Category: Church History

“Who gives you the day will give you also the things necessary for the day.”

– Saint Gregory of Nyssa

“Run, I beseech you, with him who said: Let us hasten until we attain to the unity of faith and the knowledge of God, unto a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the
fullness of Christ…”

– Saint John Climacus
(The Ladder of Divine Ascent, A Brief Exhortation, p 248)

“None is worthy among those bound with carnal desires and pleasures to approach or draw nigh or to minister to Thee, O King of glory, for to serve Thee is a great and fearful thing even unto the heavenly Powers.”

– Saint Basil the Great
(Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil)

“This life has been given to you for repentance;
do not waste it in vain pursuits.”

– Saint Isaac the Syrian

“Everyone must recognize that a man who attempts to dishonor an image which has been set up for the glory and remembrance of Christ, of His holy Mother, or one of His saints, is an enemy of Christ, of His holy Mother, and the saints .”

– Saint John of Damascene
(On Holy Images Part III)

“He gave us divinity, we gave Him humanity.”

– Saint Ephrem the Syrian
(Hymn on Faith v17)

“We should devote all our efforts for the benefit of our souls. We should strengthen our bodies only so that they might aid us in strengthening our souls…”

– Saint Seraphim of Sarov
(The Joy of the Holy)

“Come, wretched soul, with your flesh, confess to the Creator of all. In the future refrain from you former brutishness, and offer to God tears of repentance.”

– Saint Andrew of Crete
(The Great Canon)

“But let our leader in the discourse be my Christ (if thus I dare name Him) who inspires all hierarchical revelation…The aim of Hierarchy is the greatest possible assimilation to and union with God, and by taking Him as leader in all holy wisdom, to become like Him, so far as is permitted, by contemplating intently His most Divine Beauty.”

– Saint Dionysius
(The Celestial Hierarchy)

“Christian service fills the spirit with reverence, love and humility.”

– Fr Matthew the Poor
(If you Love Me)

“Do not despair…Had you not lived piously and endeavored to become united to God, the enemy would not have attacked and tormented you.”

– Saint John of Kronstadt
(from My Life in Christ)