“Food is not evil, but gluttony is. Childbearing is not evil, but fornication is. Money is not evil, but avarice is. Glory is not evil, but vainglory is. Indeed, there is no evil in existing things, but only in their misuse.” InspirationalChristianEvilReligiousGloryOrthodoxAvariceMisuseGluttonyChildbearing Author:Maximus the Confessor
“The Lord wants us to love one another. Here is freedom: in love for God and neighbor. In this freedom, there is equality. In earthly orders, there may not be equality, but this is not important for the soul. Not everyone can be a king, not everyone a patriarch or a boss. But in any position it is possible to love God and to please Him, and only this is important. And whoever loves God more on earth will be in greater glory in His Kingdom.” WantInspirationalMayImportantSoulEarthChristianOrderReligiousLordGreaterPositionKingsPleaseGloryNeighborKingdomsGod LoveOrthodoxBossWant ULove One AnotherPatriarch Author:Silouan the Athonite
“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 humble soul is blessed. The Lord loves her. The Mother of God is higher than all in humility, and therefore all races bless her on earth, while the heavenly powers serve her. And the Lord has given us this blessed Mother of His as a defender and helper.” InspirationalSoulEarthChristianMotherGivenReligiousRaceLordHumilityHigherBlessedHumbleHeavenlyOrthodoxBlessDefendersHelpersBlessed Mother Author:Silouan the Athonite
“"I love them that love me, and glorify them that glorify me." (Proverbs 8:17, I Kings 2:30,) says the Lord of His saints. The lord gave the Holy Spirit to the saints, and they love us in the Holy Spirit. The saints hear our prayers and have the power from God to help us. The entire Christian race knows this.” KnowsInspirationalHelpingChristianSpiritReligiousPrayerRaceLordKingsHolySaintHoly SpiritOrthodoxOur PrayersGlorify Author:Silouan the Athonite
“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 the soul by the Holy Spirit comes to know the Mother of God; when in the Holy Spirit the soul becomes kin to the Apostles, the Prophets, and all the Saints and Righteous Ones, then she is irresistibly drawn to that world, and cannot remain, but is bothered, and thirsts, and cannot cease from prayer, and although the body becomes exhausted and wants to lie down on a bed, even while lying in bed the soul longs for the Lord and the Kingdom of the Saints.” KnowsWorldWantInspirationalSoulBodyChristianSpiritLyingMotherReligiousPrayerLordHolyBedSaintCeaseKingdomsHoly SpiritProphetOrthodoxRighteousThirstExhaustedBotheredApostles Author:Silouan the Athonite
“The Holy Scriptures lead us to God and open the path to the knowledge of God.” InspirationalChristianReligiousPathHolyScriptureOrthodoxHoly ScripturesKnowledge Of God Author:Saint John Chrysostom
“Of all the afflictions that burden the human race, there is not one, whether spiritual or bodily, that cannot be healed by the Holy Scriptures.” InspirationalHumansChristianSpiritualReligiousRaceHolyBurdenScriptureHuman RaceOrthodoxAfflictionHealedHoly Scriptures Author:Saint John Chrysostom
“Just as those who are deprived of light cannot walk straight, so also those who do not behold the ray of the Holy Scriptures must necessarily sin, since they walk in the deepest darkness.” InspirationalLightChristianReligiousSinWalksDarknessHolyScriptureOrthodoxRaysDeprivedHoly Scriptures Author:Saint John Chrysostom
“In all things that you find in the Holy Scriptures, seek out the purpose of the words, that you may enter into the depth of the thoughts of the saints and understand them with greater exactness. Do not approach the reading of the Divine Scriptures without prayer and asking the help of God. Consider prayer to be the key to the true understanding of that which is said in the Holy Scriptures.” InspirationalMaySaidHelpingChristianPurposeReadingUnderstandingReligiousPrayerGreaterDivineKeysHolyApproachAll ThingsAskingDepthSaintScriptureOrthodoxHoly ScripturesExactnessTrue Understanding Author:Isaac of Nineveh
“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
“One should not seek among others the truth that can be easily gotten from the Church. For in her, as in a rich treasury, the apostles have placed all that pertains to truth, so that everyone can drink this beverage of life. She is the door of life.” InspirationalShouldChristianChurchReligiousRichDoorsDrinkChristian LifeOrthodoxApostlesTreasuryBeverages Author:Irenaeus of Lyons
“Consider that the Holy Spirit lives in the spiritual father, and He will tell you what to do. But if you think that the spiritual father live negligently, and that the Holy Spirit can't live in him, you will suffer mightily for such a thought, and the Lord will humble you, and you will straightway fall into delusion.” IfsThinkingInspirationalChristianSpiritualSpiritSufferingFallFatherReligiousLordHolyHumbleHoly SpiritDelusionOrthodox Author:Silouan the Athonite
