“We should strive first of all to see the enemy within ourselves . . . the greatest misfortune of the sinner is that he, unconsciously and unwillingly, is an ally of his own enemies! -The Prologue, Oct. 28 Homily

“Life without Christ is not life but death, whereas death for the sake of Christ is not death but life.” -St. Zenobius, The Prologue October 30

Poverty of spirit, a humble acknowledgement of one’s own sinfulness, the knowledge of the necessity of a Redeemer, the striving of one’s entire being to confess to our Redeemer . . .these are the fruits of the struggle with the passions . . .Where there is no humility, there is no Christian virtue, and where there is true humility, there are all the virtues in their fullness; Christ Himself is there. -Ignatius Brianchaninov, The Field

The Lord directed his first words against anger as the most serious sinful wound, the chief passion opposed to the two main virtues-love for one’s neighbor and humility. Upon these two chief virtues is built the whole structure of the Christian life. Remaining in slavery to the passion of anger takes away a person’ ability for any spiritual progress. -Ignatius Brianchaninov, The Field

The gospel commandments are known only as much as they are done in actual fact. Let us begin the battle against our fallen nature when it rises up against us and begins to fight back, not desiring to submit to the Gospel. Let us not be afraid if this war will be heavy and insistent . . .’The Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent,’ - that is those who fight with their own nature- ‘take it by force.’” -Ignatius Brianchaninov, The Field

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Sin-and the devil who wields it as a weapon-sneaks quietly into the mind and heart. A person must be constantly on guard against this invisible enemy. -Ignatius Brianchaninov, The Field

Humility avoids all the snares of the devil, and he cannot even touch it.” Ignatius Brianchaninov The Field

“Acquire the spirit of peace, and thousands around you will be saved.” -Seraphim of Sarov from A Child’s Paradise of Saints

“The child, from an early age, must learn to love, to give, to suffer deprivation, to obey.” -Archmandrie Aimilianos, Orthodox Christian Parenting, p.53

“The character of the child must be shaped properly, so that he becomes an honest, brave, decisive, sincere, cheerful person.” -Archimandrite Aimilianos, Orthodox Christian Parenting, p. 53

 “Let not us, who would be Christians, expect anything else from [the world] than to be crucified. For to be Christian is to be crucified, in this time and in any time since Christ came for the first time. His life is the example — and warning — to us all.” -Seraphim Rose