St. Isaac the Syrian: "The Lord is found hidden within the commandments..."

Jesus Christ "The Land of the Living", mosaic from the Chora Monastery, Constantinople (source)

 
The Lord is found hidden within the commandments which He Himself gave, and is revealed to those who seek Him. For exactly like a sensible home is to the clean air, so the rational mind corresponds to the divine grace. For the more material you remove from the dwelling place, the more it is filled with clean air. And on the contrary, the more material that is placed in the dwelling place, the more the clean air departs. By the words "materials of the house", we think of containers and goods, and by the words "materials of the nous", we think of vainglory and pleasure. Therefore, the more one removes vainglory and pleasure, the more our heart is filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit with the working of His commandments.
-St. Isaac the Syrian

(amateur translation of text from here)

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

St. Charalambos appears to St. Arsenios of Cappadocia

St. Charalambos the Hieromartyr and Wonderworker (source)

 
Elder Paisios of the Holy Mountain, in his Life of St. Arsenios of Cappadocia (Hatziefenti), relates a wondrous appearance of St. Charalambos to St. Arsenios and his chanter, Prodromos Kortsinoglou.
"Once, during the feast of St. Charalambos," Prodromos related, "we were going to Panagia (in Kantsi) to celebrate a vigil. When we reached the Praises [hymns near the end of the Orthros], Hatziefentis exited the Holy Altar, that we might chant together. While we were chanting at the same analogion [chanter's stand], I saw straightaway a white-haired Elder at the opposite analogion, who was bent over, leaning on his cane, and I began to tremble out of reverence.

Hatziefentis, when he saw me, asked: "Are you cold?"

And I told him "no", as I pointed to the white-haired Elder who was across from us. Hatziefentis was not at all shaken, but spoke to him in Turkish: "Come and let's chant together."

The white-haired Elder, however, did not respond, but only made a motion that we continue by ourselves. Because I was not paying attention to the book, because I was secretly gazing at that Elder while my mind was on him, there was created a cacophony, and the white-haired Elder moved to leave. He left, and we saw him disappear into the small pool of Holy Water, as the water splashed all over the Church.

Hatziefentis said that that white-hairded Elder was St. Charalambos.

We completed the Divine Liturgy, and afterwards went to the village to relate what happened. Then, the people of Farasa ran to the Chapel of Panagia out of reverence to gather the Holy Water which was splashed around the Church from the miracle from the Saint."

After this event, Hatziefentis remained locked within his cell for forty days and said that he was not available, while the villagers thought that he was sick. Others said that he was shaken by this event."
 
Elder Paisios of the Holy Mountain, St. Arsenios the Cappadocian, published by the Holy Hesychasterion of St. John the Evangelist, the Theologian, Souroti, Thessaloniki 1999, pgs. 62-63. Amateur translation of text from source.
 

St. Arsenios of Cappadocia (source)

 

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

St. Symeon the New Theologian: In Praise of those who have Love in their Hearts

The Crucifixion of Christ (source)

   
St. Symeon the New Theologian: In Praise of those who have Love in their Hearts

Let us therefore follow one and the same path, Christ’s commandments, which elevate us to heaven and to God. Even though the word shows us many paths and many ways for people to reach the kingdom of heaven, these paths are not, in fact, many, but one, though they’re divided into many, according to each person’s ability and disposition. While we may begin from many and varied works and actions, just as travelers depart from different places and many cities, the destination we are attempting to reach is the same: the kingdom of heaven.

The actions and ways of godly men must be understood as spiritual virtues. Those who begin to walk in them must head towards one goal, just as those who come from various countries and places come together, as we have said, to one city, the kingdom of heaven, where, together, they will become worthy to reign with Christ and become subjects of one King, our God and Father. By this city, which is one, not many, you should understand the holy and undivided trinity of virtues, faith, hope and love, especially that virtue which comes before the others but is also mentioned as the last, since it is the goal of all good things and greater than them all- love.

All faith comes from it and is built on its foundation; on it, hope is based. Without love no thing has ever taken shape, nor ever will. Its names and actions are numerous. Even more so are its distinctive features; its properties are divine and innumerable. Yet it is one in nature, wholly beyond the ken of angels or men or any other creatures, even those which are unknown to us. Reason cannot tell of it; its glory is inaccessible; its counsels unsearchable. It is eternal and beyond time, and beyond sight, though it may be perceived. How many are the delights of this Holy Zion not made by human hand. Those who have begun to see it no longer take any pleasure in perceptible, earthly objects; they become indifferent to the glory of this world.

Permit me, for a short time, to address myself to this love, to fulfill my desire for it, insofar as I can.

