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Sam, 23. Ukrainian-American Orthodox revert. Christ is in our midst.

[seraphimscorner]

"Be quiet a lot, speak little — and silence will come in your heart, and your spirit will be calm and full of peace."

Saint Seraphim of Sarov

[orthodoxadventure]

The temporary and short-lived afflictions of this world are insignificant in comparison to the reward we will receive in the other world. However, they frequently seem very heavy, unbearable, and unending to us. This reveals our human weakness as well as the craftiness of the devil, who presents things to us in a very different way, in order to lead us securely into despair and hopelessness by suggesting that the present torments will never end. But they do end, often in a single moment.

The Art of Salvation by Elder Ephraim of Arizona

[orthodoxadventure]

In grief, God’s love is a silent embrace, holding the soul through its tears.

Saint Paisios of Mount Athos

[orthodoxadventure]

An Icon of Saint Seraphim of Sarov

[orthodoxadventure]

When praying to the Theotokos, you call her an abyss of goodness and mercies. Imitate her goodness and generosity to those who have need of your goodness and mercy, as much as you can. Do not be angry with them, do not despise them, but the more they require your help, the more you must love them. Consider their position clearly and soberly according to the teaching of the Gospel, putting yourself in their place, and the Mother of God will multiply her mercies upon you.

My Life in Christ by Saint John of Kronstadt

[orthodoxadventure]

God is love, and therefore the preaching of His word must always proceed from love. Then both preacher and listener will profit. But if you do nothing but condemn, the soul of the people will not heed you, and no good will come of it.

Saint Silouan the Athonite by Archimandrite Sophrony of Essex

[orthodoxadventure]

The most vibrant form of love for our fellow man is expressed and revealed when we pray wholeheartedly for our enemies, when we forgive with all our heart (not merely as a formality because God says so), and when we love our enemies, who in actuality are our benefactors. The person who bothers us, who criticizes us, who creates temptations and hardships for us, on the one hand becomes an instrument of the devil, but on the other hand an instrument of Christ. The Fathers teach that such a person is Jesus' instrument that cauterizes our egotism and our pride, and through him we receive therapy. Such a person, of course, acts with hostility; we, however, can graft the wild olive branch into a cultivated olive tree (cf. Rom. 11:17) and produce a crop useful to our lives. Thus, we benefit tremendously when we embrace people who act with hostility towards us.

The Art of Salvation by Elder Ephraim of Arizona

[pomornika]

[orthodoxadventure]

The soul of the Christian needs to be refined and sensitive, to have sensibility and wings, to be constantly in flight and to live in dreams, to fly through infinity, among the stars, amidst the greatness of God, amid silence.

Wounded by Love by Saint Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia

[orthodoxadventure]

My neighbor is a being with the same rights I have. He is a person, as I am, created in the image of God, and since he is the same as I am, I must love him as I love myself. "You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Matt 22:39). Therefore, I must watch over him as over my own flesh and blood, behaving lovingly, gently, and kindly to him, forgiving him his faults, as I willingly forgive myself my own, as I long for forgiveness or indulgence from others toward my own weaknesses, as I hope that other people will not even notice them, as though they did not exist, or that they will notice them with indulgence and benevolence.

My Life in Christ by Saint John of Kronstadt

[orthodoxadventure]

Our Heavenly Father wants all of His children to have His Divine properties. He wants us to be full of love, peace, joy, truthfulness, and kindness. He wants us to be able to comfort others.

Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives: The Life and Teachings of Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica

[orthodoxadventure]

We, the children of the merciful God, also must wish with our whole hearts that all men, even our enemies, will be saved, and we must work toward this end.

Saint John of Kronstadt, My Life in Christ

[asmallorthodoxblog]

[orthodoxadventure]

If you see an angry person, pray thus: Lord, make Your servant gentle through Your grace.

My Life in Christ by Saint John of Kronstadt

[orthodoxadventure]

Forgive them that trespass against you, knowing that as the enemy disturbs you and sometimes sets you at enmity against others, so he also disturbs and sets them against you. Love and pity your enemies, as those who have gone astray.

My Life in Christ by Saint John of Kronstadt

[furordinaricvs]

Hutsul crosses carved from wood, dated to period between 1820 to 1840s.

[orthodoxadventure]

Grant, Lord, that I may ever prefer Your grace, Your peace, Your righteousness and holiness to all earthly blessings. Grant that I may abide in Your grace all the days of my life, until my last breath.

My Life in Christ by Saint John of Kronstadt