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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 />

-80-

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