Orthodox faith - saints about illnesses. How does God treat us? Who has no love

You must definitely go to church services, otherwise you will be sick. The Lord punishes us with illness for this.

It happens that illness seizes to awaken a sleeping soul.

Just as medicine benefits the body, so does disease benefit the soul.

Illness relieves many spiritual passions. The Apostle Paul says: “...if our outer man... decays, yet our inner man... is renewed” (2 Cor. 4:16).

Illness is not a misfortune, but a lesson and a visit from God; the sick Venerable Seraphim was visited by the Mother of God; and we, if we humbly endure the disease, are visited by Higher Powers.

Health is a gift from God, said St. Seraphim of Sarov, - but this gift is not always useful: like any suffering, illness has the power to cleanse us from spiritual filth, atone for sins, humble and soften our soul, make us come to our senses, recognize our weakness and remember God. Therefore, both we and our children need diseases.

When you are bothered by inconvenience or painful suffering, or something similar, then try not to lose from your memory the words of Holy Scripture: “Through many tribulations it is fitting for us to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.”

God does not require physical feats from the sick, but only patience with humility and gratitude.

Once I came to Fr. Hegumen Anthony is sick with his legs and says: “Father, my legs hurt, I can’t bow down, and this confuses me.” Father Anthony answered him: “Yes, the Scripture says: “Son, give Me heart,” and not nose.”

St. Theophan the Recluse:

The Lord sends illnesses for this reason, in order to remember about death and to transfer from memory to the fact that the sick person is finally concerned with preparing for death.

Our diseases for the most part come from sins, why the best remedy to preventing and healing from them is not to sin.

It happens that God, through illness, protects others from trouble that they would not have escaped if they were healthy.

Suffering, if it embitters the sick person without transforming him or giving him a beneficial reaction (correction and thanksgiving), is only pure evil.

All the most severe sorrows and misfortunes are endured by people more easily than serious bodily illnesses. An undoubted expert in the matter of tormenting and tormenting people - Satan - testified before the face of God Himself that bodily illnesses are more unbearable than all other misfortunes, and that a person who courageously and meekly endures other disasters can weaken in his patience and waver in his devotion to God, subjected to a serious illness .

The Lord heals many diseases through doctors and other means. But there are diseases, the cure of which is prohibited by the Lord, when he sees that illness is more necessary for salvation than health.

It is a great feat to patiently endure illnesses and, among them, to sing songs of gratitude to God.

The elder inspired his sick friend: “We must pray more often: “Lord! Give me patience here, forgiveness there.”

However, during those hours when there is a service in church, it is better not to lie down, but to sit on the bed, leaning, if infirmity overcomes, against the wall, and so pray intelligently and heartily, with full desire and cheerfulness of spirit.

A father will not give his children a stone instead of bread or a snake instead of fish. If the natural father does not do this, much less will the Heavenly Father do this. And our petitions often resemble the petition of a snake and a stone. It seems to us that this is what we ask for, bread and fish, but the Heavenly Father sees that what we ask for will be a stone or a snake for us - and does not give what we ask for. The father and mother pour out warm prayers before God for their son, that he may arrange the best for him, but at the same time they also express what they consider to be the best for their son, namely, that he be alive, healthy and happy. The Lord hears their prayer and arranges the best for their son, only not according to the concept of those asking, but as it actually is for their son: he sends a disease from which the son dies. For those for whom everything ends in real life, this is not hearing, but doing in defiance or giving the person for whom they are praying to his fate; for believers, that real life only preparation for another life, there can be no doubt that the son for whom they prayed fell ill and died precisely because the prayer was heard and that it was better for him to leave here than to stay here. You say: so what should we pray for? No, it is impossible not to pray, but in prayers about certain objects one must always keep in mind the condition: “If, Lord, You Yourself find this saving.” St. Isaac the Syrian advises shortening every prayer like this: “You, Lord, know what is good for me: do with me according to Your will.”

In illness, before doing anything else, one must hasten to be cleansed of sins in the Sacrament of Repentance and to be reconciled with God in one’s conscience.

Sin not only affects the soul, but also the body. In other cases it is quite obvious; in others, although it is not so clear, the truth remains the truth that illnesses of the body are always and always from sins and for the sake of sins. Sin is committed in the soul and directly makes it sick, but since the life of the body comes from the soul, then from a sick soul, of course, life is not healthy. The very fact that sin brings darkness and darkness should have an adverse effect on the blood, in which the basis of bodily health is based. But when you remember that it separates a person from God, the Source of life, and puts a person at odds with all the laws operating both in himself and in nature, then one must still marvel at how a sinner remains alive after sin. This is the mercy of God, awaiting repentance and conversion. Consequently, the sick person, before doing anything else, must hasten to cleanse himself of sins and reconcile himself with God in his conscience. This will pave the way for the beneficial effects of medicines. It is known that there was some significant doctor who did not begin treatment until the patient confessed and received Holy Communion; and the more difficult the illness, the more persistently he demanded it.

St. rights John of Kronstadt:

Sick and poor - do not complain or grumble about your fate, about God and people, do not envy someone else’s happiness, beware of despondency and especially despair, submit completely to God’s Providence.

Beware that the hater of good does not lead you into ingratitude or murmuring, then you will lose everything.

Thou shalt not kill. By the way, doctors also kill out of ignorance of the patient’s illness, prescribing him harmful medications. Those who do not want to be treated or treat a patient who needs the help of a doctor also kill. Those who kill are those who irritate a patient for whom irritation is fatal, for example, a person susceptible to consumption, and thereby hasten his death. Those who kill are those who do not promptly, out of stinginess or for other evil reasons, provide medical benefits to the sick or bread to the hungry.

St. Demetrius of Rostov:

The Lord makes up for the lack of our good deeds either with illnesses or sorrows.

Patericon of Athos

The brother asked Abba Arseny: “There are some good people, why do they undergo great sorrow at the time of death, being stricken with bodily illness?” “Because,” the elder answered, “so that we, as if we had finished with salt here, would go there clean.”

One elder said about poor Lazar: “Not a single virtue is visible in him that he did,” and only one thing was found in him, that he never grumbled against the Lord, as if he did not show him mercy, but with He endured his illness with gratitude, and therefore God accepted him.

Abba Daniel said: as the body blooms, the soul is exhausted, and as the body is exhausted, the soul flourishes.

Every time your body is struck or inflamed with a strong fever, you are also languishing with an unbearable thirst - if you are a sinner, then bear it, remembering the future punishment, oh eternal fire and executions according to the court and “do not despise” real (punishments) (Heb. 12:5), but rejoice that God visited you, and repeat this beautiful saying: “The Lord punished me severely, but did not put me to death” (Ps. 117, 18). You are iron, and fire will cleanse your rust. If you, being righteous, fell into illness, then through this you will succeed from less to greater things. You are gold, and through the fire you became purer... Are we losing our eyes? - let us endure this without burden, for through this we are deprived of the organs of gluttony and are enlightened with our inner eyes. Have we gone deaf? - Let us thank God that we have completely lost our vain hearing. Have your hands become weak? - But we have within ourselves hands prepared to fight the enemy. Will weakness take over the whole body? - But from this, on the contrary, the health of the inner person increases.

Rev. Pimen the Many-Painful:

The Lord, out of love for us, sends illness and sorrow according to the strength of each, but also gives them patience in order to make us participants in His suffering; whoever did not suffer here for Christ’s sake will be remorseful in the next century, - after all, it was possible to show his love for Christ by enduring illness and sorrows, and did not do this, trying to evade and avoid all sorrows... Not in anger, not for punishment The Lord sends us illnesses and sorrows, but out of love for us, although not all people, and do not always understand this.

When you are sick, do not wish yourself to die - it is sinful.

The best gratitude to God for recovery from illness is to serve Him the rest of your life in fulfilling His commandments.

When we see a sick person, we will not poorly explain to ourselves the cause of his illness, but we will try to console him.

If a person grumbles about illness and sorrow, looks for the culprit for these sorrows among people (bewitched, made), demons, circumstances, begins to try by all means to avoid them, then the enemy will help him in this, show him the imaginary culprits (bosses, orders, neighbors, etc., etc.), will arouse in him enmity and hatred towards them, a desire to take revenge, insult, etc., and through this will lead the soul of such a person into darkness, despair, hopelessness, the desire to go to another place, to hide even underground, only not to see, not to hear imaginary enemies, but in fact listening and pleasing his real mortal enemy - the devil, who inspires him with all this and wants to destroy him.

One should not refuse to help the sick for fear of contracting their disease.

Visiting those lying on their beds who are sick and possessed by the sorrow of the flesh delivers from the demon of pride and fornication.

In illness, on the advice of a doctor, we can allow ourselves to temporarily eat fasting food, but in this case we must remember that we are doing this out of necessity, and not for pleasure and enjoyment.

Visit the sick, may God visit you.

The sick person and whoever serves him receives equal reward.

Rev. Anatoly Optinsky:

It doesn’t matter that you are sick: for sinful people this is cleansing; Just as fire cleanses iron from rust, so illness heals the soul.

Reflect on the fact that everything here is fleeting, but the future is eternal. The sick person needs to console himself by reading the Divine Scripture and the suffering of the Savior.

The Lord accepts patience with illness instead of fasting and prayer.

Elder Arseny of Athos:

Thank God that you are on a good path: your illness is great gift God's; Praise and give thanks for this and for everything day and night - and your soul will be saved.

