Wisdom of the Holy Fathers

"My humble opinion is that it suffices for our salvation to meditate continually and seriously about death and to think earnestly upon the fact that nobody will pity us in that hour nor will anyone travel with us out of this life except our good deeds." -St. John the Merciful

"Today we face so many dangers. God is watching over us like a mother watching every step of her child when it starts walking. Today more than ever before, Christ, the Panagia, and the Saints are by our side helping us. But we do not realize it." -Saint Paisios the Athonite

"Regard every evil word they say to you as a golden crown. When one is reviled or spoken to harshly he feels pain, but this pain becomes a healing balm for his passions, for the wounds of his soul." -Elder Ephraim

"The most important thing is for man to grasp this most profound meaning of life, which is the salvation of the soul.  When man believes in God and in the future life, then he understands the vanity of this present life and prepares his passport for the other life." -St. Paisios

"The entire foundation of spiritual life is for people to think of others and put themselves last, not to think of themselves. When we put ourselves in another person's shoes and understand them, then we are Christ's kin." -St. Paisios

"The powers of darkness are not fought with sweets and Turkish delight, but with conduits of tears, with pain of the soul until death, with extreme humility and great patience, with unceasing painful prayer." -St. Joseph the Hesychast

"Remember that God is love, remember that without love your entrance to the kingdom of God is closed." -St. Luke the Surgeon

"Without sorrows there is no salvation. On the other hand, the Kingdom of God awaits those who have patiently endured. And all the glory of the world is nothing in comparison. My joy! I implore you to acquire a peaceful spirit." -St. Seraphim of Sarov

"Yes, my child, we must love everyone, regardless of whether or not they love us - that is their business." -Elder Ephraim

"Be attentive, my child, that you not judge any soul. For God permits the one who judges his neighbor to fall, so that he learns to have sympathy for his weak brother. The mercy of God supports all of us, but if we become proud, God will remove His grace..." -Elder Ephraim

"Remember and understand me well: without Christ, all is nothing! Man is created in the image of Christ, and if we who are His likeness do not come to Him, we will perish!" -St. Gabriel of Georgia

"When something bothers you- a seductive thought, a temptation- ignore all these things, and turn your attention, your eyes, to Christ... He will take you by the hand and will give you His divine grace abundantly. All you need to do is make a tiny little effort." -St. Porphyrios

"At the end of our life, an exact account will be demanded of each one of us: how and where we spent the money of time, and woe to us if we have squandered it in movie theaters, in entertainments, in debauchery, in futile dreams, in carnal pleasures." -Elder Ephraim

"The devil always drives us into despair because depression is satan's utmost joy." -St. Seraphim of Sarov

"To see the angels is not a great miracle, but to see your own mistakes is a miracle." -Saint Anthony the Great

"I have been praying for you. God has given you another chance but you must correct your life. Never be scared, Christ will win!" -St. Ephraim of Nea Makri

"Remember and understand me well: without Christ, all is nothing! Man is created in the image of Christ, and if we who are His likeness do not come to Him, we will perish!" -St. Gabriel of Georgia