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…It’s like a drought that hinders any kind of planting. It hurts everyone. It hinders those who want to begin the spiritual battle and stops those who have begun it. It hinders those who are unaware and keeps those who have been deluded from returning.
Elder Joseph the Hesychast, +1959
Elder Joseph the Hesychast …and you move your hands so as to try to brush away the darkness which, of course, doesn’t move. If you open a window and light enters, the darkness disappears. The same happens with study. The Holy Scripture, the lives of the Saints, and the writings of the Fathers are the light that chases away the darkness of the soul.
Elder Porphyrios, +1991
Praxis Elder Porphyrios …”How is it that some say, ‘We see visions of angels’?” And he replied, “Blessed is he who always sees his sins.”
…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
Praxis Elder Paisios …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
Praxis St. John Climacus 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.”
Gerontikon …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.
Gerontikon …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
Praxis St. Basil the Great …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)
Praxis Elder George of Drama …in a way that will profit you: so that you sorrow for the lost, feel pain for those gone astray, suffer for those in pain, pray for sinners, and in the case of the good, entreat God to preserve them.
John the Solitary, 5th century
Praxis John the Solitary …that is so imbedded in our sinning can be done only by divine power, for it is impossible and outside man’s competence to uproot sin. To struggle, yes, to continue to fight, to inflict blows, and to receive setbacks is in your power. To uproot, however, belongs to God alone. If you could have done it on your own, what would have been the need for the coming of the Lord? For just as an eye cannot see without light, nor can one speak without a tongue, nor hear without ears, nor walk without feet, nor carry on works without hands, so you cannot be saved without Jesus nor enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
St. Macarius, Homily 3.4
Praxis Abba Macarius the Great …”A house is not built by beginning at the top and working down. You must begin with the foundations in order to reach the top.” They said to him, “What does this saying mean?” He said, “The foundation is our neighbor, whom we must win, and that is the place to begin. For all the commandments of Christ depend on this alone.”
Abba John the Dwarf …”In the beginning there are a great many battles and a good deal of suffering for those who are advancing towards God and afterwards, ineffable joy. It is like those who wish to light a fire; at first they are choked by the smoke and cry, and by this means obtain what they seek — as it is said, ‘Our God is a consuming fire’ — so we also must kindle the divine fire in ourselves through tears and hard work.”
She also said: “Just as the most bitter medicine drives out poisonous things, so prayer joined to fasting drives evil thoughts away.”
Amma Syncletica …”One day I went to the marketplace to sell some small goods. When I saw anger approaching me, I left the things and fled.”
Abba Isidore …”What shall I do, father, for I am not acting at all like a monk, but I eat, drink, and sleep carelessly, and I have evil thoughts and I am in great trouble, passing from one work to another and from one thought to another?” The old man said,” Sit in your cell and do the little you can untroubled. For I think the little you can do now is of equal value to the great deeds which Abba Antony accomplished on the mountain, and I believe that by remaining sitting in your cell for the name of God, and guarding your conscience, you also will find the place where Abba Antony is.”
…”Which is better, bodily asceticism or interior vigilance?” The old man replied, “Man is like a tree, bodily asceticism is the foliage, interior vigilance the fruit. According to that which is written, “Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit shall be cut down and cast into the fire” it is clear that all our care should be directed towards the fruit, that is to say, guard of the spirit; but it needs the protection and the embellishment of the foliage, which is bodily asceticism.”
Praxis Abba Agathon …”Can a man lay a new foundation every day?” The old man said, “If he works hard, he can lay a new foundation at every moment.”
Praxis Abba Moses, Abba Silvanus …and leaves it without a roof, this house can’t be used at all. In the same way, if a man acquires all the virtues but not love, the house remains roofless and is of no benefit at all.
Elder Philotheos of Paros, +1980
Elder Philotheos of Paros …your passions especially - in your home life, where they appear freely, like moles in a safe place.
St. John of Kronstadt
Praxis St. John of Kronstadt …the mind of judge toward yourself, and toward your neighbor the heart of a mother.
Elder Cleopa of Romania (+1998)
Praxis Elder Cleopa of Romania 