"He that loves (agapon) his neighbor as he ought, does not decline to be a servant to him more humbly than any slave. Just as fire, when brought into contact with wax, easily softens it, so does the warmth of love (agapes) dissolve all arrogance and presumption more powerfully than fire." St. John Chrysostom, Homily... Continue Reading →
Defining God
"God is Love. Whoever sought to define Him would be like a blind person trying to count the grains of sand on the seashore." St. John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent, Chapter 30.
Let Us Always Hold God Near
"Prayer is beautiful, making distinct for the soul a notion of God. And the indwelling good is this -- holding God settled in oneself through the memory. We thus become temples of God whenever the continuity of our memory is not interrupted by earthly worries and whenever the mind is not disturbed by unforeseen passions.... Continue Reading →
Do Not Hate Him Who is Sick with Sin
"It is not good to get angry, but if this should happen, the Apostle does not allow you a whole day for this passion, for he says: 'Let not the sun go down (Eph 4.25).' Will you wait till all your time is ended? Why hate the man who has grieved you? It is not... Continue Reading →
Is God Hearing my Prayer?
Sometimes we fall into the temptation to wonder whether God has lent His ear to our prayers or not. We are reassured by the Lord that, " Your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him (Mat 8.6)." Thus prayer is given for our benefit, not for Him Who lacks nothing.... Continue Reading →
Christ – All in All
"I share everything with Christ, spirit and body, nails and resurrection. Christ... Thou art for me my native land, my strength, my glory, my everything. Christ is my strength and my breath and the wonderful prize for my running. It is He who enables me to run well. I love Him as my purest love... Continue Reading →
Anger: That Which Torments Us
St. John Chrysostom when speaking about the anger we have towards others and the anger we continue to harbour or hold against them says, "For you suppose that you are paying him [the one who angered you] back the injury; but you are first tormenting yourself, and setting up your rage as an executioner within... Continue Reading →
Pride is Darkness
"Pride is the extreme poverty of the soul that thinks itself to be rich and mistakes darkness for light." St. John Climacus, Ladder of Divine Ascent XXIII, 23. Let us not mistake the darkness of the passions or even of ourselves as though our life lay in these things. Riches, houses, cars, bodily pleasures will... Continue Reading →
Let us Seek Quietness and Love
Always to want your own way, becoming accustomed to having it, always to seek the easy path— all this leads straight to depression. But love, quietness, and contemplation of the inner life cleanse our hearts. —Sayings of the Egyptian Fathers
You Know Not What You Need
"Do not pray for the fulfillment of your wishes, for they may not accord with the will of God. but pray as you have been taught saying: Thy will be done (cf. Luke 22.42). Always entreat Him in this way-that His will be done. For He desires what is good and profitable for you, whereas... Continue Reading →
Persevere in Prayer
"Do not be distressed if you do not at once receive from God what you ask. He wishes to give you something better-to make you persevere in your prayer. For what is better than to enjoy the love of God and to be in communion with Him? Evagrios the Solitary on Prayer, 34. Let us... Continue Reading →
Inward Solitude
"Many live on the mountains and behave as if they were living amidst the uproar of a city, and they are lost. It is possible while living amongst a crowd to be inwardly solitary, and while living alone to be inwardly beset by the crowd." Amma Syncletica from Saying of The Desert Fathers. Amma Syncletica,... Continue Reading →
An Ancient Faith For a Modern World 