“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
“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
“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
“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 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
“'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
“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
“Our requests are necessary expressly to strengthen our faith, through which alone we can be saved. 'By grace are we saved through faith' (Eph. 2:8). 'O woman, great is your faith' (Mt. 15:28). For this reason the Lord made the woman pray earnestly, in order to awaken her faith and to strengthen it.” MadeReasonChristianOrderLordGracePrayingSavedOrthodoxRequestOrthodox ChristianSaved By Grace Author:John of Kronstadt
“God is resplendently reflected in the souls of His chosen ones, and these pure souls, these images of God, like the transparent glass, shine forth like gold in the sun, like diamonds of the purest water, but they shine for God and the angels, not revealing their brightness to men, although at times, by God's ordering, they do shine even for them, by the light of their faith, their virtues, when necessary, similar to a candle put on a candlestick in a room, and lighting the room with all those who are in it. (cf. Mt. 5:15).” MenSoulLightChristianWaterRoomsSunVirtuePureAngelGoldShiningGlassesChosenOrthodoxCandleDiamondRevealingTransparentLightingOrthodox ChristianBrightnessGod ImageCfsPure SoulChosen One 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
“God is inexhaustible in His gifts to men? Everywhere we see plenty and joy; only the greedy rich lay their hands on and keep in their treasuries too many of God's gifts, which might plentifully nourish hundreds and thousands of poor. Man! Believe firmly in God's inexhaustibility in His gifts, and willingly 'deal your bread to the hungry' (Isa. 58:7)?” MenBelieveHandsMightChristianJoyPoorDealsRichLaysHungryBreadPlentyOrthodoxGreedyOrthodox ChristianPoor ManTreasury 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
“...when seeking material light, remember the spiritual light which is indispensable for the soul, and without which it remains in the darkness of the passions, in the darkness of spiritual death. 'I am come as a light into the world,' says the Lord, 'that whosoever believeth on Me, should not abide in darkness' (Jn. 12:46).” WorldShouldSoulLightChristianRememberSpiritualPassionLordDarknessMaterialsRemainsSeekingOrthodoxIndispensableOrthodox ChristianSpiritual DeathSpiritual Light 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 Lord is the accomplishment of everything good that I think, feel and do.” ThinkingFeelsChristianLordAccomplishmentOrthodoxOrthodox Christian Author:John of Kronstadt
“When you are in the temple, remember that you are in the living presence of the Lord God, that you stand before His face, before His eyes, in the living presence of the Mother of God, of the holy angels, and of the first-born of the Church - that is, our forefathers, the prophets, Apostles, hierarchs, martyrs, reverend Fathers, the righteous, and all the saints. Always have the remembrance and consciousness of this when you are in the temple, and stand with devotion, taking part willingly and with all your heart in the Divine service.” FirstsHeartEyeChristianRememberFacesMotherFatherBornChurchConsciousnessLordDivineHolyAngelSaintDevotionProphetHis EyesTemplesOrthodoxRighteousRemembranceMartyrApostlesOrthodox ChristianForefathersLord GodReverends Author:John of Kronstadt
“The longer we remain without confessing, the worse it is for us, the more entangled we become in the bonds of sin, and therefore the more difficult it is to give an account.” GivingChristianDifficultSinAccountsOrthodoxOrthodox ChristianConfessing Author:John of Kronstadt
“He who is accustomed to give account of his life at confession here will not fear to give an answer at the terrible judgment-seat of Christ. It is for this purpose that the mild tribunal of penitence was here initiated, in order that we, being cleansed and amended through penitence here below, may give an answer without shame at the terrible judgment-seat of Christ.” GivingMayChristianPurposeOrderChristAnswersTerribleJudgmentAccountsShameSeatsOrthodoxConfessionAccustomedOrthodox ChristianTribunalsPenitence 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
“Divine service, being the high contemplation of the mind, is at the same time, and pre-eminently, the peace, the sweetness and blessedness of the heart.” MindHeartChristianDivineContemplationOrthodoxSweetnessOrthodox ChristianBlessedness Author:John of Kronstadt