When I recalled the beauty of undefiled love, its light suddenly appeared in my heart. I was ravished with its sweetness and lost my senses; I lost all perception of this life and forgot all the things of this world. But then- I don’t know how- it departed from me and left me to lament my weakness.

Love desired, how fortunate are those who have embraced you, for they will no longer have a yearning to embrace any human beauty. How fortunate are they who are moved by divine love to cling to you: they’ll deny the whole world, and, to whatever degree they associate with others, they won’t be spoiled. How fortunate are those who caress your beauty and delight in it with great desire, for their souls will be sanctified by the undefiled blood and water which issue from you. How fortunate are those who passionately embrace you, for they will be altered for the better in spirit and will exult in their souls, because you are inexpressible joy.

How fortunate are they who gain possession of you, for they will count the treasures of the world as nothing, for you are indeed wealth “beyond the dreams of avarice”. How blessed and thrice-blessed are they whom you accept, for though they be apparently without any glory, they will be more glorious than those who are glorious, more honoured than those who are honoured. How worthy of praise are those who pursue you; even more so those who have found you. Most blessed are those who are loved by you, received by you, taught by you, those who have dwelt in you and been fed by you with immortal food, that is the Lord, Jesus Christ.

Love divine, where are you holding Christ? Where are you concealing Him​? Why have you taken the Redeemer of the world and departed from us? Open a wicket gate for us, so that we also may see Christ Who suffered for us, and so hope in His mercy that we’ll die no more when we once have seen Him. Open up to us, you who became the door allowing Him to be made manifest in the flesh. Love, you who’ve forced the unforced and abundant compassion of our Master to bear the sins and infirmities of all people, do not reject us by saying, “I do not know you”.

Be with us, so that you may come to know us, for we are not known to you. Dwell in us, so that, for your sake, the Master may visit even us, who are lowly; go before us to meet Him, since we are wholly unworthy. So that He will pause on His way, to converse with you and will permit even us sinners to fall at His unblemished feet. You’ll intercede on our behalf and plead with Him to forgive the debt of our sins, so that through you we may again be found worthy to serve Him, our Master, and be sustained and nourished by Him. Because even those who owe nothing are still at risk of dying from starvation and poverty and are punished and chastised, just as those who do owe.

 Holy Love may we then be pardoned through you and may we enter into the enjoyment of the good things of our Master, since no-one will taste their sweetness except through you. Those who don’t love you as they ought and are not, as they should be, the object of your love, may well run, but haven’t yet reached the goal. It’s far from certain that somebody who is running will actually complete the race. But for those who have laid hold on you, or on whom you have laid hold, [victory] is certain, since you are the end of the Law. It is you who surround me and inflame me, you who, by the pangs of my heart, kindle me with boundless desire for God and for others. You’re the teacher of the prophets, the companion of the apostles, the power of the martyrs, the inspiration of the fathers and teachers, the perfection of all the saints, and the commission for my own, present task of obedience.

Forgive me, brethren, for digressing somewhat  from the subject of my discourse, but my longing for love moved me to do so. When I recalled it, my heart rejoiced, as holy David says, and I hastened to sing the praise of its marvels. I therefore entreat you, of your goodness, to pursue it with all your strength and to run after it with faith so that you may lay hold on it. You will not be disappointed in your hopes. Because any zeal and any ascetic effort is in vain and with no useful outcome, unless they end in love, with a contrite spirit. By no other virtue, by no other observance of the Lord’s commandment, can anyone be known as a disciple of Christ, for He says, “If you have love for one another, by this will everyone know that you are my disciples,”.

It’s for this reason that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us”. It was for love that He became flesh and dwelt among us; for love, He willingly endured His life-giving passion, in order that He might deliver us from the bonds of hell and lead us up to heaven; for love, the apostles ran that unceasing race and used the fish-hook and net of the word to drag the world out of the depths of idolatry and bring it into the haven of the kingdom of heaven; for love, the martyrs shed their blood, so that they might not lose Christ; for love, our God-bearing Fathers and teachers of the world eagerly laid down their lives for the Catholic and Apostolic Church; for love, I, who am of no account at all, have embarked on your protection and am struggling to teach you about the divine words, so that I can imitate those teachers of the Church, insofar as I am able, and suffer and endure for your sake and do everything I can for your edification and profit, so that I may present you as perfect sacrifices, burnt-offerings endowed with intellect, on the altar of Christ. For you are God’s children, whom He has given to me; you are my very heart, my eyes, my pride and the seal of my teaching, as Saint Paul says.

