is a God of mercy and bountifulness: be also a source of mercy and bountifulness to your neighbors. If you will be such, you will find salvation yourself with everlasting glory.” —St. John of KronstadtJustin the Martyr
“To love our brothers “It is absurd to speak of Jesus Christ with the tongue, and to cherish in the mind a need Judaism which has now come to an end. For where there is Christianity there cannot be Judaism. For Christ is one, in whom every nation that believes, and every tongue that confesses, is endemic to our naturegathered unto God. Contemporary man does not recognize this needAnd those that were of a stony heart have become the children of Abraham, because it is suppressed the friend of God and suffocated by egoismin his seed all those have been blessed who were ordained to eternal life in Christ.” —Archbishop Averky (Taushev)—St. Ignatius of Antioch, The Struggle for Virtue: Asceticism in On the Delusion of Being a Modern Secular Society‘Jewish’ Christian, p.54Epistle to the Magnesians, Chapter X
“Many think that love is a feeling“Jews are slayers of the Lord, murderers of the prophets, enemies of God, adversaries of Grace, enemies of their Fathers’ faith, but this is not advocates of the case. It is devil, a state brood of vipers, slanderers, scoffers, men of darkened minds, the will. If love were leaven of Pharisees, a feeling it would not be a commandment. Naturallycongregation of demons, sinners, love is accompanied by certain feelingswicked men, but in essence it is a state haters of the will.Goodness!” —Fr—St. Daniel Sysoev, How Can I Learn God's Will?Gregory of Nyssa
“I guard you in advance against beasts in “It is true that Muhammad started from the east and came to the form of menwest, whom you must not only not receiveas the sun travels from east to west. Nevertheless he came with war, knives, but if it is possible not even meetpillaging, but only pray for themforced enslavement, if perchance they may repent…” —St. Ignatius of Antiochmurders, Letter to and acts that are not from the good God but instigated by the Smyrnaeanschief manslayer, Athe devil.D” —St. 117Gregory Palamas
“Until “They furthermore accuse us of being idolaters, because we venerate the cross, which they abominate. And we answer them: ‘How is it, then, that you rub yourselves against a stone in your Ka'ba and kiss and embrace it?’ Then some of them say that Abraham had relations with Agar upon it, but others say that he tied the camel to it, when he was going to sacrifice Isaac. And we answer them: ‘Since Scripture says that the mountain was wooded and had trees from which Abraham cut wood for the holocaust and laid it upon Isaac, [108] and then he left the asses behind with the two young men, why talk nonsense? For in that place neither is it thick with trees nor is there passage for asses.’ And they are embarrassed, but they still assert that the stone is Abraham's. Then we say: ‘Let it be Abraham's, as you have eradicated evilso foolishly say. Then, do just because Abraham had relations with a woman on it or tied a camel to it, you are not obey your heart; ashamed to kiss it, yet you blame us for it will seek more venerating the cross of Christ by which the power of the demons and the deceit of what it already contains within itselfthe Devil was destroyed.” —St’ This stone that they talk about is a head of that Aphrodite whom they used to worship and whom they called Khabár. Mark Even to the Asceticpresent day, traces of the carving are visible on it to careful observers.
“Whatever As has been related, this Mohammed wrote many ridiculous books, to each one of that which he set a title. For example, there is best the book On Woman, in which he plainly makes legal provision for taking four wives and, if it be possible, a thousand concubines—as many as one can maintain, besides the four wives. He also made it legal to put away whichever wife one might wish, and, should one so wish, to take to oneself another in the same way. Mohammed had a friend named Zeid. This man had a beautiful wife with whom Mohammed fell in love. Once, when they were sitting together, Mohammed said: ‘Oh, by the way, God has commanded me to take your wife.’ The other answered: ‘You are an apostle. Do as God has told you and take my wife.’ Rather—to tell the story over from the beginning—he said to him: ‘God has flowed into given me the heartcommand that you put away your wife.’ And he put her away. Then several days later: ‘Now,’ he said, ‘God has commanded me to take her.’ Then, after he had taken her and committed adultery with her, he made this law: ‘Let him who will put away his wife. And if, after having put her away, we he should return to her, let another marry her. For it is not pour out without need; for that lawful to take her unless she have been married by another. Furthermore, if a brother puts away his wife, let his brother marry her, should he so wish.’ [110] In the same book he gives such precepts as this: ‘Work the land which has been gathered can be free of danger from visible God hath given thee and beautify it. And do this, and invisible enemies only when do it is guarded in such a manner’ –not to repeat all the interior of the heartobscene things that he did.” —St. Seraphim John of SarovDamascus, Fount of Knowledge, Heresies in Epitome: How They Began and Whence They Drew Their Origin
“No one professing faith sins“Sometimes Japanese protestants come to me and ask me to clarify some place in the Holy Scriptures. ‘You have your own missionary teachers, nor does does anyone possessing love hate’ I tell them, ‘Go ask them. The tree is known by its fruit; thus those who profess What do they say?’ ‘We have asked them. They say: understand as you know how. But I need to be Christknow the real thought of God, not my own personal opinion.’ … It's will be recognized by their actionsnot like that with us [Orthodox]. For Everything is clear, trustworthy and simple, since we accept Holy Tradition in addition to the work Holy Scriptures. And Holy Tradition is a matter not living, unbroken voice of our Church from the time of what one promises Christ and His Apostles until now, but and which will exist until the end of persevering to the end in world. In it all the power meaning of faiththe Holy Scriptures are preserved.” —St. Ignatius Nicholas of Antioch (to the Ephesians)Japan, Diary, January 15, 1897
“Indeed“It is Christ Himself, man wishes not the Bible, Who is the true word of God. The Bible, read in the right spirit and with the guidance of good teachers, will bring us to Him. We must not use the Bible as a sort of encyclopedia out of which texts can be happy even when he so lives taken for use as to make happiness impossibleweapons.” —St—C. S. AugustineLewis
“The confession of evil works “If Scripture is perfect and sufficient for everything, why is the Church's interpretation necessary? Because, quite plainly, Scripture is not accepted by everyone as having the first beginning of good workssame meaning.” —St. AugustineVincent of Lérins
“The evil powers love humility of Jesus is not a superfluous detail in the darkness and tremble at every lightgospel narrative. The humility of Jesus is essential to the gospel. If Jesus lacked humility, there would be no incarnation, no crucifixion, especially at that which belongs to God and to those who please Himno redemption.” —St. Nikolai Velimirovich—Jack Wisdom
“The one who has not yet obtained divine knowledge activated “When they are refuted by love makes a lot of the religious works he performsScriptures, they take to maligning the Scriptures themselves. … But the one who has been deemed worthy when we refer them to obtain this says that tradition which originates with conviction the words apostles and which is preserved in the churches through the succession of the patriarch Abraham spoke when he was graced with presbyters, they attack the divine appearancetradition, ‘I am claiming that they themselves are wiser not merely than the presbyters but earth even than the apostles. [However] anyone who wants to see the truth can look to the tradition of the Apostles which is clearly manifested throughout the whole world; and asheswe can list those who were set up as bishops in the different churches as well as their successors right down to our own time, men who neither taught nor knew anything like what these [Gnostics] are raving about.’” —StFor if the apostles had known secret doctrines which they were in the habit of teaching to the “perfect” clandestinely and apart from the rest, they would most certainly have communicated these things to those to whom they were entrusting the churches themselves. Maximus the Confessor
“Do And if a dispute should arise over some point or other, should we not say that ‘mere faith have recourse to the most ancient churches, in our Lord Jesus Christ can save me.’ For this which the apostles were actively interested, and find out from them what is impossible unless you acquire love for him through works. For certain and clear with regard to the point at issue? What if, in what concerns mere believingfact, ‘even the devils believe and tremble.’” apostles had left us no Writings? Would it not be necessary to follow the line indicated by the tradition which they handed down to those to whom they entrusted the churches?” —St. Maximus the ConfessorIrenaeus of Lyons
“Our faith then must be different from the faith of devils. For our faith purifies the heart; but their faith makes them guilty. For they do wickedly, and therefore say they to the Lord, ‘What have we to do with You?’ When you hear the devils say this, do you think that they do not acknowledge Him? ‘We know,’ they say, ‘who You are: You are the Son of God.’ This Peter says, and is commended; the devil says it, and is condemned. Whence comes this, but that though the words be the same, the heart is different? Let us then make a distinction in our faith, and “[Heretics] should not be content admitted to believe. This is no such faith as purifies the heart. ‘Purifying their hearts,’ it is said, ‘by faith.’ But by what, and what kind of faith, save that which the Apostle Paul defines when he says, ‘Faith which works by love.’ That faith distinguishes us from the faith of devils, and from the infamous and abandoned conduct of men. ‘Faith,’ he says. What faith? ‘That which works by love,’ and which hopes for what God does promise. Nothing is more exact or perfect than this definition. There are then in faith these three things. He in whom that faith is which works by love, must necessarily hope for that which God does promise. Hope therefore is the associate of faith. For hope is necessary as long as we see not what we believe, lest perhaps through not seeing, and by despairing to see, we fail. That we see not, does make us sad; but that we hope we shall see, comforts us. Hope then is here, and she is the associate of faith. And then charity also, by which we long, and strive to attain, and glow with desire, and hunger and thirst. This then is taken in also; and so there will be faith, hope, and charity. For how shall there not be charity there, since charity is nothing else but love? And this faith is itself defined as that ‘which works by love.’ Take away faith, and all you believe perishes; take away charity, and all that you do perishes. For it is the province of faith to believe, of charity to do. For if you believe without love, you do not apply yourself to good works; or if you do, it is as a servant, not as a son, through fear of punishment, not through love of righteousness. Therefore I say, that faith purifies the heart, which works by love.” —St. Augustine any discussion of Hippo, Sermon III on the New Testament, Section XIScriptures…
“We see The Lord Jesus sent the water of a river flowing uninterruptedly and passing awayapostles to preach. … Now what they actually preached can, and all that floats on its surfaceas I must here likewise prescribe, rubbish or beams of trees, all pass be proved only by those very same churches which the apostles themselves founded by. So does our life. I was an infantpreaching to them both viva voce, and that time has gone. I was an adolescentas they say, and that too has passedlater by letters. I was a young manSuch being the case, and it is consequently certain that too any doctrine which agrees with [what is far behind me. The strong held by] these apostolic churches, moulds and mature man original sources of the faith, must be considered the truth, undoubtedly containing that I was is no more. My hair turns whitewhich these churches received from the apostles, I succumb to agethe apostles from Christ, and Christ from God; but that too passes; I approach any other doctrine must be presumed false, since it smacks of opposition to the end and will go truth of the way churches, of all flesh. I was born in order to die. I die that I may live. Remember methe apostles, O Lordof Christ, in Thy Kingdom!” —Stof God. Tikhon of Voronezh
“You should look downward. Remember: you are earth Come now! Would they all have fallen into error? Would the steward of God, the Vicar of Christ [the Holy Spirit] have neglected His duty by allowing the churches to understand and believe otherwise than what He Himself taught the apostles? Is it likely that so many and you will return to such outstanding churches would all have strayed into the one [false] faith? No chance happening ever has the same outcome in the earthcase of many different individuals.” —StA doctrinal error in so many different churches would of necessity have taken different forms. Ambrose But when unity exists amid diversity, this can be the result, not of error, but only of OptinaTradition.
“Just as a pauperLet us inquire, therefore, whether tradition, seeing the royal treasuresunless it be written, all the more acknowledges his own poverty; so also the spiritshould be accepted. Certainly we shall say that it ought not to be accepted if we can allege as precedent no cases of other practices which we justify without any written document, reading but solely on the accounts grounds of tradition and because of the great deeds approval of the Holy Fatherssubsequent custom… If you demand scriptural justification for these and other such practices, you will find none. Tradition will be held out to you as their author, custom as their consolidator, involuntarily is all the more humbled in its way of thoughtand faith as their observer.” —St. John Climacus—Tertullian
“Do not shun poverty “Since there are many who think they share the mind of Christ and afflictionyet some of them think differently from their predecessors, let the preaching of the fuel Church be held fast, that gives wings preaching which has been handed down from the apostles through the ranks of succession and perdures in the churches to prayerthe present day. That alone is to be believed as the truth which varies in no wise from ecclesiastical and apostolic tradition.” —Evagrios the Solitary—Origen
“What is the meaning “It suffices as proof of the exclamation so often sung in church: ‘Lord, our thesis that we have mercy upon us’? It is the lament of the guilty, condemned sinner, imploring forgiveness of an irritated justice. We are all under the eternal curse and doomed a tradition coming to eternal fire for our innumerable sins, and it is only the Grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ, interceding for us before the Heavenly Father, that saves us from eternal punishment. It is the lament of the repentant sinner, expressing his firm intention to amend and begin a new lifefathers, becoming for like a Christian. It is legacy handed down from the lament of apostles through the repentant sinner, ready to forgive others, as he himself was and is immeasurably forgiven by God, the Judge of his deedssaints who followed them in succession.” —St. John Gregory of Kronstadt, My Life in Christ, pg. 406Nyssa
“It seems that “Of the beliefs and practices [disciplinary regulations] preserved in the Church, some we do not understand one thing: it is not good when possess from teaching handed down in written form; others we return the love of those who love have received as delivered to us, yet hate those who hate us. We are not on in a mystery from the right path if we do this. We are the sons tradition of light and love – the sons of God, his children. As suchApostles, we must have His qualities and His attributes both of love, peace, and kindness towards allthese have the same force as far as religion is concerned.” —Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica—St. Basil the Great
“We suffer because we have no humility and we do “There is need of tradition also; for not love our brothereverything can be found in Scripture. From love of our brother comes That is why the love of Godmost holy apostles left some things in writing and others in tradition. Paul affirms this very fact as follows: ‘as I handed it on to you. People do not learn humility, ’ Likewise in another passage: ‘This is my teaching and because of their pride cannot receive thus have I handed it on to the grace of the Holy Spiritchurches.’ Similarly: ‘If you continue to cling firmly to it, and therefor the whole world suffersas I preached it to you—unless your faith has all been for nothing.” ’” —St. Silouan the AthoniteEpiphanius
“Some suffer much from poverty and sickness, but are not humbled“Baptize first the children, and if they can speak for themselves let them do so they suffer without profit. But one who is humbled will be happy in all circumstances, because the Lord is his riches and joyOtherwise, and all people will wonder at the beauty of his soullet their parents or other relatives speak for them.” —St. Silouan the AthoniteHippolytus of Rome, The Apostolic Tradition, 21:16
“My joy“We baptize even infants, I beg youthough they are not defiled by sins, acquire the Spirit of Peace. That means to bring oneself to such a state that our spirit will not so they too may be disturbed by anythinggiven holiness, righteousness, adoption, inheritance, brotherhood with Christ, and membership in Him. For one must go through many sorrows to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. This is the way all righteous men were saved and inherited the Heavenly Kingdom…” ” —St. Seraphim of SarovJohn Chrysostom
“My will“We believe the first man created by God to have fallen in Paradise, thereforewhen, He took disregarding the Divine commandment, he yielded to Himselfthe deceitful counsel of the serpent. And as a result hereditary sin flowed to his posterity; so that everyone who is born after the flesh bears this burden, my griefand experiences the fruits of it in this present world. In confidence I call it griefBut by these fruits and this burden we do not understand [actual] sin, such as impiety, blasphemy, murder, sodomy, adultery, fornication, enmity, and whatever else is by our depraved choice committed contrarily to the Divine Will, because I preach His Crossnot from nature. Mine is For many both of the Forefathers and of the will which He called His OwnProphets, and vast numbers of others, for as Man He bore my griefwell of those under the shadow [of the Law], as Man He spake, and therefore said, ‘Not well as I willunder the truth [of the Gospel], but such as Thou wilt.’ Mine was the griefdivine Precursor, and mine especially the heaviness with which He bore itMother of God the Word, for no man exults when at the point to dieever-virgin Mary, did not experience these [sins], or such like faults. With me and But only what the Divine Justice inflicted upon man as a punishment for me He Suffersthe [original] transgression, such as sweats in labor, for me He is sadafflictions, bodily sicknesses, for me He is heavy. In my stead thereforepains in child-bearing, and in me He grieved Who had no cause , finally, while on our pilgrimage, to grieve for Himselflive a laborious life, and lastly, bodily death.” —Confession of Dositheus, Synod of Jerusalem, 1672, Decree 6
Not Thy Wound“We believe Holy Baptism, but minewhich was instituted by the Lord, and is conferred in the name of the Holy Trinity, to be of the highest necessity. For without it none is able to be saved, as the Lord says, ‘Whoever is not born of water and of the Spirit, shall in no way enter into the Kingdom of the Heavens.’ {John 3:5} And, therefore, baptism is necessary even for infants, hurt Theesince they also are subject to original sin, and without Baptism are not able to obtain its remission. Which the Lord Jesus; showed when he said, not Thy Deathof some only, but our weaknesssimply and absolutely, ‘Whoever is not born [again],’ which is the same as saying, ‘All that after the coming of Christ the Savior would enter into the Kingdom of the Heavens must be regenerated.’ And since infants are men, and as such need salvation, needing salvation they need also Baptism. And those that are not regenerated, since they have not received the remission of hereditary sin, are, of necessity, subject to eternal punishment, and consequently cannot without Baptism be saved. So that even infants should, of necessity, be baptized. Moreover, infants are saved, as is said in Matthew; {Matthew 19:12} but he that is not baptized is not saved. And consequently even infants must of necessity be baptized. And in the Prophet saithActs {Acts 8:12; 16: ‘For He 33} it is afflicted for our sakes’-said that the whole houses were baptized, and consequently the infants. To this the ancient Fathers also witness explicitly, and among them Dionysius in his Treatise concerning the Ecclesiastical Hierarchy; and Justin in his fifty-sixth Question, who says expressly, ‘And they are guaranteed the benefits of Baptism by the faith of those that bring them to Baptism.’ And Augustine says that it is an Apostolic tradition, that children are saved through Baptism; and in another place, ‘The Church gives to babes the feet of others, that they may come; and the hearts of others, that they may believe; and wethe tongues of others, Lordthat they may promise;’ and in another place, esteemed Thee afflicted‘Our mother, when Thou grievedst not for Thyselfthe Church, but for mefurnishes them with a particular heart.’
Now the matter of Baptism is pure water, and no other liquid. And what wonder if He grieved for all, Who wept for one? What wonder ifit is performed by the Priest only, or in the hour a case of deathunavoidable necessity, He by another man, provided he is heavy for allOrthodox, Who wept when at and has the point proper intention to raise Lazarus from Divine Baptism. And the dead? Theneffects of Baptism are, indeedto speak concisely, He was moved by a loving sister's tearsfirstly, the remission of the hereditary transgression, for they touched His human heartand of any sins of any kind that the baptized may have committed. Secondly,--here by secret grief He brought it delivers him from the eternal punishment, to pass thatwhich he was liable, even as His Death made an end of death, well for original sin and His Stripes healed our scars, so also His Sorrow took away our sorrow.” —Stfor mortal sins he may have individually committed. Ambrose of MilanThirdly, (+397)it gives to the person immortality; for in justifying them from past sins, Chit makes them temples of God. 7, Book II, Exposition on the Christian Faith
“Peace And it cannot be said that there is any sin which may have been previously committed that remains, though not imputed, that is not absence washed away through Baptism, For that were indeed the height of impiety, and a denial, rather than a confession of strugglepiety. Indeed, truly, all sin existing, or committed before Baptism, is blotted out, and is to be regarded as never existing or committed. For the forms of Baptism, and on either hand all the words that precede and that perfect Baptism, but absence do indicate a perfect cleansing. And the same thing even the very names of uncertainty Baptism do signify. For if Baptism is by the Spirit and confusionby fire, {Matthew 3:11} it is obvious that it is in all a perfect cleansing; for the Spirit cleanses perfectly. If it is light, {Hebrews 6:4} it dispels the darkness. If it is regeneration, {Titus 3:5} old things are passed away. And what are these except sins? If the baptized puts off the old man, {Colossians 3:9} then sin also. If he puts on Christ, {Galatians 3:27} then in effect he becomes free from sin through Baptism. For God is far from sinners. This Paul also teaches more plainly, saying: ‘As through one [man] we, being many, were made sinners, so through one [are we made] righteous.’ {Romans 5:19} And if righteous, then free from sin. For it is not possible for life and death to be in the same [person]. If Christ truly died, then remission of sin through the Spirit is true also. Hence it is evident that all who are baptized and fall asleep while babes are undoubtedly saved, being predestinated through the death of Christ. Forasmuch as they are without any sin; – without that common [to all], because delivered from it by the Divine laver, and without any of their own, because as babes they are incapable of committing sin; – and consequently are saved. Moreover, Baptism imparts an indelible character, as does also the Priesthood. For as it is impossible for any one to receive twice the same order of the Priesthood, so it is impossible for any once rightly baptized, to be again baptized, although he should fall even into myriads of sins, or even into actual apostasy from the Faith. For when he is willing to return unto the Lord, he receives again through the Mystery of Penance the adoption of a son, which he had lost.” —Metropolitan Anthony (Bloom) —Confession of SourozhDositheus, Synod of Jerusalem, 1672, Decree 16
“Humility “A dangerous lie is perfect quietness of heartpreached by sectarians when they say that children should not be baptized, it but when children grow up and know what faith is to expect nothing, to wonder at nothing that is done to methen they should be baptized. Man and son of man, shut your ears from such crazy words. Because if your child dies unbaptized, to feel nothing done against mehe will enter the other world as unclean and undone by God. It is With whom, then, will he be in eternity, and whose name will he be? Look, you don't wait for your child to be at rest when nobody praises megrow up and find out what water and milk and honey and bread and medicine are, and when I am blamed or despisedonly then can you give him all that. It is But you give it to him even though he doesn't know it. You know what's good and life saving for her, does she have a blessed home to know that in the Lordcradle? And if your child has cough, where I can go in will you treat it, or will you wait until it grows up and shut find out what cough is? And hereditary sin is an unequally heavier pain than gout. So when you are treating your child from gout, treat him also from that more serious illness, for which the door, and kneel to my Father in secretcure is baptism. Don't let your unbaptized child die, because otherwise you will never and am at peace as anywhere in a deep sea of calmness, when all around and above is troubleeternity meet his soul.” —Andrew Murray—St. Nikolai Velimirovich
“However great “…[T]here were no New Testamental writings for the afflictions earliest Christians and yet they possessed the fullness of the truth and faith of Christianity. On the day of Pentecost the Church was born and yet there were no Gospels as we sufferknow them today. It would not be a theological exaggeration to assert that the Church would be the Church in Her fullness even if She did not possess the New Testament. For many raised on the Reformational principle of ‘sola scriptura’ this may seem a radical – even heretical – statement. …[T]here was a time when the Church did not possess this corpus of inspired writing and yet the Church existed in Her fullness, what are they compared with Christians experienced the truth of the promised future rewardfaith in all its fullness.” —St—Fr. Macarius Georges Florovsky, The Byzantine Fathers of the GreatFifth Century
“Shun the praise “… Word and sacrament long ago lost touch with each other and became subjects of men independent study and love definition … I daresay that the one whogradual ‘decomposition’ of scripture, its dissolution in more and more specialized and negative criticism, is a result of its alienation from the fear Eucharist - and practically from the Church herself - as an experience of the Lord, reprimands youa spiritual reality.” —St—Fr. Alexander Schmemann, The Eucharist, p. Pachomius66
“When people begin “Anti-sacramental, anti-ritual evangelicalism emphasizes a personal relationship with God, but tends to encourage what Anthony Giddens calls ‘pure relationship,’ a relationship that is not tacked down with external anchors and supports. A live-in relationship, without benefit of the rites and legalities of marriage, is a pure relationship. Evangelicalism tends to encourage a live-in relationship with Jesus. This is wrong, a departure from Christian tradition, and unbiblical. It also places unbearable burdens on the soul. Tempted by the devil, Luther slapped his forehead to praise usremind himself of his baptism. His standing before God was anchored in Christ, let us hurry to remember whom he had been joined by baptism. For evangelicals, assurance cannot be grounded in anything so external and objective. Spontaneous enthusiasm is the multitude test of ours transgressionssincerity, and we will see the source of assurance. But eternal, self-scrutinizing vigilance is necessary to ensure that we are truly unworthy the enthusiasm is really spontaneous. Enthusiasm was supposed to liberate the soul from all the dead forms, but it comes with its own set of that which they say and do in our honorchains.” —St—Rev. Dr. Peter J. John ClimacusLeithard
“…Don't be frightened at your burden; our Lord will help you “In the Orthodox approach to carry Scripture, itis the job of the individual not to strive for originality in interpretation, but rather to understand what is already present in the traditions of the Church. We are obliged not to go beyond the boundary set by the Fathers and Creeds of the Church, but to faithfully pass on the Tradition just as we have received it. To do this requires a great deal of study and thought–but even more, if we are to truly understand the Scriptures, we must enter deeply into the mystical life of the Church.” —St—ibid., p. John Vianney44
“Every tribulation reveals “The scriptures and the state Church are reduced here to the category of our willtwo formal authorities, two ‘sources of faith’ – as they are called in the scholastic treatises, for which the only question is which authority is the higher: which ‘interprets’ which…” —Ibid.” —St, p. Mark the Ascetic66
“Every affliction tests our will“For if we proclaim holy scripture to be the supreme authority for teaching the faith in the Church, showing whether it then what is inclined to good the ‘criterion’ of scripture? Sooner or evillater it becomes ‘biblical science’ – i. That is why an unforeseen affliction is called a teste., in the final analysis, because it enables a man to test his hidden desiresnaked reason…” —Ibid.” —St, p. Mark the Ascetic66-67
“Many “It is therefore clear that [the apostles] did not teach everything in epistolary form, but that they taught many things besides in unwritten form, and these things, too, are worthy of acceptance. Wherefore we should consider the wiles tradition of the enemy to despoil us Church also as worthy of inner peacebelief. If there is a tradition, so watch!look no further.” —St. Theophan the RecluseJohn Chrysostom
“In every situation confusion is from the devil, from whom may the Lord shield “Certain men who hold different opinions (i.e. heretics) misuse these passages. They essentially destroy free will by introducing ruined natures incapable of salvation and protect usby introducing others as being saved in such a way that they cannot be lost.” —St. Leo of Optina—Origen
“It should be noted “A false interpretation of Scripture causes that when the fallen spirit wants to get dominion over Christ's ascetics, he does not act imperiously or domineeringly, but tries to draw a man to consent to the proposed delusion, and after getting his consent he takes possession gospel of the person who has given his consent. Holy David, in describing his Lord becomes the fallen angel attacks gospel of man, has very rightly said: "He lurketh in secret as a lion in his denor, which is worse, that he may ravish the poor; to ravish of the poor, when he getteth him into his netdevil."” —St. Ignaty Bryanchaninov, The Arena, chapter 11, On the Solitary LifeJerome
“The devil presents minor sins as insignificant in our eyes“Truth cannot be acquired, because otherwise he would not the flesh with its passions and lusts cannot be crucified, the heart cannot be able lead us into major onesfilled with the Light of Christ and united with Him, through salvation, unless these are preceded by frequent prayer.” —St. Mark the Ascetic—The Way of a Pilgrim
“Do not leave unobliterated any fault“How long shall we continue in this manner, however smallour intellect reduced to futility, for failing to make the spirit of the Gospel our own, not knowing what it may lead you on means to greater sins.live according to our conscience, making no serious effort to keep it pure?” —St. Mark the Ascetic
“He “It is self evident, however, that sincere Christians who are Roman Catholics, or Lutherans, or members of other non-Orthodox confessions, cannot be termed renegades or heretics—i.e. those who honours knowingly pervert the truth… They have been born and raised and are living according to the creed which they have inherited, just as do the majority of you who are Orthodox; in their lives there has not been a moment of personal and conscious renunciation of Orthodoxy. The Lord does what , ‘Who will have all men to be saved’ (I Tim. 2:4) and ‘Who enlightens every man born into the Lord bidsworld’ (Jn. 1. When he sins or 43), undoubtedly is disobedient, he patiently accepts what comes as something he deservesleading them also towards salvation in His own way.” —St. Mark the Ascetic—Metropolitan Philaret of New York
“It is “You ask, will the heterodox be saved… Why do you worry about them? They have a great error to think that Saviour Who desires the salvation of every human being. He will take care of them. You and I should not be burdened with such a concern. Study yourself and your own sins… I will tell you one thing, however: should you must undertake important , being Orthodox and great laborspossessing the Truth in its fullness, whether for heavenbetray Orthodoxy, orand enter a different faith, as the 'progressives' think, in order to make one's contribution to humanity. That is not necessary at all. It is necessary only to do everything in accordance with the Lord's commandmentsyou will lose your soul forever.” —St. Theophan the Recluse
“When we are immersed in sins“The Orthodox confess that SHE IS the One, Holy, Universal (katholikos) and our mind Apostolic Ecclesia! Any other model is occupied solely with worldly cares, we do not notice the state of our soulgnostic.” —St. John MaximovitchIrenaeus of Lyons
“We have to be aware that “Orthodoxy is what is being pounded in upon us is all of one piece; it has a certain rhythmChrist taught, a certain message to give usthe apostles preached, this message of self-worship, of relaxing, of letting go, of enjoying yourself, of giving up any thought of and the other world … It is actually an education in atheismFathers kept.” —St. We have to fight back by knowing just what Athanasius the world is trying to do to us…” —Fr. Seraphim Rose of PlatinaGreat
“I saw “He is ‘the same yesterday and today and forever’ (Hebrews 13:8). Orthodox Christians are committed to the snares that truth claim of 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, ‘HumilityChristian Faith not as ideology but as an expression of holiness.” —Rev. Dr.’” —StGeorge C. Anthony the GreatPapademetriou, An Orthodox Reflection on Truth & Tolerance
“Learn to love humility“The beginning of theology is not the card catalogue, for it will cover all your sins. All sins are repugnant before God but doing battle against the passions; and the most repugnant end of all theology is pride of the heartnot becoming a professor, but becoming a saint.” —Dr.David Fagerberg
Do “Men are converted to God not consider yourself learned because someone was able to give brilliant explanations, but because they saw in him that light, joy, depth, seriousness, and wise; otherwise, all your effort will be destroyed love which alone reveal the presence and your boat will reach power of God in the harbor emptyworld.” —Fr.Alexander Schmemann
If you have great authority“When conversion does take place, the process of revelation occurs in a very simple way: a person is in need, he suffers, do not threaten anyone with deathand then somehow the other world opens up. KnowThe more you are in suffering and difficulties and are desperate for God, that according the more He is going to naturecome to your aid, reveal Who He is, and show you too are susceptible the way to death get out.” —Fr. Seraphim Rose of Platina, Father Seraphim Rose: His Life and that every soul sheds its body from itself as the final garmentWorks by Hieromonk Damascene, p.98
In Byzantium there existed an unusual “We think we know a lot, but what we know is very little. Even all those who have striven all their life to bring progress to mankind – learned scientists and instructive custom during the crowning of the emperors highly educated people – all realize in the Church end that all their knowledge is but a grain of sand on the Divine Wisdom [Stseashore. Sophia]All our achievements are insufficient. The custom was that when the patriarch placed the crown on the emperor's head, at the same time” —Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica, he handed him a silk purse filled with dirt from the grave.Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives
Then“Men are often called intelligent wrongly. Intelligent men are not those who are erudite in the sayings and books of the wise men of old, even but those who have an intelligent soul and can discriminate between good and evil. They avoid what is sinful and harms the emperor would recall death soul; and with deep gratitude to God they resolutely adhere by dint of practice to avoid all pride what is good and become humblebenefits the soul. These men alone should truly be called intelligent.” —St. Anthony the Great, Prologue On the Character of OchridMen and on the Virtuous Life: One Hundred and Seventy Texts, Text 1, The Philokalia: The Complete Text, Vol. 1
“Wouldst thou comprehend “It is impossible to replace the height of God? First comprehend spiritual with the lowliness of Godemotional. Condescend If anyone tries to be humble for thine own sakeforcibly replace one with the other, seeing that God condescended to be humble for thy sake toothen he will assimilate lies instead of truth, for it was not for his ownfalsehood masquerading as truth.” —St. AugustineIgnatius Brianchaninov (Bryanchaninov) of Caucasus, The Refuge, Chapter 9, p. 119
“The greatness of a man consisteth of humility, for in proportion as a man descendeth to humility“Not knowledge that you learn, he becometh exalted to greatnessbut knowledge that you suffer: that is Orthodox spirituality.” —Paradise —Gerontissa Gabrielia, Sayings of the Holy Fathers, Vol. 2Gerontissa Gabrielia
“It “Our religion is easier to measure the entire sea with a tiny cup than to grasp God's ineffable greatness with the founded on spiritual experience, seen and heard as sure as any physical fact in this world. Not theory, not philosophy, not human mindemotions, but experience.” —St. Basil the GreatNikolai Velimirovich
“You don't have a soul“Only the Religion of Christ unites and all of us must pray that they come to this. You Thus union will occur, not by believing that all of us are a Soulthe same thing and that all religions are the same. You have a bodyThey are not the same… our Orthodoxy is not related to other religions.” —C. S—St. LewisPorphyrios of Kavsokalyvia
“This “Orthodoxy is the wisdom and power of God: to be victorious through weaknesslife, exalted through humilityone must not talk about it, rich through povertyone must live it.” —St. Gregory PalamasNektary of Optina
“You will lose nothing of what you have renounced for the Lord’s sake. For in its own time “Orthodoxy can't be comfortable unless it will return to you greatly multipliedis fake.” —St—Fr. Mark the AsceticSeraphim Rose of Platina
“Where can I flee? A place cannot save “As for all those who pretend to confess sound Orthodox Faith, but are in communion with people who hold different opinion, if they are forewarned and still remain stubborn, you because there is no place must not only be in communion with them, but you can flee from yourselfmust NOT even call them brothers.” —St. Nikon of OptinaBasil the Great
“If our purpose “It is to fight a commandment of the spiritual fight and to defeat, with God's help, the demons of malice, Lord that we should take every care to guard our heart from not be silent when the demon Faith is in peril. So, when it is a matter of dejectionthe Faith, one cannot say, ‘Who am I? A priest, a ruler, just as a moth devours clothing and soldier, a worm devours woodfarmer, so dejection devours a man’s soul. It persuades him to shun every helpful encounter and stops him accepting advice from his true friends poor man? I have no say or giving them a courteous and peaceful replyconcern in this matter. Seizing the entire soul’ Alas! The stones shall cry out, it fills it with bitterness and listlessnessyou remain silent and unconcerned?” —St. Then it suggests to the soul that we should go away from other people, since they are Theodore the cause of its agitation. It does not allow the soul to understand that its sickness does not come from without, but lies hidden within, only manifesting itself when temptations attack the soul because of our ascetic efforts.Studite
A man can be harmed by another only through “At the causes present time of the passions which lie within himself. It universal wavering, disturbance of minds and corruption, it is for this reason especially demanded of us that God, we should confess the Creator true teaching of all and the Doctor Church no matter what might be the person of men’s souls, those who alone has accurate knowledge of listen and despite the soul’s wounds, does not tell unbelief which surrounds us to forsake . If for the company sake of men; He tells us adaptation to root out the causes errors of evil within us and to recognize that this age we shall be silent about the soul’s health is achieved not by truth or give a man’s separating himself from his fellowscorrupt teaching in the name of pleasing this world, but by his living then we would actually be giving to those who seek the ascetic life truth a stone in place of bread. The higher is the company standing of holy men. When we abandon our brothers for some apparently good reasonone who acts in this way, we do not eradicate the motives for dejection but merely exchange themgreater the scandal that is produced by him, since and the sickness which lies hidden within us will show itself again in other circumstancesmore serious can be the consequences.” —St. John Cassian—Metropolitan Philaret of New York
“A life lived in “Today, while the overall teachings of the Fathers is under attack and the world can be as goodshipwrecks of Faith are numerous, in the eyes mouths of the faithful are silent. Anyone who is capable of speaking the truth but remains silent, will be heavily judged by God, as one spent especially in a monastery. It is indeed only this case, where the faith and the keeping very foundation of God's commandments, love the entire Church of allthe Orthodox is in danger. To remain silent under these circumstances is to betray these, and a true sense of humility the appropriate witness belongs to those that matterreproach (stand up for the faith).” —St. Basil the Great, wherever we areep.” —Elder Macarius of Optina92
“Those who“I beseech you to do and to carry out good to all men with care and assiduity, because becoming all things to all men, as the need of each is shown to you; I want and pray you to be wholly harsh and implacable with the rigor of heretics only in regard to cooperating with them or in any way whatever supporting their own ascetic practicederanged belief. For I reckon it hatred towards man and a departure from Divine love to lend support to error, despise the less zealous, think so that they are made righteous those previously seized by physical works. But we are it might be even more foolish if we rely on theoretical knowledge and disparage the ignorantgreatly corrupted.” —St. Mark Maximus the AsceticConfessor, Patrologia Graeca, Vol. 91
“A remedy against straying thoughts is mental attention, attention “Be aware not to be corrupted from love of the fact that heretics; for this reason do not accept any false belief (dogma) in the Lord is before us and we are before Himname of love.” —St. Theophan the RecluseJohn Chrysostom
“The roots of evil thoughts are the obvious vices“If anyone prays with heretics, which we keep trying to justify in our words and actionshe is a heretic.” —St— Pope St. Mark the AsceticAgatho I
“Guard your speech from boasting “Genuine love is displayed, not by the common table, nor by lofty addresses or flattering words, but by the correcting and your thoughts from presumption; otherwise you may be abandoned by God the seeking of the benefit of one's neighbour and fall into sin. For man cannot do anything good without the help lifting up of God, the one who sees everythinghas fallen.” —St. Mark the AsceticJohn Chrysostom
"The higher “It is not the case that there is one church at Rome and another in all the world beside. Gaul and Britain, Africa and Persia, India and the East worship one Christ and observe one rule of truth. If you ask for authority, the world outweighs its capital. Wherever there is a person’s position in society bishop, whether it be at Rome or at Engubium, whether it be at Constantinople or at Rhegium, whether it be at Alexandria or at Zoan, his dignity is one and his priesthood is one. Neither the command of wealth nor the lowliness of poverty makes him more he should help others without ever reminding them a bishop or less a bishop. All alike are successors of his positionthe apostles.” —Tsar St—St. Nicholas IIJerome, Letter CXLVI to Evangelus
“If “Never, never, never let anyone tell you want your sins that, in order to be absolved by ChristOrthodox, then don't speak to others about any virtue that you may havemust also be eastern. The West was Orthodox for a thousand years, because God will treat our sins the same way we treat our virtuesand her venerable liturgy is far older than any of her heresies.” —St. Mark the AsceticJohn (Maximovitch) of Shanghai and San Francisco
“If any man “Where the bishop is able in power to continue in purity, to the honour of there let the flesh multitude of our Lord, let him continue so without boastingbelievers be; if he boastseven as where Jesus is, he there is undone; if he become known apart from the bishop, he has destroyed himselfCatholic Church.” —St. Ignatius of Antioch
“Guarding “Take care to do all things in harmony with God, with the bishop presiding in the place of God, and with the mouth wakes up presbyters in the conscience place of the council of the apostles, and with the deacons, who are most dear to Godme, entrusted with the business of Jesus Christ, if it who was with the Father from the beginning and is with knowledge that a man keeps silenceat last made manifest.” —St. Isaac Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the SyrianMagnesians 2, 6:1
“Silence is more profitable than speech“Moreover, in the Catholic Church itself, all possible care must be taken, for as it that we hold that faith which has been saidbelieved everywhere, always, by all. For that is truly and in the strictest sense ‘Catholic, "The words ’ which, as the name itself and the reason of the thing declare, comprehends all universally. This rule we shall observe if we follow universality, antiquity, consent. We shall follow universality if we confess that one faith to be true, which the whole Church throughout the world confesses; antiquity, if we in no wise men are heard even depart from those interpretations which it is manifest were notoriously held by our holy ancestors and fathers; consent, in like manner, if in quietantiquity itself we adhere to the consentient definitions and determinations of all, or at the least of almost all priests and doctors."” —St. Basil Vincent of Lérins, Commonitory, For the GreatAntiquity and Universality of the Catholic Faith Against the Profane Novelties of All Heresies., Chapter II (circa 434 AD)
“Never give your opinion if you are “‘Shun profane novelties of words,’ which to receive and follow was never the part of Catholics; of heretics always was. In truth, what heresy ever burst forth save under a definite name, at a definite place, at a definite time? Who ever originated a heresy that did not asked for first dissever himself from the consentient agreement of the universality and antiquity of the Catholic Church? That this is so is demonstrated in the clearest way by examples. For who ever before that profane Pelagius attributed so much antecedent strength to Free-will, as to deny the necessity of God's grace to aid it, even if you think towards good in every single act? Who ever before his monstrous disciple Cœlestius denied that your view the whole human race is involved in the bestguilt of Adam's sin?” —St.” —Josemaria EscrivaVincent of Lérins, Commonitory, 62
“Not only for every idle word must man give an account"But if neither injunctions nor ecclesiastical decrees may be violated, by which, in accordance with the sacred consent of universality and antiquity, all heretics always, and, last of all, Pelagius, Cœlestius, and Nestorius have been rightly and deservedly condemned, then assuredly it is incumbent on all Catholics who are anxious to approve themselves genuine sons of Mother Church, to adhere henceforward to the holy faith of the holy Fathers, to be wedded to it, to die in it; but for every idle silenceas to the profane novelties of profane men— to detest them, abhor them, oppose them, give them no quarter.” —St. Ambrose Vincent of MilanLérins, Commonitory, 86
“Somewhere we know “Roman Catholics teach that without silence words lose original sin robbed Adam of the original righteousness, grace-filled perfection, but did not harm his very nature. And the original righteousness, according to their meaningteachings, was not an organic part of the spiritual and moral nature of man, but an external gift of grace, that without listening speaking no longer healsa special addition to the natural forces of man. Hence the sin of the first man, which consists in rejecting this purely external, supernatural grace, separating man from God, is nothing more than depriving a person of this grace, depriving a person of primitive righteousness and returning man to a purely natural state, a state of grace. The very same human nature remained after the fall as it was before the fall. Before sin, Adam was like a royal courtier, from whom external glory was taken away because of a crime, that without distance closeness cannot cureand he returned to the original state in which he had been before.” —Henri Nouwen
“Let your mouth continually administer blessingThe decrees of the Council of Trent concerning original sin state that the progenitor sin consisted in the loss of the holiness and righteousness granted to them, but it did not define exactly what kind of holiness and righteousness they were. There it is stated that there is absolutely no trace of sin or anything in a regenerated person that would be unpleasant to God. Only lust remains, which, due to its motivation of a person to fight, is more useful than harmful to people. In any case, it is not sin, although it itself from sin and entails sin. The fifth decree says: ‘The Holy Council confesses and knows that lust remains among baptized persons; then but she, as left to fight, cannot bring harm to those who disagree with her, and those who bravely fight by the scorn grace of anyone Jesus Christ, but, on the contrary, crowns the one who will gloriously struggle. The Holy Council declares that this lust, which the Apostle sometimes calls sin, the Universal Church never hurt youcalled sin in the sense that it is true and proper to the regenerated, but that it is from sin and entails sin.” —St. Isaac the Syrian’
“Just This Roman Catholic teaching is unfounded, since it represents the original righteousness and perfection of Adam as an external gift, as swine run an advantage, which is added to a place where there nature from the outside and from nature separable. Meanwhile, it is mireclear from the ancient apostolic-church doctrine that this primitive righteousness of Adam was not an external gift and advantage, but an integral part of his divinely-created nature. The Holy Scripture claims that sin has shaken and bees dwell where there are fragrances upset human nature so deeply that a person is weak for good and incensewhen he wants, he cannot do good ( Romans 7: 18-19 ), but he cannot commit it just because sin has a strong influence on the nature of man. In addition, if sin did not damage human nature so much, likewise demons gather where there are carnal songs and would be no need for the grace Only Begotten Son of God to incarnate, come into the world as the Holy Spirit settles where there are Savior and demand from us a complete bodily and spiritual melodiesrebirth ( John 3: 3, 3: 5-6 ). In addition, sanctifying both mouth Roman Catholics can not give the correct answer to the question: how can the intact nature carry lust in itself? What is the relation between this lust and soul.” —St. John Chrysostomthe healthy nature?
