“How can it be other than right to worship the Body of the Lord, all-holy and all-reverend as it is, announced as it was by the archangel Gabriel, formed by the Holy Spirit, and made the Vesture of the Word? It was at any rate a bodily hand that the Word stretched out to raise her that was sick of a fever (Mk. 1:31): a human voice that He uttered to raise Lazarus - the dead (Jn. 11:43); and, once again, stretching out His hands upon the Cross, He overthrew the prince of the power of the air, that now works (Eph. 2:2) in the sons of disobedience, and made the way clear for us into the heavens.” WayHumansMadeBodyHandsChristianSpiritHeavenVoiceLordClearAirSonHolyWorshipCrossesSickRaisesRateHoly SpiritOrthodoxDisobedienceFeverOrthodox ChristianStretchingGabrielArchangelHuman VoiceReverendsLazarus Author:John of Kronstadt
“Do not be despondent when fighting against the incorporeal enemy, but even in the midst of your afflictions and oppression praise the Lord, Who has found you worthy to suffer for Him, by struggling against the subtlety of the serpent, and to be wounded for Him at every hour; for had you not lived piously, and endeavored to become united to God, the enemy would not have attacked and tormented you.” ChristianSufferingFightingFoundHoursUnitedLordEnemyStrugglePraiseWorthyOppressionMidstWoundedAfflictionSubtletySerpentFound YouDespondentPraise The Lord Author:John of Kronstadt
“Never confuse the person, formed in the image of God, with the evil that is in him: because evil is but a chance misfortune, an illness, a devilish reverie. But the very essence of the person is the image of God, and this remains in him despite every disfigurement.” PersonsChristianEvilChanceEssenceRemainsIllnessDespiteOrthodoxMisfortunesGod ImageReverieDevilishDisfigurement Author:John of Kronstadt
“A man becomes spiritual insofar as he lives a spiritual life. He begins to see God in all things, to see His power and might in every manifestation. Always and everywhere he sees himself abiding in God and dependent on God for all things. But insofar as a man lives a bodily life, so much he does he do bodily things; He doesn't see God in anything, even in the the most wondrous manifestations of His Divine power. In all things he sees body, material, everywhere and always - "God is not before his eyes." (Ps. 35:2)” MenInspirationalDoeBodyMightEyeChristianSpiritualReligiousDivineMaterialsAll ThingsManifestationHis EyesDependentOrthodoxSpiritual LifeAbidingWondrousDivine Power Author:John of Kronstadt
“Do not lose your temper with those who sin. Do not have a passion for noticing every sin in your neighbor and judging it, as we usually do. Everyone will give an answer for himself before God. Especially, do not look with evil intention on the sins of those older than you, with whom you have no business. But correct your own sins, your own heart.” InspirationalGivingLooksHeartChristianPassionEvilLosesReligiousSinAnswersJudgingIntentionNeighborOrthodoxTemperNoticing Author:John of Kronstadt
“Everything that breathes, breathes by air and cannot live without air; similarly all reasonable free creatures live by the Holy Spirit, as though by air, and cannot live without Him. "Every soul is quickened by the Holy Spirit." Recognise that the Holy Spirit stands in the same relation to your soul as air stands in relation to your body.” SoulBodySpiritAirHolyCreaturesRelationBreatheYour BodyYour SoulHoly SpiritReasonableLive ByRecognise Author:John of Kronstadt
“The Saviour and the Comforter, two Persons of the Godhead: the One ever saves from sins, and the Other comforts him who is saved. Their very names are taken from their deeds, and are always actually justified. He comforts! The Holy Spirit comforts the believing soul, as a mother comforts her child.” BelieveChildrenPersonsTwoSoulSpiritMotherNamesSinTakenHolyComfortDeedsSavedHoly SpiritJustifiedSaviourComforter Author:John of Kronstadt
