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longing for God extinguished longing for parents. and so anyone who says he has both is deceiving himself. he should listen to Him Who says “no one can serve two lords”
saint john climacus
step 3 :: on exile or pilgrimage :: no. 16
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do all the good you can
do not speak evil of anyone
do not steal from anyone
do not lie to anyone
do not be arrogant toward anyone
do not hate anyone
do not be absent from the Divine Services
be compassionate to the needy
do not offend anyone
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Saint John Climacus
the ladder of divine ascent
step 1 :: on renunciation of the world :: no. 21
A man does not cease to feel pain because he has seen God. On the contrary, God’s presence is often felt in the midst of great agony, in the midst of great pain, in moments of great loss and failure, for he who would lose his life for My sake shall find it (Matt 16:25).
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Elder Aemilianos of Simonopetra
Psalms and the Life of Faith
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Each person must bear the weaknesses of others.
Who is perfect?
Who can boast that he has kept his heart undefiled?
Hence we are all sick, and whoever condemns his brother does not perceive that he, himself, is sick, because a sick person does not condemn another sick person.
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Elder Ephraim of Philothoeu