Christianity isn’t a philosophical system, nor does it depend solely on our system of knowledge. It has more to do with our will and emotions. Because people who are Christians don’t have simply the education of the spirit as their starting-point, but also the formation of the heart. This is why we’re called upon not only to recognize the theories, but to implement them.
Self-control, forbearance, mature restraint, endurance, patience and suchlike are the greatest and most virtuous powers we’ve been given by God. They oppose and resist, and help us in all those difficulties which come from our enemy, the devil. If we exercise these powers and have them to hand, then nothing will seem difficult for us, or painful or unbearable, because we’ll recall that everything’s human and can be conquered by the virtues we have within us. People who are spiritually senseless don’t think of that. Because they never even think that everything turns out well and as it should and in our interest, so that, in the end, the virtues can shine and we can be crowned by God… » Saint Anthony the Great
Prayer for others, said gently and with deep love, is unselfish and of great spiritual benefit. It brings Grace to the person praying, but also benefits those being prayed for, since it brings them the Grace of God. » Venerable Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia
Fr Jonah from Taiwan speaks on the gospel of the 8th Sunday of Matthew (14, 14-22).
If wax isn’t first warmed and softened, it won’t be receptive to a seal that’s placed upon it. In the same way, if the soul isn’t tested with labors and illnesses, it won’t be able to accept the seal of virtue. » Saint Seraphim of Sarov
The soul of all peoples always felt that God exists, even though they didn’t know enough to worship the true God. The Holy Spirit, however, taught the Prophets first, then the Apostles, after them the Holy Fathers and our Bishops and so the true faith has come down to us. We knew the Lord through the Holy Spirit. And once we knew Him, our soul became fixed in Him. Know, you peoples, that we were made in order to glorify God in heaven, and don’t attach yourselves to the earth. Because God is our Father and He loves us as His greatly-desired children. People who don’t know Grace don’t seek it. People have become attached to the earth and this is why most ...
Avarice makes many people act unjustly through the hope of obtaining money and is the root cause of many evils. It’s a passion of the soul, which causes a thirst for gold and the more gold is garnered, the more the soul burns. It’s the crafter of poverty, because it stores up treasure for itself, not the person who has it. It leaves that person wanting and, to all intents and purposes, in financial ruin. » Saint Nectarios of Pentapolis
Whatever’s given for God is returned by Him a hundredfold. This is why I decided to devote myself to the service of the poor. » Saint John the Merciful
Children’s behaviour is directly linked to the state of the parents. When children are hurt by the way their parents behave towards each other, they lose the strength and will to make progress. They’re badly built and their souls are in danger of collapse at any moment. » Venerable Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia
Pupil who are (spiritually) sick can only be restored through love, never with anger and attitude. »Blessed Joseph the Hesychast
Certainly you don’t have the potential to salve the body of your neighbor, but you can salve their soul. And what greater loving-kindness is there than that which is offered to the soul? Because, just as the soul is of greater value than the body, so any loving-kindness which is offered to the soul is of great value than that offered to the body. So no-one can say: ‘I can’t afford charity’. Everybody can, depending on their strength and situation. Just make sure to keep your mind on the good you’re doing, so that you do it in full awareness, as we said. Because people who act with awareness are recognized masons who build their houses safely. »Abba Dorotheos
Fr Jonah from Taiwan speaks on the Apostolic Reading of the 7th Sunday of Matthew (Romans 15, 1-7).
Just as a mirror shows objects among which the person is standing, so, in the soul, impressions are created corresponding to its works. The images disappear from the mindless mirror when the objects are taken away from in front of it, but impressions remain in a rational soul. >Saint Ignatius Brianchaninoff
The demon has no power or authority over us except when he finds us being proud and fiercely stubborn. >Blessed Joseph the Hesychast
We should prepare not to die. There’s a saying which goes “if you die before you die, you won’t die when you die”. Our preparation, which should be ongoing throughout our lives, consists of the following four points: We should be dead to sin all the time. We shouldn’t take heart from any good we’ve done for ourselves and should avoid self-praise. However much we err, we shouldn’t despair. We should be aware that God allows us to sin in order to humble us. Otherwise, we can’t enter the Kingdom of Heaven. » Elder Anthimos of Saint Anne
The twentieth century brought seismic changes to social, economic, scientific and technological developments across the globe. It was marked by the two most bloody wars in history, which changed the map of the world. Striking personalities played definitive roles in the fate of humankind, leaving them with towering reputations, for good or ill. In the middle of this turbulent and hugely unsettling period, a man was born, lived and died, a man whose personality would hardly have been noticed by people interested in analyzing the events which have shaped our own time. In the realm of the Spirit, however, his presence was to make an indelible mark on his generation, which, in opposition to the drift towards hedonism and consumerism which ...
Mothers know how to worry, to advise, to talk a lot, but they haven’t learned how to pray. Lots of instructions and advice do a great deal of harm. Don’t talk at children too much. Words echo in the ears, but prayer goes to the heart. » Venerable Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia
Nothing is equal to peace, nothing is more harmonious. It’s no benefit to us if we’re pacific towards everyone else, but hostile to God. Just as no harm can befall us, no matter if everyone’s against us, so long as we’re at peace with God. » Saint Nectarios of Pentapolis
Knowledge is awareness of yourself. Not knowing yourself is more unbearable than the utmost madness and insanity. Because the madness would be beyond your control, but the other is through your own will. >Saint John Chrysostom
The humility, goodness and love which Elder Iosif bore in his soul moved God and were the solace of our brotherhood, who looked to him as our guide. Elder Iosif Vatopaidinos, (1921-2009) Metropolitan Athanasios of Limassol tells of an event which shows the extent to which God was well-pleased with the spiritual labours of the Elder and also reveals the careful attention required in a place where many people are living together, if misunderstandings are to be avoided. His Eminence relates: ‘As Elder of the Monastery, Elder Iosif undertook some initiatives of a practical nature, one of which however, seems to have infringed the responsibilities of the duties of another member of the brotherhood. Elder Iosif usually acted as the founder and ...
