A collection of scriptural meditations from Saints and Fathers of the Church.

If you abandon God and are a slave to the passions, you cannot reap God's mercy.

Did you see that brother who was negligent and lazy, who did not go down to the all-night vigils and did not do his duties, whom the brothers knew and held to be a negligent brother? When, therefore, he became sick and the hour of his death drew near, the brothers gathered to hear something beneficial, or to comfort him, or in case he wanted to say something to them, but they saw him rejoicing, cheerful. One brother was scandalized and said, But what do we see in you, brother? We see you rejoicing, while you approach death? But our thought says to us that you were not a violent man and how do you have this courage and this rejoicing face? On what do you base this thing? Yes, brothers, he said, really I was a negligent person and I did not fulfill my duties. But I achieved one good thing, by the grace of God -- not to criticize any brother and not to scandalize anyone; and never did I allow my heart to have something against my brother of the monastery when the sun set. And inasmuch as I did not judge my brother, I believe that God will not judge me, even me, for He said, Judge not, that you not be judged (Mt. 7:1); and as long as I did not judge, I will not be judged. The brothers marveled and said, Brother, very easily you found the way of salvation. And the brother died with much joy.

Control your stomach, sleep, anger, and tongue, and you will not 'dash your foot against a stone.'

Long-suffering and readiness to forgive curb anger; love and compassion wither it.

Pray before your body takes rest on your bed... If you are tempted, make the Sign (of the Cross) on your forehead reverently… for this is a known and tested weapon against the Devil.

The person who is unaffected by the things of this world loves stillness; and he who loves no human thing loves all men.

If you are enclosed within yourself through prayer, humility, and mourning, you will find a spiritual treasure -- only let pride and criticism be far from you.

Strive to love every man equally, and you will simultaneously expel all the passions.

Just as desire and rage multiply our sins, so self-control and humility erase them.

Just as desire and rage multiply our sins, so self-control and humility erase them.

Break the bonds of your friendship for the body and give it only what is absolutely necessary.

Patience adorns the soul with diamonds which are not of the earth but belong to the Jerusalem that is above. Patience is a sweet word. Patience is a sweet breath. Patience is an invincible weapon. Patience is a priceless adornment of man. Patience is a blessing of God.

Cultivate patience. Patience is a heavenly gift, a gift from the Heavenly Father... With patience, and love for your fellow men, you become a victor in life's continual trials.

The person who listens to Christ fills himself with light; and if he imitates Christ, he reclaims himself.

All sin is due to sensual pleasure, all forgiveness to hardship and distress.

Listlessness is an apathy of soul; and a soul becomes apathetic when sick with self-indulgence.

Having filled himself with pride, the Antichrist will begin to set himself up and glorify himself as God, belching forth slander against Christ. He will do this so openly that he will command that all those who do not want to serve him as God be killed.

Worldly virtues promote human glory, spiritual virtues the glory of God.

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Archangel Michael Orthodox Church
5025 E. Mill Rd
Broadview Heights, Ohio 44147

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440-526-5192 (Phone)