“When we’re in the grace of the Holy Spirit our prayer becomes pure…”
“When we’re in the grace of the Holy Spirit our prayer becomes pure…”
“When man partakes of Holy Communion he receives power and is enlightened…”
When man partakes of Holy Communion he receives power and is enlightened, his horizons widen and he feels joy. Each person experiences something different, analogous to his disposition and the flame of his soul. One person feels joy and rest, another peace, another a spirit of devotion and another an inexpressible sympathy towards all things….
“Don’t hesitate [to come to confession]. Don’t be ashamed. Whatever you may have done…”
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)
“[The powers of darkness] are not fought with sweets and Turkish Delight…”
[The powers of darkness] are not fought with sweets and Turkish Delight, but with conduits of tears, with pain of the soul until death, with extreme humility and great patience, with unceasing painful prayer. – Elder Joseph the Hesychast (1898-1959)
“Do you know what a great gift it is that God gave us the right to speak to Him every hour and moment, wherever we are?”
Do you know what a great gift it is that God gave us the right to speak to Him every hour and moment, wherever we are? He always listens to us. This is the greatest honor we have. For this reason we must love God. – Elder Porphyrios (1906-1991)
“Never be jealous of wealth. Always live modestly and humbly, without egotism…”
Never be jealous of wealth. Always live modestly and humbly, without egotism. Egotism is a terrible sin. When you hear someone being accused, even though it may be true, never add more accusations, but always say something positive and be sorry for the person. Take care to always love the poor, the elderly, the orphans,…
“For the time being I live in a cave. I have wonderful silence. I am the luckiest of men…”
For the time being I live in a cave. I have wonderful silence. I am the luckiest of men, for I live without cares and enjoy the honey of silence unceasingly. And when grace departs for just a little, silence comes as another grace and it shelters me in its harbor. And thus, the pains…
“True happiness is not the honors and pleasures of the body. True happiness…”
True happiness is not the honors and pleasures of the body. True happiness is virtue. As many as fight to acquire virtue, to put into practice the commandments of God, these are the truly happy. – Elder Philotheos (Zervakos) (1894-1980)
“There is an electric generator, and in the room is a lamp…”
There is an electric generator, and in the room is a lamp. If, however, we don’t flip the switch, we will remain in darkness. Similarly, there is Christ and there is our soul. If, however, we don’t flip the switch of prayer, our soul will not see the light of Christ and will remain in…
“We must be very careful what we ask of God in prayer…”
We must be very careful what we ask of God in prayer, for we don’t know, when we ask for a trial and He gives it, if we’ll be able to bear it. – Elder Iakovos (Tsalikis) (1920-1991)