Today is one of the feasts of our Father-among-the-Saints, St. John of Kronstadt. See below for links to his biography and a few quotes by him.
"When you are praying alone, and your spirit is dejected, and you are wearied and oppressed by your loneliness, remember then, as always, that God the Trinity looks upon you with eyes brighter than the sun; also all the angels, your own Guardian Angel, and all the Saints of God. Truly they do; for they are all one in God, and where God is, there are they also. Where the sun is, thither also are directed all its rays. Try to understand what this means."
"There is nothing impossible unto those who believe; lively and unshaken faith can accomplish great miracles in the twinkling of an eye. Besides, even without our sincere and firm faith, miracles are accomplished, such as the miracles of the sacraments; for God's Mystery is always accomplished, even though we were incredulous or unbelieving at the time of its celebration. "Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?" (Rom. 3:3). Our wickedness shall not overpower the unspeakable goodness and mercy of God; our dullness shall not overpower God's wisdom, nor our infirmity God's omnipotence." — My Life in Christ (autobiography of St. John)
-St. John of Kronstadt (October 19, 1829 – December 20, 1908)
Apolytikion to St. John of Kronstadt in the Fourth ToneO Wonderworker living in Christ for ever, with love have mercy on them that are in danger; hear thy children who call upon thee with faith; be thou compassionate unto them that hope for aid from thee, O Father John of Kronstadt, our beloved shepherd.
Sources:
http://www.orthodoxphotos.com/Holy_Fathers/St._John_of_Kronstadt/index.shtml
http://goarch.org/en/chapel/saints.asp?contentid=2288
http://orthodoxwiki.org/John_of_Kronstadt
Note: Besides his awe-inspiring life and teachings, also see the great prophetic vision that St. John saw, about various topics, including the martyrdom of the Last Czar (St. Nicholas), the Antichrist, etc.
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