SPIRITUAL MORSELS from the Ancient Fathers

[Arsenios]

There is absolutely nothing for a Christian to be proud of
in accomplishing works of righteousness,
for he is saved, and is being constantly saved,
from every evil through faith alone,
in the same manner as he accomplishes works of righteousness
also by the same faith.
'For by grace are ye saved through faith;
and that (faith itself) not of yourselves;
it is the gift of God,
not of works,
lest any man should boast' (Eph. 2:8-9).
So that no one can be proud of anything.

St. John of Kronstadt

 

[Arsenios]

Let’s not mix things up.
Did the Saints have the kind of joy we are seeking today?
Did Panaghia have such joy?
Did Jesus go around laughing?
Which Saint has gone through this life without pain?
Which Saint had the joy sought by many present-day Christians
who do not want to hear anything unpleasant,
who do not want to worry or lose their serenity?

St. Paisios of Mt. Athos

 

[Arsenios]

Happiness is found within ourselves,
and blessed is the man who has understood this.
Happiness is a pure heart,
for such a heart becomes the throne of God.
Thus says Christ of those who have pure hearts:
"I will visit them, and will walk in them,
and I will be a God to them,
and they will be my people."
(II Cor. 6:16)

St Nectarios of Aegina
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[Arsenios]

Do not murmur, O children of God, because you find life difficult.
Only wrestle with sin and entreat help from the Lord,
and He will hearken,
for He is full of compassion
and loves us.

St. Silouan of Mt. Athos

 

[Arsenios]

The humble person does not criticize anyone except himself,
because he knows that he does not have any appointment
to judge and censure others.

Father Philotheos Zervakos
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[Arsenios]

A God who does not deify man:
Such a God can have no interest for us, whether He exists or not.
I believe that this goes far to explain the wave of atheism in the West,
as well as the building of science and philosophy on an atheistic foundation.

Archimandrite George Capsanis
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[Arsenios]

If, after cutting off the causes of every one of the passions,
the thought of them still inwardly troubles you,
do not be afraid.
It will procure you crowns,
since it annoys you but does not win you over,
and is not active.
It is dead movement, conquered by your Godly struggle

St. Gregory Palamas

 

[Arsenios]

Geronda, when someone is not needy but pretends to be, should we help him?

Christ said, We should give to him who begs from us without examining.
Even if someone who begs from you is not in need,
you should still give to him.
Be happy in giving to him.

Elder St. Paisios of Mount Athos

 

[Arsenios]

Where ever Christ is,
there is Paradise.

Elder St. Paisios

 

[Arsenios]

It is impossible for the mind to remain undisturbed by thoughts,
but anyone serious about the matter
can certainly permit them entry or drive them away,
and although their origin does not lie entirely under our control
we can choose to approve of them and to adopt them.

St. John Cassian
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[Arsenios]

A brother asked Abba Sisoes,
'What shall I do, Abba, for I have fallen?'
The old man said to him,
'Get up again.'
The brother said,
'I have got up again, but I have fallen again.;
The old man said,
'Get up again and again;
So then the brother said,
'How many times?'
The old man said,
'Until you are taken up
either in virtue
or in sin.
For a man presents himself to judgment
in the state in which he is found.'

 

[Arsenios]

For, if someone does not cut out his bad habits when he is young,
then it will be very difficult later in life when the will is weakened.
If a person has no willpower,
he can do nothing.

St. Paisios of Mt. Athos

 

[Arsenios]

As the poor should give thanks to God and love the rich who do them good,
even more should the rich give thanks to God and love the poor;
for they are saved by the providence of God ...
because of their alms.
--
St. Peter Damascene

 

[Arsenios]

Do not devote all your time to your body
but apply to it a measure of asceticism
appropriate to its strength,
and then turn all your intellect to what is within.
'Bodily asceticism has only a limited use,
but true devotion is useful in all things' (I Tim. 4:8).

St. Maximus the Confessor

 

[Arsenios]

Be kind,
for everyone you meet
is fighting a great battle.

St. Philo of Alexandria

 

[Arsenios]

It is not necessary to roam heaven and earth after God
Or to send our mind to seek Him in different places.
Purify your soul, O son of man,
Remove from yourself the thought of memories outside of nature;
Hang the veil of chastity and humility before your impulses.
By means of these you will be able to find Him Who is within you.

St. Isaac the Syrian