“For him who is perfect in love and has reached the summit of dispassion there is no difference between his own or another's, or between Christians and unbelievers, or between slave and free, or between male and female. But because he has risen above the tyranny of the passions and has fixed his attention on the single nature of man, he looks on all in the same way and shows the same disposition to all. For in him there is neither Greek nor Jew, male nor female, bond not free, but Christ who 'is all, and in all' (Col. 3:11; cf. Gal. 3:28).” MenWayLooksShowsChristianPassionChristDifferencesPerfectAttentionFemaleSlaveMalesJewTyrannyGreekFixedOrthodoxDispositionSummitOrthodox ChristianRisenNature Of ManCfsUnbelieversGalsHe Has Risen Author:Maximus the Confessor
“Many have said much about love, but you will find love itself only if you seek it among the disciples of Christ. For only they have true Love as love's teacher. 'Though I have the gift of prophecy', says St. Paul, 'and know all mysteries and all knowledge? and have no love, it profits me nothing' (I Cor. 13:2-3). He who possesses love possesses God Himself, for 'God is love' (I Jn. 4:8). To Him be glory throughout the ages. Amen.” IfsKnowsSaidAgeChristianChristTeacherMysteryGloryProfitOrthodoxDiscipleProphecyFinding LoveOrthodox ChristianAmenNo LoveGod Is Love Author:Maximus the Confessor
“There is a single energy of God and the saints? they are living icons of Christ, being the same as He is, by grace rather than by assimilation.” ChristianEnergyChristGraceSaintOrthodoxIconsOrthodox ChristianAssimilation Author:Maximus the Confessor
“'The long-suffering man abounds in understanding' (Prov. 14:29), because he endures everything to the end and, while awaiting that end, patiently bears his distress. The end, as St. Paul says, is everlasting life (cf. Rom. 6:22). 'And this is eternal life, that they might know You the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent' (Jn. 17:3).” KnowsMenLongEndsMightChristianSufferingJesusUnderstandingChristBearsEternalJesus ChristEndureOrthodoxDistressEverlastingEternal LifeOrthodox ChristianCfsTrue GodLong SufferingEverlasting Life Author:Maximus the Confessor
“When like the patriarchs we learn to dig wells of virtue and spiritual knowledge within ourselves by means of ascetic practice and contemplation, we will find within us Christ the spring of life (cf. Gen. 26:15-18). Wisdom commands us to drink from this spring, saying, 'Drink water from your own pitchers and from the spring of your own wells' (Prov. 5:15). If we do this we shall find that the treasures of wisdom truly are within us.” IfsWellsMeanChristianSpiritualChristWaterPracticeVirtueDrinkSpringTreasureCommandContemplationOrthodoxPitcherCfsDrink WaterSpiritual Knowledge Author:Maximus the Confessor
“Those who seek the Lord should not look for Him outside themselves; on the contrary, they must seek Him within themselves through faith made manifest in action. For He is near you: 'The word is... in your mouth and in your heart, that is, the word of faith' (Rom. 10:8) - Christ being Himself the word that is sought.” ShouldLooksHeartMadeActionChristianChristLordMouthsContraryOrthodoxManifestOrthodox Christian Author:Maximus the Confessor
“As long as I remain imperfect and refractory, neither obeying God by practising the commandments nor becoming perfect in spiritual knowledge, Christ from my point of view also appears imperfect and refractory because of me. For I diminish and cripple Him by not growing in spirit with Him, since I am 'the body of Christ and one of its members' (I Cor. 12:27).” LongBodyChristianSpiritualSpiritChristPerfectViewsGrowingBecomingMembersPoint Of ViewOrthodoxImperfectCommandmentsDiminishObeyingCripplesBody Of ChristSpiritual KnowledgeObeying GodBecoming Perfect Author:Maximus the Confessor
“Just as the teaching of the Law and the prophets, being harbingers of the coming advent of the Logos in the flesh, guide our souls to Christ (cf. Gal. 3:24), so the glorified incarnate Logos of God is Himself a harbinger of His spiritual advent, leading our souls forward by His own teachings to receive His divine and manifest advent. He does this ceaselessly, by means of the virtues converting those found worthy from the flesh to the spirit. And He will do it at the end of the age, making manifest what has hitherto been hidden from men.” MenMeanDoeSoulEndsAgeChristianSpiritualLawSpiritFoundChristVirtueTeachingDivineWorthyGuidesFleshProphetOrthodoxManifestAdventConvertingCfsLogosGalsHarbinger Author:Maximus the Confessor
“If the divine Logos of God the Father became son of man and man so that He might make men gods and the sons of God, let us believe that we shall reach the realm where Christ Himself now is; for He is the head of the whole body (cf. Col. 1:18), and endued with our humanity has gone to the Father as forerunner on our behalf. God will stand 'in the midst of the congregation of gods' (Ps. 82:1 LXX) - that is, of those who are saved - distributing the rewards of that realm's blessedness to those found worthy to receive them, not separated from them by any space.” IfsMenBelieveWholeBodyMightChristianHumanityFoundFatherChristSpaceGoneDivineSonRewardsWorthySavedGods WillRealmsMidstOrthodoxBehalfCongregationCfsLogosBlessednessForerunners Author:Maximus the Confessor
