Sayings of The Holy Fathers

+ + +

"The demons... contend with all men by every possible means in order to separate them from God. Those whom divine providence is leading towards holiness in this life are tested by the following three tests: by the gift of agreeable things, such as health, beauty, fine children, money, fame and so on; by afflictions causing
distress, such as the loss of children, money and fame; and by bodily sufferings, such as disease, torture and so on. To those in the first category the Lord says, 'If a person does not forsake all that he has, he cannot be my disciple' (Luke 14:33 ); and to those in the second and third He says, 'You will gain possession of your souls through your patient endurance' (Luke 21:19)."

From St. Maximos the Confessor
(Second Century on Love nos. 90-91, The Philokalia Vol. 2 edited by Palmer, Sherrard and Ware; Faber and Faber pgs. 80-81)

+ + +

"Love of God proceeds from conversing with him; this conversation of prayer comes about through stillness, and stillness comes with the stripping away of the self."

St. Isaac the Syrian
["The Syriac Fathers on Prayer and the Spiritual Life," Sebastian Brock, Cistercian Publications]

+ + +

"Pray simply. Do not expect to find in your heart any remarkable gift of prayer. Consider yourself unworthy of it. Then you will find peace. Use the empty cold dryness of your prayer as food for your humility. Repeat constantly: I am not worthy; Lord, I am not worthy! But say it calmly, without agitation."

St. Macarius of Optina

+ + +

"Such, my brethren, are the wonders of God. And God reveals His hidden saints so that some may emulate them and others have no excuse for not doing so. Provided they live a worthy life, both those who choose to dwell in the midst of noise and hubbub and those who dwell in monasteries, mountains and caves can achieve salvation. Solely because of their faith in Him God bestows great blessings on them. Hence those who because of their laziness have failed to attain salvation will have no excuse to offer on the day of judgment. For He Who promised to grant us salvation simply on account of our faith in Him is not a liar ."

St. Symeon the New Theologian