Spiritual Writings

By the Holy Fathers

There is need not only of faith,

but also of a spiritual way of life…

that we may keep the Spirit

that was given

once for all.

St. John Chrysostom

Sometimes we do not see any outlet,

any escape from our sins,

and they torment us:

on account of them, the heart

is oppressed with sorrow and weary.

But Jesus looks upon us

and streams of tears

flow from our eyes,

and with tears

all the tissue of evil

in our soul vanishes.

We weep with joy

that such mercy

has suddenly and unexpectedly

been sent to us.

St. John of Kronstadt

z

The virtue opposed to pride

is humility.

Even the Most Holy Theotokos

says of herself,

For He hath regarded

the low estate

of His handmaiden… Luke 1:48

St. Tikon of Zadonsk

z

The devil, who out of hatred

and envy does not like

to see a person

spiritually happy,

stirs up everything

in order to cause bitterness

and poison.

Let us keep striving

to produce self-consolation

through spiritual means...

Elder Ephraim of the Holy Mountain

z

When you are walking somewhere,

think at each step

that every stride

takes you nearer

the grave.

St. Theophan the Recluse

z

It is of great significance

if there is a person who truly prays

in a family.

Prayer attracts God's Grace

and all the members of the family

feel it,

even those whose hearts have

grown cold.  Pray always.

Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica

z

Repentance is given us

as grace after grace,

for repentance is a

second regeneration by God.

That of which we have received

an earnest by baptism,

we receive as a gift

by means of repentance.

Repentance is the door

of mercy,

opened to those who seek it.

By this door

we enter into the mercy of God...

St. Isaac the Syrian

z

He who has realized

love for God

in his heart

is tireless in his pursuit

of the Lord his God,

and bears every hardship,

reproach, and

insult nobly,

never thinking the

least evil of anyone.

St. Maximos the Confessor

z

It was through whispering

that the serpent

drove Eve out of Paradise,

so he who speaks against

his neighbor

will be like the serpent,

for he corrupts the soul

of him who listens to him

and he does not save his own soul.

St. Hyperechius of Egypt

z

We should always say the Jesus Prayer...

Lord Jesus Christ,

Son of God,

Have mercy on me

A sinner.

z