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“Those are true Christians who have renounced themselves, the old corrupt, lost man, the broken vessel that cannot contain any water, they have taken up their crosses and followed Christ, they have given up their whole lives to Him, despising the flesh and the world as transitory. They heard the voice saying, “What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Matt. 16:26)”

St. John of Kronstadt

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St Paisios said: It is not freedom when we say to people that everything is permitted. That is slavery. To improve one must have difficulties. Let’s take an example. We have a little tree. We take care of it. We place a stake and tie it with a rope. Naturally we don’t tie it with wire because that way we would injure it. With their method they would not constrain the tree; and it doesn’t develop properly otherwise. And look at the child. We limit his freedom from the beginning. When he is first conceived the poor thing is limited in his mother’s womb and remains there nine whole months. Later he is born and immediately they swaddle him in a blanket, they tie him up, as soon as he begins to grow they set a railing, etc. All of this is necessary for him to grow. It appears to take away freedom, but without these protective measures the child will die in the first moment.

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kunsthistorisches museum. wien.

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He who receives experiences human joy. But he who gives experiences divine joy. Divine joy comes to us by giving. Someone, for example, gives me a book. He now rejoices spiritually, divinely. And I, who receives a book, rejoice humanly. When I, too, give the book, I too will rejoice divinely, while the other person who receives it will rejoice humanly.

One must learn to rejoice by giving. When he rejoices by giving, he is properly placed and is networking with Christ; he has divine Grace. When he gives or offers something, the joy he feels provides him with divine oxygen. When someone rejoices when he receives or when others are sacrificing themselves for him, this type of joy is full of an asphyxiating stench. The people who offer themselves unconditionally, without any consideration for themselves, will be the ones who will judge us in the future. What wonderful joy these people experience! These are the people Jesus Christ protects. But most people, unfortunately, are only happy when they receive things so they deprive themselves for any divine joy and remain tormented. Christ is moved when we love our neighbor more than ourselves, and He fills us with divine gladness.

St. Paisios, Struggle and Devoutness

Image: St. Nicholas Church Kotsifou Gorge, Crete

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though your hands shake, do not let go of your sword.

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11-yo girl was quizzing me today after Mass on why my younger brother has a girlfriend and I don’t have a boyfriend.

I hang out at the kids’ table to avoid these questions, Anna Marie.

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Um no offense but why doesn’t anyone memorize passages from books and then recite them aloud for everyone at parties anymore.

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“I am going to marry somebody that makes me feel like a poem.”

— Lee Smith, Fair and Tender Ladies

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“The devil will do everything and anything to hinder us from fidelity to prayer. An hour of prayer poorly spent, but done with regularity and fidelity, is more valuable than rare sublime moments.”

-Fr Jacques Philippe

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Joshua 24:15

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totes.the.goat on ig