“A psalm implies serenity In the same way, there is an inaccurate Roman Catholic statement that in a regenerated person nothing remains sinful and unpleasant to God and that all this gives way to that which is immaculate, holy and pleasing to God. For we know from Holy Revelation and the teachings of the ancient Church that the grace given to a fallen man through Jesus Christ does not act mechanically, does not give sanctification and salvation immediately, in the blink of soul; it is an eye, but gradually penetrates all the author psychophysical powers of peaceman, in proportion to his personal feat in the new thus he simultaneously heals from all sinful ailments, which calms bewildering and seething sanctifies in all thoughts, feelings, desires and deeds. ForIt is an unreasonable exaggeration to think and argue that the regenerated have absolutely no remnants of sinful ailments when the mystery beloved by Christ clearly teaches: ‘If we say that we have no sin, it softens we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us’ ( 1 John 1: 8 ); and the wrath great Apostle of the soulNations writes: ‘I do not do the good I want, and but I do the evil that I do not want. But if I do what I do not want, it is unbridled no longer I who do it chastens. A psalm forms friendships, unites those separatedbut the sin that lives in me’ ( Romans 7: 19-20, conciliates those at enmityRomans 8: 23-24 ).” —St. WhoJustin Popovich, indeed, can still consider as an enemy him with whom he has uttered Orthodox philosophy of truth (Dogma of the same prayer to God?Orthodox Church)
So that psalmody“In all the Eastern Churches, bringing about choral singingcandles are lit even in the daytime when one is to read the Gospels, a bondin truth not to dispel the darkness, but as it were, toward unity, and joining the people into a harmonious union sign of joy…in order under that factual light to feel that Light of one choir, produces also which we read in the greatest of blessings, charity. A psalm Psalms (119:105): Thy word is a city of refuge from the demonslamp to my feet, and a means of inducing help from the angelslight to my path.” —St. Jerome, a weapon in fears by nightWorks, a rest from toils by daypart IV, a safeguard for infants2nd ed., an adornment for those at the height of their vigorKiev, a consolation for the elders1900, a most fitting ornament for womenpp.301-302
It peoples the solitudes; it rids the market place “The candles lit before icons of excesses; it is the elementary exposition of beginnerssaints reflect their ardent love for God for Whose sake they gave up everything that man prizes in life, including their very lives, as did the improvement of those advancingholy apostles, the solid support of the perfectmartyrs and others. These candles also mean that these saints are lamps burning for us and providing light for us by their own saintly living, their virtues and their ardent intercession for us before God through their constant prayers by day and night. The burning candles also stand for our ardent zeal and the voice sincere sacrifice we make out of the Churchreverence and gratitude to them for their solicitude on our behalf before God. It brightens the feast days; it creates a sorrow which is in accordance with God” —St.John of Kronstadt
For“The saints of God live even after their death. Thus, I often hear in church the Mother of God singing her wonderful, a psalm is heart-penetrating song which she said in the house of her cousin Elizabeth, after the Annunciation of the Archangel. At times, I hear the song of Moses; the song of Zacharias--the father of the work Forerunner; that of angelsHannah, a heavenly institutionthe mother of the prophet Samuel; that of the three children; and that of Miriam. And how many holy singers of the New Testament delight until now the ear of the whole Church of God! And the Divine service itself--the sacraments, the spiritual incenserites? Whose spirit is there, moving and touching our hearts? That of God and of His saints.” —St. Basil the GreatJohn of Kronstadt, My Life in Christ
“Through the Holy Spirit comes our restoration to paradise“Each person is an icon of God, our ascension into the kingdom of God in heaven, our return to the adoption and of sons, our liberty to call God our Fatheron the cross. Yet, our being made partakers each person is also an icon of the grace Mother of God, who bears Christthrough the Holy Spirit. Our soul, our being called children of lighttherefore, our sharing unites itself in eternal glory, two images; participating in the principles and, in a word, our being brought into a state realities of all "fulness of blessing," both in this world Christ and in the world to come, of all the good gifts that his Mother. These are in store for usage old archetypes, symbols by promise hereof, through faith, beholding which the reflection of their grace as though they were already present, we await soul orients itself on the full enjoymentjourney.” —St. Basil Maria Skobtsova, On The Imitation of the GreatMother of God
“Humility consists, “The Christian who does not in condemning our conscience, but in recognizing God's grace and compassionfeel that the Virgin Mary is his or her mother is an orphan.” —St. Mark the Ascetic—Jorge Mario Bergoglio ("Pope Francis")
“Children, I beseech you “Creating man according to correct your hearts and thoughtshis image, so that you may be pleasing to Goddiffused into man's very being the longing for the divine infinitude of life, of knowledge, and of perfection. Consider It is precisely for this reason that although we may reckon ourselves the immeasurable longing and thirst of humanity is not able to be righteous and frequently succeed in deceiving men, we can conceal nothing from completely satisfied by anything or anyone except God. Let us therefore strive to preserve Declaring divine perfection as the holiness of our souls and to guard main purpose for humanity's existence in the purity of our bodies with all fervorworld – ‘Be ye therefore perfect, even as your father who is in heaven is perfect.’ (Matth. Ye are 5: 48) – Christ, the temple of GodSavior, says answered the divine Apostle Paul; If any man defile the temple most elemental demand and need of our God, him shall -like and God destroy-longing humanity.” —St. Nicholas of MyraJustin Popovich, Orthodox Faith and Life in Christ, Highest Value and Last Criterion in Orthodoxy
“Those “He who suffer for refuses to give in to his passions does the sake of true devotion receive help. This must be learnt through obeying God's law same as he who refuses to bow down and our own conscienceworship idols.” —St. Mark Theophan the AsceticRecluse
“When you “Concerning the charge of idolatry: Icons are wronged and your heart and feelings are hardenednot idols but symbols. Therefore, when an Orthodox venerates an icon, do he is not be distressedguilty of idolatry. He is not worshiping the symbol, for this has happened providentially; but be glad and reject the thoughts that arise within youmerely venerating it. Such veneration is not directed toward wood, or paint or stone, knowing that if they are destroyed at but towards the stage when they are only provocationsperson depicted. Therefore relative honor is shown to material objects, their evil consequences will be cut off, whereas if the thoughts persist the evil may be expected but worship is due to developGod alone.” —St. Mark the AsceticJohn of Damascus
“Struggle to become immortal from now, by dying here on “We do not bow before the earth to your bad self. In this way, you won't be sadnature of wood, but you'll be very glad, living together with Christwe revere and bow before the one who is depicted.” —Elder Porphyrios—St. John of Damascus
“This being He placed in Paradise, whatever the Paradise may have been, having honoured him with the gift of Free Will (in order that God might belong “We do not make obeisance to him as the result nature of his choicewood, no less than but we revere and do obeisance to Him who had implanted was crucified on the seeds of it), to till Cross… When the immortal plants, by which is meant perhaps the Divine Conceptions, both the simpler and the more perfect; naked in his simplicity and inartificial life, and without any covering or screen; for it was fitting that he who was from the beginning should be such. Also He gave him a Law, as a material for his Free Will to act upon. This Law was a Commandment as to what plants he might partake two beams of, and which one he might not touch. This latter was the Tree of Knowledge; not, however, because it was evil from Cross are joined together I adore the beginning when planted; nor was it forbidden figure because God grudged it to us…Let not the enemies of God wag their tongues in that direction, or imitate the Serpent…But it would have been good if partaken of at the proper time, for the tree was, according to my theory, Contemplation, upon which it is only safe for those who have reached maturity of habit to enter; but which is not good for those who are still somewhat simple and greedy in their habit; just as solid food is not good for those Christ who are yet tender, and have need of milk. (Hebrews 5:12) But when through the Devil's malice and the woman's caprice, to which she succumbed as the more tender, and which she brought to bear upon the man, as she was the more apt to persuade, alas for my weakness! (for that of my first father was mine), he forgot the Commandment which had been given to him; (Genesis 3:5) he yielded to the baleful fruit; and for his sin he was banished, at once from the Tree of Life, and from Paradise, and from God; and put crucified on the coats of skins…that is, perhapsCross, but if the coarser flesh, both mortal and contradictory. This was the first thing that he learned – his own shame; (Romans 1:22-31) and he hid himself from God. Yet here too he makes a gain, namely deathbeams are separated, I throw them away and the cutting off of sin, in order that evil may not be immortal. Thus his punishment is changed into a mercy; for it is in mercy, I am persuaded, that God inflicts punishmentburn them.” —St. Gregory the Theologian, Oration 38, XII, On Theophany, On the Birth of our Saviour (On the Nativity John of Christ)Damascus
“I saw that there was no tragedy “We do not worship the relics of the martyrs, but honor them in Godour worship of Him Whose martyrs they are. Tragedy is We honor the servants in order that the respect paid to them may be found solely in reflected back to the fortunes of the man whose gaze has not gone beyond the confines of this earthLord.” —Archimandrite Sophrony—St. Jerome
“The Christian world nowadays presents whole earth is a terrifying and cheerless picture living icon of the face of profound religious and moral decayGod. The servants of Antichrist … I do their utmost to completely displace God from people’s livesnot worship matter, in order that mankindbut the Creator of matter, content with its who for my sake became material well-being, would not feel any need and deigned to turn to God dwell in prayermatter, would not think of God at allwho through matter effected my salvation. Never will I cease honoring the matter which wrought my salvation! I honor it, but would live not as though God did not exist. Thus the entire structure Because of contemporary life in the so-called ‘free’ worldthis I salute all remaining matter with reverence, where there is no open because God has filled it with his grace and bloody persecution of faith, where everyone power. Through it my salvation has the right come to believe as he wishes, represents a far greater danger to a Christian’s soul by drawing the Christian wholly down to earth and making him forget heavenme.” —St.John of Damascus
The entire modern culture, “That which is aimed at purely worldly achievementsthe word communicates by sound, and the resultant whirlwind of everyday life, keep a person in such a state of constant bustle and absent-mindedness that he has no opportunity for any soul-searching, and spiritual life within him gradually becomes extinguishedpainting shows silently by representation.” —Archbishop Averky (Taushev) —St. Basil the Great, On the 40 Martyrs of SyracuseSebaste
“In advising against being carried away by artificial practices such “We depict Christ as Transcendental Meditation I am but repeating the age-old message of the Church … The way of the Fathers requires firm faith and long patience, whereas our contemporaries want to seize every spiritual gift, including even direct contemplation of the Absolute God, by force King and speedilyLord, and will often draw a parallel between prayer in the Name do not deprive Him of Jesus and yoga or Transcendental Meditation and His army. The saints constitute the likeLord's army. I must stress Let the danger of such errors … He is deluded who endeavors to divest himself mentally of all that is transitory and relative in order to cross some invisible threshold, to realize earthly king dismiss his eternal origin, army before he gives up his identity with the Source of all that exists, in order to return King and merge with Lord. Let him, put off the nameless transpersonal Absolutepurple before he takes honour away from his most valiant men who have conquered their passions. Such exercises have enabled many to rise to suprarational contemplation For if the saints are heirs of beingGod, to experience a certain mystical trepidation, to know the state of silence and co-heirs of mindChrist, when mind goes beyond the boundaries of time and space(Rom. 8. In such like states man may feel the peacefulness 17) they will be also partakers of being withdrawn from the continually changing phenomena divine glory of the visible world, may even have a certain experience of eternitysovereignty.” —St. But the God John of Truth, the Living God, is not in all this.Damascus
It is man’s own beauty, created “We define that the holy icons should be exhibited in the image holy churches of God, that is contemplated God… and in houses and seen as divinityalong the roads, whereas he himself still continues within namely the confines icons of his creatureliness. This is a vastly important concern. The tragedy our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ, that of our Lady the matter lies in the fact that man sees a mirage which, in his longing for eternal lifeTheotokos, he mistakes for a genuine oasis. This impersonal form of ascetics leads finally to an assertion those of the divine principle in the very nature venerable angels and those of man. Man is then drawn to the idea all saintly people… We define also that they should be kissed and that they are an object of self-deification—the cause of the original Fall. The man veneration and honor… He who is blinded by venerates the imaginary majesty of what he contemplates has icon, venerates in fact set his foot on it the path to self-destruction. He has discarded the revelation of a personal God … The movement into the depths of his own being is nothing else but attraction towards the non-being from reality for which we were called by the will of the Creatorit stands.” —Archimandrite Sophrony of Mt. Athos, His Life is Mine, 115-116—The Seventh Ecumenical Council
“Christ said, 'I came “In the radiance of His light the world is not to send peace, but commonplace. The very floor we stand on is a sword' and 'division'miracle of atoms whizzing about in space. Christ summoned us to war on the plane The darkness of the spiritsin is clarified, and our weapon its burden shouldered. Death is 'the sword robbed of the Spiritits finality, which is the word of God.trampled down by Christ' Our battle is waged in extraordinarily unequal conditionss death. We are tied hand and foot. We dare not strike with fire or sword: our sole armament In a world where everything that seems to be present is loveimmediately past, even for enemies. This unique war everything in which we are engaged Christ is indeed a holy war. We wrestle with able to participate in the last and only enemy eternal present of mankind death. Our fight is the fight for universal resurrectionGod.” —Archimandrite Sophrony of Mt—Fr. Athos, His Life is MineAlexander Schmemann
“I ask you to try something. If someone grieves you, or dishonors you, or takes something “Christ surpasses both ends of yoursthe world, then pray like this: ‘Lordwhere the drama ends and where it began. Of all the mysteries, we are all your creaturesthe greatest mystery is He. Pity your servants, and turn them From His Nativity to repentanceHis Crucifixion on the Cross,’ and then you will perceptibly bear grace in your soul. Induce your heart From His Crucifixion on the Cross to love your enemiesHis Resurrection, and He is the Lord, seeing your good will, shall help you in true measure of all things, and will Himself show you experience. But whoever thinks evil of his enemies does not have love for God and has not known God's creation.” —St. Silouan the Athonite, Writing, IX.21Nikolai Velimirovich
“When I, while still in Australia, began to receive information from America already post factum “Let no one think that here [in New York City] there had been protests, demonstrations, and even molebens is anything interpretive in front the works of the Soviet consulate, I became quite alarmed and regretted that I was not here, since I would have decisively opposed much of what took placesix days. In particular, holding a moleben in such a place” —St. Did they not sing the Lord's song in a strange land? What cause was there to display the holy things of the Church's services before the gaze of Ephrem the frenzied servants of Antichrist? Was it really not possible to pray in church?Syrian
I must say frankly “It is [the Lord] that I am always seized by dismay when I hear of protestssitteth upon the orb (חוּג, demonstrationsγῦρον, and gyrum) of the like. In the USSRearth, life is governed by him (the one with horns) who fears only Christ and His Cross; and who fears nothing else in the world. And inhabitants thereof are as locusts: he merely chortles over protests and demonstrations. Public opinion? Why, that stretcheth out the antichrist regime has heavens as nothing but the uttermost contempt for it! They wanted to seize Czechoslovakia and they seized it, paying no heed spreadeth them out as a tent to the commotion that was raiseddwell in. They wanted to invade Afghanistan and they invaded it, again paying no attention to the protests and threats of the various Carters & Co. All attempts to shape public opinion in the so-called Free World in favor of those suffering from Communism are powerless and fruitless, since the Free World stubbornly closes its eyes and imitates the ostrich, which hides its head under its wing and imagines that it cannot be seen…” —Metropolitan Philaret of New York, A letter from Metropolitan Philaret (Voznesensky) to ROCOR Priest Victor Potapov concerning Father Dimitry Dudko and the Moscow Patriarchate” —Isaiah 40:22
“The whole therapeutic method of “For if the Orthodox Church world, being made spherical, is not aimed simply at making human beings morally and socially balancedconfined within the circles of heaven, but at re-establishing their relationship with God and one another. This comes about through the healing Creator of the soul's wounds and world is above the cure things created, managing that by His providential care of these, what place is there for the second god, or for the other gods? … Beautiful without doubt is the world, excelling, as well in its magnitude as in the passions through arrangement of its parts, both those in the Sacraments oblique circle and those about the Church's ascetic practicenorth, and also in its spherical form.” —Metropolitan Hierotheos Vlachos—St. Athenagoras of Athens, The Science A Plea for the Christians, Ch. 8 and 16 (Father of Spiritual Medicine: Orthodox Psychotherapy in Actionthe Church, Ante-Nicene Christian apologist, c. 175, E)
“What “Let's start with the earth: you see how big it is holiness? Freedom from and how many every sin creature is on it – living and soulless. Looking at the fullness earth in all directions, you notice that it seems to be flat; in fact, it is round like a ball: land surveyors have found this out as surely as possible, and we ourselves can be sure of every virtuethis. This freedom from sin and this virtuous life You are only attained often by a few zealous personsthe sea – look into the distance for departing ships or steam ships. At first you see the whole ship, but the farther it goes, the more the bottom of the ship is hidden from you, and so that not suddenlyat last you see only the sails or one smoke from the steam ship, but graduallyand finally this also disappears, by prolonged and manifold sorrowsas if the ship had sunk into a hole. Why does this happen? Because the earth is spherical. If at first glance it seems flat to us, sicknessesit is because we are very small in comparison with the earth, and laborsthe earth is too large and, by fastingwith its size, vigilanceits sloping is imperceptible to us, prayerinsignificant ones. So, and that not by their own strengthbrethren, but by the grace of Christ…” earth is round.” —St. John of Kronstadt, Diaries of Holy Righteous John of Kronstadt, 1857–1858
“A wise heart can transfer an affliction into “You often see, brethren, that the Lord Almighty is mostly written on icons with a blessingball, even sin!! He benefits on top of which is a cross. This ball means the globe of the earth and is called the power – from the fact that in ancient times the Roman kings had the custom, on solemn occasions, to hold itin their hands. Our Lord Jesus Christ holds in his hand the globe of the earth, as the king of heaven and earth, as the Almighty. We say this in order to show you that our earth is round like a ball. But how is the sphericity of the earth proved by the phenomena at the rising and setting of the sun? As follows: contritionif the earth were not spherical, but flat; then the sun would now hide under the earth, or come out from under it, and immediately leave us either in the full shadow of the earth, or illuminate us with full light. Now, since the earth is round, we use the remnants of light from the sun even when it illuminates the sloping side of the earth, when the sun, humilityso to speak, keenness is under the mountain and sympathy produces a dawn for sinnersus, as if the glow of a huge fire. This dawn happens because the rays of the setting or rising sun, illuminating the sloping side of the earth, at the same time illuminate the air that is near the earth and surrounds it like water, and thus makes the light of dawn. Watching the dawn, we see from the gradual decrease in light – from the way it gradually becomes paler and paler from light pink - that the earth is exactly round, and the sun, as it were, glides, step by step, evenly, in a circle.” —H—St.H. Pope Shenouda IIIJohn of Kronstadt, Catechetical Talks
“Humility “How does the sun rule by day? Because carrying everywhere light with it, it is no sooner risen above the horizon than it drives away darkness and suffering free brings us day. Thus we might, without self deception, define day as air lighted by the sun, or as the space of time that the sun passes in our hemisphere… Those who have written about the nature of the universe have discussed at length the shape of the earth. If it be spherical or cylindrical, if it resemble a man from disc and is equally rounded in all sinparts, or if it has the forth of a winnowing basket and is hollow in the middle; for all these conjectures have been suggested by cosmographers, each one upsetting that of his predecessor. It will not lead me to give less importance to the creation of the universe, that the first cuts out spiritual passionsservant of God, Moses, is silent as to shapes; he has not said that the earth is a hundred and eighty thousand furlongs in circumference; he has not measured into what extent of air its shadow projects itself while the latter bodilysun revolves around it, nor stated how this shadow, casting itself upon the moon, produces eclipses. He has passed over in silence, as useless, all that is unimportant for us.” —St. Maximus Basil the ConfessorGreat, Hexaemeron, Homily 6:8; 9:1
“Hardships often prepare ordinary people “Verily, it is most true what one of heathen culture is recorded to have said, that it is the mind that sees and the mind that hears. Else, if you will not allow this to be true, you must tell me why, when you look at the sun, as you have been trained by your instructor to look at him, you assert that he is not in the breadth of his disc of the size he appears to the many, but that he exceeds by many times the measure of the entire earth. Do you not confidently maintain that it is so, because you have arrived by reasoning through phenomena at the conception of such and such a movement, of such distances of time and space, of such causes of eclipse? And when you look at the waning and waxing moon you are taught other truths by the visible figure of that heavenly body, viz. that it is in itself devoid of light, and that it revolves in the circle nearest to the earth, and that it is lit by light from the sun; just as is the case with mirrors, which, receiving the sun upon them, do not reflect rays of their own, but those of the sun, whose light is given back from their smooth flashing surface. Those who see this, but do not examine it, think that the light comes from the moon herself. But that this is not the case is proved by this; that when she is diametrically facing the sun she has the whole of the disc that looks our way illuminated; but, as she traverses her own circle of revolution quicker from moving in a narrower space, she herself has completed this more than twelve times before the sun has once travelled round his; whence it happens that her substance is not always covered with light. For her position facing him is not maintained in the frequency of her revolutions; but, while this position causes the whole side of the moon which looks to us to be illumined, directly she moves sideways her hemisphere which is turned to us necessarily becomes partially shadowed and only that which is turned to him meets his embracing rays; the brightness, in fact, keeps on retiring from that which can no longer see the sun to that which still sees him, until she passes right across the sun's disc and receives his rays upon her hinder part; and then the fact of her being in herself totally devoid of light and splendour causes the side turned to us to be invisible while the further hemisphere is all in light; and this is called the completion of her waning. But when again, in her own revolution, she has passed the sun and she is transverse to his rays, the side which was dark just before begins to shine a little, for the rays move from the illumined part to that so lately invisible. You see what the eye does teach; and yet it would never of itself have afforded this insight, without something that looks through the eyes and uses the data of the senses as mere guides to penetrate from the apparent to the unseen. It is needless to add the methods of geometry that lead us step by step through visible delineations to truths that lie out of sight, and countless other instances which all prove that apprehension is the work of an extraordinary destinyintellectual essence deeply seated in our nature, acting through the operation of our bodily senses.” —C. S—St. LewisGregory of Nyssa, On the Soul and the Resurrection
“The soul “As, when the sun shines above the earth, the shadow is spread over its lower part, because its spherical shape makes it impossible for it to be clasped all round at one and the same time by the rays, and necessarily, on whatever side the sun's rays may fall on some particular point of man is not impure the globe, if we follow a straight diameter, we shall find shadow upon the opposite point, and so, continuously, at birththe opposite end of the direct line of the rays shadow moves round that globe, keeping pace with the sun, but pureso that equally in their turn both the upper half and the under half of the earth are in light and darkness.” —Metropolitan Hierotheos Vlachos—St. Gregory of Nyssa, On the Soul and the Resurrection
“By nature “Further, some hold that the Earth is in the soul form of a sphere, others that it is passionless… so you must believe in that of a cone. At all events it is much smaller than the heaven, and suspended almost like a point in its midst. And it will pass away and be changed. But blessed is the passions do not belong man who inherits the Earth promised to the soul by naturemeek.” —St. Isaac the SyrianJohn of Damascus, Orthodox Faith, Book 2, Ch 10
“Just as in legal marriage“Thus, by His transcendent might He established the pleasure derived from procreation cannot exactly be called a gift of Godheavens, because it is carnal and constitutes a gift of nature and not of grace (even though that nature has been created by God); even so His incomprehensible understanding He ordered them: the knowledge that comes earth He separated from profane educationthe water now encircling it, even if well used, is a gift and firmly grounded it on the unshakable foundation of natureHis own will … about antipodes: ‘The ocean, and not of grace-a gift which God accords to all without exception through natureimpassable for men, and which one can develop the worlds beyond it are governed by exercisethe same decrees of the Master’…” —St. This last point-that no one acquires it without effort and exercise-is an evident proof that it is a question Clement of a naturalRome, not a spiritual, gift.Epistle to the Corinthians
It is our sacred wisdom that should legitimately be called “Clement indeed, a gift disciple of God and not a natural giftthe apostles, since even simple fishermen who receive it from on high become, as Gregory mentions those whom the Greeks call ‘people of the Theologian saysopposite earth’, sons and speaks of other parts of Thunder, whose word has encompassed the very bounds world which none of the universe. By this graceour people can reach, even publicans are made merchants nor can any of soulsthose who live there cross over to us; and even the burning zeal of persecutors is transformedthese parts themselves he called ‘worlds’, making them Pauls instead of Saulswhen he says, turning away the earth ‘The ocean is impassable to attain ‘the third heaven’ men, and ‘hear ineffable things’. By this true wisdom we too can become conformed to the image worlds beyond it are governed by the same ordinances of God and continue to be such after death.” —St. Gregory Palamas, Triads in Defence of the Holy Hesychasts, Philosophy does not saveRuler’…” —Origen, pages 29-30On First Principles
“Fiery lust“But if the light first created enveloped the earth on all sides, whether it was motionless or travelling round, it could not be followed anywhere by night, the desire because it did not vacate any place to make room for marriagenight. But was it made on one side, sexual union … and so that as it travelled it would permit the night to follow after from the other? Although water still covered all the other things thatearth, as most people thinkthere was nothing to prevent the massive watery sphere from having day on one side by the presence of light, and on the body seeks for - it is not other side, night by the body as such … but absence of light. Thus, in the soulevening, darkness would pass to that side from which through light would be turning to the body seeks pleasure other … These writers are then asked why Saturn is cold. Its temperature should be higher in proportion to the rapid movement it has by their means… Let no one think he reason of its height in the heavens. For surely when a round mass is being driven towards these things rotating, the parts near the center move more slowly, and compelled by his own body… those near the edge more rapidly, so that the body cannot greater and lesser distances may be moved to anything apart from covered simultaneously in the soul.” same circular motion…” —St. Symeon Augustine of Hippo, On the New TheologianLiteral Interpretation of Genesis
“Just as “The prophet David, our Saints, Basil the virtues are begotten in Great, who wrote about creation, all of them, with the soul, so are Grace of God knew everything about the passionscreation by God. But The Holy Spirit took them to the virtues are begotten in accordance with naturedepths of the waters, He showed them and they saw the passions in a mode contrary to nature. For what produces good or evil in earth revolving around the soul is the will's bias… For our inner disposition is capable of operating in one way or anothersun, since it bears within itself both virtue and vicemany other things. The Saints, the first as its natural birthrighthowever, spoke to people according to the second as the result knowledge of their age. This is so that they wouldn't look like fools by revealing everything to their age that they saw with the self-incurred proclivity Grace of our moral willGod.Since simple people were not able to see all those things and understand them, they would not have believed them!” —St. Gregory Paisios of SinaiMt. Athos, «ΣΚΕΥΟΣ ΕΚΛΟΓΗΣ: ΓΕΡΩΝ ΠΑΙΣΙΟΣ», 1924-1994, p. 142
“The heart of a perfectly healthy man becomes weakened for faith and love to God and his neighbor“Truly, and easily gives itself up to carnal desires: to slothfulnessis this necessary? No, negligencenot at all, coldnessfor we know that many and great scientists were at the same time great believers. For example, gluttony, avarice, fornication, pride. Whilst such was the Polish astronomer Copernicus who laid the heart foundation of all contemporary astronomy. Copernicus was not only a sick man, or believer but was also a woundedcleric. Another great scientist, oppressedNewton, weary heartwhenever he mentioned the word God, is strengthened in faith, hope, and love, and is far he removed from carnal passionshis hat. This is why the Heavenly Father, Who careth for our salvation, chastises us by various sicknesses. The oppression and afflictions of sickness make us turn again to He was a great believer… Would Haeckel therefore dare say that these men did not have enlightened minds because they believed in God.?” —St. John of KronstadtLuke the Surgeon, On Science and Religion
“If you wish to live long on “The faithful have little need for scientists now, the earth, do not hurry to live world is full of them! They are in a carnal manner, to satiate yourself, to get drunk, to smoke, to commit fornication, to live in luxuryneed of holy men, to indulge yourself. The carnal way of life constitutes death, and therefore, in the Holy Scripture, our flesh is called mortal, or, ‘the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts.’ If you wish to those who live long, live through the spiritholy life; for life consists in of those who can attract the spirit: ‘If ye through the spirit do mortify the deeds Grace of the body, ye shall live,’ both here on earth and there in heavenGod to them.” —Elder Justin (Pârvu) of Romania
One cannot eat “Once, when standing before a window at night, St. Barsanuphius (of Optina) pointed to the moon and drink and smoke continuallysaid to his spiritual children:"Look – what a picture! This is left to us as a consolation. One cannot turn human life into constant eatingIt is no wonder the Prophet David said, drinking‘Thou hast gladdened me’, and smokinghe says, although this is only a hint of that wondrous beauty, incomprehensible to human thought, which was originally created. We don't know what kind of moon there are men who do eatwas then, drinkwhat kind of sun, and smoke almost uninterruptedly; and thus what kind of light… All of this changed after the spirit fall."” —Fr. Seraphim Rose of evil has turned life into smokingPlatina, and made the mouthGenesis, Creation, which ought to be employed in thanking and praising the Lord, into a smoking furnace. Early Man: The less and lighter the food and drink you takeOrthodox Christian Vision, the lighter and more refined your spirit will becomep.44
Smoking “As for the ‘scientific’ information given in the book of Genesis – and since it talks about the formation of the world we know, there cannot but be some scientific information there – contrary to popular belief, there is a whimnothing ‘out-of-date’ about it. Its observations, it is true, are all made as seen from earth and as affecting mankind; but they do not put forth any particular teaching, for example, on the nature of the heavenly bodies or their relative motions, and so the book can be read by each generation and understood in the light of its own scientific knowledge. From this comes foot pain The discovery in recent centuries of the vastness of space and depressionthe immensity of many of its heavenly bodies does nothing but add grandeur in our minds to the simple account of Genesis. That When the devil is Holy Fathers talk about Genesis, of course, they try to illustrate it with examples taken from the father natural science of their time; we do the cigarette I especially figured out same thing today: something impacted negatively upon me from head . All this illustrative material is open to toe. I felt that the enemy nested in my sides scientific criticism, and some of it, in my heart and he opposed me stronglyfact, preventing me from saying has become out-of-date. But the prayertext of Genesis itself is unaffected by such criticism, scaring me, paralyzing me and saddening me we can only wonder at how fresh and timely it is to each new generation. And the theological commentary of the Holy Fathers on the point text partakes of this same quality.” —Fr. Seraphim Rose of sinPlatina, Genesis, Creation and Early Man: The Orthodox Christian Vision, p.87
By smoking an unclean spirit enters a person. Last night after smoking “One who has the devil made judgment of Christ before his presence felt through continuous hiccups eyes, who has seen the great danger that threatens those who dare to subtract from or add to those things which pestered me from have been handed down by the time of the Cherubic Hymn until a little before Holy Communion. My nerves were stretchedSpirit, my voice was ‘escaping’ memust not be ambitious to innovate, I was shivering and I was exhaustedbut must content himself with those things which have been proclaimed by the saints. That's why smoking is futile” —St. It is a silly whim, a desecration of Basil the lipsGreat, a large and unnecessary irritationAgainst Eunomius 2, a fog that covers voluntarilyPG 29.573-652
“Our afflictions are well known without my telling; the sound of them has now gone forth over all Christendom. The taste doctrines of the fathers are despised; apostolical traditions are set at nought; the speculations of a cigarette I cannot compare innovators hold sway in the churches. Men have learned to anything but something diabolicalbe theorists instead of theologians. The wisdom of the world has the place of honour, having dispossessed the boasting of the cross. The pastors are driven away, grievous wolves are brought in instead, and plunder the flock of Christ, Houses of prayer are destitute of preachers; the deserts are full of mourners: the old bewail, comparing what is with what was; more pitiable are the young, as not knowing what they are deprived of. And how do I know this smoking? How do I allow myself What has been said is sufficient to do something like this?kindle the sympathy of those who are taught in the love of Christ, yet compared with the facts, it is far from reaching their seriousness.” —St. Basil the Great, ep. 90
I came “I urge you not to churchfaint in your afflictions, falling on my knees with a contrite heart before but to be risen by the Holy Altar. How could I serve my enemy love of God and to increase every day to your zeal, knowing that it is necessary to preserve in you this relic of the true religion that the Lord will find when He comes to the earth. Even if the bishops are trained out of their churches, don't be dismayed. If traitors have appeared among the clergy, do not betray your trust in God. We are saved not by names, but by our mind and by our purpose, and by a true love to our Creator. Think that in the attack of our Lord, the great priests and the scribes and the elders have designed the conspiracy, and that few people have been found getting the Word. Remember that it is not the Lord with zeal? Lordmultitude that is being saved, help me to but the elected ones of God. So don't be free from all evilscared by the multitude of people who are swept away by the winds like the waters of the sea. If one is saved, because I am an evil manas a Lot in Sodom, dirtyhe must remain in a fair judgment, full of sinskeeping his hope in Christ steadfast, for the Lord will not abandon His saints. Say hello to all the brothers in Christ from me. Pray with fervor for my miserable soul.” —St.Basil the Great
The Lord knows our weaknesses. He is ready “So, to forgive us everythingthe question, as long as ‘Do we repent and seek forgiveness. The essential thing is that our hearts not become petrifiedbelieve in conspiracy theories?’, that the answer is to stop hesitating to think of our committed sin, to immediately repent‘We don't believe in them, and to leave ourselves to the mercy we have long experience of Godthem.” —St’” —Fr. John of KronstadtPeter Heers, On Demonic Methodology, Part II: Q & A, May 6, 2020
“Suffering reminds “Let us be firm, my brothers, on the rock of faith, in the wise man tradition of the Church, and not remove or change the boundaries established by our Holy Fathers. Let us close the road to innovators and not permit them to demolish the structure of the holy, catholic, and apostolic Church of God. If we allow, however, but crushes those the introduction of any innovation, we unconsciously support the collapse of the Church. No, my brothers, you who forget Himlove Christ, no, you children of the Church, you will never want to surround your Mother Church with confusion.” —St. Mark the AsceticJohn of Damascus, Concerning Images, III.41
“God permits tribulations “Therefore, brethren, let us stand on the rock of faith and adversities to befall people – even on the tradition of the Church, and not remove the saintly – so that they may persist in humilityboundaries which our Holy Fathers have set. But if Thus, we harden our hearts against adversities will not give the opportunity to those who wish to innovate and tribulationsdestroy the edifice of the holy, he also hardens these tribulations against uscatholic and apostolic Church of God. On the other hand For if we accept them in humility and with a contrite heartpermission is granted to everyone who wants it, God little by little the whole body of the Church will mingle tribulation with mercybe destroyed.” —StDo not, brethren, do not, oh Christ-loving children of the Church of God …” —Jeremiah II (Jeremias II) Tranos, Ecumenical Patriarch and Archbishop of Constantinople, letter to the Most Wise Theologians, Residents of the Famous City of Tübingen, in the month of May, 1579, Indiction 7, pp. Isaac 197-8 (prophetic warning of to the SyrianLutheran scholars)
“But do not be troubled or sad. The Lord sometimes allows people who are devoted “For to Him to fall into such dreadful vices; err is human, but the correction is angelic and this is in order to prevent them from falling into a still greater sin – pridesalvific. Your temptation will pass ” —Jeremiah II (Jeremias II) Tranos, Ecumenical Patriarch and you will spend Archbishop of Constantinople, letter to the remaining days Most Wise Theologians, Residents of your life the Famous City of Tübingen, in humilitythe month of May, 1579, Indiction 7, p. Only do not forget your sin.” —St. Seraphim of Sarov210
“We must be prepared to accept “Unbelief is an evil offspring of an evil heart; for the will guileless and pure of heart discovers God. The Lord permits all sorts of things to happen to us contrary to our willeverywhere, everywhere discerns Him, for if we and always have it our way, we will not be prepared for the Kingdom of Heavenunhesitatingly believes in His existence.” —Elder Thaddeus —St. Nectarios of Vitovnica, "Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives"Aegina
“Similarly“He who learns must sufferAnd even in our sleep pain that cannot forgetFalls drop by drop upon the heart, when the sun goes down and when it risesAnd in our own despite, when you are asleep or awakeagainst our will, give thanks Comes wisdom to us by the awful grace of God, Who created and arranged all things for your benefit--to have you know, love, and praise their Creator.” —St. Basil the Great—Aeschylus
“The Lord gives Himself freely, for His mercy's sake alone. I did not know this before but now every day and every hour every minute, I see clearly greatest wisdom often emerges from the mercy of God. The Lord gives peace even in sleep, but without God there is no peace in the souldeepest wounds.” —St. Silouan the Athonite—Jane Lee Logan
“What should not “Monarchy can easily be heard by little earsdebunked, should not but watch the faces, mark well the debunkers. These are the men whose taproot in Eden has been cut: whom no rumour of the polyphony, the dance, can reach - men to whom pebbles laid in a row are more beautiful than an arch. … Where men are forbidden to honour a king they honour millionaires, athletes or film stars instead: … For spiritual nature, like bodily nature, will be said by big mouthsserved; deny it food and it will gobble poison.” —unknown—C. S. Lewis
“I am incurably convinced that “There is nothing impossible unto those who believe; lively and unshaken faith can accomplish great miracles in the object twinkling of opening an eye. Besides, even without our sincere and firm faith, miracles are accomplished, such as the mindmiracles of the sacraments; for God's Mystery is always accomplished, as even though we were incredulous or unbelieving at the time of its celebration. 'Shall their unbelief make the faith of opening God without effect?' (Rom. 3:3). Our wickedness shall not overpower the mouthunspeakable goodness and mercy of God; our dullness shall not overpower God's wisdom, is to shut it again on something solidnor our infirmity God's omnipotence.” —G—St. K. ChestertonJohn of Kronstadt, My Life in Christ
“What “The quality of mercy is slander? not strained.It droppeth as the gentle rain from heavenUpon the place beneath. It is every sort twice blest:It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.'Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomesThe thronèd monarch better than his crown.His scepter shows the force of wicked word we would dare not speak temporal power,The attribute to awe and majestyWherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;But mercy is above this sceptered sway.It is enthronèd in front the hearts of kings;It is an attribute to God Himself;And earthly power doth then show likest God'sWhen mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew,Though justice be thy plea, consider this:That in the person whom we are complaining aboutcourse of justice none of usShould see salvation.” —StWe do pray for mercy,And that same prayer doth teach us all to renderThe deeds of mercy. Anthony I have spoke thus muchTo mitigate the justice of thy plea,Which, if thou follow, this strict court of VeniceMust needs give sentence 'gainst the Greatmerchantthere.” —William Shakespeare, Portia, The Merchant of Venice, Act 4, Scene 1
“If you want to overcome the “The human spirit of slander, blame needs places where nature has not been rearranged by the person who falls, but the demon that prompted them to sinhand of man.” —St. John Climacus—unknown
“You cannot “People were created to be too gentle, too kindloved. Shun even Things were created to appear harsh in your treatment of each otherbe used. Joy, radiant joy, streams from The reason why the face of him who gives and kindles joy world is in the heart of him who receives. All condemnation chaos is from the devil. Never condemn each other. We condemn others only because we shun knowing ourselves. When we gaze at our own failings, we see such a swamp that nothing in another can equal it. That is why we turn away, and make much of the faults of others. Instead of condemning others, strive to reach inner peace. Keep silent, refrain from judgment. This will raise you above the deadly arrows of slander, insult things are being loved and outrage and will shield your glowing hearts against all evilpeople are being used.” —St. Seraphim of Sarov—unknown
“A “No man may seem stands so tall as when he stoops to be silent, but if his heart is condemning others, he is babbling ceaselessly. But there may be another who talks from morning till night and yet he is truly silent, that is, he says nothing that is not profitablehelp a child.” —Abba Poemen—unknown
“If your tongue is used we could look into each others hearts, and understand the unique challenges each of us faces, I think we would treat each other much more gently, with more love, patience, tolerance, and care.” —Marvin J. Ashton “Teach me to feel another's woe, to hide the fault I see; that mercy I to chatteringothers show, your heart will remain dim and foreign that mercy show to me.” —Alexander Pope “Tolerance is the luminous intuitions last virtue of a depraved society. When you have an immoral society that has blatantly, proudly, violated all of the Holy Spiritcommandments of God, there is one last virtue they insist upon: tolerance for their immorality.” —St—Dennis James Kennedy “The greatest thing a man can do to a woman is to lead her closer to God than to himself. John ” —unknown “A snowflake is one of DalyathaGod's most fragile creations, but look what they can do when they stick together!” —unknown “God cannot give us happiness and peace apart from Himself because it is not there. There is no such thing.” —C. S. Lewis
“He who does not control his tongue when he “The supreme happiness of life is angrythe conviction of being loved for yourself, will not control his passions eitheror more correctly, being loved in spite of yourself.” —Abba Hyperchius—Victor Hugo
“Are you angry? Be angry at your sins, beat your soul, afflict your conscience, be strict in judgement and a terrible punisher of your own sins. This “It is the benefit of anger, wherefore hardly complimentary to God placed it in usthat we should choose him as an alternative to hell.” —St—C. S. John Chrysostom, Homilies on Ephesians 2Lewis
“Firmly purpose in your soul to hate every sin of thought“Hell can't be made attractive, word, and deed, and when you are tempted to sin resist it valiantly and with a feeling of hatred for it; only beware lest your hatred should turn against so the person of your brother who gave occasion for devil makes attractive the sin. Hate the sin with all your heart, but pity your brother; instruct him, and pray for him to the Almighty, Who sees all of us and tries our hearts and innermost partsroad that leads there.” —St. John of KronstadtBasil the Great
“These eight passions should be destroyed as follows: gluttony by self-control; unchastity by desire for God and longing for “What is hell? I maintain that it is the blessings held in store; avarice by compassion for the poor; anger by goodwill and love for all men; worldly dejection by spiritual joy; listlessness by patience, perseverance and offering thanks to God; self-esteem by doing good in secret and by praying constantly with a contrite heart; and pride by not judging or despising anyone in the manner suffering of the boastful Pharisee (cf. Luke 18 : 11–12), and by considering oneself the least of all men. When the intellect has been freed in this way from the passions we have described and been raised up being unable to God, it will henceforth live the life of blessedness, receiving the pledge of the Holy Spirit (cf. 2 Cor. 1 : 22). And when it departs this life, dispassionate and full of true knowledge, it will stand before the light of the Holy Trinity and with the divine angels will shine in glory through all eternitylove.” —St. John of Damascus, On the Virtues and the Vices, from The Philokalia: The Complete Text (Vol. 2)—Fyodor Dostoyevsky
“We must consider all evil things“If you die before you die, even the passions which war against usthan when you die, to be you will not our own, but of our enemy the devildie. This is very important. You can only conquer ” —written on a passion when you do not consider it as part of youcell wall, St.” —StPaul's Monastery, Mt. Nikon of OptinaAthos
“A sinful soul, full of passions, cannot have peace and rejoice “War in the Lord, even if it had charge over all earthly riches, even if it ruled over the whole world. If it was suddenly said to such a king, happily feasting and sitting on his throne, 'King, now you will die,' his soul would be troubled and he would tremble with fear, and he would see his powerlessness. But how many beggars there are, whose only wealth name of religion is love for God, and who, if you said to them, 'You will die now,' would answer peacefully, 'Let God's will be donewar against religion. Glory to the Lord, that He has remembered me and wants to take me to Himself.'” —St. Silouan the Athonite—His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew
“To reach satisfaction in alldesire its possession in nothing.To come to possession in alldesire the possession of nothing.To arrive at being alldesire to be nothing.To come “Believe me, if God revealed to us the knowledge of alldesire the knowledge of nothing.To come disasters to the pleasure you have notyou must go by the way in which you enjoy not.To come to the knowledge you have notyou must go by the way in we were exposed and from which you know He protected us, our whole lives would not.To come suffice to the possession you have notyou must go by the way in which you possess notoffer Him thanks.To come by the what you are notyou must go by a way in which you are not.When you turn toward somethingyou cease to cast yourself upon the all.For to go from all to the allyou must deny yourself of all in all” —H.And when you come to the possession of the allyou must possess it without wanting anythingH.Because if you desire to have something in allyour treasure in God is not purely your all.” —St. John of the Cross, Ascent of Mount CarmelPope Shenouda
“Man’s “In heaven, God will, out of cowardice, tends away from suffering, and man, against his own not ask us why we have sinned; He will, remains utterly dominated by the fear of death, and, in his desire to live, clings to his slavery to pleasureask us why we did not repent.” —St—H.H. Maximus the ConfessorPope Shenouda III
“Sin makes man a coward; but a life “Even if all spiritual fathers, patriarchs, hierarchs, and all the people forgive you, you are unforgiven if you don’t repent in the Truth of Christ makes Him boldaction.” —St. John Chrysostom, Homilies on the Statues, VIII. 2Kosmas Aitolos
“Of all the good things in the world, life “Nobody is dearest to men, as gracious and men love life better than truthmerciful, although there as the Lord is no life in truth. The highest good, then, is life, but truth is even He does not forgive the foundation sins of life. He who loves life must also love truth. But what is the way to truth? 'I am the way', says the Lord. 'I am the way', that none should think that there is some other way to the truth besides the Lord Jesus. It was for that He was born as a man: to show men who does not repent; … we are being condemned not because of the way. And for this that He was crucifiedmultitude of our evils, but because we do not want to make the way plain by His bloodrepent.” —St. Nikolai VelimirovichMark the Ascetic
“See how many and great “As a handful of sand thrown into the evils it has brought on us – this self-justificationocean, this holding fast to our own will, this obstinacy in being our own guide. All this was so are the product sins of that hateful arrogance towards God. Whereas all flesh as compared with the products mercy of humility are self-accusation, distrust in our own sentiments, hatred of our own will. By these one is made worthy of being redeemed, of having his human nature restored to its proper state, through the cleansing operation of Christ's holy precepts. Without humility it is impossible to obey the Commandments or at any time to go towards anything good. As Abba Mark says: without a contrite heart it is impossible to be free from wickedness or to acquire virtueGod.” —St. Dorotheos of Gaza, Discourses and SayingsIsaac the Syrian
“If you deny yourself and constantly renounce your own opinions, your own will, your own righteousness-or what amounts to the same thing: the knowledge, understanding, will, and righteousness “Just as a strongly flowing fountain is not blocked up by a handful of fallen nature-in order to plant within you the knowledge of Godearth, so the will compassion of God, and the righteousness of God taught us in the holy Gospel Creator is not overcome by God Himself, then fallen nature will open fire within you and declare a savage war against the Gospel and against Godwickedness of his creatures. Fallen spirits will come to ” —St. Isaac the help of fallen nature.Syrian
Do not fall into despondency on this account. By your firmness in the struggle“God is loving to man, show the tenacity of your purpose and the stability of your free willloving in no small measure. When thrown downFor say not, get up. When duped I have committed fornication and disarmedadultery: I have done dreadful things, rearm yourself afresh. When defeatedand not once only, again rush to but often: will He forgive? Will He grant pardon? Hear what the fight. It Psalmist says: ‘How great is extremely good for you to see within yourself both your own fall and the fall multitude of Your goodness, O Lord!’ Your accumulated offenses surpass not the whole multitude of mankindGod's mercies: your wounds surpass not the great Physician's skill. It is essential for you to recognize and study this fall Only give yourself up in faith: tell the Physician your own experienceailment: say thou also, in your heart like David: ‘I said, I will confess me my sin unto the Lord’: and mind. It is essential for you to see the infirmity of same shall be done in your knowledge and intellectcase, and which he says immediately: ‘And you forgave the weakness wickedness of your willmy heart.” ’” —St. Ignatius Brianchaninov (Bryanchaninov) Cyril of CaucasusJerusalem, Catechetical Lecture 2, The ArenaOn Repentance and Remission of Sins and Concerning the Adversary, chapter 8Ezekiel xviii. 20-23
“The natural passions become good in those who struggle whenLord calls to Him all sinners; He opens His arms wide, wisely unfastening them from even to the things of the flesh, use worst among them to gain heavenly things. For example Gladly He takes them in His arms, if only they can change appetite into the movement of a spiritual longing for divine things; pleasure into pure joy for the cooperation of the mind with divine gifts; fear into care will come to evade future misfortune due to sin and sadness into corrective repentance for present evilHim.” —St. Maximus the ConfessorMacarius of Optina
“How good it “Repentance is to conquer the passions! After the victory one feels such lightness daughter of heart, such peace hope and greatness of spirit!the refusal to despair.” —St. John Climacus, The Ladder of KronstadtDivine Ascent
“He who believes“Years are not needed for true repentance, fears; he who fears is humble; he who is humble becomes gentleand not days, but only an instant.” —St. Maximus the ConfessorAmbrose of Optina
“For every humble person “There is gentleno sin which cannot be pardoned except that one which lacks repentance, and every gentle person there is no gift which is invariably humblenot augmented save that which remains without acknowledgement. A person For the portion of the fool is humble when he knows that small in his very being is on loan to himeyes.” —St. Maximus Isaac the ConfessorSyrian
“A humble person lives on earth as if in the Kingdom of Heaven - always happy“When a man abandons his sins and returns to God, peaceful his repentance regenerates him and satisfied with everythingrenews him entirely.” —St. Anthony of OptinaIsaiah the Solitary
“Not every quiet man “Through repentance the filth of our foul actions is humblewashed away. After this, we participate in the Holy Spirit, not automatically, but every humble man according to the faith, humility and inner disposition of the repentance in which our soul is engaged. For this reason it is good to repent each day as the act of repentance is quietunending.” —St. Isaac Symeon the SyrianNew Theologian, The Philokalia
“If you wish “There is nothing higher than what is called repentance and confession. The sacrament is the offering of God's love to be truly humble, then consider yourself lower than all, worthy mankind. In this perfect way a person is free of being trampled on by allevil. We go and confess and we sense our reconciliation with God; for you yourself daily, hourly trample upon the law of the Lord, Joy enters us and therefore upon guilt departs. In the Lord HimselfOrthodox Church there is no impasse.” —St. John Porphyrios of KronstadtKavsokalyvia
“You wish “…confession is such a potent treatment that it immediately neutralizes every poison of pardonable and mortal sin, which is an infinite evil, and causes every invisible illness to be greatdisappear, begin from the least. You are thinking restoring to construct some mighty fabric in height; first think of the foundation of humilitysoul its initial health and grace. And how great soever It is such a mass of building one may wish and design to place above wondrous treatment that it, instantly changes the greater sinner into a beautiful angel from that which it was before…” —St. Nikodemos the building is to beHagiorite, Exomologetarion: A Manual of Confession, the deeper does he dig his foundation.” —Stp. Augustine234
“A humble person lives on earth as if in the Kingdom of Heaven - always happy“And so it is incumbent upon us to strive, peaceful rather, to correct our faults and satisfied with everythingto improve our behavior.” —St. Anthony of OptinaJohn Cassian
“In them [“If the Lives grace of the Saints] it is clearly and obviously demonstrated: There is no spiritual death from God doesn't enlighten man, though you say many words, they won't be beneficial. The person listens to you for a moment, but soon after returns to that which one cannot be resurrected by the Divine power of the risen and ascended Lord Christ; there is no tormentholds him captive. If, however, grace works immediately, together with your words, there then a change is no misfortuneeffected at that moment, there is no miserycorresponding to the person's predisposition. And from that moment on, there his life is no suffering which changed. This happens with those who haven't hardened their hearing and conscience.” —Elder Joseph the Lord will not change either gradually or all at once into quiteHesychast, compunctionate joy because Precious Vessels of faith in Him.” —St. Justin Popovichthe Holy Spirit
“A servant of “Let us strive to purify ourselves through repentance and humility, and to unite all our senses as one to the Lord God who is he who good, and transcends the good. Then, truly, everything which I have not quite been able to say or to demonstrate with my many words, you will be taught in body stands before menan instant, but in mind knocks all at Heaven once. You will hear with prayeryour sight, and see with your hearing. You will be taught while seeing and, again, hear what is unveiled.” —St. John ClimacusSymeon the New Theologian
“In the Christian East – in fact“Where there is God, in the East in general – we love old age because we think that it there is made for prayingno evil. When one Everything coming from God is oldpeaceful, healthy and feels the nearness of God across the increasingly transparent surface of biological life, one becomes in consciousness leads a child, returned person to the Father, made light in spirit by the proximity judgment of death, transparent to another kind of lighthis own imperfections and humility.
