June 2012
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They that seek the Lord
Rich men have turned poor and gone hungry, but they that seek the Lord shall not be deprived of any good thing.
- Psalm 33
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If children live spiritually
Parents must use discernment to help their children draw near to Christ from their early years, and from their childhood to live the joy on high—spiritual joy. When they start school they should learn, little by little, to read spiritual books to help themselves live spiritually. In this way they will become little angels, and their prayers will have greater boldness before God. Such children...
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Best secrets
When asked, “What is the greatest virtue?”, Father Euthymius of Suzdal would reply, “That which is carried out in secret.”
- Saint Euthymius, monk of Suzdal
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Thoughts on fasting
Fasting is not optional. Neither are repentance, prayer, almsgiving, preparation, asceticism, ministering to the least among us, wisely managing our time and talents and treasures, struggling to overcome our passions, and so on. They’re all related, interconnected, essential. So fast we must—to the extent that we can—without comparing ourselves to others. Still less should we engage in endless...
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Simplicity
Endeavor to attain the simplicity of a child in your relation to people and in prayer to God. Simplicity is the greatest good and dignity of a person. God is completely simple, because He is perfectly spiritual and completely good. And let not your soul be divided into good and evil.
- Saint John of Kronstadt
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Nothing is hidden from You
Lord, You know my many errors, You know my sores and You behold my wounds; but You also know my faith, You behold my will and You hear my sighs. Nothing is hidden from You oh Lord, my God, my creator and deliverer, not a teardrop nor even part of a drop.
- Saint Symeon the New Theologian
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God's love
At all times God caresses the hearts of all the people with His love, but we are not aware of it because our hearts have gathered a crust. When man has cleansed his heart, he is deeply moved and madly excited, because he can then see the benefactions, the blessings of God, Who loves all people in the same way.
- Elder Paisios of Mount Athos
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Struggle against lust
A certain monk had a struggle against defiled lusts. He got up and night and went to the elder and confessed to him the thoughts that were drawing him to defilement. The elder calmed him and the brother, have benefited, returned to his cell. But the struggle rose up against him again, and again he went to the elder. He did this a few times. The elder did not grieve him, but said,...
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For the sake of Christ
Love hunger and thirst for the sake of Christ. Insofar as you pacify your body, so much much will you do make your soul virtuous. God, who rewards thoughts, words, and deeds, will give good in return for even a small thing which you gladly suffer for His sake.
- St. Gennadius of Constantinople
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If there is no love in you
If you find that there is no love in you, but you want to have it, then do deeds of love, even though you do them without love in the beginning. The Lord will see you desire and striving and will put love in your heart.
- St. Ambrose of Optina
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If you want the Lord to hide your sins...
If you want the Lord to hide your sins, then don’t talk to people about what kind of virtues you have. For as we relate to our virtues, so God relates to our sins.
- St. Mark the Ascetic
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Do not despair
Do not say: “I have sinned much, and therefore I am not bold enough to fall down before God.” Do not despair. Simply do not increase your sins in despair and, with the help of the All-merciful One, you will not be put to shame. For He said, “he who comes to Me I will not cast out.” (John. 6:37) And so, be bold and believe that He is pure and cleanses those who draw near...
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A messenger from God
We must receive the one who curses us as a messenger from God, rebuking our hidden evil thoughts, so that we, seeing our thoughts with exactness, might correct ourselves. For we do not know how many hidden evils we have; Only a perfect man can understand all of his own shortcomings.
- St. Mark the Ascetic, Homilies
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Tomorrow we commemorate St. Peter and St. Paul!
I have to say that I always used to have a special devotion to these to Saints, as well as all the Orthodox Christians, but especially I love Saint Paul because he’s the founder of the Church in Greece.
All the Churches here in Greece are getting ready for the great feast! The bells are ringing all day long..! Every Orthodox Church in every corner of the world has many special services to...
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If this mystery were revealed...
The Saints are like the Lord, but so are all people who keep the commandments of Christ; but those who live according to their own passions and do not repent are like the devil. I think that if this mystery were revealed to the world, then they would stop serving the devil, and every one would strive to serve the Lord with all his strength, and to be like Him.
- Saint Silouan the Athonite
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What God wants
Do not be always wanting everything to turn out as you think it should, but rather as God pleases; then you will be undisturbed and thankful in your prayer.
- Abba Nilus
