|
|
St. Nektary
When I suffer in the name of God, I have boldness with Him; He helps in everything and grants me whatever I request. The power of the Prayer (“Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.”) is great, especially when it is said with boldness.St. Isaac the Syrian
Let your first task, as soon as you awaken, be the sign of the cross; and your first words — the words of the Jesus Prayer.St. Barsanuphius
Hold on to the Jesus Prayer with all your strength. And when you grow weak, have the remembrance of the presence of God. Do not grieve that your prayer is not unceasing — it is too early for you. But thank God for what there is. Save yourself, and the Lord may save you.St. Anatoly
Compel yourselves in the Jesus prayer; this will become everything for you — food and drink and clothing and light and consolation and spiritual life. This prayer becomes everything for him who posses it. Without it, the emptiness of the soul cannot be satisfied. Do you want to love Christ? Long for the prayer and embrace humility, and then you will realize the kingdom of God is within us.Elder Ephraim of Philotheou
When you pray, try to let the prayer reach your heart; in other words, it is necessary that your heart should feel what you are talking about in your prayer, that it should wish for the blessing which you are asking… Observe, during prayer, whether, your heart is in accord with that which you are saying.St. John of Kronstadt
I advise you to convince yourself and force yourself to prayer and every good action, even if you do not feel the desire for it. God seeing such labor and application will give you good will and zeal. Such good will and a certain attraction to prayer is often the result of habit. Get into the habit and it will draw you to prayer and good actions.St. Tikhon of Zadonsk
In order to pray a man must struggle to his last breath. If we do not find prayer difficult, perhaps it is because we have not started to pray.Abba Agathon
Prayer is an excellent task for the servants of Christ above all others, for the other things are ministries and secondary. . . Truly this is the task entrusted to us by God, and the crown of all else.St. Symeon of Thessalonica (13th C)
The judgement of the Lord is never hypocritical. In His own time, He judges everything righteously, and will reward everyone according to his deeds. Our main endeavor, as long as we remain in this life, is to endure everything, to humble ourselves, and to implore the Lord for His help and His mercy, and all will be well.St. Ambrose of Milan
Do not refuse a request to pray for the soul of another, even if you lack the gift of prayer. For often the very faith of the person making the request will evoke saving contrition of the one who is to offer the prayer.St. John Climacus
If a man does not say in his heart, in the world there is only myself and God, he will not gain peace.Abba Alonius (6th C)
God rejoices when a man offers Him a wise prayer.St. Isaac the Syrian
Hourly thank God for all.St. Makary of Optina
St. Nikolia of Zhicha
In Christianity truth is not a philosophical concept nor is it a theory, a teaching, or a system, but rather, it is the living theanthropic person - the historical Jesus Christ (John 14:6). Before Christ men could only conjecture about the Truth since they did not possess it. With Christ as the incarnate divine Logos [Word of God] the eternally complete divine Truth enters into the world. For this reason the Gospel says: "Truth came by Jesus Christ" (John 1:17).St. Justin Popovich of Celjie (1979)
Our heart is like the darkened earth; the Gospel is like the sun, enlightening and giving life to our hearts. May the true sun of Thy righteousness shine in our hearts, O Lord!St. John of Kronstadt
St. John Chrysostom
Even though there is only one Baptism for the whitening of stains, yet there are two eyes which, when filled with tears, provide a baptismal font for the limbs. For the Creator knew well beforehand that sins multiply in us at all times, and though there is only a single baptism, he fixed in the single body two fonts that give absolution.St. Ephraim the Syrian (7th C)
It belongs to divine grace to give us opportunities of salvation and prosperous undertaking and victory: but it is ours to follow up the blessings which God gives us with earnestness or indifference.St. John Cassian (4th Century)
From ages and generation God’s way is carved out by the Cross and death. Where did you get this idea of treading the way of God in comfort?...The way of God is a daily cross. No one has ascended to Heaven through the easy life. We know where the easy way leads.St. Isaac the Syrian
A life lived in the world can be as good in the eyes of God, as one spent in a monastery. It is indeed only in keeping of God’s Commandments, love of all, and a true sense of humility that matter, wherever we are.St. Macarius of Optina
Some people living carelessly in the world have asked me: “We have wives and are beset with social cares, and how can we lead a solitary life?” I replied to them: “Do all the good you can; do not speak evil of anyone; do not steal from anyone; do not hate anyone’ do not be absent from Divine services; be compassionate to the needy; do not offend anyone; do not wreck another man’s domestic happiness, and be content with what your own wives can give you. If you behave in this way, you will not be far from the Kingdom of Heaven.”Russian New Martyr Fr. Valentin Sventitsky
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 (1891)
Watch carefully lest there arm itself against you the proud and vainglorious thought that in serving the brethren you are doing everything excellently; strive as much as possible not to allow the unprofitable, evil, and soul-destroying thought of vainglory to act in you, for it enters the soul of a man subtly, so that sometimes he does not notice at all how his thoughts are becoming puffed up and are preparing a fall for him.Elder Hilarion (6th C)
