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Church Fathers V3 - Fr George Grube - Saint Mina Coptic Orthodox ...

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+ The Lord helps us amid sorrows and temptations. He does not free us from<br />

them, but imparts to us the power to bear them easily, even to ignore them.<br />

- Nikon of Optina<br />

+ I think that for those living in community, obedience is a greater virtue than<br />

chastity, however perfect. Chastity carries within it the danger of pride, but<br />

obedience has within it the promise of humility.<br />

- Holy Father Syncletia<br />

+ If someone has faith in another and hands himself over to him in complete<br />

submission, he does not need to pay attention to God’s Commandments but<br />

he can entrust his whole will to his father. He will suffer no reproach from God,<br />

for He looks for nothing from beginners as much as renunciation through<br />

obedience.<br />

- A Desert Father<br />

+ Obedience responds to obedience. When someone obeys God, then God<br />

obeys his prayer requests.<br />

- Abba Mios of Belos<br />

+ An inexperienced monk consulted a certain holy elder regarding what rule<br />

of fasting he should follow. “Avoid excesses, my child ”, he advised him. “Many<br />

have tried to fast beyond their powers and did not endure for very long.”<br />

- <strong>Fr</strong>om the Desert <strong>Fathers</strong><br />

+ Without temptations it is impossible to acquire a strong constitution of the<br />

soul. But again, to withstand them is not in our power. How could perishable<br />

clay withstand the action of water unless the Divine fire makes it strong? If we<br />

submit to the yoke of God’s will and pray with constant desire and humility, then,<br />

through patience, we also shall receive everything from Our Lord Jesus Christ. -<br />

- Monks Callistus and Ignatius<br />

+ When temptation comes upon you, do not seek where it came from or why,<br />

but be concerned about enduring it thankfully, without sorrow and without<br />

remembering evil.<br />

- St. Mark the Ascetic<br />

-56-

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