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

Fear of the Lord conquers desire, and distress that accords with God's will repulses 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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

A treasure that is known is quickly spent: and even so any virtue that is commented on and made a public show of is destroyed. Even as wax is melted before the face of fire, so is the soul enfeebled by praise, and loses the toughness of its virtue.

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

He who fears God will pay careful attention to his soul and will free himself from communion with evil.

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

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

According to the degree to which the intellect is stripped of the passions, the Holy Spirit initiates the intellect into the mysteries of the age to be.

Struggle until death to fulfill the commandments: purified through them, you will enter into life.

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

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

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