“A man who is wrathful with us is a sick man; we must apply a plaster to his heart - love; we must treat him kindly, speak to him gently, lovingly. And if there is not deeply-rooted malice against us within him, but only a temporary fit of anger, you will see how his heart, or his malice, will melt away through your kindness and love - how good will conquer evil. A Christian must always be kind, gracious, and wise in order to conquer evil by good.” IfsMenHeartKindChristianOrderEvilSpeakKindnessWiseFitForgivenessAnd LoveTreatsSickConquerOrthodoxTemporaryBe KindRootedGood WillMaliceGraciousOrthodox ChristianHeart LovePlastersSick Man Author:John of Kronstadt
“Our wickedness shall not overpower the unspeakable goodness and mercy of God; our dullness shall not overpower God's wisdom, nor our infirmity God's omnipotence.” ChristianGoodnessForgivenessMercyOrthodoxWickednessOrthodox ChristianUnspeakableInfirmityOmnipotenceDullnessMercy Of God Author:John of Kronstadt
“You are angry with your neighbor, you despise him, do not like to speak peaceably and lovingly to him, because there is something harsh, abrupt, careless, unpleasant to you in his character, in his speech, in his manners-because he is more conscious of his dignity than perhaps is necessary; or because he may be somewhat proud and disrespectful; but you yourself, your neighbor's physician and teacher, are more guilty than him.” MayCharacterSpeakTeacherHumilityProudSpeechConsciousDignityAngryNeighborGuiltyMannersDespisePhysiciansHarshCarelessDisrespectful Author:John of Kronstadt
“Physician, heal thyself. Teacher, teach yourself.” TeachTeacherHumilityHealPhysiciansThyself Author:John of Kronstadt
“Your own malice is the bitterest of all evils. Is it then possible to correct malice by means of evil? Having a beam in your own eye, can you pull out the mote from the eye of another?” MeanEyeEvilHumilityMaliceBeam Author:John of Kronstadt
“Evil and faults are corrected by good, by love, kindness, meekness, humility, and patience.” EvilKindnessHumilityFaultsMeeknessKindness And PatienceHumility And Patience Author:John of Kronstadt
“How will it be with us in the future life, when everything that has gratified us in this world: riches, honors, food and drink, dress, beautifully furnished dwellings, and all attractive objects-how will it be, I say, when all these things leave us-when they will all seem to us a dream, and when works of faith and virtue, of abstinence, purity, meekness, humility, mercy, patience, obedience, and others will be required of us?” WorldDreamSeemsVirtueObjectsThis WorldHumilityHonorDrinkMercyDressesRichesObedienceAttractivePurityDwellingAbstinenceMeeknessFood And DrinkFuture Life Author:John of Kronstadt
“It is necessary to rouse the heart to pray, otherwise it will become quite dry. The attributes of prayer must be: love of God, sincerity, and simplicity.” HeartPrayerPrayingSimplicityGod LoveDrySincerityAttributesAnswers To Prayer Author:John of Kronstadt
“...people mostly pray as if there were no God with them, or as if He did not heed their prayers. Let us ascribe to the Lord at least the same amount of attention that good parents show to the requests of their children, at least that provident and attentive love which good parents have for their children.” PeopleIfsChildrenShowsParentPrayerAttentionLordAmountPrayingRequestHeedGood Parent Author:John of Kronstadt
“When you say a prayer, He (The Holy Spirit) is in every word of it, and like a Holy Fire, penetrates each word.” SpiritPrayerFireHolyHoly SpiritPenetrate Author:John of Kronstadt
“When you are praying alone, and your spirit is dejected, and you are wearied and oppressed by your loneliness, remember then, as always, that God the Trinity looks upon you with eyes brighter than the sun; also all the angels, your own Guardian Angel, and all the Saints of God.” LooksEyeRememberSpiritPrayerSunLonelinessPrayingAngelSaintLook UpOppressedGuardianBrighterPraying To GodTrinityGuardian AngelDejected Author:John of Kronstadt
