Words from the Saints -- October 29, 2026

“Understand the words of Holy Scripture by putting them into practice, and do not fill yourself with conceit by elaborating on theoretical ideas.” --St. Mark the Ascetic

“Self-love—that is, friendship for the body—is the source of evil in the soul.” --St. Thalassios the Libyan

“The person who has come to know the weakness of human nature has gained experience of divine power. Such a man, having achieved some things and eager to achieve others through this divine power, never belittles anyone. For he knows that just as God has helped him and freed him from many passions and difficulties, so, when God wishes, He is able to help all men, especially those pursuing the spiritual way for His sake. And if in His providence He does not deliver all men together from their passions, yet like a good and loving physician He heals with individual treatment each of those who are trying to make progress.” --St. Maximos the Confessor

“He who does not envy the spiritually mature and is merciful to the wicked has attained an equal love for all.” --St. Thalassios the Libyan

“Love every person, regardless of his sinful state. Sin is sin, but the basis of a human being is one and only—the image of God.” --St. John of Kronstadt

“It avails nothing to subdue the body, if the mind allows itself to be controlled by anger.” --St. Gregory the Great

“Just as a basic concern is to be careful of anything that might be harmful to our physical health, so our spiritual concern should watch out for anything that might harm our spiritual life and the work of faith and salvation. Therefore, carefully and attentively assess your inner impulses: are they from God or from the spirit of evil?” --St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco

“Every other evil is easier to conquer than pleasure, for all other evils are repulsive—while the evil of pleasure is attractive. He who frees himself from desires, frees himself from fear, for fear arises from desire.” --St. Cyprian

Words from the Saints -- October 22, 2026

“Do not dispute over the truth with someone who does not know the truth; but from the person who is eager to know the truth, do not withhold words from him.” — St. Isaac the Syrian

“If you abandon God and are a slave to the passions you cannot reap God’s mercy.” — St. Thalassios the Libyan

“Even if others make war against us, it is right for us to remain in peace.” — St. John Chrysostom

“Silence the man who utters slander in your hearing. Otherwise you sin twice over: first, you accustom yourself to this deadly passion and, second you fail to prevent him from gossiping against his neighbor.” — St. Maximos the Confessor

“Look to Heaven, and measure every step of your life so that it is a step towards it.” — St. Theophan the Recluse

“Many of us feel remorse for our sins, yet we gladly accept their causes.” — St. Mark the Ascetic

“How can we say that we adhere to the meek and All-pure Christ, if we daily poison the air with tales about the sins and shortcomings of others? To conceal your own virtue and the shortcomings of others--in this is preeminent spiritual wisdom.” — St. Nicholai of Zica

“I shall never deny Christ even if you put me to a thousand tortures and cut me into pieces.” — St. Chryse

Words from the Saints -- October 15, 2026

“To deny oneself means to give up one’s bad habits; to root out of the heart all that ties us to the world; not to cherish bad thoughts or desires; to suppress every evil thought; not to desire to do anything out of self love, but to do everything out of love for God.” —St. Innocent of Alaska

“The self-indulgent are distressed by criticism and hardship; those who love God are distressed by praise and luxury.” —St. Mark the Ascetic

“If you do good, you must do it only for God. For this reason you must pay no attention to the ingratitude of people. Expect a reward not here, but from the Lord in heaven. If you expect it here—it will be in vain and you will endure deprivation.” —St. Ambrose of Optina

“When sorrow comes to us, we must await consolations, but after the consolation, we must again await sorrows.” —St. Hilarion of Optina

“You must bear the spiritual infirmities of your brother gladly, and without annoyance. For when someone is physically ill, we are not only not annoyed with him, but we are exemplary in our care of him; we should also set an example in cases of spiritual illness.” —St. Moses of Optina

“The soul is greater than the body: the body becomes sick, and with that it is finished. But a spiritual sickness extends into eternity. Deliver us, O Lord, from such illness, and grant us healing.” —St. Macarius of Optina

“It is impossible for God not to show mercy on one who is genuinely striving to be saved.” —St. Pachomios of Chios

“Love every man in spite of his falling into sin. Never mind the sins, but remember that the foundation of the man is the same—the image of God.” —St. John of Kronstadt

“The righteous have no sorrows that are not turned into joy, as sinners have no joy that is not turned into sorrow.” —St. Dmitri of Rostov

Words from the Saints -- October 8, 2026

“For can anyone be excused who, by ceasing to pray, has shown that he did not wish to overcome his enemy.” --St. John Chrysostom

“We must keep in mind that whatever we do, openly or in secret, we do in the presence of our guardian angel.” --St. Nikolai of Zicha