Those who are beguiled by earthly blessings, while knowing to the last word all that should be done to lead a good life, resemble those who have acquired remedies and medical appliances, but do not know how to use them, and do not even trouble themselves about it.St. Anthony the Great
This then should be our main effort: and this steadfast purpose of heart we should constantly aspire after, viz., that the soul may ever cleave to God and to heavenly things. Whatever is alien to this, however great it may be, should be given the second place or even treated as of no consequence, or perhaps as hurtful.St. John Cassian
Labor to acquire thanksgiving toward God for everything, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you, and then you will find peace.St. Barsanuphios the Great (6th C)
Blessed is he who bears affliction with thankfulness.Abba Copres (5th C)
Take up eagerly the voluntary mourning and weeping, since they are temporal, so that you may avoid the involuntary mourning and weeping that are eternal.St. Theodore the Sanctified
Christ is the Savior of the whole world, and has conferred on men the gift of repentance so that they may be saved.St. Thalassios of Libya (6th C)
St. Irenaeus of Lyons
O, if we might only know the love of the Most Holy Mother of God for all who keep the commandments of Christ, and how she pities and sorrows over sinners who do not reform!... Verily is she our advocate before God, and alone the sound of her name rejoices the soul. But all heaven and earth, too, rejoice in her love. Here is the wondrous thing that passed understanding: she dwells in heaven and ever beholds the glory of God, yet she does not forget us, poor wretches though we are, and spreads her compassion over the whole earth, over all the peoples. And this most pure Mother of His, the Lord has bestowed on us. She is our joy and our expectation. She is our Mother in the Spirit, and kin to us by nature, as a human being, and every Christian soul leaps to her in love.St. Silouan the Athonite
Mary Theotokos [Mother of God], we salute thee! Precious vessel, worthy of the whole world’s reverence, thou art an ever shining light, the crown of virginity, the symbol of Orthodoxy, an indestructible temple, the place that held Him Whom no place can contain—Mother and Virgin….I am overwhelmed by the wonder of this miracle…Behold, therefore, the joy of the whole universe. Let the union of God and man in the Son of the Virgin Mary fill us with awe and adoration! Let us fear and worship the undivided Trinity as we sing the praise of the ever-virgin Mary, the holy temple of God, and of God Himself, her Son and spotless Bridegroom. To Him be glory forever and ever! Amen.St Cyril of Alexandria (444)
St. Ignatius of Antioch
Nothing more real has come into the world than the Lord Jesus Christ; nothing more real both as God and as man. In truth, the whole of this world as separate from the Lord Jesus has an illusory quality. Neither the earth nor water nor air nor light bears a true resemblance to the reality that is His. Lo, it will all pass, but He will remain. He is in truth the foundation stone of the intransitory world; and He alone, and those who cling to that Stone, will have a part in that intransitory world, that enduring reality.St. Nikolai of Zhicha
Beyond all thought and without measure is Thy poverty, O Word of God! I know that, for my sake who am fallen, Thou hast from pity clothed Thyself in Adam, and all posterity of Adam Thou makest new again. Obeying Thy command I cry to Thee in faith, Blessed art Thou, our God made manifest, Glory to Thee.Praises, Matins of Theophany
Just as Adam had been created by the Word of God from untilled and virgin earth, so also the Word of God created flesh for Himself from a virgin womb when the Son of God became the new Adam, so as to correct the fall into sin of the first Adam.St. Irenaeus of Lyons (2nd C)
St. Theophan the Recluse
Christ was Risen, and so we too must be resurrected with Christ, in order to ascend with Him. Our Resurrection is two-fold: in body and in spirit. Our bodily Resurrection will take place on the Last Day. We speak of this when we recite the Creed, the Symbol of Faith: “I look for the resurrection of the dead.” To be resurrected spiritually is to depart from our sins, to turn away from the vanities of this world, and to abide in true repentance and faith; to take up the struggle against any sin, to do the will of our Heavenly Father, to live His truth, and to follow Christ, the Son of God, with humility, love, meekness, and patience. This [is] the new creation of which the Holy Apostle speaks when he says, “...if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature....” (II Corinthians 5:17); a new person, renewed through repentance and faith, a true Christian, a living member of Christ and an heir to the Kingdom of God.St. Tikhon of Zadonsk
The first Resurrection takes place by means of two Mysteries, Baptism and Repentance... The worker of that Resurrection is the Holy Spirit. Christ is resurrected in one who is prepared [for the Resurrection], and His tomb, the heart, once again becomes the Temple of God. Arise, O Lord, and save me, O my God - In this, Thy mystical, essential, material Resurrection, lies my salvation.St. Ignatius Brianchaninov
St. Isaac the Syrian