“While some who downplay Christ's divinity have imagined Jesus as a great social worker 'being kind to old ladies, small dogs and little children,' orthodox Christianity has not wanted Jesus to have a political message.” KindChildrenLittlesWantedPoliticalJesusSocialChristChristianityDogMessagesWorkersDivinityOrthodoxBe KindSocial WorkerOld LadyOrthodox ChristianitySmall Dogs Author:N. T. Wright
“Our Savior was crucified for our sakes that by His death He might give us life and train and attract us all to endurance. To Him I press on, and to the Father and to the Holy Spirit. I strive to be found true, judging myself unworthy of this world's goods; and yet not I because of the world, but the world because of me. Think of all these things in your heart; follow them with zeal; fight, as you have been commanded, for the truth to the death: For Christ was made 'obedient' even 'to death'” ThinkingWorldGivingHeartHas BeensMadeMightChristianSpiritFightingFoundFatherChristThis WorldJudgingHolyPressesTrainStriveSakeHoly SpiritEnduranceOrthodoxGoodsSaviorZealOrthodox ChristianUnworthyObedientJudging Myself Author:Saint Basil
“... if, to me, to live is Christ (Phil. 1:21), truly my words ought to be about Christ, my every thought and deed ought to depend upon His commandments, and my soul to be fashioned after His.” IfsSoulChristianChristDependsOughtDeedsMy SoulOrthodoxCommandmentsOrthodox Christian Author:Saint Basil
“The supernatural Christ of the New Testament, the god of orthodox Christianity, is dead. But priestcraft lives and conjures up the ghost of this dead god to frighten and enslave the masses of mankind. The name of Christ has caused more persecutions, wars, and miseries than any other name has caused. The darkest wrongs are still inspired by it. The wails of anguish that went up from Kishenev, Odessa, and Bialystok still vibrate in our ears.” StillsWarNamesChristChristianityAtheismMankindMassEarsMiseryInspiredPositive AtheismGhostOrthodoxTestamentPersecutionAnguishNew TestamentVibrateOrthodox ChristianityOdessa Author:John Remsburg
“Why did the consensus of Christian churches not only accept these astonishing views but establish them as the only true form of Christian doctrine? . . . these religious debates - questions of the nature of God, or of Christ - simultaneously bear social and political implications that are crucial to the development of Christianity as an institutional religion. In simplest terms, ideas which bear implications contrary to that development come to be labeled as 'heresy'; ideas which implicitly support it become 'orthodox.'” IdeasChristianFormPoliticalReligionSocialTermChristChurchReligiousViewsAcceptingChristianitySupportDevelopmentBearsContraryDebateDoctrineOrthodoxCrucialSimplestConsensusAstonishingImplicationsHeresyChristian ChurchChristian Doctrine Author:Elaine Pagels
“God has chosen, through his son Jesus Christ, this time, this place for all Christians - Protestants, Catholics and Orthodox - to save our country and save our courts.” CountryChristianJesusChristSonJesus ChristCatholicCourtScaryChosenOur CountryOrthodoxProtestants Author:William H. Pryor, Jr.
“A man in this world must solve a problem: to be with Christ, or to be against Him. And every man decides this, whether he wants to or not. He will either be a lover of Christ or a fighter of Christ. There is no third option.” MenWorldWantInspirationalProblemChristianChristReligiousThis WorldLoversThirdsSolveEvery ManFighterOrthodox Author:Justin Popovic
“Cleanse your mind from anger, remembrance of evil, and shameful thoughts, and then you will find out how Christ dwells in you.” InspirationalMindChristianEvilChristReligiousOrthodoxRemembranceShameful Author:Maximus the Confessor
“Sin makes man a coward; but a life in the Truth of Christ makes Him bold.” MenInspirationalChristianChristReligiousSinOrthodoxCoward Author:Saint John Chrysostom
“The chief end of our life is to live in communion with God. To this end the Son of God became incarnate, in order to return us to this divine communion, which was lost by the fall into sin. Through Jesus Christ, the Son of God, we enter into communion with the Father and thus attain our purpose.” InspirationalEndsChristianLife IsPurposeOrderFallFatherJesusLostChristReligiousSinOur LivesDivineSonReturnJesus ChristChiefsOrthodoxCommunionCommunion With God Author:Theophan the Recluse
“The saints are like the Lord, but so are all people who keep the commandments of Christ; but those who live according to their own passions and do not repent are like the devil. I think that if this mystery were revealed to the world, then they would stop serving the devil, and every one would strive to serve the Lord with all his strength, and to be like Him.” PeopleIfsThinkingWorldInspirationalChristianPassionChristReligiousLordMysteryDevilStriveSaintOrthodoxServingCommandmentsRepent Author:Silouan the Athonite
