Profanity has become commonplace--a thing that is extremely unbefitting Christians--as to say 'By God!", "God be upon it!", "As God is my witness!", "God look after it!", "For Christ's sake!", and many others. And these are said by some people quite often, even in every utterance. Such profanity is nothing but a satanic plot devised to dishonor the name of God and for the destruction of man. You should guard yourself from swearing in these and other ways. - Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk (as found in Journey To Heaven)
Patristic Quote of the Day
Let not those who seem worthy of credit, but teach strange doctrines, fill thee with apprehension. Stand firm, as does an anvil which is beaten. It is the part of a noble athlete to be wounded, and yet to conquer. - Sinat Ignatius, Epistle to Polycarp, 3
- 尼古拉前执事
- Archon
- Posts: 5118
- Joined: Thu 24 October 2002 7:01 pm
- Faith: Eastern Orthodox
- Jurisdiction: Non-Phylitist
- Location: Euless, TX, United States of America
- Contact:
I just wanted to say that I really appreciate these daily patristic quotes. They are short and to the point, while powerful and seemingly on topic to many of the discussions of the day. Thank you!
在基督 My Original Blog
尼古拉 My Facebook Profile
前执事 My Twitter Page
There is another question to be asked: why is it that, whereas the priest asks them to pray for so many different things, the faithful in fact ask for one thing only--mercy? Why is this the sole cry they send forth to God?
In the first place, as we have already said, it is because this prayer implies both gratitude and confession. Secondly, to beg God's mercy is to ask for his kingdom, that kingdom which Christ promised to give to those who seek for it, assuring them that all things else of which they have need will be added unto them (Matt. 6:33). Because of this, this prayer is sufficient for the faithful, since its application is general. - Nicholas Cabasilas, Commentary on the Divine Liturgy, 13