Sayings of The Holy Fathers:
I notice that Thomas lost his faith when he was absent, but when he was together with the believers his faith did not in any way fall short.
So I have the idea that if only a sinner will flee the company of immoral men and associate with the just, he will never be found lacking in righteousness or the resultant salvation of his soul.
The Homilies of St. Gregory Palamas, Vol. I
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"Prayer is a remedy against grief and depression."
Abba Nilus
The Sayings of the Desert Fathers, in Sr. Benedicta Ward, Kalamazoo, Michigan: Cistercian Publications, 1975, pp. 153-155
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Abba John the Dwarf:
The old man also said this to a certain brother about the soul which wishes to be converted, 'There was in a city a courtesan who had many lovers. One of the governors approached her, saying, "Promise me you will be good, and I will marry you." She promised this and he took her and brought her to his house. Her lovers, seeking her again, said to one another, "That lord has taken her with him to his house, so if we go to his house and he learns of it, he will condemn us.
But let us go to the back, and whistle to her. Then when she recognizes the sound of the whistle she will come down to us; as for us, we shall be unassailable." When she heard the whistle, the woman stopped her ears and withdrew to the inner chamber and shut the doors.' The old man said that this courtesan is our soul, that her lovers are the passions and other men; that the lord is Christ; that the inner chamber is the eternal dwelling; those who whistle are the evil demons, but the soul always takes refuge in the Lord.
So I have the idea that if only a sinner will flee the company of immoral men and associate with the just, he will never be found lacking in righteousness or the resultant salvation of his soul.
The Homilies of St. Gregory Palamas, Vol. I
+ + +
"Prayer is a remedy against grief and depression."
Abba Nilus
The Sayings of the Desert Fathers, in Sr. Benedicta Ward, Kalamazoo, Michigan: Cistercian Publications, 1975, pp. 153-155
+ + +
Abba John the Dwarf:
The old man also said this to a certain brother about the soul which wishes to be converted, 'There was in a city a courtesan who had many lovers. One of the governors approached her, saying, "Promise me you will be good, and I will marry you." She promised this and he took her and brought her to his house. Her lovers, seeking her again, said to one another, "That lord has taken her with him to his house, so if we go to his house and he learns of it, he will condemn us.
But let us go to the back, and whistle to her. Then when she recognizes the sound of the whistle she will come down to us; as for us, we shall be unassailable." When she heard the whistle, the woman stopped her ears and withdrew to the inner chamber and shut the doors.' The old man said that this courtesan is our soul, that her lovers are the passions and other men; that the lord is Christ; that the inner chamber is the eternal dwelling; those who whistle are the evil demons, but the soul always takes refuge in the Lord.
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