St Vasilios Greek Orthodox Church

∼ Words from the Church Fathers ∼

A Christian must be courteous to all. His words and deeds should breathe with the grace of the Holy Spirit, which abides in his soul, so that in this way he might glorify the name of God.

He who regulates all of his speech also regulates all of his actions. He who keeps watch over the words he is about say also keeps watch over the deeds he intends to do, and he never goes out of the bounds good and benevolent conduct.

The graceful speech of a Christian is characterized by delicateness and politeness. This fact, born of love, produces peace and joy. On the other hand, boorishness gives birth to hatred, enmity, affliction, competitiveness, disorder and wars.

St. Nektarios of Aegina, The Path to Happiness, 7

∼ Words from the Church Fathers ∼

In truth there is only one freedom – the holy freedom of Christ, whereby He freed us from sin, from evil, from the devil. It binds us to God. All other freedoms are illusory, false, that is to say, they are all, in fact, slavery.
– St. Justin Popovich, Ascetical and Theological Chapters, II.36

Don’t be troubled if you don’t feel the love of God in yourself, but think about the Lord,
that He is merciful, and guard yourself from sins, and the grace of God will teach you.
– St. Silouan the Athonite, Writings, IX.16

∼ Words from the Church Fathers ∼

Everyone who loves God shows himself patient and steadfast in times of suffering.

Whoever bears them bravely becomes strong and obedient to God, and whoever enters the path of following the will of God conquers his natural weakness. On the other hand, whoever does not recognize his own powerlessness is proud and not inclined to submit himself to the will of the Lord. Whoever does not submit to it and hopes only in his own power does not receive the power and help of God and, not having been strengthened in spirit, cannot become patient. But who-ever does not endure misfortune and afflictions has not faith, and whoever does not have faith, does not love God.
– St. Alexis of Senaki, Concerning Afflictions

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God values deeds according to their intentions. For it is said, “The Lord grant unto you according to your heart” (Psalm 19:5) … Therefore, whoever wants to do something but can’t is considered as having done it by God, who sees the intentions of our hearts. This applies to both good and evil deeds alike.
– St. Mark the Ascetic, Homilies, 1.184, 2.16

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