The devil attacks the dangerously sick more strongly, knowing that he has little time.

It happens that some patients use fasting food as medicine during Lent, and then they repent of this, that due to illness they violated the rules of the Holy Church about fasting. But everyone needs to look and act according to their own conscience and consciousness... It is better to choose from lean foods that are nutritious and digestible for your stomach.

Don’t grieve if you sometimes can’t do it due to illness. prayer rule, but thank God for illness, for it is the same as prayer, if we endure it without grumbling and with thanksgiving.

In dangerous illnesses, take care first of clearing your conscience and the peace of your soul.

Blazh. Jerome:

The main reason for cowardice and murmuring against God in days of suffering for many is a lack of faith in God and hope in His Divine Providence. True Christian believes that everything that happens to us in life is done according to the will of God; that without the will of God not a hair from our head falls to the ground. If God sends him suffering and sorrow, then he sees in this either a punishment sent to him from God for his sins, or a test of faith and love for Him; and therefore, not only is he not faint-hearted and does not grumble against God for this, but, humbled under the strong hand of God, he also thanks God for not forgetting him; that, out of His mercy, God wants to replace eternal sorrows for him with temporary ones; struck by sorrow, he speaks to the righteous David: “It is good for me, Lord, for you have humbled me, so that I may learn through your justification.”

In diseases, care should be taken to cure them.

If you are sick, then invite an experienced doctor and use the remedies prescribed by him. For this purpose, so many beneficial plants arise from the earth. If you reject them out of pride, you will hasten your death and become a suicide.

St. Gregory the Theologian:

Truly, through bodily illnesses the soul approaches God.

Rev. Nicodemus Svyatogorets:

When, for example, a sick person is disposed to graciously endure his illness and endures it, the enemy, knowing that in this way he will be confirmed in the virtue of patience, comes to upset his goodwill. For this purpose, he begins to bring to mind many good deeds that he could have done if he had been in a different position, and tries to convince him that if he were healthy, how good he would serve God, and how much benefit he would bring both himself and others: he would go to church, have conversations, read and write for the edification of his neighbors, etc. Noticing that such thoughts are accepted, the enemy more often brings them to mind, multiplies and colors them, brings them to feeling, causes desires and impulses to business, imagines how well this or that business would go for him, and arouses regret that he is bound hand and foot by illness. Little by little, with frequent repetitions of such thoughts and movements in the soul, desire turns into dissatisfaction and annoyance. The former complacent patience is thus upset, and illness is no longer presented as a cure from God and a field for the virtue of patience, but as something hostile to the cause of salvation, and the desire to free oneself from it becomes uncontrollable, still in the form of obtaining through it space for good deeds and pleasing God in every way. Having brought him to this point, the enemy steals from his mind and heart this good goal of the desire for recovery and, leaving only the desire for health as health, makes him look annoyed at illness, not as an obstacle to good, but as something hostile in itself. As a result, impatience, not healed by good thoughts, takes strength and turns into grumbling, and deprives the patient of his former peace from complacent patience. And the enemy rejoices that he managed to upset.

Whether you are sick or poor, endure. God does not require anything from you except patience. By enduring complacently, you will continuously be in good deeds. Whenever God looks at you, He will see that you are doing good or are in goodness if you patiently endure, whereas in a healthy person good deeds come intermittently. Why, wanting to change your situation, do you want to exchange the best for the worst?

Rev. Barsanuphius the Great:

Showing bodily illnesses to a doctor is not a sin, but humility.

The patient must fast on Wednesday and Friday, and on other days he is allowed to eat meat, except meat.

Rev. Seraphim Sarovsky:

One elder, suffering from water sickness, said to the brethren who came to him with a desire to treat him: “Fathers, pray that my inner man will not be subjected to such a disease, and as for the real disease, I ask God that He will not suddenly freed me from it, for as much as “our outer man decays,” so “our inner man is renewed”” (2 Cor. 4:16).

St. Tikhon of Zadonsk:

If you are in a long-term illness and have any consolation from those who serve you, then look at those who suffer grief and sadness inside, are covered with wounds on the outside and have no one to serve them, feed them, give them something to drink, raise them, wash their wounds - and they endure.

St. Philaret of Moscow:

Lightening fasting for the weak is permissible according to the church rule (Apostle, canon 69).

St. Ignatius Brianchaninov:

One of the parish priests became ill, and, approaching his death, he saw his bed surrounded by demons who were preparing to kidnap his soul and bring him down to hell. Then three Angels appeared. One of them stood at the bedside and began to argue about the soul with the most disgusting demon, who was holding an open book in which all the sins of the priest were written down. Meanwhile, another priest came to admonish his brother. Confession began; the sick man, fixing his frightened gaze on the book, pronounced his sins with selflessness, as if spewing them out of himself - and what does he see? He clearly sees that as soon as he uttered any sin, this sin disappeared in the book, in which there remained a gap instead of a record. Thus, by confession, he blotted out all his sins from the demonic book, and, having received healing, spent the rest of his days in deep repentance, telling his neighbors for their edification their vision, sealed by the miraculous healing.

Hegumen Nikon (Vorobiev):

The Lord sent you illness not in vain, and not so much as a punishment for previous sins, but out of love for you, in order to tear you away from a sinful life and put you on the path of salvation. Thank God for this, who cares about you.

In addition to prayer, you should have a spiritual interlocutor who will relieve you from sorrow and despondency.

What is love?

Holy Bible testifies:

« God is love» (1 John 4:16).

Saint Gregory the Theologian(memory (25.1/7.2/.389):

“We honor love. For, according to the saying of the Holy Spirit, our God is love (1 John 4.8), And this name is more pleasing to God than any other name».

(St. Gregory the Theologian “Creations” vol. 1, M., 2010, p. 286).

Reverend Simeon New Theologian (12/25/.3.1021):

« Love there is not a name, but divine essence communicable and incomprehensible and completely Divine.”

(Reverend Simeon the New Theologian “Creations” vol. 3 “Divine Hymns” published by the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, 1993, p. 220).

(20.12/2.1/.117)

“Epistle to the Trallians”: “...Confirm yourselves mutually in faith, which is the flesh of the Lord, and in love, which is the blood of Jesus Christ».

(“Writings of the Apostolic Men. In Russian translation with introductions and notes to them by Archpriest P. Preobrazhensky” Kyiv 2001, p. 288).

Bishop Anthony (Khrapovitsky), Later Metropolitan, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad †28.7.1936):

« To believe in Christ means to believe in « Love“, having received its highest justification through Him, recognize precisely love as the highest law of life and be guided by it.”

/ Ep. Anthony (Khrapovitsky) “Collected Works” vol.2, p.103/ (Quote from the book: S.M. Zarin “Asceticism according to Orthodox Christian teaching” M., 1996, p.364).

German theologian and philosopher, one of the greatest Christian mystics, Meister Eckhart(c.1260-c.1328):

“Today we read the Epistle, in which St. John says: “God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him” ( 1John 4.16). However, I say: " God is love and whoever is in love is in God, and He is in him.” When I say "God-love" I mean one unit. For think about it, if they say “God is love,” then the question may arise what kind of love, because there is more than one love, and thereby one can turn away from the whole. But in order to keep this whole before me, I say: “ God is love».

God captures all creation with His love in order to awaken in them the desire to love Him. If they ask me what God is, then I will answer: God is good, as such He pursues all creatures with His love, and only in order to direct their love back to Himself; what kind of happiness God gives; being Himself the goal of their aspirations.”

(Meister Eckhart “Spiritual Sermons and Reasonings” St. Petersburg, 2008, p. 201).

Savior:

In response to the Pharisee's question:

"Teacher! Which greatest commandment in the law? Jesus said to him: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind: this is the first and greatest commandment; the second one similar to her: love your neighbor as yourself, On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” (Matt. 22:36-40).

Apostle Paul:

“Above all, put on Love, which is totality of perfection"(Col. 3:14).

Reverend Maxim Confessor (21.1/3.2/.662):

"Or, to put it briefly, love is the accomplishment of all good things; being faithful, unwavering and always abiding, it leads and leads those living in it to God, the Highest Good and the Cause of all good.

"…" As a matter of fact, only she is alone represents man as existing in the image of the Creator...”

(“The works of St. Maximus the Confessor, book 1 “Theological and ascetic treatises” 1993, p. 147).

Venerable John Climacus (30.3/12.4/.649):

« Love there is a giver of prophecy; love is the culprit of miracles; love is an abyss of radiance; love is the source of fire in the heart, which, the more it flows, the more it inflames the thirsty. Love is the affirmation of the Angels, eternal prosperity."

(“Our Reverend Father John, Abbot of Mount Sinai LADDER”JordAnville, N. Y., 1963, p.250).

Venerable Abba Felassius (†660):

"ONE LOVE combines creatures with God and among themselves in unanimity».

(“Philokalia” vol. 3, M., 1998, p. 313).

Savior:

“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another, like me loved you So and let you love one another; Because everyone will know that you are my disciples, Ifyou will have love for each other» (John 13:34-35).

Bishop of the Caucasus (30.4/13.5/1867):

“Love for one's neighbor is the path leading to love for God: because Christ deigned to mysteriously clothe himself with each of our neighbors, and in Christ is God ( Matt. 10,34,35,36)».

I, M., 1993, p.121).

