Words from the Saints -- July 4, 2024

"There are certain kinds of trees which never bear any fruit as long as their branches stay up straight, but if stones are hung on the branches to bend them down they begin to bear fruit. So it is with the soul. When it is humbled it begins to bear fruit, and the more fruit it bears the lowlier it becomes. So also the saints; the nearer they get to God, the more they see themselves as sinners." --St. Dorotheos of Gaza

"God's saints are near to believing hearts and, like the truest and kindest friends, are ready in a moment to help the faithful and pious who call upon them with faith and love." --St. John of Kronstadt

"It is said that in the life to come the angels and saints ever increase in gifts of grace and never abate their longing for further blessings. No lapse or veering from virtue to vice takes place in that life." --St. Gregory of Sinai

"As the breath which comes out of his nostrils, so does a man need humility and the fear of God." --St. Poemen

"Those who wrong us, do not so by themselves, but by the extent of the allowance of God, because they are an instrument of God." --St. Macarius of Optina

"Virtues are formed by prayer. Prayer preserves temperance. Prayer suppresses anger. Prayer prevents emotions of pride and envy. Prayer draws into the soul the Holy Spirit, and raises man to Heaven." --St. Ephraim of Syria