From the Life of St. Symeon the Fool for Christ

Our parents according to the flesh are good and it is fine to serve them, but it is incomparably better to be well-pleasing to the Heavenly Father. Brethren according to the flesh are excellent, but spiritual ones are better. The friends in Christ which you had in the world were good but it is better to have as friends the Saints who will intercede with the Master. Good are those advocates you had, to stand before the rulers in time of need, but that is not like having the Holy Angels interceding for us.

Elder Nicon