When we do not experience warfare, we ought so much the more to humiliate ourselves. For God seeing our weakness, protects us; when we glorify ourselves, He withdraws His protection and we are lost.
- From the Desert Fathers
Abba Theodore of Pherme asked Abba Pambo, ‘Give me a word to live by.’ And with great reluctance he said to him, ‘Go, Theodore and have compassion on all. Compassion allows us to speak freely to God.’
- Sayings of the Desert Fathers
As long as the soul loves its body it cannot love God, because the Lord said: He that loves his life shall lose it; and he that hates his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal (Jn. 12:25).
- Blessed Sarah of the Desert
Desert Hermits taught, “If there is any behavior you dislike in others, avoid it yourself. If you do not like receiving criticism, do not criticize another person. If slander upsets you, do not slander anyone. If you are troubled by aggressive, demeaning people, do not behave that way yourself.”
O God, do not leave me. I have done nothing good in Your sight, but according to Your goodness, let me now make a beginning of good.
- Abba Arsenius, “Sayings from the desert Fathers”
The Karouliotan ascetic elder Philaretos, when nearing his end, called his co-ascetic neighbor, Gabriel, to come to him and bring a pickaxe and shovel. “Brother come, my end is near. I must prepare for my trip. By your love, let us go a bit further away from my hut.” He got up with great difficulty. As they arrived at a spot between some rocks where they found some soil, Elder Philaretos lay down. “Here is the place where my grave is going to be. Measure it and dig it, to be ready.” Father Gabriel marked the measurements on the ground and started digging.
About a week later Father Philaretos, the friend of the desert and of virtue, departed from this temporary life.
from An Athonite Gerontikon
