Let us not expect the spiritual spring if we don’t first pass through the spiritual winter during which the spiritual vermin die. We mustn’t expect the divine to blossom within us if the human hasn’t first died.
– Elder Paisios (Eznepidis) the Athonite (1924-1994)
At the beginning of my priestly life in the monastery the celebration of a daily liturgy was added to the typikon of the daily services. In the deep morning we would begin the service, and before the sun had risen completely we would finish the liturgy. Partaking thus daily of the Immaculate Mysteries, I felt…
The world has abandoned innocence and goodness. Every day it takes care to head toward evil. The more years pass it heads [increasingly] toward catastrophe and God doesn’t want this. – Elder George of Drama (1901-1959)
There are those who have soft souls and are easily convinced. There are also those who have hard souls and don’t yield easily. The difference is as great as that between cotton and iron. The cotton requires only an anointing with words. The iron requires fire and a furnace of temptation to be worked. The…
“[Worship] is the goal of life, and, if we reach it, we do not need anything else to attain the sought for joy.” —Saint Nicholas Kavasilas, On the Life in Christ
I ask you to put this order into practice: as much as you can, try to cultivate your love toward Christ’s own person. You must reach the point that whenever you mention His name, tears run from your eyes. Your hearts must be truly ablaze. Then He will be your Teacher, your Guide, your Brother,…
Don’t hesitate [to come to confession]. Don’t be ashamed. Whatever you may have done, even the greatest of sins, the spiritual father has power from the Lord Christ Himself and from the Apostles to forgive you with his stole. – Elder Iakovos (Tsalikis) (1920-1991)
