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

The lover of silence draws close to God. He talks to Him in secret and God enlightens him.

Through anger the brightness of the Holy Spirit is shut out from the soul.

Increasing self-criticism is the sign of increasing humility. Indeed, there is no clearer sign.

A vigilant eye makes the mind pure; but much sleep hardens the soul.

When our hearts are reluctant we often have to compel ourselves to pray for our enemies, to pour out prayer for those who are against us. Would that our hearts were filled with love! How frequently we offer a prayer for our enemies, but do it because we are commanded to, not out of love for them. We ask the gift of life for them even while we are afraid that our prayer may be heard. The Judge of our souls considers our hearts rather than our words. Those who do not pray for their enemies out of love are not asking anything for their benefit.

If you do not learn to deny yourself, you can make no progress in perfection.

Live in the world as if only God and your soul were in it; then your heart will never be made captive by any earthly thing.

Control your appetites before they control you.

Blessed is he who, though maligned and disparaged every day for the Lord's sake, constrains himself to be patient. He will join the chorus of the martyrs, and boldly converse with the angels.

Repentance raises the fallen, mourning knocks at the gate of Heaven, and holy humility opens it.

It seems to me that, in all cases when indignity is offered to us, we should be silent; for it is our moment of profit.

Self-knowledge is a true idea of one's spiritual growth, and an unbroken remembrance of one's slightest sins.

Repentance is the renewal of baptism. Repentance is a contract with God for a second life. A penitent is a buyer of humility. Repentance is constant distrust of bodily comfort. Repentance is self-condemning reflection, and carefree self-care. Repentance is the daughter of hope and the renunciation of despair.

He who has become aware of his sins has controlled his tongue, but a talkative person has not yet come to know himself as he should.

No one in the face of blasphemous thoughts need think that the guilt lies within him, for the Lord is the Knower of hearts, and He is aware that such words and thoughts do not come from us but from our foes.

A servant of the Lord is he who in body stands before men, but in mind knocks at Heaven with prayer.

Hold to patience in your hearts, my friends, and put it into action when the situation calls for it. Don't let any abusive word from your neighbor stir up hatred in you, and don't allow any loss of things that pass away to upset you. If you are steadfast in fearing the loss of those things that last forever, you will never take seriously the loss of those that pass away; if you keep your eyes fixed on the glory of our eternal recompense, you will not resent a temporal injury. You must bear with those who oppose you, but also love those you fear with. Seek an eternal reward in return for your temporal losses.

Let us monks, then, be as trustful as the birds are; for they have no cares, neither do they gather into barns.

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

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440-526-5192 (Phone)