Words from the Saints -- December 21, 2023

"Christians are destined to bear a heavy cross in their life. It’s a difficult thing to say you believe in the Lord and also that you have ease of life in this life. Because, when you are having ease of life on earth, there is something wrong with yourself; you care about the gold of the land and not for the treasures of heaven. But when you think like this, you are far away from the will of God. Christian life and having ease in life do not go together; they are different things". --St. Paisios the Athonite

"The true Christian is a warrior fighting his way through the regiments of the unseen enemy to his heavenly homeland." --St. Herman of Alaska

"He who strives for honor has honor running away from him, while he who runs away from honor has it chasing him." --St. Isaac the Syrian

"Do not grieve if you do not at once receive from God that which you ask. He wishes to benefit you still more by making you persist longer in your patient prayer before Him. For what can be higher than to address one's converse to God and be in communion with Him?" --St. Nilus of Sinai

"A person can become a saint anywhere... At your work, whatever it may be, you can become a saint through meekness, patience, and love. Make a new start every day, with new resolution, enthusiasm and love, prayer and silence." --St. Porphyrios

"Though God knows all our needs, prayer is necessary for the cleansing and enlightenment of our soul. It is well to stand in the sunshine; it is warm and light; likewise, when standing in prayer before God, our spiritual Sun, we are warmed and enlightened." --St. John of Kronstadt