A civilization in which one no longer prays is When a civilization person accepts anything Godly, then he rejoices in which old age his heart, but when he has no meaning. One walks backward towards death, pretending to be young; it’s an agonizing spectacle, because a wonderful possibility is offered, a journey towards ultimate relinquishmentaccepted anything devilish, and it is not taken advantage ofthen he becomes tormented.
We need old people who prayThe devil is like a lion, who smilehiding in ambush (Ps 10:19, who live with a disinterested love1Pe 5:8). He secretly sets out nets of unclean and unholy thoughts. So, who marvel; they alone can show young people that that living it is worth the effortnecessary to break them off as soon as we notice them, by means of pious reflection and that oblivion is not the last wordprayer.
Every monk whose spiritual practice has born fruit It is called in the East, whatever his age, 'a beautiful old man.' He is beautiful with the beauty necessary that rises from the Holy Spirit enter our heart. In him all the periods of his life have come into harmonyEverything good that we do, as with a symphonythat we do for Christ, one might say. And especially is given to us by the original child is found again: shining with a transfigured shiningHoly Spirit, the beautiful old man has the eyes but prayer most of a childall, which is always available to us.” —Olivier Clément
“It A sign of spiritual life is the immersion of great significance if there is a person who truly prays in a family. Prayer attracts God's grace within himself and all the members of the family feel it, even those whose hearts have grown coldhidden workings within his heart. Pray always” —St.” —Elder Thaddeus Seraphim of VitovnicaSarov
“Prayer “There is nothing better than peace in Christ, for it brings victory over all the evil spirits on earth and in the air. When peace dwells in a man's heart it enables him to contemplate the place grace of refuge for every worry, the Holy Spirit from within. He who dwells in peace collects spiritual gifts as it were with a foundation for cheerfulnessscoop, a source and he sheds the light of constant happinessknowledge on others. All our thoughts, all our desires, all our efforts, and all our actions should make us say constantly with the Church: ‘O Lord, give us peace!’ When a protection against sadnessman lives in peace, God reveals mysteries to him.” —St. John ChrysostomSeraphim of Sarov
“He who angers you“The Spirit offers its own light to every mind, controls you!to help it in its search for truth.” —Bishop Melchisedek Pleska—St. Basil the Great
“[The desire for] equality “Sometimes a man's happiness is from the Devilso deep inside him that he may forget it's there and start looking elsewhere hunting a fantasy, because it comes entirely from envyan illusion.” —Fr—Mr. Alexander SchmemannRoarke (Fantasy Island, s2e14)
“In your prayer seek only righteousness and the kingdom of God“If he seeks answers to questions related to his faith, that ishis purpose in life, virtue and spiritual knowledge; and everything else 'he will be given to you' find happiness.” —Elder Justin (Matt. 6:33Pârvu).” —St. Evagrius of PonticusRomania
“Virtues are formed “The person who loves God values knowledge of God more than anything created by prayer. Prayer preserves temperance. Prayer suppresses anger. Prayer prevents emotions of pride God, and envy. Prayer draws into the soul the Holy Spirit, pursues such knowledge ardently and raises man to Heavenceaselessly.” —St. Ephrem Maximus the SyrianConfessor
“Even if we stand “Adorn yourself with truth, try to speak truth in all things; and do not support a lie, no matter who asks you.If you speak the truth and someone gets mad at you, don’t be upset, but take comfort in the very summit words of virtuethe Lord:Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of truth, it for theirs is by mercy that we shall be savedthe Kingdom of Heaven (Matt. 5:10).” —St. John ChrysostomGennadios (II) Scholarios, Patriarch of Constantinople, The Golden Chain, 26,2
“The goodness “You that are strong with all might in the inner man ought by rights to carry on the struggle against the enemies of the truth, and not to shrink from the task, that we fathers may be gladdened by the noble toil of God our sons; for this is so rich in gracesthe prompting of the law of nature: but as you turn your ranks, and send against us the assaults of those darts which are hurled by the opponents of the truth, and demand that it seeks a cause to have mercy on a persontheir hot burning coals and their shafts sharpened by knowledge falsely so called should be quenched with the shield of faith by us old men.” —St. Anthimus Gregory of ChiosNyssa
“The Holy Spirit has accomplishing in each believer “Be the work of Christ. Each Christian is a communicant of bee and not the fly… The fly only knows where the spirit. This is something so necessaryunclean things are, that in fact whoever does not have while the honeybee knows where the Spirit is not of Christ.beautiful flowers are!” —St. Theophan the ReclusePaisios of Mt. Athos
“The Church is nothing but “I shall set forth the best contributions of the world on philosophers of the way Greeks, because whatever there is of good has been given to deification; for men from above by God, since ‘every best gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the ChurchFather of lights’ (Js. 1.17). If, however, there is anything that is contrary to the world truth, then it is no longer a tomb dark invention of the deceit of Satan and a fiction of the mind of an evil spirit, as that eminent theologian Gregory once said (Homily 39.3). In imitation of the method of the bee, I shall make my composition from those things which are conformable with the truth and from our enemies themselves gather the fruit of salvation. But all that is worthless and falsely labeled as knowledge I shall reject. Then, next, after this, I shall set forth in order the absurdities of the heresies hated of God, so that by recognizing the lie we may more closely follow the truth. Then, with God's help and by His grace I shall expose the truth–that truth which destroys deceit and puts falsehood to flight and which, as with golden fringes, has been embellished and adorned by the sayings of the divinely inspired prophets, the divinely taught fishermen, and the God-bearing shepherds and teachers–that truth, the glory of which flashes out from within to brighten with its radiance, when they encounter it, them that are duly purified and rid of troublesome speculations. However, as I have said, I shall add nothing of my own, but shall gather together into one those things which have been worked out by the most eminent of teachers and make a wombcompendium of them, being in all things obedient to your command.” —Olivier Clément—St. John of Damascus, The Fount of Knowledge
“The church is an earthly heaven in which “If we have obtained the super-celestial grace of God dwells and walks about, none shall prevail against us, but we shall be stronger than all who oppose us. ” —St. Germanus of ConstantinopleJohn Chrysostom
“Nothing “But our opinion is more abiding than in accordance with the Church: she is your salvation; she is your refugeEucharist, and the Eucharist in turn establishes our opinion.” —St. John ChrysostomIrenaeus of Lyons, Against Heresies, 4:18:5
“There “The Eucharist is no need to weep much over the destruction Flesh of a church; after allour Lord Jesus Christ, each of uswhich suffered for our sins, according to God's mercyand which the Father, has or should have in his own church loving- kindess, raised from the heart - go in there and pray, as much as you have strength and timedead.” —St. If this church is not well made and is abandoned (without inward prayer)Ignatius of Antioch, then Epistle to the visible church will be of little benefit.” —Archbishop BarlaamSmyrnians, 7:1
“Our prayer reflects our attitude towards God. He who is careless “If the poison of salvation has a different attitude toward God from him who has abandoned sin and pride is zealous for virtue but has not yet entered within himself swelling up in you, turn to the Eucharist; and works for the Lord only outwardly. Finallythat Bread, he who has entered within Which is your God humbling and carries the Lord within himselfdisguising Himself, standing before Him, has yet another attitudewill teach you humility. The first man is negligent If the fever of selfish greed rages in prayer, just as he is negligent in lifeyou, feed on this Bread; and he prays in church and at home merely according to you will learn generosity. If the established customcold wind of coveting withers you, without attention or feeling. The second man reads many prayers and goes often hasten to church, trying at the same time to keep his attention from wandering Bread of Angels; and charity will come to experience feelings blossom in accordance your heart. If you feel the itch of intemperance, nourish yourself with the prayers which are readFlesh and Blood of Christ, although he is seldom successfulWho practiced heroic self-control during His earthly life; and you will become temperate. The third manIf you are lazy and sluggish about spiritual things, wholly concentrated within, stands strengthen yourself with his mind before God, this heavenly Food; and prays to Him in his heart without distractionyou will grow fervent. Lastly, without long verbal prayersif you feel scorched by the fever of impurity, even when standing for a long time at prayer in his home or in church. … Every prayer must come from go to the banquet of the heart Angels; and any other prayer is no prayer at all. Prayer-book prayers, your own prayers and very short prayers, all must issue forth from the heart to God, seen before spotless Flesh of Christ will make youpure and chaste.” —St. Theophan the RecluseCyril of Alexandria
“It is sometimes well during prayer to say a few words of your own, breathing fervent faith and love to the Lord. Yes, let us not always converse with God in the words of others, not always remain children in faith and hope; we must also show our own mind, indite a good matter from our own heart also. Moreover, we grow too accustomed to the words of others and grow cold in prayer. And how pleasing this lipsing of our own is, coming from a believing, loving, and thankful heart. It is impossible to explain this; it is only needful to say that when “Don't be anxious about what you are praying to God with your own words the soul trembles with joy, it becomes wholly inflamed, vivified, and beatified. You will utter few wordshave, but about what you will experience such blessedness as you would not have obtained saying the longest most touching prayers of others, pronounced out of habit and insincerelyare.” —St. John of KronstadtGregory the Great
“Chastisement through “Teach your child this lesson: the trials imposed on us is a spiritual rod, teaching us humility when in our foolishness we think too much rewards of ourselvesevil are temporary; the rewards of Godliness (good character) are eternal.” —St. Thalassios the LibyanCyprian of Carthage
“Goodness is not confirmed without trial“Let everything take second place to our care of our children, our bringing them up to the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Every Christian is tested by something: one by poverty, another by illnessIf from the beginning we teach them to love true wisdom, they will have greater wealth and glory than riches can provide. If a child learns a third by various thoughtstrade, or is highly educated for a forth by some calamity or humiliationlucrative profession, while another by various doubts. Andall this is nothing compared to the art of detachment from riches; if you want to make your child rich, through teach him this. He is truly rich who does not desire great possessions, firmness of faithor surrounds himself with wealth, hope and love but who requires nothing…Don’t think that only monks need to learn the Bible; Children about to go out into the world stand in greater need of God are testedScriptural knowledge.” —St. Ambrose of OptinaJohn Chrysostom, Homilies on Ephesians, Homily 21
“Sometimes men are tested by pleasure“If a man really sets his heart upon the will of God, sometimes by distress or by physical sufferingGod will enlighten a little child to tell that man what is His will. By means But if a man does not truly desire the will of His prescriptions God, even if he goes in search of a prophet, God will put into the Physician heart of souls administers the remedy according to prophet a reply like the cause of the passions lying hidden deception in the soulhis own heart.” —St. Maximus the Confessor, Philokalia—Abba Dorotheos of Gaza
“If you want, or rather intend“Learn from small children: if a child is attacked by someone in the presence of his parent, he does not respond to take a splinter out of another personthe attacker himself, then but looks at the parent and cries. He knows that the parent will protect him. And how can you not know what the little child knows? Your heavenly Parent is continually beside you. Therefore do not hack at it with a stick instead of a lancetrevenge, do not repay evil for evil, but look at the Parent and cry. Only in this way will you will only drive it secure your victory in deepera clash with evil people.” —St. John ClimacusNikolai Velimirovich
“To exalt oneself “The soul that is one thingin all things devoted to the will of God rests quiet in Him, not to do so anotherfor she knows of experience and from the Holy Scriptures that the Lord loves us much and watches over our souls, quickening all things by His grace in peace and to humble oneself is something less entirelylove. A Nothing troubles the man may always who is given over to the will of God, be passing judgement on othersit illness, while another man passes judgement neither on others nor on himselfpoverty or persecution. He knows that the Lord in His mercy is solicitous for us. A thirdThe Holy Spirit, howeverwhom the soul knows, though actually guiltlessis witness therefore. But the proud and the self-willed do not want to surrender to God's will because they like their own way, may always be passing judgement on himselfand that is harmful for the soul.” —St. John ClimacusSilouan the Athonite (From the Life and Teachings of Elder Siluan by Bishop Alexander and Natalia Bufius translated by Anatoly Shmelev)
“If a “The man accuses himselfwho cries out against evil men, he is protected on all sidesbut does not pray for them will never know the grace of God.” —St. PoemenSilouan the Athonite
“It is not “Begin to pray with those whom you love most, for example, for your children. Then pray for the rest of the family. Then for the people around you, then wealth bless the city in which you live…bless the residents of other cities… Then ask God to calm the hearts of other countries so that there is no war. Then, when you have already prayed for the foundation of pleasurewhole world, you only have to pray for enemies. And to not miss them, nor poverty of sadnessask God to fill their hearts with kindness, but our own judgment and the fact that the eyes of our mind neither with wisdom. You see clearly nor remain fixed in one place, but flutter abroadit turns out that you can pray for enemies too.” —St. John ChrysostomGabriel Urgebadze of Georgia, Confessor and Fool for Christ
“One who knows oneself“True faith is found in one's heart, knows God: and one not mind. People who knows God is worthy to worship Him as is righthave faith in their mind will follow the antichrist. Therefore, my beloveds But the ones who have it in the Lord, know yourselvestheir heart will recognize him.” —St. Anthony the GreatGabriel Urgebadze of Georgia, Confessor and Fool for Christ
“In whatever state a person is, he sometimes finds himself making pure and intense prayers. For even from “When people are so steeped in evil that first they do not yield to any admonishment and lowest sortcontinue doing evil, which has to do with recalling the future judgment, the one who is still subject to the punishment a Christian cannot and should not take refuge in this teaching of terror and the fear forgiveness of judgment is occasionally so struck with compunction that he is filled all, sit indifferently with no less joy of spirit from the richness of his supplication than the one whoarms crossed, examining the kindnesses of God and going over them in the purity of his heartapathetically watch evil abuse good, dissolves into unspeakable gladness as it increases and delightdestroys people, his close ones. For, according to To indifferently watch the words ruin of the Lord, the a close one by one who realizes that more has been forgiven him begins to lost his senses and become a bearer of evil is nothing other than the breaking of the commandment of love morefor one's neighbor.” —St. John Cassian—Archbishop Averky (Taushev) of Syracuse
“If a “Those who dislike and reject their fellow-man's self is are impoverished in their being. They do not kept clean and brightknow the true God, his glimpse of God will be blurredwho is all-embracing love.” —C. S—St. LewisSilouan the Athonite
“The pure heart sees “If we detect hatred in our hearts against any man whatsoever for committing any fault, we are utterly estranged from love for God, since love for God as in a mirrorabsolutely precludes us from hating any man.” —Abba Philemon—St. Maximus the Confessor
“The blessedness of seeing God is justly promised to the pure of heart. For the eye that is unclean would “One must not be able to see the brightness of the true light, and what would be happiness to clear minds would be harbour anger nor hatred towards a torment to those person that are defiledis hostile towards us. Therefore, let On the mists of worldly vanities be dispelled, contrary. You must love him and do as much good as possible towards him. Following the inner eye be cleansed of all the filth of wickedness, so that the soul's gaze may feast serenely upon the great vision teaching of Godour Lord Jesus Christ.” —St. Leo the GreatSeraphim of Sarov
“God rests within gentle hearts“As fire is not extinguished by fire, so anger is not conquered by anger, but is made even more inflamed. The gentle and merciful shall sit fearless in His regionsBut meekness often subdues even the most beastly enemies, softens them and will inherit Heavenly glorypacifies them.” —St. John ClimacusTikhon of Zadonsk
“That which “For wherever love disappears, hatred immediately appears in its place. And if God is love, then hatred is the word communicates by sounddevil. Therefore, at one who has love has God within himself, so he who has hatred within himself nurtures the painting shows silently by representationdevil within him.” —St. Basil the Great, on the 40 Martyrs of Sebaste
“Do not call God justask for love from your neighbor, for His justice is not manifest in the things concerning if you. And if David calls Him just ask and upright (cf. Ps. 24:8, 144:17), His Son revealed to us that He is good and kind. ‘He is good,’ He sayshe does not respond, ‘to the evil and to the impious’ (cf. Luke 6:35). How can you call God just when you come across the Scriptural passage on the wage given to the workers? ‘Friend, I do thee no wrong I will give unto this last even as unto theebe troubled. Is thine eye evil because I am good?’ (Matt. 20:12-15). How can a man call God just when he comes across the passage on the prodigal son who wasted his wealth with riotous living, how Instead show your love for the compunction alone which he showed, the father ran your neighbour and fell upon his neck and gave him authority over all his wealth? (Luke 15:11 ff.). None other but His very Son said these things concerning Himyou will be at rest, lest we doubt it; and thus He bare witness concerning Him. Where, then, is God's justice, for whilst we are sinners Christ died for us! (cf. Rom. 5:8). But if here He is merciful, we may believe that He so will not changebring your neighbour to love.” —St. Isaac the Syrian, Homily LXDorotheos of Gaza
“God chastises with love, not “Love should never be sacrificed for the sake of revenge---far be it!---but in seeking to make whole his image. And he does not harbour wrath until such time as correction is no longer possible, for he does not seek vengeance for himself. This is the aim of lovesome dogmatic difference. Love's chastisement is for correction, but does not aim at retribution. … The man who chooses to consider God as avenger, presuming that in this manner he bears witness to His justice, the same accuses Him of being bereft of goodness. Far be it that vengeance could ever be found in that Fountain of love and Ocean brimming with goodness!” —St. Isaac the SyrianNektarios of Aegina
“Among all God's actions there “No term is none which is not entirely a matter of mercy, love and compassion: this constitutes used–and misused–among the Orthodox people in America more often than the beginning and end of His dealings with usterm canonical.” —St—Fr. Isaac the SyrianAlexander Schmemann, The Problems of Orthodoxy in America, The Canonical Problem
“‘The world’ is the general name for all the passions. When we wish to call the passions by a common name, we call them the world. But when we wish to distinguish them by their special names, we call them the passions. The passions are the following: love of riches, desire for possessions, bodily pleasure from which comes sexual passion, love of honour which gives rise to envy, lust for power, arrogance and pride of position, the craving to adorn oneself with luxurious clothes and vain ornaments, the itch for human glory which is a source of rancour and resentment, and physical fear. Where these passions cease to be active, there “Even the world slightest thought that is dead; for though living in the flesh, they did not live for the flesh. See for which of these passions you are alive. Then you will know how far you are alive to the world and how far you are dead to itfounded on love destroys peace.” —St. Isaac the Syrian—Archimandrite Thaddeus Strabulovich
“We don't understand that happiness “What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is in eternity and not in vanitywhat love looks like.” —Elder Paisios —St. Augustine of Mt. AthosHippo
“Why do you beat the air “Your Lord is love: love Him and run in vain? Every occupation has a purposeHim all men, obviouslyas His Children in Christ. Tell me thenYour Lord is fire: do not let your heart be cold, what but burn with faith and love. Your Lord is the purpose light: do not walk in darkness of all the activity of the world? Answermind, without reasoning or understanding, I challenge you! It or without faith. Your Lord is vanity a God of vanitymercy and bountifulness: all is vanitybe also a source of mercy and bountifulness to your neighbors. If you will be such, you will find salvation yourself with everlasting glory.” —St. John Chrysostomof Kronstadt
“The sun shines on all alike, and vainglory beams on all activities. For instance, I am vainglorious when I fast; and when I relax the fast in order “To love our brothers is a need that is endemic to be unnoticed, I am again vainglorious over my prudenceour nature. When well-dressed I am quite overcome by vaingloryContemporary man does not recognize this need, because it is suppressed and when I put on poor clothes I am vainglorious again. When I talk I am defeated, and when I am silent I am again defeated suffocated by itegoism. However I throw this prickly-pear” —Archbishop Averky (Taushev), The Struggle for Virtue: Asceticism in a spike stands upright.” —StModern Secular Society, p. John Climacus54
“Watch your heart during all your life — examine it, listen to it“Many think that love is a feeling, and see what prevents its union with the most blessed Lord. Let but this be for you is not the science of all sciences, and with God’s help, you will easily observe what estranges you from God, and what draws you towards Him and unites you to Himcase. It is a state of the evil spirit more than anything that stands between our hearts and God; he estranges God from us by various passionswill. If love were a feeling it would not be a commandment. Naturally, or love is accompanied by the desire of the fleshcertain feelings, by the desires but in essence it is a state of the eyes, and by worldly pridewill.” —St—Fr. John of KronstadtDaniel Sysoev, My Life in ChristHow Can I Learn God's Will?
"Have you ever observed “Love is – the bond of life , the mother of the heart? Try it even for a short time poor and see what you findthe teacher of the rich. Something unpleasant happensIt is the nurse of orphans, and you get irritated; some misfortune occurs, and you pity yourself; you see someone whom you dislike, and animosity wells up within you; you meet one the attendant of your equals who has now outdistanced you on the social scaleelderly, and you begin to envy him; you think the treasure of your talents the indigent and capabilities, and you begin to grow proud… All this is rottenness: vainglory, carnal desire, gluttony, laziness, malice-one on top the common port of all the other, they destroy the heartafflicted.” —St. John (Maximovitch) Gregory of Shanghai and San FranciscoNyssa
“As water and fire oppose one another when combined“I guard you in advance against beasts in the form of men, whom you must not only not receive, but if it is possible not even meet, but only pray for them, so are self-justification and humility opposed if perchance they may repent…” —St. Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to one anotherthe Smyrnaeans, A.” —StD. Mark the Ascetic117
“Fire “If the Christian recognizes and water do not mixunderstands under what condition, neither can you mix judgment of under what law he has believed, he will know that he must labor more in the world than others with the desire to repent. If , as he must carry on a man commits a sin before you at greater struggle against the very moment assault of his deaththe devil. Divine Scripture teaches and forewarns, pass no judgmentsaying: ‘Son, because when thou comest to the judgment service of God is hidden from men. It has happened that men have sinned greatly , stand in the open but have done greater deeds justice, and in secretfear, so that those who would disparage them have been fooledand prepare thyself for temptation’ (Sirach 2:1), and again: ‘in thy sorrow endure, and in thy humiliation keep patience, with smoke instead of sunlight for gold and silver are tried in their eyesthe fire’ (Sirach 2:4,5).” —St. John ClimacusCyprian of Carthage, Mortality
“Christians“The person who has surrendered himself entirely to sin indulges with enjoyment and pleasure in unnatural and shameful passions – licentiousness, unchastity, greed, above hatred, guile and other forms of vice – as though they were natural. The genuine and perfected Christian, on the other hand, with great enjoyment and spiritual pleasure participates effortlessly and without impediment in all the virtues and all men, are forbidden to correct the stumblings supranatural fruits of sinners by force… it is necessary to make a man better not by force but by persuasion. God gives the crown to those who are kept from evilSpirit – love, peace, patient endurance, not by forcefaith, but by choicehumility and the entire truly golden galaxy of virtue – as though they were natural.” —St. John ChrysostomSymeon Metaphrastis
“I have seen pride lead “When a man is given over to humilitythe passions, he does not see them in himself and does not fight against them, because he lives in them and by them. But when the grace of God becomes active in him, he begins to discern the passionate and sinful in himself, acknowledge them, and to repent and decide to guard against them. A struggle begins. At first, the struggle begins with deeds, but when released from shameful deeds, then the struggle begins with shameful thoughts and feelings. And I remembered him who said: Who hath known here the mind struggle encounters many steps … The struggle continues. The passions increasingly are torn out of the Lord? heart. It even happens that they are entirely torn out … The pit and offspring sign that the passions are torn out of conceit the heart is a fall; but a fall is often an occasion of humility that the soul begins to feel repulsion and hatred for those who are willing to use it to their advantagethe passions.” —St. John ClimacusTheophan the Recluse, The Ladder of Divine AscentUnseen Warfare, Step 15, Section 38How the Spiritual Life Proceeds
“Humility is the only thing that no devil can imitate“Until you have eradicated evil, do not obey your heart; for it will seek more of what it already contains within itself.” —St. John ClimacusMark the Ascetic
“An angel fell “Whatever of that which is best has flowed into the heart, we should not pour out without need; for that which has been gathered can be free of danger from Heaven without any other passion except pride, visible and so we may ask whether invisible enemies only when it is possible to ascend to Heaven by humility alone, without any other guarded in the interior of the virtuesheart.” —St. John ClimacusSeraphim of Sarov
“Run from pride“No one professing faith sins, for it nor does anyone possessing love hate. The tree is known by its fruit; thus those who profess to be Christ's will be recognized by their actions. For the work is a passion more treacherous than any othermatter not of what one promises now, but of persevering to the end in the power of faith.” —St. John ChrysostomIgnatius of Antioch, Epistle to the Ephesians
“Pride more than anything else“Indeed, deprives people of both their good deeds and help from God. Where there is no humility, pride takes its placeman wishes to be happy even when he so lives as to make happiness impossible.” —St. Macarius Augustine of OptinaHippo
“‘Exile “The confession of evil works is separation from everything in order to keep the mind inseparable from God. An exile loves and produces continual weeping.’ From Paradise, we must become exiled from the world if we hope to returnfirst beginning of good works.” —Fr—St. Seraphim Rose Augustine of PlatinaHippo
“Day “The evil powers love the darkness and night I pray the Lord for lovetremble at every light, especially at that which belongs to God and the Lord gives me tears to weep for the whole world. But if I find fault with any man, or look on him with an unkind eye, my tears will dry up, and my soul sink into despondencythose who please Him. Yet do I begin again to entreat forgiveness of the Lord, and the Lord in His mercy forgives me, a sinner” —St.Nikolai Velimirovich
Brethren, before “There is no benefit to be gained from a pure life when one possesses heretical dogma. And likewise the face opposite is true. Correct dogma is of my God I write: Humble your hearts, and while yet on this earth you will see the mercy of the Lord, and know your Heavenly Creator, and your souls will never have their fill of loveno benefit when one leads a corrupt life. Let us not think that holding faith alone is alone sufficient for salvation if we do not also show forth a pure life.” —St. Silouan the AthoniteJohn Chrysostom
“Here are those of whom I speak and “The one who are called heretics has not yet obtained divine knowledge activated by melove makes a lot of the religious works he performs. They are But the ones who say that in our present age there is no one in our midst who is able has been deemed worthy to observe the commandments and be like the holy fathers…. Those who declare obtain this is impossible have fallen not into one particular heresy but into all of them, so to speak – a heresy surpassing all others in its impiety and greatest blasphemy. They are buried underneath it…. The one who speaks in such a manner turns all of Scripture upside down…. These antichrists affirm, ‘It is impossible, impossible’. Why then is it impossible? Tell me. In what other way did says with conviction the saints shine on earth and did they become lamps of words which the world? If it were impossible, they would never have succeeded in it. For they were men like us, and possessed no more than we do except a will directed toward patriarch Abraham spoke when he was graced with the good. They had zealdivine appearance, patience, humility, and love for God. Therefore, acquire all this and your soul which today is as hard as rock shall become a fountain of tears inside you. However, if you refuse to suffer such anguish ‘I am but earth and affliction, at least do not say that all this is impossibleashes.” ’” —St. Symeon Maximus the New Theologian, The Discourses, Discourse XXIX: The Heresy of PusillanimityConfessor
“He who “Do not say that ‘mere faith in his heart our Lord Jesus Christ can save me’, for this is proud impossible unless you acquire love for Him through works. For in what concerns mere believing, ‘even the demons believe and tremble’ (James 2:19). The action of his tears love consists in heartfelt good deeds towards one's neighbor, magnanimity, patience, and secretly condemns those who do not weep is like a man who asks the king for a weapon against his enemy and then commits suicide with itsober use of things.” —St. John ClimacusMaximus the Confessor
“Do “Our faith then must be different from the faith of devils. For our faith purifies the heart; but their faith makes them guilty. For they do wickedly, and therefore say they to the Lord, ‘What have we to do with You?’ When you hear the devils say this, do you think that they do not grow conceited if acknowledge Him? ‘We know,’ they say, ‘who You are: You are the Son of God.’ This Peter says, and is commended; the devil says it, and is condemned. Whence comes this, but that though the words be the same, the heart is different? Let us then make a distinction in our faith, and not be content to believe. This is no such faith as purifies the heart. ‘Purifying their hearts,’ it is said, ‘by faith.’ But by what, and what kind of faith, save that which the Apostle Paul defines when he says, ‘Faith which works by love.’ That faith distinguishes us from the faith of devils, and from the infamous and abandoned conduct of men. ‘Faith,’ he says. What faith? ‘That which works by love,’ and which hopes for what God does promise. Nothing is more exact or perfect than this definition. There are then in faith these three things. He in whom that faith is which works by love, must necessarily hope for that which God does promise. Hope therefore is the associate of faith. For hope is necessary as long as we see not what we believe, lest perhaps through not seeing, and by despairing to see, we fail. That we see not, does make us sad; but that we hope we shall see, comforts us. Hope then is here, and she is the associate of faith. And then charity also, by which we long, and strive to attain, and glow with desire, and hunger and thirst. This then is taken in also; and so there will be faith, hope, and charity. For how shall there not be charity there, since charity is nothing else but love? And this faith is itself defined as that ‘which works by love.’ Take away faith, and all you shed tears when believe perishes; take away charity, and all that you praydo perishes. For it is the province of faith to believe, of charity to do. For if you believe without love, you do not apply yourself to good works; or if you do, it is Christ who has touched your eyesas a servant, not as a son, through fear of punishment, not through love of righteousness. Therefore I say, that faith purifies the heart, which works by love.” —St. Mark Augustine of Hippo, Sermon III on the AsceticNew Testament, Section XI
“And here also we have diligently “Refuse to listen to consider, that it is far more secure and safe that every man should do that for himself whiles he is yet alive, which the Devil when he desireth that others should do for him after his death. For far more blessed it is, whispers to depart free out of this world, than being in prison to seek for releaseyou: and therefore reason teacheth us, that we should with our whole soul contemn this present world‘Give me now, at least because we see that it is now gone and past: and you will give tomorrow to offer unto God the daily sacrifice of tears.’ No, and no! Spend all the daily Sacrifice hours of His Body and Blood. For this Sacrifice doth especially save our souls from everlasting damnation, which your life in mystery doth renew unto us the death of the Son of a way pleasing to God: who although being risen from death, doth not now die any more, nor death shall not any further prevail against him: yet living in himself immortally, and without all corruption, he is again sacrificed for us . Keep in this mystery of the holy oblation: for there his body is received, there his flesh is distributed for your mind the salvation of the people: there His Blood is not now shed betwixt the hands of infidels, but poured into the mouths of the faithful. Wherefore let us hereby meditate what manner of sacrifice this is, ordained for us, which for our absolution doth always represent the passion of the only Son of God: for what right believing Christian can doubt, thought that in after the very present hour of the sacrifice, at the words of the Priest, the heavens you will not be openedgiven another, and the quires of Angels are present in that mystery of Jesus Christ; that high things are accompanied with low, and earthly joined you will have to heavenly, and that one thing is made render a strict account for every minute of visible and invisible?this present hour.” —St. Gregory the Great, Dialogues of St. Gregory Theophan the Great, Book 4, ch. 58Recluse
“… One must clean the royal house from every impurity “Human life is but of brief duration. ‘All flesh is grass, and adorn it with every beauty, then all the king may enter into it. In a similar way one must first cleanse goodliness thereof is as the earth flower of the heart and uproot the weeds of sin and field. The grass withers, the passionate deeds and soften it with sorrows and flower fades; but the narrow way word of life, sow in it our God shall stand forever’ (Isa. 40:6). Let us hold fast to the seed of virtue, water it with lamentation and tearscommandment that abides, and only then does the fruit of dispassion and eternal life grow. For the Holy Spirit does not dwell in a man until he has been cleansed from passions of despise the soul and bodyunreality that passes away.” —St. Paisius Velichkovsky, ‘Field Flowers’Basil the Great
“I do not know how I came into “We see the world; Nor what the things here in it are. What my sight iswater of a river flowing uninterruptedly and passing away, O my Godand all that floats on its surface, And what the objects that I seerubbish or beams of trees, all pass by. So does our life. I cannot tell. How all we men are vainwas an infant, And have no proper judgement of reality! Yesterday at least I came and tomorrow that time has gone. I shall gowas an adolescent, And I think to be immortal yonderand that too has passed. That Thee are my God I confess to everyonewas a young man, and yet deny Thee daily in my deedsthat too is far behind me. The strong and mature man that I teach that Thee have made each living thing; And yet without Thee struggle to have allwas is no more. Thy rule extends aboveMy hair turns white, below And yet I am not feared succumb to strive against Thee. Let me the needy oneage, me most miserablebut that too passes; Disburden all I approach the end and will go the sickness way of my soul Crushed, alas and broken into bitsall flesh. By vanity, by foolish arrogance. Grant me I was born in order to be humble, grant me a hand of help; And cleanse my soul’s pollutiondie. And give me tears of repentance; Love’s tears, tears of liberty; Tears cleansing my mind’s darkness. And filling me with heavenly radiance! For Thee it is, the world’s Light; The Light of my poor eyes, I wish to see – die that I who fill my heart with life’s evils, Suffering much of affliction and of envymay live. From those who have worked my exiles: From those, rather, who are my benefactors; Who are my masters, my true friends: To whomRemember me, O ChristLord, instead of ill give blessing: Eternal, rich, divine; Prepared by Thee for all the ages; For those who deeply long for Thee, love Thee.in Thy Kingdom!” —St. Symeon the New Theologian, On the right attitude to LifeTikhon of Voronezh
“Ask with tears, seek with obedience, knock with patience“You should look downward. For thus he who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, Remember: you are earth and you will return to him that knocketh it shall be openedthe earth.” —St. John ClimacusAmbrose of Optina
“The passions “Just as a pauper, seeing the royal treasures, all the more acknowledges his own poverty; so also the spirit, reading the accounts of the flesh may be described as belonging to great deeds of the left handHoly Fathers, self-conceit as belonging to involuntarily is all the right handmore humbled in its way of thought.” —St. Maximus the ConfessorJohn Climacus
“When the soul leaves the body, the enemy advances to attack it, fiercely reviling it and accusing it of its sins in a harsh and terrifying manner. The devout soul, however, even though in the past it has often been wounded by sin, is “Do not frightened by the enemy’s attacks shun poverty and threats. Strengthened by the Lord, winged by joyaffliction, filled with courage by the holy angels fuel that guide it, and encircled and protected by the light of faith, it answers the enemy with great boldness: ‘Fugitive from heaven, wicked slave, what have I to do with you? You have no authority over me; Christ the Son of God has authority over me and over all things. Against Him have I sinned, before Him shall I stand on trial, having His Precious Cross as a sure pledge of His saving love towards me. Flee from me, destroyer! You have nothing to do with the servants of Christ.’ When the soul says all this fearlessly, the devil turns his back, howling aloud and unable to withstand the name of Christ. Then the soul swoops down on the devil from above, attacking him like a hawk attacking a crow. After this it is brought rejoicing by the holy angels gives wings to the place appointed for it in accordance with its inward stateprayer.” —St. Theognostos, On —Evagrios the Practice of the Virtues, Philokalia, Vol. 2Solitary
“If you wish to be saved“Prayer is a refuge for those who are shaken, O my soulan anchor for those tossed by waves, to go first on a walking stick for the most sorrowful path which has been indicated hereinfirm, to enter into a treasure house for the Heavenly Kingdom and receive eternal life – then refine your fleshpoor, taste voluntary bitterness, and endure difficult sorrows, as all the Saints tasted and endured. And when a man is preparing himself and gives himself the command to endure stronghold for the sake rich, a destroyer of God all sorrows and pain which come upon himsicknesses, then light and painless seem for him all sorrows, unpleasantnesses and attacks a preserver of devils and menhealth. He does not fear deathwho can sincerely pray is richer than everyone else, and nothing can separate such a one from even though he is the love poorest of Christall. Have you heardOn the contrary, my beloved soulhe who does not have recourse to prayer, how even though he sit on a king's throne, is the Holy Fathers spent their lives? O my soul! Imitate them at least a little.” poorest of all…” —St. Paisius VelichkovskyJohn Chrysostom
“If you rebuke yourself“What is the meaning of the exclamation so often sung in church: ‘Lord, accuse yourselfhave mercy upon us’? It is the lament of the guilty, and judge yourself before God for your sinscondemned sinner, with a sensitive conscience, even for this you will be justifiedimploring forgiveness of an irritated justice.If you We are sorrowful all under the eternal curse and doomed to eternal fire for your our innumerable sins, or you weepand it is only the Grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ, or sighinterceding for us before the Heavenly Father, your sigh will not be hidden that saves us from Him eternal punishment. It is the lament of the repentant sinner, expressing his firm intention to amend andbegin a new life, as Stbecoming for a Christian. John Chrysostom saysIt is the lament of the repentant sinner, ready to forgive others, ‘If you only lament for your sinsas he himself was and is immeasurably forgiven by God, then He will receive this for your salvationthe Judge of his deeds.’” ” —St. Moses John of OptinaKronstadt, My Life in Christ, pg. 406
“Where there “It seems that we do not understand one thing: it is pride there cannot be gracenot good when we return the love of those who love us, and yet hate those who hate us. We are not on the right path if we lose grace we also lose both do this. We are the sons of light and love – the sons of God and assurance in prayer, his children. The soul is then tormented by evil thoughts and does not understand that she As such, we must humble herself have His qualities and His attributes of love her enemies, for there is no other way to please Godpeace, and kindness towards all.” —St. Silouan the Athonite—Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica
“A good heart produces good thoughts: its thoughts correspond “Pride is trying to what imagine a world and live in it. Humility receives the world as God created it stores up in itself.” —St. Thalassios the LibyanSophrony of Essex
“Fasting is for “We suffer because we have no humility and we do not love our brother. From love of our brother comes the love of God. People do not learn humility, and because of their pride cannot receive the purification grace of the soul Holy Spirit, and bodytherefor the whole world suffers.” —St. John ChrysostomSilouan the Athonite
“Fasting “Some suffer much from poverty and sickness, but are not humbled, and so they suffer without profit. But one who is wonderfulhumbled will be happy in all circumstances, because it tramples our sins like a dirty weedthe Lord is his riches and joy, while it cultivates and raises truth like a flowerall people will wonder at the beauty of his soul.” —St. Basil Silouan the GreatAthonite
“Fasting is “My joy, I beg you, acquire the mother Spirit of health; Peace. That means to bring oneself to such a state that our spirit will not be disturbed by anything. For one must go through many sorrows to enter the friend Kingdom of chastity; Heaven. This is the way all righteous men were saved and inherited the partner of humility.” Heavenly Kingdom…” —St. Symeon the New theologianSeraphim of Sarov
“As salt “My will, therefore, He took to Himself, my grief. In confidence I call it grief, because I preach His Cross. Mine is needed the will which He called His Own, for all kinds of foodas Man He bore my grief, as Man He spake, and therefore said, so humility ‘Not as I will, but as Thou wilt.’ Mine was the grief, and mine the heaviness with which He bore it, for no man exults when at the point to die. With me and for me He Suffers, for me He is needed sad, for all kinds of virtuesme He is heavy.” —StIn my stead therefore, and in me He grieved Who had no cause to grieve for Himself. Isaac the Syrian
“Virtue is Not Thy Wound, but mine, hurt Thee, Lord Jesus; not the manifestation of many and various works performed by the bodyThy Death, but a heart that our weakness, even as the Prophet saith: ‘For He is most wise in its hope afflicted for our sakes’--and unites a right aim to godly works. Oftenwe, Lord, esteemed Thee afflicted, the mind can accomplish that which is good without bodily workswhen Thou grievedst not for Thyself, but the body without wisdom of the heart can gain no profit for all it may dome.” —St. Isaac the Syrian, Homily 40
“Let it be known to you that And what wonder if in your life you have mastered every virtue and every good deed such as mercyHe grieved for all, prayerWho wept for one? What wonder if, fast, and other virtues but have no humility in youthe hour of death, your toil will be in vain. For humility in He is heavy for all these virtues is , Who wept when at the point to raise Lazarus from the solid foundation. Without dead? Then, indeed, He was moved by a loving sister's tears, for they touched His human heart,--here by secret grief He brought itto pass that, we cannot master any even as His Death made an end of the virtues death, and all these virtues will become impureHis Stripes healed our scars, filthy, and discarded before God because they were not sown with humility and loveso also His Sorrow took away our sorrow.” —St. John ChrysostomAmbrose of Milan, (+397), Ch. 7, Book II, Exposition on the Christian Faith
“Fasting “Peace is the mother not absence of health; the friend struggle, but absence of chastity; the partner of humilityuncertainty and confusion.” —St. Symeon the New theologian—Metropolitan Anthony (Bloom) of Sourozh
“What can sin do where there “Humility is penitence? And perfect quietness of what use heart, it is to expect nothing, to wonder at nothing that is love done to me, to feel nothing done against me. It is to be at rest when nobody praises me, and when I am blamed or despised. It is to have a blessed home in the Lord, where there I can go in and shut the door, and kneel to my Father in secret, and am at peace as in a deep sea of calmness, when all around and above is pride?trouble.” —Abba Elias—Andrew Murray
“Pride is poverty of “However great the soulafflictions we suffer, which imagines itself to be rich, and being in darkness, thinks it has lightwhat are they compared with the promised future reward.” —St. John ClimacusMacarius the Great
“Modern society calls “Shun the beggar bum praise of men and panhandler and gives him love the bum's rush. But the Greeks used to say that people one who, in need are the ambassadors fear of the godsLord, reprimands you.” —Peter Maurin—St. Pachomius
“Every family should have a room where Christ is welcome in “When people begin to praise us, let us hurry to remember the person multitude of the hungry ours transgressions, and we will see that we are truly unworthy of that which they say and thirsty strangerdo in our honor.” —St. John ChrysostomClimacus
“Who is the greedy man? One for whom plenty does not suffice. Who defrauds others? One who keeps for himself what belongs to everyone. Aren’t you greedy, don’t “…Don't be frightened at your burden; our Lord will help you defraud, when you keep for yourself what was given to give away? When someone steals a man’s clothes, we call him a thiefcarry it. Shouldn’t we give the same name to one who could clothe the naked and does not?” —St. Basil the GreatJohn Vianney
“The bread you do not use is “Every tribulation reveals the bread state of the hungry. The garment hanging in your wardrobe is the garment of the person who is naked. The shoes you do not wear are the shoes of one who is barefoot. The money you keep locked away is the money of the poor. The acts of charity you do not perform are the injustices you commitour will.” —St. Basil Mark the GreatAscetic
“You are not making a gift of what is yours to the poor man“Every affliction tests our will, but you are giving him back what showing whether it is his. You have been appropriating things that are meant inclined to be for the common use of everyonegood or evil. The earth belongs to everyoneThat is why an unforeseen affliction is called a test, not because it enables a man to the richtest his hidden desires.” —St. Ambrose of MilanMark the Ascetic
“Do not consider your riches as belonging “Many are the wiles of the enemy to yourselves alone; open wide your hand to those who are in need.despoil us of inner peace, so watch!” —St. Cyril of AlexandriaTheophan the Recluse
“The man who loves his neighbor as himself possesses no more than his neighbor…thus“In every situation confusion is from the devil, as much as your wealth increases, so much does your love decreasefrom whom may the Lord shield and protect us.” —St. Basil the GreatLeo of Optina
“If you cannot find “It should be noted that when the fallen spirit wants to get dominion over Christ 's ascetics, he does not act imperiously or domineeringly, but tries to draw a man to consent to the proposed delusion, and after getting his consent he takes possession of the person who has given his consent. Holy David, in describing his the beggar at the church doorfallen angel attacks man, you will not find Him has very rightly said: "He lurketh in secret as a lion in his den, that he may ravish the chalicepoor; to ravish the poor, when he getteth him into his net."” —St. John ChrysostomIgnaty Bryanchaninov, The Arena, chapter 11, On the Solitary Life
“A rich man is not one who has much“The devil presents minor sins as insignificant in our eyes, but one who gives much. For what because otherwise he gives away remains his foreverwould not be able lead us into major ones.” —St. John ChrysostomMark the Ascetic
“No one in creation is rich but he that fears God; no one is truly poor but he that lacks the truth“Do not leave unobliterated any fault, however small, for it may lead you on to greater sins.” —St. Ephrem Mark the SyrianAscetic
“Do you fast? Then feed the hungry“Obedience is necessary not only for monks, give drink to but for all people. Even the thirsty, visit the sick, Lord was obedient. The proud and self-regarding do not forget the imprisonedallow grace to live in them, and therefore they never have pity on spiritual peace, while in the obedient soul the grace of the torturedHoly Spirit enters easily and gives joy and peace. Whoever bears even a little grace in himself joyfully submits himself to all direction. He knows that God directs even the heavens and the netherworld, comfort those who grieve and who weephimself, be mercifuland his business, humble, kind, calm, patient, sympathetic, forgiving, reverent, truthful and piouseverything in the world, so that God might accept your fasting and might plentifully grant you the fruits of repentancetherefore he is always at peace.” —St. John ChrysostomSilouan the Athonite, Writings, XV.2
“The fact that I am a monk and you are a layman is of no importance. The Lord Himself said in listens equally to the Gospel: ‘The last shall be first monk and to the man of the first, last’ (Matt 20:16)world provided both are true believer. Thus, may Divine mercy shine forth with His love upon the poor, so that it may make great ones from the little, and that from the weak it may make co-inheritors with His Only Begotten SonHe looks for a heart full of true faith into which to send his Spirit. For it exhalts the poverty heart of a man is capable of this world to Heaven, to which containing the earthly kingdom cannot rise, so that Kingdom of God. The Holy Spirit and the rustic comes to the place where he who wears the purple does not merit to comeKingdom of God are one.” —St Gregory . Seraphim of Tours, Via PatrumSarov
“In all your undertakings and in every way of life, whether you are living in obedience, “He who honours the Lord does what the Lord bids. When he sins or are not submitting your work to anyoneis disobedient, whether in outward or in spiritual matters, let it be your rule and practice to ask yourself: Am I really doing this in accordance with God's will?he patiently accepts what comes as something he deserves.” —St. John ClimacusMark the Ascetic
“Those who submit “It is a great error to think that you must undertake important and great labors, whether for heaven, or, as the Lord with simple heart will run the good race'progressives' think, in order to make one's contribution to humanity. If they keep their minds on a leash, they will That is not draw necessary at all. It is necessary only to do everything in accordance with the wickedness of the demons onto themselvesLord's commandments.” —St. John ClimacusTheophan the Recluse
“A hypocrite “When we are immersed in sins, and our mind is someone occupied solely with worldly cares, we do not notice the state of our soul. We are indifferent to who teaches his neighbor something he makes no effort to do himselfwe are inwardly, and we persist along a false path without being aware of it.” —St. PoemenJohn (Maximovitch) of Shanghai and San Francisco
“I prefer a man who sins and repents “We have to be aware that what is being pounded in upon us is all of one who does not sin and does not repent. The first piece; it has good thoughtsa certain rhythm, a certain message to give us, this message of self-worship, of relaxing, of letting go, of enjoying yourself, for he admits that he of giving up any thought of the other world … It is sinfulactually an education in atheism. But We have to fight back by knowing just what the second has false, soul-destroying thoughts, for he imagines himself world is trying to do to be righteousus…” —Fr.” —Abba Poemen the GreatSeraphim Rose of Platina
“At meals don't speak about food: “I saw the snares that's vulgar and unworthy of you. Speak about something noble -- of the soul or of enemy spreads out over the mind -- world and you will have dignified this dutyI said groaning, ‘What can get through from such snares?’ Then I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Humility.” —Josemaria Escriva’” —St. Anthony the Great
“When someone learns “Learn to acknowledge every man as being better than himselflove humility, then he has attained humilityfor it will cover all your sins.” —StAll sins are repugnant before God but the most repugnant of all is pride of the heart. Sisoes the Great
“It is a spiritual gift from God for a man to perceive his sinsDo not consider yourself learned and wise; otherwise, all your effort will be destroyed and your boat will reach the harbor empty.” —St. Isaac the Syrian
“The man who is deemed worthy If you have great authority, do not threaten anyone with death. Know, that according to see himself is greater than he who is deemed worthy nature, you too are susceptible to see angels.” —Stdeath and that every soul sheds its body from itself as the final garment. Isaac the Syrian
“The truly blessed are not In Byzantium there existed an unusual and instructive custom during the ones who can work miracles or see angels; crowning of the truly blessed are emperors in the ones who can see their own sinsChurch of the Divine Wisdom [St.” —StSophia]. Anthony The custom was that when the patriarch placed the crown on the emperor's head, at the Greatsame time, he handed him a silk purse filled with dirt from the grave.
