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

As the gradual pouring of water on a fire completely extinguishes the flame, so the tears of mourning are able to quench every flame of anger and irritability. Therefore, we place this next in order. (after mourning).

Do not condemn, even if you see with your eyes, for they are often deceived.

He who has obtained the fear of the Lord has forsaken lying, having within himself an incorruptible judge – his own conscience.

Do not trust that because of abstinence you will not fall. One who had never eaten was cast from Heaven.

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

Meekness is an unchangeable state of mind, which remains the same in honor and dishonor.

It is a great work to shake from the soul the praise of men, but to reject the praise of demons is greater.

In the beginning, there is struggle and a lot of work for those who come near to God. But after that, there is indescribable joy. It is just like building a fire: at first it's smoky and your eyes water, but later you get the desired result. Thus we ought to light the divine fire in ourselves with tears and effort.

Imitate the Publican and you will not be condemned with the Pharisee. Choose the meekness of Moses and you will find your heart which is a rock changed into a spring of water.

Until we have acquired true prayer, we are like those who introduce children to walking. Make the effort to raise up, or rather, to enclose your mind within the words of your prayer; and if, like a child, it gets tired and falters, raise it up again. The mind, after all, is naturally unstable, but the God Who can do everything can also give it firm endurance. Persevere in this, therefore, and do not grow weary...

Meekness consists in praying calmly and sincerely for a neighbor when he causes many turmoils.

Let your very dress urge you to the work of mourning, because all who lament the dead are dressed in black. If you do not mourn, mourn for this cause. And if you mourn, lament still more that, by your sins, you have brought yourself down from a state free of labors to one of labor.

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

He who has become aware of his sins has controlled his tongue, but a talkative person has not yet come to know himself as he should.

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

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.

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.

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

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440-526-5192 (Phone)