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Saint John Chrysostom

Saint John Chrysostom Quotes

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Famous Saint John Chrysostom Quotes

“For Christians above all men are forbidden to correct the stumblings of sinners by force...it is necessary to make a man better not by force but by persuasion. We neither have authority granted us by law to restrain sinners, nor, if it were, should we know how to use it, since God gives the crown to those who are kept from evil, not by force, but by choice.”

IfsKnowsMenGivingShouldUseChristianLawChoicesEvilForceKnow HowAuthorityGrantedSinnerCrownsPersuasionForbiddenStumbling
Author:Saint John Chrysostom
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“It may here be observed, that all who are offended by us are exposed to our view. But the rich man sees Lazarus not with any other righteous man, but in Abraham's bosom. For Abraham was full of love, but the man is convicted of cruelty. Abraham sitting before his door followed after those that passed by, and brought them into his house, the other turned away even them that abode within his gate.”

MenMayHouseViewsRichDoorsHe ManSittingCrueltyGatesExposedRighteousOffendedBosomsAbrahamRich ManAbodeLazarusRighteous Man
Author:Saint John Chrysostom
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“What shall I say! And how shall I describe this Birth to you? For this wonder fills me with astonishment. The Ancient of Days has become an infant. He Who sits upon the sublime and heavenly Throne, now lies in a manger. And He Who cannot be touched, Who is simple, without complexity, and incorporeal, now lies subject to the hands of men. He Who has broken the bonds of sinners, is now bound by an infant's bands. But He has decreed that ignominy shall become honor, infamy be clothed with glory, and total humiliation the measure of His Goodness.”

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Author:Saint John Chrysostom
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“Since it is likely that, being men, they would sin every day, St. Paul consoles his hearers by saying 'renew yourselves' from day to day. This is what we do with houses: we keep constantly repairing them as they wear old. You should do the same thing to yourself. Have you sinned today? Have you made your soul old? Do not despair, do not despond, but renew your soul by repentance, and tears, and Confession, and by doing good things. And never cease doing this.”

MenShouldMadeSoulTodayChristianFaithHouseSinTearsDespairGood ThingsCeaseYour SoulRepentanceConfessionDay To DayDoing GoodBeing MeConsoleOld YouRepairing
Author:Saint John Chrysostom
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“And all men are ready to pass judgement on the priest as if he was not a being clothed with flesh, or one who inherited a human nature.”

IfsMenHumansHuman NatureReadyFleshJudgementPriestsJudgemental
Book:A Select Library of the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church: St. Chrysostom: On the priesthood; Ascetic treatises; Select homilies and letters; Homilies on the statutes
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“When you are before the altar where Christ reposes, you ought no longer to think that you are amongst men; but believe that there are troops of angels and archangels standing by you, and trembling with respect before the sovereign Master of Heaven and earth. Therefore, when you are in church, be there in silence, fear, and veneration.”

ThinkingMenBelieveEarthHeavenChristChurchSilenceMastersOughtAngelStandingTroopsSovereignAltarsReposeTremblingHeaven And EarthArchangelVeneration
Author:Saint John Chrysostom
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“Abba Moses asked Abba Sylvanus, Can a person lay a new foundation every day? The old man replied, If you work hard, you can lay a new foundation every moment. Abba Pimen said, To throw yourself before God, not to measure your progress, to leave behind all self-will; these are the instruments for the work of the soul. The desire to rule is the mother of heresies.”

IfsMenPersonsSaidSoulSelfHardMomentsChristianMotherDesireBehindsProgressHard WorkFoundationInstrumentsLaysOrthodoxOld ManMosesHeresySelf WillAbba
Author:Saint John Chrysostom
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