Venerable Silouan of Athos (11.9/24/.1938):

“Blessed is the soul that loves its brother, for OUR BROTHER IS OUR LIFE / so highlighted in the cited source - compiler/. Blessed is the soul that loves a brother: in it The Spirit of the Lord lives tangibly and gives her peace and joy, and she weeps for the whole world.”

(“Elder Silouan. Life and Teachings” M. - Novo-Kazachye - Minsk, 1991, p. 335).

Saint righteous John Kronstadt (20.12.1908/2.1.1909):

"Dislike, enmity or hatred should not be known among Christians even by name. How can there be dislike between Christians! Everywhere you see love, everywhere you smell the fragrance of love. Our God is a God of love; His kingdom is the kingdom of love; out of love for us He did not spare His only begotten Son and gave Him up to death for us (Cf. Rom. 8:32). And you - express love everywhere, at home - to your family (they are sealed in baptism and anointing with the cross of love and wear the cross, eat the Supper of Love with you in church). In the church there are symbols of love everywhere (Crosses, the sign of the cross, saints who have pleased the love of God and their neighbors) and the Most Embodied Love. In heaven and on earth, love is everywhere. She is limitless, just like God is limitless. She calms and delights the heart, like God, while enmity kills soul and body. Will you still not love when everywhere you hear preaching about love, when only the murderer the devil is not love, but eternal enmity?

(St. John of Kronstadt “Creations. Diary. vol. 2, 1859-1860, M., 2003, p. 215).

Apostle John the Theologian:

"We know that we have passed from death to life,because we love brothers; Not loving brother remains in death. Any,haterhis brother, there is a HUMAN KILLER; and you know that no murderer has eternal life.” (1 John 3:14,15).

Venerable Ephraim the Syrian (28.1/10.2/.373-379):

“Unfortunate and pitiful are those who are far from love. He spends his days in sleepy delirium. And who will not cry for that person who is far from God, deprived of light and lives in darkness? For I say to you, brethren: who does not have the love of Christ, THAT ENEMY TO CHRIST. "..." He who has no love is blinded by his mind, he friend of the devil…».

(St. Ephraim the Syrian “Creations” vol. 1, M., 1993, p. 7).

Venerable Silouan of Athos:

“The Holy Spirit is love; and this love is poured out in all the souls of the holy inhabitants of heaven, and the same Holy Spirit on earth, in the souls of those who love God. "..."

But although I loved to pray, I did not avoid sins. But the Lord did not remember my sins and gave me to love people, and my soul desires that the WHOLE UNIVERSE was saved and was in the Kingdom of Heaven, and saw the glory of the Lord, and enjoyed the love of God».

(“Elder Silouan. Life and Teachings” M. - Novo-Kazachye - Minsk, 1991, p. 252).

About love for enemies

Savior :

“You have heard that it was said: “You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.”

AND I I tell you: LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you and pray for those who use you and persecute you; that you may be sons of your Father in heaven..." (Matt. 5:43-45);

“And as you want people to do to you, do so to them.

And if you love those who love you, what gratitude do you have for that? for sinners also love those who love them.

And if you do good to those who do good to you, what gratitude is that to you? for sinners do the same.

And if you lend to those from whom you hope to get it back, what gratitude are you for that? for even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount.

But you LOVE YOUR ENEMIES and do good and lend, expecting nothing; and you will have a great reward, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.

AND So be merciful like your Father merciful" (Luke 6:31-36).

God-man Jesus ChristHe not only demands love for enemies from His followers, but He Himself shows it.

On the Cross:

“And when they came to a place called Lobnoye, there they crucified Him and the villains, one on the right and the other on the left.

Jesus said: Father! forgive them because they don't know what they are doing. And they divided His garments by casting lots.

And the people stood and watched. The bosses laughed along with them...” (Luke 23:33-35).

Venerable Abba Isaiah(†IY century) in his “Seventh Word” draws attention to the fact that at the Last Supper the Lord Jesus Christ

“how he washed the feet of the other disciples, so he washed the feet of Judas without making any distinction."

(“Philokalia” vol. 1, 1963,JordAnyille, N.Y., p.238).

A schema-abbot John(Alekseev; †1958) adds:

“After the solemn procession to Jerusalem, the Lord at the Last Supper instituted the sacrament of holy communion, and Judas received the Body and Blood Our Savior Lord Jesus Christ."

(Sche-abbot John “Letters of the Elder of Valaam” M., 1992, p. 83).

Saint John Chrysostom (14/27/.9.407):

“It is not enough to pray for our salvation if we do not pray according to the laws that Christ laid down for this. What laws did He lay down? Pray for enemies, even if they saddened us a lot. And if we don’t do this, then we are lost., as can be seen from what happened to the Pharisee...”

(Quote from the book: “The Holy Fathers on Prayer and Sobriety” M., 1992, p. 79).

Hieromonk Kiev-Pechersk Lavra Vladimir (Musatov):

“Whoever wants God to hear his prayer, when he stands before Him and stretches out his hands to Him, first of all, even before praying for your soul, must pray with all your heart for your enemies. For this good deed, God will hear him if the subject of prayer is pleasing to Him.”

(“Questions from a cell student with the elder’s answers to them about various soul-saving objects” reprint of the 1855 edition, M., 1996, p. 67).

Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-Bearer"Epistle to the Smyrnae":

"But I protect you from animals in human form , whom you not only should not accept, but, if possible, don't meet them, A just pray for them“Will they somehow repent?”

(“Early Fathers of the Church. Anthology: apostolic men and apologists” Brussels, 1988, p. 135).

Hieromartyr Polycarp of Smyrna(23.2/8.3/.156) “Philippians”:

“Pray also for kings, for powers and princes, even for those who persecute and hate you and for the enemies of the cross, so that the fruit of your faith may be evident to all, and you yourselves may be perfect.”

(“Early Fathers of the Church. Anthology: apostolic men and apologists” Brussels, 1988, p. 156).

Saint Simeon of Thessaloniki(† September 1429) in his “Message to Christians Living in a Muslim Surroundings” writes:

“From now on, brethren, rejoice as you suffer and endure for Christ, and, brethren, seeing how oppressed we are, do not be offended, but be even more strengthened and strengthen others when one of the pious and righteous suffers. Support those who are persecuted with the power of your voice, with words of perseverance and deeds of mercy, for the sake of their love, lead those wavering to hope, so that you too may be heirs with them, as the Apostle says: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man.” what God has prepared for those who love Him" (1 Cor. 2:9). Have pity on the wicked, for We must also be merciful to them and pray to God for them who are fighting against us, for this is the work of the pious: to pray for those who persecute and beat.

And every time they revile you, mocking us and everyone on earth as best they can, feel sorry for them more and answer with boldness in Christ that we rejoice the more in this, and believe that we are servants of God, because we are persecuted in this world, because we are hated by the pagans and suffer for Christ, - for He Himself taught us this, saying that “you will be hated by everyone because of My name” (Mark 13:13)».

(Journal "Alpha and Omega" 2004, No. 3(41), p. 122-123).

Venerable Silouan of Athos:

"But He who does not love his enemies cannot know the Lord and the sweetness of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit teaches you to love your enemies so that your soul will pity them as if it were your own children.

There are people who wish their enemies or enemies of the Church death and torment in hellfire. They think this way because have not learned the love of God from the Holy Spirit, for he who has learned will shed tears for the whole world.

You say he is a villain and let him burn in hell fire. But I ask you: if God gives you a good place in heaven, but you will see in the fire the one for whom you wished the fire of torment, will you really not feel sorry for him, no matter who he is, even an enemy of the Church?

Or do you have a heart of iron? But in heaven there is no need for iron. There you need humility and the love of Christ, which FEEL SORRY FOR EVERYONE. / In a similar way highlighted in the cited source – compiler/.He who does not love his enemies does not have the grace of God».

(“Elder Silouan. Life and Teachings” M. - Novo-Kazachye - Minsk, 1991, p. 256).

(†370):

“There are three virtues that always give light to the mind: not seeing wickedness in any person, charity to those who do evil you and endure everything that comes your way without embarrassment.”

(“Philokalia” vol. 1, New York, 1963, p. 236).

Archpriest Valerian Krechetov reminisces about :

“Father Tikhon (Shevkunov) asked him what we need to fear most, what is the worst thing for us, and the priest answered: “ Lack of love" - “And in the Church?” - “And in the Church.” “What do you recommend?” – “ Love for everything».

Saint Basil of Kineshemsky (31.7/13/.8.1945):

“The commandment of love always remains obligatory to all those who have different opinions without exception, no matter how far they stray from Christ’s truth».

(St. Basil Bishop of Kineshma “Conversations on the Gospel of Mark” M., 1996, p. 321).

Venerable Anthony the Great (17/30/.1.356):

“Those who have forgotten the good and godly life and are wise not according to right and God-loving dogmasshould not hate, but rather regret, as impoverished in reasoning and blind in heart and mind: for, taking evil for good, they perish from ignorance.”

(“Philokalia” vol. 1, 1963,JordAnville, N.Y., p.58).

Abbot Valaam Monastery Abbot Khariton (†1947):

“...often words, mind and heart go on different paths and harmony is disturbed.

And this harmony must first of all be restored in oneself. Otherwise, defending even the cause of truth, it will be difficult to maintain peaceful feelings to warring opponents, A without this, everything is of no use, And inner harmony disturbed and upset.