“Speak well of those who speak evil of you. Pay good for evil. Pray for those who cause you various offenses, wrongs, temptations, persecutions. Whatever you do, on no account condemn anyone; do not even try to judge whether a person is good or bad, but keep your eyes on that one evil person for whom you must give an account before God–yourself.” --St. Ignatius Brianchaninov

“All who truly believe in Christ and cleave to Him with all their soul, are changed into His image by the power of His Resurrection.” --St. Theophan the Recluse

Words from the Saints -- October 1, 2026

“A person is humble when he knows that his very being is on loan to him.” --St. Maximos the Confessor

“Let us always guard our tongue; not that it should always be silent, but that it should speak at the proper time.” --St. John Chrysostom

“The only true riches are those that make us rich in virtue. Therefore, if you want to be rich, beloved, love true riches. If you aspire to the heights of real honor, strive to reach the kingdom of Heaven. If you value rank and renown, hasten to be enrolled in the heavenly court of the Angels.” --St. Gregory the Great

“Were we simple like children, the Lord would show us His paradise, and we would behold Him in the glory of the Cherubim and Seraphim, and of all the heavenly host, and the Saints, but we are not humble, and therefore we torment ourselves and those we live among.” --St. Silouan of Mt. Athos

Words from the Saints -- September 24, 2026

“You need not be despondent. Let those be despondent who do not believe in God. For them sorrow is burdensome, of course, because besides earthly enjoyment they have nothing. But believers must not be despondent, for through sorrows they receive the right of sonship, without which is impossible to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” --St. Barsanuphius of Optina

“Until a man’s earthly life finishes its course, up to the very departure of the soul from the body, the struggle between sin and righteousness continues within him. However, high a spiritual and moral state one might achieve, a gradual or even headlong and deep fall into the abyss of sin is always possible. Therefore, communion of the holy Body and Blood of Christ, which strengthens our contact with Him and refreshes us with the living streams of the grace of the Holy Spirit flowing through the Body of the Church, is necessary for everyone.” --St. John the Wonderworker of Shanghai and San Francisco

“Endeavor to have always in your hand a pious book, that with this shield you may defend yourself against bad thoughts.” --St. Jerome

Words from the Saints -- September 17, 2026

“God judges our intention, but in that which is within our power He, in man-befriending wise, also requires us to act. Great is he who leaves undone nothing that is within his power; but greater is he who humbly attempts what is beyond his power.” --St. John Climacus

“The Kingdom of Heaven is not a reward for works, but a gift of grace prepared by the Master for His faithful servants.” --St. Mark the Ascetic

“The soul is greater than the body: the body becomes sick, and with that it is finished. But a spiritual sickness extends into eternity. Deliver us, O lord, from such illness, and grant us healing.” --St. Macarius

“If you wish not to fall away from the love of God, do not let your brother go to bed feeling irritated with you, and do not go to bed yourself feeling irritated with him. Reconcile yourself with your brother, and then come to Christ with a clear conscience and offer Him your gift of love in earnest prayer (Matthew 5:24).” --St. Maximos the Confessor

“Unexpected trials are sent by God to teach us to practice the ascetic life; and they lead us to repentance even when we are reluctant.” --St. Mark the Ascetic

Words from the Saints -- September 10, 2026

“Do not listen to talk about other people’s sins. For through such listening the form of these sins is imprinted on you.” --St. Mark the Ascetic

“Those permitted by God to test us either inflame the desiring aspect of the soul, or stir up its incensive power, or darken its intelligence, or envelop its body in pain, or deprive us of bodily necessities.” --St. Maximos the Confessor

“His mistake was to justify himself; who does that destroys himself.” --St. Poemen

“Jesus is the Christ, our Lord and our God, who grants us faith in Him so that we may live.” --St. Thalassios the Libyan

“Why do you fall into the destruction of the devil through him and with him? Preserve the sublime nature with which you were born. Persevere just as you were made by God. Establish your soul with the state of your face and body. That you may be able to know God, know yourself first. Abandon the idols which human error invented. Turn to God, and if you implore Him, He comes to your aid. Believe in Christ whom the Father sent to quicken and restore us.” --St. Cyprian of Carthage

“Some people with a hot temper do not worry about it and ignore the remedies that would heal them. They forget, unfortunately, what is written: ‘Surely anger kills the fool, and jealousy slays the simple.’ (Job 5:2)” --St. John Climacus

“Pray in peace and serenity, sing intelligently and in a good state - and you will be like a young eagle soaring high in the sky.” --St. Nilus of Sinai

