If someone is not under obedience to you, do not rebuke him to his face for his faults. For that would imply you have authority over him, and are not just giving advice.
When a man lies, he murders some part of the world These are the pale deaths which men miscall their lives All this I cannot bear to witness any longer Cannot the kingdom of salvation take me home? Adorn yourself with truth, try to speak truth in all things; and do not support a lie, no matter who asks you. If you speak the truth and someone gets mad at you, don’t be upset, but take comfort in the words of the Lord: Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of truth, for theirs is the Kingdom of […]
Cain, where’s your brother? With this began the history of the human race on earth, namely with a brother’s murder. A murder of a brother in your life!
Father Seraphim Rose of Platina, himself a convert to Orthodoxy, was once asked to compose a “Manual for Orthodox Converts”. In his notes for such a manual, he jotted down the following “convert pitfalls”, or what he called “obstacles in the Orthodox mission today” – or, shortly, “convertitis”. Based on these notes we have:
Perhaps you are saying, “Why are the wicked joyful? Why do they live in luxury? Why do they not toil with me?”
We should have always room for one more. Perhaps this should be obvious but the hell of egotism in our minds teaches us that the state of necessity and war is an excuse for domestic tyranny.
Who killed Jesus? Many would say “the Jews” – however, if we look closely at the Gospels we will see that the answer isn’t correct and besides that, such forms of judgment of people based on their ethnic or cultural appurtenance of a certain group have dire consequences, as we saw in history.
Birds are fooled, and the animals of the forest, by the very charms that bring their destruction. Caves as well as food deceive them. They do not know how to avoid evil, and they are not restrained by the law.
The clergy and the monks are often asked “Who should we vote for?” This question even if it shows a very laudable humility, shows also a certain lack of spiritual knowledge. The church
Never confuse the person, formed in the image of God, with the evil that is in him: because…
The one who says that the righteous man should not have sorrows is like he is saying that…
Just looking at something isn’t in itself a sin. What is a sin is looking at things with envy, pride and greed. “Saint Anthony the Great”
It’s defamation to speak about others when they’re not present with the aim of attacking them, even if what you say is true. “Saint Basil the Great” Read more “Words of Life” at
Putting yourself in the place of other people is a great aid in acquiring internal kindness, because then love comes naturally, as do pain, humility, and gratitude to God through continuous hymns of praise and prayer of the heart for our neighbor. Then our prayer is both well-pleasing to God and helps our fellow human beings. “Saint Païsios the Athonite”
Temptations in their various forms sadden people, so that they seek divine assistance all the more, and with tears. This is a dispensation of Divine Providence, in order to strip us bare. “Blessed Joseph the Hesychast”
1. Avarice. 2. The elimination of the sense of justice. 3. distortion of the truth. 4. ego-centrism, captivity to ourselves, worship of our personal interest, or that of our family, our place or, if you like, our nation.
One of the signs of egotism is the presence of some feeling of jealousy within us.
The elders tell us that the spiritual man should take a lesson from the dog. When it is chased out…,
View of a typical monastic settlement on Mount Athos. It is hidden away in a dense forest, in a peaceful area conducive to prayer and spiritual development. A person must live like an exile from this world in order to…
If the man doesn’t cope with his own sins, devil will…
Note: This text was written for women, but can equally be applied by men. First of all, pray about it. Our Lord and His holy Mother are the primary source of aid for such matters. Then ask yourself,…
The higher level man reaches in spiritual life,…
The self-controlled refrain from gluttony; those who have renounced possessions, from greed; the tranquil, from loquacity; the pure, from…
The Creator and Ruler of the world called Himself meek and humble of heart. Therefore, to be a true Ruler of this world…
For the whole array of passions: wrath, fear, cowardice, impudence, depression as well as pleasure, hatred, strife and merciless cruelty, envy as well as flattery, brutality together with brooding over injuries — they are all many despotic masters…
He who has become aware of his sins has controlled his tongue, but…
I have watched farmers sowing the same type of seed, and yet each one had different ideas of what he was doing. One was planning to…
You will not labour many years, son, in search of blessed inner peace, if in the beginning you…
To judge sins is the business of one who is sinless; who is sinless except God? It is not right to…
Absolutely nothing will help us if we are not lenient toward the weaknesses of men and forgive them. For how can we…