“When you begin to read or listen to the Holy Scriptures, pray to God thus: "Lord Jesus Christ, open the ears and eyes of my heart so that I may hear Thy words and understand them, and may fulfill Thy will." Always pray to God like this, that He might illumine your mind and open to you the power of His words. Many, having trusted in their own reason, have turned away into deception.” InspirationalMindHeartMayReasonMightEyeChristianJesusChristReligiousLordPrayingMy HeartHolyJesus ChristEarsScriptureDeceptionOrthodoxTrustedPraying To GodLord Jesus ChristHoly Scriptures Author:Ephrem the Syrian
“Not only men, but also women, the weaker sex, in going by the narrow path of Christ have received for themselves the Kingdom of Heaven. For there is neither male nor female, but everyone receives his own reward according to his own labor.” MenInspirationalChristianHeavenSexChristReligiousPathFemaleLaborRewardsMalesKingdomsOrthodoxKingdom Of HeavenNarrow Path Author:Ephrem the Syrian
“Love sinners, but hate their deeds, and do not disdain sinners for their failings, so that you yourself do not fall into the temptation in which they abide... Do not be angry at anyone and do not hate anyone, neither for their faith, nor for their shameful deeds... Do not foster hatred for the sinner, for we are all guilty... Hate his sins, and pray for him, so that you may be made like unto Christ, who had no dislike for sinners, but prayed for them.” InspirationalMayMadeChristianHateFallChristReligiousSinFailingPrayingHatredAngryDeedsTemptationGuiltySinnerOrthodoxDislikeShamefulDisdain Author:Isaac of Nineveh
“Do not say that faith in Christ alone can save you, for this is not possible if you do not attain love for Him, which is demonstrated by deeds. As for mere faith: "The demons also believe and tremble" (James, 2:19). The action of love consists in heartfelt good deeds toward one's neighbor, magnanimity, patience, and sober use of things.” IfsInspirationalBelieveUseActionChristianChristReligiousMereDeedsNeighborDemonOrthodoxSoberGood DeedsHeartfeltMagnanimityChrist Alone Author:Maximus the Confessor
“Who is far from love is a bad state, and to be pitied. He passes his days in a delirious dream, far from God, deprived of light, and he lives in darkness ... Whoever does not have the love of Christ is an enemy of Christ. He walks in darkness and is easily lead into any sin.” InspirationalDoeStatesDreamLightChristianChristReligiousSinWalksLove IsEnemyDarknessOrthodoxDeprivedDelirious Author:Ephrem the Syrian
“Love hunger and thirst for the sake of Christ. Insofar as you pacify your body, so much much will you do make your soul virtuous. God, who rewards thoughts, words, and deeds, will give good in return for even a small thing which you gladly suffer for His sake.” InspirationalGivingSoulBodyChristianSufferingChristReligiousReturnRewardsSakeHungerDeedsYour BodyYour SoulOrthodoxVirtuousThirstSmall ThingsHunger And Thirst Author:Gennadius of Constantinople
“If you want to attain salvation, learn and keep in your heart all that the holy Church teaches and, receiving heavenly power from the mysteries of the Church, walk the path of Christ's commandments, under the direction of lawful pastors, and you will undoubtedly attain the Heavenly Kingdom and be saved. All of this is naturally necessary in the matter of salvation, necessary in it entirety and for all. Whoever rejects or neglects any part of it has no salvation.” IfsWantInspirationalHeartMatterChristianChristChurchReligiousWalksTeachPathMysteryHolySalvationSavedKingdomsHeavenlyRejectsOrthodoxNeglectReceivingCommandmentsPastorEntirety Author:Theophan the Recluse
“In truth there is only one freedom - the holy freedom of Christ, whereby He freed us from sin, from evil, from the devil. It binds us to God. All other freedoms are illusory, false, that is to say, they are all, in fact, slavery.” InspirationalFactsChristianEvilChristReligiousSinHolyDevilSlaveryOrthodoxIllusory Author:Justin Popovic
“If the churches ever did reunite, it would have to be into something that was as sacramental and liturgical and authoritative as the Roman Catholic Church and as protesting against abuses and as much focused on the individual in his direct relationship with Christ as the Evangelicals, as charismatic as the Pentecostals, as missionary-minded as the old mainline denominations, as focused on holiness as the Methodists or the Quakers, as committed to the social aspects of the Gospel as the social activists, as Biblical as fundamentalists, and as mystical as the Eastern Orthodox.” IfsIndividualSocialChristChurchAspectDirectAbuseCatholicCommittedFocusedHolinessOrthodoxActivistMissionaryBiblicalMysticalEasternCatholic ChurchCharismaticDenominationsQuakerRoman CatholicMethodistsRoman Catholic Church Author:Peter Kreeft