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

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

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

The man of Christ embarks upon the path of divine perfection by overcoming, with the aid of evangelical virtues, the sin and evil within him and in the world around him. He constantly marches on from one good to another, from smaller to greater, from greater to greatest. In this progress he never pauses, for any delay would bring spiritual stagnation, numbness, death. Through every pure thought, every holy sentiment, every good desire and kindly word, he progresses toward resurrection, immortality, eternal life.

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.

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

Keep your mind from malicious thoughts of your neighbors, knowing that such thoughts are hurled by diabolical power, to keep your mind from your own sins and from seeking.

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

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

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

Listlessness is an apathy of soul; and a soul becomes apathetic when sick with self-indulgence.

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).

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

All the treasures of the world are nothing to me if love is absent, all the honors of the world are lowly and dead without love. Love is for me life, light and joy. This sad world does not know this love and calls darkness light.

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

Patient endurance is the soul's struggle for virtue; where there is struggle for virtue, self-indulgence is banished.

Ascetic exertion, at the personal, family, and parish level, particularly of prayer and fasting, is the characteristic of Orthodoxy.

Keep the commandments, and you will find peace; love God, and you will attain spiritual knowledge.

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5025 E. Mill Rd
Broadview Heights, Ohio 44147

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