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

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

Strive to love every man equally, and you will simultaneously expel all the passions.

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

The person who is unaffected by the things of this world loves stillness; and he who loves no human thing loves all men.

And pray ye without ceasing in behalf of other men. For there is in them hope of repentance that they may attain to God. See, then, that they be instructed by your works, if in no other way. Be ye meek in response to their wrath, humble in opposition to their boasting: to their blasphemies return your prayers; in contrast to their error, be ye steadfast in the faith; and for their cruelty, manifest your gentleness. While we take care not to imitate their conduct, let us be found their brethren in all true kindness; and let us seek to be followers of the Lord (who ever more unjustly treated, more destitute, more condemned? ), that so no plant of the devil may be found in you, but ye may remainin all holiness and sobriety in Jesus Christ, both with respect to the flesh and spirit.

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

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

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

A wise man is one who pays attention to himself and is quick to separate himself from all defilement.

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

Strive to love every man equally, and you will simultaneously expel all the passions.

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.

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

The intellect becomes a stranger to the things of this world when its attachment to the senses has been completely sundered.

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

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

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

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).

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

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440-526-5192 (Phone)