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

The feeding of the needy is the purchase money of the heavenly kingdom and the free dispenser of things temporal is made the heir of things eternal.

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

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

The person who is unaffected by the things of this world loves stillness; and he who loves no human thing loves all men.

For forgiveness of sins is most efficaciously prayed for with almsgiving and fasting, and supplications that are winged by such aids mount swiftly to God’s ears; since it is written, 'the merciful man doeth good to his own soul' (Prov. xi. 17), and nothing is so much a man’s own as that which he spends on his neighbor. For that part of his material possessions with which he ministers to the needy, is transformed into eternal riches, and such wealth is begotten of this bountifulness as can never be diminished or in any way destroyed, for 'blessed are the merciful, for God shall have mercy on them' (Matt. v.7), and He himself shall be their chief Reward, who is the Model of His own command.

Let no one be ashamed of the Cross of Christ, through which He redeemed the world.

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

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

The nature then of Christ's teaching is attested by His own holy statements: that they who wish to arrive at eternal blessedness may understand the steps of ascent to that high happiness. 'Blessed,' He saith, 'are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.' It would perhaps be doubtful what poor He was speaking of, if in saying 'blessed are the poor' He had added nothing which would explain the sort of poor: and then that poverty by itself would appear sufficient to win the kingdom of heaven which many suffer from hard and heavy necessity. But when He says 'blessed are the poor in spirit,' He shows that the kingdom of heaven must be assigned to those who are recommended by the humility of their spirits rather than by the smallness of their means.

Concern for one's soul means hardship and humility, for through these God forgives us all our sins.

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

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

The right practice of abstinence is needful not only to the mortification of the flesh but also to the purification of the mind. For the mind then only keeps holy and spiritual fast when it rejects the food of error and the poison of falsehood.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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440-526-5192 (Phone)