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

Blessed are they who exercise restraint, for the joys of paradise await them.

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.

A little fire softens a large piece of wax. So, too, a small indignity often softens, sweetens and wipes away suddenly all the fierceness, insensibility & hardness of our heart.

As writing is washed out by water, so sins can be washed out by tears.

The first step toward freedom from anger is to keep the lips silent when the heart is stirred; the next, to keep thoughts silent when the soul is upset; the last, to be totally calm when unclean winds are blowing.

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

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

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

In the hearts of the meek the Lord finds rest, but a turbulent soul is a seat of the devil.

If a righteous man can barely be saved, then where will I end up, I who am lawless and sinful? If the path that leads to life is strait and narrow, then how can I be vouchsafed such good things, I who live a life of luxury, indulging in my own pleasures and dissipation? But Thou, O Lord, my Saviour, Son of the true God, as Thou knowest and desirest it, by Thy grace alone, freely turn me away from the sin that abides in me and save me from ruin.

The fathers have laid down that psalmody is a weapon, and prayer is a wall, and honest tears are a bath; but blessed obedience in their judgment is confession of faith, without which no one subject to the passions will see the Lord.

As with the appearance of light, darkness retreats; so, at the fragrance of humility, all anger and bitterness vanishes.

Most of us call ourselves sinners, and perhaps really think it; but it is indignity that tests the heart.

Just as over-drinking is a matter of habit, so too from habit comes over-sleeping. Therefore we must struggle with the question of sleep, especially in the early days of obedience, because a long-standing habit is difficult to cure.

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

People of high spirit bear offence nobly and gladly, but only the holy and righteous can pass through praise without harm.

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

If, wishing to correct another, you are moved to anger, you gratify your own passion. Do not lose yourself in order to save another.

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Parish

Mailing Address

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

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