“Christ is our hope, our cleansing and santification, our resurrection, life and repose. He alone is what we all need, and therefore, the Orthodox Church constantaly pronounces these words aloud so that we may hear them during Holy Services of the Church, and be constantly renewed. For we are inclined to forget the only thing we need. With death all will be taken from us, all earthly goods, riches, beauty of body and raiment, spacious dwellings, etc., but the virtue of the soul, that incorruptible raiment, shall remain with us eternally.” LifeNeedsMaySoulBodyChristChurchForgetHealingVirtueTakenHolyRichesEtcOrthodoxGoodsResurrectionDwellingReposeCleansingOrthodox Church Author:John of Kronstadt
“Love every man in spite of his falling into sin. Never mind the sins, but remember that the foundation of the man is the same - the image of God.” MenMindChristianRememberFallSinHe ManFoundationEvery ManSpiteOrthodoxOrthodox ChristianGod Image Author:John of Kronstadt
“The man who is poor in spirit desires and says with his whole heart, Hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth. It is as though he himself disappears; everywhere and in everything he wishes to see God-in himself and in others. 'Let everything by Thine, not mine.'” MenHeartDoneWholeEarthSpiritDesireNamesHeavenWishPoorMinesHe ManDisappearKingdomsDenialSelf-denialKingdom ComeThy Will Be DonePoor In Spirit Author:John of Kronstadt
“Every man on earth is sick with the fever of sin, with the blindness of sin and is overcome with its fury. As sins consist mostly of malice and pride, it is necessary to treat everyone who suffers from the malady of sin with kindness and love. This is an important truth, which we often forget. Very often we act in the opposite manner: we add malice to malice by our anger, we oppose pride with pride. Thus, evil grows within us and does not decrease; it is not cured - rather it spreads” MenDoeImportantEarthSufferingEvilGrowsSinForgetKindnessPrideOppositesAnd LoveTreatsOvercomingSickAddSpreadEvery ManBlindnessFuryMaliceFeverDecreaseMalady Author:John of Kronstadt
“Do not be irritated either with those who sin or those who offend; do not have a passion for noticing every sin in your neighbour, and for judging him, as we are in the habit of doing. Everyone shall give an answer to God for himself. Everyone has a conscience; everyone hears God's Word, and knows God's Will either from books or from conversation with other people. Especially do not look with evil intention upon the sins of your elders, which do not regard you; "to his own master he standeth or falleth." Correct your own sins, amend your own life.” PeopleKnowsGivingLooksBookChristianPassionEvilSinAnswersJudgingMastersHabitConversationConscienceRegardIntentionGods WillOrthodoxEldersKnowing GodNeighbourNoticingIrritated Author:John of Kronstadt
“It would seem, after this, that even when living upon earth we must live as if in the heavenly kingdom, dwelling there in anticipation by hope. But in reality, for the greater part, the contrary is the case. Men cling with their whole being to the earth and everything earthly.” IfsMenWholeRealitySeemsEarthCasesGreaterContraryKingdomsHeavenlyAnticipationAdulteryDwelling Author:John of Kronstadt
“Wherefore is this? Because our common enemy, the Devil, endeavours with all his might to oppose the intentions of the God-man, Christ. He endeavours to do everything in opposition to what Christ did and does.” MenDoeMightChristCommonEnemyDevilIntentionOppositionAdulteryEndeavourCommon Enemy Author:John of Kronstadt
“Christ wishes to raise men up to heaven, and has given them all the means to attain this; whilst the Devil, who himself for his pride was cast down from heaven into the dominions of the air, wishes by every means to attach men to earthly,- sensual, transitory things, and, in order to attain this end, he employs the most powerful, most prodigious means.” MenMeanEndsOrderGivenHeavenWishChristPowerfulAirPrideDevilRaisesCastsSensualMost PowerfulAdulteryDominionTransitoryVery MeanProdigious Author:John of Kronstadt
