Quotes

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

Vocation

Strive to walk worthily of the vocation to which you were called.

St. Philotheus of Sinai

Commandments

The roof of any house stands upon the foundations and the rest of the structure. The foundations themselves are laid in order to carry the roof. This is both useful and necessary, for the roof cannot stand without the foundations and the foundations are absolutely useless without the roof-- no help to any living creature. In the same way the grace of God is preserved by the practice of the commandments, and the observance of these commandments is laid down like foundations through the gift of God. The grace of the Spirit cannot remain with us without the practice of the commandments, but the practice of the commandments is of no help or advantage to us without the grace of God.

St. Symeon the New Theologian

Tears

In truth, the moisture in the eyes drains the anger in the heart.

St. Nikolai Velimirovic

Tears

God is visiting you when tears come during prayer.

Elder Amphilochios Makris

Tears

Such tears should be preserved... because they have great power and action in destroying and uprooting sins and passions.

St. Nilus of Sora

Tears

For weeping delivers us from eternal fire and other future punishments, so the Fathers say.

St. Nilus of Sora

Tears

Only the tears of repentance are able to cleanse the soul.

St. Anthimos of Chios

Tears

God, the Word, made man for the salvation of our race, aware of the exceeding frailty and misery of our nature, hath not even here suffered our sickness to be without remedy. But like a skillful doctor, he hath mixed for our unsteady and sin loving heart the potion of repentance, prescribing this for the remission of sins. For after we have received the knowledge of the truth, and have been sanctified by water and the Spirit, and cleansed without effort from all sin and all defilement, if we should happen to fall into any transgression, there is, it is true, no second regeneration made within us by the Spirit through baptism in the water of the font, and wholly recreating us (that gift is given once for all); but, by means of painful repentance, hot tears, toils and sweats, there is a purifying and pardoning of our offences through the tender mercy of our God. For the fount of tears is also called baptism, according to the grace of the Master.

St. John of Damascus

Silence

If you pile up on one side of the scales all the works demanded by ascetic life, and on the other side-silence, you will find that the latter outweighs the former. Many good counsels have been given us, but if a man embraces silence, to follow them will become superfluous.

St. Isaac the Syrian

Tears

As writing is washed out by water, so sins can be washed out by tears.

St. John Climacus

Silence

Having withdrawn from the palace to the solitary life, Abba Arsenius prayed and heard a voice saying to him, 'Arsenius, flee, be silent, pray always, for these are the source of sinlessness.'

The Desert Fathers

Tears

Thus should we weep for the forgiveness of our sins. The words of the bearer of the purple should convince us of this: 'Going they went and wept, casting their seed; but coming they shall come with joyfulness, carrying their sheaves (Ps. 125:6);' as well as the words of St. Isaac the Syrian: 'Moisten your cheeks with the tears of your eyes, that the Holy Spirit may abide in you, and cleanse the filth of your malice. Move your lord with your tears, that He may help you' (homily 68).

St. Seraphim of Sarov

Silence

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

St. John Climacus

Silence

Silence of the lips is better and more wonderful than any edifying conversation. Our fathers embraced it with reverence and were glorified through it.

St. Barsanuphius the Great, St. John the Prophet

Tears

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.

St. Syncletica

Commandments

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

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Strive to walk worthily of the vocation to which you were called.

In truth, the moisture in the eyes drains the anger in the heart.

God is visiting you when tears come during prayer.

Such tears should be preserved... because they have great power and action in destroying and uprooting sins and passions.

For weeping delivers us from eternal fire and other future punishments, so the Fathers say.

Only the tears of repentance are able to cleanse the soul.

If you pile up on one side of the scales all the works demanded by ascetic life, and on the other side-silence, you will find that the latter outweighs the former. Many good counsels have been given us, but if a man embraces silence, to follow them will become superfluous.

As writing is washed out by water, so sins can be washed out by tears.

Having withdrawn from the palace to the solitary life, Abba Arsenius prayed and heard a voice saying to him, 'Arsenius, flee, be silent, pray always, for these are the source of sinlessness.'

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

Silence of the lips is better and more wonderful than any edifying conversation. Our fathers embraced it with reverence and were glorified through it.

St. Barsanuphius the Great, St. John the Prophet

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

Apt silence bridles anger.

Above all pray for the gift of tears...

"Whence is it that we are Christians? Through our faith, would be the universal answer. And in what way are we saved? Plainly because we were regenerate through the grace given in our baptism."

St. Basil the Great

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