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

Patience is an unbroken labor of the soul which is never shaken by deserved or undeserved blows.

Love and humility form a holy pair; what the first builds, the second binds, thus preventing the building from falling asunder.

The beginning of the mortification both of the soul’s desire and of the bodily members is much hard work. The middle is sometimes laborious and sometimes not laborious. But the end is insensibility and insusceptibility to toil and pain. Only when he sees himself doing his own will does this blessed living corpse feel sorry and sick at heart; and he fears the responsibility of using his own judgment.

As long as the flesh is in full health, let us observe abstinence at all times and in every place. When it has been tamed (which I do not suppose is possible this side of the grave), then let us hide our accomplishment.

He who has put a stop to anger has also destroyed remembrance of wrongs; because childbirth continues only while the father is alive.

A man who has embraced poverty offers up prayer that is pure, while a man who loves possessions prays to material images.

Satiety of the stomach dries the tear sprints, but the stomach when dried produces these waters.

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

Be concentrated without self-display, withdrawn into your heart. For the demons fear concentration as thieves fear dogs.

Love, by its nature, is a resemblance to God, insofar as this is humanly possible. In its activity it is inebriation of the soul. Its distinctive character is to be a fountain of faith, an abyss of patience, a sea of humility.

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.

Do not go into detail in confessing carnal acts, lest you become a traitor to yourself.

Those who mourn and those who are insensitive are not subject to fear, but the cowardly often have become deranged. And this is natural. For the Lord rightly forsakes the proud that the rest of us may learn not to be puffed up.

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

He who refuses to accept a criticism, just or not, renounces his own salvation, while he who accepts it, hard or not though it may be, will soon have his sins forgiven.

Where a fall has overtaken us, there pride has already pitched its tent; because a fall is an indication of pride.

Lying is wiped out by the tortures of superiors; but it is finally destroyed by an abundance of tears.

It is not safe to swim in one's clothes, nor should a slave of passion touch theology.

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

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