“Christ taught us truth; the Devil teaches us falsehood, and strives in every way to contradict every truth; devising various calumnies against it.” WayChristTeachTaughtDevilStriveVariousFalsehoodStrifeAdulteryTaught UsCalumnyDevising Author:John of Kronstadt
“The Devil endeavours by every means to keep men in error, in the enticement of the passions, in darkness of mind and heart; in pride, avarice, covetousness, envy, hatred, wicked impatience and irritation; in evil despondence, in the abominations of fornication, adultery, theft, false-witness, blasphemy, negligence, slothfulness, and sluggishness.” MenMindHeartMeanPassionEvilDarknessPrideDevilHatredErrorsEnvyWitnessWickedHeart And MindAdulteryTheftImpatienceAvariceEndeavourBlasphemyIrritationCovetousnessNegligenceVery MeanAbominationEnticementFalse WitnessSlothfulness Author:John of Kronstadt
“Do not despise any man, however poor he may be; but behave with full respect and kindness to every well-intentioned man, especially to the poor, as to our members worthy of compassion - or, rather, to members of Christ - otherwise you will cruelly wound your soul.” MenWellsMaySoulChristPoorCompassionKindnessMembersIntentionWorthyWoundsYour SoulBehaveDespiseGood IntentionsRespect And Kindness Author:John of Kronstadt
“O, how easy it would appear to be to live in simplicity and love, and yet how difficult it is for our corrupt hearts to live in love!” HeartEasyDifficultAnd LoveIntentionSimplicityGood Intentions Author:John of Kronstadt
“At every step there is a pretext for enmity against our brother.” StepsBrotherIntentionGood IntentionsEvery StepEnmityPretext Author:John of Kronstadt
“As the Holy Trinity, our God is One Being, although Three Persons, so, likewise, we ourselves must be one. As our God is indivisible, we also must be indivisible, as though we were one man, one mind, one will, one heart, one goodness, without the smallest admixture of malice - in a word, one pure love, as God is Love. That they may be one, even as We are One (John 17:22).” MenMindHeartMayPersonsChristianThreeHolyPureGoodnessOrthodoxOne ManSmallestMaliceOrthodox ChristianTrinityPure LoveGod Is LoveIndivisibleHoly Trinity Author:John of Kronstadt
“The Lord, before His Incarnation, let mankind experience all the bitterness of sin, all their powerlessness to eradicate it; and when all longed for a Deliverer, then He appeared, the most wise, all-powerful Physician and Helper. When men hungered and thirsted after righteousness, as it grew weaker, then the everlasting righteousness came.” MenChristianSinPowerfulLordWiseMankindGrewOrthodoxRighteousnessBitternessPhysiciansEverlastingIncarnationPowerlessnessHelpersMost Wise Author:John of Kronstadt
“Worthless is the charity of the man who bestows it unwillingly, because material charity is not his, but God's gift, while only the disposition of the heart belongs to the man. This is why many charities prove almost worthless, for they were bestowed unwillingly, grudgingly, without respect for the person of our neighbor. So also the hospitality of many persons proves worthless because of their hypocritical vain-glorious behavior to their guests. Let us offer our sacrifices upon the altar of love to our neighbor, with heart-felt affection: 'for God loves a cheerful giver'” MenHeartPersonsChristianFeltSacrificeHe ManMaterialsOffersProveBehaviorCharityAffectionNeighborVainGod LoveGloriousOrthodoxGuestsDispositionWorthlessCheerfulHospitalityAltarsGiverHypocriticalHeart Felt Author:John of Kronstadt
“Remember that God, during your prayers, is watching for your affirmative answer to the question which He is inwardly asking you: 'Do you believe I am able to do this?' To which question you must from the depth of your heart reply, 'Yes, Lord'” BelieveHeartAbleChristianRememberPrayerAnswersLordAskingDepthOrthodoxOur PrayersAffirmative Author:John of Kronstadt
