St. Symeon the New Theologian Orthodox Church

Love is The Greatest Thing in the World

We must see to it that our pleasing of others always ministers to their good in some way, edifies them, adds something to their character, makes them braver, truer, happier. The world is full of discouraged people, and we have power to say a hopeful word or do a kindness which will drive the discouragement from their hearts and move them again, with strength for brave, victorious, and songful living. Love is the greatest thing in the world. We are to see to it that everything we do and every influence of our life shall be for our neighbor’s good. We are bound so to live that we shall do hurt to none, but shall edify- add something to the life of everyone. "

- St. Alexandra, Tsaritsa and New Martyr

On the Feeding of the 5,000

"And another thing too we learn, the self-restraint of the disciples which they practiced in necessary things, and how little they accounted of food.
For being twelve, they had five loaves only and two fishes; so secondary to them were the things of the body: so did they cling to the things spiritual only. And not even that little did they hold fast, but gave up even it when asked. "

- St. John Chrysostom from Homily 49 on Matthew 14

The Likeness of the Church

"The likeness of Thy Church, 0 Lord, is that woman who went behind and touched the hem of Thy garment, saying within herself: ‘If I do but touch His garment I shall be whole’ (Mt. 9:21). So the Church confesses her wounds, but desires to be healed. "

St. Ambrose of Milan

The Most Effective of all Medications: Love

"You must make the other person’s pain your own, and then pray from your heart. Love is a divine attribute, and informs the other person that you are praying for him. Even in hospitals, when doctors and nurses feel genuine compassion for their patients, this is the most effective of all the medications to give to them. The patients feel.they are being cared for with love, and have a sense of certainty, security and consolation. You do not need to say much to someone who is suffering, or try to instruct him. . He understands that you feel his pain and care about him, and he is helped by this. Feeling his pain is everything. If we feel compassion for others, we forget ourselves and our problems. "

- Elder Paisios