The body and soul can’t be freed of the passions unless the spirit is first liberated. And the spirit is liberated by divine Grace. How? When we acquire the fear of God and repent.
The devil has set his traps everywhere. He catches people and the only way to avoid these snares is through humility. Internal humility, not external, true not false modesty, real not pretend. Internal, real and true humility is when people feel, in the depths of their heart, the gifts and talents they’ve received from God. It’s the realization that everything we have- existence, life, health, wealth and wisdom- are all foreign to us and are gifts from God.
Grace fills empty spaces, but it can only enter where there is a void to receive it, and it is grace itself which makes this void. To love truth mean to endure the void and, as a result, to accept death… Whoever endures a moment of void either receives the supernatural bread or falls. It is a terrible risk but one that must run, even during the instant when hope fails. But we must not throw ourselves into it. » Simone Weil (Gravity and Grace)
Hypocrites retain their hatred in the depths of their hearts, showing superficial love, in the same way as a reef which is covered with a little water, but is an accident waiting to happen for those who aren’t careful. Hypocrisy is the result of envy and all the evils arise from it. Saint Basil the Great
Today we celebrate the “Synaxis of All the Saints of Pisidia, Side and Antalya, along with the “Holy Fathers of the Fourth Ecumenical Council of Chalkidon. This common celebration was approved by the Holy Synod of our Ecumenical Patriarchate for two reasons: Firstly, because among the Fathers who took part in the Fourth Ecumenical Council, there were also several Bishops of the Metropolises of Pisidia, Side and Antalya. Secondly, because today, just as in previous days and those that follow, we celebrate the memory of over 15,000 Martyrs and various other Saints of our Greater Metropolitan District. Our Church has established today’s reading to be taken from the last part of the Epistle sent by Apostle Paul to his Disciple Titus, whom ...
When people want to root out some passion which has wormed its way into their hearts and become established there over time, it isn’t enough to give advice for one or two days in order to correct this passion. We have to talk lots of times over many days, provided, of course, we’re aiming at profit and benefit, rather than mere pleasantries and an outward show. >Saint John Chrysostom
For Christ to enter into us, when we invite Him with ‘Lord Jesus Christ…’, the heart must be pure and not have any impediments. It must be free of hatred, egotism and wickedness. » Venerable Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia
When it’s not distributed to the poor for the good of our souls and the benefit of our departed ones, wealth is a total disaster. Riches choke the soul, through great anxiety and rapacity. When we see people who have got everything, who want for nothing, but yet are anxious, worried and sad, we should recognize that they’re lacking God… » Venerable Païsios the Athonite
Watch the second part of fr Jonah’s from Taiwan sermon on the feast of All Saints.
Nothing is so characteristic of Christians as the fact that they’re peacemakers, because the Lord promised us our reward for this. Saint Basil the Great
Despite the fact that virginity, fasting and sleeping on the ground demand greater efforts, there’s nothing so powerful and so capable of extinguishing the fire of our sins as charity. It’s superior to all else and places those who live it close to the King of the Heavens Himself. And rightly so. >Saint John Chrysostom
When the desire for Christ is dominant within you, you remain calm in every sorrow and you know that Christ lives within you more than the world does. And again, when sickness and the various misfortunes of life throw your mind into turmoil, you should know that your body is living within you, not Christ. In general, whatever thing is overriding and dominant, that’s what’s living within you. God and His angels rejoice in times of need; the devil and his minions in times of leisure. You should know that, without temptations, you’re a long way from the path of God and you aren’t treading in the footsteps of the saints. » Saint Isaac the Syrian
If we do good because we fear hell, we’re in the position of a servant; if we do it to get a reward, we’re like an employee; if we do it for its own sake then we’re in the position of a son. Because a son does his father’s will not out of fear, nor because he wants some reward, but he wants to serve his father, to honor him and give him pleasure. And this is how we should handle charity, for the virtue itself, participating in the difficulties of others, as if they were the members of our own body. We should serve others as if we ourselves were enjoying the fruits of our ministrations. We should give as if ...
If someone is swearing at you, rather than admonish them – which is almost always of no benefit – it’s better to pray for them. » Elder Arsenie Boca (of Romania)
Those who, with powerful and correct thinking, have been able to study and understand each of the created things and having done so, are able to pass on to others everything to do with God’s goodness and His just judgment, are people who render glory and honor to God, as do those who live a life which conforms to such study and contemplation of God’s creation. The light (the radiant example) of such people shines before others and in this way they glorify their heavenly Father in words and works and with various acts of generosity. People who are seduced by human glory do not render any glory and honor to God, nor do those who worship money or those who seek ...
Don’t look at what’s happening to you, but look rather to the light, Christ, just as children look to their mothers when something happens. Look at everything without anxiety, without worry, without pressure, without feeling squeezed. In this way, instead of giving in to worry, which isn’t of the Spirit of God, you’ll surrender to praising Him. » Venerable Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia
Watch the first part of fr Jonah’s from Taiwan sermon on the feast of All Saints.
Through prayers and acts of charity for the departed, Christians demonstrate the relationship between this world and the world to come. The Church in this world and the Church in the next is one and the same – one body, one being- just as the roots of a tree, below ground, constitute a single organism with the trunk and the branches above ground. From this it’s obvious that we who make up the earthly Church can be given help by the saints and the righteous in the heavenly Church, in the same way as departed sinners in the next world can receive help from us here on earth. » Saint Nicholas Velimirovich
Sin is a terrible evil for those who keep it to themselves, but it’s easily cured in those prepared to get rid of it from their lives, through repentance. » Elder Arsenie Boca (of Romania)
Go, Christ directed His disciples, to proclaim the Kingdom of God. This charge is well known, but what is often less cited are Christ’s complimentary instructions: “Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece” (Luke 9:3). The importance of not being beholden to earthly things – and to learn dependence on God – is a recurring theme throughout the Gospels and Epistles of the New Testament. St. Paul writes to the Corinthians, “For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1Co 2:2). These messages are especially needed in today’s society, which is overwhelmed by consumerism and earthly things. The tragedy of overconsumption manifests itself ...