“The nearer a man draws to GodThen, even the more he sees himself a sinneremperor would recall death and to avoid all pride and become humble.” —St. It was when Isaiah Anthony the prophet saw GodGreat, that he declared himself ‘a man The Prologue of unclean lips.’” —St. MateosOchrid
“The condition “What made our Lord Jesus Christ lay aside His garments, gird Himself with a towel, and, pouring water into a basin, begin to wash the feet of those who were below Him, if not to teach us humility? For it was humility He showed us by the example of peace among men is what He then did. And indeed those who want to be accepted into the foremost rank cannot achieve this otherwise than through humility; for in the beginning, the thing that each should keep caused downfall from heaven was a consciousness movement of pride. So, if a man lacks extreme humility, if he is not humble with all his heart, all his mind, all his spirit, all his own wrongdoingsoul and body – he will not inherit the kingdom of God.” —St. Silouan Anthony the Great, Early Fathers from the AthonitePhilokalia, E. Kadloubovsky and G.E.H. Palmer, Faber and Faber, London, 1954, pp. 45-46
“The way to perfection “People who are filled with egoism and pride because of their education, resemble satellites that orbit in the sky, giving one the impression that they are stars. If, however, you observe them carefully you will see their crooked steps and see that it is through all a human sham… Internally-oriented people, on account of their humility, are the realization true stars that we move at dizzying speeds, but noiselessly and humbly, without anyone understanding how they move even though they are blind, naked immense planets. They hide in the depths of heaven and poorgive men the impression that they are little oil lamps aflame with a humble light.” —St. Theophan the ReclusePaisios of Mt. Athos
“The perfect person does not only try to avoid evil. Nor does he do good for fear “Wouldst thou comprehend the height of punishment, still less in order to qualify for God? First comprehend the hope lowliness of a promised rewardGod. The perfect person does good through love. His actions are not motivated by desire Condescend to be humble for personal benefitthine own sake, so he does not have personal advantage as his aim. But as soon as he has realized the beauty of doing goodseeing that God condescended to be humble for thy sake too, he does for it with all his energies and in all that he does. He is was not interested in fame, or a good reputation, or a human or divine reward. The rule of life for a perfect person is to be in the image and likeness of Godhis own.” —St. Clement Augustine of AlexandriaHippo
“Every day at nightfall, before sleep comes upon you, excite the judgment “The greatness of a man consisteth of your consciencehumility, demand an account from itfor in proportion as a man descendeth to humility, and whatever evil counsels you may have taken during the day … pierce them, tear them he becometh exalted to pieces, and do penance for themgreatness.” —St—Paradise of the Holy Fathers, Vol. John Chrysostom2
“As I became more wretched you drew nearer “It is easier to memeasure the entire sea with a tiny cup than to grasp God's ineffable greatness with the human mind.” —St. AugustineBasil the Great
“Sin is the fruit of free will“You don't have a soul. There was You are a time when sin did not exist, and there will be Soul. You have a time when it will not existbody.” —St—C. S. Isaac the SyrianLewis
“Prove your love “This is the wisdom and zeal for wisdom in actual deedspower of God: to be victorious through weakness, exalted through humility, rich through poverty.” —St. Callistus XanthopoulosGregory Palamas
“Without love, deeds, even “You will lose nothing of what you have renounced for the most brilliant, count as nothingLord’s sake. For in its own time it will return to you greatly multiplied.” —Thérèse de Lisieux—St. Mark the Ascetic
“Do not leave unobliterated any fault“God often isolates those whom He chooses, however smallso that we have nowhere to turn except to Him, for it may lead you on then He reveals Himself to greater sinsus.” —St—Fr. Mark the AsceticSeraphim Rose of Platina
“Everyday “Where can I lay a foundation for building my repentance, and again with my own hands I demolish itflee? A place cannot save you because there is no place you can flee from yourself.” —St. Ephrem the SyrianNikon of Optina
“Having fulfilled “No one and nothing can harm a commandmentman if he does not harm himself; on the contrary, if one does not avoid sin, a thousand means of salvation will not help him. Consequently, expect temptations; because love toward Christ the only evil is tested by difficultiessin: Judas fell while in the presence of the Savior, but the righteous Lot was saved while living in Sodom.” —St. Mark the AsceticNikon of Optina, November 15-16/28-29, 1922, Optina Monastery, The Orthodox Word, 1980, vol. 16, no. 2 (91), March-April
“Do not be surprised that when you draw near “If our purpose is to fight the spiritual fight and to defeat, with God's help, the demons of malice, we should take every care to virtueguard our heart from the demon of dejection, grievous just as a moth devours clothing and intense tribulations come a worm devours wood, so dejection devours a man’s soul. It persuades him to you on all sides: for virtue is not considered virtueshun every helpful encounter and stops him accepting advice from his true friends or giving them a courteous and peaceful reply. Seizing the entire soul, if it fills it with bitterness and listlessness. Then it suggests to the soul that we should go away from other people, since they are the cause of its agitation. It does not involve hard work.” —St. Isaac allow the Syriansoul to understand that its sickness does not come from without, Directions on Spiritual Trainingbut lies hidden within, The Philokaliaonly manifesting itself when temptations attack the soul because of our ascetic efforts.
“Do not A man can be surprised harmed by another only through the causes of the passions which lie within himself. It is for this reason that you fall every day; do not give up, but stand your ground courageously. And assuredlyGod, the angel who guards you will honor your patience. While a wound is still fresh Creator of all and warm it is easy to healthe Doctor of men’s souls, but oldwho alone has accurate knowledge of the soul’s wounds, neglected does not tell us to forsake the company of men; He tells us to root out the causes of evil within us and festering ones are hard to curerecognize that the soul’s health is achieved not by a man’s separating himself from his fellows, and require but by his living the ascetic life in the company of holy men. When we abandon our brothers for their care much treatmentsome apparently good reason, cuttingwe do not eradicate the motives for dejection but merely exchange them, plastering and cauterization. Many from long neglect become incurable. But with God all things are possiblesince the sickness which lies hidden within us will show itself again in other circumstances.” —St. John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent, Step 5, Section 30Cassian
“The “A life of lived in the righteous was radiant. How did it become radiant if it wasn’t by patience? Love patienceworld can be as good, O monkin the eyes of God, as one spent in a monastery. It is indeed only the mother keeping of God's commandments, love of all, and a true sense of couragehumility that matter, wherever we are.” —St. Ephrem the Syrian—Elder Macarius of Optina
“Seek in everything “Those who, because of the deep meaning. All rigor of their own ascetic practice, despise the events less zealous, think that take place around us they are made righteous by physical works. But we are even more foolish if we rely on theoretical knowledge and with us have their meaningdisparage the ignorant. Nothing happens without a cause…” ” —St. Nektary of OptinaMark the Ascetic
“…should we fall“When you get bitter and annoyed, we should not despair and so estrange ourselves from the Lord's love. For even if He so choosesonly in thought, He can deal mercifully with our weaknessyou ruin the spiritual atmosphere. Only we should not cut ourselves off You stop the Holy Spirit from Him or feel oppressed when constrained by His commandments, nor working and you allow the devil to increase evil. You should we lose heart when we fall short of our goal…let us always be ready to make a new start. If you fallpray, rise up. If you fall again, rise up again. Only do not abandon your Physician, lest you be condemned as worse than a suicide because of your despair. Wait on Himlove and forgive, rejecting each and He will be merciful, either reforming you, or sending you trials, or through some other provision of which every bad thought within you are ignorant.” —St. Peter Porphyrios of DamascusKavsokalyvia
“Faintness of heart “When you are praying alone, and your spirit is a sign of despondencydejected, and negligence is the mother of both. A cowardly man shows that he suffers from two diseases: love of his flesh you are wearied and lack of faith; for love of one’s flesh is a sign of unbelief. But he who despises the love of the flesh proves oppressed by your loneliness, remember then, as always, that he believes in God with his whole heart and awaits the age to come … A courageous heart and scorn of perils comes from one of two causes: either from hardness of heart or from great faith in God. Pride accompanies hardness of heart, but humility accompanies faith. A man cannot acquire hope in God unless he first does His will Trinity looks upon you with exactness. For hope in God and manliness of heart are born of eyes brighter than the testimony of sun; also all the conscienceangels, your own Guardian Angel, and by all the truthful testimony Saints of the mind we possess confidence towards God.” —St. Isaac the Syrian, Homily 40John of Kronstadt
“Just as the Lord “A remedy against straying thoughts is solicitous about our salvationmental attention, so too attention to the murder of men, fact that the devil, strives to lead a man into despairLord is before us and we are before Him.” —St.Theophan the Recluse
A lofty and sound soul does not despair over misfortunes, of whatever sort they may be. Our life is as it were a house “The roots of temptations and trials; but we will not renounce evil thoughts are the Lord for as long as He allows the tempter to remain with us and for as long as obvious vices, which we must wait keep trying to be revived through patience justify in our words and secure passionless!actions.” —St. Mark the Ascetic
Judas the betrayer was fainthearted “Guard your speech from boasting and unskilled in battle, and so the enemy, seeing his despair, attacked him your thoughts from presumption; otherwise you may be abandoned by God and forced him to hang himself, but Peter, a firm rock, when he fell fall into great sin, like one skilled in battle did not despair nor lose heart, but shed bitter tears from a burning heart, and . For man cannot do anything good without the enemyhelp of God, seeing these tears, his eyes scorched as by fire, fled far form him wailing in painwho sees everything.” —St.Mark the Ascetic
And so brothers, St. Antioch teaches, when despair attacks us let us not yield to it, but being strengthened and protected by the light of faith, with great courage let us say to the evil spirit: ‘What are you to us, estranged from God, "The higher a fugitive from heaven and evil servant? You dare do nothing to us. Christ, person’s position in society the Son more he should help others without ever reminding them of God, has authority both over us and over everythinghis position. It is against Him that we have sinned, and before Him that we will be justified. And you, destroyer, leave us. Strengthen by His venerable Cross, we trample under foot your serpent's head’ (” —Tsar St. Antioch Discourse 27).” —St. Seraphim of Sarov, Little Russian PhilokaliaNicholas II
“I think it needs “If you want your sins to be pointed out with utmost charity absolved by Christ, then don't speak to others about any virtue that the religion of compromise is self-deception and that there exist today only two absolutely irreconcilable alternatives for man: faith in the world and the religion of selfyou may have, whose fruit is death; and the faith in Christ because God will treat our sins the Son of God, in Whom alone is eternal lifesame way we treat our virtues.” —Fr—St. Seraphim Rose of PlatinaMark the Ascetic
“Keep your mind “If any man is able in hell and do not despairpower to continue in purity, to the honour of the flesh of our Lord, let him continue so without boasting; if he boasts, he is undone; if he become known apart from the bishop, he has destroyed himself.” —St. Silouan the AthoniteIgnatius of Antioch
“Stand at “Guarding the brink of mouth wakes up the abyss of despairconscience to God, and when you see if it is with knowledge that you cannot bear it anymore, draw back a little, and have a cup of teaman keeps silence.” —Elder Sophrony of Essex—St. Isaac the Syrian
“So in every test“Silence is more profitable than speech, let us say: "Thank youfor as it has been said, my God, because this was needed for my salvation‘The words of wise men are heard even in quiet."” —Elder Paisios of Mt’” —St. AthosBasil the Great
“Only the benumbed soul doesn't pray. Preserve in yourselves the feeling of need“Never give your opinion if you are not asked for it, and even if you will always have stimulation for prayerthink that your view is the best.” —St. Theophan the Recluse—Josemaria Escriva
“Make sure that you do not limit your prayer merely to a particular part of the day. Turn to prayer at anytime“Not only for every idle word must man give an account, but for every idle silence.” —St John Chrysostom. Ambrose of Milan
“The Lord knows “Somewhere we know that I love you allwithout silence words lose their meaning, but I that without listening speaking no longer heals, that without distance closeness cannot speak with God and people at the same timecure.” —St. Arsanius the Great—Henri Nouwen
“A Christian…is not his own master“Let your mouth continually administer blessing; he puts his time at God's disposalthen the scorn of anyone will never hurt you.” —St. Ignatius of AntiochIsaac the Syrian
“Do not seek “Just as swine run to a place where there is mire, and bees dwell where there are fragrances and incense, likewise demons gather where there are carnal songs and the perfection grace of the Law in human virtuesHoly Spirit settles where there are spiritual melodies, for it is not found perfect in them. Its perfection is hidden in the Cross of Christsanctifying both mouth and soul.” —St. Mark the AsceticJohn Chrysostom
“The knowledge “A psalm implies serenity of soul; it is the Cross is concealed in author of peace, which calms bewildering and seething thoughts. For, it softens the sufferings wrath of the Crosssoul, and what is unbridled it chastens.” —StA psalm forms friendships, unites those separated, conciliates those at enmity. Isaac Who, indeed, can still consider as an enemy him with whom he has uttered the Syriansame prayer to God?
“God had So that psalmody, bringing about choral singing, a bond, as it were, toward unity, and joining the people into a harmonious union of one son on earth without sinchoir, but never one without sufferingproduces also the greatest of blessings, charity.” —StA psalm is a city of refuge from the demons, a means of inducing help from the angels, a weapon in fears by night, a rest from toils by day, a safeguard for infants, an adornment for those at the height of their vigor, a consolation for the elders, a most fitting ornament for women. Augustine
“Nevertheless one who regards only It peoples the dissolution of solitudes; it rids the body is greatly disturbed, and makes it a hardship that this life market place of ours should be dissolved by deathexcesses; it isthe elementary exposition of beginners, he saysthe improvement of those advancing, the extremity solid support of evil that our being should be quenched by this condition of mortality. Let him, thenthe perfect, observe through this gloomy prospect the excess voice of the Divine benevolenceChurch.”” —StIt brightens the feast days; it creates a sorrow which is in accordance with God. Gregory of Nyssa, The Great Catechism, §VIII
“Man isFor, by nature, afraid of both death and the dissolution of the body; but there a psalm is this most startling fact: that he who has put on the faith work of angels, a heavenly institution, the Cross despises even what is naturally fearful, and for Christ's sake is not afraid even of deathspiritual incense.” —St. Athanasius Basil the Great
“Let “Through the crowds Holy Spirit comes our restoration to paradise, our ascension into the kingdom of heaven, our return to the adoption of wild beasts; let tearingssons, breakingsour liberty to call God our Father, our being made partakers of the grace of Christ, our being called children of light, our sharing in eternal glory, and dislocations , in a word, our being brought into a state of bones; let cutting off all ‘fullness of members; let shatterings blessing,’ both in this world and in the world to come, of all the whole body; and let all good gifts that are in store for us, by promise hereof, through faith, beholding the dreadful torments reflection of their grace as though they were already present, we await the devil come upon me: only let me attain to Jesus Christfull enjoyment.” —St. Ignatius of AntiochBasil the Great
“Only struggle a little more. Carry your cross without complaining. Don't think you are anything special. Don“Humility consists, not in condemning our conscience, but in recognizing God't justify your sins s grace and weaknesses, but see yourself as you really are. And, especially, love one anothercompassion.” —Fr—St. Seraphim Rose of PlatinaMark the Ascetic
“Remember that each “The source of us has his own cross. The Golgotha of this cross is our heart: it self-delusion and demonic deception is being lifted or implanted through a zealous determination to live according to the Spirit of Godfalse thought…” —St. Just as salvation of the world is by the Cross Ignatius Brianchaninov (Bryanchaninov) of God, so our salvation is by our crucifixion on our own cross.” —St. Theophan the RecluseCaucasus
“Everyone carries their own cross“Spiritual deception is the state of all men without exception, both Christians and non-Christians, believers and pagansit has been made possible by the fall of our original parents. The difference is that for some, their crosses serve as a means All of attaining the Kingdom us are subject to spiritual deception. Awareness of Heaven, while for this fact is the others they bring no such valuegreatest protection against it. For the ChristianLikewise, the cross gradually becomes lighter and more joyful, while for the nonbeliever it becomes heavier and more burdensome. Why greatest spiritual deception of all is this so? Because where the one carries their cross with faith and devotion to God, the other carries consider oneself free from it with grumbling and anger.” —St. Ignatius Brianchaninov (Bryanchaninov) of Caucasus
Therefore, Christian, do not shun your lifelong cross, but, on “Knowing the contrary, thank Jesus Christ that He honored you to follow and imitate Himperpetual impurity of our spiritual state must bring us humility of heart.” —St. Innocent of Alaska, Indication Of The Way Into The Kingdom Of Heaven—Tonia Howell
“Everyone has a cross to carry. Why? Since the leader of our faith endured the cross, we will also endure it. On one hand, the cross “Where there is sweet pride and light, but, on at the other, same time one has a vision – it can also not be bitter and heavy. It depends on our will. If you bear Christ’s cross with love then it will be very light; like a sponge or a cork. But if you have a negative attitudefrom God, it becomes heavy; too heavy to liftbut by all means – from the evil one.” —Elder Ephraim of Katounakia, 20th Century staretz on Mt. Athos, Suffering; Trials—Archimandrite Seraphim Alexiev
“When “If you meet are silent in a good way, desiring to be with sufferingGod, never accept any physical or spiritual appearances, either outside or inside yourself, even if it might be an image of Christ, or an angel, contemptor some Saint, or if light should appear, or imprint itself in the Crossmind...Be attentive, that you may not come to believe something, even if it is something good, your thought should and be: what not captivated by it before consulting those who are experienced and are able to analyze the matter, so that you do not suffer harm...God is this compared not displeased with what I deserve?” —Josemaria Escrivathe person who is attentive to himself, even if he, out of fear of deception, does not accept even that which is from Him, without consulting and testing…” —St. Gregory of Sinai
“Many people“Children, finding daily life unsatisfyingI beseech you to correct your hearts and thoughts, try so that you may be pleasing to God. Consider that although we may reckon ourselves to live be righteous and frequently succeed in a fantasy world of their owndeceiving men, we can conceal nothing from God. Underlying Let us therefore strive to preserve the whole holiness of modern culture is our souls and to guard the common denominator purity of our bodies with all fervor. Ye are the worship temple of oneself and one's own comfortGod, which is deadly to says the divine Apostle Paul; If any idea man defile the temple of spiritual lifeGod, him shall God destroy.” —Fr—St. Seraphim Rose Nicholas of PlatinaMyra
“Behold, “Those who suffer for years and generations, the way sake of true devotion receive help. This must be learnt through obeying God has been leveled by the cross 's law and by death. How is this with thee, that thou seest the afflictions of the way as if they were out of the way? Doest not thou wish to follow the steps of the saints? Or doest thou wish to go a way which is especially for thee, without suffering? The way unto God is a daily cross. No one can ascend unto heaven with comfort, we know where the way of comfort leadsour own conscience.” —St. Isaac Mark the Syrian, Mystic Treatises, Homily LIXAscetic
“I know of my spiritual poverty“When you are wronged and your heart and feelings are hardened, my own nothingness without faith. I am so weakdo not be distressed, for this has happened providentially; but be glad and reject the thoughts that it is only by Christ's name that I live and obtain peacearise within you, knowing that I rejoice and my heart expandsif they are destroyed at the stage when they are only provocations, whilst without Him I am spiritually deadtheir evil consequences will be cut off, I am troubled, and my heart is oppressed; without the Lord's Cross I should have been long since the victim of whereas if the most cruel distress and despair. Only Christ keeps me alive: and thoughts persist the Cross is my peace and my consolationevil may be expected to develop.” —St. John of KronstadtMark the Ascetic
“Yesterday I was crucified “Struggle to become immortal from now, by dying here on the earth to your bad self. In this way, you won't be sad, but you'll be very glad, living together with Him; today I am glorified with Him; yesterday I died with Him; today I am quickened with Him; yesterday I was buried with Him; today I rise with HimChrist.” —St. Gregory the Theologian—Elder Porphyrios
“Understand two thoughts, and fear them. One says, 'You are a saint,' “On the otherone hand He is Being, 'You won't be saved.' Both eternally Being of these thoughts are from the enemyEternal Being, above every cause and there is no truth in them. But think this way: I am a great sinner, but word…And on the Lord other hand for our sake he is merciful. He loves people very muchalso Becoming, and so that He will forgive my sins. Believe in this way, and you will see, the Lord will forgive you. But put no faith in feats of your own, however much you may have striven… Thus God has mercy on who gives us our being might also give us, not for our achievements but gracious, because of His goodnesswell-being.” —St. Silouan Gregory the AthoniteTheologian, Oration 38
“He made Him who was righteous “For this He assumed my body, that I may become capable of His Word; taking my flesh, He gives me His Spirit; and so He bestowing and I receiving, He prepares for me the treasure of Life. He takes my flesh, to be a sinner, sanctify me; He gives me His Spirit that He might make sinners righteousmay save me.” —St. John Chrysostom
“Love sinners“Come, but hate their deedsthen, and do not disdain sinners for their failingslet us observe the Feast. Truly wondrous is the whole chronicle of the Nativity. For this day the ancient slavery is ended, the devil confounded, the demons take to flight, the power of death is broken, paradise is unlocked, the curse is taken away, sin is removed from us, error driven out, truth has been brought back, so that you yourself do not fall into the temptation in which they abide… Do not be angry at anyone speech of kindliness diffused, and do not hate anyonespreads on every side, neither for their faitha heavenly way of life has been inplanted on the earth, nor for their shameful deeds… Do not foster hatred for the sinnerangels communicate with men without fear, for we are all guilty… Hate his sinsand men now hold speech with angels. Why is this? Because God is now on earth, and pray for himman in heaven; on every side all things commingle. He became Flesh. He did not become God. He was God. Wherefore He became flesh, so that you may be made like unto ChristHe Whom heaven did not contain, who had no dislike for sinners, but prayed for thema manger would this day receive.” —St. Isaac John Chrysostom, Homily on the Syrian, Ascetical Homilies 57,90Nativity
“Love every man in spite “This Christmas night bestowed peace on the whole world;So let no one threaten.This is the night of the Most Gentle One;Let no one be cruel.This is the night of his falling into sinthe Humble One;Let no one be proud. Never mind Now is the sinsday of joy;Let us not revenge.Now is the day of good will;Let us not be mean.In this day of peace --Let us not be conquered by anger.Today the Bountiful impoverished Himself for our sake;So, but remember that rich one, invite the foundation poor to your table.Today we receive a Gift for which we did not ask;So let us give alms to those who implore and beg us.This present day throws open the doors of heaven to our prayers; Let us open our doors to those who ask our forgiveness.Today the man is Divinity took upon himself the same - seal of our humanity,In order for humanity to be decorated by the image seal of GodDivinity.” —St. John of KronstadtIsaac the Syrian, Homily on the Nativity
“Never confuse “This being He placed in Paradise, whatever the personParadise may have been, formed having honoured him with the gift of Free Will (in order that God might belong to him as the image result of Godhis choice, no less than to Him who had implanted the seeds of it), with to till the evil that immortal plants, by which is meant perhaps the Divine Conceptions, both the simpler and the more perfect; naked in his simplicity and inartificial life, and without any covering or screen; for it was fitting that he who was from the beginning should be such. Also He gave him: a Law, as a material for his Free Will to act upon. This Law was a Commandment as to what plants he might partake of, and which one he might not touch. This latter was the Tree of Knowledge; not, however, because it was evil from the beginning when planted; nor was it forbidden because God grudged it to us…Let not the enemies of God wag their tongues in that direction, or imitate the Serpent…But it would have been good if partaken of at the proper time, for the tree was, according to my theory, Contemplation, upon which it is only safe for those who have reached maturity of habit to enter; but a chance misfortunewhich is not good for those who are still somewhat simple and greedy in their habit; just as solid food is not good for those who are yet tender, an illness, a devilish reverieand have need of milk. (Hebrews 5:12) But when through the very essence Devil's malice and the woman's caprice, to which she succumbed as the more tender, and which she brought to bear upon the man, as she was the more apt to persuade, alas for my weakness! (for that of my first father was mine), he forgot the person Commandment which had been given to him; (Genesis 3:5) he yielded to the baleful fruit; and for his sin he was banished, at once from the Tree of Life, and from Paradise, and from God; and put on the coats of skins…that is , perhaps, the coarser flesh, both mortal and contradictory. This was the image of first thing that he learned – his own shame; (Romans 1:22-31) and he hid himself from God. Yet here too he makes a gain, namely death, and this remains the cutting off of sin, in him despite every disfigurementorder that evil may not be immortal. Thus his punishment is changed into a mercy; for it is in mercy, I am persuaded, that God inflicts punishment.” —St. John Gregory the Theologian, Oration 38, XII, On Theophany, On the Birth of our Saviour (On the Nativity of KronstadtChrist)
“For this reason, “It is no wonder that the shepherds were able to know of the man who lives by God's standards and not by manworld'sredemption before rulers, must needs be a lover of for the good, and it follows that he must hate what is evilAngels made their announcement not to kings or judges but to countryfolk. Further, since no one It is evil by naturenot to be wondered at, but anyone who is evil is evil because of a perversion of naturethen, if innocence merited to know the man who lives by God's standards has a duty Grace of ‘perfect hatred’ (Psalm 139:22) towards those who are evil; that is Christ before power did and simple country manners merited to say, he should not hate recognize the Truth before proud dominion. For what the person because of Shepherds recognized the fault, nor should he love rulers were unable to recognize; hence the fault because Blessed Apostle says: 'What none of the personrulers of this age recognized,' and so forth. He should hate At the faultBirth of Christ, therefore, but love the man. And when Angels rejoiced together with the fault has been cured there will remain only what he ought Shepherds, giving God high glory, for in close and even joined choruses, so to lovespeak, nothing that he should hatethey preached the glory of God.” —St. Augustine Maximus of HippoTurin, The City of God, 14:6, Penguin ed.Homily on the Nativity, translsec. Bettenson2
“As Jesus Christ “The Angel-Messenger of the pre-eternal Counsel of the Holy Trinity comes to the earth. This is not an ordinary messenger; it is my Witnessthe Only-begotten Son of God Himself. He brings peace to men. ‘Peace be unto you’, he said more than once to His disciples. ‘Peace I profess that leave with you, my peace I hate heresygive unto you’, not He says to the apostles at the heretic; but Mystical Supper, ‘not as the world giveth, give I unto you’. And appearing after His Resurrection, again He says: ‘Peace be unto you’. ‘For he is properour peace’, for the present I shun holy Apostle Paul says concerning Him: ‘He came to the heretics because of earth to reconcile man unto God by the heresycross, since I have both convicted and rebuked himhaving slain the enmity thereby. Let him renounce his heresy and condemn it by word as well as by deedAnd having come, He preached peace to those afar off and he will cling to all men by the bond of brotherhoodthose near, because it is written, ‘Bear ye one another's burden and so fulfill through Him we both have access unto the law of Christ’ (GalFather’. 6:2).” —Orosius of Braga, Book in Defense Against the Pelagians
“Our The wall that separated heaven and earth is destroyed; the sword that barred the way to the tree of life disappears. Unto man that had sinned comes his Creator, calling him into His embrace! By the mouths of the apostles, the Holy Spirit cries out: ‘In Christ, be ye reconciled to God’. You that had sinned came not to God, but the Son of God, before Whom you sinned, came to you! He calls everyone to Himself; He gives forgiveness to everyone who merely thirsts for this. For without the desire of man himself, without at least his little effort, God's peace cannot settle in him. The Lord forces no one to come to Him, but calls everyone: ‘Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and our death is I will give you rest’. Come all ye who are heavy laden with our neighborsins, who are exhausted from your labours and who do not find rest! You shall find that inner peace, which you will find nothing on earth more desirable than.The soul will feel unearthly peace and joy.” —St. John (Maximovitch) of Shanghai and San Francisco, Epistle on the Nativity, 1962
If we gain our brother, we have gained “I saw that there was no tragedy in God, but if we scandalize our brother, we have sinned against Christ.Tragedy is to be found solely in the fortunes of the man whose gaze has not gone beyond the confines of this earth.” —Archimandrite Sophrony
This “The Christian world nowadays presents a terrifying and cheerless picture of profound religious and moral decay. The servants of Antichrist do their utmost to completely displace God from people’s lives, in order that mankind, content with its material well-being, would not feel any need to turn to God in prayer, would not think of God at all, but would live as though God did not exist. Thus the entire structure of contemporary life in the so-called ‘free’ world, where there is no open and bloody persecution of faith, where everyone has the great work of right to believe as he wishes, represents a man: always far greater danger to take a Christian’s soul by drawing the blame for his own sins before God Christian wholly down to earth and to expect temptation to his last breathmaking him forget heaven.” —St. Anthony the Great
“Unless we look The entire modern culture, which is aimed at a person purely worldly achievements, and see the beauty there is in this personresultant whirlwind of everyday life, we can contribute nothing to him. One does not help keep a person by discerning what is wrong, what is ugly, what is distorted. Christ looked at everyone in such a state of constant bustle and absent-mindedness that he met, at the prostitute, at the thiefhas no opportunity for any soul-searching, and saw the beauty hidden there. Perhaps it was distorted, perhaps damaged, but it was beauty none the less, and what he did was to call out this beautyspiritual life within him gradually becomes extinguished.” —Metropolitan Anthony —Archbishop Averky (Taushev) of SourozhSyracuse
“He “In advising against being carried away by artificial practices such as Transcendental Meditation I am but repeating the age-old message of the Church … The way of the Fathers requires firm faith and long patience, whereas our contemporaries want to seize every spiritual gift, including even direct contemplation of the Absolute God, by force and speedily, and will often draw a parallel between prayer in the Name of Jesus and yoga or Transcendental Meditation and the like. I must stress the danger of such errors … He is deluded who busies endeavors to divest himself mentally of all that is transitory and relative in order to cross some invisible threshold, to realize his eternal origin, his identity with the sins Source of othersall that exists, or judges his brother on suspicionin order to return and merge with him, has not yet even begun the nameless transpersonal Absolute. Such exercises have enabled many to rise to repent or suprarational contemplation of being, to examine himself so as experience a certain mystical trepidation, to discover his own sinsknow the state of silence of mind, when mind goes beyond the boundaries of time and space.” —StIn such like states man may feel the peacefulness of being withdrawn from the continually changing phenomena of the visible world, may even have a certain experience of eternity. Maximus But the God of Truth, the ConfessorLiving God, is not in all this.
