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

Spiritual reading and prayer purify the intellect, while love and self-control purify the soul's passionate aspect.

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

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

If you are not willing to repent through freely choosing to suffer, unsought sufferings will providentially be imposed on you.

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

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

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).

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

The greatest weapons of someone striving to lead a life of inward stillness are self-control, love, prayer, and spiritual reading.

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

Concern for one's soul means hardship and humility, for through these God forgives us all our sins.

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

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.

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

Love and self-control purify the soul.

If you lay down rules for yourself, do not disobey yourself; for he who cheats himself is self-deluded.

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

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

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

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440-526-5192 (Phone)