“If a man does not tell everything to his spiritual father, then his path is crooked and does not lead to the Kingdom of Heaven. But the path of one who tells everything leads directly to the Kingdom of Heaven.” IfsMenInspirationalDoeChristianSpiritualFatherHeavenReligiousPathKingdomsOrthodoxCrookedKingdom Of Heaven Author:Silouan the Athonite
“Tell everything to your spiritual father, and the Lord will have mercy on you and you will escape delusion. But if you think that you know more about the spiritual life than your spiritual father, and you stop telling him everything about yourself in confession, then you will immediately be allowed to fall into some sort of delusion, in order that you may be corrected.” IfsThinkingKnowsInspirationalMayChristianSpiritualOrderFallFatherReligiousLordMercyDelusionOrthodoxAbout YourselfSpiritual LifeConfession Author:Silouan the Athonite
“The Holy Spirit acts mystically through the spiritual father, and then when you go out from your spiritual father, the soul feels her renewal. But if you leave your spiritual father in a state of confusion, this means that you did not confess purely and did not forgive your brother all of his sins from your heart.” IfsInspirationalFeelsHeartMeanSoulStatesChristianSpiritualSpiritFatherReligiousSinBrotherHolyForgivingConfusionHoly SpiritOrthodoxRenewalYour Brother Author:Silouan the Athonite
“The Lord loves us so much that He suffered for us on the Cross; and His suffering was so great that we can't comprehend it. In the same way our spiritual pastors suffer for us, although we often don't see their suffering. The greater the love of the pastor, the greater his suffering; and we, the sheep, should understand this, and love and honor our pastors.” WayInspirationalShouldChristianPastSpiritualSufferingReligiousLordGreaterHonorCrossesAnd LoveOrthodoxSheepOur PastPastorLove And Honor Author:Silouan the Athonite
“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
“With all your power, ask the Lord for humility and brotherly love, because God freely gives His grace for love towards one's brother. Do an experiment on yourself: one day ask God for love towards your brother, and another day - live without love. You will see the difference.” InspirationalGivingChristianAsksDifferencesReligiousLove IsLordGraceLove YouHumilityBrotherOne DayExperimentsOrthodoxWithout LoveAnother DayYour BrotherBrotherlyBrotherly Love Author:Silouan the Athonite
“Adorn yourself with truth, try to speak truth in all things; and do not support a lie, no matter who asks you. If you speak the truth and someone gets mad at you, don't be upset, but take comfort in the words of the Lord: Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of truth, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven (Matt. 5:10).” IfsInspirationalTryingMatterChristianLyingAsksSpeakHeavenReligiousLordSupportComfortAll ThingsBlessedMadSakeKingdomsUpsetOrthodoxSpeak The TruthKingdom Of HeavenPersecutedBlessed Are Those Author:Gennadius of Constantinople
“Draw nigh to the righteous, and through them you will draw nigh to God. Communicate with those who possess humility, and you will learn morals from them. A man who follows one who loves God becomes rich in the mysteries of God; but he who follows an unrighteous and proud man gets far away from God, and will be hated by his friends.” MenInspirationalChristianReligiousMoralRichMysteryHumilityProudDrawsCommunicateGod LoveHatedOrthodoxRighteousFar AwayBecome RichProud ManMystery Of God Author:Isaac of Nineveh
“If you cannot close the mouth of one who reviles his brother, at least avoid conversation with him.” IfsInspirationalChristianReligiousBrotherConversationMouthsOrthodox Author:Isaac of Nineveh
“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 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
“If you see your neighbor in sin, don't look only at this, but also think about what he has done or does that is good, and infrequently trying this in general, while not partialy judging, you will find that he is better than you.” IfsThinkingInspirationalTryingLooksDoeDoneChristianReligiousSinJudgingNeighborOrthodoxBetter Than YouJudging You Author:Saint Basil
“If you see a man who has sinned and you do not pity him, the grace of God will leave you. Whoever curses bad people, and does not pray for them, will never come to know the grace of God.” PeopleIfsKnowsMenInspirationalDoeChristianReligiousGracePrayingGods WillPityCurseOrthodoxGrace Of GodBad People Author:Silouan the Athonite
“One who strictly prosecutes the misdemeanors of others will find not condescension towards his own.” InspirationalChristianReligiousOrthodoxCondescensionMisdemeanors Author:Saint John Chrysostom
