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

Do not neglect the practice of the virtues; if you do, your spiritual knowledge will decrease, and when famine occurs you will go down into Egypt (Genesis 41:57, 46:6).

Love and self-control purify the soul.

Fear of the Lord conquers desire, and distress that accords with God's will repulses sensual pleasure.

In the beginning, there is struggle and a lot of work for those who come near to God. But after that, there is indescribable joy. It is just like building a fire: at first it's smoky and your eyes water, but later you get the desired result. Thus we ought to light the divine fire in ourselves with tears and effort.

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

The study of divine principles teaches knowledge of God to the person who lives in truth, longing and reverence.

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

Self-love -- that is, friendship for the body -- is the source of evil in the soul.

Make the body serve the commandments, keeping it so far as possible free from sickness and sensual pleasure.

Struggle until death to fulfill the commandments: purified through them, you will enter into life.

You were commanded to keep the body as a servant, not to be unnaturally enslaved to its pleasures.

Self-control and strenuous effort curb desire; stillness and intense longing for God wither it.

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

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

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

In the beginning there are a great many battles and a good deal of suffering for those who are advancing towards God and afterwards, ineffable joy. It is like those who wish to light a fire; at first they are choked by the smoke and cry, and by this means obtain what they seek -- as it is said, 'Our God is a consuming fire' -- so we also must kindle the divine fire in ourselves through tears and hard work.

Spiritual freedom is release from the passions; without Christ’s mercy you cannot attain it.

According to the degree to which the intellect is stripped of the passions, the Holy Spirit initiates the intellect into the mysteries of the age to be.

Filters
Search By Keyword
Filter By
See more See less
Topics (Love, Anger, Confession, etc.)
See more See less
Parish

Mailing Address

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

Email, Phone, and Fax

[email protected]
440-526-5192 (Phone)