Quotes

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

Scriptures

One should nourish the soul with the word of God: for the word of God, as St. Gregory the Theologian says, is angelic bread, by which are nourished souls who hunger for God. Most of all, one should occupy oneself with reading the New Testament and the Psalter, which one should do standing up. From this there occurs an enlightenment in the mind, which is in the mind, which is changed by a Divine change.

St. Seraphim of Sarov

Solitude

Nothing so fills the heart with contrition and humbles the soul as solitude embraced with self-awareness, and utter silence.

St. Gregory of Sinai

Perfection

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.

Fr. Justin Popovich

Scriptures

The Scriptures were not given merely that we might have them in books, but that we might engrave them on our hearts.

St. John Chrysostom

Evil

Just as the most bitter medicine drives out poisonous things, so prayer joined to fasting drives evil thoughts away.

St. Syncletica of Alexandria

Scriptures

The ignorance of Scripture is a great cliff and a deep abyss; to know nothing of the divine laws is a great betrayal of salvation.

St. John Chrysostom

Perfection

In the future, a man shall have the degree of deification corresponding to his present perfection in spiritual stature.

St. Gregory of Sinai

Scriptures

If you love the Sender, then also love the letter which is sent from Him to you. For the word of God is given by God to me, to you, and to everyone, so that everyone who desires to be saved may receive salvation through it.

St. Tikhon of Zadonsk

Perfection

Therefore, let us force ourselves. Let us make a beginning and let us desire the good with all our heart. Because, even if we are not perfect, wanting to be, is the beginning of our salvation. From wanting we come, with God’s help, to struggling and from struggling one is helped in acquiring the virtues. This is why one of the fathers says, 'Give blood and receive spirit', that is to say, 'Struggle and you will become accustomed to virtue.'

St. Dorotheus of Gaza

Scriptures

Holy Scripture is presented to the mind’s eye like a mirror in which the appearance of our inner being can be seen.

St. Gregory the Great

Scriptures

God in His mercy gave us the Holy Scriptures that we might read them, and reading them we might fulfill what is sent by God to man, revealing His Holy Will and teaching us how to live. Consider with what attention and willingness that we ought to read God's letter to us. If an earthly king...wrote to you a letter, would you not read it with great joy? Certainly, with great rejoicing and careful attention. The King of Heaven has sent a letter to you, an earthly and mortal man; yet you almost despise such a gift, so priceless a treasure. Whenever you read the Gospel, Christ Him self is speaking to you. And while you read, you are praying and talking with Him. God speaks to man, the King of Heaven talks with the corruptible creature, the Lord holds converse with the servant. What can be more pleasant... more instructive?

St. Tikhon of Zadonsk

Solitude

A fish swiftly escapes a hook and a sensual soul shuns solitude.

St. John Climacus

Scriptures

Reading the Scriptures is a great means of security against sinning.

St. John Chrysostom

Solitude

Every man that loves God loves a quiet life.

St. Isaac the Syrian

Solitude

Nothing is better for rendering the heart penitent and the soul humble than wise solitude and complete silence.

St. Gregory of Sinai

Scriptures

Reading the scriptures is a great safeguard against sin.

St. Epiphanius, Bishop of Salamis

Evil

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

St. Thalassios the Libyan

Scriptures

A humble and spiritually active man, when he reads the Holy Scripture, will refer everything to himself and not to another.

St. Mark the Ascetic

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Nothing so fills the heart with contrition and humbles the soul as solitude embraced with self-awareness, and utter silence.

The Scriptures were not given merely that we might have them in books, but that we might engrave them on our hearts.

Just as the most bitter medicine drives out poisonous things, so prayer joined to fasting drives evil thoughts away.

The ignorance of Scripture is a great cliff and a deep abyss; to know nothing of the divine laws is a great betrayal of salvation.

In the future, a man shall have the degree of deification corresponding to his present perfection in spiritual stature.

If you love the Sender, then also love the letter which is sent from Him to you. For the word of God is given by God to me, to you, and to everyone, so that everyone who desires to be saved may receive salvation through it.

Holy Scripture is presented to the mind’s eye like a mirror in which the appearance of our inner being can be seen.

A fish swiftly escapes a hook and a sensual soul shuns solitude.

Reading the Scriptures is a great means of security against sinning.

Every man that loves God loves a quiet life.

Nothing is better for rendering the heart penitent and the soul humble than wise solitude and complete silence.

Reading the scriptures is a great safeguard against sin.

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

A humble and spiritually active man, when he reads the Holy Scripture, will refer everything to himself and not to another.

St. John of Kronstadt

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