Words from the Saints -- September 3, 2026

“Do not stop praying as long as, by God’s grace, the fire and the water [i.e. fervor and tears] have not been exhausted, for it may happen that never again in your whole life will you have such a chance to ask for the forgiveness for your sins.” — St. John Climacus

“Anyone who truly wants to follow God must be free from the bonds of attachment to this life. To do this we must make a complete break with our old way of life. Indeed, unless we avoid all obsession with the body and with the concerns of this world, we shall never succeed in pleasing God. We must depart as it were to another world in our way of thinking, as the Apostle said: ‘Our citizenship is in heaven.’” — St. Basil the Great

“Born as a son, led forth as a lamb, sacrificed as a sheep, buried as a man, He rose from the dead as a God, for He was by nature God and Man. He is all things: He judges, and so He is Law; He teaches, and so He is Word; He saves, and so He is Grace; He begets, and so He is Father, He is begotten, and so He is Son; He suffers, and so He is Sacrifice; He is buried, and so He is Man; He rises again, and so He is God. This is Jesus Christ, to Whom belongs Glory for all ages.” — St. Melito of Sardis

“If one becomes angry with one’s neighbor on account of riches, fame or pleasure, one does not yet realize that God orders all things with justice.” — St. Mark the Ascetic

“Remembrance of Jesus’ passion will heal your soul of resentment, by making it ashamed of itself when it remembers the patience of the Lord. Some people have wearied themselves and suffered for a long time in order to extract forgiveness. By far the best course, however, is to forget the offenses, since the Lord says: ‘Forgive at once and you will be forgiven in generous measure’ (cf. Luke 6:37-38).” — St. John Climacus

“Some of the things given to us by God for our use are in the soul, others are in the body and others relate to the body. In the soul are its powers; in the body are the sense organs and other members; relating to the body are food, money, possessions and so on. Our good or bad use of these things given us by God, or of what is contingent upon them, reveals whether we are virtuous or evil.” — St. Maximos the Confessor

Words from the Saints -- August 27, 2026

“I know and believe that he was in the flesh after the resurrection.” –St. Ignatius of Antioch

“By death immortality has reached to all.” –St. Athanasius the Great

“I long to be with Him, and offer myself to him as a pure loaf.” –St. Ignatius of Antioch

“All that is done of necessity is shorn of its reward.” –St. John Chrysostom

“The rich be made capable of being good stewards of their possessions.” –St. Gregory the Theologian

“John blames him, and blames him with moderation, showing together with his boldness, his consideration also.” –St. John Chrysostom

Words from the Saints -- August 20, 2026

“He does not rely on his own abilities but attributes to God everything he does right and always gives thanks to Him.” –St. Dorotheos of Gaza

“I do not think that I have even begun to repent.” –St. Sisoes the Great

“A humble person never falls. Being already lower than any, where can he fall?” –St. Macarius the Great

“Jesus sanctified Baptism by being Himself baptized.” –St. Cyril of Jerusalem

“Flog your enemies, i.e. the temptations, with the name of Jesus, for there is no stronger weapon in heaven or on earth.” –St. John Climacus

“The work of fasting and vigil is the beginning of every effort against sin and lust.” –St. Isaac the Syrian

Words from the Saints -- August 13, 2026

“Rightly did the world watch him, to follow his example.” --St. Ambrose of Milan (on 1 Corinthians 4:9)

“We are bidden to be patient towards all, and to return kindly deeds to those who persecute us unjustly.” --St. Basil the Great

“The mustard-seed, unless it be bruised, does not give out its qualities.” -—St. Gregory Dialogos

“For this is truly perfection: never to stop growing toward what is better and never placing any limit on perfection.” -—St. Gregory of Nyssa

“Such are many men now also, decking themselves indeed outwardly, but full of iniquity within.” --St. John Chrysostom

Words from the Saints -- August 6, 2026

“The building is not the workman’s, but the master’s.” --St. John Chrysostom

“It was not his body that walked on the water, but his faith.” --St. Jerome

“The Light of the Transfiguration of the Lord is not something that comes to be and then vanishes.” --St. Gregory Palamas

“He led them up the mountain to show them the glory of the Godhead.” --St. Ephraim the Syrian

“He showed them the glory, with which in due time He will arise upon the world.” --St. Cyril of Alexandria

Words from the Saints -- July 30, 2026

“Though we have but little, this too we ought to give up to them that are in need.” --St. John Chrysostom

“The soul cannot know peace unless she prays for her enemies.” --St. Silouan the Athonite

“The reward is given not for our works but for our humility.” --St. Isaac the Syrian