“When you want to direct someone toward the good, first put him at peace bodily and honor him with words of love. For nothing inclines such a man to shame and induces him to cast of his vice and be changed for the better as do bodily goods and honor, which he sees in you. Then, with love tell him a word or two, and do not be inflamed with anger toward him. Do not let him see any cause of enmity toward you. For love does not know how to lose its temper.” KnowsMenWantInspirationalFirstsDoeTwoChristianCausesLosesReligiousKnow HowChangedHonorDirectShameCastsVicesOrthodoxGoodsTemperEnmityIncline Author:Isaac of Nineveh
“To judge sins is the business of one who is sinless, but who is sinless except God? Who ever thinks about the multitude of his own sins in his heart never wants to make the sins of others a topic of conversation. To judge a man who has gone astray is a sign of pride, and God resists the proud. On the other hand, one who every hour prepares himself to give answer for his own sins will not quickly lift up his head to examine the mistakes of others.” ThinkingMenWantInspirationalGivingHeartHandsChristianHoursReligiousSinAnswersMistakeGoneJudgingPrideProudConversationLiftsOrthodoxMultitudesTopics Author:Gennadius of Constantinople
“We have such a law: If you forgive, it means that God has forgiven you; but if you do not forgive your brother, it means that your sin remains with you.” IfsInspirationalMeanChristianLawReligiousSinBrotherRemainsForgivingOrthodoxForgivenYour Brother Author:Silouan the Athonite
“Inasmuch as you pray with all your soul for the one who has slandered you, so much will God reveal the truth to them who have believed the slander.” InspirationalSoulChristianReligiousPrayingYour SoulOrthodoxSlander Author:Maximus the Confessor
“If you are remembering evil against someone, then pray for him; and as you remove through prayer the pain of the remembrance of the evil he has done, you will stop the advance of the passion. And when you have attained brotherly love and love for mankind, you will completely cast this passion out of your soul. Then when someone else does evil to you, be affectionate and humble toward him, and treat him kindly, and you will deliver him from this passion.” IfsInspirationalDoeSoulDoneChristianPainRememberPassionEvilReligiousPrayerMankindPrayingAnd LoveTreatsCastsHumbleYour SoulRemoveOrthodoxRemembranceAffectionateBrotherlyBrotherly Love Author:Maximus the Confessor
“A soul that is nurtured by hatred toward man can not be at peace with God, Who has said: If you forgive not men their sins, neither shall your Father forgive your sins (Matt. 6:15). If a man does not want to be reconciled, you must at least guard yourself from hating, praying with a pure heart for him, and speaking no evil of him.” IfsMenWantInspirationalHeartDoeSaidSoulChristianHateEvilFatherReligiousSinPrayingPureHatredForgivingOrthodoxCan NotPure HeartPeace With God Author:Maximus the Confessor
“Whoever will not love his enemies cannot know the Lord and the sweetness of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit teaches us to love our enemies in such way that we pity their souls as if they were our own children.” IfsKnowsWayInspirationalChildrenSoulChristianSpiritReligiousLordEnemyTeachHolyPityHoly SpiritOrthodoxSweetness Author:Silouan the Athonite
“I ask you to try something. If someone grieves you, or dishonors you, or takes something of yours, then pray like this: "Lord, we are all your creatures. Pity your servants, and turn them to repentance," and then you will perceptibly bear grace in your soul. Induce your heart to love your enemies, and the Lord, seeing your good will, shall help you in all things, and will Himself show you experience. But whoever thinks evil of his enemies does not have love for God and has not known God.” IfsThinkingInspirationalTryingHeartDoeSoulHelpingShowsChristianTurnsEvilAsksReligiousKnownLordEnemyGraceSeeingLove YouBearsPrayingCreaturesAll ThingsPityYour SoulGod LoveServantGrievingOrthodoxRepentanceGood WillDishonorLove Your Enemies Author:Silouan the Athonite
“Do not forsake prayer, for just as the body becomes weak when it is deprived of food, so also the soul when it is deprived of prayer draws nigh to weakness and noetic death.” InspirationalSoulBodyChristianReligiousPrayerDrawsWeaknessWeakOrthodoxDeprivedForsake Author:Gennadius of Constantinople
“The prayer of one who does not consider himself a sinner is not accepted by the Lord.” InspirationalDoeChristianReligiousPrayerLordAcceptedSinnerOrthodox Author:Isaac of Nineveh
“Give your intentions in prayer to God, Who knows everyone, even before our birth. And do not ask that everything will be according to your will, because a man does not know what is profitable for him. But say to God: Let Thy will be done! For He does everything for our benefit.” KnowsMenInspirationalGivingDoeDoneChristianAsksReligiousPrayerBirthBenefitsIntentionOrthodoxProfitableThy Will Be Done Author:Gennadius of Constantinople
