Sayings of the Holy Fathers… (Various)

Sayings of the Holy Fathers… (Various)
~Mercy:
“Even if we have thousands of acts of great virtue to our credit,
our confidence in being heard must be based on God's mercy and His
love for men. Even if we stand at the very summit of virtue, it is
by mercy that we shall be saved.”
(St. John Chrysostom)
~Fear:
“When a man walks in the fear of God he knows no
fear, even if he were to be surrounded by wicked men. He has the
fear of God within him and wears the invincible armour of faith. This
makes him strong and able to take on anything, even things which
seem difficult or impossible to most people. Such a man is like a
giant surrounded by monkeys, or a roaring lion among dogs and
foxes. He goes forward trusting in the Lord and the constancy of
his will to strike and paralyze his foes. He wields the blazing
club of the Word in wisdom.”
(St. Symeon the New Theologian)
~Repentance:
“Repentance is the renewal of baptism. Repentance is a contract
with God for a second life. A penitent is a buyer of humility.
Repentance is constant distrust of bodily comfort. Repentance is
self-condemning reflection, and carefree self-care. Repentance is
the daughter of hope and the renunciation of despair. A penitent
is an undisgraced convict. Repentance is reconciliation with the
Lord by the practice of good deeds contrary to the sins.
Repentance is purification of conscience. Repentance is the
voluntary endurance of all afflictions…”
~Patience:
“Do not be surprised that you fall every day; do not give up, but
stand your ground courageously. And assuredly, the angel who
guards you will honour your patience.”
(St. John Climacus)
~Days:
“The Lord's Day is a mystery of the knowledge of the truth that is
not received by flesh and blood, and it transcends speculations.
In this age there is no eighth day, nor is there a true Sabbath.
For he who said that ‘God rested on the seventh day,’ signified
the rest (of our nature) from the course of this life, since the
grave is also of a bodily nature and belongs to this world. Six
days are accomplished in the husbandry (careful usage) of life by means of keeping
the commandments; the seventh is spent entirely in the grave; and
the eighth is the departure from it.”
(St. Isaac of Syria)
~Fasting:
“I shall speak first about control of the stomach, the opposite to
gluttony, and about how to fast and what and how much to eat. I
shall say nothing on my own account, but only what I have received
from the Holy Fathers. They have not given us only a single rule
for fasting or a single standard and measure for eating, because
not everyone has the same strength; age, illness or delicacy of
body create differences. But they have given us all a single goal:
to avoid over-eating and the filling of our bellies... A clear
rule for self-control handed down by the Fathers is this: stop
eating while still hungry and do not continue until you are
satisfied.”
(St. John Cassian)
~Loneliness:
“When you are praying alone, and your spirit is dejected, and you
are wearied and oppressed by your loneliness, remember then, as
always, that God the Trinity looks upon you with eyes brighter
than the sun; also all the angels, your own Guardian Angel, and
all the Saints of God. Truly they do; for they are all one in God,
and where God is, there are they also. Where the sun is, thither
also are directed all its rays. Try to understand what this means.”
~Prayer:
“Oh, what great happiness and bliss, what exaltation it is to
address oneself to the Eternal Father. Always, without fail, value
this joy which has been accorded to you by God's infinite grace
and do not forget it during your prayers; God, the angels and
God's holy men (Saints) listen to you.”
(St. John of Kronstadt)
~Forgiveness:
“Do we forgive our neighbours their trespasses? God also forgives us
in His mercy. Do we refuse to forgive? God, too, will refuse to
forgive us. As we treat our neighbours, so also does God treat us.
The forgiveness, then, of your sins or unforgiveness, and hence
also your salvation or destruction, depend on you yourself, man.
For without forgiveness of sins there is no salvation. You can see
for yourself how terrible it is.”
(St. Tikhon of Zadonsk)
~Humility
“Acts of charity, almsgiving and all the external good works do not
suppress the arrogance of the heart; but noetic meditation, the
labour of repentance, contrition and humility -- these humble the
proud mind.”
(St. Joseph the Hesychast)
~Heat & Cold:
“God is a fire that warms and kindles the heart and inward parts.
Hence, if we feel in our hearts the cold which comes from the
devil - for the devil is cold - let us call on the Lord. He will
come to warm our hearts with perfect love, not only for Him but
also for our neighbour, and the cold of him who hates the good will
flee before the heat of His countenance.”
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