Nasty and ungrateful
Elder Efraim, Arizona ’Sweetest Jesus, you who were sinless God suffered so, so many injuries, so much contention, so many curses, and so much mockery from such a large number of people who hated you and bore you such ill-will. And you endured all that with tolerance, for my...
They’re people
Saint Iakovos Tsalikis People often cast aspersions against priests. But priests are people, as well. If one person makes a mistake in life, that doesn’t mean that everybody’s to blame. A priest might err, as well, but that’s not the fault of all other priests. ‘Don’t judge, that you...
On Not Despairing
Saint Amfilokhios Bishop of Iconium Saint Amfilokhios’ feast day is the 23rd November There was another brother who, after sinning, repented and then withdraw into solitude. It happened, though, that he struck his foot on a rock and injured it so badly that blood came pouring out of the wound....
Cheap Love
Elder Aimilianos Simonopetritis † Like many, if not all, Elders on the Mountain, Elder Aimilianos was very loving towards those in his spiritual charge- in his case the monks at Simonos Petras and the nuns at Ormylia. But, to use a colloquial expression, ‘he took no prisoners’. A young...
Limit it
Saint John of Kronstadt Don’t you dare scorn people because they’re sinners. And don’t be vindictive, because that will only worsen their wounds. Far better to advise them in such a way that they can either cease their wickedness or at least try and keep it within bounds. Source:...
Clearly and deeply
Saint Paisios the Athonite If we could emerge from ourselves (from the love we have for our self), we’d emerge from the attraction of the earth and then we’d see everything in reality, with divine vision, purely and profoundly. Source: pemptousia.com
Humility is the most attractive virtue
Elder Ephraim of Arizona † Angels in heaven, in glory and hymns. People in their joys and their palaces. God the Creator in a cave, in a manger, as if He were the poorest of the poor. What humility on the part of Jesus. You should acquire this humility,...
They need a shock
Abbess Christonymfi, Monastery of Our Lady the Queen of All, Keratea People today don’t understand, don’t repent, won’t come to their senses. The devil needs to butt them with his horns. Source: pemptousia.com
In a strange manner
Elder Efraim Vatopaidinos Abbas Pimen had a wonderful saying: ‘Bind yourself to a man who fears God and you will have fear of God’. Who is it who really fears God? People who are without passions, are virtuous, sanctified, and constantly repenting. And how beneficial it is for us...
It provoked a schism
Elder Tadej Vitovničk Humanity was united, but sin caused a breach among us and we no longer have this unity. This is why the Lord became human: in order to reconnect what had been broken asunder by sin. The angels in the Kingdom of God think alike and agree...
