A man who talks of virtue from the experience of his own labour transmits virtue to his hearer just as though he distributes money earned from his own commerce, and as it were from out of his own possessions he sows his teaching in the ears of those who give him ear. Such a man opens his mouth with boldness before his spiritual children.
The Ascentical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian
Homily One Number 38
Everything is won’t to run to it’s kindred; and the soul that has a share of the Spirit , on hearing a phrase that has spiritual power hidden within, ardently draws out its content on herself.
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian
Homily One – Number 26
Cover a man who stumbles, so long as your receive no harm from him, and give him encouragement; then your Master’s lovingkindness will bear you up. Support with a word the infirm, and those who are grieved at heart, in so far as this lies within your hands, then the Right Hand that sustains all will also sustain you. Through the toil of prayer and the anguish of your heart commune with those who are grieved of heart, and the Source of mercy will be opened to your petitions.
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian
Homily Two : On Thankfulness to God, In Which There Are Also Essential Elementary Lessons
The Thanksgiving of the receiver incites the Giver to give gifts greater than the first. He that returns no thanks in small matters is a dissembler and dishonest in greater ones also. If a man is ill and he recognizes his ailment, his healing will be easy. If he confesses his pain, he draws nigh its cure. There are many pangs for the unyielding heart, and the patient who resists his physician amplifies his torment. There is no unpardonable sin, save the unrepented one. Nor does any gift remain without addition, save that whites received without thanksgiving.
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian
Homily Two : On Thankfulness to God, In Which There Are Also Essential Elementary Lessons
You should rejoice because you are a daughter of Christ our God. What a great honor, and a great joy that we are called brothers of god. This indicates His great love for us. Those whom God loves are tested and those who are tested a little receive crowning honors. The Holy Spirit tells us, those who are sick, whom God loves, He witnesses to see their patience, faith and love and He will reward them greatly. He will give them the Eternal Kingdom and all the goodness of Paradise.
“Spiritual Advice of the Elder Philotheos Zervakos”
Translated by Archimandrite Polycarpos Rameras
“Do not be negligent, for prolonged indifference will diminish the light, rather study and grow strong, always asking for divine grace, having learned that your strength is in God. Have as your example every virtue so that you may hear from your Lord the sweet voice saying, “Come to me good and faithful servant, good worker in my mystical vineyard, you have been faithful in a little way, I will reward you in a great way, come forth unto the joy of your Lord.:
For you to be worthy to hear the meek voice of the Lord you must become humble. Learn from the humility of the Lord and ask for the grace of humility so that the Lord may raise you up and reward your works.”
“Spiritual Advice of the Elder Philotheos Zervakos”
Translated by Archimandrite Polycarpos Rameras
Jesus Christ did not promise us an easy time nor even a harmonious one. But He promised us a joy that no man could take from us. He promised us ultimate victory and sure place in His Kingdom. He promised us His companionship,
“Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20). That His companionship is worth more than all else, those who have experienced it know for a fact – it is the pearl without price for the possession of which a man might well sell off all that he has.
As we stand on the brink of this new year, which seems to be filled with foreboding, let us face up to whatever it may bring in a truly Christian frame of mind. That is to say, with quietude and confidence, because we trust God with all our joys and sorrows. Putting His will first, we know we have nothing to fear, even if we “walk through the valley of the shadow of death” (Psalm 23:4) for if the Lord is with us, whom shall we fear?
Let us start the new year with a cry of joy, praise and thanksgiving “Praise God in His sanctuary, praise Him in the firmament of His power… Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord” (Psalm 150:1-6)
Princess Ileana (Mother Alexandra) December 12, 1956
“Life Transfigured” A Journal of Orthodox Nuns
volume 50 #3
“…great is the mercy of God towards man. If all the people of the earth knew how deeply the Lord loves man, their hears would be filled with love of Christ and Christ’s humility, and they would seek to be like Him in all things. But man cannot do this by himself, for it is only of the Holy Spirit that he can become like unto Christ. Man that is fallen purified himself through repentance, and is made new by the grace of the Holy Spirit, and in all t things become like unto the Lord.
So great is God’s mercy towards us.”
The Writings of Staretz Silouan Wisdom from Mount Athos
page 67
“To become children of God and gods by Grace, let us always pray. All good things are given from above by the Father of Lights. If we wish to be children of God, let us entreat and pray continuously to make us worthy of such a grace.
Let our souls cling to God as the prophet David says, “my soul clings to you and my right hand upholds you” Saint Gregory the Theologian says, “remembrance of God brings us rest.” The God Bearing Maximos the Confessor writes, “The mind unified in prayer and Love of God becomes wise, good, merciful, and long-suffering, reflecting all the Divine energies in itself.”
Let us love God with all our strength and our neighbors as ourselves, that we may be worthy to be children of God and gods by Grace. Amen.”
“Spiritual Advice of the Elder Philotheos Zervakos”
Translated by Archimandrite Polycarpos Rameras
First you must consider Christ. You will ask me what need does Christ have, but the need is not His, it’s yours. Give to Him the treasure that He gave to you and He will increase it a hundred, a thousand and a million more times.
“Spiritual Advice of the Elder Philotheos Zervakos”
Translated by Archimandrite Polycarpos Rameras
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