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...
How to pray
Saint Cassian the Roman If we were to ask some prominent citizen, not to save our life but simply to do us some small favor, would we not fix our gaze and our heart on him? Would we not literally ‘hang upon’ the expression of his face, with great...
Joys and Sorrows are from God
Saint Theophan the Recluse On earth, there are more sorrows than joys. And just as the latter are sent by God, so the former are allowed by Him. For a variety of reasons. On occasion so that we bestir ourselves from spiritual hibernation. On another so that we can...
Vigilance – the Wealth of Orthodox Asceticism Conversations with Archim. Zacharias
Archimandrite Zacharias Zacharou Question: Can you tell us a few words about negative and positive vigilance? Answer: Negative vigilance is when we resist the attacks of bad thoughts. As soon as they appear, we lift our mind to God saying, ‘Lord, my enemies have come, defend me against them,’ and...
It rages inside us
Saint John of Kronstadt All the passions are fire in the soul, a huge fire that rages within us. We have to extinguish them with the water of love, which is so powerful it can put out any internal fire of wickedness and the passions. But woe to us,...
East and West
Saint Nicholas Velimirovich The West is in the throes of turmoil while the East sits in resignation and submission to fate. The West is continually feasting on the Tree of Knowledge and increasingly feels a hunger for knowledge. The East is seated under the Tree of Life but can’t...
Our Governor
Saint Symeon the New Theologian A soul governed by God should have the following properties: straightforwardness, meekness, truth, humility, goodness, righteousness and great piety. It should also have forbearance, charity, sympathy, unfeigned love, clemency, endurance and patience. If you don’t have these things, you aren’t being governed by God....
The only unerring star
Saint Maximos the Greek You should know that the only unerring star that leads you to practice the holy virtues is fear, divine and always pure, through which each one of us is removed far from evil. Always steer strictly by it as you sail straight for the heavenly,...
