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

Words from the Saints -- June 11, 2026

“The road to the Kingdom is narrow, but it is filled with the footprints of the saints.” --St. Nicholas Velimirovich

“Christ asks from us not perfection, but humility and repentance.” --St. Paisios the Athonite

“The saints were not made saints because they were without weakness, but because they did not despair in the struggle.” --St. John Chrysostom

“Permit me to be an imitator of the suffering of my God.” --St. Ignatius of Antioch

“Do not fear the struggle. Where there is no struggle, there is no virtue.” --St. Theophan the Recluse

“The saints are lights in the world because they first became aflame with the love of God.” --St. Basil the Great

“The pure heart becomes a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit.” --St. Nektarios of Aegina

“The Christian’s glory is not in earthly honor, but in faithfulness to Christ.” --St. Tikhon of Zadonsk

“The soul that truly loves God counts every trial as gain.” --St. Macarius the Great

Words from the Saints -- June 4, 2026

“Where the Holy Spirit is present, there is freedom and the illumination of the soul.” — St. Basil the Great

“The grace of the Holy Spirit is like a mother leading her child by the hand.” — St. Macarius the Great

“The Holy Spirit transforms from within those in whom He dwells.” — St. Cyril of Jerusalem

“The soul can resist sin, but it cannot conquer or uproot evil without God.” — St. Mark the Ascetic

“Let your light shine before men by your life, not by your words.” — St. Tikhon of Zadonsk

“Humility and love are the greatest virtues, for by them man becomes like Christ.” — St. Silouan the Athonite

“The Beatitudes are the image of the life of Christ Himself.” — St. Gregory of Nyssa

Words from the Saints -- May 28, 2026

“Our life is love—to love God and to love one another.” --St. John of Kronstadt

“He cannot have God for his Father who does not have the Church for his mother.” --St. Cyprian of Carthage

“The Holy Spirit teaches the soul to love all men.” --St. Silouan the Athonite

“Trials are allowed by God so that our faith may be tested and revealed.”  --St. Paisios the Athonite

“Paradise is the love of God, wherein is the delight of all blessedness.” --St. Isaac the Syrian

“Prayer is the test of everything; prayer is also the source of everything.” --St. Theophan the Recluse

“Death is the seed from which God raises eternal life.” --St. Nikolai Velimirovich

Words from the Saints -- May 21, 2026

“The Lord became the Light of the blind, not only opening bodily eyes, but illumining the soul unto the knowledge of God.” --St. Gregory Palamas

“The Lord sometimes permits bodily blindness that the eyes of the soul may be opened.” --St. John of Kronstadt

“The soul that knows the Lord is drawn to prayer and cannot forget Him day or night.” --St. Silouan the Athonite

“Mary sought the dead Christ in the tomb, and found the living Christ in her heart.” --St. Augustine

“The Ascension of Christ is our elevation.” --St. Leo the Great

“The whole Gospel of Christ is summed up in this: God became man so that man might become god by grace.” --St. Justin Popovich

“To know Christ is to live eternally already in this life.” --St. Sophrony of Essex

Words from the Saints -- May 14, 2026

“Christ sought the Samaritan woman in order to make her an apostle.” —St. Photios the Great

“The soul can never quench its thirst except by drawing near to God.” —St. Basil the Great

“God waits to be desired, and He thirsts that we may thirst for Him.” —St. Augustine of Hippo

“The Resurrection of Christ is the renewal of human nature.” —St. Athanasius the Great

“Let your life preach more loudly than your words.” —St. Isaac the Syrian

“Nothing is so characteristic of a Christian as working for peace.” —St. Basil the Great

“The Holy Spirit binds the Church together in love and truth.” —St. Cyprian of Carthage