The thought that people are to blame for its disorder leads to even greater indignation. and not herself, darkened by her. internal turmoil. After all, people even if they are mistaken, they are worthy of regret, not contempt and hatred. Thoughts about the guilt of other people create a riot in the spiritual chamber. And vice versa, thoughts of regret and compassion for them, even if they are lost, bring about such peace in the soul. This, I believe, has been experienced by everyone who guards his soul.”

(Magazine “Alpha and Omega” 2009, No. 1(54), p.277).

IN "Gallic and Hispano-Gothic Liturgies" We read about the love of God:

“...and since everything came from You, You are in everything; for You are so high that You possess heavenly things, so accessible that You do not abandon earthly things, and so loving , What You do not deprive the underworld of Your presence».

(“Collection of ancient liturgies of Eastern and Western” Issue 4 and 5; reprint from 1877, publishing house of St. Vladimir Brotherhood, 1999, p. 82).

Venerable Silouan of Athos:

“The Lord gave us a commandment: “Love your enemies” (Matt. 5:44). But how can you love them when they do evil? Or how to love those who persecute the Holy Church?

When the Lord went to Jerusalem and the Samaritans did not accept Him, John the Theologian and James were ready to bring down fire from heaven and destroy them for this; but the Lord mercifully told them: “I did not come to destroy, but to save.” (Luke 9:54-56). So we too must have one thought: that everyone be saved. The soul pities the enemies and prays for them, that they have strayed from the truth and are going to hell. This is love for enemies. When Judas decided to betray the Lord, the Lord mercifully admonished him; So we must act mercifully with those who are mistaken, and then we will be saved by the mercy of God.”

(“Elder Silouan. Life and Teachings” M. - Novo-Kazachye - Minsk, 1991, p. 341).

Venerable Isaac the Syrian:

“And what is a merciful heart? ... The burning of a person’s heart about all creation, about humans, about birds, about animals, O demonsand about every creature. When remembering them and looking at them, a person’s eyes shed tears from the great and strong pity that envelops the heart. And from great compassion his heart is diminished, and it cannot bear, or hear, or see any harm or small sorrow endured by the creature. And therefore and about the dumb, and about the enemies of truth,and about those who harm him /Syrian version: “ about those causing harm to it (i.e. the truth)", "about those who harm her"(Quote from the book: Hieromonk Hilarion (Alfeev) “The World of Isaac the Syrian” M., 1998, p. 47) /, every hour with tears he brings a prayer that they will be preserved and have mercy; and he also prays for the nature of reptiles with great pity, which is immeasurably aroused in his heart until he becomes like God in this.».

(“Works like the saints of our father Isaac the Syrian, an ascetic and hermit, who was the bishop of the Christ-loving city of Nineveh, Ascetic Words” ed. 3, Sergiev Posad, 1911, p. 299).

Venerable Silouan of Athos:

“The Lord taught me to love my enemies. Without the grace of God we cannot love our enemies, but the Holy Spirit teaches love, and then I feel sorry even for the demons“that they have fallen away from goodness, have lost humility and love for God.”

(“Elder Silouan. Life and Teachings” M. - Novo-Kazachye - Minsk, 1991, p. 340).

Mr. Drositis Panathiotis, Honorary President of the Court of Appeal, testifies:

“The Elder’s love was unsurpassed. It extended to all people, to all creation, even for demons. I saw how in his kaliva he received a person unknown to him, professing a different religion. He hugged him with such warmth and cordiality, as if he were his beloved brother. From the Elder’s own lips I heard that when he with tears prayed for the pitiful state he was in devil, he appeared to him and began to ridicule him. I saw how he even took care of plants, ants, reptiles and other representatives of the animal kingdom with tenderness and love.”

(Hieromonk Isaac “The Life of Elder Paisius the Svyatogorets”, publishing house Holy Mountain, M., 2006, pp. 530-531).

Saint Ignatius (Brianchaninov), Bishop of the Caucasus:

“Those who are deprived of the glory of Christianity are not deprived of another glory received at creation: they are the image of God.

If the image of God is cast into the terrible flames of hell, and there I have to honor him.

What do I care about the flames, about hell! The image of God was cast there according to the judgment of God: my job is to maintain respect for the image of God, and to save yourself from hell.

And the blind, and the leper, and the crippled, and infant, and a criminal, and show respect to the pagan, as the image of God. What do you care about their weaknesses and shortcomings! Watch yourself so that you do not lack love.”

(St. Ignatius Brianchaninov “Ascetic Experiences” vol.I, M., 1993, pp. 125-126).

Gerontissa Gabrielia:

« You can't be a Christian and not love everyone equally. Both Orthodox and non-Orthodox. And our faith and other faiths, and foreigners. We are not to blame for where we are born.”

(Nun Gabriel “Feat of Love - Gerontissa Gabriel 2.10.1897-28.3.1992” published by Holy Protection Monastic Community, 2000, p. 223).

Venerable Silouan of Athos:

“Christ prayed for those who crucified Him: “Father, do not put this sin on them; They don’t know what they’re doing.” Archdeacon Stefan prayed for those who stoned him, so that the Lord would not count this as a sin on them. And we, if we want to maintain grace, must pray for our enemies. If you do not feel sorry for the sinner who will suffer in the fire, then it means that you do not have the grace of the Holy Spirit., but lives in you evil spirit, and while you are still alive, try to free yourself from it through repentance.”

(“Elder Silouan. Life and Teachings” M. - Novo-Kazachye - Minsk, 1991, p. 319).

Archpriest Valerian Krechetov remembers Archpriest Nikolai (Guryanov):

“Father warned in every possible way against manifestations of unlove. When I talked about the transfer of the relics of St. Athanasius Sakharov, about how the relics were carried along the path along which the bishop was taken for interrogation to the monastery, I said that now St. Athanasius reigned with glory and remains there in the monastery, and those who he was tortured - in hell. Father told me that I shouldn’t have said that.”

(“Memories of Elder Nikolai Guryanov” M., 2003, p. 22).

Venerable Abba Isaiah of Nitria (†370):

« Woe to us, that, while the retreat lasts for so many years and very many left Orthodox faith “We don’t shed a tear, we don’t get sick in our hearts, we don’t abstain from our passions, but we add sins to sins, so that both for our evil deeds and for unbelief, we will at once receive bitter eternal torment in Gehenna!”

(“Philokalia” vol. 1, New York, 1963, p. 326).

Life of St. Paisius the Great(19.6/2.7/.†Yв):

"... After the saint is quite for a long time, so he prayed and incessantly propitiated the bounties of God, his prayers bowed the mercy of God; for the Savior does not despise the prayers of those who love Him. The Lord Himself appeared to the holy elder, and the One Who Knows everything asked him:

– “For whom do you cry out to Me day and night? isn't that about who has rejected Me and now passed on to the enemies- a cursed man who was once a monk, and now became a Jew? Is this not the person you are praying for, My saint Paisius?”

The elder said to the Lord:

- “For him I pray for Your goodness, humane Master. Looking at Your bounties, calling everyone to salvation and not wanting the death of a sinner, but awaiting his conversion, for the sake of these Your bounties, I dared to pray for Your mercy: call, good Shepherd, the lost sheep, call again into Your fence and be merciful to him".

To this prayer the Lord said to him:

- “Oh, My saint! your piety is great: for You,imitating My love,care about the salvation of sinners; Therefore, do not grieve: what you ask will be given to you.”

(“Lives of the Saints of St. Demetrius of Rostov. June”, published by Vvedenskaya Optina Hermitage, 1992, pp. 442-443).

Venerable Macarius the Great (19/1.2/.1.390-391).

“The Ancient Patericon says: “They told about Abba Macarius the Great: one day, while passing through the desert, he found the skull of a dead man lying on the ground. The elder, hitting the skull with a palm stick, said to him: who are you? - answer me. The skull answered: I was the chief priest of the pagans who lived in this place; and when you, Abba Macarius, are a spirit bearer, having mercy on those suffering in torment, pray for them, then they feel some joy.”

(“Ancient patericon, set out in chapters” M., 1991, pp. 34-35).

Elder Paisiy Svyatogorets (†12.7.1994):

“The question of where God will place me after my death does not concern me. I threw myself aside. I don't do good things to get to Heaven..

For me, it is preferable for those unfortunate people who live far from God to taste at least a little of Paradise. After all, we at least, have tasted what heavenly joy is, while in this life they already live in hellish torment.”

Citing this statement of the Elder, his biography writes: “The Elder asked God to free one soul, tormented in hellish torments, and he himself would be sent in his place. “I would pray for I myself was excommunicated from Christ by my brethren” / “I would like to be excommunicated from Christ for my brothers, relatives to me according to the flesh” (Rom. 9:3)/ – wrote the holy Apostle Paul. How close was Elder Paisius’s disposition to these apostolic words.”

(Hieromonk Isaac “The Life of Elder Paisius the Holy Mountain”, publishing house Holy Mountain, M., 2006, p. 537).

Hieromonk Dionysius (Ignat):

“The elder passed into eternity on May 11, 2004 at the age of 95, of which he spent 81 years in the monastery, including 78 years on Holy Mount Athos, of which 67 years in the cell of St. George “Kolchu”, and for 57 years he cared for numerous spiritual children from all over the world.”

“Let us have love for our neighbor, but not hypocritical love, that is, when I choose: this one, they say, is evil, that one knows what. I must love everyone as myself, for this is what the Church commands me to do. This is the truth and Orthodoxy. That is, so that we love everyone: Turks, Arabs, and people of other religions and nations.

