We must not see the Church as a kind of cruise ship, where friendly exchanges take place, social gatherings are all important, and a place that is comfortable. When the Church preaches repentance, do we become angry, not wanting to be corrected? Do we resist being challenged to turn away from our sinful life? Do […]

The bee is more honored than other animals, not because she labors, but because she labors for others. Saint John Chrysostom As the scriptures say: It is more blessed to give than receive. Those who follow this advice find that when they do anything for another person, whether giving a kind word or a bowl […]

“Shine in our hearts, O loving master, the pure light of your divine knowledge and open the eyes of our mind to understand the proclamations of your Gospel. Instill within us fear of your blessed commandments, so that trampling down all fleshly desires we may lead a spiritual life, thinking and doing everything with a […]

Father Paisios said that the spiritual work of a Christian should focus on the acquirement of humbleness. God loves man very much; He knows very well the problems of each one of us, and wishes to help us before we ask Him to do so. Since God is omnipotent, there are no difficulties which He […]

It is easy to resist taking care of oneself if we run at full speed as though we are the only one who can get things done. We all need to set priorities, making sure we focus on Christ and not let that which is transitory rule our lives. If we pay attention to our […]

“The soul of a humble man is like the sea: throw a stone into the sea– for a moment it will ruffle the surface a little, and then sink to the bottom. Thus do afflictions disappear down into the heart of the humble man, because the strength of the Lord is with him.”   St. […]

“When you are in the temple, remember that you are in the living presence of the Lord God, that you stand before His face, before His eyes, in the living presence of the Mother of God, of the holy angels, and of the first-born of the Church that is, our forefathers, the prophets, Apostles, hierarchs, […]

“Since it is likely that, being men, they would sin every day, St. Paul consoles his hearers by saying ‘renew yourselves’ from day to day. This is what we do with houses: we keep constantly repairing them as they wear old. You should do the same thing to yourself. Have you sinned today? Have you […]

. . . [W]hen you are about to pass over the threshold of the gateway, say this word first: I leave your ranks, Satan, and your pomp, and your service, and I join the ranks of Christ. And never go forth without this word. This shall be a staff to you,  this your armor, this […]

A man becomes spiritual insofar as he lives a spiritual life. He begins to see God in all things, to see His power and might in every manifestation. Always and everywhere he sees himself abiding in God and dependent on God for all things. But insofar as a man lives a bodily life, so much […]