Someone asked an old man...

…”How is it that some say, ‘We see visions of angels’?” And he replied, “Blessed is he who always sees his sins.”

If we haven’t got control of our mind...

…during the hour of spiritual study we are not benefited at all. We simply yawn and tire ourselves without a goal, for we cannot remember anything. In the same way, when the printer doesn’t have his mind on his work and forgets to put ink in, the printing presses work without printing anything.

Elder Paisios, +1994

A man should know...

…that a devil’s sickness is on him if he is seized by the urge in conversation to assert his opinion, however correct it may be. If he behaves this way while talking to his equals, then a rebuke from his elders may heal him. But if he carries on in this way with those who are greater and wiser than he, his sickness cannot be cured by human means.

St. John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent 4

Two brethren went to an elder who lived alone in Scete

And the first one said, “Father, I have learned all of the Old and New Testaments by heart.” The old man said to him, “You have filled the air with words.” The other one said, “I have copied out the Old and New Testaments and have them in my cell.” And to this one, the old man replied, “You have filled your window with parchment. But do you not know Him who said, ‘The kingdom of God is not in words, but in power?’ And again, ‘Not those who hear the Law will be justified before God but those who carry it out.’” They asked him, therefore, what was the way of salvation, and he said to them, “The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord, and humility with patience.”

There was a presbyter from Kellis...

…who was discerning. While coming into the church to complete the synaxis, he saw a number of demons outside the cell of one of the brothers. Some had taken the form of women who were speaking indecently, and others of blasphemous youths; others were dancing while still others were trying on different outfits. The old man sighed and said, “The brother persists in negligence in every way, and because of it the wicked spirits surround his cell in this disorderly manner.” Therefore, when he had completed the synaxis, he returned and entered the cell of the brother, and said to him, “I am suffering, brother. I have faith in you, and if you pray for me, God will completely relieve my heart from suffering.” The disciple was shamed, and said, “Father, I am not worthy to pray for you.” The old man persisted, pleading and saying, “I will not leave unless you promise me that you will say one prayer for me every night.” The brother obeyed the old man’s command. The old man did this because he wanted a new way to ensure that the brother would pray at night.

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Young people must be made...

…to distinguish between helpful and injurious knowledge, keeping clearly in mind the Christian’s purpose in life. So, like the athlete or the musician, they must bend every energy to one task, the winning of the heavenly crown.

St. Basil the Great, 4th century

Don’t be sad...

 …for we will all depart from here. We are passing travelers. We came here to show our works and to leave.

Elder George of Drama (1901-1959)