“Because we Christians living in this world are inevitably caught up in earthly activities, afflictions, trials and temptations, and because we are so easily overcome by sinful passions, God gives us ways by which we are enabled never to forget…

“He smiled. It was as he had always thought and she had not the slightest idea of what she was and what she did. That was as it should be, for to have begun to know her value would have…

“I think it best that a man should have a little bit of all the virtues. Therefore, get up early every day and acquire the beginning of every virtue and every commandment of God. Use great patience, with fear and…

“Let yourself die in striving rather than living in laziness. For those who die trying to keep the commandments are martyrs just as much as those who died for Christ’s faith.” Saint Maximus the Confessor Persecution may be a word…

“It is impossible for the mind to escape disturbing thoughts, but it is possible, for any who take sufficient care, either to admit them or to reject them… . For this reason we use frequent reading and constant meditation in…