Do you fast? Give me proof of it by your works! If you see a poor man, take pity on him! If you see an enemy, be reconciled to him! For let not the mouth only fast, but also the eye and the ear and the feet and the hands and all the members of our bodies.
~ St. John Chrysostom
Accept everything that happens to you as from the hand of God. When you stop resisting your circumstances, your heart will find immediate rest.
Igumen Nikon (Vorobiev)
The scope of this world, who the escorts are etc. would SHOCK the normal person.
I see it all the time as I’m a wealthy man who rolls in wealthy circles.
I have never participated. But I am telling the average person out there, your mind would be blown.
You think it’s just a few IG girls?
You’ve met 10 this week. Students, nurses, your wife’s friends etc etc.
All-Good and Merciful Lord, I know that any enduring happiness in my life dependeth upon my wholehearted love for Thee and upon keeping thy commandments and obeying thy holy will in all things. Wherefore, direct my steps, O God, and fill my heart with thy grace. I seek to please thee alone, for thou art my Creator and my God. Preserve me from pride and self-love. Let reason, modesty and chastity adorn me. Deliver me from Idleness which is hateful unto thee and breedeth vice; grant me to be diligent and fruitful in labor, and bless thou my work. Thy law commandeth that husband and wife live in chaste matrimonial union. Wherefore lead me, Holy Father, to this blessed calling not for the satisfaction of passions but unto the fulfillment of Thy commandment; for thou hast said that it is not good that man should live alone and, having created woman as his helper, Thou blessest them to be fruitful and multiply that they may fill the earth. Hear my humble prayer, which ascendeth unto Thee from the depths of my heart: Grant unto me an honest and pious spouse that, through our love and harmony, we may together serve and praise thee, our compassionate God, and do thy will and bless thine all-holy name, of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. ☦️📿
The soul who has surrendered herself to the will of God bears every affliction, every ill, with ease, because in times of sickness she prays and contemplates God, saying, “O Lord, You see my frailty. You know how weak and sinful I am. Help me to endure my sufferings, and to thank You for Your goodness.” And the Lord relieves her pain, and the soul feels God’s help, and is glad in the sight of God, and gives thanks.
St Silouan the Athonite
It is necessary to repent for not sufficiently loving others and for not being sensitive enough to the misfortunes of others.
— Saint Seraphim of Vyritsa
Never force anyone into anything; do not forcibly drag men, your wives, or anyone else into the temples of God. It is all a sin; it is bad.
If a person does not understand or recognize the faith, there is no reason to force holy things upon him. The time will come when God will call him to faith through our prayers, he will ask for holy water, prosphora, and a cross himself. There is no need to hang crosses on people by force, only for them to tear them off and blaspheme.
Never commit violence, but pray for your loved ones so that the Lord will call them to put on these crosses themselves, strive for repentance themselves, and ask for holy water and holy prosphora themselves. So, keep in mind: violence is a sin.
Elder schiarchimandrite Zosima (Sokur)
The Lord sees everything we do. If we constantly think about Him and use simple words, He hears and helps. He doesn't need anything from us—just a heart. We must live with our hearts. None of the people know when the end of this world will be, but we all know that we will go to eternity. To inherit the kingdom of heaven, live in the light of conscience, according to the gospel, and you will be saved. Our thoughts and words have a great impact on the world around us: animals and vegetation. Pray with tears for all the sick, weak sinners, and those for whom there is no one to pray—and for flowers, stones, and plants. Don't offend the birds; give them alms. Ask God to keep the air and water clean on the planet, and unceasingly cry out to the Sweetest Savior of the world: 'Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'
Archpriest Nikolai Guryanov