“The accursed one does not allow the eye of the heart to see the Lord or His saints. He darkens our heart in every way. He scatters faith, oppressing, burning and darkening us inwardly. We must look upon all such actions as illusions and falsehood, and break through this imaginary wall to the Lord, or to His Holy Mother, or His saints. As soon as you break through this wall you will be immediately saved. 'Your faith has made you whole' (Mt. 9:22).” WayLooksHeartDoeMadeWholeEyeActionChristianMotherLordBreakWallHolyIllusionSaintSavedBurningLook UpOrthodoxImaginaryFalsehoodOrthodox ChristianBreak ThroughDarkening Author:John of Kronstadt
“Avoid duplicity, that is, do not let your heart be divided between attachment to God and attachment to earthly things, 'You cannot serve God and mammon' (Mt. 6:24); cling to God alone, put your trust in Him alone; for the Devil, by inciting us to duplicity, seeks himself to gain possession of our heart, which is single and indivisible.” HeartChristianDevilGainsPossessionAttachmentOrthodoxDividedServing GodOrthodox ChristianIndivisibleDuplicityEarthly Things Author:John of Kronstadt
“Besides loving each other, we must bear with each other and pardon ? 'forgive them that trespass against us' ? in order that our heavenly Father may 'forgive us our trespasses' (Mt. 6:14). Thus, with all your soul honor and love in every man the image of God, not regarding his sins, for God alone is Holy and without sin; and see how He loves us, how much He has created and still creates for us, punishing us mercifully and forgiving us bounteously and graciously. Honor the man also, in spite of his sins, for he can always amend.” MenMayStillsSoulChristianOrderFatherSinHe ManBearsHonorHolyAnd LoveForgivingEvery ManYour SoulSpiteHeavenlyOrthodoxPardonOrthodox ChristianHeavenly FatherGod Image Author:John of Kronstadt
“'With God all things are possible' (Mk. 10:27). With God the thought itself is deed. He speaks and it is. Short and clear. And all the worlds stand by the Word of God.” WorldChristianSpeakClearAll ThingsDeedsOrthodoxWord Of GodOrthodox Christian Author:John of Kronstadt
“When you pray either aloud or to yourself for others ? for instance, for the members of your household or for strangers, even though they may not have asked you to do so ? pray for them with the same ardor and zeal as you would pray for yourself. Remember the commandment of the law: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself' (Lev. 19:18). Observe this rule upon all occasions.” MayChristianRememberLawLove YouPrayingMembersStrangerNeighborInstanceOccasionsOrthodoxHouseholdCommandmentsZealOrthodox ChristianArdorLove Your NeighborPraying For YouLove Your Neighbor As YourselfAll Occasions Author:John of Kronstadt
“We must by every means humble our hearts and subdue our proud intellect, lest we should be like the contemporaries of the prophets, who looked on them only as sweet-voiced singers, and nothing more; they did not wish to fulfill their commands, they even despised, persecuted, beat and killed them; lest we should be like those, by whom 'no prophet is accepted in his own country' (Lk. 4:24).” ShouldHeartMeanCountryChristianWishSweetProudBeatsHumbleIntellectAcceptedSingersCommandProphetOrthodoxOrthodox ChristianDespisedPersecutedVery Mean Author:John of Kronstadt
“Firmly believe that the Lord is at all times everything to you. During prayer He is the power and the fulfillment in the Holy Spirit of each of your words. During pious conversation He is your living water, the ardent flow of your words at all times ? He is everything to you. Be free from care in the presence of your Lord. He has enclosed you with Himself upon all sides. He penetrates you wholly and knows all your thoughts, all your needs and inclinations, and if you live in Him with faith and love, then no evil shall befall you. 'The Lord is at hand; be careful for nothing' (Phil. 4:6).” IfsKnowsNeedsBelieveHandsCareChristianSpiritEvilSidesWaterPrayerLordHolyConversationFlowAnd LoveCarefulAll TimeFulfillmentHoly SpiritOrthodoxBe CarefulInclinationPenetratePiousArdentFaith And Love Author:John of Kronstadt
