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

BROTHER: Behold, through what have the men of old triumphed? OLD MAN: Through the fervor of their supernatural love, and through the death of the corruptible man, and through the contempt for pride, and through the abatement of the belly, and through the fear of the judgement, and through the promise of certainty; through the desire for these glorious things the fathers have acquired in the soul the spiritual body.

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

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

Repentance signifies regret, change of mind. The distinguishing marks of repentance are contrition, tears, aversion towards sin, and love of the good.

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

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

The Church Fathers regard Sacred Tradition as the safe guide in the interpretation of Holy Scripture and absolutely necessary for understanding the truths contained in the Holy Scripture. The Church received many traditions from the Apostles... The constitution of the church services, especially of the Divine Liturgy, the holy Mysteria themselves and the manner of performing them, certain prayers and other institutions of the Church go back to the Sacred Tradition of the Apostles.

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

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

The person who listens to Christ fills himself with light; and if he imitates Christ, he reclaims himself.

We are sons of God or of Satan according to whether we conform to goodness or to evil.

He who does not know himself does not know God, either. And he who does not know God does not know the truth and the nature of things in general.

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

Pray before your body takes rest on your bed... If you are tempted, make the Sign (of the Cross) on your forehead reverently… for this is a known and tested weapon against the Devil.

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

O monk, take thou the greatest possible care that thou sin not, lest thou disgrace God Who dwelleth in thee, and thou drive Him out of thy soul.

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

BROTHER: Who is the true monk? OLD MAN: He who makes his word manifest in deeds, and bears his passion with patient endurance; with such a man life is found, and the knowledge of the spirit dwells in him.

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

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440-526-5192 (Phone)