Church Fathers V3 - Fr George Grube - Saint Mina Coptic Orthodox ...
Church Fathers V3 - Fr George Grube - Saint Mina Coptic Orthodox ...
Church Fathers V3 - Fr George Grube - Saint Mina Coptic Orthodox ...
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+ Our most dire enemy is pride. Its power is immense. Pride drains our every<br />
aspiration, and corrupts our every endeavor. Most of us fall prey to its dangers.<br />
- Archimandrite Sophrony<br />
+ The proud man wants to dominate and to impose his will on others, so conflict<br />
arises between brothers. This is contrary to revelation concerning the Trinity in<br />
whom there is no greater, no lesser, and where each person possesses<br />
absolute fullness of Divine Being.<br />
- Archimandrite Sophrony<br />
+ It is said by the <strong>Fathers</strong> of Abba John the Persian that evil- doers once<br />
entered his hut with the intent of killing him. Abba John prepared a basin and<br />
stooped down to wash their feet, as he always did for his friends. Seeing this<br />
the malefactors, embarrassed, left him alone and departed.<br />
- The Desert <strong>Fathers</strong><br />
+ Let no one think that is a simple, easy thing to become humble. It is<br />
something beyond the natural powers of man. It is true to say that the more a<br />
person is gifted the more difficult it is for him to attain humility. It presupposes<br />
great judgment and endurance in the face of the trials and evil spirits that<br />
oppose us: for humility eludes all their snares.<br />
- St. Peter of Damaskos<br />
+ You must know that you have been greatly benefited when you have suffered<br />
deeply because of some insult or indignity. For because of this indignity this<br />
self- esteem has been driven from you.<br />
- St. Maximos the Confessor<br />
+ Arrogance and cowardice-although they seem to be contradictory-are both<br />
caused by weakness. Arrogance pulls one upwards and is startling and<br />
frightening, like some powerless bear, while cowardice flees like a chased dog.<br />
No one who suffers from either of these two passions puts his trust in God, and<br />
therefore he cannot stand firm in battle. But “the righteous man is as bold as a<br />
lion” (Proverbs 28:1).<br />
- St. Peter of Damaskos<br />
+ He who has realized love for God in his heart is tireless in the pursuit of the<br />
Lord. He bears every hardship, reproach and bodily insult nobly, never thinking<br />
evil of anyone.<br />
- St. Maximos the Confessor<br />
+ As soon as a man understands and truly feels his weakness, he immediately<br />
puts a restraint on the vanity in his soul, which blocks out reason, and thus he<br />
gains protection.<br />
- Monks Callistus and Ignatius<br />
- 100 -