English Corner

[tabitha]

Among the virtues some are practical, others are natural, and others are divine and conferred by the Holy Spirit.

The practical virtues are the products of our resolution -
the natural virtues are built into us when we are created -
the divine virtues are the fruits of grace.

St Gregory of Sinai
On Commandments and Doctrines, Warnings and Promises

[tabitha]

Every satanic conflict in us comes from these three generic causes:
either from negligence,
or from pride,
or from the envy of the demons.

The first is pitiable,
the second is disastrous,
but the third is blessed.

The Ladder of Divine Ascent -- St. John Climacus

[tabitha]

Stand at the brink of despair, and when you see that you cannot bear it anymore, draw back a little, and have a cup of tea.

Elder Sophrony of Essex

[Mihnea Dragomir]

The best answer I ever heard to those imprudently claiming that conversion to a life centered in Our Lord in an option for an insipid way of life: it belongs to Chesterton, who, in 1913, published this poem:

If I had been a Heathen,
I'd have praised the purple vine,
My slaves should dig the vineyards,
And I would drink the wine.
But Higgins is a Heathen,
And his slaves grow lean and grey,
That he may drink some tepid milk
Exactly twice a day.

If I had been a Heathen,
I'd have crowned Neaera's curls,
And filled my life with love affairs,
My house with dancing girls;
But Higgins is a Heathen,
And to lecture rooms is forced,
Where his aunts, who are not married,
Demand to be divorced.

If I had been a Heathen,
I'd have sent my armies forth,
And dragged behind my chariots
The Chieftains of the North.
But Higgins is a Heathen,
And he drives the dreary quill,
To lend the poor that funny cash
That makes them poorer still.

If I had been a Heathen,
I'd have piled my pyre on high,
And in a great red whirlwind
Gone roaring to the sky;
But Higgins is a Heathen,
And a richer man than I:
And they put him in an oven,
Just as if he were a pie.

Now who that runs can read it,
The riddle that I write,
Of why this poor old sinner,
Should sin without delight-
But I, I cannot read it
(Although I run and run),
Of them that do not have the faith,
And will not have the fun.
(G. K. Chesterton - 1913)


(Note: Naerea was a nymph)

[tabitha]

Prayer is by nature a dialog and a union of man with God.
Its effect is to hold the world together.
It achieves a reconciliation with God.
St. John Climacus

[tabitha]

Great Martyr George, we hasten to thee for triumph over every torment and distress and over all pride and passion, that we may glorify Jesus Christ as zealous conquerors of this world and heirs of the Heavenly Kingdom. We acknowledge our unworthiness of such holy victory but, in praise of the courage, hope and trust which thou hast demonstrated throughout thy life and into thy martyrdom, we lovingly beseech thine aid in battle against sin. Pray for us, Saint George, that we may be granted the grace to confess the Faith before others and to fulfill the Commandments under all circumstances and among all people. Let us witness of Christ the Lord that everyone might see His radiant light and believe in His holy teachings. Amen

[tabitha]

I know a man who loves God with great intensity, and yet grieves because he does not love Him as much as he would wish. His soul is ceaselessly filled with burning desire that God should be glorified in him and that he himself should be as nothing. This man does not think of what he is, even when other praise him. In his great desire for humility he does not think of his priestly rank, but performs his ministry as the rules enjoin. In his extreme love for God, he strips himself of any thought of his own dignity; and with a spirit of humility he buries in the depths of divine love any pride to which his high position might give rise. Thus out of desire to humble himself, he always sees himself in his own mind as a useless servant, extraneous to the rank he holds. We too should do the same, fleeing all honor and glory in the overflowing richness of our love for the Lord Who loves us so greatly.

~St. Diadochos of Photiki - On Spiritual Knowledge

[tabitha]

[tabitha]

'Two criminals were crucified with Christ. One was saved - do not despair. One was not - do not presume.'

St. Augustine

[tabitha]

As it is impossible to verbally describe the sweetness of honey to one who has never tasted honey, so the goodness of God cannot be clearly communicated by way of teaching if we ourselves are not able to penetrate into the goodness of the Lord by our own experience.

St. Basil the Great