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

A holy man told us one day, that the source of all heresies and schisms in the church was, loving God too little, and ourselves too much.

Do not judge one another, for you transgress the evangelical law, and 'every transgression and disobedience received a just retribution' (Heb. 2:2). 'Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another?' (Rom. 14:4). Do you not know that the one who passes judgment goes astray through pride, and that everyone who exalts himself will be humbled (Luke 14:11) by the Lord, when temptation seizes him?

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

If something pushes you to criticism about some business or other of a brother or of a monastery, you, rather, try to pray about the matter, without passing it under judgment of your reason.

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

Reading and spiritual knowledge are good, but only when they lead to greater humility.

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

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

Please put this commandment into practice. Cultivate love towards the Person of Christ to such an extent that, when you pronounce His name, tears fall from your eyes. Your heart must really burn. Then He will become your teacher. He will be your Guide, your Brother, your Father, and your Elder.

He who fears God will pay careful attention to his soul and will free himself from communion with evil.

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

Keep close to Jesus.

Patient endurance is the soul's struggle for virtue; where there is struggle for virtue, self-indulgence is banished.

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

Such are the souls of the saints: they love their enemies more than themselves, and in this age and in the age to come they put their neighbor first in all things, even though because of his ill-will he may be their enemy.

A holy man told us one day, that the source of all heresies and schisms in the church was, loving God too little, and ourselves too much.

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

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

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

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440-526-5192 (Phone)