The greatest marvel of all is that the Father, the God of all wisdom and power, Who presides over the universe, is our Father. Even to me, poor Seraphim.
Featured image: Procession with the relics of St. Seraphim of Sarov, during his canonization on July 19 1913. (St. Tsar Nicolas II near the center.)
Nothing is more precious to man than intelligence. Its power is such as to enable us to adore God through intelligent speech and thanksgiving. By contrast, when we use futile or slanderous speech we condemn our soul. Now it is characteristic of an obtuse man to lay the blame for his sins on the conditions of his birth or on something else, while in fact his words and actions are evil through his own free choice.
– St. Anthony the Great, from the Philokalia
Featured image: The Temptation of St. Anthony, c.1525. By a follower of Hieronymus Bosch
The day of the Nativity of the Mother of God is a day of universal joy, because through the Mother of God, the entire human race was renewed, and the sorrow of the first mother, Eve, was transformed into joy.
Featured image: The Mar-Saba Monastery (Monastery of St. Sava the Sanctified) where St. John of Damascus served as a hiermonk, and reposed. source
When praying in the evening, do not forget to confess in prayer to the Holy Spirit with all sincerity and contrition, those sins into which you have fallen during the past day.
A few moments of fervent repentance, and you will be cleansed by the Holy Spirit from every impurity; you will be whiter than snow, and tears, purifying the heart will flow from your eyes; you will be covered with the garment of Christ’s righteousness and united to Him, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Featured image: source
Although the divine Paul always lived in the mountains and in desert places, and shared his solitude and his food with wild animals, there were nevertheless times when he went down to the Lavra in order to visit the brethren.
He counseled them, exhorting them not to be fainthearted and not to neglect the assiduous practice of the virtues, but to persevere with all attentiveness and discrimination in their efforts to live according to the Gospels and in their courageous fight against the spirits of evil. He also taught them a method by which they could expunge ingrained passion-imbued dispositions as well as counteract new seeds of passion. You see how this holy father teaches his uninitiated disciples a method through which they could ward off the attacks of the passions? This method was none other than the art of keeping watch over the intellect, for it is only by keeping such watch that we can ward off the passions.
– from the Life of St. Paul of Mt. Latros, told by Nikiphoros the Monk. Philokalia Vol. 4
Featured image: Sinai desert. Photo department of American Colony, c. 1920-1933. Library of Congress
Always be prudent in your words; that is, first think and then speak; do not let your tongue run ahead before you think what you have to say. Do not become bold in talking much, my child; many are the evils from this evil boldness. Flee from it as from fire or a viper!
Featured image: Tsyvozero, Arkhangel region, Russia. Wooden Bell Tower (built 1658). Photo by Richard Davies.
We need to be careful not to harbor any resentment against those who harm us, but rather to pray for them with love. Whatever any of our fellow men does, we should never think evil of him. We need always to have thoughts of love and always to think good of others. Look at St. Stephen the first martyr. He prayed, Lord, do not hold this sin against them. We need to do the same.
– Elder Porphyrios of Kafsokalivia, Wounded by Love: The Life and the Wisdom of Elder Porphyrios
Featured image: Russian Orthodox church at Attu Village, AK. Caption: It ministered to the spiritual needs of the two score natives living on Attu Island at the time of the Japanese invasion. Some of the Island’s wealth of flowers can be seen coming into bloom beside the church. Visitors to the Aleutians have expressed surprise at finding within easy reach masses of Alpine flowers which, in this country, and in Europe, mountain climbers scale the highest peaks just to see. Photographer OJ Murie, 1938. Library of Congress
The devil is afraid of us when we pray and make sacrifices. He is also afraid when we are humble and good. He is especially afraid when we love Jesus very much. He runs away when we make the Sign of the Cross.
Featured image: Martin Schöngauer, c. 1470-75. Copper engraving
It is necessary to rouse the heart to pray, otherwise it will become quite dry. The attributes of prayer must be: love of God, sincerity, and simplicity.
– St. Seraphim of Sarov, Spiritual Instructions no. 25. Little Russian Philokalia Vol. 1
Featured image: Trinity Orthodox Church, Antarctica. Photo by Thiago Piccoli
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