But God does not command me to change my faith to their faith or our customs to please their passions. We are not interested in what God will do with them. Everything around is His creation, and He will judge everyone with a judgment incomprehensible to our minds.”

***

" GLord, "Your name is Love: do not reject me who is erring. Your name is Strength: strengthen me, weary and falling. Your name is Light: enlighten my soul, darkened by worldly passions. Your name is Peace: pacify my restless soul. Your name is Mercy: do not cease have mercy on me." (St. John of Krondstadt )

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" INDivine vision is born from attentive prayer, especially mental prayer."

(St. Ignatiy Brianchaninov )

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" INBy choosing evil, we ourselves become slaves of evil and violate the freedom of other people."

(bishop Vasily Rodzianko )

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" Blet's stay awake! Let us establish good sobriety in the temple of our spirit! If you have sobriety, you will improve your spirit. He who has sobriety has already become the temple of God." (St. Anthony the Great )

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" TOthat which is exalted by natural gifts, that is, wit, understanding, skill in reading and pronunciation, quickness of mind and other abilities that we acquired without difficulty, will never receive supernatural benefits, for he who is unfaithful in little things is also unfaithful and vain in many things. " (

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" EIf we are attentive to our sins, we will not look at the sins of our neighbor." (Ava Matoi)

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" GLord, have mercy on the evil, for You have provided all joys to the good!”

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"NSome asked Abba Macarius, saying: How should we pray? The elder answers them: there is no need to talk a lot, but often raise your hands and say: Lord, as You want and as You know, have mercy! If temptation comes, say:

“Lord help! And He knows what is good for us, and He does the same with us.” "

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"BRat asked the elder, saying: what should the soul do in order for it to bear good fruit? The elder answers him: in my opinion, the work of the soul is silence with wakefulness, abstinence of the body, much physical prayer and inattention to the falls of people."

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" PAlways remember God, and your mind will become heaven." (Venerable Neil of Sinai )

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"BLet us listen to ourselves, then we will not condemn others; for there are many things in ourselves for which we condemn others." (Venerable Neil of Sinai )

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" INgive thanks in sorrows, and the burden of your sins will become lighter.”

(Venerable Neil of Sinai )

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" INBelieve that God Himself stands before you in all the things you do every day."

(Venerable Neil of Sinai )

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" INwho loves love is not afraid of anything, because true love drives out fear."

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" INwhoever loves has no rivalry, no envy, no hatred; he does not rejoice at the fall of others, but sympathizes with them and takes part in them."

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"NThere is no measure of patience, if only it is dissolved by love."

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"Bugliness is precisely the loss of the image of God. And how understandable our love for icons becomes, because the image always strives for the prototype. Venerable Seraphim Sarovsky gave instructions to one mother not to rush to teach her children science, but to prepare her soul first." (Venerable Ephraim the Syrian )

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"Bratia asked Abba Agathon, saying: which virtue in asceticism has more work? He replies: forgive me, I think there is no greater work than praying to God without entertainment; for always when a person wants to pray, the enemy tries to distract him; for demons know that nothing opposes them so much as prayer to God. And in every feat, no matter what a person undertakes, while performing it he receives peace, but prayer until the last breath requires struggle."

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" Twhen each of us recognizes that there is brotherly love and true love for one’s neighbor in him, when he sees that he cries over his brother’s sins and rejoices over his successes and gifts.” (Venerable John Climacus )

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" E“If... the Lord deigns to put kindness, love, non-judgment of your neighbors, and merciful apology for them as the basis of your prayerful deed, then with special ease and speed you will defeat your opponents and achieve pure prayer.” (Bishop Ignatius Brianchaninov )

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"Zthose who are preoccupied with earthly things experience sorrow from earthly things; and those who strive for the spiritual about the spiritual get sick."

(Venerable Ephraim the Syrian )

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" Ireceived the image of God and did not preserve It, He takes on my flesh in order to save both the image and the flesh to immortalize" (Saint Gregory the Theologian. Homily 45, for Holy Easter ).

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" NDo not be deceived: God is not mocked. Whatever a man sows, that will he also reap: he who sows to his flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, and he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life." ( Galatians. 6.7-8. )

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" XChrist paid much more than we owed, and as much more as the sea is limitless compared to a small drop." (St. John Chrysostom )

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" UI am amazed at those numerous people who do not tremble to theologize about God, being filled with sins...We, who know neither ourselves nor what is before our eyes, with audacity and fearlessness begin to philosophize about what is INCOMPREHENSIBLE FOR US, especially being EMPTY FROM THE GRACE of the Holy Spirit, who enlightens and teaches everything." ( Simeon the New Theologian )

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" XChrist paid much more than we owed, and as much more as the sea is limitless compared to a small drop" ( St. John Chrysostom )

"ABOUTWe feel bidu when our soul is sick. She needs to be treated with such “mud baths”. You must tolerate scolders, prepare yourself in advance, in the morning or even in the evening, that today you will be scolded. Tell yourself: “The devil sees that I am here praying, saving myself, confessing well and cleansing myself. He wants to drive me out of this temple. But I will not leave. God will help me, and I will endure.” Set yourself up like this: the day on which I was not scolded was in vain." (Archimandrite Ambrose (Yurasov)

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"INEvery person who likes to show off is vain. The fast of a vain person remains without reward, and his prayer is fruitless; for he does both for the praise of men.” (Venerable John Climacus)

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"Ta vain man is an idolater. He thinks he honors God, but in reality he pleases not God, but people." (Reverend John Climacus)

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"NJudge and do not destroy anyone, because this makes the heart weak and the mind blinded..." (Venerable Barsanuphius and John )

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"Nconstantly be awake, studying the law of God, for through this the heart is warmed with heavenly fire..." (Venerable Vasanuphius and John )

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"NDon't speak with anger. Let your words, like your silence, be filled with prudence and wisdom. The words of our wisest fathers were reasonable and wise, and their silence was similar."(Venerable Anthony Veliki th)

"NYou don’t need to change the world, change only a small part of this world - yourself, and the whole world will change after you." (Monk Simeon of Athos. "Great is the power of any humble prayer. There is no case that it will not be fulfilled, although not always so, as people want, but even better. Therefore, we must end all our requests as the Lord ended His prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane: “Nevertheless, not My will, but Thine be done.” (OK. 22.42 ). (Archimandrite John Krestyankin )

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"M )

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" P ( Elder Joseph the Hesychast)

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"A(Saint Basil the Great )

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"H(St. Anthony )

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"G(Saint John Chrysostom )

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"N(Elder Paisios of Athos )

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"L(O. Pavel Florensky )

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. (St. John Chrysostom )

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"WITH(St. Alexy Mechev.)

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"MThe prayers composed by heretics are very similar to the prayers of the pagans: they contain many verbs; they contain the earthly beauty of words; the blood is heated in them; they lack repentance; in them there is a desire for the marriage of the Son of God directly from the fornication of passions; they contain self-delusion. They are alien to the Holy Spirit: the deadly infection of the dark spirit, the evil spirit, the spirit of lies and destruction emanates from them." (Saint Ignatius Brianchaninov )

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" Ppeople's claims to be received by monks at any time is new way, which is multiplied here on the Holy Mountain. Wherever you go, the fathers will welcome you hospitably. And our duty is to continue the sober tradition of St. Fathers such as St. Gregory Palamas. When he labored here on Mount Athos, he ran away and hid in gorges and caves, trying in every way to achieve solitude in order to skillfully cultivate mental prayer, strictly maintaining his silent charter." ( Elder Joseph the Hesychast)

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"Ad cannot be made attractive, so the devil makes the road there attractive." (Saint Basil the Great )

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"HA humble person lives on earth as in the Kingdom of Heaven, always cheerful and calm, and happy with everything." (St. Anthony )

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"Gdecide - evil; but also gravest evil- to deny after committing a sin. This, in particular, is the weapon of the devil." (Saint John Chrysostom )

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"NWe must be careful not to appropriate the gifts that God has given us to ourselves. You need to thank God and worry about not being unworthy of such gifts." (Elder Paisios of Athos )

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"LLove is a talent given for growth, through which everyone enriches and grows himself, absorbing the other. In what way? - Through giving of oneself.” (O. Pavel Florensky )

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WHO PRAYS WITH FASTING HAS TWO WINGS, LIGHTER THAN THE WIND ITSELF . (St. John Chrysostom )

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"WITHThe chance to do good to someone is God's mercy to us." (St. Alexy Mechev.)

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« Never talk about Christ until you are asked, but live so that you will be asked.” (Blessed Augustine)

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« There has never been, is not and never will be a carefree place on earth. A sad place can only be in the heart when the Lord is in it.”

