Category: Church History

“Our religion is perfectly and profoundly conceived. What is simple is also what is most precious. Accordingly, in your spiritual life engage in your daily contest simply, easily, and without force. The soul is sanctified and purified through the study of the Fathers, through the memorization of the psalms and of portions of Scripture, through the singing of hymns and through the repetition of the Jesus Prayer.
Devote your efforts, therefore, to these spiritual things and ignore all the other things.”

– Saint Porphyrios (Wounded by Love)

“One of the foremost spiritual obligations that we have, both as monastics and as lay people, is to confess our sins. We must first recognize that we all sin against God, some more than others, but no one is without sins.”

– Elder Cleopa

“St. Isaac the Syrian says, ‘Preserve your inner peace at all costs and do not trade it for anything in this world.'”

– Elder Thaddeus

“A good spiritual state lies hidden within the humble condition of self-disappointment…”

– St. Paisios of Mt. Athos

“Remember, O my soul, the terrible and frightful wonder: that your Creator for your sake became Man, and deigned to suffer for the sake of your salvation. His angels tremble, the Cherubim are terrified, the Seraphim are in fear, and all the heavenly powers ceaselessly give praise; and you, unfortunate soul, remain in laziness. At least from this time forth arise and do not put off, my beloved soul, holy repentance, contrition of heart and penance for your sins.”

– St. Paisius Velichovsky