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

The person who listens to Christ fills himself with light; and if he imitates Christ, he reclaims himself.

I think that for those living in community obedience is a greater virtue than chastity, however perfect. Chastity carries within it the danger of pride, but obedience has within it the promise of humility.

It is an insult to the intelligence to be subject to what lacks intelligence and to concern itself with shameful desires.

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

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

The lower you descend, the higher you ascend; and when, like the psalmist, you regard yourself as nothing before the Lord (cf. Ps. 39:5), then imperceptibly you will grow great. And when you begin to realize that you have nothing and know nothing, then you will become rich in the Lord through the practice of the virtues and spiritual knowledge.

Imitate the Publican and you will not be condemned with the Pharisee. Choose the meekness of Moses and you will find your heart which is a rock changed into a spring of water.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

Strive to love every man equally, and you will simultaneously expel all the passions.

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

The soul's health consists in dispassion and spiritual knowledge; no slave to sensual pleasure can attain it.

In the beginning there are a great many battles and a good deal of suffering for those who are advancing towards God and afterwards, ineffable joy. It is like those who wish to light a fire; at first they are choked by the smoke and cry, and by this means obtain what they seek -- as it is said, 'Our God is a consuming fire' -- so we also must kindle the divine fire in ourselves through tears and hard work.

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

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

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440-526-5192 (Phone)