(St. Nikon Optinsky)

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« A thought is like a ship’s rudder: the direction and, for the most part, the fate of the entire huge machine depends on a small rudder, on this insignificant plank trailing behind the ship.” (St. Ignatius Brianchaninov)

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« When the Lord forgives dead sinners, then their sins do not fall on the shoulders of their descendants. That's the point church prayers for the dead, so that the Lord would forgive their sins and so that the punishment would not fall on their children.” (St. Nicholas of Serbia)

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« In life, the one who does not rely on logic or on common sense, and the one who proceeds from one supreme law - the law of Love. All other laws are nothing before Love, which not only guides hearts, but moves the sun and other stars. He who has this law lives in him; whoever is guided only by philosophy, by reason, dies.” (priest Alexander Elchaninov)

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« Christ with his life showed us a perfect example of true virtuous living; in Him, as if in the purest mirror, we see our shortcomings, and, having seen them, we correct them, correct them, and improve. “Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life,” leading us to the desired Fatherland.” (mpl. Moscow Plato)

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« There are many zealous Christians who make their own large lists those for whom they pray every day. They must understand that if they have the boldness to ask the Lord God and our Savior Jesus Christ in their prayer for a solution to someone’s questions or some kind of goodness, then they must understand that they will endure great temptations for this, for nothing is ever easy in this life. It happens. And, if you ask for someone, then you will have to bear the burdens for him in full: those that this person himself did not want to bear, and he himself does not ask for mercy for himself in prayer. Just as the Lord Jesus Christ accepted the Cross for us, so you too will bear the sins of those for whom you offer your prayers. This does not mean that you should not pray for your neighbors, but you must be aware of what you are doing with complete seriousness. Mercy is a great feat! May there be great mercies from the Lord to those who carry out this feat, but first we must still be able to survive it.” (Reverend Ambrose of Optina)

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« The book of Psalms is a mirror in which the sinful human soul with all its passions, sins, iniquities, and ailments is not only reflected in its present form, but also finds healing in the Psalms.” (St. Athanasius of Alexandria)

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« When you don’t have peace of mind, know that you don’t have humility in yourself.” (St. Lef Optinsky)

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« To be angry and irritated is nothing more than punishing yourself for other people’s stupidities.” (elder Arseny Minin)

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« Imagine how hard it is for an angry person, because he has hell in his soul.” (schema Savva)

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« And fulfilling God's will“, a person is related to God, and then, without asking God, he accepts, continuously takes water from the Spring.”

(Elder Paisiy Svyatogorets)

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« Nand that, even the Holy Scripture itself, will not give a person knowledge about the Truth, about God, as soon as a pure heart. Therefore, until a person ceases to be proud, voluptuous, envious, disobedient, slanderer, traitor, etc., the truth will not be revealed to him, because the heart cannot contain this Truth, because it is filled with sin. We can be indignant at our disorganizations in life as much as we want, but we will never understand the essence until we begin to cleanse our hearts of spiritual impurities ». (Elder Silouan)

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« P the disobedient person has placed all his trust in God, and therefore his soul is always in God, and the Lord gives him His grace, and this grace teaches all good and gives strength to remain in goodness. The disobedient always acts according to his own will, rejecting the will of the Creator, which is aimed at preserving man in goodness and prosperity, and therefore suffers from his pride.” (Elder Silouan)

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« P The highest and first virtue is obedience. This is the most important acquisition for a person. Christ came into the world for the sake of obedience. And man’s life on earth is obedience to God.” (St. Nectarius of Optina)

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« P disobedience is necessary not only for monks, but for every person. Even the Lord was obedient. The proud and self-righteous do not allow themselves to live in grace and therefore never have peace of mind, but the grace of the Holy Spirit easily enters the soul of an obedient person and gives him joy and peace.” (St. Silouan the Athonite)

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« WITH The power and life of all a person’s passions are concentrated in his corrupted will: obedience, binding and killing the will, binds and kills all passions together.” (St. Ignatius Brianchaninov)

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« P disobedience preserves a person from pride; for obedience, prayer and the grace of the Holy Spirit are given. That is why obedience is higher than fasting and prayer.” (St. Silouan the Athonite)

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« ABOUT The teaching that, having descended into hell, Christ granted everyone the opportunity of salvation and opened the doors to heaven for everyone, should be recognized as universal church doctrine. Christ, by His death, trampled death, abolished the power of the devil and destroyed hell. At the same time, the devil, death, and hell continue to exist, but their power over people is not unconditional and unlimited: “Hell reigns, but does not reign eternally over the human race.” (mt. Illarion Alfeev)

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« WITH Do not judge the priest - fear this most of all. You cannot even understand in what Sacrament he is a participant. His one tear of repentance falling on the Throne is enough to wash away all his sins.” (Elder Mikhail Pitkevich)

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« E If you throw paper or garbage into the firebox, won’t they burn? It's the same in spiritual person: everything that the devil does not throw at him burns - “Consuming fire”! When the Divine flame ignites in a person, everything burns out. Bad thoughts no longer stick. That is, the devil does not stop throwing evil thoughts at him, but man has spiritual “fire” and burns them. And then the devil gets tired and stops fighting. That's why the ap says. Paul: “Everything is pure and pure.” For the pure, everything is pure, nothing is unclean. Even if you throw clean people into a swamp, they will remain clean, like the rays of the sun, which, no matter what they fall on, remain bright and clean.” (Elder Paisiy Svyatogorets)

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« IN someone stands against you, endure it, wait. After all, humility is great power! Be silent and don’t make excuses, even if you were right, because the Lord allowed this for our humility, for our inner healing. We are all sick: some to a greater extent, some to a lesser extent, which means there is something to heal in our soul.” (architect Ambrosy Yurasov)

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« X Christianity is not a religion of external rules - it is a religion of renewed inner man. A person must have God's law written within him. We must pay attention to our insides: “Create a pure heart in me, O God, and renew a right spirit in my womb.” (Ptr. Andrey Tkachev)

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« IN All martyrs for Christ are examples of high intelligence and wisdom in that they knew the One true God, the need for the grace of Christ, its Divine power. For this, they renounced all earthly goods and sensual pleasures, and decided to endure the most severe suffering in order to keep their minds, conscience, heart, soul and body pure for the sake of the Glory of God, which shone in them with all its strength. Their martyrdom also shines for us on the path of Truth and Salvation.” (St. Philaret Drozdov)

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« E If your life were worth nothing, it would not have been bought at such a high price as the Sacrifice of our Savior Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross.” (igm. Nikon Vorobiev)

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« R my hell, where God is, there is no evil.” (St. Seraphim of Sarov)

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« I I saw all the traps the enemy had set on the ground, and said with a sigh: “Who can get around them”?! Then I heard a voice saying “humble”..." (St. Anthony the Great)

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« TO When people are dissatisfied with each other and quarrel, their hearts grow apart. In order to cover this distance and hear each other, they have to shout. The angrier they get, the louder they scream."

« L People in love speak quietly because their hearts are very close and the distance between them is very small.

If love is strong, then no words are needed, people just look at each other and understand everything without words " (St. Isaac the Syrian)

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« T Eagerly bearing the Cross is true repentance.” (St. Ignatius Brianchaninov)

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« G The Lord forbids condemnation, and not denunciation, for denunciation serves to benefit, and condemnation is an insult and humiliation, especially in the case when someone himself, having grave sins, reproaches others and condemns those who have much lesser sins, for which only God alone can judge, for “with the judgment you judge, you will be judged: and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Matthew 7:2) (St. Nile the Myrrh-Streaming)

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« WITH traps cannot humble us, so the Lord allows us to fall into every kind of shame, so that a person involuntarily comes to the consciousness of his insignificance and ugliness.” (abbot Nikon Vorobyov)

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« AND Truth is not a thought, not a word, not a relationship between things, not a law. Truth is Personality, it is the Being of everything. If you seek the Truth with love and for the sake of love, She will reveal to you the Light of Her face as much as you can bear It, “without burning out”..." (St. Nicholas of Serbia)

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« AND Live peacefully not only with friends, but also with enemies, but only with your enemies, and not with the enemies of God.” (St. Theodosius of Pechersk)

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« TO when anger flares up in your heart against someone, then believe with all your heart. that it is the work of the devil operating in the heart; hate him and his offspring, and she will leave you (don’t recognize her for something of your own, don’t sympathize with her).” (St. John of Krondstadt)

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« B one who fears God is not afraid of the demons striving against him, nor their weak attacks, nor threats evil people. Being all like a kind of flame and scorching fire, even when he passes through dark, unlit places, he puts to flight demons who, more than he does from them, flee from him so as not to be scorched by the ray of Divine fire emanating from him.” (St. Simeon the New Theologian)

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« WITH“veth, entering a dark house, drives out the darkness from it and illuminates it: so the “fear of the Lord,” which has entered the human heart, disperses the darkness, fills it with all virtues and wisdom.” (St. Anthony the Great)

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« TO then he fears the Lord, he becomes above all fear, he has eliminated and left far behind him all the fears of this world, and no trembling will come close to him.” (St. Ephraim the Syrian)

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« E If someone hears an upsetting word and, instead of responding with a similar insult, overcomes himself and remains silent, or, being deceived, endures it and does not take revenge on the deceiver, then he will thereby lay down his life for his neighbor.” (St. Abba Pimen)

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« WITH The Holy Spirit teaches us to love our neighbor holy. Love fueled by the Holy Spirit is Fire. This Fire extinguishes the fire of natural, carnal love, damaged by the Fall.” (St. Ignatius Brianchaninov)

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« L Everyone must be loved, because every person is the image of God, even if it, that is, the image of God, is contaminated in a person. He can wash himself (by repentance) and be clean again.” (St. Nikon of Optina).

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« E If love is not in God and not from God, then it is only a sensual passion that people use like a drug in order to delight a life devoid of any meaning with this little nonsense.” (St. Nicholas of Serbia)

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« G willingness to drink the cup of another's sorrow is love ». (St. Nicholas of Serbia)

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« L Love is the Queen of all feelings, noble and positive. Truly there is love shortest path to the Kingdom of Heaven. Love has destroyed the division between God and man." (St. Nicholas of Serbia)

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« TO then he does not love, he has not known God, because God is Love.” (1 John 4:7-8)

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" GLord, "Your name is Love: do not reject me who is erring. Your name is Strength: strengthen me, weary and falling. Your name is Light: enlighten my soul, darkened by worldly passions. Your name is Peace: pacify my restless soul. Your name is Mercy: do not cease have mercy on me." (St. John of Krondstadt )

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" INDivine vision is born from attentive prayer, especially mental prayer."

