Patristic Quote of the Day

Justin Kissel · Post by **Justin Kissel** » Tue 22 July 2003 1:41 pm

But when its eyes have been uncovered through repentance, the soul sees these [divine and human] things clearly, gives ear to them with knowledge and grasps them with understanding. - Saint Nicetas Stethatos, Practical Chapters, 87

Justin Kissel · Post by **Justin Kissel** » Wed 23 July 2003 1:26 pm

You are an experienced gardener, and you know how much work is required to grow even one vegetable. You wouldn't leave even one plant without some attention. How, then, can we not labor on our soul, our unique treasure, which the grave itself cannot destroy? - Saint Nikolai of Serbia

Justin Kissel · Post by **Justin Kissel** » Thu 24 July 2003 11:08 am

As for the clothing... I told you... But these things are not important. Here is what is important: to adorn the inner dwelling! But before adorning it, we who are passionate must cleanse it. And there is only one tool for cleansing it which is available for us: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me." - Saint Anatoly of Optina, A Collection of Letters to Nuns, 6

Justin Kissel · Post by **Justin Kissel** » Fri 25 July 2003 3:36 pm

"My brothers and fathers," he said, 'let us keep a pure conscience toward our neighbor, and let us preserve a heart pure from evil thoughts which tend to corrupt the miserable soul. But we cannot obtain this unless we have the soul's three parts according to nature. I speak of these three parts: Reason, Spirit and Appetite. For the allgood God has put these things into the soul of man, just as if they were a fortress or citadel, so that man, using them according to nature and as it pleases God, may live his life peacefully and without passion, as our holy fathers instructed us through their wise and holy teaching and even more so through their deeds." - Gregory of Constantinople, Life and Partial Story of the Miracles of Our Holy Father Romylos the modern (†1371), 16

Justin Kissel · Post by **Justin Kissel** » Sat 26 July 2003 11:49 am

To the degree that she is closer to God than all those who have drawn nigh unto Him, by so much has the Theotokos been deemed worthy of greater audience. I do not speak of men alone, but also of the angelic hierarchies themselves. - Gregory Palamas, A Homily on the Dormition of Our Supremely Pure Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary

Justin Kissel · Post by **Justin Kissel** » Sun 27 July 2003 3:18 pm

What, then, O, brethren, is required of us in order that we might avail ourselves of all the grace brought unto us from on high by the coming to earth of the Son of God? What is necessary, first of all, is faith in the Son of God, in the Gospel as the salvation-bestowing heavenly teaching; a true repentance of sins and the correction of life and of heart; communion in prayer and in the mysteries [sacraments]; the knowledge and fulfillment of Christ's commandments. Also necessary are the virtues: Christian humility, alms-giving, continence, purity and chastity, simplicity and goodness of heart. - Saint John of Kronstadt, The Word Became Flesh (Nativity Sermon)

Justin Kissel · Post by **Justin Kissel** » Mon 28 July 2003 10:52 am

What do we say is the aim of divine teaching? That which the Lord himself said, that we love the Lord with our whole heart, and with our whole soul, and our neighbors as ourselves (Deut. 6:5; Lev. 19:18; Mt 22:37-40). But the corruption of his teaching is, on the contrary, not to love God or neighbor. What is the cause of this contrariety? The cause of evils is in those who are evil, because when in chaotic fashion rational creatures use their free will well granted by God, they have been the cause of both wickedness and punishment for themselves. - Junillus, Instituta Regularia Divinae Legis, 28