“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
“...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
“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
“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
“'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
“The Lord called Himself and is the 'good Shepherd' (Jn. 10:11). If you believe in His guidance, then you will understand by your heart that as a zealous shepherd when feeding his flock does not allow the sheep to disperse, but gathers them together, so also the Lord pastures our souls, not allowing them to wander in falsehood and sins, but gathering them on the path of virtue, and not allowing the mental wolf to steal and scatter them.” IfsBelieveHeartDoeSoulChristianTogetherSinLordVirtuePathStealingWanderGuidanceOrthodoxAllowingSheepFalsehoodFeedingGatheringIf You BelieveOrthodox ChristianFlocksShepherdsPasturesZealousGood Shepherd Author:John of Kronstadt
“If God has given us Himself, if He abides in us and we in Him, according to His own true words, then what will He not give me, what will He spare for me, of what will He deprive me, how can He forsake me? 'The Lord is my shepherd: therefore I lack nothing' (Ps. 23:1).” IfsGivingChristianGivenLordGive MeOrthodoxSparesOrthodox ChristianShepherdsForsakeTrue Words Author:John of Kronstadt
“If you are fond of dressing elegantly, or when you put on your clothes, think of the incorruptible garment of righteousness in which our souls should be arrayed, or of Jesus Christ Who is our spiritual raiment, as it is said: 'For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ' (Gal. 3:27).” IfsThinkingShouldHas BeensSaidSoulChristianSpiritualJesusChristClothesJesus ChristOrthodoxRighteousnessDressingsGarmentsOrthodox ChristianBaptizedGals Author:John of Kronstadt
“If you see the fury and hear the howling of the tempest, or read of shipwrecks, think of the storm of human passions causing daily groans and disturbance in the hearts of men, wrecking the spiritual ship of the soul or the ship of human society; and pray fervently to the Lord that He may subdue the tempest of sins, as He once subdued the tempest at sea by His word, and that He may root our passions from our hearts, and re-establish in them unceasing tranquility.” IfsThinkingMenHumansHeartMaySoulChristianSpiritualPassionSinLordSeaPrayingRootsStormShipsOrthodoxTranquilityFuryHuman SocietyTempestDisturbanceShipwreck Author:John of Kronstadt
“...if you wish to get pure air into your room, or if you go for a walk in the fresh air, think of the pure and of the unclean heart. Many of us like to have pure air in the room (and this is an excellent habit), or are fond of walking in the fresh air, but they do not even think of the necessity of the purity of the spirit or heart (of, so to say, spiritual air, the breath of life); and, living in the fresh air, they allow themselves to indulge in impure thoughts, impure movements of the heart, and even impurity of language, and most impure carnal actions.” IfsThinkingHeartActionChristianSpiritualSpiritLanguageWishWalksRoomsAirMovementHabitWalkingPureLife And LivingBreathsExcellentPurityOrthodoxIndulgeOrthodox ChristianIndulge InFresh AirYour RoomImpurityImpure Thoughts Author:John of Kronstadt
“The heart is refined, spiritual, and heavenly by nature - guard it; do not overburden it, do not make it earthly, be temperate to the utmost in food and drink, and in general in bodily pleasures. The heart is the temple of God. 'If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy' (I Cor. 3:17).” IfsMenHeartChristianSpiritualPleasureDrinkTemplesHeavenlyOrthodoxOrthodox ChristianRefinedFood And Drink Author:John of Kronstadt
“Your Lord is a God of mercy and bountifulness: be a source of mercy and bountifulness to your neighbors. If you will be such, you will find salvation yourself with everlasting glory.” IfsLordSourceGloryMercySalvationNeighborEverlasting Author:John of Kronstadt
“Your Lord is Love: love Him and in Him all men, as His children in Christ. Your Lord is a fire: do not let your heart be cold, but burn with faith and love. Your Lord is light: do not walk in darkness of mind, without reasoning or understanding, or without faith. Your Lord is a God of mercy and bountifulness: be a source of mercy and bountifulness to your neighbors. If you will be such, you will find salvation yourself with everlasting glory.” IfsMenMindHeartChildrenLightChristianUnderstandingChristWalksLordDarknessFireLove YouSourceColdGloryMercyAnd LoveSalvationNeighborReasoningEverlastingFaith And Love Author:John of Kronstadt