“Whoever wants to approach prayer without a guide, and proudly thinks that he can learn from books, and won't go to an elder, is already halfway into delusion. But the Lord helps the humble, and if there is no experienced guide, and he goes to a confessor, whoever he may be, then the Lord will cover him because of his humility.” IfsThinkingWantInspirationalMayBookHelpingChristianReligiousPrayerLordHumilityApproachHumbleGuidesDelusionOrthodoxEldersHalfway Author:Silouan the Athonite
“If, at the time when the mind is praying it is distracted by any extraneous thought or worry about anything, then this prayer is not called pure.” IfsInspirationalMindChristianReligiousPrayerWorryPrayingPureOrthodoxDistracted Author:Isaac of Nineveh
“When God wants to have mercy on someone, He inspires someone else to pray for him, and He helps in this prayer.” WantInspirationalHelpingChristianReligiousPrayerInspirePrayingMercyOrthodox Author:Silouan the Athonite
“God will cleanse your sins if you yourself are dissatisfied with yourself and will keep on changing until you are perfect.” IfsInspirationalChristianReligiousSinPerfectGods WillOrthodoxDissatisfied Author:Saint Augustine
“The saints were people like all of us. Many of them came out of great sins, but by repentance they attained the Kingdom of Heaven. And everyone who comes there comes through repentance, which the merciful Lord has given us through His sufferings.” PeopleInspirationalChristianSufferingGivenHeavenReligiousSinLordSaintKingdomsOrthodoxRepentanceMercifulKingdom Of Heaven Author:Silouan the Athonite
“If someone has repented once of a sin, and again does the same sin, this is a sign that he has not been cleansed of the causes of the sin, wherefrom, as from a root, the shoots spring forth again.” IfsInspirationalDoeChristianCausesReligiousSinSpringRootsOrthodox Author:Saint Basil
“Whoever hates his sins will stop sinning; and whoever confesses them will receive remission. A man can not abandon the habit of sin if he does not first gain enmity toward sin, nor can he receive remission of sin without confession of sin. For the confession of sin is the cause of true humility.” IfsMenInspirationalFirstsDoeChristianHateCausesReligiousSinHumilityHabitGainsAbandonOrthodoxConfessionCan NotEnmitySinningRemissionTrue Humility Author:Isaac of Nineveh
“The Lord greatly loves the repenting sinner and mercifully presses him to His bosom: "Where were you, My child? I was waiting a long time for you." The Lord calles all to Himself with the voice of the Gospel, and his voice is heard in all the world: "Come to me, my sheep. I created you, and I love you. My love for you brought Me to earth, and I suffered all things for the sake of your salvation, and I want you all to know my love, and to say, like the apostles on Tabor: Lord, it is good for us to be with You."” KnowsWorldWantInspirationalChildrenLongEarthChristianWaitingVoiceReligiousLordHeardLove YouLong TimeAll ThingsSalvationPressesSakeMy ChildrenSinnerOrthodoxSheepI Want YouRepentApostlesBosomsMy Love For You Author:Silouan the Athonite
“It is a great good to be given over to the will of God. Then the Lord alone is in the soul, and no other thought, and she prays to God with a pure mind. When the soul is entirely given over to the will of God, then the Lord Himself begins to guide her, and the soul learns directly from God ... A proud man does not with to live according to the will of God. He likes to direct himself, and does not understand that man does not have enough understanding to direct himself without God.” MenInspirationalMindDoeSoulEnoughChristianGivenUnderstandingReligiousLordProudPrayingPureDirectGuidesLikesGods WillOrthodoxPraying To GodWithout GodProud Man Author:Silouan the Athonite
“In the measure to which a man cuts off and humbles his own will, he proceeds toward success. But insofar as he stubbornly guards his own will, so much does he brings harm to himself.” MenInspirationalDoeChristianReligiousCuttingHarmOrthodox Author:Ephrem the Syrian
“The Lord has given the Holy Spirit upon the earth, and in whomsoever He dwells, that one feels paradise within himself. You might say: why hasn't this happened to me? Because you have not given yourself over to the will of God, but you live according to yourself. Look at the one who loves his own will. He never has peace in himself and is always displeased with something. But whoever has given himself over to God's will perfectly has pure prayer. His soul loves the Lord, and everything is acceptable and good to him.” InspirationalFeelsLooksSoulMightEarthChristianSpiritGivenReligiousPrayerLordHappenedHolyPureGods WillHoly SpiritParadiseOrthodoxAcceptable Author:Silouan the Athonite