It is clear that the restrictions of food during fasting is necessary, because, how you eat determines how you feel. The well-being of the body is connected with the well-being of the soul. Changes that produce a meatless diet are necessary in order to arrive at a more concentrated state.
- Priest Alexy Agapov
Give to the poor, so that even if you keep silent (and thousands upon thousands of mouths defend you) almsgiving will take your side and plead on your behalf. Almsgiving is the salvation of the soul. For this reason, just as wash basins are found before the church’s doors filled with water so that you may wash your hands, the poor sit outside of the church so you may wash the hands of your soul. Have you washed your physical hands with water? Wash the hands of your soul with almsgiving.
- St. John Chrysostom
For someone to teach another, he must be healthy in his soul and free of passions, there is no use in building the house of another, your own being destroyed.
- Abba Poimen
For it is impossible for love to the poor ever to remain unrewarded. Whether therefore a man gives away all his wealth, or only a part, he will certainly benefit his soul.
- St. Cyril of Alexandria
When the soul betrays itself and loses the blessed and longed-for fervor, let it carefully investigate the reason for losing it. And let it arm itself with all its longing and zeal against whatever caused this. For the former fervor can return only through the same door through which it was lost.
– St. John Climacus, “The Ladder of Divine Ascent”, Step 1, Passage 12
Examine yourself and strive to adorn it with love, humility, compassion and hope. Seek the regeneration of your soul, enlightened by the voice of the Gospel and helped by God. With fear and love for the Heavenly Father, proceed to sow the seeds of God’s word on good soil. Cultivate the talent given by Christ for the salvation of your soul.
- St. Raphael of Lesvos the Wonderworker
When patience greatly increases in our soul, it is a sign that we have secretly received the grace of consolation. The power of patience is stronger than the joyful thoughts that descend into the heart.
- St. Isaac the Syrian
Ammon complained to St. Sisoes that he could not memorize the wise sayings that he had read, to be able to quote them in conversation with others.
The Saint replied: “It is not necessary. That which is necessary is to acquire purity of mind and to speak from his purity, placing one’s hope in God.”
God helps us in what is good, while the enemy incites us to evil, but this depends also on our own wills; we must constrain ourselves to what is good, but with moderation and knowing the measure of our strength. We must study our souls to know what is salutary for us; it may be more profitable to one man to pray, for another to read or write. It is a good thing to read but it is better to pray without distraction, and better still to weep; to each as it is given to him by the Lord. To be sure, when we rise from sleep we must render thanks to God, then repent and pray our fill. Next, we should read to rest the mind, and after that pray again, and work. Grace proceeds from everything that is good, but above all from brotherly love.
- St. Silouan the Athonite
We must rise from the mournful earth to Heaven and rejoice with the angels over the salvation of a single saved soul, over a single cup of cold water given in the Name of the Lord.
- St. Elizabeth the Grand Duchess of Russia
If you want to cure your soul, you need four things. The first is to forgive your enemies. The second is to confess thoroughly. The third is to blame yourself. The fourth is to resolve to sin no more. If we wish to be saved, we must always blame ourselves and not attribute our wrong acts to others. And God, who is most compassionate, will forgive us.
- Saint Kosmas Aitolos
Repentance is the renewal of baptism. Repentance is a contract with God for a second life. A penitent is a buyer of humility. Repentance is constant distrust of bodily comfort. Repentance is self-condemning reflection, and carefree self-care. Repentance is the daughter of hope and the renunciation of despair. A penitent is an undisgraced convict. Repentance is reconciliation with the Lord by the practice of good deeds contrary to the sins. Repentance is purification of conscience. Repentance is the voluntary endurance of all afflictions. A penitent is the inflicter of his own punishments. Repentance is a mighty persecution of the stomach, and a striking of the soul into vigorous awareness.
- St. John Climacus
When the mind forgets the purpose of Christian life, then even the clear fulfillment of virtue becomes profitless.
- St. Mark the Ascetic
As bodily food fattens the body, so fasting strengthens the soul; imparting it an easy flight, it makes it able to ascend on high, to contemplate lofty things and to put the heavenly higher than the pleasant and pleasurable things of life.
- Holy Hierarch Basil the Great
Ammon complained to St. Sisoes that he could not memorize the wise sayings that he had read, to be able to quote them in conversation with others.
The Saint replied: “It is not necessary. That which is necessary is to acquire purity of mind and to speak from his purity, placing one’s hope in God.”