(St. Ignatiy Brianchaninov )

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" INBy choosing evil, we ourselves become slaves of evil and violate the freedom of other people."

(bishop Vasily Rodzianko )

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" Blet's stay awake! Let us establish good sobriety in the temple of our spirit! If you have sobriety, you will improve your spirit. He who has sobriety has already become the temple of God." (St. Anthony the Great )

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" TOthat which is exalted by natural gifts, that is, wit, understanding, skill in reading and pronunciation, quickness of mind and other abilities that we acquired without difficulty, will never receive supernatural benefits, for he who is unfaithful in little things is also unfaithful and vain in many things. " (

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" EIf we are attentive to our sins, we will not look at the sins of our neighbor." (Ava Matoi)

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" GLord, have mercy on the evil, for You have provided all joys to the good!”

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"NSome asked Abba Macarius, saying: How should we pray? The elder answers them: there is no need to talk a lot, but often raise your hands and say: Lord, as You want and as You know, have mercy! If temptation comes, say:

“Lord help! And He knows what is good for us, and He does the same with us.” "

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"BRat asked the elder, saying: what should the soul do in order for it to bear good fruit? The elder answers him: in my opinion, the work of the soul is silence with wakefulness, abstinence of the body, much physical prayer and inattention to the falls of people."

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" PAlways remember God, and your mind will become heaven." (Venerable Neil of Sinai )

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"BLet us listen to ourselves, then we will not condemn others; for there are many things in ourselves for which we condemn others." (Venerable Neil of Sinai )

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" INgive thanks in sorrows, and the burden of your sins will become lighter.”

(Venerable Neil of Sinai )

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" INBelieve that God Himself stands before you in all the things you do every day."

(Venerable Neil of Sinai )

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" INHe who loves love is not afraid of anything, because true love casts out fear."

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" INwhoever loves has no rivalry, no envy, no hatred; he does not rejoice at the fall of others, but sympathizes with them and takes part in them."

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"NThere is no measure of patience, if only it is dissolved by love."

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"Bugliness is precisely the loss of the image of God. And how understandable our love for icons becomes, because the image always strives for the prototype. The Monk Seraphim of Sarov gave instructions to one mother not to rush to teach her children science, but to prepare her soul first.” (Venerable Ephraim the Syrian )

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"Bratia asked Abba Agathon, saying: which virtue in asceticism has more work? He replies: forgive me, I think there is no greater work than praying to God without entertainment; for always when a person wants to pray, the enemy tries to distract him; for demons know that nothing opposes them so much as prayer to God. And in every feat, no matter what a person undertakes, while performing it he receives peace, but prayer until the last breath requires struggle."

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" Twhen each of us recognizes that there is brotherly love and true love for one’s neighbor in him, when he sees that he cries over his brother’s sins and rejoices over his successes and gifts.” (Venerable John Climacus )

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" E“If... the Lord deigns to put kindness, love, non-judgment of your neighbors, and merciful apology for them as the basis of your prayerful deed, then with special ease and speed you will defeat your opponents and achieve pure prayer.” (Bishop Ignatius Brianchaninov )

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"Zthose who are preoccupied with earthly things experience sorrow from earthly things; and those who strive for the spiritual about the spiritual get sick."

(Venerable Ephraim the Syrian )

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" Ireceived the image of God and did not preserve It, He takes on my flesh in order to save both the image and the flesh to immortalize" (Saint Gregory the Theologian. Homily 45, for Holy Easter ).

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" NDo not be deceived: God is not mocked. Whatever a man sows, that will he also reap: he who sows to his flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, and he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life." ( Galatians. 6.7-8. )

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" XChrist paid much more than we owed, and as much more as the sea is limitless compared to a small drop." (St. John Chrysostom )

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" UI am amazed at those numerous people who do not tremble to theologize about God, being filled with sins...We, who know neither ourselves nor what is before our eyes, with audacity and fearlessness begin to philosophize about what is INCOMPREHENSIBLE FOR US, especially being EMPTY FROM THE GRACE of the Holy Spirit, who enlightens and teaches everything." ( Simeon the New Theologian )

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" XChrist paid much more than we owed, and as much more as the sea is limitless compared to a small drop" ( St. John Chrysostom )

"ABOUTWe feel bidu when our soul is sick. She needs to be treated with such “mud baths”. You must tolerate scolders, prepare yourself in advance, in the morning or even in the evening, that today you will be scolded. Tell yourself: “The devil sees that I am here praying, saving myself, confessing well and cleansing myself. He wants to drive me out of this temple. But I will not leave. God will help me, and I will endure.” Set yourself up like this: the day on which I was not scolded was in vain." (Archimandrite Ambrose (Yurasov)

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"INEvery person who likes to show off is vain. The fast of a vain person remains without reward, and his prayer is fruitless; for he does both for the praise of men.” (Venerable John Climacus)

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"Ta vain man is an idolater. He thinks he honors God, but in reality he pleases not God, but people." (Reverend John Climacus)

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"NJudge and do not destroy anyone, because this makes the heart weak and the mind blinded..." (Venerable Barsanuphius and John )

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"Nconstantly be awake, studying the law of God, for through this the heart is warmed with heavenly fire..." (Venerable Vasanuphius and John )

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"NDon't speak with anger. Let your words, like your silence, be filled with prudence and wisdom. The words of our wisest fathers were reasonable and wise, and their silence was similar."(Venerable Anthony Veliki th)

"NYou don’t need to change the world, change only a small part of this world - yourself, and the whole world will change after you." (Monk Simeon of Athos. "Great is the power of any humble prayer. There is no case that it will not be fulfilled, although not always so, as people want, but even better. Therefore, we must end all our requests as the Lord ended His prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane: “Nevertheless, not My will, but Thine be done.” (OK. 22.42 ). (Archimandrite John Krestyankin )

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"M )

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" P ( Elder Joseph the Hesychast)

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"A(Saint Basil the Great )

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"H(St. Anthony )

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"G(Saint John Chrysostom )

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"N(Elder Paisios of Athos )

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"L(O. Pavel Florensky )

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. (St. John Chrysostom )

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"WITH(St. Alexy Mechev.)

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"MThe prayers composed by heretics are very similar to the prayers of the pagans: they contain many verbs; they contain the earthly beauty of words; the blood is heated in them; they lack repentance; in them there is a desire for the marriage of the Son of God directly from the fornication of passions; they contain self-delusion. They are alien to the Holy Spirit: the deadly infection of the dark spirit, the evil spirit, the spirit of lies and destruction emanates from them." (Saint Ignatius Brianchaninov )

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" Ppeople's claims to be accepted by monks at any time is a new path that is multiplying here on the Holy Mountain. Wherever you go, the fathers will welcome you hospitably. And our duty is to continue the sober tradition of St. Fathers such as St. Gregory Palamas. When he labored here on Mount Athos, he ran away and hid in gorges and caves, trying in every way to achieve solitude in order to skillfully cultivate mental prayer, strictly maintaining his silent charter." ( Elder Joseph the Hesychast)

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"Ad cannot be made attractive, so the devil makes the road there attractive." (Saint Basil the Great )

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"HA humble person lives on earth as in the Kingdom of Heaven, always cheerful and calm, and happy with everything." (St. Anthony )

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"Gdecide - evil; but an even graver evil is to deny it after committing a sin. This in particular is the weapon of the devil." (Saint John Chrysostom )

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"NWe must be careful not to appropriate the gifts that God has given us to ourselves. You need to thank God and worry about not being unworthy of such gifts." (Elder Paisios of Athos )

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"LLove is a talent given for growth, through which everyone enriches and grows himself, absorbing the other. In what way? - Through giving of oneself.” (O. Pavel Florensky )

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WHO PRAYS WITH FASTING HAS TWO WINGS, LIGHTER THAN THE WIND ITSELF . (St. John Chrysostom )

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"WITHThe chance to do good to someone is God's mercy to us." (St. Alexy Mechev.)

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« Never talk about Christ until you are asked, but live so that you will be asked.” (Blessed Augustine)

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« There has never been, is not and never will be a carefree place on earth. A sad place can only be in the heart when the Lord is in it.”