The Christian receives great benefit from the Divine Mysteries, both in his soul and in his body ... Before he communes, he must make the necessary preparation, that is, he must confess to his spiritual father, correct himself, feel compunction, acquire inner attention, guard himself from passionate thoughts as far as possible, and also from every other vice. Similarly, he must exercise self-restraint, pray, be inwardly awake, become more devout, and do every other kind of good deed, reflecting what awesome King he is about to receive within himself; especially if he considers that the grace which is given to him from Communion is proportionate to his preparation. It is evident that the more one makes such preparation, the more benefit he receives.St. Macarius of Corinth
Don’t hesitate [to come to confession]. Don’t be ashamed. Whatever you may have done, even the greatest of sins, the spiritual father has power from the Lord Himself and from the Apostles, to forgive you with his stole.Blessed Elder Iakovos of Evia (+1991)
GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD- means the bread which is sufficient for our nature and existence. He removes the care for the morrow. The body of Christ is the daily bread, and we pray that we may share in it blamelessly.St. Germanus of Constantinople
St. John Chrysostom
He who is gloomy does not believe in the mercy of God, but bases his spirituality on his own rotten ascetic achievements and seeming external improvements; he boasts in them and being overwhelmed with self-importance, measures his feelings as if with a thermometer-, the fruits of self love!Holy New Hieromartyr Barlaam of Russia (20th C)
Prepare yourselves to be the clean wheat of Christ; perfect yourselves by your labors of fasting, struggling in humility, chastity, love and prayer. Then you will make from yourselves bread which is pleasing to the Lord.St. Euphrosyne of Polotsk
What shall we say of the belly, the queen of passions? If you can slay it or half kill it, keep a tight hold. It has mastered me, beloved, and I serve it as a slave and a vassal. It is the colleague of the demons and the home of passions. Through it we fall, and through it we rise again, when it behaves itself.St. Gregory of Sinai
Although we have received the power to become the children of God (cf. John 1:12), we do not actually attain this sonship unless we strip ourselves of the passions.St. Thalassius
St. Ambrose of Optina
You have termed unwilling obedience “mechanical obedience”. In actual fact, the only kind of obedience that effectively shapes our character is obedience performed against our own will and our own ideas. If you do something because that is the way your heart is inclined, where is the obedience? You are merely following your own will and your own tastes. If you recognize your motives, you make such self-willed action slightly better. But in true obedience you will obey without seeing the reason for what you are told to do, and in spite of your own reluctance. A special blessing is promised for such an obedience - the blessing of being preserved free from all harm when the duty imposed on you is fulfilled. When this obedience is performed for the sake of the Lord, then the Lord takes His obedient servant under His own care and looks after Him.St. Theophan the Recluse
The Lord said, 'When you have done all that is commanded you, say: "We are useless servants: we have only done what was our duty"' (Luke 17:10). Thus the kingdom of heaven is not a reward for works, but a gift of grace prepared by the Master for His faithful servants.St. Hesychius the Priest
Of all evil suggestions, the most terrible is that of following one's own heart, that is to say, one's own thought, and not the law of God. A man who does this will be afflicted later on, because he has not recognized the mystery, and he has not found the way of the saints in order to work in it.Abba Isidore the priest
St. Gregory the Great
A scholar attracts by his knowledge, a wealthy man by riches, a handsome man by beauty, an artist by his skill. Only love attracts all human beings. The attraction of love is unlimited. And educated and uneducated, rich or poor, skilled or unskilled, beautiful or ugly, healthy or sick, and young or old - all want to be loved. Christ spread His love on everyone, and lovingly drew all to Himself. With His great love He encompassed even the dead, long decomposed and forgotten by men.Archimandrite Callistratus
He who is insolent towards men is insolent towards God; as many of us are. Respect in man the grand, inestimable image of God and be forbearing towards the faults and errors of fallen man, so that God may be forbearing towards your own, because the enemy of God and of mankind, being unable to vent his malice upon God, endeavors to vent it upon His image - man, as well as his impurities, his darkness, pride, envy, etc. Respect, therefore, man and save him; watch yourself also, do not become irritable, nor malicious, do not envy, do not offend, do not retaliate, do not commit adultery, do not steal, and so on.St. John of Kronstadt
St. Nikolai Velimirovich - Prologue
St. John of Kronstadt
He who conceals his thoughts remains unhealed, and he is corrected only by frequently asking the spiritual Fathers about them.St. Barsanuphios
God tends the pagans too, but the Christian knows the donor.St. Tikhon of Voronezh (18th C)
Do not pay attention to dreams, but be guided by trust in the all-powerful grace of Christ.Elder Moses of Optina
When a man comes to know that he can fall away from God as a dry leaf falls from a tree, then he knows the power of his soul.St. Isaac the Syrian
Let us accomplish all the things that are pleasing to God: singing, prayer, reading, spiritual instruction, manual labor, and service of every kind, living in interior communion with God.St. Nilus of Sora
Tend to yourself and it is enough.Elder Joseph of Optina
I have often repented of having spoken, but never of having been silent.Abba Arsenius the Great
No matter how little you love God, He still loves you.Elder Makary of Optina
Take care. Thy death is at hand.Fr. Alexei of Bortsumany