“Both learned and unlearned young men seldom go to church, and in general do not attend to their spiritual education, looking upon it as unnecessary and giving themselves up to worldly vanity. Attention must be paid to this. It is the fruit of pride... They consider attendance at church and Divine service as the business of the common people and women, forgetting that, in the temple, Angels officiate with trembling, together with men, and regard this as their highest bliss.” PeopleMenGivingChristianTogetherSpiritualYoungChurchForgetCommonAttentionDivinePrideHighestAngelPaidRegardFruitVanityBlissYoung ManTemplesOrthodoxUnnecessaryWorldlyOrthodox ChristianTremblingAttendanceSpiritual Education Author:John of Kronstadt
“The best moments on earth are those during which we meditate upon heavenly things in general, when we recognize or defend the truth, that heavenly dweller and denizen. Only then do we truly live. Therefore, the essential interests of the soul require that we should oftener rise above the earth, upwards to heaven, where is our true life, our true country, which shall have no end.” ShouldSoulEndsCountryMomentsEarthChristianHeavenInterestEssentialsHeavenlyOrthodoxRise AboveOrthodox ChristianTrue LifeDwellersBest Moments Author:John of Kronstadt
“He who is insolent towards men is insolent towards God... Respect in man the grand, inestimable image of God and be forbearing towards the faults and errors of fallen man, so that God may be forbearing towards your own.” MenMayChristianErrorsFaultsFallenOrthodoxOrthodox ChristianGod ImageInsolent Author:John of Kronstadt
“Do not be vexed with those who show pride, or malice, effeminacy, and impatience in their intercourse with you, or others, but , remembering that you yourself are subject to the same and greater sins and passions, pray for them and be meek with them.” ShowsChristianRememberPassionSinGreaterSubjectsPridePrayingOrthodoxImpatienceMaliceIntercourseOrthodox ChristianMeek Author:John of Kronstadt
“Should thoughts of self-praise, of self-satisfaction, occur to you, say: 'I myself am nothing; all that is good in me is accomplished by the grace of God.' What hast thou that thou didst not receive?' (I Cor. 4:7). 'Without Me ye can do nothing' (John 15:5).” ShouldSelfChristianCan DoGracePraiseSatisfactionAccomplishedOrthodoxGrace Of GodOrthodox ChristianSelf-satisfactionSelf Praise Author:John of Kronstadt
“When hungry, do not throw yourself upon food - else you will overload your heart and body. Eat slowly, without avidity, with reflection to the glory of God, remembering the God Who feeds us, and above all His incorruptible food, His Body and Blood, that out of love He has given Himself to us in food and drink, remembering also the holy word of the Gospel.” HeartBodyChristianRememberGivenBloodDrinkHolyGloryReflectionHungryOrthodoxOrthodox ChristianGlory Of GodFood And DrinkOverload Author:John of Kronstadt
“In prayer and in every work of your life avoid suspicious ness, doubt and diabolical imaginations. Let your spiritual eye be single, in order that the whole body of your prayer, of your works and of your life may be light.” MayWholeBodyLightEyeChristianSpiritualOrderImaginationPrayerDoubtOrthodoxSuspiciousOur PrayersOrthodox ChristianDiabolicalSpiritual Eyes Author:John of Kronstadt
“Leave all human injustices to the Lord, for God is the Judge, but as to yourself, be diligent in loving everybody with a pure heart.” HumansHeartChristianLordJudgingPureInjusticeOrthodoxOrthodox ChristianDiligentPure Heart Author:John of Kronstadt
“Adam became so proud that he wished to become God and died for his pride; the Son of God humbled Himself unto death, and gave life to the fallen. O abyss of humility! Adam and Eve lost themselves through gluttony, the Lord fasted and died for them, in order to give them life. They were disobedient, Christ fulfilled obedience.” GivingChristianOrderLostChristLordHumilitySonPrideProudDiedObedienceFallenOrthodoxAdamFulfilledAbyssOrthodox ChristianAdam And EveGluttony Author:John of Kronstadt
“Love does not reflect. Love is simple. Love never mistakes. Likewise believe and trust without reflection, for faith and trust are also simple; or better: God, in whom we believe and in whom we trust, is an incomplex Being, as He is also simply love.” BelieveDoeChristianSimpleLove IsMistakeReflectionOrthodoxOrthodox ChristianSimply LoveSimple Love Author:John of Kronstadt