“'Hail, you who are highly favored, the Lord is with you' (Lk. 1:28)! Thus does the holy Church invoke the most holy Virgin, the Mother of God. But the Lord is also with every pious soul that believes in Him. The Lord's abiding with the Virgin Mary before she conceived the Savior is not a particularity proper to the most pure Virgin alone. The Lord is with every believing soul: 'The Lord is with you.' These words may be said to everyone who keeps the Lord's commandments.” BelieveMayDoeSaidSoulChristianMotherChurchLordHolyPureOrthodoxSaviorMaryCommandmentsVirginsAbidingOrthodox ChristianPiousHailInvokeVirgin Mary Author:John of Kronstadt
“It is necessary for a Christian to fast, in order to clear his mind, to rouse and develop his feelings, and to stimulate his will to useful activity. These three human capabilities we darken and stifle above all by 'surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life' (Lk. 21:34).” MindHumansFeelingsCareChristianOrderThreeClearActivityThis LifeOrthodoxCapabilityOrthodox ChristianDrunkenness Author:John of Kronstadt
“'They straightway left their nets and followed Him' (Mt. 4:20). The Apostles did not grudge leaving their nets for the Lord's sake, although they were perhaps their only property, and precious to them because they lived by them; and we, likewise, for the Lord's sake, ought to leave everything that hinders our following Him ? that is, all the many and various nets in which the enemy entangles us in life.” ChristianLeftLordEnemyOughtPropertyLeavingSakeVariousFollowingOrthodoxApostlesOrthodox ChristianGrudgeHinder Author:John of Kronstadt
“Prayer is spiritual breathing; when we pray we breathe in the Holy Spirit; praying in the Holy Spirit (Jd. 1:20). Thus, all church prayers are the breathing of the Holy Spirit; as it were spiritual air and also light, spiritual fire, spiritual food and spiritual raiment.” LightChristianSpiritualSpiritChurchPrayerFireAirPrayingHolyBreatheBreathingHoly SpiritOrthodoxOrthodox ChristianSpiritual Food Author:John of Kronstadt
“'If he trespass against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to you, saying, I repent; you shall forgive him' (Lk. 17:4). As the Searcher of hearts, the Lord knows that men are liable to very frequent trespass, and that, having fallen, they often rise up again; therefore He has given us the commandment to frequently forgive trespasses, and He Himself is the first to fulfill His holy word. As soon as you say from your whole heart, 'I repent,' you will be immediately forgiven.” IfsKnowsMenFirstsHeartWholeChristianTurnsGivenLordHolyForgivingSevenFallenOrthodoxCommandmentsForgivenRepentLiableSearchers Author:John of Kronstadt
“How do we receive the highest mystery of Divine love to us ? the mystery of the Christian faith? With our mind, heart and life; with our free will? Are all the three powers of our souls penetrated by holy faith, as were the souls of the saints? The kingdom of heaven 'is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till the whole was leavened' (Lk. 13:21). The three measures are the three powers of the soul.” MindHeartSoulWholeChristianThreeHeavenMysteryDivineHolyHighestSaintKingdomsMealsOrthodoxFree WillDivine LoveOrthodox ChristianChristian FaithKingdom Of HeavenMind Heart Author:John of Kronstadt
“When you see your body wasted away through sickness, do not murmur against God, but say: 'The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord' (Job 1:21). You are accustomed to look upon your body as upon your own inalienable property, but that is quite wrong, because your body is God's edifice.” LooksBodyChristianJobsNamesLordTakenBlessedPropertyYour BodyLook UpSicknessOrthodoxAccustomedOrthodox ChristianEdifice Author:John of Kronstadt
“'For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them' (Mt. 18:20). I reverence even two or three praying together, for in accordance with the Lord's promise He Himself is in the midst of them.” TwoChristianTogetherThreeNamesLordPrayingPromiseMidstOrthodoxReverenceOrthodox ChristianPraying Together Author:John of Kronstadt