“As long It is man's own beauty, created in the image of God, that is contemplated and seen as we pay attention to divinity, whereas he himself still continues within the negative sides confines of various people we meethis creatureliness. This is a vastly important concern. The tragedy of the matter lies in the fact that man sees a mirage which, in his longing for eternal life, we will not find peace and repentancehe mistakes for a genuine oasis. As long as we keep This impersonal form of ascetics leads finally to an assertion of the divine principle in ourselves the thought very nature of offense, caused man. Man is then drawn to us the idea of self-deification—the cause of the original Fall. The man who is blinded by enemies, friends, family and neighbours, the imaginary majesty of what he contemplates has in fact set his foot on the path to self-destruction. He has discarded the revelation of a personal God … The movement into the depths of his own being is nothing else but attraction towards the non-being from which we were called by the will not find peace and quiet and we will live in a hellish stateof the Creator.” —Elder Thaddeus —Archimandrite Sophrony of VitovnicaMt. Athos, His Life is Mine, 115-116
“If you are offended by anything“Blessed is the mind that prays, worships God without imagination, for Christ had no imagination, being God. Adam lost his paradise after falling into imagination, because he imagined, at the instigation of Lucifer, that if he tasted from the forbidden tree, he would never die. The Holy Fathers say that the greatest disease and temptation during prayer is the imagination of the mind, whether intended which they called the ‘soul cuttlefish with eight tentacles’ or unintended‘octopus’. Imagination is also called the ‘bridge for demons’. During the prayer offered from the heart, you do it is most difficult to preserve the imagination; it is even harder than keeping the mind away from thoughts. Let's not know forget that everything limited, represented is not God. In the meantime, if we stop at the way of peaceimages, which we are being deceived and we can neither pass through love brings the lovers of divine knowledge narrow gate to the knowledge of heart nor reach God.” —St. Maximus the Confessor—Archimandrite Cleopas (Ilie) of Romania
“Especially“Yes, do not be disturbed by one must disregard doubts, just like lustful and blasphemous thoughts; pay no attention to them. Disregard them, and your enemy, which clearly come from the envy of devil, will not be able to withstand it; he'll leave you, since he's proud and cannot bear the Enemydisdain. They occur in a person either because of proud self-opinion or But if you enter into conversation with them – since the condemnation of otherslustful thoughts, blasphemies and doubts are not yours – he'll bombard you, swamp you, kill you.” —St. Ambrose —Elder Barsanuphius of Optina
“In hell there “Christ said, 'I came not to send peace, but a sword' and 'division'. Christ summoned us to war on the plane of the spirit, and our weapon is 'the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.' Our battle is democracy waged in extraordinarily unequal conditions. We are tied hand and foot. We dare not strike with fire or sword: our sole armament is love, even for enemies. This unique war in Heaven there which we are engaged is indeed a Kingdomholy war. We wrestle with the last and only enemy of mankind death. Our fight is the fight for universal resurrection.” —St—Archimandrite Sophrony of Mt. John of KronstadtAthos, His Life is Mine
“We shall not care what people think “But since our discourse has now turned to the subject of usblasphemy, or how they treat us. We shall cease I desire to be afraid of falling out of ask one favour. We shall love our fellow men without thought of whether they love us. Christ gave us the commandment to love others but did not make it a condition of salvation that they should love us. Indeedyou all, we may positively be disliked in return for independence of spirit. It this my address, and speaking with you; which is essential in these days to be able to protect ourselves from , that you will correct on my behalf the influence blasphemers of those with whom we come this city. And should you hear anyone in contact. Otherwise we risk losing both faith and prayer. Let the whole world dismiss us as unworthy of attentionpublic thoroughfare, trust or respect – it will not matter provided that in the Lord accept us. And vice versa: it will profit us nothing if midst of the whole world thinks well of us forum, blaspheming God; go up to him and rebuke him; and sings our praisesshould it be necessary to inflict blows, if the Lord declines spare not to abide with usdo so. This is only a fragment of Smite him on the freedom Christ meant when Hial practices such as Transcendental Meditation I am but repeating face; strike his mouth; sanctify your hand with the age-old message of the Church … The way of the Fathers requires firm faith blow; and long patienceif they are accused, whereas our contemporaries want and be brought to seize every spiritual giftcourt, including even direct contemplation of go. And if a judge before the Absolute Godcourt demands an answer, by force and speedily, and will often draw a parallel between prayer in boldly say that he blasphemed the Name King of Jesus and yoga or Transcendental Meditation ande saidangels, ‘Ye shall know for if those who blaspheme the truthearthly king are to be punished, and how much more insulting is it to Him (the truth shall make you free’ (John 8.32King)…” —St. Our sole care will be John Chrysostom, Conversations on Statues, address to continue in the word of Christ, to become His disciples and cease to be servants people of sin.” —Archimandrite Sophrony of EssexAntioch, His Life is MineConversation 1, Chapter 6; pgpt. 551 12
“The Church is a hospital“I ask you to try something. If someone grieves you, and not a courtroomor dishonors you, for souls. She does not condemn on behalf or takes something of sinsyours, then pray like this: ‘Lord, but grants remission of sins. Nothing is so joyous in our life as the thanksgiving that we experience in the Churchare all your creatures. In the ChurchPity your servants, the joyful sustain their joy. In the Church, those worried acquire merrimentand turn them to repentance, ’ and those saddened, joythen you will perceptibly bear grace in your soul. In the Church, the troubled find reliefInduce your heart to love your enemies, and the heavy-laden, rest. ‘Come,’ says the Lord, ‘near meseeing your good will, shall help you in all of you who labor and are heavy-laden (with trials and sins)things, and I will give Himself show you rest’ (Matthew 11:28)experience. What could be more desirable than to meet this voice? What is sweeter than this invitation? The Lord is calling you to the Church for a rich banquet. He transfers you from struggles to rest, and from tortures to relief. He relieves you from the burden But whoever thinks evil of your sins. He heals worries with thanksgiving, and sadness with joy. No one is truly free or joyful besides he who lives his enemies does not have love for Christ. Such a person overcomes all evil God and does has not fear anything!known God.” —St. John ChrysostomSilouan the Athonite, Homily XVWriting, II CorIX. VII VIII, paragraph 6, Themes of Life II, Life Issues II, Holy Monastery of the Paraclete21
“The goal “Where there is pride there cannot be grace, and if we lose grace we also lose both love of human freedom God and assurance in prayer. The soul is then tormented by evil thoughts and does not in freedom itselfunderstand that she must humble herself and love her enemies, nor for there is it in man, but in God. By giving man freedom God has yielded to man a piece of His divine authority, but with the intention that man himself would voluntarily bring it as a sacrifice no other way to please God, as a most perfect offering.” —St. Theophan Silouan the Recluse, The Path to SalvationAthonite
“When you are depressed“The whole therapeutic method of the Orthodox Church is not aimed simply at making human beings morally and socially balanced, bear in mind but at re-establishing their relationship with God and one another. This comes about through the healing of the soul's wounds and the cure of the passions through the Sacraments and the Lord’s command to Peter to forgive a sinner seventy times seven. And you may be sure that He Who gave this command to another will Himself do very much moreChurch's ascetic practice.” —St. John Climacus—Metropolitan Hierotheos Vlachos, The Science of Spiritual Medicine: Orthodox Psychotherapy in Action
“The time acquisition of this present life of holiness is a time for harvestingnot the exclusive business of monks, and each person gathers spiritual food - as pure as possible - and stores it up for the other lifecertain people think. It is not the cleverPeople with families are also called to holiness, the nobleas are those in all kinds of professions, who live in the polished speakersworld, or since the rich who win, but whoever is insulted commandment about perfection and forbears, whoever holiness is wronged and forgivesgiven not only to monks, whoever is slandered and endures, whoever becomes a sponge and mops up whatever they might say but to him. Such a person is cleansed and polished even more. He reaches great heights. He delights in the theoria of mysteries. And finally, it is he who is already inside paradise, while still in this lifeall people.” —Elder Joseph the Hesychast and Cave-dweller—Hieromartyr Onuphry Gagaluk
“When you “Many passions are ready hidden in our souls; they can be brought to stand in light only when the presence of the Lord, let your soul wear a garment woven from the cloth of your forgiveness of others. Otherwise, your prayer will be of no value whatsoeverobjects that rouse them are present.” —St. John ClimacusMaximus the Confessor, Four Hundred Texts on Love
“Forgiveness “What is better than revengeholiness? Freedom from every sin and the fullness of every virtue.” This freedom from sin and this virtuous life are only attained by a few zealous persons, and that not suddenly, but gradually, by prolonged and manifold sorrows, sicknesses, and labors, by fasting, vigilance, prayer, and that not by their own strength, but by the grace of Christ…” —St. Tikhon John of ZadonskKronstadt
“When God forgave you“A wise heart can transfer an affliction into a blessing, even sin!! He benefits from it means He forgave you : contrition, humility, keenness and sympathy for eternitysinners.” —Elder Arsenios Papacioc—H.H. Pope Shenouda III
“Love alone harmoniously joins “Humility and suffering free a man from all created things with God sin; for the first cuts out spiritual passions, and with each otherthe latter bodily.” —St. Thalassios Maximus the LibyanConfessor
“A monk is he who withdrawing from all men, is united with all mankind“Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny. … A monk is he who regards himself as existing with all men and sees himself in each man” —C.” —StS. Nilus of SinaiLewis
“Love towards Christ is without limits, and “Christ did not come into the same is true of love towards our neighbour. It should radiate everywhereworld to eliminate suffering, to Christ has not even come into the ends of the earth, world to every personexplain it. I wanted Rather, He came to go and live fill human suffering with the hippies at …… in order to show them the love of Christ and how great it is and how it could transfigure themHis presence. Love is above everything” —Fr.” —Wounded by Love, Elder Porphyrios, pg 188George Calciu
“So God created “The soul of man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created themis not impure at birth, but pure.” —Genesis 1:27—Metropolitan Hierotheos Vlachos
“For God knows “By nature the soul is passionless… so you must believe that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evilpassions do not belong to the soul by nature.” —Genesis 3:5—St. Isaac the Syrian
“And “Just as in legal marriage, the pleasure derived from procreation cannot exactly be called a gift of God, because it is carnal and constitutes a gift of nature and not of grace (even though that nature has been created by God); even so the knowledge that comes from profane education, even if well used, is a gift of nature, and not of grace-a gift which God accords to all without exception through nature, and which one can develop by exercise. This last point-that no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into one acquires it without effort and exercise-is an angel evident proof that it is a question of lighta natural, not a spiritual, gift.” —2 Corinthians 11:14
“You shall It is our sacred wisdom that should legitimately be called a gift of God and not murdera natural gift, since even simple fishermen who receive it from on high become, as Gregory the Theologian says, sons of Thunder, whose word has encompassed the very bounds of the universe. By this grace, even publicans are made merchants of souls; and even the burning zeal of persecutors is transformed, making them Pauls instead of Sauls, turning away the earth to attain ‘the third heaven’ and ‘hear ineffable things’. By this true wisdom we too can become conformed to the image of God and continue to be such after death.” —Exodus 20:13—St. Gregory Palamas, Triads in Defence of the Holy Hesychasts, Philosophy does not save, pages 29-30
“Cursed “We know that even the facts that a marriage means relations between a man and a woman and that a choice of gender is the not an intellectual and volitional one who takes , but a bribe to slay an innocent personDivine choice, are now being disputed. Children are already being taught this.” —Deuteronomy 27They are told:25‘You should choose yourself whether you are a boy or a girl’; that is, what was founded by God is being destroyed by people, ostensibly for the sake of freedom.
“He shall judge between But then, what is freedom like? If freedom ruins the Divine plan of the nationsworld and of mankind, then it is not freedom,but slavery. And rebuke many people;They shall beat their swords into plowshareswe know that the devil enslaves a man,And their spears into pruning hooks;Nation shall because the most dangerous captivity is to be not lift up sword against nationfree from sin,Neither shall they learn war anymorewhen a person cannot live in accordance with his or her calling.” —Isaiah 2:4—His Holiness Patriarch Kirill
“But Jesus said to him“Fiery lust, the desire for marriage, sexual union … and all the other things that, ‘Put your sword in its placeas most people think, the body seeks for all who take - it is not the body as such … but the soul, which through the sword will perish body seeks pleasure by their means… Let no one think he is being driven towards these things and compelled by his own body… the body cannot be moved to anything apart from the swordsoul.” —St.’” —Matthew 26:52Symeon the New Theologian
“You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery“Often this demon [of lust] goes away altogether for a while,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear and one can have a false witnesssense of security that one is ‘above’ this passion; but all the Holy Fathers warn that one cannot consider this passion conquered before the grave. Continue your struggle and take refuge in humility,’ ‘Honor your father seeing what base sins you are capable of and your motherhow you are lost without the constant help of God Who calls you to a life above these sins.” —Fr.’” —Luke 18Seraphim Rose of Platina, Father Seraphim Rose:20His Life and Works by Hieromonk Damascene, p. 803
“So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, ‘He who “Pornography is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her firstthe devil's iconography.’” —John 8:7” —Fr. Seraphim Rose of Platina
“Whoever hates his brother “Just as the virtues are begotten in the soul, so are the passions. But the virtues are begotten in accordance with nature, the passions in a mode contrary to nature. For what produces good or evil in the soul is the will's bias… For our inner disposition is a murderercapable of operating in one way or another, since it bears within itself both virtue and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in himvice, the first as its natural birthright, the second as the result of the self-incurred proclivity of our moral will.” —1 John 3:15—St. Gregory of Sinai
“And “Afflictions, illness, ill health and the pains that our bodies experience are counted for the second commandment remission of our trespasses. They are the Teaching; Thou shalt not commit murder, thou shalt not commit adultery, thou shalt not commit paederasty, thou shalt not commit fornication, thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not practise magic, thou shalt not practise witchcraft, thou shalt not murder a child by abortion nor kill that furnace in which is begottenwe are purified…” —St.” —Didache 2:2John Chrysostom
“You shall not take “The heart of a perfectly healthy man becomes weakened for faith and love to God and his neighbor, and easily gives itself up to carnal desires: to slothfulness, negligence, coldness, gluttony, avarice, fornication, pride. Whilst the life heart of a sick man, or a wounded, oppressed, weary heart, is strengthened in faith, hope, and love, and is far removed from carnal passions. This is why the child Heavenly Father, Who careth for our salvation, chastises us by obtaining an abortionvarious sicknesses. Nor, The oppression and afflictions of sickness make us turn again, shall you destroy him after he is bornto God.” —St. Barnabas, Epistle John of St. BarnabasKronstadt
“The mold in the womb may not be destroyed“Gluttony says that her child is war against chastity.” —Tertullian—St. John Climacus
“We acknowledge“You can't stop smoking tobacco? What is impossible for man is possible with God's help. Just firmly decide to quit, thereforerealizing how harmful it is for the soul and the body, that life begins with conceptionsince tobacco weakens the soul, and increases and strengthens the passions, because we contend that darkens the soul begins at conceptionmind, and destroys physical health with a slow death.” —St. Life begins when Ambrose of Optina, Living Without Hypocrisy: Spiritual Counsels of the soul beginsHoly Elders of Optina, pg.70
For us“If you wish to live long on the earth, we may do not destroy even the fetus hurry to live in a carnal manner, to satiate yourself, to get drunk, to smoke, to commit fornication, to live in the wombluxury, while as yet the human being derives blood from other parts to indulge yourself. The carnal way of life constitutes death, and therefore, in the body for its sustenance. To hinder a birth Holy Scripture, our flesh is merely a speedier man-killing; nor does it matter when you take away a life that is borncalled mortal, or destroy one that is coming to birth. That is a , ‘the old man , which is going corrupt according to be one: the deceitful lusts.’ If you have wish to live long, live through the fruit already spirit; for life consists in the seedspirit: ‘If ye through the spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live,’ both here on earth and there in heaven.” —Tertullian, Apology 9:6
“Now the entire process of sowing, forming, One cannot eat and drink and completing the smoke continually. One cannot turn human embryo in the womb is no doubt regulated by some powerlife into constant eating, which ministers herein to the will of Goddrinking, whatever may be the method which it is appointed to employ. Even the superstition of Romeand smoking, by carefully attending to these pointsalthough there are men who do eat, imagined the goddess Alemona to nourish the foetus in the womb; as well as [the goddesses] Nona and Decimadrink, called after the most critical months of gestation; and Partula, to manage and direct parturitionsmoke almost uninterruptedly; and Lucina, to bring the child to thus the birth and light spirit of day. Weevil has turned life into smoking, on our part, believe the angels to officiate herein for God. The embryo therefore becomes a human being in the womb from the moment that its form is completed (conception). The law of Moses, indeed, punishes with due penalties and made the man who shall cause abortion, inasmuch as there exists already the rudiment of a human beingmouth, which has imputed ought to it even now the condition of life be employed in thanking and death, since it is already liable to praising the issues of bothLord, although, by living still in the mother, it for the most part shares its own state with the motherinto a smoking furnace.” —Tertullian, Treatise on The less and lighter the Soul, Ch. XXXVIIfood and drink you take, On the Formation lighter and State of the Embryo, Its Relation with the Subject of this Treatisemore refined your spirit will become.
“The blood Smoking is a whim. From this comes foot pain and depression. That the devil is the father of the cigarette I especially figured out today: something impacted negatively upon me from head to toe. I felt that the enemy nested in my sides and in my heart and he opposed me strongly, preventing me from saying the prayer, scaring me, paralyzing me and saddening me to the point of martyrs sin. By smoking an unclean spirit enters a person. Last night after smoking the devil made his presence felt through continuous hiccups which pestered me from the time of the Cherubic Hymn until a little before Holy Communion. My nerves were stretched, my voice was ‘escaping’ me, I was shivering and I was exhausted. That's why smoking is the seed futile. It is a silly whim, a desecration of the Churchlips, a large and unnecessary irritation, a fog that covers voluntarily.” —Tertullian
“…if we would not kill off the human race born and developing according to God's plan, then our whole lives would be lived according The taste of a cigarette I cannot compare to nature. Women who make use of some sort of deadly abortion drug kill not only the embryo anything but, together with it, all human kindnesssomething diabolical.” —St. Clement of Alexandria, Christ the Educator, Volume II, page 10And how do I know this smoking? How do I allow myself to do something like this?
“Those who use abortifacients commit homicideI came to church, falling on my knees with a contrite heart before the Holy Altar.” —StHow could I serve my enemy every day and not the Lord with zeal? Lord, help me to be free from all evil, because I am an evil man, dirty, full of sins. Clement of Alexandria
“The woman who aborts her child The Lord knows our weaknesses. He is ready to hide her immoralityforgive us everything, as long as we repent and seek forgiveness. The essential thing is that our hearts not become petrified, aborts at that is to stop hesitating to think of our committed sin, to immediately repent, and to leave ourselves to the same time her own humanitymercy of God.” —St. Clement John of AlexandriaKronstadt, My Life in Christ
“Women who were reputed believers began to resort “Suffering is an indication of another Kingdom which we look to drugs for producing sterility. They also girded themselves around, so as to expel what was If being gestated. For they did not wish to have a child by either slave or by any common fellow - out Christian meant being ‘happy’ in this life, we wouldn't need the Kingdom of concern for their family and their excessive wealthHeaven. See what a great impiety the lawless one has advanced! He teaches adultery and murder at the same time!” —St—Fr. Hipploytus, Refutation Of All HeresiesSeraphim Rose of Platina
“He [Novatian] struck “Suffering reminds the womb wise man of his wife with his heel and produced a hurried an abortionGod, thereby causing parricidebut crushes those who forget Him.” —St. Cyprian of Carthage, Epistle 52 To CorneliusMark the Ascetic
“The wealthy, in order “God permits tribulations and adversities to befall people – even the saintly – so that their inheritance they may not be divided among severalpersist in humility. But if we harden our hearts against adversities and tribulations, deny in the very womb their own progenyHe also hardens these tribulations against us. By use of' parricidal mixtures they snuff out On the fruit of their wombs other hand if we accept them in the genital organs themselveshumility and with a contrite heart, God will mingle tribulation with mercy. In this way life is taken away before it is born… Who except man himself has taught us ways of repudiating children?” —St. Ambrose of MilanIsaac the Syrian
“Sometimes their sadistic licentiousness goes so far that they procure poison “But do not be troubled or sad. The Lord sometimes allows people who are devoted to Him to produce infertility, fall into such dreadful vices; and when this is of no avail, they find one means or another in order to destroy the unborn prevent them from falling into a still greater sin – pride. Your temptation will pass and flush it from you will spend the mother's wombremaining days of your life in humility. For they desire to see their offspring perish before it is alive or, if it has already been granted life, they seek to kill it within the mother's body before it is bornOnly do not forget your sin.” —St. Augustine Seraphim of Hippo, The City of God, Book One, Ch. 16Sarov
“A woman who has deliberately destroyed a fetus “We must pay be prepared to accept the penalty will of God. The Lord permits all sorts of things to happen to us contrary to our will, for murder… those also who give drugs causing abortions are murderers themselvesif we always have it our way, as well as those who receive we will not be prepared for the poison which kills the fetusKingdom of Heaven.” —St. Basil the Great, First Canonical Letter—Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica, 188:2 and 188:8"Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives"
“Women also who administer drugs “Similarly, when the sun goes down and when it rises, when you are asleep or awake, give thanks to cause abortionGod, as well as those who take poisons Who created and arranged all things for your benefit--to destroy unborn childrenhave you know, are murderesseslove, and praise their Creator.” —St. Basil the Great, Letter CLXXXVIII: Canonica Prima, to Amphilochius, concerning the Canons, VII
“The woman who purposely destroys her unborn child is guilty Lord gives Himself freely, for His mercy's sake alone. I did not know this before but now every day and every hour every minute, I see clearly the mercy of murderGod. The hair-splitting difference between formed and unformed makes Lord gives peace even in sleep, but without God there is no difference to uspeace in the soul.” —St. Basil Silouan the GreatAthonite
“Why do you sow where the field is eager to destroy the fruit? Where there are medicines of sterility? Where there is murder before birth? You do “What should not even let a harlot remain only a harlotbe heard by little ears, but you make her a murderess as well. Indeed, it is something worse than murder and I do not know what to call it; for she does should not kill what is formed but prevents its formationbe said by big mouths. What then? Do you condemn the gifts of God, and fight with His laws? What is a curse you seek as though it were a blessing. Do you make the anteroom of slaughter? Do you teach the women who are given to you for a procreation of offspring to perpetuate killing? Yet such turpitude … the matter still seems indifferent to many men–even to many men having wives. In this indifference of the married men there is greater evil filth; for then poisons are prepared, not against the womb of a prostitute, but against your injured wife. Against her are these innumerable tricks…” —St. John Chrysostom, Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans, XXIV” —unknown
“Some virgins [unmarried women] go so far as to take potions, “I am incurably convinced that they may insure barrennessthe object of opening the mind, and thus murder human beings almost before their conception. Some, when they find themselves with child through their sinas of opening the mouth, use drugs is to procure abortion, and when (as often happens) they die with their offspring, they enter the lower world laden with the guilt not only of adultery against Christ but also of suicide and child murdershut it again on something solid.” —St—G. Jerome, Letter to Eustochium, 22:13K. Chesterton
“The rich women, to avoid dividing the inheritance among many, kill their own unborn in the womb and with lethal extracts terminate their own offspring while yet “What is slander? It is every sort of wicked word we would dare not speak in front of the wombperson whom we are complaining about.” —St. Ambrose, On Anthony the HexaemeronGreat
“For every argument there is a counter-argument“If you want to overcome the spirit of slander, blame not the person who falls, but who can argue against life?the demon that prompted them to sin.” —St. Gregory Palamas, Triads in Defence of the Holy HesychastsJohn Climacus
“If you can't feed a hundred people“You cannot be too gentle, feed just onetoo kind.”“I prefer you Shun even to make mistakes appear harsh in kindness than work miracles in unkindness.”“People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you your treatment of ulterior motiveseach other. Be kind anyway. If you are honestJoy, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway. If you find happinessradiant joy, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. Give streams from the world the best you have face of him who gives and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway. For you see, kindles joy in the end, it heart of him who receives. All condemnation is between you and Godfrom the devil. Never condemn each other. It was never between you and them anywayWe condemn others only because we shun knowing ourselves.”“If you are honest and frankWhen we gaze at our own failings, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway.”“It is we see such a poverty swamp that a child must die, so that you may live as you wishnothing in another can equal it.”“How can you say there are too many children? That is like saying there are too many flowers.”“The greatest destroyer of peace is abortion because if a mother can kill her own childwhy we turn away, what is left for me to kill you and you to kill me? There is nothing betweenmake much of the faults of others.”“Any Country that accepts abortion is not teaching its people to loveInstead of condemning others, but strive to use any violence to get what it wantsreach inner peace.”“We can do no great thingsKeep silent, only small things with great loverefrain from judgment.”“Do not look for big things, just do small things with great love… The smaller This will raise you above the thing the greater must be our love. “God did not call us to be successfuldeadly arrows of slander, but to be faithful.”“Go out into the world today insult and outrage and love the people you meet. Let will shield your presence light new light in the glowing hearts of people.”“There are no great things, only small things with great love. Happy are thoseagainst all evil.”“Yesterday is gone—St. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.”“Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.”—Blessed Mother Teresa Seraphim of CalcuttaSarov
“No one heals himself by wounding “A man may seem to be silent, but if his heart is condemning others, he is babbling ceaselessly. But there may be anotherwho talks from morning till night and yet he is truly silent, that is, he says nothing that is not profitable.” —St. Ambrose of Milan—Abba Poemen
“Abortion “If your tongue is used to chattering, your heart will remain dim and foreign to the anti-Christ's demonic parody luminous intuitions of the Eucharist. That's why it uses the same holy words ‘This is my body’ with the blasphemous opposite meaningHoly Spirit.” —Dr—St. Peter KreeftJohn of Dalyatha
“An Irish pro-abortion leader described their vote as a decision to enter the "modern" world. That was extremely well-said. Modernity suggests to us that we are the masters of history, the arbiters of life and death. Our compassion for the suffering “He who does not control his tongue when he is always expressed, ultimately, in our willingness to kill themangry, without remorsewill not control his passions either.” —Abba Hyperchius
For many“Are you angry? Be angry at your sins, abortion has become beat your soul, afflict your conscience, be strict in judgement and a terrible punisher of your own sins. This is the sacrament benefit of modernityanger, wherefore God placed it in which we learn to say in blasphemous irony: ‘This is my bodyus.’” —Fr” —St. Stephen FreemanJohn Chrysostom, Homilies on Ephesians 2
“O “These eight passions should be destroyed as follows: gluttony by self-control; unchastity by desire for God, grant us a deeper sense of fellowship with and longing for the blessings held in store; avarice by compassion for the poor; anger by goodwill and love for all living thingsmen; worldly dejection by spiritual joy; listlessness by patience, our little brothers perseverance and sisters offering thanks to whom God; self-esteem by doing good in common secret and by praying constantly with us you have given this earth as homea contrite heart; and pride by not judging or despising anyone in the manner of the boastful Pharisee (cf. Luke 18 : 11–12), and by considering oneself the least of all men. We recall with regret that When the intellect has been freed in this way from the past passions we have acted high-handedly described and cruelly in exercising our domain over them. Thusbeen raised up to God, it will henceforth live the voice life of blessedness, receiving the earth which should have risen to you in song has turned into a groan pledge of travailthe Holy Spirit (cf. May we realize that all these creatures also live for themselves and for you - not for us alone2 Cor. 1 : 22). They too love the goodness of And when it departs this life, as we dodispassionate and full of true knowledge, it will stand before the light of the Holy Trinity and serve you better with the divine angels will shine in their way than we do in ours. Amenglory through all eternity.” —St. Basil John of Damascus, On the GreatVirtues and the Vices, from The Philokalia: The Complete Text, Vol. 2
“We follow the ways of wolvesmust consider all evil things, even the habits of tigers: orpassions which war against us, rather we are worse than they. To them nature has assigned that they should to be thus fednot our own, while God has honoured us with rational speech and but of our enemy the devil. This is very important. You can only conquer a sense passion when you do not consider it as part of equity. And yet we are become worse than the wild beastyou.” —St. John ChrysostomNikon of Optina
“To reach satisfaction in alldesire its possession in nothing.To come to possession in alldesire the possession of nothing.To arrive at being alldesire to be nothing.To come to the knowledge of alldesire the knowledge of nothing.To come to the pleasure you have notyou must go by the way in which you enjoy not.To come to the knowledge you have notyou must go by the way in which you know not.To come to the possession you have notyou must go by the way in which you possess not.To come by the what you are notyou must go by a way in which you are not.When you turn toward somethingyou cease to cast yourself upon the all.For to go from all to the allyou must deny yourself of all in all.And when you come to the possession of the allyou must possess it without wanting anything.Because if you desire to have something in allyour treasure in God is not purely your all.” —St. John of the Cross, Ascent of Mount Carmel “How we debase our God-like immortal soul by attaching ourselves to the perishable, tarnishable, fleeting glitter of gold and silver, and by averting our gaze from the higher eternal, all-rejoicing light, or by attaching ourselves to corruptible sweetness that soon passes away, and is harmful and weakening both to soul and body, and turning away our gaze from the eternal, spiritual sweetness; from the sweetness of the intuition of God, or to vain earthly glory, turning away our eyes from the glory of the higher heavenly calling: from the glory of God's children, the heirs of the eternal Kingdom of God. O, earthly vanity! O, attachment to worldly things! Look upwards, Christian!” —St. John of Kronstadt, My Life in Christ “As in the theater, when the audience departs, and the kings remove their costumes, they are revealed to be what they are; so also when death arrives and the theater of this life is dissolved, everyone puts off their masks of wealth or poverty and departs. Some are revealed as truly wealthy, others poor.” —St. John Chrysostom “A sinful soul, full of passions, cannot have peace and rejoice in the Lord, even if it had charge over all earthly riches, even if it ruled over the whole world. If it was suddenly said to such a king, happily feasting and sitting on his throne, 'King, now you will die,' his soul would be troubled and he would tremble with fear, and he would see his powerlessness. But how many beggars there are, whose only wealth is love for God, and who, if you said to them, 'You will die now,' would answer peacefully, 'Let God's will be done. Glory to the Lord, that He has remembered me and wants to take me to Himself.'” —St. Silouan the Athonite “Sometimes in the affliction of your soul you wish to die. It is easy to die, and does not take long; but are you prepared for death? Remember that after death the Judgment of your whole life will follow. You are not prepared for death, and if it were to come to you, you would shudder all over. Therefore do not waste words in vain. Do not say: ‘It is better for me to die,’ but say rather, ‘How can I prepare for death in a Christian manner?’ By means of faith, by means of good works, and by bravely bearing the miseries and sorrows that happen to you, so as to be able to meet death fearlessly, peacefully, and without shame, not as a rigorous law of nature, but as a fatherly call of the eternal, heavenly, holy, and blessed Father unto the everlasting kingdom.” —St. John of Kronstadt “Nevertheless one who regards only the dissolution of the body is greatly disturbed, and makes it a hardship that this life of ours should be dissolved by death; it is, he says, the extremity of evil that our being should be quenched by this condition of mortality. Let him, then, observe through this gloomy prospect the excess of the Divine benevolence.”” —St. Gregory of Nyssa, The Great Catechism, §VIII “Man is, by nature, afraid of both death and the dissolution of the body; but there is this most startling fact: that he who has put on the faith of the Cross despises even what is naturally fearful, and for Christ's sake is not afraid even of death.” —St. Athanasius the Great “Limitless and without consolation would have been our sorrow for close ones who are dying, if the Lord had not given us eternal life. Our life would be pointless if it ended with death. What benefit would there then be from virtue and good deed? Then they would be correct who say: ‘Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!’ But man was created for immortality, and by His resurrection Christ opened the gates of the Heavenly Kingdom, of eternal blessedness for those who have believed in Him and have lived righteously. Our earthly life is a preparation for the future life, and this preparation ends with our death. ‘It is appointed unto man once to die, but after this the judgment’ (Heb 9:27). Then a man leaves all his earthly cares; the body disintegrates, in order to rise anew at the General Resurrection. Often this spiritual vision begins in the dying even before death, and while still seeing those around them and even speaking with them, they see what others do not see.” —St. John (Maximovitch) of Shanghai and San Francisco, Homily on Life After Death “Let the crowds of wild beasts; let tearings, breakings, and dislocations of bones; let cutting off of members; let shatterings of the whole body; and let all the dreadful torments of the devil come upon me: only let me attain to Jesus Christ.” —St. Ignatius of Antioch “Man’s will, out of cowardice, tends away from suffering, and man, against his own will, remains utterly dominated by the fear of death, and, in his desire to live, clings to his slavery to pleasure.” —St. Maximus the Confessor “Sin makes man a coward; but a life in the Truth of Christ makes Him bold.” —St. John Chrysostom, Homilies on the Statues, VIII. 2 “Of all the good things in the world, life is dearest to men, and men love life better than truth, although there is no life in truth. The highest good, then, is life, but truth is the foundation of life. He who loves life must also love truth. But what is the way to truth? 'I am the way', says the Lord. 'I am the way', that none should think that there is some other way to the truth besides the Lord Jesus. It was for that He was born as a man: to show men the way. And for this that He was crucified, to make the way plain by His blood.” —St. Nikolai Velimirovich “See how many and great the evils it has brought on us – this self-justification, this holding fast to our own will, this obstinacy in being our own guide. All this was the product of that hateful arrogance towards God. Whereas the products of humility are self-accusation, distrust in our own sentiments, hatred of our own will. By these one is made worthy of being redeemed, of having his human nature restored to its proper state, through the cleansing operation of Christ's holy precepts. Without humility it is impossible to obey the Commandments or at any time to go towards anything good. As Abba Mark says: without a contrite heart it is impossible to be free from wickedness or to acquire virtue.” —St. Dorotheos of Gaza, Discourses and Sayings “Begin gradually, do not trust yourself. Do not depend on your own understanding, reject your will, and the Lord will give you true understanding.” —St. Macarius of Optina, Living Without Hypocrisy “If you deny yourself and constantly renounce your own opinions, your own will, your own righteousness-or what amounts to the same thing: the knowledge, understanding, will, and righteousness of fallen nature-in order to plant within you the knowledge of God, the will of God, and the righteousness of God taught us in the holy Gospel by God Himself, then fallen nature will open fire within you and declare a savage war against the Gospel and against God. Fallen spirits will come to the help of fallen nature. Do not fall into despondency on this account. By your firmness in the struggle, show the tenacity of your purpose and the stability of your free will. When thrown down, get up. When duped and disarmed, rearm yourself afresh. When defeated, again rush to the fight. It is extremely good for you to see within yourself both your own fall and the fall of the whole of mankind. It is essential for you to recognize and study this fall in your own experience, in your heart and mind. It is essential for you to see the infirmity of your knowledge and intellect, and the weakness of your will.” —St. Ignatius Brianchaninov (Bryanchaninov) of Caucasus, The Arena, chapter 8 “Do not fall into despair because of stumbling. I do not mean that you should not feel contrition for them, but that you should not think them incurable. For it is more expedient to be bruised than dead. There is, indeed, a Healer for the man who has stumbled, even He Who on the Cross asked that mercy be shown to His crucifiers, He Who pardoned His murders while He hung on the Cross. ‘All manner of sin’, He said, ‘and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men’, that is, through repentance.” —St. Isaac the Syrian “Do not say: ‘I have sinned much, and therefore I am not bold enough to fall down before God.’ Do not despair. Simply do not increase your sins in despair and, with the help of the All-merciful One, you will not be put to shame. For He said, ‘he who comes to Me I will not cast out.’ (John. 6:37) And so, be bold and believe that He is pure and cleanses those who draw near to Him. If you want to accomplish true repentance, show it with your deeds. If you have fallen into pride, show humility; if into drunkenness, show sobriety; if into defilement, show purity of life. For it is said, ‘Turn away from evil and do good.’ (I Pet. 3:11)” —St. Gennadios (II) Scholarios, Patriarch of Constantinople, The Golden Chain, The Golden Chain, 87-89 “The natural passions become good in those who struggle when, wisely unfastening them from the things of the flesh, use them to gain heavenly things. For example they can change appetite into the movement of a spiritual longing for divine things; pleasure into pure joy for the cooperation of the mind with divine gifts; fear into care to evade future misfortune due to sin and sadness into corrective repentance for present evil.” —St. Maximus the Confessor “How good it is to conquer the passions! After the victory one feels such lightness of heart, such peace and greatness of spirit!” —St. John of Kronstadt “He who believes, fears; he who fears is humble; he who is humble becomes gentle.” —St. Maximus the Confessor “For every humble person is gentle, and every gentle person is invariably humble. A person is humble when he knows that his very being is on loan to him.” —St. Maximus the Confessor “A humble person lives on earth as if in the Kingdom of Heaven - always happy, peaceful and satisfied with everything.” —St. Anthony of Optina “Not every quiet man is humble, but every humble man is quiet.” —St. Isaac the Syrian “If you wish to be truly humble, then consider yourself lower than all, worthy of being trampled on by all; for you yourself daily, hourly trample upon the law of the Lord, and therefore upon the Lord Himself.” —St. John of Kronstadt “You wish to be great, begin from the least. You are thinking to construct some mighty fabric in height; first think of the foundation of humility. And how great soever a mass of building one may wish and design to place above it, the greater the building is to be, the deeper does he dig his foundation.” —St. Augustine of Hippo “In them [the Lives of the Saints] it is clearly and obviously demonstrated: There is no spiritual death from which one cannot be resurrected by the Divine power of the risen and ascended Lord Christ; there is no torment, there is no misfortune, there is no misery, there is no suffering which the Lord will not change either gradually or all at once into quite, compunctionate joy because of faith in Him.” —St. Justin Popovich “A servant of the Lord is he who in body stands before men, but in mind knocks at Heaven with prayer.” —St. John Climacus “In the Christian East – in fact, in the East in general – we love old age because we think that it is made for praying. When one is old, and feels the nearness of God across the increasingly transparent surface of biological life, one becomes in consciousness a child, returned to the Father, made light in spirit by the proximity of death, transparent to another kind of light. A civilization in which one no longer prays is a civilization in which old age has no meaning. One walks backward towards death, pretending to be young; it’s an agonizing spectacle, because a wonderful possibility is offered, a journey towards ultimate relinquishment, and it is not taken advantage of. We need old people who pray, who smile, who live with a disinterested love, who marvel; they alone can show young people that that living is worth the effort, and that oblivion is not the last word. Every monk whose spiritual practice has born fruit is called in the East, whatever his age, 'a beautiful old man.' He is beautiful with the beauty that rises from the heart. In him all the periods of his life have come into harmony, as with a symphony, one might say. And especially the original child is found again: shining with a transfigured shining, the beautiful old man has the eyes of a child.” —Olivier Clément “It is of great significance if there is a person who truly prays in a family. Prayer attracts God's grace and all the members of the family feel it, even those whose hearts have grown cold. Pray always.” —Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica “A Christian should never and for no reason worry, for God's Providence carries him in its arms. Our only care should be that we would ever remain faithful to the Lord.” —St. Ignatius Brianchaninov (Bryanchaninov) of Caucasus “Prayer is the place of refuge for every worry, a foundation for cheerfulness, a source of constant happiness, a protection against sadness.” —St. John Chrysostom “He who angers you, controls you!” —Bishop Melchisedek Pleska “[The desire for] equality is from the Devil, because it comes entirely from envy.” —Fr. Alexander Schmemann “In your prayer seek only righteousness and the kingdom of God, that is, virtue and spiritual knowledge; and everything else 'will be given to you' (Matt. 6:33).” —St. Evagrius of Ponticus “Virtues are formed by prayer. Prayer preserves temperance. Prayer suppresses anger. Prayer prevents emotions of pride and envy. Prayer draws into the soul the Holy Spirit, and raises man to Heaven.” —St. Ephrem the Syrian “Even if we stand at the very summit of virtue, it is by mercy that we shall be saved.” —St. John Chrysostom “The goodness of God is so rich in graces, that it seeks a cause to have mercy on a person.” —St. Anthimus of Chios “The Holy Spirit has accomplishing in each believer the work of Christ. Each Christian is a communicant of the spirit. This is something so necessary, that in fact whoever does not have the Spirit is not of Christ.” —St. Theophan the Recluse “The Church is nothing but the world on the way to deification; for the Church, the world is no longer a tomb but a womb.” —Olivier Clément “The church is an earthly heaven in which the super-celestial God dwells and walks about. ” —St. Germanus of Constantinople “Nothing is more abiding than the Church: she is your salvation; she is your refuge.” —St. John Chrysostom “There is no need to weep much over the destruction of a church; after all, each of us, according to God's mercy, has or should have his own church - the heart - go in there and pray, as much as you have strength and time. If this church is not well made and is abandoned (without inward prayer), then the visible church will be of little benefit.” —Archbishop Barlaam “Our prayer reflects our attitude towards God. He who is careless of salvation has a different attitude toward God from him who has abandoned sin and is zealous for virtue but has not yet entered within himself and works for the Lord only outwardly. Finally, he who has entered within and carries the Lord within himself, standing before Him, has yet another attitude. The first man is negligent in prayer, just as he is negligent in life, and he prays in church and at home merely according to the established custom, without attention or feeling. The second man reads many prayers and goes often to church, trying at the same time to keep his attention from wandering and to experience feelings in accordance with the prayers which are read, although he is seldom successful. The third man, wholly concentrated within, stands with his mind before God, and prays to Him in his heart without distraction, without long verbal prayers, even when standing for a long time at prayer in his home or in church. … Every prayer must come from the heart and any other prayer is no prayer at all. Prayer-book prayers, your own prayers and very short prayers, all must issue forth from the heart to God, seen before you.” —St. Theophan the Recluse “It is very important to know how to pray. Many times even we, the monks in the monasteries, pray, but we only think we pray. It is not enough to attend the church services and just be there like that would be enough. We have to work the prayer from the inside out. No matter how many prayers we say with our mouth, it is nothing if the prayer is not coming from the heart and if we don't apply the teachings of Orthodoxy in our everyday life. Now more than ever, lay people have to pray from the heart, because this will be our only salvation. In the heart is the root of all passions and that is where we need to direct our struggles. If in the later years Christianity became lukewarm and superficial, we have to end all that now, this is not going to be enough anymore. If we will not pray from the heart, we will not be able to sustain the psychological attacks, because the evil one has hidden brainwashing methods that are unknown to us. The greatest sin today is carelessness. We pray carelessly, we repent carelessly, even if we do it. Times will come when only the ones that have the Spirit of God will be able to know good from evil. The human mind itself on its own will not be able to tell the difference. There will be great deceptions and only the Holy Spirit will give us the discernment we need so we can save ourselves. Pray that you will not be deceived! Only through prayer can we receive the Holy Spirit. If we don't pray and just persevere in our laziness and unrepentant ways, we will completely lose the Holy Spirit and His guidance. May it not be that we lose the guidance of the Holy Spirit!” —Elder Justin (Pârvu) of Romania, The truth about the times–Spirituality of the end of times, 2010 “It is sometimes well during prayer to say a few words of your own, breathing fervent faith and love to the Lord. Yes, let us not always converse with God in the words of others, not always remain children in faith and hope; we must also show our own mind, indite a good matter from our own heart also. Moreover, we grow too accustomed to the words of others and grow cold in prayer. And how pleasing this lipsing of our own is, coming from a believing, loving, and thankful heart. It is impossible to explain this; it is only needful to say that when you are praying to God with your own words the soul trembles with joy, it becomes wholly inflamed, vivified, and beatified. You will utter few words, but you will experience such blessedness as you would not have obtained saying the longest most touching prayers of others, pronounced out of habit and insincerely.” —St. John of Kronstadt “This is how you pray continually – not by offering prayer in words, but by joining yourself to God through your whole way of life, so that your life becomes one continuous and uninterrupted prayer.” —St. Basil the Great “Chastisement through the trials imposed on us is a spiritual rod, teaching us humility when in our foolishness we think too much of ourselves.” —St. Thalassios the Libyan “Goodness is not confirmed without trial. Every Christian is tested by something: one by poverty, another by illness, a third by various thoughts, a fourth by some calamity or humiliation, while another by various doubts. And, through this, firmness of faith, hope and love of God are tested.” —St. Ambrose of Optina “Sometimes men are tested by pleasure, sometimes by distress or by physical suffering. By means of His prescriptions the Physician of souls administers the remedy according to the cause of the passions lying hidden in the soul.” —St. Maximus the Confessor, Philokalia “If you want, or rather intend, to take a splinter out of another person, then do not hack at it with a stick instead of a lancet, for you will only drive it in deeper.” —St. John Climacus “To exalt oneself is one thing, not to do so another, and to humble oneself is something less entirely. A man may always be passing judgement on others, while another man passes judgement neither on others nor on himself. A third, however, though actually guiltless, may always be passing judgement on himself.” —St. John Climacus “If a man accuses himself, he is protected on all sides.” —St. Poemen “It is not then wealth that is the foundation of pleasure, nor poverty of sadness, but our own judgment and the fact that the eyes of our mind neither see clearly nor remain fixed in one place, but flutter abroad.” —St. John Chrysostom “One who knows oneself, knows God: and one who knows God is worthy to worship Him as is right. Therefore, my beloveds in the Lord, know yourselves.” —St. Anthony the Great “God is truth and light, God's judgement is nothing else than our coming into contact with truth and light. In the day of the Great Judgement all men will appear naked before this penetrating light of truth. The ‘books’ will be opened. What are these ‘books’? They are our hearts. Our hearts will be opened by the penetrating light of God, and what is in these hearts will be revealed. If in those hearts there is love for God, those hearts will rejoice in seeing God's light. If, on the contrary, there is hatred for God in those hearts, these men will suffer by receiving on their opened hearts this penetrating light of truth which they detested all their life. So that which will differentiate between one man and another will not be a decision of God, a reward or a punishment from Him, but that which was in each one's heart; what was there during all our life will be revealed in the Day of Judgement. If there is a reward and a punishment during this revelation – and there really is – it does not come from God but from the love or hate which reigns in our heart. Love has bliss in it, hatred has despair, bitterness, grief, affliction, wickedness, agitation, confusion, darkness, and all the other interior conditions which compose hell.” —St. Symeon the New Theologian “In whatever state a person is, he sometimes finds himself making pure and intense prayers. For even from that first and lowest sort, which has to do with recalling the future judgment, the one who is still subject to the punishment of terror and the fear of judgment is occasionally so struck with compunction that he is filled with no less joy of spirit from the richness of his supplication than the one who, examining the kindnesses of God and going over them in the purity of his heart, dissolves into unspeakable gladness and delight. For, according to the words of the Lord, the one who realizes that more has been forgiven him begins to love more.” —St. John Cassian “If a man's self is not kept clean and bright, his glimpse of God will be blurred.” —C. S. Lewis “The pure heart sees God as in a mirror.” —Abba Philemon “The blessedness of seeing God is justly promised to the pure of heart. For the eye that is unclean would not be able to see the brightness of the true light, and what would be happiness to clear minds would be a torment to those that are defiled. Therefore, let the mists of worldly vanities be dispelled, and the inner eye be cleansed of all the filth of wickedness, so that the soul's gaze may feast serenely upon the great vision of God.” —St. Leo the Great “God rests within gentle hearts. The gentle and merciful shall sit fearless in His regions, and will inherit Heavenly glory.” —St. John Climacus “That which the word communicates by sound, the painting shows silently by representation.” —St. Basil the Great, on the 40 Martyrs of Sebaste “Do not call God just, for His justice is not manifest in the things concerning you. And if David calls Him just and upright (cf. Ps. 24:8, 144:17), His Son revealed to us that He is good and kind. ‘He is good,’ He says, ‘to the evil and to the impious’ (cf. Luke 6:35). How can you call God just when you come across the Scriptural passage on the wage given to the workers? ‘Friend, I do thee no wrong I will give unto this last even as unto thee. Is thine eye evil because I am good?’ (Matt. 20:12-15). How can a man call God just when he comes across the passage on the prodigal son who wasted his wealth with riotous living, how for the compunction alone which he showed, the father ran and fell upon his neck and gave him authority over all his wealth? (Luke 15:11 ff.). None other but His very Son said these things concerning Him, lest we doubt it; and thus He bare witness concerning Him. Where, then, is God's justice, for whilst we are sinners Christ died for us! (cf. Rom. 5:8). But if here He is merciful, we may believe that He will not change.” —St. Isaac the Syrian, Homily LX “God chastises with love, not for the sake of revenge---far be it!---but in seeking to make whole his image. And he does not harbour wrath until such time as correction is no longer possible, for he does not seek vengeance for himself. This is the aim of love. Love's chastisement is for correction, but does not aim at retribution. … The man who chooses to consider God as avenger, presuming that in this manner he bears witness to His justice, the same accuses Him of being bereft of goodness. Far be it that vengeance could ever be found in that Fountain of love and Ocean brimming with goodness!” —St. Isaac the Syrian “Among all God's actions there is none which is not entirely a matter of mercy, love and compassion: this constitutes the beginning and end of His dealings with us.” —St. Isaac the Syrian “We must hate avarice, self-esteem and sensual pleasure, as mothers of the vices and stepmothers of the virtues. Because of them we are commanded not to love ‘the world’ and ‘the things that are in the world’ (1 John 2:15); not so that we should hate God's creation through lack of discernment, but so that we should eliminate the occasions for these three passions.” —St. Mark the Ascetic “‘The world’ is the general name for all the passions. When we wish to call the passions by a common name, we call them the world. But when we wish to distinguish them by their special names, we call them the passions. The passions are the following: love of riches, desire for possessions, bodily pleasure from which comes sexual passion, love of honour which gives rise to envy, lust for power, arrogance and pride of position, the craving to adorn oneself with luxurious clothes and vain ornaments, the itch for human glory which is a source of rancour and resentment, and physical fear. Where these passions cease to be active, there the world is dead… Someone has said of the Saints that while alive they were dead; for though living in the flesh, they did not live for the flesh. See for which of these passions you are alive. Then you will know how far you are alive to the world and how far you are dead to it.” —St. Isaac the Syrian “Always have the fear of God before your eyes. Remember Him who gives death and lives. Hate the world and all that is in it. Hate the peace that comes from the flesh. Renounce this life, so that you may be alive to God.” —St. Anthony the Great “Thus let us live to Him Who while He dies for us is Life; and let us die to ourselves that we may live to Christ; for we cannot live to Him unless first we die to ourselves, that is, to our wills. Let us be Christ's and not our own; ‘for we are not our own, for we are bought at a Great Price’ (1 Cor. 6. 19-20), and truly a Great One, when the Lord is given for a slave, the King for a servant, and God for man. What ought we to render ourselves, if the Creator of the universe for us ungodly men, yet His creation, is unjustly put to death? Do you think you ought not to die to sin? Certainly you ought. Therefore let us die, let us die for the sake of life, since Life dies for the dead, so that we may be able to say with Paul, ‘I live, yet no longer I, but Christ lives in me’ (Gal. 2. 20), He Who for me has died; for that is the cry of the elect. But none can die to himself, unless Christ lives in him; but if Christ be in him, he cannot live to himself. Live in Christ, that Christ may live in you.” —St. Columbanus of Bobbio, Sermons of Columbanus of Bobbio, Sermon X:2 “Just as a man whose head is under water cannot inhale pure air, so a man whose thoughts are plunged into the cares of this world cannot absorb the sensation of the world to come.” —St. Isaac the Syrian “We don't understand that happiness is in eternity and not in vanity.” —St. Paisios of Mt. Athos “Why do you beat the air and run in vain? Every occupation has a purpose, obviously. Tell me then, what is the purpose of all the activity of the world? Answer, I challenge you! It is vanity of vanity: all is vanity.” —St. John Chrysostom “Many times we call ourselves sinners, not in truth, but for showing off and vainglory, so that others will praise us for being humble, for if someone calls us a sinner, we become upset.” —St. Nikodemos the Hagiorite “An evident sinner will turn towards good more easily than a secret sinner hiding under the cloak of visible virtues.” —St. Theophan the Recluse “The sun shines on all alike, and vanity springs out in front of each virtue. When, for example, I keep a fast – I am given over to vanity, and when I in concealing the fasting from others permit myself food, I am again given over to vanity – by my prudence. Dressing up in bright clothing, I am vanquished by love of honour and, having changed over into drab clothing – I am overcome by vanity. If I stand up to speak – I fall under the power of vanity. If I wish to keep silence, I am again given over to it. Wherever this thorn comes up, it everywhere stands with its points upwards. It is vainglorious…, on the surface to honour God, and in deed to strive to please people rather than God… People of lofty spirit bear insult placidly and willingly, but to hear praise and feel nothing of pleasure is possible only for the saints and for the unblameworthy… When thou hearest, that thy neighbour or friend either afront the eyes or behind the eyes slandereth thee, praise and love him… Does this not shew humility, and who can reproach himself, and be intolerant with himself? But who, having been discredited by another, would not diminish in his love for him… Whoever is exalted by natural gifts – a felicitous mind, a fine education, reading, pleasant elocution and other similar qualities, which are readily enough acquired, that person might yet never obtain to supernatural gifts. Wherefore whoever is not faithful in the small things, that one also is not faithful in the large, and is vainglorous. It often happens, that God Himself humbles the vainglorious, sending a sudden misfortune… If prayer does not destroy a proud thought, we bring to mind the leaving of the soul from this life. And if this does not help, we threaten it with the shame of the Last Judgement. ‘Rising up to humble oneself’ even here, before the future age. When praisers, or better – flatterers, start to praise us, immediately we betake ourselves to recollection of all our iniquities and we find, that we are not at all worth that which they impute to us.” —St. John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent, Step 22 “The whole year will be fortunate for you, not if you are drunk on the new-moon [New Year' Day], but if both on [that day] and each day, you do those things approved by God. For days come wicked and good, not from their own nature; for a day differs nothing from another day, but from our zeal and sluggishness. If you perform righteousness, then the day becomes good to you; if you perform sin, then it will be evil and full of retribution. If you contemplate these things, and are so disposed, you will consider the whole year favourable, performing prayers and charity every day; but if you are careless of virtue for yourself, and you entrust the contentment of your soul to beginnings of months and numbers of days, you will be desolate of everything good unto yourself.” —St. John Chrysostom “Let your demeanour, your dress, your walking, your sitting down, the nature of your food, the quality of your being, your house and what it contains, aim at simplicity. And let your speech, your singing, your manner with your neighbour, let these things also be in accord with humility rather than with vanity. In your words let there be no empty pretense, in your singing no excess sweetness, in conversation be not ponderous or overbearing. In everything refrain from seeking to appear important. Be a help to your friends, kind to the ones with whom you live, gentle to your servant, patient with those who are troublesome, loving towards the lowly, comforting those in trouble, visiting those in affliction, never despising anyone, gracious in friendship, cheerful in answering others, courteous, approachable to everyone, never speaking your own praises, nor getting others to speak of them, never taking part in unbecoming conversations, and concealing where you may whatever gifts you possess.” —St. Basil the Great “For what purpose does the Lord add day after day, year after year, to our existence? In order that we may gradually put away, cast aside, evil from our souls, each one his own, and acquire blessed simplicity; in order that we may become, for instance, gentle as lambs, simple as infants; in order that we may learn not to have the least attachment to earthly things, but like loving, simple children, may cling with all our hearts to God alone, and love Him with all our hearts, all our souls, all our strength, and all our thoughts, and our neighbor as ourselves. Let us hasten, therefore, to pray to the Lord, fervently and tearfully, to grant us simplicity of heart, and let us strive by every means to cast out the evil from our souls - for instance, evil suspiciousness, malevolence, malignity, malice, pride, arrogance, boastfulness, scornfulness, impatience, despondency, despair, irascibility and irritability, fearfulness and faint-heartedness, envy, avarice, gluttony, and satiety; fornication, mental and of the heart, and actual fornication; the love of money, and in general the passion for acquisition; slothfulness, disobedience, and all the dark horde of sins. Lord, without Thee we can do nothing! Bless us Thyself in this work, and give us the victory over our enemies and our passions. So be it!” —St. John of Kronstadt, My Life in Christ “If you are a scholar, a student in any educational establishment, or an official in some ministry, an officer in any of the branches of the military service, or a technologist, a painter, a sculptor, a manufacturer, a mechanic – remember that the first science for each one of you is to be a true Christian, to believe sincerely in the Holy Trinity, to converse daily with God in prayer, to take part in the Divine service, to observe the rules and regulations of the Church, and to bear in your heart, before your work, during your work, and after your work, the name of Jesus, for He is our light, our strength, our holiness, and our help.” —St. John of Kronstadt, My Life in Christ: Part II, Holy Trinity Monastery, pg. 286 “Watch your heart during all your life – examine it, listen to it, and see what prevents its union with the most blessed Lord. Let this be for you the science of all sciences, and with God’s help, you will easily observe what estranges you from God, and what draws you towards Him and unites you to Him. It is the evil spirit more than anything that stands between our hearts and God; he estranges God from us by various passions, or by the desire of the flesh, by the desires of the eyes, and by worldly pride.” —St. John of Kronstadt, My Life in Christ “Have you ever observed the life of the heart? Try it even for a short time and see what you find. Something unpleasant happens, and you get irritated; some misfortune occurs, and you pity yourself; you see someone whom you dislike, and animosity wells up within you; you meet one of your equals who has now outdistanced you on the social scale, and you begin to envy him; you think of your talents and capabilities, and you begin to grow proud… All this is rottenness: vainglory, carnal desire, gluttony, laziness, malice – one on top of the other, they destroy the heart.” —St. John (Maximovitch) of Shanghai and San Francisco “Always to want your own way, becoming accustomed to having it, always to seek the easy path – all this leads straight to depression. But love, quietness, and contemplation of the inner life cleanse our hearts.” —Sayings of the Egyptian Fathers “As water and fire oppose one another when combined, so are self-justification and humility opposed to one another.” —St. Mark the Ascetic “Fire and water do not mix, neither can you mix judgment of others with the desire to repent. If a man commits a sin before you at the very moment of his death, pass no judgment, because the judgment of God is hidden from men. It has happened that men have sinned greatly in the open but have done greater deeds in secret, so that those who would disparage them have been fooled, with smoke instead of sunlight in their eyes.” —St. John Climacus “Christians, above all men, are forbidden to correct the stumblings of sinners by force… it is necessary to make a man better not by force but by persuasion. God gives the crown to those who are kept from evil, not by force, but by choice.” —St. John Chrysostom “I have seen pride lead to humility. And I remembered him who said: Who hath known the mind of the Lord? The pit and offspring of conceit is a fall; but a fall is often an occasion of humility for those who are willing to use it to their advantage.” —St. John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent, Step 15, Section 38 “Humility is the only thing that no devil can imitate.” —St. John Climacus “It was pride that changed angels into devils.” —St. Augustine of Hippo “An angel fell from Heaven without any other passion except pride, and so we may ask whether it is possible to ascend to Heaven by humility alone, without any other of the virtues.” —St. John Climacus “Run from pride, for it is a passion more treacherous than any other.” —St. John Chrysostom “Pride more than anything else, deprives people of both their good deeds and help from God. Where there is no humility, pride takes its place.” —St. Macarius of Optina “‘Exile is separation from everything in order to keep the mind inseparable from God. An exile loves and produces continual weeping.’ From Paradise, we must become exiled from the world if we hope to return.” —Fr. Seraphim Rose of Platina “Prayer is superior to all good works. It begets tears of repentance, greatly contributes to peace in one’s thoughts, leads one to think only of God Who is the ultimate Peace, and brings forth the love of God. Prayer alone purifies the rational part of the soul through the vision of God, Who causes the purification of the angels; it also preserves the desiring part of the soul in purity before God.” —St. Kallistos Telikoudes, On the Practice of Hesychasm, The Philokalia, Vol. 5 “Time is continually passing; it is decreasing more and more. Every day that passes is another step toward death. We should know that even one tear of repentance is equivalent to a spiritual bath. Just as the body feels refreshed when it bathes, and just as clothes become clean when they are washed, similarly, the tears of a repentant soul purify the heart, purify the mind, purify the body, purify life, purify speech, and purify a person’s every action. Let us kneel and pray with extreme humility! Every repentant soul is given words: it is granted enlightened prayer.” —Elder Ephraim of Philotheou and Arizona “Day and night I pray the Lord for love, and the Lord gives me tears to weep for the whole world. But if I find fault with any man, or look on him with an unkind eye, my tears will dry up, and my soul sink into despondency. Yet do I begin again to entreat forgiveness of the Lord, and the Lord in His mercy forgives me, a sinner. Brethren, before the face of my God I write: Humble your hearts, and while yet on this earth you will see the mercy of the Lord, and know your Heavenly Creator, and your souls will never have their fill of love.” —St. Silouan the Athonite “Here are those of whom I speak and who are called heretics by me. They are the ones who say that in our present age there is no one in our midst who is able to observe the commandments and be like the holy fathers…. Those who declare this is impossible have fallen not into one particular heresy but into all of them, so to speak – a heresy surpassing all others in its impiety and greatest blasphemy. They are buried underneath it…. The one who speaks in such a manner turns all of Scripture upside down…. These antichrists affirm, ‘It is impossible, impossible’. Why then is it impossible? Tell me. In what other way did the saints shine on earth and did they become lamps of the world? If it were impossible, they would never have succeeded in it. For they were men like us, and possessed no more than we do except a will directed toward the good. They had zeal, patience, humility, and love for God. Therefore, acquire all this and your soul which today is as hard as rock shall become a fountain of tears inside you. However, if you refuse to suffer such anguish and affliction, at least do not say that all this is impossible.” —St. Symeon the New Theologian, The Discourses, Discourse XXIX: The Heresy of Pusillanimity “There is yet another special, most terrible and destructive type of sin. This is blaspheming against the Holy Spirit. Even the prayers of the Church cannot help one who is found in this condition. The Apostle John the Theologian speaks of this directly when he entreats us to pray for a brother who has sinned, but points out the uselessness of prayer for the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. The Lord Jesus Christ Himself says that this sin – the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit – is not forgiven and will not be forgiven either in this age or in the future. He pronounced these terrible words against the Pharisees who, though they clearly saw that he worked everything according to the will of God and by God's power, nevertheless distorted the truth. They perished in their own blasphemy and their example is instructive and urgent for all those who would sin mortal sin: by an obdurate and conscious adversity to the undoubted Truth and thereby blaspheming the Spirit of truth – God's Holy Spirit. We must note that even blasphemy against the Lord Jesus Christ can be forgiven man (according to His own words) since it can be committed in ignorance or temporary blindness. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit could be forgiven, says St Athanasios the Great, only if a man ceased from it and became repentant. But the very nature of the sin is such that it makes it virtually impossible for a man to return to the truth. One who is blind can regain his sight and love the one who revealed the truth to him and one who is soiled with vices and passions can be cleansed by repentance and become a confessor of the Truth, but who and what can change a blasphemer who has seen and known the Truth and who has stubbornly refused and hated it? This horrible condition is similar to the condition of the devil himself who believes in God and trembles but who nevertheless hates Him, blasphemes Him and is in adversity to Him.” —Metropolitan Philaret of New York “…The ambition of men, who have no fear of God, rushes into high posts, and exalted office is now publicly known as the prize of impiety. The result is, that the worse a man blasphemes, the fitter the people think him to be a bishop. Clerical dignity is a thing of the past. There is a complete lack of men shepherding the Lord’s flock with knowledge. Ambitious men are constantly throwing away the provision for the poor on their own enjoyment and the distribution of gifts. There is no precise knowledge of canons. There is complete immunity in sinning; for when men have been placed in office by the favour of men, they are obliged to return the favour by continually showing indulgence to offenders. Just judgment is a thing of the past; and everyone walks according to his heart’s desire. Vice knows no bounds; the people know no restraint. Men in authority are afraid to speak, for those who have reached power by human interest are the slaves of those to whom they owe their advancement. And now the very vindication of Orthodoxy is looked upon in some quarters as an opportunity for mutual attack; and men conceal their private ill-will and pretend that their hostility is all for the sake of the truth. Others, afraid of being convicted of disgraceful crimes, madden the people into fratricidal quarrels, that their own doings may be unnoticed in the general distress. Hence the war admits of no truce, for the doers of ill deeds are afraid of a peace, as being likely to lift the veil from their secret infamy. All the while unbelievers laugh; men of weak faith are shaken; faith is uncertain; souls are drenched in ignorance, because adulterators of the word imitate the truth. The mouths of true believers are dumb, while every blasphemous tongue wags free; holy things are trodden under foot; the better laity shun the churches as schools of impiety; and lift their hands in the deserts with sighs and tears to their Lord in heaven. Even you must have heard what is going on in most of our cities, how our people with wives and children and even our old men stream out before the walls, and offer their prayers in the open air, putting up with all the inconvenience of the weather with great patience, and waiting for help from the Lord.” —St. Basil the Great, Letter 92, To the Italians and Gaul “He who in his heart is proud of his tears and secretly condemns those who do not weep is like a man who asks the king for a weapon against his enemy and then commits suicide with it.” —St. John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent, Step 7 “Do not grow conceited if you shed tears when you pray. For it is Christ who has touched your eyes.” —St. Mark the Ascetic “And here also we have diligently to consider, that it is far more secure and safe that every man should do that for himself whiles he is yet alive, which he desireth that others should do for him after his death. For far more blessed it is, to depart free out of this world, than being in prison to seek for release: and therefore reason teacheth us, that we should with our whole soul contemn this present world, at least because we see that it is now gone and past: and to offer unto God the daily sacrifice of tears, and the daily Sacrifice of His Body and Blood. For this Sacrifice doth especially save our souls from everlasting damnation, which in mystery doth renew unto us the death of the Son of God: who although being risen from death, doth not now die any more, nor death shall not any further prevail against him: yet living in himself immortally, and without all corruption, he is again sacrificed for us in this mystery of the holy oblation: for there his body is received, there his flesh is distributed for the salvation of the people: there His Blood is not now shed betwixt the hands of infidels, but poured into the mouths of the faithful. Wherefore let us hereby meditate what manner of sacrifice this is, ordained for us, which for our absolution doth always represent the passion of the only Son of God: for what right believing Christian can doubt, that in the very hour of the sacrifice, at the words of the Priest, the heavens be opened, and the quires of Angels are present in that mystery of Jesus Christ; that high things are accompanied with low, and earthly joined to heavenly, and that one thing is made of visible and invisible?” —St. Gregory the Great, Dialogues of St. Gregory the Great, Book 4, ch. 58 “Reflect, O brother: For this sacred food and drink, which are the Body and Blood of Christ, all our forefathers from the first-created Adam, and all the prophets hungered and thirsted, but did not receive them; but you, so distant from them by your unworthiness, partake of this Divine meal. Thank God for His unspeakable mercy, that He makes you worthy of this. And at the same time understand this also: that even if you had or shall have the purity of angels or the holiness and sanctity of St. John the Baptist– even then, without the special mercy of God, you could not be worthy of this Divine Mystery.” —Abbot Nazarius, Little Russian Philokalia Vol. II, p. 65 “… One must clean the royal house from every impurity and adorn it with every beauty, then the king may enter into it. In a similar way one must first cleanse the earth of the heart and uproot the weeds of sin and the passionate deeds and soften it with sorrows and the narrow way of life, sow in it the seed of virtue, water it with lamentation and tears, and only then does the fruit of dispassion and eternal life grow. For the Holy Spirit does not dwell in a man until he has been cleansed from passions of the soul and body.” —St. Paisius Velichkovsky, ‘Field Flowers’ “God, Who is by nature good and dispassionate, loves all men equally as His handiwork. But He glorifies the virtuous man because in his will he is united to God. At the same time, in His goodness he is merciful to the sinner and by chastising him in this life brings him back to the path of virtue. Similarly, a man of good and dispassionate judgment also loves all men equally. He loves the virtuous man because of his nature and the probity of his intention; and he loves the sinner, too, because of his nature and because in his compassion he pities him for foolishly stumbling in darkness.” —St. Maximus the Confessor “I do not know how I came into the world; Nor what the things here in it are. What my sight is, O my God, And what the objects that I see, I cannot tell. How all we men are vain, And have no proper judgement of reality! Yesterday at least I came and tomorrow I shall go, And I think to be immortal yonder. That Thee are my God I confess to everyone, and yet deny Thee daily in my deeds. I teach that Thee have made each living thing; And yet without Thee struggle to have all. Thy rule extends above, below And yet I am not feared to strive against Thee. Let me the needy one, me most miserable; Disburden all the sickness of my soul Crushed, alas and broken into bits. By vanity, by foolish arrogance. Grant me to be humble, grant me a hand of help; And cleanse my soul’s pollution. And give me tears of repentance; Love’s tears, tears of liberty; Tears cleansing my mind’s darkness. And filling me with heavenly radiance! For Thee it is, the world’s Light; The Light of my poor eyes, I wish to see – I who fill my heart with life’s evils, Suffering much of affliction and of envy. From those who have worked my exiles: From those, rather, who are my benefactors; Who are my masters, my true friends: To whom, O Christ, instead of ill give blessing: Eternal, rich, divine; Prepared by Thee for all the ages; For those who deeply long for Thee, love Thee.” —St. Symeon the New Theologian, On the right attitude to Life “Ask with tears, seek with obedience, knock with patience. For thus he who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” —St. John Climacus “The passions of the flesh may be described as belonging to the left hand, self-conceit as belonging to the right hand.” —St. Maximus the Confessor “When the soul leaves the body, the enemy advances to attack it, fiercely reviling it and accusing it of its sins in a harsh and terrifying manner. The devout soul, however, even though in the past it has often been wounded by sin, is not frightened by the enemy’s attacks and threats. Strengthened by the Lord, winged by joy, filled with courage by the holy angels that guide it, and encircled and protected by the light of faith, it answers the enemy with great boldness: ‘Fugitive from heaven, wicked slave, what have I to do with you? You have no authority over me; Christ the Son of God has authority over me and over all things. Against Him have I sinned, before Him shall I stand on trial, having His Precious Cross as a sure pledge of His saving love towards me. Flee from me, destroyer! You have nothing to do with the servants of Christ.’ When the soul says all this fearlessly, the devil turns his back, howling aloud and unable to withstand the name of Christ. Then the soul swoops down on the devil from above, attacking him like a hawk attacking a crow. After this it is brought rejoicing by the holy angels to the place appointed for it in accordance with its inward state.” —St. Theognostos, On the Practice of the Virtues, Philokalia, Vol. 2 “If you wish to be saved, O my soul, to go first on the most sorrowful path which has been indicated here, to enter into the Heavenly Kingdom and receive eternal life – then refine your flesh, taste voluntary bitterness, and endure difficult sorrows, as all the Saints tasted and endured. And when a man is preparing himself and gives himself the command to endure for the sake of God all sorrows and pain which come upon him, then light and painless seem for him all sorrows, unpleasantnesses and attacks of devils and men. He does not fear death, and nothing can separate such a one from the love of Christ. Have you heard, my beloved soul, how the Holy Fathers spent their lives? O my soul! Imitate them at least a little.” —St. Paisius Velichkovsky “If you rebuke yourself, accuse yourself, and judge yourself before God for your sins, with a sensitive conscience, even for this you will be justified.If you are sorrowful for your sins, or you weep, or sigh, your sigh will not be hidden from Him and, as St. John Chrysostom says, ‘If you only lament for your sins, then He will receive this for your salvation.’” —St. Moses of Optina “A good heart produces good thoughts: its thoughts correspond to what it stores up in itself.” —St. Thalassios the Libyan “Fasting is for the purification of the soul and body.” —St. John Chrysostom “It is a wonderful thing that, no matter how much we trouble about our health, however much care we take of ourselves, whatever wholesome and pleasant food we eat, whatever wholesome drinks we drink, however much we walk in the fresh air, still, notwithstanding all this, in the end we are subjected to maladies and corruption; whilst the saints, who despised their flesh, and mortified it by continual abstinence and fasting, by lying bare on the earth, by watchfulness, labours, unceasing prayer, have made both their souls and bodies immortal.” —St. John of Kronstadt, My Life in Christ, p. 286 “Fasting is wonderful, because it tramples our sins like a dirty weed, while it cultivates and raises truth like a flower.” —St. Basil the Great “Fasting is the mother of health; the friend of chastity; the partner of humility.” —St. Symeon the New theologian “True fasting lies in rejecting evil, holding one's tongue, suppressing one's hatred, and banishing one's lust, evil words, lying, and betrayal of vows.” —St. Basil the Great “Many fast with body, but do not fast with soul: many fast from food and drink, but do not fast from evil thoughts, actions and words, and what is the benefit of it?! Many fast a day and two more, but from anger, resentment and vengeance will not fast; many refrain from wine, meat and fish, but with their tongue they eat people similar to themselves, and what is the benefit of it?! There are those who do not reach for food with their hands, but provide them for bribery, embezzlement and robbery, and what is the benefit of it?! True and true fasting is abstaining from every evil. If you want, Christian, to benefit from your fasting, fast carnally, fast mentally, and fast always! When you instruct fasting to your stomach, impose it on your evil thoughts and lusts. Let your mind fast from vain thoughts and memory from resentment, and your will from evil wanting, and your eyes from evil looking. Turn away your eyes from beholding vanity, let your ears fast from shameful songs and whispers of slander, let your tongue fast from defamation, condemnation, blasphemy, lies, flattery, filth and every empty and rotten word. Let your hands fast from the robbery of another's goods, and your feet from the clothing of evil work. Repent and, abstaining from every evil word, deed and thought, learn every virtue and you will always fast before God.” —St. Tikhon of Zadonsk “As salt is needed for all kinds of food, so humility is needed for all kinds of virtues.” —St. Isaac the Syrian “Virtue is not the manifestation of many and various works performed by the body, but a heart that is most wise in its hope and unites a right aim to godly works. Often, the mind can accomplish that which is good without bodily works, but the body without wisdom of the heart can gain no profit for all it may do.” —St. Isaac the Syrian, Homily 40 “Let it be known to you that if in your life you have mastered every virtue and every good deed such as mercy, prayer, fast, and other virtues but have no humility in you, your toil will be in vain. For humility in all these virtues is the solid foundation. Without it, we cannot master any of the virtues and all these virtues will become impure, filthy, and discarded before God because they were not sown with humility and love.” —St. John Chrysostom “What can sin do where there is penitence? And of what use is love where there is pride?” —Abba Elias “Pride is poverty of the soul, which imagines itself to be rich, and being in darkness, thinks it has light.” —St. John Climacus “Modern society calls the beggar bum and panhandler and gives him the bum's rush. But the Greeks used to say that people in need are the ambassadors of the gods.” —Peter Maurin “Be like gods to the poor, imitating God's mercy. Humanity has nothing so much in common with God as the ability to do good.” —St. Gregory the Theologian “Every family should have a room where Christ is welcome in the person of the hungry and thirsty stranger.” —St. John Chrysostom “Who is the greedy man? One for whom plenty does not suffice. Who defrauds others? One who keeps for himself what belongs to everyone. Aren't you greedy, don't you defraud, when you keep for yourself what was given to give away? When someone steals a man's clothes, we call him a thief. Shouldn't we give the same name to one who could clothe the naked and does not?” —St. Basil the Great “The bread you do not use is the bread of the hungry. The garment hanging in your wardrobe is the garment of the person who is naked. The shoes you do not wear are the shoes of one who is barefoot. The money you keep locked away is the money of the poor. The acts of charity you do not perform are the injustices you commit.” —St. Basil the Great “You are not making a gift of what is yours to the poor man, but you are giving him back what is his. You have been appropriating things that are meant to be for the common use of everyone. The earth belongs to everyone, not to the rich.” —St. Ambrose of Milan “Do not consider your riches as belonging to yourselves alone; open wide your hand to those who are in need.” —St. Cyril of Alexandria “The man who loves his neighbor as himself possesses no more than his neighbor…thus, as much as your wealth increases, so much does your love decrease.” —St. Basil the Great “When you are weary of praying and do not receive, consider how often you have heard a poor man calling, and have not listened to him.” —St. John Chrysostom “Do not ever say: ‘These beggars annoy me!’ So many millions of men live on earth and all are beggars before the Lord; emperors as well as laborers, the wealthy as well as servants, all are beggars before the Lord and the Lord never said: ‘These beggars annoy me!’” —St. Nikolai Velimirovich “If you cannot find Christ in the beggar at the church door, you will not find Him in the chalice.” —St. John Chrysostom “A rich man is not one who has much, but one who gives much. For what he gives away remains his forever.” —St. John Chrysostom “A poor man when he reaches out to you does not beg, but offers you the kingdom of God.” —Elder Arsenie (Papacioc) of Romania “No one in creation is rich but he that fears God; no one is truly poor but he that lacks the truth.” —St. Ephrem the Syrian “Be careful not to despise one of the least of these who are scorned and sick in this world. For this contempt and affront of yours doesn’t stop at those unfortunate fellows, but ascends through them to the presence of the Creator and Fashioner, whose image they bear. You will be greatly astonished in that day, if you see the Holy Spirit of God resting in them more than in your heart.” —Elder Joseph the Hesychast, Monastic Wisdom, Seventh Letter, p. 67 “Do you fast? Then feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, visit the sick, do not forget the imprisoned, have pity on the tortured, comfort those who grieve and who weep, be merciful, humble, kind, calm, patient, sympathetic, forgiving, reverent, truthful and pious, so that God might accept your fasting and might plentifully grant you the fruits of repentance.” —St. John Chrysostom “The Lord Himself said in the Gospel: ‘The last shall be first and the first, last’ (Matt 20:16). Thus, may Divine mercy shine forth with His love upon the poor, so that it may make great ones from the little, and that from the weak it may make co-inheritors with His Only Begotten Son. For it exhalts the poverty of this world to Heaven, to which the earthly kingdom cannot rise, so that the rustic comes to the place where he who wears the purple does not merit to come.” —St Gregory of Tours, Via Patrum “In all your undertakings and in every way of life, whether you are living in obedience, or are not submitting your work to anyone, whether in outward or in spiritual matters, let it be your rule and practice to ask yourself: Am I really doing this in accordance with God's will?” —St. John Climacus “Those who submit to the Lord with simple heart will run the good race. If they keep their minds on a leash, they will not draw the wickedness of the demons onto themselves.” —St. John Climacus “A hypocrite is someone who teaches his neighbor something he makes no effort to do himself.” —St. Poemen “I prefer a man who sins and repents to one who does not sin and does not repent. The first has good thoughts, for he admits that he is sinful. But the second has false, soul-destroying thoughts, for he imagines himself to be righteous.” —Abba Poemen the Great “At meals don't speak about food: that's vulgar and unworthy of you. Speak about something noble -- of the soul or of the mind -- and you will have dignified this duty.” —Josemaria Escriva “When someone learns to acknowledge every man as being better than himself, then he has attained humility.” —St. Sisoes the Great “It is a spiritual gift from God for a man to perceive his sins.” —St. Isaac the Syrian “The man who is deemed worthy to see himself is greater than he who is deemed worthy to see angels.” —St. Isaac the Syrian “The truly blessed are not the ones who can work miracles or see angels; the truly blessed are the ones who can see their own sins.” —St. Anthony the Great “The nearer a man draws to God, the more he sees himself a sinner. It was when Isaiah the prophet saw God, that he declared himself ‘a man of unclean lips.’” —St. Mateos “The condition of peace among men is that each should keep a consciousness of his own wrongdoing.” —St. Silouan the Athonite “The way to perfection is through the realization that we are blind, naked and poor.” —St. Theophan the Recluse “Blessed is the man who knows his own weakness, because this knowledge becomes to him the foundation, root, and beginning of all goodness.” —St. Isaac the Syrian “The perfect person does not only try to avoid evil. Nor does he do good for fear of punishment, still less in order to qualify for the hope of a promised reward. The perfect person does good through love. His actions are not motivated by desire for personal benefit, so he does not have personal advantage as his aim. But as soon as he has realized the beauty of doing good, he does it with all his energies and in all that he does. He is not interested in fame, or a good reputation, or a human or divine reward. The rule of life for a perfect person is to be in the image and likeness of God.” —St. Clement of Alexandria “Every day at nightfall, before sleep comes upon you, excite the judgment of your conscience, demand an account from it, and whatever evil counsels you may have taken during the day … pierce them, tear them to pieces, and do penance for them.” —St. John Chrysostom “As I became more wretched you drew nearer to me.” —St. Augustine of Hippo “Sin is the fruit of free will. There was a time when sin did not exist, and there will be a time when it will not exist.” —St. Isaac the Syrian “Prove your love and zeal for wisdom in actual deeds.” —St. Callistus Xanthopoulos “Without love, deeds, even the most brilliant, count as nothing.” —Thérèse de Lisieux “Do not leave unobliterated any fault, however small, for it may lead you on to greater sins.” —St. Mark the Ascetic “Every day I lay a foundation for building my repentance, and again with my own hands I demolish it.” —St. Ephrem the Syrian “The Lord is hidden in His commandments, and He is to be found there in the measure that He is sought.” —St. Mark the Ascetic “Having fulfilled a commandment, expect temptations; because love toward Christ is tested by difficulties.” —St. Mark the Ascetic “Do not be surprised that when you draw near to virtue, grievous and intense tribulations come to you on all sides: for virtue is not considered virtue, if it does not involve hard work.” —St. Isaac the Syrian, Directions on Spiritual Training, The Philokalia “The purpose of temptations is to reveal hidden passions … so that you can battle against them in order to heal the soul. They are examples of divine mercy.” —St. Anatoly of Optina “In one day, brethren, you can gain all eternity. And in one day, brethren, you can lose all eternity. You are given thousands of days on earth to determine your own personal, eternal salvation or your own personal, eternal damnation. But blessed a hundredfold be the day in which you repent of all your unclean deeds, words and thoughts, and return to God crying out for mercy! That day will be worth more to you than a thousand other days.” —St. Nikolai Velimirovich “A certain brother had succumbed to the sin of lust, repeating this sin every day, but every day he would also beseech the Lord's mercy, with tears and prayers. By acting this way, his bad habit always fooled him and he would repeat the sin again; but again, after sinning, he would go to the Church and, upon seeing the holy and venerable icon of our Lord Jesus Christ, would fall to his knees and with bitter tears would say: ‘Spare me, Lord, and rid of me this tortuous temptation, because it plagues me terribly and harms me with its bitter pleasures. My face is not worthy to look upon Your holy icon, so that my heart might be consoled.’ That was the sort of thing he would say, but whenever he left the Church, he would again fall in the mire. Yet he never lost his hopes for salvation, and immediately after sinning, he would again return to the Church and say the same things, praying to the benevolent Lord God: ‘Lord, be my warrantor that from now on I won't sin again; but please, Lord, forgive all of my sins, from the beginning, up to now.’ And after making these grandiose promises, he would again return to the same, terrible sin. And one could discern the sweet benevolence and infinite goodness of the Lord, in tolerating and enduring this incorrigible and grave violation and the ingratitude of this man, and how, in His great compassion, the Lord desired the repentance of this man and his definitive return; because this sin was being repeated, not for one, two or three years, but for ten and more. Brothers, can you see the immeasurable tolerance and infinite benevolence of the Lord? How He shows forbearance and kindness every time, by enduring our gross iniquities and sins? What is more staggering and provokes our wonder with regard to God's wealth of compassion, is that although our brother kept promising and would agree to desist from that sin, he proved himself a liar. One day, after our brother had fallen into that sin again, he went running to the Church, mourning and moaning and in tears, beseeching the compassion of the merciful God to spare him and save him from the mire of incontinence. While this brother was begging the benevolent God, the wicked devil, the destruction of our souls, realized that he had achieved nothing, because while he was sewing with sin, the man was fraying it with his repentance. So the devil impudently appeared before him visibly, and, turning his face towards the venerable icon of our Lord Jesus Christ, started to cry out, saying: ‘What ‘s it going to be with us two, Jesus Christ? Your infinite sympathy defeats me and degrades me, whenever you accept this lecher, this wanton, who lies to you every day and disregards your authority. Why then don't you burn him? Why are You so forbearing and tolerant towards him? You are supposed to be the one who will judge the adulterous and the licentious and will eliminate all sinners. In fact, You are not a fair judge, because, wherever Your authority considers it befitting, You judge unfairly and You overlook things. With me, because of the small infraction of pride, you cast me down from heaven, whereas with him, who is a liar, a lecher and a prodigal, because he merely knelt before You, You imperturbably grant him Your favor. So, why do they call You a fair judge? From what I can see, You simply give Yourself to people out of Your great goodness, and You overlook justice.’ As the devil was saying these, all choked up by his bitterness, flames and smoke came out of his nostrils. After the devil had finished speaking, he became silent, and immediately, a voice was heard coming out of the altar saying: ‘You wicked and pestilent dragon, your wickedness wasn't satiated by swallowing the whole world, and now you are trying to grab and swallow this man who found refuge in the infinite mercy of My compassion? Can you present any sins that are heavier than the precious blood which I shed for this man, on the Cross? Mark well, that My crucifixion and My death forgave his sins. Besides, you didn't send him away when he headed towards sin, but you accepted him with joy and you neither abhorred him nor hindered him, because you hoped to win him. Well then, I, Who am so merciful and benevolent, who had instructed my high Apostle Peter to forgive any man who sins daily up to seventy times seven, will I not forgive and spare this man? Yes, I say to you, and because he sought refuge in Me, I will not turn away from him, until I have made him mine. Because I was crucified for the sinners and it was for them that I extended my immaculate arms, so that everyone who wants to be saved, will seek refuge in me and be saved. I do not avoid anyone, nor do I send anyone away, not even if someone sins a thousand times in one day and then comes to Me a thousand times; he won't leave dismayed. Because I did not come to call the righteous to repent, but the sinners.’ As soon as these words were heard, the devil stood fixed in place, trembling, unable to escape. And the voice spoke again: ‘Listen, impostor, with regard to what you said about me being unfair : because I am fair to everyone, and in whichever condition I might find them, I will judge them accordingly. Look at this man, I found him in repentance and returning back, fallen on his knees in front of Me, and your conqueror. I will therefore accept him and save his soul, because he did not despair about his salvation. And you, when seeing the honor that I grant him, will impale yourself out of envy and be put to shame.’ And just as the brother lay there, prone and weeping, he gave up his soul; instantly, a fury as great as a fire fell upon the devil, and it consumed him. Therefore my brothers let us learn from this incident of God's immeasurable compassion and philanthropy, what a kind God we have, and that we must never despair or not tend to our salvation.” —St. Amphilochios, On Masturbation and the Futility of Despair “Do not be surprised that you fall every day; do not give up, but stand your ground courageously. And assuredly, the angel who guards you will honor your patience. While a wound is still fresh and warm it is easy to heal, but old, neglected and festering ones are hard to cure, and require for their care much treatment, cutting, plastering and cauterization. Many from long neglect become incurable. But with God all things are possible.” —St. John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent, Step 5, Section 30 “The life of the righteous was radiant. How did it become radiant if it wasn’t by patience? Love patience, O monk, as the mother of courage.” —St. Ephrem the Syrian “Seek in everything the deep meaning. All the events that take place around us and with us have their meaning. Nothing happens without a cause…” —St. Nektary of Optina “…should we fall, we should not despair and so estrange ourselves from the Lord's love. For if He so chooses, He can deal mercifully with our weakness. Only we should not cut ourselves off from Him or feel oppressed when constrained by His commandments, nor should we lose heart when we fall short of our goal…let us always be ready to make a new start. If you fall, rise up. If you fall again, rise up again. Only do not abandon your Physician, lest you be condemned as worse than a suicide because of your despair. Wait on Him, and He will be merciful, either reforming you, or sending you trials, or through some other provision of which you are ignorant.” —St. Peter of Damascus “Faintness of heart is a sign of despondency, and negligence is the mother of both. A cowardly man shows that he suffers from two diseases: love of his flesh and lack of faith; for love of one's flesh is a sign of unbelief. But he who despises the love of the flesh proves that he believes in God with his whole heart and awaits the age to come … A courageous heart and scorn of perils comes from one of two causes: either from hardness of heart or from great faith in God. Pride accompanies hardness of heart, but humility accompanies faith. A man cannot acquire hope in God unless he first does His will with exactness. For hope in God and manliness of heart are born of the testimony of the conscience, and by the truthful testimony of the mind we possess confidence towards God.” —St. Isaac the Syrian, Homily 40 “Within the heart are unfathomable depths. The heart is a small vessel, and yet dragons and lions are there. And there also are poisonous creatures and all the treasures of wickedness; rough and uneven paths are there and gaping chasms. Likewise, God is there; there are angels, there is life and the Kingdom, there is light and the apostles and the heavenly cities and the treasures of grace. All things lie within that little space.” —St. Macarius the Great “Just as the Lord is solicitous about our salvation, so too the murder of men, the devil, strives to lead a man into despair. A lofty and sound soul does not despair over misfortunes, of whatever sort they may be. Our life is as it were a house of temptations and trials; but we will not renounce the Lord for as long as He allows the tempter to remain with us and for as long as we must wait to be revived through patience and secure passionless! Judas the betrayer was fainthearted and unskilled in battle, and so the enemy, seeing his despair, attacked him and forced him to hang himself, but Peter, a firm rock, when he fell into great sin, like one skilled in battle did not despair nor lose heart, but shed bitter tears from a burning heart, and the enemy, seeing these tears, his eyes scorched as by fire, fled far form him wailing in pain. And so brothers, St. Antioch teaches, when despair attacks us let us not yield to it, but being strengthened and protected by the light of faith, with great courage let us say to the evil spirit: ‘What are you to us, estranged from God, a fugitive from heaven and evil servant? You dare do nothing to us. Christ, the Son of God, has authority both over us and over everything. It is against Him that we have sinned, and before Him that we will be justified. And you, destroyer, leave us. Strengthen by His venerable Cross, we trample under foot your serpent's head’ (St. Antioch Discourse 27).” —St. Seraphim of Sarov, Little Russian Philokalia “Modern men have faith in machines, in material well-being, in the substantiality of all that seems obvious to common sense; this is a petty faith, the faith of petty men. The Christian has faith in God and the world to come, in the insubstantiality of all that is obvious, in the passing of this world and the coming of the new, transfigured world; if there is a faith worthy of men, it is surely this.” —Fr. Seraphim Rose of Platina, The Orthodox Word, No. 128, 1986 “I think it needs to be pointed out with utmost charity that the religion of compromise is self-deception and that there exist today only two absolutely irreconcilable alternatives for man: faith in the world and the religion of self, whose fruit is death; and the faith in Christ the Son of God, in Whom alone is eternal life.” —Fr. Seraphim Rose of Platina “Keep your mind in hell and do not despair.” —St. Silouan the Athonite “Stand at the brink of the abyss of despair, and when you see that you cannot bear it anymore, draw back a little, and have a cup of tea.” —Elder Sophrony of Essex “So in every test, let us say: "Thank you, my God, because this was needed for my salvation."” —St. Paisios of Mt. Athos “Only the benumbed soul doesn't pray. Preserve in yourselves the feeling of need, and you will always have stimulation for prayer.” —St. Theophan the Recluse “Make sure that you do not limit your prayer merely to a particular part of the day. Turn to prayer at anytime.” —St John Chrysostom “The Lord knows that I love you all, but I cannot speak with God and people at the same time.” —St. Arsanius the Great “A Christian…is not his own master; he puts his time at God's disposal.” —St. Ignatius of Antioch “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 “The knowledge of the Cross is concealed in the sufferings of the Cross.” —St. Isaac the Syrian “It is impossible to believe that Christ is Risen, while we are afraid of death…” —St. Gregory Palamas “God had one son on earth without sin, but never one without suffering.” —St. Augustine of Hippo “Let us understand that God is a physician, and that suffering is a medicine for salvation, not a punishment for damnation.” —St. Augustine of Hippo “Everything will happen suddenly. It may even happen tonight. Maybe it has begun already? Today you are deprived of one thing, tomorrow of another. God is giving it to us a little at a time, and we stupid people don’t understand. I say this to you and I counsel you, even if the sky were to fall down, even if the earth would rise up, even if the whole world were destroyed, as it is due to do so, today, tomorrow, don’t be concerned with what God is going to do. Let them burn your body, let them fry it, let them take your possessions – don’t concern yourself. Give them away – they are not yours. You need your soul and Christ. Even if the whole world were to fall apart, no one can take these two things away from you against your will. Guard these two, and don’t loose them.” —St. Kosmas Aitolos “Certainly in times of tranquility the cross should give you joy. But maintain the same faith in times of persecution. Otherwise you will be a friend of Jesus in times of peace and his enemy during war.” —St. Cyril of Jerusalem “Only struggle a little more. Carry your cross without complaining. Don't think you are anything special. Don't justify your sins and weaknesses, but see yourself as you really are. And, especially, love one another.” —Fr. Seraphim Rose of Platina “Remember that each of us has his own cross. The Golgotha of this cross is our heart: it is being lifted or implanted through a zealous determination to live according to the Spirit of God. Just as salvation of the world is by the Cross of God, so our salvation is by our crucifixion on our own cross.” —St. Theophan the Recluse “Everyone carries their own cross, both Christians and non-Christians, believers and pagans. The difference is that for some, their crosses serve as a means of attaining the Kingdom of Heaven, while for the others they bring no such value. For the Christian, the cross gradually becomes lighter and more joyful, while for the nonbeliever it becomes heavier and more burdensome. Why is this so? Because where the one carries their cross with faith and devotion to God, the other carries it with grumbling and anger. Therefore, Christian, do not shun your lifelong cross, but, on the contrary, thank Jesus Christ that He honored you to follow and imitate Him.” —St. Innocent of Alaska, Indication Of The Way Into The Kingdom Of Heaven “Everyone has a cross to carry. Why? Since the leader of our faith endured the cross, we will also endure it. On one hand, the cross is sweet and light, but, on the other, it can also be bitter and heavy. It depends on our will. If you bear Christ’s cross with love then it will be very light; like a sponge or a cork. But if you have a negative attitude, it becomes heavy; too heavy to lift.” —Elder Ephraim of Katounakia, 20th Century staretz on Mt. Athos, Suffering; Trials “When you meet with suffering, contempt, the Cross, your thought should be: what is this compared with what I deserve?” —Josemaria Escriva “A Christian without a cross is no Christian at all.” —St. John of Kronstadt “Many people, finding daily life unsatisfying, try to live in a fantasy world of their own. Underlying the whole of modern culture is the common denominator of the worship of oneself and one's own comfort, which is deadly to any idea of spiritual life.” —Fr. Seraphim Rose of Platina “Behold, for years and generations, the way of God has been leveled by the cross and by death. How is this with thee, that thou seest the afflictions of the way as if they were out of the way? Doest not thou wish to follow the steps of the saints? Or doest thou wish to go a way which is especially for thee, without suffering? The way unto God is a daily cross. No one can ascend unto heaven with comfort, we know where the way of comfort leads.” —St. Isaac the Syrian, Mystic Treatises, Homily LIX “I know of my spiritual poverty, my own nothingness without faith. I am so weak, that it is only by Christ's name that I live and obtain peace, that I rejoice and my heart expands, whilst without Him I am spiritually dead, I am troubled, and my heart is oppressed; without the Lord's Cross I should have been long since the victim of the most cruel distress and despair. Only Christ keeps me alive: and the Cross is my peace and my consolation.” —St. John of Kronstadt “Yesterday I was crucified with Him; today I am glorified with Him; yesterday I died with Him; today I am quickened with Him; yesterday I was buried with Him; today I rise with Him.” —St. Gregory the Theologian “A Christian should avoid unhealthy religiosity: both the feeling of superiority due to virtue, and the feeling of inferiority due to sinfulness.” —St. Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia “Understand two thoughts, and fear them. One says, 'You are a saint,' the other, 'You won't be saved.' Both of these thoughts are from the enemy, and there is no truth in them. But think this way: I am a great sinner, but the Lord is merciful. He loves people very much, and He will forgive my sins. Believe in this way, and you will see, the Lord will forgive you. But put no faith in feats of your own, however much you may have striven… Thus God has mercy on us, not for our achievements but gracious, because of His goodness.” —St. Silouan the Athonite “He made Him who was righteous to be a sinner, that He might make sinners righteous.” —St. John Chrysostom “Love sinners, but hate their deeds, and do not disdain sinners for their failings, so that you yourself do not fall into the temptation in which they abide… Do not be angry at anyone and do not hate anyone, neither for their faith, nor for their shameful deeds… Do not foster hatred for the sinner, for we are all guilty… Hate his sins, and pray for him, so that you may be made like unto Christ, who had no dislike for sinners, but prayed for them.” —St. Isaac the Syrian, Ascetical Homilies 57,90 “Love every man in spite of his falling into sin. Never mind the sins, but remember that the foundation of the man is the same - the image of God.” —St. John of Kronstadt “Never confuse the person, formed in the image of God, with the evil that is in him: because evil is but a chance misfortune, an illness, a devilish reverie. But the very essence of the person is the image of God, and this remains in him despite every disfigurement.” —St. John of Kronstadt “Firmly purpose in your soul to hate every sin of thought, word, and deed, and when you are tempted to sin resist it valiantly and with a feeling of hatred for it; only beware lest your hatred should turn against the person of your brother who gave occasion for the sin. Hate the sin with all your heart, but pity your brother; instruct him, and pray for him to the Almighty, Who sees all of us and tries our hearts and innermost parts.” —St. John of Kronstadt “For this reason, the man who lives by God's standards and not by man's, must needs be a lover of the good, and it follows that he must hate what is evil. Further, since no one is evil by nature, but anyone who is evil is evil because of a perversion of nature, the man who lives by God's standards has a duty of ‘perfect hatred’ (Psalm 139:22) towards those who are evil; that is to say, he should not hate the person because of the fault, nor should he love the fault because of the person. He should hate the fault, but love the man. And when the fault has been cured there will remain only what he ought to love, nothing that he should hate.” —St. Augustine of Hippo, The City of God, 14:6, Penguin ed., transl. Bettenson “As Jesus Christ is my Witness, I profess that I hate heresy, not the heretic; but as is proper, for the present I shun the heretics because of the heresy, since I have both convicted and rebuked him. Let him renounce his heresy and condemn it by word as well as by deed, and he will cling to all men by the bond of brotherhood, because it is written, ‘Bear ye one another's burden and so fulfill the law of Christ’ (Gal. 6:2).” —Orosius of Braga, Book in Defense Against the Pelagians “Our life and our death is with our neighbor. If we gain our brother, we have gained God, but if we scandalize our brother, we have sinned against Christ. This is the great work of a man: always to take the blame for his own sins before God and to expect temptation to his last breath.” —St. Anthony the Great “Unless we look at a person and see the beauty there is in this person, we can contribute nothing to him. One does not help a person by discerning what is wrong, what is ugly, what is distorted. Christ looked at everyone he met, at the prostitute, at the thief, and saw the beauty hidden there. Perhaps it was distorted, perhaps damaged, but it was beauty none the less, and what he did was to call out this beauty.” —Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh “He who busies himself with the sins of others, or judges his brother on suspicion, has not yet even begun to repent or to examine himself so as to discover his own sins.” —St. Maximus the Confessor “As long as we pay attention to the negative sides of various people we meet, we will not find peace and repentance. As long as we keep in ourselves the thought of offense, caused to us by enemies, friends, family and neighbours, we will not find peace and quiet and we will live in a hellish state.” —Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica “The genuineness of a friend is shown at a time of trial, if he shares the distress you suffer.” —St. Thalassios the Libyan “If you are offended by anything, whether intended or unintended, you do not know the way of peace, which through love brings the lovers of divine knowledge to the knowledge of God.” —St. Maximus the Confessor “Especially, do not be disturbed by blasphemous thoughts, which clearly come from the envy of the Enemy. They occur in a person either because of proud self-opinion or the condemnation of others.” —St. Ambrose of Optina “In hell there is democracy and in Heaven there is a Kingdom.” —St. John of Kronstadt “We shall not care what people think of us, or how they treat us. We shall cease to be afraid of falling out of favour. We shall love our fellow men without thought of whether they love us. Christ gave us the commandment to love others but did not make it a condition of salvation that they should love us. Indeed, we may positively be disliked for independence of spirit. It is essential in these days to be able to protect ourselves from the influence of those with whom we come in contact. Otherwise we risk losing both faith and prayer. Let the whole world dismiss us as unworthy of attention, trust or respect – it will not matter provided that the Lord accept us. And vice versa: it will profit us nothing if the whole world thinks well of us and sings our praises, if the Lord declines to abide with us. This is only a fragment of the freedom Christ meant when He said, ‘Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free’ (John 8.32). Our sole care will be to continue in the word of Christ, to become His disciples and cease to be servants of sin.” —Archimandrite Sophrony of Essex, His Life is Mine, Chapter 6; pg. 55 “Do not do anything without signing yourself with the sign of the Cross! When you depart on a journey, when you begin your work, when you go to study, when you are alone, and when you are with other people, seal yourself with the Holy Cross on your forehead, your body, your chest, your heart, your lips, your eyes, your ears. All of you should be sealed with the sign of Christ's victory over hell. Then you will no longer be afraid of charms, evil spirits, or sorcery, because these are dissolved by the power of the Cross like wax before fire and like dust before the wind.” —Archimandrite Cleopas (Ilie) of Romania “The Church is a hospital, and not a courtroom, for souls. She does not condemn on behalf of sins, but grants remission of sins. Nothing is so joyous in our life as the thanksgiving that we experience in the Church. In the Church, the joyful sustain their joy. In the Church, those worried acquire merriment, and those saddened, joy. In the Church, the troubled find relief, and the heavy-laden, rest. ‘Come,’ says the Lord, ‘near me, all of you who labor and are heavy-laden (with trials and sins), and I will give you rest’ (Matthew 11:28). What could be more desirable than to meet this voice? What is sweeter than this invitation? The Lord is calling you to the Church for a rich banquet. He transfers you from struggles to rest, and from tortures to relief. He relieves you from the burden of your sins. He heals worries with thanksgiving, and sadness with joy. No one is truly free or joyful besides he who lives for Christ. Such a person overcomes all evil and does not fear anything!” —St. John Chrysostom, Homily XV, II Cor. VII VIII, paragraph 6, Themes of Life II, Life Issues II, Holy Monastery of the Paraclete “The goal of human freedom is not in freedom itself, nor is it in man, but in God. By giving man freedom God has yielded to man a piece of His divine authority, but with the intention that man himself would voluntarily bring it as a sacrifice to God, as a most perfect offering.” —St. Theophan the Recluse, The Path to Salvation “When you are depressed, bear in mind the Lord’s command to Peter to forgive a sinner seventy times seven. And you may be sure that He Who gave this command to another will Himself do very much more.” —St. John Climacus “A person who suffers bitterly when slighted or insulted should recognize from this that he still harbours the ancient serpent in his breast. If he quietly endures the insult or responds with great humility, he weakens the serpent and lessens its hold. But if he replies acrimoniously or brazenly, he gives it strength to pour its venom into his heart and to feed mercilessly on his guts. In this way the serpent becomes increasingly powerful; it destroys his soul's strength and his attempts to set himself right, compelling him to live for sin and to be completely dead to righteousness.” —St. Symeon the New Theologian “The time of this present life is a time for harvesting, and each person gathers spiritual food - as pure as possible - and stores it up for the other life. It is not the clever, the noble, the polished speakers, or the rich who win, but whoever is insulted and forbears, whoever is wronged and forgives, whoever is slandered and endures, whoever becomes a sponge and mops up whatever they might say to him. Such a person is cleansed and polished even more. He reaches great heights. He delights in the theoria of mysteries. And finally, it is he who is already inside paradise, while still in this life.” —Elder Joseph the Hesychast and Cave-dweller “Do we refuse to forgive? God, too, will refuse to forgive us. As we treat our neighbours, so also does God treat us. The forgiveness or unforgiveness of your sins, then, and hence also your salvation or destruction, depend on you yourself. For without forgiveness of sins there is no salvation. You can see for yourself how serious it is.” —St. Tikhon of Zadonsk “When you are ready to stand in the presence of the Lord, let your soul wear a garment woven from the cloth of your forgiveness of others. Otherwise, your prayer will be of no value whatsoever.” —St. John Climacus “Forgiveness is better than revenge.” —St. Tikhon of Zadonsk “When God forgave you, it means He forgave you for eternity.” —Elder Arsenie (Papacioc) of Romania “Love alone harmoniously joins all created things with God and with each other.” —St. Thalassios the Libyan “A monk is he who withdrawing from all men, is united with all mankind. … A monk is he who regards himself as existing with all men and sees himself in each man.” —St. Nilus of Sinai “Love towards Christ is without limits, and the same is true of love towards our neighbour. It should radiate everywhere, to the ends of the earth, to every person. I wanted to go and live with the hippies at …… in order to show them the love of Christ and how great it is and how it could transfigure them. Love is above everything.” —Wounded by Love, Elder Porphyrios, pg 188 “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” —Genesis 1:27 “For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” —Genesis 3:5 “And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.” —2 Corinthians 11:14 “You shall not murder.” —Exodus 20:13 “Cursed is the one who takes a bribe to slay an innocent person.” —Deuteronomy 27:25 “He shall judge between the nations,And rebuke many people;They shall beat their swords into plowshares,And their spears into pruning hooks;Nation shall not lift up sword against nation,Neither shall they learn war anymore.” —Isaiah 2:4 “But Jesus said to him, ‘Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.’” —Matthew 26:52 “You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’” —Luke 18:20 “So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, ‘He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.’” —John 8:7 “Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” —1 John 3:15 “And the second commandment of the Teaching; Thou shalt not commit murder, thou shalt not commit adultery, thou shalt not commit paederasty, thou shalt not commit fornication, thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not practise magic, thou shalt not practise witchcraft, thou shalt not murder a child by abortion nor kill that which is begotten.” —Didache 2:2 “You shall not take the life of the child by obtaining an abortion. Nor, again, shall you destroy him after he is born.” —St. Barnabas, Epistle of St. Barnabas “The mold in the womb may not be destroyed.” —Tertullian “There is no question about that which is bred in the uterus, both growing, and moving from place to place. It remains, therefore, that we must think that the point of commencement of existence is one and the same for body and soul.” —St. Gregory of Nyssa “We acknowledge, therefore, that life begins with conception, because we contend that the soul begins at conception. Life begins when the soul begins. For us, we may not destroy even the fetus in the womb, while as yet the human being derives blood from other parts of the body for its sustenance. To hinder a birth is merely a speedier man-killing; nor does it matter when you take away a life that is born, or destroy one that is coming to birth. That is a man which is going to be one: you have the fruit already in the seed.” —Tertullian, Apology 9:6 “Now the entire process of sowing, forming, and completing the human embryo in the womb is no doubt regulated by some power, which ministers herein to the will of God, whatever may be the method which it is appointed to employ. Even the superstition of Rome, by carefully attending to these points, imagined the goddess Alemona to nourish the foetus in the womb; as well as [the goddesses] Nona and Decima, called after the most critical months of gestation; and Partula, to manage and direct parturition; and Lucina, to bring the child to the birth and light of day. We, on our part, believe the angels to officiate herein for God. The embryo therefore becomes a human being in the womb from the moment that its form is completed (conception). The law of Moses, indeed, punishes with due penalties the man who shall cause abortion, inasmuch as there exists already the rudiment of a human being, which has imputed to it even now the condition of life and death, since it is already liable to the issues of both, although, by living still in the mother, it for the most part shares its own state with the mother.” —Tertullian, Treatise on the Soul, Ch. XXXVII, On the Formation and State of the Embryo, Its Relation with the Subject of this Treatise “The blood of martyrs is the seed of the Church.” —Tertullian “…if we would not kill off the human race born and developing according to God's plan, then our whole lives would be lived according to nature. Women who make use of some sort of deadly abortion drug kill not only the embryo but, together with it, all human kindness.” —St. Clement of Alexandria, Christ the Educator, Volume II, page 10 “Those who use abortifacients commit homicide.” —St. Clement of Alexandria “The woman who aborts her child to hide her immorality, aborts at the same time her own humanity.” —St. Clement of Alexandria “Women who were reputed believers began to resort to drugs for producing sterility. They also girded themselves around, so as to expel what was being gestated. For they did not wish to have a child by either slave or by any common fellow - out of concern for their family and their excessive wealth. See what a great impiety the lawless one has advanced! He teaches adultery and murder at the same time!” —St. Hipploytus, Refutation Of All Heresies “He [Novatian] struck the womb of his wife with his heel and produced a hurried an abortion, thereby causing parricide.” —St. Cyprian of Carthage, Epistle 52 To Cornelius “The wealthy, in order that their inheritance may not be divided among several, deny in the very womb their own progeny. By use of' parricidal mixtures they snuff out the fruit of their wombs in the genital organs themselves. In this way life is taken away before it is born… Who except man himself has taught us ways of repudiating children?” —St. Ambrose of Milan “Sometimes their sadistic licentiousness goes so far that they procure poison to produce infertility, and when this is of no avail, they find one means or another to destroy the unborn and flush it from the mother's womb. For they desire to see their offspring perish before it is alive or, if it has already been granted life, they seek to kill it within the mother's body before it is born.” —St. Augustine of Hippo, The City of God, Book One, Ch. 16 “A woman who has deliberately destroyed a fetus must pay the penalty for murder… those also who give drugs causing abortions are murderers themselves, as well as those who receive the poison which kills the fetus.” —St. Basil the Great, First Canonical Letter, 188:2 and 188:8 “Women also who administer drugs to cause abortion, as well as those who take poisons to destroy unborn children, are murderesses.” —St. Basil the Great, Letter CLXXXVIII: Canonica Prima, to Amphilochius, concerning the Canons, VII “The woman who purposely destroys her unborn child is guilty of murder. The hair-splitting difference between formed and unformed makes no difference to us.” —St. Basil the Great “Why do you sow where the field is eager to destroy the fruit? Where there are medicines of sterility? Where there is murder before birth? You do not even let a harlot remain only a harlot, but you make her a murderess as well. Indeed, it is something worse than murder and I do not know what to call it; for she does not kill what is formed but prevents its formation. What then? Do you condemn the gifts of God, and fight with His laws? What is a curse you seek as though it were a blessing. Do you make the anteroom of slaughter? Do you teach the women who are given to you for a procreation of offspring to perpetuate killing? Yet such turpitude … the matter still seems indifferent to many men–even to many men having wives. In this indifference of the married men there is greater evil filth; for then poisons are prepared, not against the womb of a prostitute, but against your injured wife. Against her are these innumerable tricks…” —St. John Chrysostom, Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans, XXIV “Some virgins [unmarried women] go so far as to take potions, that they may insure barrenness, and thus murder human beings almost before their conception. Some, when they find themselves with child through their sin, use drugs to procure abortion, and when (as often happens) they die with their offspring, they enter the lower world laden with the guilt not only of adultery against Christ but also of suicide and child murder.” —St. Jerome, Letter to Eustochium, 22:13 “The rich women, to avoid dividing the inheritance among many, kill their own unborn in the womb and with lethal extracts terminate their own offspring while yet in the womb.” —St. Ambrose, On the Hexaemeron “For every argument there is a counter-argument, but who can argue against life?” —St. Gregory Palamas, Triads in Defence of the Holy Hesychasts “If you can't feed a hundred people, feed just one.”“I prefer you to make mistakes in kindness than work miracles in unkindness.”“People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway. If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway. For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.”“If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway.”“It is a poverty that a child must die, so that you may live as you wish.”“How can you say there are too many children? That is like saying there are too many flowers.”“The greatest destroyer of peace is abortion because if a mother can kill her own child, what is left for me to kill you and you to kill me? There is nothing between.”“Any Country that accepts abortion is not teaching its people to love, but to use any violence to get what it wants.”“We can do no great things, only small things with great love.”“Do not look for big things, just do small things with great love… The smaller the thing the greater must be our love. “God did not call us to be successful, but to be faithful.”“Go out into the world today and love the people you meet. Let your presence light new light in the hearts of people.”“There are no great things, only small things with great love. Happy are those.”“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.”“Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.”—Teresa of Calcutta “No one heals himself by wounding another.” —St. Ambrose of Milan “Abortion is the anti-Christ's demonic parody of the Eucharist. That's why it uses the same holy words ‘This is my body’ with the blasphemous opposite meaning.” —Dr. Peter Kreeft “An Irish pro-abortion leader described their vote as a decision to enter the ‘modern’ world. That was extremely well-said. Modernity suggests to us that we are the masters of history, the arbiters of life and death. Our compassion for the suffering is always expressed, ultimately, in our willingness to kill them, without remorse. For many, abortion has become the sacrament of modernity, in which we learn to say in blasphemous irony: ‘This is my body.’” —Fr. Stephen Freeman “Each child with special needs such as this does not come into the world in order to make our lives difficult and make us suffer. They each come into this world for a reason and have their secret inner voice. It remains to us to offer love; to ‘bear one another's burdens’; to experience a collective humbling – to realize, that is, that we are not as powerful and important as we think; and to try to lighten that person's burden and understand their language… These children are better at speaking the language of God.” —Metropolitan Nikolaos of Mesogaia and Labreotiki, When God is Not There, pg. 48 “O God, grant us a deeper sense of fellowship with all living things, our little brothers and sisters to whom in common with us you have given this earth as home. We recall with regret that in the past we have acted high-handedly and cruelly in exercising our domain over them. Thus, the voice of the earth which should have risen to you in song has turned into a groan of travail. May we realize that all these creatures also live for themselves and for you - not for us alone. They too love the goodness of life, as we do, and serve you better in their way than we do in ours. Amen.” —St. Basil the Great “We follow the ways of wolves, the habits of tigers: or, rather we are worse than they. To them nature has assigned that they should be thus fed, while God has honoured us with rational speech and a sense of equity. And yet we are become worse than the wild beast.” —St. John Chrysostom “Drink water from the spring where horses drink. The horse will never drink bad water. Lay your bed where the cat sleeps. Eat the fruit that has been touched by a worm. Boldly pick the mushroom on which the insects sit. Plant the tree where the mole digs. Build your house where the snake sits to warm itself. Dig your fountain where the birds hide from the heat. Go to sleep and wake up at the same time with the birds – you will reap all of the days' golden grains. Eat more green – you will have strong legs and a resistant heart, like the beings of the forest. Swim often and you will feel on earth like the fish in the water. Look at the sky as often as possible and your thoughts will become light and clear. Be quiet a lot, speak little – and silence will come in your heart, and your spirit will be calm and full of peace.” —St. Seraphim of Sarov (Nature is talking to you, are you listening?) “Nothing is without order and purpose in the animal kingdom; each animal bears the wisdom of the Creator and testifies of Him. God granted man and animals many natural attributes, such as compassion, love, feelings… for even animals bewail the loss of one of their own.” —St. John Climacus “…surely we ought to show kindness and gentleness to animals for many reasons, and chiefly because they are of the same origin as ourselves.” —St. John Chrysostom “For animals, man is like God. Just as we ask God for help, they ask man for help.” —St. Paisios of Mt. Athos “Concepts create idols; only wonder comprehends anything. People kill one another over idols. Wonder makes us fall to our knees.” —St. Gregory of Nyssa “…it is not the task of Christianity to provide easy answers to every question, but to make us progressively aware of a mystery. God is not so much the object of our knowledge as the cause of our wonder.” —Kallistos Ware “Why not learn to enjoy the little things! There are so many of them.” —St. John Chrysostom “The unspeakable and prodigious fire hidden in the essence of things, as in the bush, is the fire of divine love and the dazzling brilliance of His beauty inside every thing.” —St. Maximus the Confessor “Blessed the one who observes with spiritual understanding the choirs of stars shining with glory and the beauty of the heavens and longs to contemplate the Maker of all things.” —St. Ephrem the Syrian “Leave behind the senses and the operations of the intellect, and all things sensible and intellectual, and all things in the world of being and non-being, that thou mayest arise by unknowing towards the union, as far as is attainable, with Him who transcends all knowledge.” —St. Dionysius the Areopagite, Mystical Theology “Supernal Triad, Deity above all essence, knowledge and goodness, Guide of Christians to Divine Wisdom: direct our path to the ultimate summit of Thy mystical Lore, most incomprehensible, most luminous and most exalted, where the pure, absolute and immutable mysteries of theology are veiled in the dazzling obscurity of the secret Silence, outshining all brilliance with the intensity of their Darkness, and surcharging our blinded intellects with the utterly impalpable and invisible fairness of glories surpassing all beauty.” —St. Dionysius the Areopagite, Mystical Theology “We, therefore, so long as we are beset by the corruptions of the flesh, in no wise behold the brightness of the Divine Power, as it abides unchangeable in itself, in that the eye of our weakness cannot endure that which shines above us with intolerable lustre from the ray of His Eternal Being. And so when the Almighty shews Himself to us by the chinks of contemplation, He does not speak to us, but whispers, in that though He does not fully develope Himself, yet something of Himself He does reveal to the mind of man. But then He no longer whispers at all, but speaks, when His appearance is manifested to us in certainty. It is hence that Truth saith in the Gospel, ‘I shall shew you plainly of the Father’ (John 16, 25). Hence John saith, ‘For we shall see Him as He is’ (1 John 3, 2). Hence Paul saith, ‘Then shall I know even as also I am known’ (1 Cor. 13, 12). Now in this present time, the Divine whispering has as many veins for our ears as the works of creation, which the Divine Being Himself is Lord of; for while we view all things that are created, we are lifted up in admiration of the Creator. For as water that flows in a slender stream is sought by being bored for through veins, with a view to increase it, and as it pours forth the more copiously, in proportion as it finds the veins more open, so we, whilst we heedfully gather the knowledge of the Divine Being from the contemplation of His creation, as it were open to ourselves the ‘veins of His whispering’, in that by the things that we see have been made, we are led to marvel at the excellency of the Maker, and by the objects that are in public view, that issues forth to us, which is hidden in concealment. For He bursts out to us in a kind of sound as it were, whilst He displays His works to be considered by us, wherein He betokens Himself in a measure, in that He shews how Incomprehensible He is. Therefore, because we cannot take thought of Him as He deserves, we hear not His voice, yea, scarcely His whispering. For because we are not equal to form a full and perfect estimate of the very things that are created, it is rightly said, Mine ear as it were by stealth received the veins of whispering; in that being cast forth from the delights of paradise, and visited with the punishment of blindness, we scarcely take in ‘the veins of whispering’; since His very marvellous works themselves we consider but hastily and slightly. But we must bear in mind, that in proportion as the soul being lifted up contemplates His Excellency, so being held back it shrinks from His Righteous Perfectness.” —St. Gregory the Great (Gregory the Dialogist), Book V, Sec. 52, Morals on the Book of Job “Look at the world around you. It supplies all your bodily needs. It feasts your eyes with its beauty. And its glory reflects the glory of God, so it feasts your soul also. Look at the plants and the trees. Can you count all the different species? Can you describe all the different shapes of the leaves, the color and fragrances of the flowers? Look, too, at the animals and the insects. Are you not enthralled by their different sizes and shapes, by the different colors and textures of their skin and fur, by the different ways in which they move about and gather food? And the wonder why God has created all this. Has he created the marvelous universe just to supply our needs and to feast our eyes and souls? or is there some other purpose in it all? The answer is that he has created all things--for their own sake. Each creature has its own purpose and destiny, which God in his infinite wisdom and love has planned. Do not try to understand God's plans; the human mind is hardly better than that of an ant in discerning the ways of God. Simply accept all his plans and rejoice in them.” —St. John Chrysostom, On Living Simply, pg 54 “When you sit down to eat, pray. When you eat bread, do so thanking Him for being so generous to you. If you drink wine, be mindful of Him who has given it to you for your pleasure and as a relief in sickness. When you dress, thank Him for His kindness in providing you with clothes. When you look at the sky and the beauty of the stars, throw yourself at God's feet and adore Him who in His wisdom has arranged things in this way. Similarly, when the sun goes down and when it rises, when you are asleep or awake, give thanks to God, who created and arranged all things for your benefit, to have you know, love and praise their Creator.” —St. Basil the Great “For as long as you are on earth, consider yourself a guest in the Household of Christ. If you are at the table, it is He who treats you. If you breathe air, it is His air you breathe. If you bathe, it is in His water you are bathing. If you are traveling, it is over His land that you are traveling. If you are amassing goods, it is His goods you are amassing. If you are squandering, it is His goods that you are squandering. If you are powerful, it is by His permission that you are strong. If you are in the company of men, you and the others are His guests. If you are out in nature, you are in His garden. If you are alone, He is present.” —St. Nikolai Velimirovich “Some people see the houses in which they live as their kingdom; and although in their minds they know that death will one day force them to leave, in their hearts they feel they will stay forever. They take pride in the size of their houses and the fine material with which they are built. They take pleasure in decorating their houses with bright colors, and in obtaining the best and most solid furniture to fill the rooms. They imagine that they can find peace and security by owning a house whose walls and roof will last for many generations. We, by contrast, know that we are only temporary guests on earth. We recognize that the houses in which we live serve only as hostels on the road to eternal life. We do not seek peace or security from the material walls around us or the roof above our heads. Rather we want to surround ourselves with a wall of divine grace; and we look upward to heaven as our roof. And the furniture of our lives should be good works, performed in a spirit of love.” —St. John Chrysostom, On Living Simply, pg 11 “What hinders you from fulfilling Christ’s commandments? The flesh and the world: that is, pleasant food and drink which men like, in which they delight both in thought and in fact, which make the heart gross and hard—a partiality for elegant dress and adornment, or for distinctions and rewards; if the dress or adornments are made of very beautiful coloured and delicate materials, then care and anxiety arise how to avoid staining or soiling them, or getting them dusty or wet, whilst care and anxiety how to please God in thought, word, and deed vanish and the heart lives for dress and adornment, and becomes entirely engrossed in these things, ceasing to care about God and being united to Him; if such is the case with a priest, then he neglects praying for his people, and becomes not soul-loving, but money-loving and ambitious, seeking not the men themselves, but that which appertains to them, that is, money, food, drink, their favour, their good opinion and good word, and flattering them. Therefore fight against every worldly enticement, against every material enticement that hinders you from fulfilling Christ’s commandments, love God with all your heart, and care with all your strength for the salvation of your own soul, and the souls of others, be soul-loving.” —St. John of Kronstadt “Let us be satisfied simply with what sustains our present life, not with what pampers it. Let us pray to God for this, as we have been taught, so that we may keep our souls unenslaved and absolutely free from domination by any of the visible things loved for the sake of the body. Let us show that we eat for the sake of living, and not be guilty of living for the sake of eating. The first is a sign of intelligence, the second proof of its absence.” —St. Maximus the Confessor “[R]eal Orthodox can never be chauvinists. I recall once, in a conversation with me in 1926, the blessedly reposed metropolitan [A. Khrapovitsky] related to me the following: "On Athos there is a custom that a monk who does not forgive offences is punished by being made to omit the words ‘and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors,’ at the reading of the Lord’s Prayer, until such a time when he has forgiven the offence committed against him. And I myself have suggested," added the great saint, "that the chauvinist-nationalists not read the ninth article of the Symbol of Faith." If we were to crystallize this principle of Vladyka, it would read as follows: the Russian, Serbian, and Bulgarian nations can be great only if the goal of their existence be the collective realization of the commandments of the Gospel. Otherwise, "Serbianism", "Russianism", and "Bulgarianism", are reduced to senseless and pernicious chauvinism. If "Serbianism" flourishes not by the power of evangelical podvigs and not to Orthodox catholicity, then it will choke in its own egoistic chauvinism. What is profitable for Serbdom is profitable for other nationalities as well. Nations pass, the Gospel is eternal. Only in so far as a nation is filled with the eternal evangelical truth and righteousness, does it exist, and itself becomes and remains eternal. Only such patriotism can be justified from an evangelical point of view. This is the patriotism of the holy apostles, the holy martyrs, the holy fathers. When the emperor-tormentor asked the holy martyrs Acindynus, Pegasius, and Anempodistus where they were from, they answered: "Are you asking us, O Emperor, about our homeland? Our homeland and our life is the most holy, consubstantial and undivided Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the one God." (On Met. Anthony Khrapovitsky) The blessed Metropolitan Anthony is the most gifted contemporary representative of Russian Orthodox nationalism, a nationalism consecrated and enlightened by Christ; a nationalism by which all men are brothers in Christ; a nationalism by which the mighty must serve the weak, the wise the unwise, the humble the proud, the first the last. Growing out of patristic Orthodox universal patriotism, the blessed Vladyka can only be appreciated from the same apostolic patristic perspective. We can apply to him what St. Gregory of Nyssa said about his own brother, St. Basil, after his death: "Wherein lies Basil's noble origin? Where is his homeland? His origin is his affinity to divinity, and his homeland is virtue."” —St. Justin Popovich “Worldly glory does not lead God's children to heaven.” —St. Raphael, the Newly-revealed Martyr of Lesvos “Satan has no need to tempt those who tempt themselves, and are continually dragged down by worldly affairs.” —St. John of Karpathos “The devil does not hunt after those who are lost; he hunts after those who are aware, those who are close to God. He takes from them trust in God and begins to afflict them with self-assurance, logic, thinking, criticism. Therefore we should not trust our logical minds.” —St. Paisios of Mt. Athos “The fundamental Christian eschatology has been destroyed by either the optimism leading to the Utopia, or by the pessimism leading to the Escape. If there are two heretical words in the Christian vocabulary, they would be "optimism" and "pessimism." These two things are utterly anti-biblical and anti-Christian.” —Fr. Alexander Schmemann “Christ is the only exit from this world; all other exits – sexual rapture, political utopia, economic independence – are but blind alleys in which rot the corpses of the many that have tried them.” —Fr. Seraphim Rose of Platina “Everything in this life passes away – only God remains, only He is worth struggling towards. We have a choice: to follow the way of this world, of the society that surrounds us, and thereby find ourselves outside of God; or to choose the way of life, to choose God Who calls us and for Whom our heart is searching.” —Fr. Seraphim Rose of Platina “Let the hearing of worldly tales be to you as a bitter taste in your mouth, but the discourse of holy men as a honeycomb.” —St. Basil the Great “All the things of this world are no more than earth. Place them in a heap under your feet and you will be so much nearer to heaven.” —Josemaria Escriva “A man who has dedicated himself once and for all to God goes through life with a restful mind.” —St. Isaac the Syrian “Do you seek any further reward beyond that of having pleased God? In truth, you know not how great a good it is to please Him.” —St. John Chrysostom “Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.” —St. Augustine of Hippo “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” —Matthew 22:37-40 “And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!"” —John 20:28 “For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.” —John 5:22-23 “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you…” —Matthew 5:44
“Why not learn to enjoy the little things! “The fool has said in his heart,‘There is no God.’They are corrupt,They have done abominable works,There are so many of themis none who does good.” —St. John Chrysostom—Psalm 14:1
“The unspeakable and prodigious fire hidden “Trust in the essence of thingsLord with all your heart, as in the bush, is the fire of divine love and the dazzling brilliance of His beauty inside every thing.And lean not on your own understanding;” —St. Maximus the Confessor—Proverbs 3:5
“Blessed the one who observes with spiritual understanding the choirs of stars shining with glory and the beauty of the heavens and longs to contemplate the Maker of “Hatred stirs up strife,But love covers all thingssins.” —St. Ephrem the Syrian—Proverbs 10:12
“Look at the world around you. It supplies all your bodily needs. It feasts your eyes “When pride comes, then comes shame;But with its beauty. And its glory reflects the glory of God, so it feasts your soul also. Look at the plants and the trees. Can you count all the different species? Can you describe all the different shapes of the leaves, the color and fragrances of the flowers? Look, too, at the animals and the insects. Are you not enthralled by their different sizes and shapes, by the different colors and textures of their skin and fur, by the different ways in which they move about and gather food? And the wonder why God has created all this. Has he created the marvelous universe just to supply our needs and to feast our eyes and souls? or humble is there some other purpose in it all? The answer is that he has created all things--for their own sake. Each creature has its own purpose and destiny, which God in his infinite wisdom and love has planned. Do not try to understand God's plans; the human mind is hardly better than that of an ant in discerning the ways of God. Simply accept all his plans and rejoice in them.” —St. John Chrysostom, On Living Simply, pg 54—Proverbs 11:2
“For as long as you are on earth, consider yourself “The way of a guest fool is right in the Household of Christ. If you are at the tablehis own eyes, it is He But he who treats you. If you breathe air, it is His air you breathe. If you bathe, it is in His water you are bathing. If you are traveling, it is over His land that you are traveling. If you are amassing goods, it is His goods you are amassing. If you are squandering, it is His goods that you are squandering. If you are powerful, it is by His permission that you are strong. If you are in the company of men, you and the others are His guests. If you are out in nature, you are in His garden. If you are alone, He heeds counsel is presentwise.” —St. Nikolai Velimirovich—Proverbs 12:15
“Some people see the houses in which they live as their kingdom; and although in their minds they know “There is a way that death will one day force them to leave, in their hearts they feel they will stay forever. They take pride in the size of their houses and the fine material with which they are built. They take pleasure in decorating their houses with bright colors, and in obtaining the best and most solid furniture seems right to fill the rooms. They imagine that they can find peace and security by owning a house whose walls and roof will last for many generations. Weman, by contrast, know that we are only temporary guests on earth. We recognize that But its end is the houses in which we live serve only as hostels on the road to eternal life. We do not seek peace or security from the material walls around us or the roof above our heads. Rather we want to surround ourselves with a wall way of divine grace; and we look upward to heaven as our roof. And the furniture of our lives should be good works, performed in a spirit of lovedeath.” —St. John Chrysostom, On Living Simply, pg 11—Proverbs 14:12
“What hinders you from fulfilling Christ’s commandments?“Pride goes before destruction,And a haughty spirit before a fall.” —Proverbs 16:18
The flesh and the world: that is“Let another man praise you, pleasant food and drink which men like, in which they delight both in thought and in fact, which make the heart gross and hard—a partiality for elegant dress and adornment, or for distinctions and rewards; if the dress or adornments are made of very beautiful coloured and delicate materials, then care and anxiety arise how to avoid staining or soiling them, or getting them dusty or wet, whilst care and anxiety how to please God in thought, word, and deed vanish and the heart lives for dress and adornment, and becomes entirely engrossed in these things, ceasing to care about God and being united to Himnot your own mouth; if such is the case with a priest, then he neglects praying for his peopleA stranger, and becomes not soul-loving, but money-loving and ambitious, seeking not the men themselves, but that which appertains to them, that is, money, food, drink, their favour, their good opinion and good word, and flattering themyour own lips.” —Proverbs 27:2
Therefore fight against every worldly enticement, against every material enticement that hinders you from fulfilling Christ’s commandments, “Open rebuke is betterThan love God with all your heart, and care with all your strength for the salvation of your own soul, and the souls of others, be soul-lovingcarefully concealed.” —St. John of Kronstadt
“Let us be satisfied simply with what sustains our present life, not with what pampers it. Let us pray to God for this, as we have been taught, so that we may keep our souls unenslaved and absolutely free from domination by any of the visible things loved for the sake of the body. Let us show that we eat for Faithful are the sake wounds of living, and not be guilty of living for the sake of eating. The first is a sign of intelligencefriend, But the second proof kisses of its absencean enemy are deceitful.” —St. Maximus the Confessor—Proverbs 27:5-6
“[R]eal Orthodox can never be chauvinists. I recall once, in “If a conversation wise man contends with me in 1926a foolish man, Whether the blessedly reposed metropolitan [A. Khrapovitsky] related to me the following: "On Athos fool rages or laughs, there is a custom that a monk who does not forgive offences is punished by being made to omit the words ‘and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors,’ at the reading of the Lord’s Prayer, until such a time when he has forgiven the offence committed against himno peace. And I myself have suggested," added the great saint, "that the chauvinist-nationalists not read the ninth article of the Symbol of Faith."” —Proverbs 29:9
If we were to crystallize this principle “Vanity of Vladykavanities, it would read as follows: the Russian, Serbian, and Bulgarian nations can be great only if the goal of their existence be the collective realization of all is vanity. … I have seen all the commandments of the Gospel. Otherwise, "Serbianism", "Russianism", and "Bulgarianism", works that are reduced to senseless and pernicious chauvinism. If "Serbianism" flourishes not by done under the power of evangelical podvigs sun; and not to Orthodox catholicityindeed, then it will choke in its own egoistic chauvinism. What all is profitable for Serbdom is profitable vanity and grasping for other nationalities as well. Nations pass, the Gospel is eternalwind. Only in so far as a nation is filled with the eternal evangelical truth and righteousness, does it exist, and itself becomes and remains eternal. Only such patriotism can be justified from an evangelical point of view. This is the patriotism of the holy apostles, the holy martyrs, the holy fathers. When the emperor-tormentor asked the holy martyrs Acindynus, Pegasius, and Anempodistus where they were from, they answered” —Ecclesiastes 1: "Are you asking us2, O Emperor, about our homeland? Our homeland and our life is the most holy, consubstantial and undivided Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the one God." (On Met. Anthony Khrapovitsky)14
The blessed Metropolitan Anthony is the most gifted contemporary representative of Russian Orthodox nationalism, a nationalism consecrated and enlightened by Christ; a nationalism by which all men are brothers “For in Christ; a nationalism by which the mighty must serve the weak, the wise the unwise, the humble the proud, the first the last. Growing out of patristic Orthodox universal patriotism, the blessed Vladyka can only be appreciated from the same apostolic patristic perspective. We can apply to him what St. Gregory of Nyssa said about his own brother, St. Basil, after his death: "Wherein lies Basil's noble origin? Where is his homeland? His origin much wisdom is his affinity to divinitymuch grief, and his homeland is virtueAnd he who increases knowledge increases sorrow."” —St. Justin Popovich—Ecclesiastes 1:18
“Worldly glory does not lead God's children to heaven.” —St. Raphael“The work of righteousness will be peace, And the Newly-revealed Martyr effect of Lesvosrighteousness, quietness and assurance forever.” —Isaiah 32:17
“Satan has no need to tempt those who tempt themselves“Children’s children are the crown of old men, and are continually dragged down by worldly affairsAnd the glory of children is their father.” —St. John of Karpathos—Proverbs 17:6
“The devil does not hunt after those who righteous man walks in his integrity;His children are lost; he hunts blessed after those who are aware, those who are close to God. He takes from them trust in God and begins to afflict them with self-assurance, logic, thinking, criticism. Therefore we should not trust our logical mindshim.” —Elder Paisios of Mt. Athos—Proverbs 20:7
“Only He is worth struggling towards. We have a choice: to follow the way of this world, “The father of the society that surrounds usrighteous will greatly rejoice, and thereby find ourselves outside of God; or to choose the way of life, to choose God Who calls us and for Whom our heart is searchingAnd he who begets a wise child will delight in him.” —Fr. Seraphim Rose of Platina—Proverbs 23:24
“Let “Behold, children are a heritage from the hearing Lord,The fruit of worldly tales be to you as the womb is a bitter taste reward. Like arrows in your mouth, but the discourse hand of holy men as a honeycomb.” —St. Basil the Greatwarrior, “All So are the things children of this world are no more than earthone’s youth. Place them in a heap under your feet and you will be so much nearer to heaven.” —Josemaria Escriva “A Happy is the man who has dedicated himself once and for all to God goes through life his quiver full of them;They shall not be ashamed,But shall speak with a restful mindtheir enemies in the gate.” —St. Isaac the Syrian—Psalm 127:3-5
“Do you seek any further reward beyond that “The sons of having pleased God? In truthwisdom are the church of the just: and their generation, you know not how great a good it is to please Him.” —Stobedience and love. John Chrysostom
“Faith is to believe what you do not see; Children, hear the reward judgment of this faith is to see what your father, and so do that you believe.” —Stmay be saved. Augustine
“‘You shall love For God hath made the father honourable to the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, children: and with all your mind.’ This is seeking the first and great commandment. And judgment of the second is like mothers, hath confirmed it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all upon the Law and the Prophetschildren.” —Matthew 22:37-40
“And Thomas answered He that loves God, shall obtain pardon for his sins by prayer, and said to Himshall refrain himself from them, "My Lord and my God!"” —John 20:28shall be heard in the prayer of days.
