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

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

The soul's health consists in dispassion and spiritual knowledge; no slave to sensual pleasure can attain it.

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).

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

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

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.

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.

Self-love -- that is, friendship for the body -- is the source of evil in the soul.

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.

Spiritual freedom is release from the passions; without Christ’s mercy you cannot attain it.

Ignorance of the scriptures is a precipice and a deep abyss.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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[email protected]
440-526-5192 (Phone)