(St. Nikon Optinsky)

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« A thought is like a ship’s rudder: the direction and, for the most part, the fate of the entire huge machine depends on a small rudder, on this insignificant plank trailing behind the ship.” (St. Ignatius Brianchaninov)

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« When the Lord forgives dead sinners, then their sins do not fall on the shoulders of their descendants. This is the meaning of church prayers for the dead, so that the Lord forgives their sins and so that punishment does not fall on their children.” (St. Nicholas of Serbia)

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« In life, the one who is always right is the one who relies not on logic, not on common sense, but the one who proceeds from one supreme law - the law of Love. All other laws are nothing before Love, which not only guides hearts, but moves the sun and other stars. He who has this law lives in him; whoever is guided only by philosophy, by reason, dies.” (priest Alexander Elchaninov)

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« Christ with his life showed us a perfect example of true virtuous living; in Him, as if in the purest mirror, we see our shortcomings, and, having seen them, we correct them, correct them, and improve. “Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life,” leading us to the desired Fatherland.” (mpl. Moscow Plato)

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« There are many zealous Christians who make large lists of those for whom they pray every day. They must understand that if they have the boldness to ask the Lord God and our Savior Jesus Christ in their prayer for a solution to someone’s questions or some kind of goodness, then they must understand that they will endure great temptations for this, for nothing is ever easy in this life. It happens. And, if you ask for someone, then you will have to bear the burdens for him in full: those that this person himself did not want to bear, and he himself does not ask for mercy for himself in prayer. Just as the Lord Jesus Christ accepted the Cross for us, so you too will bear the sins of those for whom you offer your prayers. This does not mean that you should not pray for your neighbors, but you must be aware of what you are doing with complete seriousness. Mercy is a great feat! May there be great mercies from the Lord to those who carry out this feat, but first we must still be able to survive it.” (Reverend Ambrose of Optina)

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« The book of Psalms is a mirror in which the sinful human soul with all its passions, sins, iniquities, and ailments is not only reflected in its present form, but also finds healing in the Psalms.” (St. Athanasius of Alexandria)

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« When you don’t have peace of mind, know that you don’t have humility in yourself.” (St. Lef Optinsky)

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« To be angry and irritated is nothing more than punishing yourself for other people’s stupidities.” (elder Arseny Minin)

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« Imagine how hard it is for an angry person, because he has hell in his soul.” (schema Savva)

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« And fulfilling God’s will, a person is related to God, and then, without asking God, he accepts, continuously takes water from the Spring.”

(Elder Paisiy Svyatogorets)

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« Nand that, even the Holy Scripture itself, will not give a person knowledge about the Truth, about God, as soon as a pure heart. Therefore, until a person ceases to be proud, voluptuous, envious, disobedient, slanderer, traitor, etc., the truth will not be revealed to him, because the heart cannot contain this Truth, because it is filled with sin. We can be indignant at our disorganizations in life as much as we want, but we will never understand the essence until we begin to cleanse our hearts of spiritual impurities ». (Elder Silouan)

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« P the disobedient person has placed all his trust in God, and therefore his soul is always in God, and the Lord gives him His grace, and this grace teaches all good and gives strength to remain in goodness. The disobedient always acts according to his own will, rejecting the will of the Creator, which is aimed at preserving man in goodness and prosperity, and therefore suffers from his pride.” (Elder Silouan)

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« P The highest and first virtue is obedience. This is the most important acquisition for a person. Christ came into the world for the sake of obedience. And man’s life on earth is obedience to God.” (St. Nectarius of Optina)

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« P disobedience is necessary not only for monks, but for every person. Even the Lord was obedient. The proud and self-righteous do not allow themselves to live in grace and therefore never have peace of mind, but the grace of the Holy Spirit easily enters the soul of an obedient person and gives him joy and peace.” (St. Silouan the Athonite)

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« WITH The power and life of all a person’s passions are concentrated in his corrupted will: obedience, binding and killing the will, binds and kills all passions together.” (St. Ignatius Brianchaninov)

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« P disobedience preserves a person from pride; for obedience, prayer and the grace of the Holy Spirit are given. That is why obedience is higher than fasting and prayer.” (St. Silouan the Athonite)

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« ABOUT The teaching that, having descended into hell, Christ granted everyone the opportunity of salvation and opened the doors to heaven for everyone, should be recognized as universal church doctrine. Christ, by His death, trampled death, abolished the power of the devil and destroyed hell. At the same time, the devil, death, and hell continue to exist, but their power over people is not unconditional and unlimited: “Hell reigns, but does not reign eternally over the human race.” (mt. Illarion Alfeev)

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« WITH Do not judge the priest - fear this most of all. You cannot even understand in what Sacrament he is a participant. His one tear of repentance falling on the Throne is enough to wash away all his sins.” (Elder Mikhail Pitkevich)

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« E If you throw paper or garbage into the firebox, won’t they burn? It’s the same in a spiritual person: everything that the devil does not throw at him burns up - “Consuming Fire”! When the Divine flame ignites in a person, everything burns out. Bad thoughts no longer stick. That is, the devil does not stop throwing evil thoughts at him, but man has spiritual “fire” and burns them. And then the devil gets tired and stops fighting. That's why the ap says. Paul: “Everything is pure and pure.” For the pure, everything is pure, nothing is unclean. Even if you throw clean people into a swamp, they will remain clean, like the rays of the sun, which, no matter what they fall on, remain bright and clean.” (Elder Paisiy Svyatogorets)

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« IN someone stands against you, endure it, wait. After all, humility is a great strength! Be silent and don’t make excuses, even if you were right, because the Lord allowed this for our humility, for our inner healing. We are all sick: some to a greater extent, some to a lesser extent, which means there is something to heal in our soul.” (architect Ambrosy Yurasov)

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« X Christianity is not a religion of external rules - it is a religion of a renewed inner man. A person must have God's law written within him. We must pay attention to our insides: “Create a pure heart in me, O God, and renew a right spirit in my womb.” (Ptr. Andrey Tkachev)

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« IN All martyrs for Christ are examples of high intelligence and wisdom in that they knew the One true God, the need for the grace of Christ, its Divine power. For this, they renounced all earthly goods and sensual pleasures, and decided to endure the most severe suffering in order to keep their minds, conscience, heart, soul and body pure for the sake of the Glory of God, which shone in them with all its strength. Their martyrdom also shines for us on the path of Truth and Salvation.” (St. Philaret Drozdov)

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« E If your life were worth nothing, it would not have been bought at such a high price as the Sacrifice of our Savior Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross.” (igm. Nikon Vorobiev)

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« R my hell, where God is, there is no evil.” (St. Seraphim of Sarov)

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« I I saw all the traps the enemy had set on the ground, and said with a sigh: “Who can get around them”?! Then I heard a voice saying “humble”..." (St. Anthony the Great)

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« TO When people are dissatisfied with each other and quarrel, their hearts grow apart. In order to cover this distance and hear each other, they have to shout. The angrier they get, the louder they scream."

« L People in love speak quietly because their hearts are very close and the distance between them is very small.

If love is strong, then no words are needed, people just look at each other and understand everything without words " (St. Isaac the Syrian)

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« T Eagerly bearing the Cross is true repentance.” (St. Ignatius Brianchaninov)

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« G The Lord forbids condemnation, not denunciation, for denunciation is for the benefit, and condemnation is an insult and humiliation, especially in the case when someone himself, having grave sins, reproaches others and condemns those who have much lesser sins, for which only God alone can judge, for “with the judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Matthew 7:2) (St. Nile the Myrrh-Streaming)

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« WITH traps cannot humble us, so the Lord allows us to fall into every kind of shame, so that a person involuntarily comes to the consciousness of his insignificance and ugliness.” (abbot Nikon Vorobyov)

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« AND Truth is not a thought, not a word, not a relationship between things, not a law. Truth is Personality, it is the Being of everything. If you seek the Truth with love and for the sake of love, She will reveal to you the Light of Her face as much as you can bear It, “without burning out”..." (St. Nicholas of Serbia)

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« AND Live peacefully not only with friends, but also with enemies, but only with your enemies, and not with the enemies of God.” (St. Theodosius of Pechersk)

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« TO when anger flares up in your heart against someone, then believe with all your heart. that it is the work of the devil operating in the heart; hate him and his offspring, and she will leave you (don’t recognize her for something of your own, don’t sympathize with her).” (St. John of Krondstadt)

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« B One who fears God is not afraid of the demons striving against him, nor their weak attacks, nor the threats of evil people. Being all like a kind of flame and scorching fire, even when he passes through dark, unlit places, he puts to flight demons who, more than he, flee from him, so as not to be scorched by the ray of Divine fire emanating from him.” (St. Simeon the New Theologian)

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« WITH“veth, entering a dark house, drives out the darkness from it and illuminates it: so the “fear of the Lord,” which has entered the human heart, disperses the darkness, fills it with all virtues and wisdom.” (St. Anthony the Great)

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« TO then he fears the Lord, he becomes above all fear, he has eliminated and left far behind him all the fears of this world, and no trembling will come close to him.” (St. Ephraim the Syrian)

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« E If someone hears an upsetting word and, instead of responding with a similar insult, overcomes himself and remains silent, or, being deceived, endures it and does not take revenge on the deceiver, then he will thereby lay down his life for his neighbor.” (St. Abba Pimen)

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« WITH The Holy Spirit teaches us to love our neighbor holy. Love fueled by the Holy Spirit is Fire. This Fire extinguishes the fire of natural, carnal love, damaged by the Fall.” (St. Ignatius Brianchaninov)

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« L Everyone must be loved, because every person is the image of God, even if it, that is, the image of God, is contaminated in a person. He can wash himself (by repentance) and be clean again.” (St. Nikon of Optina).

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« E If love is not in God and not from God, then it is only a sensual passion that people use like a drug in order to delight a life devoid of any meaning with this little nonsense.” (St. Nicholas of Serbia)

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« G willingness to drink the cup of another's sorrow is love ». (St. Nicholas of Serbia)

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« L Love is the Queen of all feelings, noble and positive. Truly, love is the shortest path to the Kingdom of Heaven. Love has destroyed the division between God and man." (St. Nicholas of Serbia)

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« TO then he does not love, he has not known God, because God is Love.” (1 John 4:7-8)