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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+ If you live in the noisy world, however much you may toil in scattering seed<br />
on the path that you walk , not a green leaf will grow. As well, as much as you<br />
labor to cultivate a heart weighed-down with worldly cares, you toil in vain. It is<br />
impossible to foster virtues there. For this reason the <strong>Fathers</strong> chose to leave<br />
this world.<br />
When the Hebrews ceased being occupied with labors for the Egyptians, and<br />
lived in tents, they learned to worship God. Ships do business and make profits<br />
in the harbor, not on the open seas. It is the same with the soul. If it does not<br />
cease being occupied with worldly things and does not stay in a quiet place, it<br />
neither finds God nor acquires virtues.<br />
- A Desert Father<br />
+ A life of spiritual endeavor is the mother of sanctity, from it is born the first<br />
experience of perception of the mysteries of Christ - which is called the first<br />
stage of spiritual knowledge.<br />
- St. Isaac the Syrian<br />
+ Always cut off the passions while they are still young, before they take root<br />
and become stronger, and begin to depress you: for then you will have to suffer<br />
much from them. It is one thing to yank up a small blade of grass, and another<br />
to uproot a large tree.<br />
- St. Tikhon of Zadonsk<br />
+ One must strive to encourage the spirit of a disturbed man by a word of love.<br />
- St. Seraphim of Sarov<br />
+ Consider, Christian, what vows you made and to Whom. It is a grievous thing<br />
to lie to a man; how incomparably more grievous it is to lie to God. “God is not<br />
mocked, (Galatians 6:7).” When a Christian does not stand on his promises and<br />
does not keep them, what mercy, then, should he expect from God, to Whom he<br />
lied? He that keeps his promises shall find himself in God’s mercy and in His<br />
Kingdom. He remains faithful to God, and God will hold him in mercy and in His<br />
protection as His own. And this is what the prophet sings to God. “With the holy<br />
man will You be holy, and with the innocent man will You be innocent. With the<br />
elect man will You be elect, and with the perverse will You be perverse”<br />
(Psalm 17:26-27).<br />
- St. Tikhon of Zadonsk<br />
+ You cannot cast out malice with malice. Thus, if your brother does you some<br />
wrong, try to repay him with good. Only goodness can conquer malice.<br />
- St. Poimen<br />
+ Think good thoughts about what is good by nature, and think well of<br />
every man.<br />
- St. Thalassius<br />
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