Quotes on Orthodoxy – Page 12

Quotes on Orthodoxy / St. Barsanouphios the Great

“It is necessary to do everything with discernment, and to take your own measure.”

It is necessary to do everything with discernment, and to take your own measure, so that you will not become confused. To perform alms, fasting, or anything else at the highest degree (beyond one’s limits or personal measure) lacks discernment, and later it will lead the one who performs them into confusion, despondency, and grumbling. God requires that which is according to the strength of a man.

– St. Barsanouphios the Great, Instructions, 627

Featured image: Monk at Mt. Athos, c. 1990s. Photographer Kostas Argyris

Elder Sergei of Vanves / Quotes on Orthodoxy

“Almost everyone feels more or less uneasy.”

Almost everyone feels more or less uneasy most of their life in this earthly existence. This is a part of the cross that we all must bear.

– Elder Sergei of Vanves

Featured image: Elder Sergei

Quotes on Orthodoxy / St. Anthony of Optina

“This unbearable vice…”

You must make every effort to restrain yourself, so as not to acquire the unfortunate habit of losing your temper. This unbearable vice is not as noticeable in oneself as it is in others- and those who become angry over nothing are deserving of the fire of Gehenna.

– St. Anthony of Optina

Featured image: New Forest National Park, United Kingdom. Photographer Annie Spratt, 2017. source

Quotes on Orthodoxy / St. Anatoly of Optina

“You cannot destroy the passions on your own.”

You cannot destroy the passions on your own, but ask God, and He will destroy them, if this is profitable for you.

– St. Anatoly of Optina

Featured image: Mt. Athos, 1917-18. source

Quotes on Orthodoxy / St. Seraphim of Sarov

“Upon his mind there must always be engraved these words of the prophet…”

A man who has taken upon himself to travel the path of internal mindfulness must have above all the fear of God, which is the beginning of wisdom. Upon his mind there must always be engraved these words of the prophet: Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling (Ps 2:11).
He should travel this path with the utmost care and with reverence for everything holy, and not negligently. Otherwise, he must take heed lest there should apply to him the divine decree: Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord negligently (Jer 48:10). Reverent carefulness is necessary here because this sea– that is, the heart, with its thoughts an desires, which one must cleanse by means of mindfulness– is great and vast, and there are numberless reptiles there (Ps 103:27), that is, numerous vain, unjust, and impure thoughts generated by evil spirits.

– St. Seraphim of Sarov, The Little Russian Philokalia

Featured image: Taken with Holga film camera. source

Quotes on Orthodoxy / St. Theodoros the Great, Ascetic of Edessa

“The fragrance of a holy soul conveys to those who perceive it the holiness that lies within.”

The fragrance of a costly aromatic oil, even kept in a vessel, pervades the atmosphere of the whole house, and gives pleasure not only to those near it but also to others in the vicinity; similarly, the fragrance of a holy soul, beloved of God, conveys to those who perceive it the holiness that lies within.
When in the presence of one whose tongue utters nothing harsh and discordant, but only what is a blessing and benefit for those who listen, whose eyes are humble, whose ears do not listen to improper songs or words, who moves discreetly and whose face is not dissolute with laughter but rather disposed to tears and mourning, which of us will not feel that such a soul is filled with the fragrance of holiness?
Thus the Savior says: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven (Matt. 5:16).

– St. Theodoros the Great Ascetic of Edessa, Philokalia, Vol. 1

Featured image: “Glass and shadows.” Photographer Adolphe de Meyer, ca. 1912. Museum of Arts & Crafts, Hamburg

Quotes on Orthodoxy / St. Paisios of Athos

“Give thanks to God for everything.”

Give thanks to God for everything. Try to be manly. Pull yourself together a bit.

– St. Paisios of Athos

Featured image: The men of St. John the Baptist Russian Orthodox Church, NJ. c. 1915. source

Quotes on Orthodoxy / St. Sophrony of Essex

“They must give way to one another.”

Married couples must learn self-emptying. They must give way to one another. Then they learn to accept another existence in their own existence.

– St. Sophrony of Essex

Featured image: Murom in portraits: The family of Priest Polisadov. 1910. source

Quotes on Orthodoxy / St. John of Damascus

“Listen to me, people of all nations, all of you who bear the Christian name:”

Listen to me, people of all nations, men, women, and children, all of you who bear the Christian name: If any one preach to you something contrary to what the holy catholic Church has received from the holy apostles and fathers and councils, and has kept down to the present day, do not heed him. Do not receive the serpent’s counsel, as Eve did, to whom it was death. If an angel or an emperor teaches you anything contrary to what you have received, shut your ears.

– St. John of Damascus

Featured image: The Mar-Saba Monastery (Monastery of St. Sava the Sanctified) where St. John of Damascus served as a hieromonk, and reposed. source