“For the Father judges no And he that honours his mother is as one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Himlays up a treasure.” —John 5:22-23
“But I say to youHe that honours his father shall have joy in his own children, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you…” —Matthew 5:44in the day of his prayer he shall be heard.
“The fool has said in He that honours his heartfather shall enjoy a long life: and he that obeys the father,‘There is no God.’They are corrupt,They have done abominable works,There is none who does goodshall be a comfort to his mother.” —Psalm 14:1
“Trust in He that fears the Lord with all your heart,And lean not on your own understanding;honours his parents, and will serve them as his masters that brought him into the world.” —Proverbs —Sirach 3:51-8
“Hatred stirs up strife“But Jesus said,But love covers all sins‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” —Proverbs 10’” —Matthew 19:1214
“When pride comes“Reflect on the statutes of the Lord, then comes shame;But with the humble and meditate at all times on his commandments.It is he who will give insight to your mind,and your desire for wisdomwill be granted.” —Proverbs 11—Sirach 6:237
“The way of a fool “Childless with virtue is better than this,For immortality is right in his own eyes,its memory;But he who heeds counsel Because it is wiseknown both by God and by man.” —Proverbs 12—Wisdom of Solomon 4:151
“There is a way that seems right to a man,But its end is the way of death“Jesus wept.” —Proverbs 14—John 11:1235
“Pride goes before destruction“Blessed are the poor in spirit,For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Blessed are those who mourn,For they shall be comforted.Blessed are the meek,For they shall inherit the earth.Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,For they shall be filled.Blessed are the merciful,For they shall obtain mercy.Blessed are the pure in heart,And a haughty spirit before a fallFor they shall see God.Blessed are the peacemakers,For they shall be called sons of God.Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” —Proverbs 16—Matthew 5:183-10
“Let another man praise “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, yousinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and not your own mouth;joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” —James 4:7-10 A stranger“But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and not your own lipsto whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.” —Proverbs 27—Luke 12:248
“Open rebuke is betterThan love carefully concealed“Then Abraham answered and said, ‘Indeed now, I who am but dust and ashes have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord.’” —Genesis 18:27
Faithful are the wounds of “The centurion answered and said, ‘Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a friendword,But the kisses of an enemy are deceitfuland my servant will be healed.” —Proverbs 27’” —Matthew 8:5-68
“If a wise man contends with a foolish man“And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying,Whether the fool rages or laughs‘God, there is no peace.” —Proverbs 29be merciful to me a sinner!’” —Luke 18:913
“Vanity of vanities, all is vanity. … I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind“Pray without ceasing.” —Ecclesiastes 1—1 Thessalonians 5:2,1417
“For in much wisdom “This is much griefa faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance,And he who increases knowledge increases sorrowthat Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.” —Ecclesiastes —1 Timothy 1:1815
“The work “for all have sinned and fall short of righteousness will be peace,And the effect glory of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.” —Isaiah 32God…” —Romans 3:1723
“Children’s children “And I also say to you that you are the crown of old menPeter, and on this rock I will build My church,And and the glory gates of children is their fatherHades shall not prevail against it.” —Proverbs 17—Matthew 16:618
“The righteous man walks “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in his integrity;His children are blessed after him.” —Proverbs 20the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” —Matthew 28:719
“The father “Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the righteous will greatly rejoice,And he who begets a wise child will delight in himremission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."” —Proverbs 23—Acts 2:2438
“Behold“Jesus said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, children are a heritage from the Lordbefore Abraham was,The fruit of the womb is a rewardI AM.’” —John 8:58 Like arrows in “But when the hand of a warriorHelper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father,So are the children Spirit of one’s youth. Happy is truth who proceeds from the man who has his quiver full Father, He will testify of them;They shall not be ashamed,But shall speak with their enemies in the gateMe.” —Psalm 127—John 15:3-526
“The sons of wisdom “that they all may be one, as You, Father, are the church of the just: in Me, and their generationI in You; that they also may be one in Us, obedience and lovethat the world may believe that You sent Me.” —John 17:21
Children, hear the judgment of your father, “I and so do that you may be savedMy Father are one.” —John 10:30
For God hath made “Then, the father honourable to same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the children: and seeking doors were shut where the judgment disciples were assembled, for fear of the mothersJews, hath confirmed it upon Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, "Peace be with you." When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the childrenLord.
“So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." And when He that loves Godhad said this, shall obtain pardon for his sins by prayerHe breathed on them, and shall refrain himself from said to them, and shall be heard in "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the prayer sins of daysany, they are retained."” —John 20:19-23
And he that honours his mother is as one that lays up a treasure“After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go.” —Luke 10:1
He “Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that honours his father shall have joy in his own childrenwe should leave the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and in to the day ministry of his prayer he shall be heardthe word."” —Acts 6:2-4
He that honours his father shall enjoy a long life: and he that obeys “Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the fathernext day, shall be a comfort spoke to them and continued his mothermessage until midnight.” —Acts 20:7
He that fears “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the LordSon of Man and drink His blood, honours his parentsyou have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will serve them as his masters that brought raise him into up at the worldlast day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.” —Sirach 3“ —John 6:153-856
“But Jesus said“The cup of blessing which we bless, ‘Let is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the little children come to Mecommunion of the body of Christ? For we, though many, are one bread and do not forbid themone body; for we all partake of such is the kingdom of heaventhat one bread.’” —Matthew 19“ —1 Corinthians 10:1416-17
“Reflect on “Do you look at things according to the statutes of outward appearance? If anyone is convinced in himself that he is Christ’s, let him again consider this in himself, that just as he is Christ’s, even so we are Christ’s. For even if I should boast somewhat more about our authority, which the Lord,gave us for edification and meditate at all times on his commandments.It is he who will give insight to not for your minddestruction,and your desire for wisdom will I shall not be granted.” —Sirach 6ashamed…” —2 Corinthians 10:377-8
“Childless “And have no fellowship with virtue is better than thisthe unfruitful works of darkness,For immortality is in its memory;Because it is known both by God and by manbut rather expose them.” —Wisdom of Solomon 4—Ephesians 5:111
“Jesus wept“What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” —John 11—James 2:3514-17
“Blessed are “Either make the poor in spirittree good and its fruit good,For theirs or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is the kingdom known by its fruit. Brood of heaven.Blessed are those who mournvipers! How can you, being evil,speak good things? For they shall be comforted.Blessed are out of the meek,For they shall inherit abundance of the earth.Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,For they shall be filled.Blessed are heart the merciful,For they shall obtain mercymouth speaks.Blessed are A good man out of the pure in good treasure of his heartbrings forth good things,For they shall see God.Blessed are the peacemakers,For they shall be called sons and an evil man out of God.Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,For theirs is the kingdom of heavenevil treasure brings forth evil things.” —Matthew 512:333-1035
“Therefore submit to God“For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Resist the devil and he will flee For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from youa bramble bush. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinnersA good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and purify your hearts, you double-mindedan evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in For out of the sight abundance of the Lord, and He will lift you upheart his mouth speaks.” —James 4—Luke 6:743-1045
“But he who did not know“Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, yet committed these things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone ought not to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the moreso.” —Luke 12—James 3:4810
“Then Abraham answered “But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and saidyour ‘No, ‘Indeed now’ ‘No, I who am but dust and ashes have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord’ lest you fall into judgment.’” —Genesis 18” —James 5:2712
“The centurion answered and said, ‘Lord“Let such a person consider this, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a what we are in wordby letters when we are absent, and my servant such we will also be healedin deed when we are present.’” —Matthew 8” —2 Corinthians 10:811
“And “So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the tax collectorprophet Isaiah, standing afar offand said, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven"Do you understand what you are reading?" And he said, but beat his breast"How can I, saying, ‘God, be merciful unless someone guides me?" And he asked Philip to me a sinner!’” —Luke 18come up and sit with him.” —Acts 8:1330-31
“Pray without ceasing“…but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” —1 Thessalonians 5Timothy 3:1715
“This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance“And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that Christ Jesus came into even the world to save sinners, of whom I am chiefitself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.” —1 Timothy 1—John 21:1525
“for all have sinned and fall short of “Before I formed you in the glory of God…” —Romans 3womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” —Jeremiah 1:235
“And I also say “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to you that you are Peterthe believers in word, in conduct, in love, and on this rock I will build My churchin spirit, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against itin faith, in purity.” —Matthew 16—1 Timothy 4:1812
“Go therefore and make disciples “But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of all you"; nor again the head to the nationsfeet, baptizing them in "I have no need of you." No, much rather, those members of the name body which seem to be weaker are necessary. And those members of the Father body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and of our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the Son and of members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the Holy Spirit…” —Matthew 28:19members rejoice with it.
“Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of “Now you be baptized in are the name body of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; , and you shall receive members individually. And God has appointed these in the gift of the Holy Spirit."” —Acts 2church…” —1 Corinthians 12:3820-28
“Jesus said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM“Do not remove the ancient landmarkWhich your fathers have set.’” —John 8” —Proverbs 22:5828
“But when the Helper comes“For I know this, whom I shall send to that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you from the Father, not sparing the Spirit of truth who proceeds flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the Father, He will testify of Medisciples after themselves.” —John 15—Acts 20:2629-30
“that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me“Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and I in You; that they also may be one in Ussinning, that the world may believe that You sent Mebeing self-condemned.” —John 17—Titus 3:2110-11
“I and My Father are one“And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.” —John —Matthew 10:3014
“Then, the same day at evening“And in vain they worship Me, being Teaching as doctrines the first day commandments of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, "Peace be with you." When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lordmen.” —Matthew 15:9
“So Jesus said to them again“Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Mefor they watch out for your souls, I also send youas those who must give account." And when He had said this, He breathed on Let them, do so with joy and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of anynot with grief, they are forgiven them; if for that would be unprofitable for you retain the sins of any, they are retained."” —John 20—Hebrews 13:19-2317
“After these things “Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the Lord appointed seventy others also and sent them two traditions which you were taught, whether by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to goword or our epistle.” —Luke 10—2 Thessalonians 2:115
“Then “For the twelve summoned the multitude Son of the disciples and said, "It Man is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry Lord even of the wordSabbath."” —Acts 6—Matthew 12:2-48
“Obey those who rule over you“Having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, and be submissive, for they watch which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out for your soulsof the way, as those who must give accounthaving nailed it to the cross. Let them do so with joy and not with grief” —Colossians 2:14 “So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, for that would be unprofitable for youbut the substance is of Christ.” —Hebrews 13—Colossians 2:16-17
“Now on the first day of the week“…where there is neither Greek nor Jew, when the disciples came together to break breadcircumcised nor uncircumcised, Paulbarbarian, ready to depart the next dayScythian, spoke to them slave nor free, but Christ is all and continued his message until midnightin all.” —Acts 20—Colossians 3:711
“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless “For sin shall not have dominion over you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, for you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in himare not under law but under grace.“ —John ” —Romans 6:53-5614
“The cup of blessing which we bless“One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, is observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the communion of day, to the blood of Christ? The bread which we breakLord he does not observe it. He who eats, is it eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the communion of the body of Christ? For weLord he does not eat, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one breadgives God thanks.“ —1 Corinthians 10” —Romans 14:165-176
“Do you look at things according “…and to the outward appearance? If anyone is convinced in himself Jews I became as a Jew, that he is Christ’sI might win Jews; to those who are under the law, let him again consider this in himselfas under the law, that just as he is Christ’s, even so we I might win those who are Christ’sunder the law. For even if I should boast somewhat more about our authority, which ” —1 Corinthians 9:20 “For the Lord gave us for edification and administration of this service not for your destructiononly supplies the needs of the saints, I shall not be ashamed…” but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God.” —2 Corinthians 109:7-812
“And have no fellowship “These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose themScriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” —Ephesians 5—Acts 17:11
“What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save “So Philip ran to him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peaceheard him reading the prophet Isaiah, be warmed and filledsaid,” but "Do you understand what you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profitreading? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."” —James 2—Acts 8:14-1730
“Either make “So they read distinctly from the tree good and its fruit goodbook, or else make in the tree bad Law of God; and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of they gave the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good thingssense, and an evil man out of helped them to understand the evil treasure brings forth evil thingsreading.” —Matthew 12—Nehemiah 8:33-358
“For a good tree does not bear bad fruit“And when he had found him, nor does he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a bad tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do whole year they gather grapes from a bramble bush. A good man out of assembled with the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; church and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth eviltaught a great many people. For out of the abundance of And the heart his mouth speaksdisciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” —Luke 6—Acts 11:43-4526
“Out “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be soworld.” —James 3—1 John 4:101
“But above all“They went out from us, my brethren, do but they were not swearof us; for if they had been of us, either by heaven or by earth or they would have continued with any other oath. But let your ‘Yes’ us; but they went out that they might be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘Nomade manifest,’ lest you fall into judgmentthat none of them were of us.” —James 5—1 John 2:1219
“Let such a person consider this, that what we “…for you are in word by letters when we still carnal. For where there are absentenvy, strife, and divisions among you, such we will also be in deed when we are present.you not carnal and behaving like mere men?” —2 —1 Corinthians 103:113
“…but if I am delayed, I write so that “Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you may know how ? Or were you ought to conduct yourself baptized in the house name of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.Paul?” —1 Timothy 3Corinthians 1:1513
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to the nationsdesolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.” —Jeremiah 1—Matthew 12:525
“Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the believers Spirit of God dwells in wordyou? If anyone defiles the temple of God, in conductGod will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, in love, in spirit, in faith, in puritywhich temple you are.” —1 Timothy 4Corinthians 3:1216-17
“But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, "“Now I have no need of plead with you"; nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." No, much ratherbrethren, those members of by the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. And those members name of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modestyLord Jesus Christ, but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed that you all speak the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks itsame thing, and that there should be no schism in the bodydivisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the members should have same mind and in the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with itjudgment.” —1 Corinthians 1:10
“Now you “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are , yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the body throne of Christgrace, that we may obtain mercy and members individuallyfind grace to help in time of need. And God has appointed these in the church…” —1 Corinthians 12” —Hebrews 4:2014-2816
“Do “Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not remove cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the ancient landmarkWhich Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your fathers have setunderstanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.” —Proverbs 22:28
“For I know thisAnd He put all things under His feet, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing and gave Him to be head over all things to the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise upchurch, speaking perverse thingswhich is His body, to draw away the disciples after themselvesfullness of Him who fills all in all.” —Acts 20—Ephesians 1:2915-3023
“Reject a divisive man after “…endeavoring to keep the first unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and second admonitionone Spirit, knowing that such a person is warped and sinningjust as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, being self-condemned.one baptism;” —Titus —Ephesians 4:3:10-115
“And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that house or citywhich is laid, shake off the dust from your feetwhich is Jesus Christ.” —Matthew 10—1 Corinthians 3:1411
“And “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in vain they worship Me,Teaching as doctrines the commandments Son of menGod, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” —Matthew 15—Galatians 2:920
“Therefore“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, brethrenwhere Christ is, stand fast and hold sitting at the traditions which you were taughtright hand of God. Set your mind on things above, whether by word or our epistlenot on things on the earth.” —2 Thessalonians —Colossians 3:1-2:15
“For “If the Son world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of Man is Lord even the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the Sabbathworld, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” —Matthew 12—John 15:818-19
“Having wiped out “Thus says the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.” —Colossians 2:14 “So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.” —Colossians 2Lord:16-17
“…where there is neither Greek nor Jew"Stand in the ways and see, circumcised nor uncircumcisedAnd ask for the old paths, barbarianwhere the good way is, Scythian, slave nor freeAnd walk in it;Then you will find rest for your souls.But they said, but Christ is all and ‘We will not walk in allit.’"” —Colossians 3—Jeremiah 6:1116
“For sin shall “I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have dominion over yougiven Me, for you they are Yours. And all Mine are not under law Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. Now I am no longer in the world, but under gracethese are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are.” —Romans 6—John 17:149-11
“One person esteems one day above another“The Lord is my shepherd; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mindI shall not want. He who observes the day, observes it makes me to the Lordlie down in green pastures; and he who does not observe He leads me beside the day, to the Lord he does not observe itstill waters. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanksrestores my soul; and he who does not eat, to He leads me in the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thankspaths of righteousnessFor His name’s sake.” —Romans 14:5-6
“…and to the Jews I became as a JewYea, that though I might win Jews; to those who are under walk through the law, as under valley of the lawshadow of death, that I might win those who will fear no evil;For You are under the law.” —1 Corinthians 9:20with me; “For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saintsYour rod and Your staff, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to Godthey comfort me.” —2 Corinthians 9:12
“These were more fair-minded than those You prepare a table before me in Thessalonica, in that they received the word presence of my enemies;You anoint my head with all readiness, oil;My cup runs over.Surely goodness and searched mercy shall follow meAll the days of my life;And I will dwell in the house of the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were soLordForever.” —Acts 17:11—Psalm 23
“So Philip ran “The Lord is near to himthose who have a broken heart, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, "Do you understand what you are reading?"And saves such as have a contrite spirit.” —Acts 8—Psalm 34:3018
“So they read distinctly from the book“O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your wrath, Nor chasten me in the Law of GodYour hot displeasure!For Your arrows pierce me deeply,And Your hand presses me down.For my iniquities have gone over my head; My wounds are foul and festeringBecause of my foolishness.Like a heavy burden they gave the senseare too heavy for me.Do not forsake me, O Lord;O my God, and helped them be not far from me!Make haste to understand the reading.help me,O Lord, my salvation!” —Nehemiah 8—Psalm 38:81,2,4,5,21,22
“And when he had found him“Be still, he brought him to Antioch. So it was and know that for a whole year they assembled with I am God;I will be exalted among the church and taught a great many people. And nations,I will be exalted in the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.earth!” —Acts 11—Psalm 46:2610
“Beloved“Truly my soul finds rest in God;my salvation comes from him.Truly he is my rock and my salvation;he is my fortress, do not believe every spiritI will never be shaken.One thing God has spoken, but test the spiritstwo things I have heard:"Power belongs to you, whether they are of God,and with you, Lord, is unfailing love"; because many false prophets and, "You reward everyoneaccording to what they have gone out into the worlddone."” —1 John 4—Psalm 62:1-2,11,12
“They went out from us“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, but they were is not of uspuffed up; for if they had been of usdoes not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, they would have continued with usthinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but they went out that they might be made manifestrejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, that none of them were of usendures all things. Love never fails.” —1 John 2Corinthians 13:194-8
“…for you are still carnal“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?” —1 Corinthians 3—John 15:313
“Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for “By this all will know that you? Or were are My disciples, if you baptized in the name of Paul?have love for one another.” —1 Corinthians 1—John 13:1335
“Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and every city or house divided against itself drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will not standthe coming of the Son of Man be.” —Matthew 1224:2536-39
“Do “Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you not know that blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you are from the temple foundation of God the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and that the Spirit of God dwells you visited Me; I was in prison and you? If anyone defiles came to Me.’ And the temple King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of God, God will destroy him. For the temple least of God is holythese My brethren, which temple you aredid it to Me.” —1 Corinthians 3’” —Matthew 25:1634-1736,40
“Now I plead with “…that you, brethren, by may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak evil and on the same thinggood, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in sends rain on the same mind just and in on the same judgmentunjust.” —1 Corinthians 1—Matthew 5:1045
“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, Jesus and comes down from the Son Father of Godlights, let us hold fast our confessionwith whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. For we do not have a High Priest ” —James 1:17 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was believes in all points tempted as we are, yet without sinMe has everlasting life. Let us therefore come boldly ” —John 6:47 “Jesus spoke to them again, saying, 'I am the throne light of gracethe world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time but have the light of needlife.'” —Hebrews 4—John 8:14-1612
“Therefore I also“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of the saints, do Father is not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: him. For all that is in the God world—the lust of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of gloryflesh, may give to you the spirit lust of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himeyes, and the eyes pride of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope life—is not of His calling, what are the riches Father but is of the glory of His inheritance in world. And the saintsworld is passing away, and what is the exceeding greatness lust of His power toward us it; but he who believe, according to does the working will of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to comeGod abides forever.” —1 John 2:15-17
And He put all things under His feet“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, and gave Him acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be head over all things conformed to this world, but be transformed by the churchrenewing of your mind, which that you may prove what is His body, the fullness that good and acceptable and perfect will of Him who fills all in allGod.” —Ephesians —Romans 12:1:15-232
“…endeavoring to keep the unity “They are of the Spirit in the bond of peaceworld. There is one body and one Spirit, just Therefore they speak as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lordthe world, one faith, one baptism;and the world hears them.” —Ephesians —1 John 4:3-5
“For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laidwhat will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, which is Jesus Christ.and loses his own soul?” —1 Corinthians 3—Mark 8:1136
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but Christ lives in me; and the have everlasting life which I now live in . For God did not send His Son into the flesh I live by faith in world to condemn the Son of Godworld, who loved me and gave Himself for mebut that the world through Him might be saved.” —Galatians 2—John 3:2016-17
“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those “For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. For 'He has put all things under His feet.' But when He says 'all things which are aboveput under Him, where Christ ' it is evident that He who put all things under Him isexcepted. Now when all things are made subject to Him, sitting at then the right hand of God. Set your mind on Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things aboveunder Him, not on things on the earththat God may be all in all.” —Colossians 3—1 Corinthians 15:125-228
“If “To have faith in Christ means more than simply despising the world hates youdelights of this life. It means we should bear all our daily trials that may bring us sorrow, distress, or unhappiness, you know that and bear them patiently for as long as God wishes and until He comes to visit us. For it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the worldis said, ‘I waited on the world would love its ownLord and He came to me. Yet because you are not of ’” —St. Symeon the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” —John 15:18-19New Theologian
“Thus says “Anyone who truly wants to follow God must be free from the Lordbonds of attachment to this life. To do this we must make a complete break with our old way of life. Indeed, unless we avoid all obsession with the body and with the concerns of this world, we shall never succeed in pleasing God. We must depart as it were to another world in our way of thinking, as the Apostle said:‘Our citizenship is in heaven’.” —St. Basil the Great, Gateway to Paradise
"Stand “For our citizenship is in the ways and seeheaven,And ask from which we also eagerly wait for the old pathsSavior, where the good way isLord Jesus Christ,And walk in who will transform our lowly body that it;Then you will find rest for your souls.But they saidmay be conformed to His glorious body, ‘We will not walk in itaccording to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.’"” —Jeremiah 6—Philippians 3:1620-21
“I pray for them. I do “Therefore it was not pray for the world one man, but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. Now I am no longer in rather the worldOne Universal Church, but that received these are in 'keys' and the world, right 'to bind and I come to Youloosen. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are'” —St. ” —John 17:9-11Augustine of Hippo
“The Lord calls the Holy Spirit the 'voice of a gentle breeze'. For God is my shepherd;breath, and the breath of the wind is shared by all.” —St. Maximus the Confessor I shall not want“Nothing is so characteristically Christian as being a peacemaker.” —St.Basil the GreatHe makes me “Now there is no more chaos, no more death, no more slaying, no more Hell. Now everything is joy, thanks to lie down the resurrection of our Christ. Human nature is resurrected with Him. Now we too can rise again that we might live with Him eternally … What bliss is contained in the Resurrection! In every sorrow, with every failure, in green pastures;He leads me beside anything that causes you pain, collect yourself for half a minute and slowly say this hymn. Then, you will see that the most important thing in your life and in the life of the entire universe has already been accomplished with the still watersresurrection of Christ.It is our salvation. And then, you realize that all our setbacks are so insignificant, that you don’t need to allow them to spoil your mood.” —Elder Porphryios He restores my soul“Let no one fear death;He leads me in for the paths death of righteousnessFor His name’s sakethe Savior has set us free.” —St.John Chrysostom
Yea, though I walk through “He who is initiated into the valley mystery of the shadow of deathResurrection,I will fear no evil;For You are with me;Your rod and Your staff, they comfort melearns the end for which God created all things.” —St.Maximus the Confessor
You prepare a table before me in “This bread is at first common bread; but when the presence of my enemies;You anoint my head with oil;My cup runs over.Surely goodness Mystery sancifies it, It is called, and mercy shall follow meAll actually becomes the days Body of my life;And I will dwell in the house of the LordForeverChrist.” —Psalm 23—St. Gregory of Nyssa
“The Lord “Since Christ Himself has said, ‘This is near My Body’ who shall dare to those who have a broken heart,And saves such as have a contrite spiritdoubt that It is His Body?” —St.” —Psalm 34:18Cyril of Jerusalem
“Be still“You freed me from slavery, gave me Your Name and know marked me with Your Blood, so that I am God;I will be exalted among the nations,I will be exalted would always keep You in the earth!my heart.” —Psalm 46:10—St. Augustine of Hippo
“Truly my soul finds rest in God;my salvation comes from him.Truly he is my rock and my salvation;he is my fortress“When someone opens your heart, I will never be shaken.One thing God has spoken,two things I have heard:"Power belongs to you, God,and with you, Lord, is unfailing love";and, "You reward everyoneaccording 'd like him to what they have donefind nothing there but Christ."” —Psalm 62:1-2,11,12—Elder Amphilochios of Patmos
“Love suffers long “Think nothing and do nothing without a purpose directed to God. For to journey without direction is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all thingswasted effort. Love never fails” —St.” —1 Corinthians 13:4-8Mark the Ascetic
“Greater “To fall in love has no one than thiswith God is the greatest romance; to seek Him, than the greatest adventure; to lay down one’s life for his friendsfind Him, the greatest achievement.” —John 15:13—St. Augustine of Hippo
“By this all will know “Love bestows prophecy; love yields miracles; love is an abyss of illumination; love is a fountain of fire, in the measure that you are My disciplesit wells up, if you have love for one anotherit inflames the thirsty soul. Love is the state of angels. Love is the progress of eternity.” —John 13:35—St. John Climacus
“But “The end of that day and hour no one knows, not even each discovery becomes the angels of heaven, but My Father only. But as starting point for the days discovery of Noah weresomething higher, so also will and the coming of the Son of Man beascent continues. Thus our ascent is unending. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming We go from beginning to beginning by way of the Son of Man bebeginnings without end.” —Matthew 24:36-39—St. Gregory of Nyssa
“Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me“He who forsakes all worldly desires sets himself above all worldly distress.” —St.’ And Maximus the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’” —Matthew 25:34-36,40Confessor
“…that you may be sons of your Father “He is with me, He who left the world behind. He is present in me, He who left His nature. He dwells in heaven; me, He who denied Himself. He is wholly for me, He makes who lost His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjustlife for me.” —Matthew 5:45—St. Ambrose of Milan
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above“You brought us into being out of nothing, and comes down from the Father of lightswhen we fell, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turningYou raised us up again.” —James 1:17— St. John Chrysostom
“Most assuredly, I say “You did not cease doing everything until You led us to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting lifeheaven and granted us Your kingdom to come.” —John 6:47—St. John Chrysostom
“Jesus spoke to them again“For You are God ineffable, sayingbeyond comprehension, 'I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darknessinvisible, beyond understanding, but have existing forever and always the light of lifesame.'” —John 8:12—St. John Chrysostom
“Do not love the world or the things in the world“Brethren, He is near each one of us, even if unseen. If anyone loves That is why He said to the worldapostles when He ascended, ‘Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the love end of the Father is not in himworld’ (Matt 28:20). For all that is Every day we should stand in the world—the lust awe of the fleshHim, as He is with us, and do what is pleasing before Him. If we are unable now to perceive Him with our physical eyes, we can, if we are watchful, see Him continuously with the lust eyes of the eyesour understanding, and the pride of life—is not of the Father just see Him, but is of the worldreap great benefits from Him. And the world is passing This vision destroys all sin, demolishes all evil, and drives awayeverything bad. It yields every virtue, gives birth to purity and dispassion, and bestows eternal life and the lust kingdom without end. As we attend to this joyful sight, gazing with our mind's eye on Christ as though He were present, each of it; but he who does the us will say with David, ‘Though a host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will of God abides foreverI be confident’ (Ps. 27:3).” —1 John 2:15-17—St. Gregory of Palamas, Homily 23, The Appearance of Jesus
“I beseech you therefore“Why do men learn through pain and suffering, brethrennot pleasure and happiness? Very simply, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed pleasure and happiness accustom one to satisfaction with things in this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good whereas pain and acceptable and perfect will suffering drive one to seek more profound happiness beyond limitations of Godthis world.” —Romans 12:1-2—Fr. Seraphim Rose of Platina
“They are “Bless my enemies, O Lord. Even I bless them and do not curse them.Enemies have driven me into your embrace more than friends have.Friends have bound me to earth, enemies have loosed me from earth and have demolished all my aspirations in the world.Enemies have made me a stranger in worldly realms and an extraneous inhabitant of the world. Therefore Just as a hunted animal finds safer shelter than an unhunted animal does, so have I, persecuted by enemies, found the safest sanctuary, having ensconced myself beneath your tabernacle, where neither friends nor enemies can slay my soul.Bless my enemies, O Lord. Even I bless them and do not curse them.They, rather than I, have confessed my sins before the world.They have punished me, whenever I have hesitated to punish myself.They have tormented me, whenever I have tried to flee torments.They have scolded me, whenever I have flattered myself.They have spat upon me, whenever I have filled myself with arrogance.Bless my enemies, O Lord, Even I bless them and do not curse them.Whenever I have made myself wise, they have called me foolish.Whenever I have made myself mighty, they speak have mocked me as though I were a dwarf.Whenever I have wanted to lead people, they have shoved me into the background.Whenever I have rushed to enrich myself, they have prevented me with an iron hand.Whenever I thought that I would sleep peacefully, they have wakened me from sleep.Whenever I have tried to build a home for a long and tranquil life, they have demolished it and driven me out.Truly, enemies have cut me loose from the world and have stretched out my hands to the hem of your garment.Bless my enemies, O Lord. Even I bless them and do not curse them.Bless them and multiply them; multiply them and make them even more bitterly against me:so that my fleeing to You may have no return;so that all hope in men may be scattered like cobwebs;so that absolute serenity may begin to reign in my soul;so that my heart may become the grave of my two evil twins, arrogance and anger;so that I might amass all my treasure in heaven;ah, so that I may for once be freed from self-deception, which has entangled me in the dreadful web of illusory life.Enemies have taught me to know what hardly anyone knows, that a person has no enemies in the worldexcept himself.One hates his enemies only when he fails to realize that they are not enemies, but cruel friends.It is truly difficult for me to say who has done me more good and who has done me more evil in the world hears : friends or enemies.Therefore bless, O Lord, both my friends and enemies.A slave curses enemies, for he does not understand. But a son blesses them, for he understands.For a son knows that his enemies cannot touch his life.Therefore he freely steps among them and prays to God for them.” —1 John 4:5—St. Nikolai Velimirovich, Prayers by the Lake, For Enemies, Prayer LXXV
“For what will it profit all the sins of men I repent before You, Most Merciful Lord. Indeed, the seed of all sins flows in my blood! With my effort and Your mercy I choke this wicked crop of weeds day and night, so that no tare may sprout in the field of the Lord, but only pure wheat. (Matt. 13:24-30.)I repent for all those who are worried, who stagger under a burden of worries and do not know that they should put all their worries on You. For feeble man if he gains even the most minor worry is unbearable, but for You a mountain of worries is like a snowball thrown into a fiery furnace.I repent for all the sick, for sickness is the fruit of sin. When the whole worldsoul is cleansed with repentance, sickness disappears with sin, and loses his You, my Eternal Health, take up Your abode in the soul.I repent for unbelievers, who through their unbelief amass worries and sicknesses both on themselves and on their friends.I repent for all those who blaspheme God, who blaspheme against You without knowing that they are blaspheming against the Master, who clothes them and feeds them.I repent for all the slayers of men, who take the life of another to preserve their own . Forgive them, Most Merciful Lord, for they know not what they do. (Luke 23:34) For they do not know that there are not two lives in the universe, but one, and that there are not two men in the universe, but one. Ah, how dead are those who cut the heart in half!I repent for all those who bear false witness, for in reality they are homicides and suicides.For all my brothers who are thieves and who are hoarders of unneeded wealth I weep and sigh, for they have buried their soul?and have nothing with which to go forth before You.For all the arrogant and the boastful I weep and sigh, for before You they are like beggars with empty pockets.For all drunkards and gluttons I weep and sigh, for they have become servants of their servants.For all adulterers I repent, for they have betrayed the trust. of the Holy Spirit, who chose them to form new life through them. Instead, they turned serving life into destroying life.For all gossipers I repent, for they have turned Your most precious gift, the gift of speech, into cheap sand.For all those who destroy their neighbor’s hearth and home and their neighbor’s peace I repent and sigh, for they bring a curse on themselves and their people.For all lying tongues, for all suspicious eyes, for all raging hearts, for all insatiable stomachs, for all darkened minds, for all ill will, for all unseemly thoughts, for all murderous emotions–I repent, weep and sigh.For all the history of mankind from Adam to me, a sinner, I repent; for all history is in my blood. For I am in Adam and Adam is in me.For all the worlds, large and small, that do not tremble before Your awesome presence, I weep and cry out: O Master Most Merciful, have mercy on me and save me!” —Mark 8:36—St. Nikolai Velimirovich, Prayers by the Lake, Repentance for the World, Prayer XXIX
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” —John 3:16-17 “For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. For 'He has put all things under His feet.' But when He says 'all things are put under Him,' it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.” —1 Corinthians 15:25-28 “Anyone who truly wants to follow God must be free from the bonds of attachment to this life. To do this we must make a complete break with our old way of life. Indeed, unless we avoid all obsession with the body and with the concerns of this world, we shall never succeed in pleasing God. We must depart as it were to another world in our way of thinking, as the Apostle said: ‘Our citizenship is in heaven’.” —St. Basil the Great, Gateway to Paradise “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.” —Philippians 3:20-21 “Therefore it was not one man, but rather the One Universal Church, that received these 'keys' and the right 'to bind and loosen.'” —St. Augustine “The Lord calls the Holy Spirit the 'voice of a gentle breeze'. For God is breath, and the breath of the wind is shared by all.” —St. Maximus the Confessor “Nothing is so characteristically Christian as being a peacemaker.” —St. Basil the Great “Now there is no more chaos, no more death, no more slaying, no more Hell. Now everything is joy, thanks to the resurrection of our Christ. Human nature is resurrected with Him. Now we too can rise again that we might live with Him eternally … What bliss is contained in the Resurrection! In every sorrow, with every failure, in anything that causes you pain, collect yourself for half a minute and slowly say this hymn. Then, you will see that the most important thing in your life and in the life of the entire universe has already been accomplished with the resurrection of Christ. It is our salvation. And then, you realize that all our setbacks are so insignificant, that you don’t need to allow them to spoil your mood.” —Elder Porphryios “Let no one fear death; for the death of the Savior has set us free.” —St. John Chrysostom “He who is initiated into the mystery of the Resurrection, learns the end for which God created all things.” —St. Maximus the Confessor “Since Christ Himself has said, "This is My Body" who shall dare to doubt that It is His Body?” —St. Cyril of Jerusalem “You freed me from slavery, gave me Your Name and marked me with Your Blood, so that I would always keep You in my heart.” —St. Augustine “When someone opens your heart, I'd like him to find nothing there but Christ.” —Elder Amphilochios of Patmos “Think nothing and do nothing without a purpose directed to God. For to journey without direction is wasted effort.” —St. Mark the Ascetic “To fall in love with God is the greatest romance; to seek Him, the greatest adventure; to find Him, the greatest achievement.” —St. Augustine “Love bestows prophecy; love yields miracles; love is an abyss of illumination; love is a fountain of fire, in the measure that it wells up, it inflames the thirsty soul. Love is the state of angels. Love is the progress of eternity.” —St. John Climacus “The end of each discovery becomes the starting point for the discovery of something higher, and the ascent continues. Thus our ascent is unending. We go from beginning to beginning by way of beginnings without end.” —St. Gregory of Nyssa “He is with me, He who left the world behind. He is present in me, He who left His nature. He dwells in me, He who denied Himself. He is wholly for me, He who lost His life for me.” —St. Ambrose of Milan “You brought us into being out of nothing, and when we fell, You raised us up again.” — St. John Chrysostom “You did not cease doing everything until You led us to heaven and granted us Your kingdom to come.” —St. John Chrysostom “For You are God ineffable, beyond comprehension, invisible, beyond understanding, existing forever and always the same.” —St. John Chrysostom “Brethren, He is near each one of us, even if unseen. That is why He said to the apostles when He ascended, ‘Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world’ (Matt 28:20). Every day we should stand in awe of Him, as He is with us, and do what is pleasing before Him. If we are unable now to perceive Him with our physical eyes, we can, if we are watchful, see Him continuously with the eyes of our understanding, and not just see Him, but reap great benefits from Him. This vision destroys all sin, demolishes all evil, and drives away everything bad. It yields every virtue, gives birth to purity and dispassion, and bestows eternal life and the kingdom without end. As we attend to this joyful sight, gazing with our mind's eye on Christ as though He were present, each of us will say with David, ‘Though a host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident’ (Ps. 27:3).” —St. Gregory of Palamas, Homily 23, The Appearance of Jesus “O Lord,Grant me to greet the coming day in peace.
Help me in all things
to rely upon Thy Holy Will.
Pray Thou Thyself in me.
Amen.” —St. Philaret (Drozdov), Metropolitan of Moscow, The Morning Prayer of Metropolitan Philaret of Moscow
“In that anxious and dreadful hour when the heavenly powers are roused, when all the angels, archangels, seraphim and cherubim will stand with fear and trembling before Thy glory, when the foundations of the earth will be shaken, and when all that breathes will be terrified by the incomparable greatness of Thy glory – in that hour mayest Thou take me under Thy wing and may my soul be delivered from the terrible fire and from the gnashing of teeth, from outer darkness and eternal lamentation, that I may bless Thee and say: Glory to Him Who has desired to save a sinner according to the great compassion of His mercy!” —St. Ephrem the Syrian
“If there is any rest for us in this world, then it consists only in purity of the conscience and patience. This is a harbor for us who sail upon the sea of life…” —St. Tikhon of Zadonsk
“I would like to address all believers of our church of Christ.
Don't be afraid of anything. Be steadfast in your love for God. Keep the purity of the Holy Orthodox Faith, it is the way that leads man to God! Love one another, tolerate one another, help one another. Evil will pass – and good will live forever. If we endure everything, live in love for all and among ourselves, then no evil will defeat us. God is a God of strength, and evil has no power. We will live with God – and we will be joyful, happy and blessed.
I know that Our church of Christ will be till the end of the world because the Lord said the gates of hell will not prevail against Her. Don't be afraid because We are in a church founded by Christ, not by men.” —Metropolitan Onufriy of Kyiv and all Ukraine
“As to the fatalism of those who believe that man must be a slave to the spirit of the age, it is disproved by the experience of every Christian worthy of the name, for the Christian life is nothing if it is not a struggle against the spirit of every age for the sake of eternity.” —Fr. Seraphim Rose of Platina
“What, then, is greater than that the Father of the only-begotten Son Himself recognizes in us His members and finds the very form of the Son in our faces?” —St. Nicholas Cabasilas
“The Son “This, then, is the way in which we interpret the Eighth Day…namely that when the time that is measured in weeks comes to an end, an Eighth Day will come into being…It will remain one day continually, never to be divided by the darkness of God became mannight. Another Sun will bring it into being, radiating the true light; embracing all things in it's luminous power, it will produce light continually and will make those who share in that we Light into other suns.” —St. Gregory of Nyssa, Commentary on the Psalms “He made Him who was righteous to be a sinner, that He might become godmake sinners righteous.” —St. Athanasius of AlexandriaJohn Chrysostom
“becoming “The Word of God became man, that man might become god… becoming by grace what God is by nature.” —St. Athanasius of Alexandriathe Great, On the Incarnation
“Thine own of Thine own we Offer unto Thee, in behalf of all and for all!” —Anaphora offering (OCA), Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom
“…nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. But even Moses showed in the burning bush passage that the dead are raised, when he called the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ For He is not the God of the dead but of the living, for all live to Him.” —Luke 20:36-38
“It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins.” —2 Maccabees 12:46
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” —Philippians 4:13
"And “And we know that to them that love God, all things work together for unto good , to those who love Godsuch as, according to those who his purpose, are the called according to His purposebe saints." ” —Romans 8:28
“With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” —Matthew 19:26
“When I am dead, come to me at my grave, and the more often the better. Whatever is in your soul, whatever may have happened to you, come to me as when I was alive and kneeling on the ground, cast all your bitterness upon my grave. Tell me everything and I shall listen to you, and all the bitterness will fly away from you. And as you spoke to me when I was alive, do so now. For I am living and I shall be forever.” —St. Seraphim of Sarov
“Hold fast that which thou hast, that no man takest thy crown (Revelation 3:11).” —Metropolitan Philaret of New York, the last words of
“«δόξα τῷ θεῷ πάντων ἕνεκεν» (Glory be to God for all things!)” —St. John Chrysostom, the last words of