“Let your children be partakers of true Christian training; let them learn of how great avail humility is with God.” --St. Clement of Rome

“Our God is not a God of confusion, but of peace.” --St. Athanasius the Great

“If you are not successful in your prayer, you will not be successful in anything, for prayer is the root of everything.” --St. Theophan the Recluse

Words from the Saints -- July 23, 2026

“Silence is the sacrament of the world to come.” --St. Isaac the Syrian

“The intellect cannot be still unless the body is still also.” --St. Mark the Ascetic

“Sinful self-love… is the ‘mother of all evils.’” --St. Maximus the Confessor

“If your heart overflows with love for God, you will find a thousand ways to communicate and pass on these feelings to your children.” --St. Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia

“From this day, from this hour, from this minute, let us love God above all else, and fulfill His Holy Will.” --St. Herman of Alaska

“There is only one true God, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” --St. Menas

“Nothing uplifts the soul so much… as the melody of unison and rhythm-possessing sacred songs.” --St. John Chrysostom

Words from the Saints -- July 16, 2026

“A man of good and dispassionate judgment also loves all men equally.” --St. Maximos the Confessor

“The sick one who is acquainted with his sickness is easily to be cured.” --St. Isaac the Syrian

“Sin is a disease of the soul.” --St. John Chrysostom

“Everyone that desires salvation must not only avoid evil, but is obliged to do good.” --St. Dorotheos of Gaza

“Through marriage we become one another’s hands, ears, and feet.” --St. Gregory the Theologian

“Prayer of the heart comes when one makes an effort.” --St. Theophan the Recluse

Words from the Saints -- July 9, 2026

“God opens the hearts that are willing.” --St. John Chrysostom

“Faith is the door to mysteries. What the bodily eyes are to sensible things, faith is to the eyes of the soul.” --St. Isaac the Syrian

“Do not seek to understand in order to believe, but believe that you may understand.” --St. Augustine of Hippo

“The humble man is never hurried, never hasty, never disturbed.” --St. Isaac the Syrian

“The demons fear fasting, prayer, humility, and almsgiving; these are the weapons of the Christian.” --St. John Chrysostom

“The wisdom of this world passes away, but the wisdom of God leads to eternal life.” --St. Basil the Great

Words from the Saints -- July 2, 2026

“Humility is the root, mother, nurse, foundation, and bond of all virtue.” --St. John Chrysostom

“By declaring himself unworthy, the centurion showed himself worthy—not worthy to receive Christ into his house, but worthy to receive Him into his heart.” --St. Augustine

“Faith is the eye that sees the invisible.” --St. Cyril of Jerusalem

“The power of God is made perfect not in strength, but in weakness willingly offered to Him.” --St. Isaac the Syrian

“The Good Shepherd seeks not His own profit but the salvation of the sheep.” --St. Gregory the Great

“No one can lay hold of the Kingdom unless he first learns to entrust himself completely to Christ.” --St. Theophan the Recluse

Words from the Saints -- June 25, 2026

“The principal thing is to stand before God with the mind in the heart, and to go on standing before Him unceasingly day and night, until the end of life.” --St. Theophan the Recluse

“Trust in God. God will not abandon us. He knows what each soul needs.” --St. Paisios the Athonite

“Where there is simplicity, there are a hundred angels; where there is cunning, there is not one.” --St. Ambrose of Optina

“A tree is known by its fruit; a man by his deeds.” --St. Basil the Great

“It is better to be imperfectly united to God than perfectly separated from Him.” --St. Gregory the Theologian

“The heart itself is but a small vessel, yet dragons are there, and lions; there are poisonous beasts and all the treasures of wickedness; but there too is God, the angels, life and the Kingdom.” --St. Macarius the Great

“Only those who have learned to trust in God can truly be free from anxiety.” --St. Nikolai of Žiča

Words from the Saints -- June 18, 2026

“The man who truly loves God keeps His commandments.” --St. Maximus the Confessor

“Humility is the robe of the Godhead.” --St. Isaac the Syrian

“Prayer is food for the soul. Do not starve yourself.” --St. John Chrysostom

“The beginning of salvation is to condemn oneself.” --St. Joseph the Hesychast

“The ladder to the Kingdom is within you, hidden in your soul.” --St. Isaac the Syrian

“He who has humility for his portion has God for his helper.” --St. Barsanuphius the Great

“The Gospel was given not for knowledge alone, but for the transformation of life.” --St. Theophan the Recluse

“The Lord did not say ‘learn from Me’ because I fasted, but ‘because I am meek and humble in heart.’” --St. John Climacus