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

A fish swiftly escapes a hook and a sensual soul shuns solitude.

Let us monks, then, be as trustful as the birds are; for they have no cares, neither do they gather into barns.

Those who live in obedience are strangers to love of money. For where even the body has been given up, what is left to be one's own? Only in one way can they be harmed, namely by being ready and quick to go from place to place. I have seen material possessions make monks patient to remain in one place. But I praise those who are pilgrims for the Lord.

For by prayer we obtain the divine favor, by fasting we extinguish the concupiscences of the flesh, by almsgiving sins are redeemed (Dan. iv. 24); and by all three together, the image of God is renewed in us, provided that we are ever ready in His praise, eager without ceasing for our own purification, and disposed at all times to assist our neighbor.

People of high spirit bear offence nobly and gladly, but only the holy and righteous can pass through praise without harm.

As galloping horses race one another, so a good community excites mutual fervor.

A vigilant monk is a foe to fornication, but a sleepy one is its mate.

As a ray of sun, passing through a crack, lights everything in the house and shows up even the finest dust, so the fear of the Lord, entering a man's heart, reveals to him all his sins.

We must with unflagging zeal and care give ourselves to the pursuit of virtue, and constantly occupy ourselves in its practice, lest at any time progress may cease, and regress immediately take its place.... To cease to acquire means to lose, for the will which goes no longer forward will not be far from peril of falling back.

Do not be surprised that you fall every day; do not give up, but stand your ground courageously. And assuredly, the angel who guards you will honor your patience.

In the hearts of the meek the Lord finds rest, but a turbulent soul is a seat of the devil.

Love, by its nature, is a resemblance to God, insofar as this is humanly possible. In its activity it is inebriation of the soul. Its distinctive character is to be a fountain of faith, an abyss of patience, a sea of humility.

If you do not learn to deny yourself, you can make no progress in perfection.

There is nothing more efficacious against the wiles of the devil, dearly beloved, than the kindness of forgiveness, and the bountifulness in charity, by means of which sin is either avoided or overcome.

Meekness is a rock overlooking the sea of anger, which breaks all the waves that dash against it, yet remains completely unmoved.

God-fearing sorrow mourns either its own sins, or those of others.

Repentance raises the fallen, mourning knocks at the gate of Heaven, and holy humility opens it.

Patience is an unbroken labor of the soul which is never shaken by deserved or undeserved blows.

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

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440-526-5192 (Phone)