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

I consider those fallen mourners more blessed than those who have not fallen and are not mourning over themselves; because as a result of their fall, they have risen by a sure resurrection.

If, wishing to correct another, you are moved to anger, you gratify your own passion. Do not lose yourself in order to save another.

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...

Satiety of the stomach dries the tear sprints, but the stomach when dried produces these waters.

Fear is a rehearsing of danger beforehand; or again, fear is a trembling sensation of the heart, alarmed and troubled by unknown misfortunes. Fear is a loss of assurance.

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

It is not safe to swim in one's clothes, nor should a slave of passion touch theology.

Control your appetites before they control you.

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

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.

The lover of silence draws close to God. He talks to Him in secret and God enlightens him.

Be concentrated without self-display, withdrawn into your heart. For the demons fear concentration as thieves fear dogs.

Meekness is the fellow-worker of obedience, the guide of the brotherhood, a bridle for the enraged, a check to the irritable, a minister of joy, the imitation of Christ, something proper to angels, shackles for demons, a shield against bitterness.

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

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

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.

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

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

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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)