Theophan the Recluse quotes - page 2

Seek courage also in remembering the patience of all the saints, and especially that of the martyrs. (Theophan the Recluse)
The Jesus Prayer is a great treasure. It has no equal among spiritual activities. Try to stand attentively in the heart with it, and not just to repeat the words unceasingly, but to keep remembrance of the Lord, combining reverential fear with this. God is everywhere. Whether we are thinking about Him or not, He is there all the same wherever we are, and He sees everything. Judging by human standards, how sorrowful it is for Him when we do not pay attention to Him although he maintains everything, takes care of everyone and provides everyone with every good. View quote
Theophan the Recluse
The chief end of our life is to live in communion with God. To this end the Son of God became incarnate, in order to return us to this divine communion, which was lost by the fall into sin. Through Jesus Christ, the Son of God, we enter into communion with the Father and thus attain our purpose. View quote
Theophan the Recluse
The chief evil with relation to the body is love for the body and pitying it. This takes away all the soul's authority over the body and makes the soul the slave of the body. And on the contrary, one who does not spare the body will not be disturbed in whatever he does by apprehensions born of blind love of life. How fortunate is one who is trained to this from childhood! View quote
Theophan the Recluse
The invincible weapon against all our enemies is humility. View quote
Theophan the Recluse
A soul untried by sorrows is good for nothing. View quote
Theophan the Recluse
Every Christian has the power to heal infirmities-not of others, but his own, and not of the body, but of the soul-that is, sins and sinful habits-and to cast out devils, rejecting evil thoughts sown by them, and extinguishing the excitement of passions enflamed by them. View quote
Theophan the Recluse
If you want to attain salvation, learn and keep in your heart all that the holy Church teaches and, receiving heavenly power from the mysteries of the Church, walk the path of Christ's commandments, under the direction of lawful pastors, and you will undoubtedly attain the Heavenly Kingdom and be saved. All of this is naturally necessary in the matter of salvation, necessary in it entirety and for all. Whoever rejects or neglects any part of it has no salvation. View quote
Theophan the Recluse
As it is not possible to walk without feet or fly without wings, so it is impossible to attain the Kingdom of Heaven without the fulfillment of the commandments. View quote
Theophan the Recluse
Do this and you will be an apostle, a fulfiller of what the Lord chose you for, an accomplisher of your calling as messenger. When at first you succeed in all this, then perhaps the Lord will appoint you as a special ambassador-to save others after you have saved yourself; and to help those who are tempted, after you yourself pass through all temptations, and through all experiences in good and evil. View quote
Theophan the Recluse
You ask, will the heterodox be saved... Why do you worry about them? They have a Saviour Who desires the salvation of every human being. He will take care of them. You and I should not be burdened with such a concern. Study yourself and your own sins... I will tell you one thing, however: should you, being Orthodox and possessing the Truth in its fullness, betray Orthodoxy, and enter a different faith, you will lose your soul forever. (Theophan the Recluse)
Faith is the healer of the soul, bewinged by hope and warmed by love. View quote
Theophan the Recluse
Don't look gloomily at your shortcomings. Rather, they show God's mercy and concern for us. View quote
Theophan the Recluse
The object of our serch is the fire of grace which enters into the heart. View quote
Theophan the Recluse
The Lord chose the apostles, that they should be with Him, and that he might send them forth to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils. View quote
Theophan the Recluse
The principal thing is to walk before God, or under God's eye, aware that God is looking at you, searching your soul and your heart, seeing all that is there. This awareness is the most powerful lever in the mechanism of the inner spiritual life. View quote
Theophan the Recluse
Ask the doctor's help, but pray to the Lord and His saints to give him wisdom. View quote
Theophan the Recluse