Patristic Quote of the Day

Justin Kissel · Post by **Justin Kissel** » Mon 16 February 2004 10:51 am

But if repentance is too much for you, and you sin out of habit even when you do not want to, show humility like the publican (cf Luke 18:13): this is enough to ensure your salvation. For he who sins without repenting, yet does not despair, must of necessity regard himself as the lowest of creatures, and will not dare to judge or censure anyone. Rather, he will marvel at God's compassion, and will be full of gratitude towards his Benefactor, and so may receive many other blessings as well. - Saint Peter Damascene, A Treasury of Spiritual Knowledge (in: Philokalia, Vol. 3, p. 160)

Justin Kissel · Post by **Justin Kissel** » Mon 23 February 2004 2:51 pm

"It is better both to attain the good and to keep the purification. But if it be impossible to do both it is surely better to be a little stained with your public affairs than to fall altogether short of grace; just as I think it better to undergo a slight punishment from father or master than to be put out of doors; and to be a little beamed upon than to be left in total darkness. And it is the part of wise men to choose, as in good things the greater and more perfect, so in evils the lesser and lighter. Wherefore do not overmuch dread the purification. For our success is always judged by comparison with our place in life by our just and merciful Judge; and often one who is in public life and has had small success has had a greater reward than one who in the enjoyment of liberty has not completely succeeded; as I think it more marvellous for a man to advance a little in fetters, than for one to run who is not carrying any weight; or to be only a little spattered in walking through mud, than to be perfectly clean when the road is clean. To give you a proof of what I have said: Rahab the harlot was justified by one thing alone, her hospitality, though she receives no praise for the rest of her conduct; and the Publican was exalted by one thing, his humility, though he received no testimony for anything else; so that you may learn not easily to despair concerning yourself." - Saint Gregory the Theologian, Oration 40, 19

Justin Kissel · Post by **Justin Kissel** » Fri 27 February 2004 2:02 pm

"...members of the Church can never retire their weapons. They must wage war no longer against ancient heretics, but against new enemies: against unbelievers, against those who deny the truth, against those who pretend to be representatives of a powerful science. And we cannot say that with the passage of time this war has abated; no sooner does the Church manage to conquer one foe, than she is confronted with a new antagonist. Evil is like some hydra; as one head is decapitated, another appears in its place." - Saint (Patriarch) Tikhon, Thoughts Concerning the Church

away · Post by **away** » Mon 1 March 2004 10:50 am

Thanks Justin, for almost single handedly providing new patristic quotes every time I check.

Have a good and fruitful Lent and bright Pascha.

Justin Kissel · Post by **Justin Kissel** » Mon 1 March 2004 1:55 pm

It is right and holy therefore, men and brethren, rather to obey God than to follow those who, through pride and sedition, have become the leaders of a detestable emulation. For we shall incur no slight injury, but rather great danger, if we rashly yield ourselves to the inclinations of men who aim at exciting strife and tumults, so as to draw us away from what is good. Let us be kind one to another after the pattern of the tender mercy and benignity of our Creator. For it is written, "The kind-hearted shall inhabit the land, and the guiltless shall be left upon it, but transgressors shall be destroyed from off the face of it." And again [the Scripture] saith, "I saw the ungodly highly exalted, and lifted up like the cedars of Lebanon: I passed by, and, behold, he was not; and I diligently sought his place, and could not find it. Preserve innocence, and look on equity: for there shall be a remnant to the peaceful man." - Saint Clement of Rome, Epistle to the Corinthians, 14

You to away! Hopefully we will all be greatly edified each day during this joyfully sorrowful time.

away · Post by **away** » Mon 1 March 2004 2:22 pm

... when someone asked Abba Isaiah what avarice was, he replied, "Not to believe that God cares for you..."

Justin Kissel · Post by **Justin Kissel** » Wed 3 March 2004 12:42 pm

Spiritual training is ascesis for piety. It is most valuable, "having promise for the life that now is, and for that which is to come." The efforts made for the sake of piety bring spiritual gladness. Theophylact says: "Train yourself for piety, that is, for pure faith and the right life. Training, then, and continual efforts are necessary; for he who trains exercises until he perspires, even when there is no contest." Training accustoms one to be lenient, temperate, capable of controlling his anger, subduing his desires, doing works of charity, showing love for his fellow men, practicing virtue. Training is virtuous ascesis, rendering one's way of life admirable. Ascesis is practice, meditation, training, self-control, love of labor. - Saint Nektarios Of Aegina