My dear brethren in Christ, let us then strive, as we serve Christ with the other virtues, to serve Him also with love, which should dwell among us, so that God may rejoice at your harmony and perfection. Then, in my lowliness, I will also rejoice as I see your progress in the life that is in accordance with God, as you increase in faith, purity, in the fear of God, reverence, in compunction and tears. By these the soul is purified and is filled with divine light, and the Holy Spirit. My joy will be a blessing for you and an increase of the eternal and blessed life in Christ Jesus our Lord, to Whom be glory forever. Amen

(source)

   

St. Symeon the New Theologian (source)

   

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

St. Ephraim the Syrian on Humility

St. Ephraim the Syrian (source)

   

My beloved in the Lord, before every other thing set humility in thy mouth when thou art ready to make answer, for, forgive me, thou knowest that by humility all the power of the Enemy is brought to naught. And thou knowest the goodness of thy Master, Whom they blasphemed, and how He became humble, and obedient, even unto death. And do thou thyself, my son, set thy humility in thy mouth, and in thy heart, and in thy neck, for there is a commandment which inculcateth humility. Consider David, who boasted himself of his humility, and said, `Because I humbled myself the Lord delivered me, and He did good unto me.' [cf. Ps. 29(30): 8-12] My son, array thyself in humility, and thou shalt make the virtues of God be with thee. And if, my son, thou art in a state of humility, no passion whatsoever shall have power to draw nigh thee.
 
There is no measure (or, limit) to the beauty of the man who is humble. No passion whatsoever shall be able to draw nigh unto the man who is humble, and there is no measure to his beauty. The humble man is a sacrifice of God. With him that is humble the hearts of God and His angels rest. Moreover, when the angels glorify him, there is the excuse for him that hath produced in himself all virtues; but for him that hath produced humility in himself thou wilt find no excuse whatsoever needed, besides that he hath become humble.
 
My son, these are the virtues of humility. My son, hold thy peace, for it is written, `He who is wise at that time will hold his peace.' [Amos 5:13] Hold thy peace until thou art asked a question. When they ask thee a question speak, and use humble words, and a humble manner. Do not be wholly mournful. If it (i.e. the question) be too great for thee sit down. Speak not when others are speaking words of depreciation; compel thyself, thou shalt not forget, [and let] thy thoughts [be] 'I have not heard [them].' To all words wherin is profit give thy most earnest attention. For it is written, `If [thou art] a doer of the word and not a hearer thereof thou deceivest thyself, my son, in the Lord.' [2 Tim 3:15] I give thee commandments in thy beginning, do thou keep them in thy youth. Observe what Paul spake. He said, `Besides, from the time when thou wast a child thou didst know the Holy Scriptures, which have the power to save thee.'...
(source)
 

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

St. Paisios on trials

Christ being tempted in the wilderness (source)

 
Trials do good. Do not be afraid.

Our Christ struggled for forty days in the desert, but later he was served by Angels.

Our Christ is very loving.

Continuously, for our benefit, he allows great sorrow. For a short time we think that He has abandoned us, but because He feels sorrow, afterwards He loves us, He chokes us with His mercy, with His love.

Never fear, only love our Christ.
 
(amateur translation from source)
 

St. Paisios the Athonite (source)

  

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

St. Isaac the Syrian on Self-knowledge

St. Isaac the Syrian (sketch by Photios Kontoglou) (source)

 
He who senses his sins,
is greater than he who raises the dead
with his prayer.

He who groans one hour for his soul, is greater
than he who benefits the whole world.

He who is made worthy to see himself, is greater
than he who is made worthy to see angels.

To him who knows himself,
is given the knowledge of all things.
For the knowledge of ourselves is the fullness
of knowledge of all things.
 
(amateur translation of text from here)
   

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

St. Porphyrios on Prayer

St. Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia (source)

 

God desires that we resemble the Angels.

The Angels only glorify God.

This is their prayer, only doxology.

Doxology is a delicate matter, fleeing from the things of man...

Doxology is selfless prayer.

The angels don't pray in order to gain something, for they are selfless.

God gave to us this ability, that our prayer might be a continuous doxology, an angelic prayer.

Here is found the great secret.

When we enter into this prayer, we glorify God continuously, leaving everything to Him, as our Church prays: “and offer all our life unto Christ our God.”

These are the “greatest lessons” of our religion!

Therefore, my beloved fellow walkers and travelers through life,

let us make a small effort to resemble the Angels.

Let us glorify God for everything, and let us leave our life in His Hands,

that He might lead us to the best harbor for us, where He knows.

May we all have good strength...

   

(amateur translation of text from here)

   

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!