Sayings of The Holy Fathers:
When I wish to open my mouth and to speak on the exalted theme of humility, I am filled with dread, like someone who is aware that he is about to discourse with his own imperfect words concerning God. For humility is the robe of the Godhead. The Word who became human clothed Himself with humility, and thus spoke with us in our human body.Everyone who has truly been clothed in humility becomes like Him who came down from His exalted place and hid the splendor of His majesty, concealing His glory in lowliness, so that the created world should not be utterly consumed at the sight of Him. Creation could not behold Him unless He took part of it to Himself and thus conversed with it: only thus was creation able to hear the words of His mouth face to face.
St. Isaac the Syrian
If someone is rightly offended with you, but you repent before he calls on you to do so, you lose nothing; but if you repent only after you have been asked to, you forfeit half the harvest. If you never cause estrangement by giving offense to others, you recover all the seed that you sowed; but if you always put the blame on yourself, you gain in addition more than you originally laid out."
Ilias the Presbyter
When your heart is disturbed in spirit by any passion, and you are deprived of peace, and are filled with agitation, and words of displeasure and animosity to your neighbour fall from your tongue, do not linger in this condition, so destructive to you, but immediately bend your knees and confess your sin before the Holy Ghost."
St. John of Kronstadt
My Life in Christ: Part 1, Holy Trinity Monastery pg. 146
Saint Brendon of Clonfert once asked Saint Ita what were the three works most pleasing to God, and the three works most displeasing to Him.
Saint Ita answered, "Three things that please God most are true faith in God with a pure heart, a simple life with a grateful spirit, and generosity inspired by love.
" The three things that most displease God are a mouth that hates people, a heart harboring resentments, and confidence in wealth."
Upon hearing this teaching, Saint Brendan and all who were there glorified God in His chosen one.
From Edward C. Sellner, Wisdom of the Celtic Saints, 1993, p.154, quoted in the St. Herman Calendar for 2003, p.25.
St. Isaac the Syrian
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If someone is rightly offended with you, but you repent before he calls on you to do so, you lose nothing; but if you repent only after you have been asked to, you forfeit half the harvest. If you never cause estrangement by giving offense to others, you recover all the seed that you sowed; but if you always put the blame on yourself, you gain in addition more than you originally laid out."
Ilias the Presbyter
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When your heart is disturbed in spirit by any passion, and you are deprived of peace, and are filled with agitation, and words of displeasure and animosity to your neighbour fall from your tongue, do not linger in this condition, so destructive to you, but immediately bend your knees and confess your sin before the Holy Ghost."
St. John of Kronstadt
My Life in Christ: Part 1, Holy Trinity Monastery pg. 146
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Celtic Wisdom
Saint Brendon of Clonfert once asked Saint Ita what were the three works most pleasing to God, and the three works most displeasing to Him.
Saint Ita answered, "Three things that please God most are true faith in God with a pure heart, a simple life with a grateful spirit, and generosity inspired by love.
" The three things that most displease God are a mouth that hates people, a heart harboring resentments, and confidence in wealth."
Upon hearing this teaching, Saint Brendan and all who were there glorified God in His chosen one.
From Edward C. Sellner, Wisdom of the Celtic Saints, 1993, p.154, quoted in the St. Herman Calendar for 2003, p.25.
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