Deeds of love

February 4, 2016 | Instagram, Uncategorized, Wisdom

A photo posted by Orthodox Christian Life (@orthodox_christian_life) on Feb 3, 2016 at 10:01am PST

Humbling oneself to God

February 4, 2016 | Instagram, Uncategorized, Wisdom

Whoever humbles himself before God, God makes him powerful. The Spirit of God settles in the contrite heart and from there speaks through the mouth of man. This is confirmed not only on the prophets and apostles but also on the countless number of God's sons and daughters. -The Prologue of Ohrid

A photo posted by Orthodox Christian Life (@orthodox_christian_life) on Feb 3, 2016 at 10:25am PST

Humility in the heart

February 4, 2016 | Instagram, Uncategorized, Wisdom

If you have humility in your heart, then in your heart God will show you His Glory. -St. Isaac the Syrian #orthodox #orthodoxy #orthodoxchurch #christian #wisdomofthefathers #stisaacthesyrian #humility

A photo posted by @wisdomofthefathers on Feb 3, 2016 at 2:41pm PST

Troubles

February 3, 2016 | Instagram, Uncategorized, Wisdom

Troubles remind the wise man of God, but crush those who forget Him – St. Mark the Ascetic #orthodox #orthodoxy #orthodoxchurch #christian #wisdomofthefathers #stmarktheascetic

A photo posted by @wisdomofthefathers on Feb 3, 2016 at 7:15am PST

Love of those in need

February 3, 2016 | Instagram, Uncategorized, Wisdom

The way to God lies through love of people. At the Last Judgment I shall not be asked whether I was successful in my ascetic exercises, nor how many bows and prostrations I made. Instead I shall be asked did I feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick and the prisoners. That is all I shall be asked. About every poor, hungry and imprisoned person the Savior says ‘I': ‘I was hungry and thirsty, I was sick and in prison.’ To think that he puts an equal sign between himself and anyone in need. . . . I always knew it, but now it has somehow penetrated to my sinews. It fills me with awe. – St. Maria of Paris #orthodox #orthodoxy #orthodoxchurch #christian #wisdomofthefathers #stmariaofparis #love

A photo posted by @wisdomofthefathers on Feb 2, 2016 at 3:58pm PST

Praise be Him

February 2, 2016 | Instagram, Uncategorized, Wisdom

Let us praise Him, Who prevailed and quickened us by His stripes! Praise we Him, Who took away the curse by His thorns! Praise we Him Who put death to death by His dying! Praise we Him, Who held His peace and justified us! Praise we Him, Who rebuked death that had overcome us! Blessed He, Whose helpful graces cleansed out the left side! Praise we Him Who watched and put to sleep him that led us captive. Praise we Him Who went to sleep, and chased our deep sleep away. Glory be to God Who cured weak manhood! Glory be to Him Who was baptized, and drowned our iniquity in the deep, and choked him that choked us! Let us glorify with all our mouths the Lord of all creatures. – St. Ephraim the Syrian #orthodox #orthodoxy #orthodoxchurch #christian #wisdomofthefathers #stephraimthesyrian #glorybetogod #prayer

A photo posted by Wisdom of the Fathers (@wisdomofthefathers) on Feb 2, 2016 at 8:59am PST

Christ’s Joy

February 2, 2016 | Instagram, Uncategorized, Wisdom

Fast as much as you can, make as many prostrations as you can, attend as many vigils as you like, but be joyful. Have Christ’s joy. It is the joy that lasts forever, that brings eternal happiness. It is the joy of our Lord that gives assured serenity, serene delight and full happiness. All-joyful joy that lasts forever, that surpasses every joy. Christ desires and delights in scattering joy, in enriching his faithful with joy. I pray that your joy may be full. – St. Porphyrios #orthodox #orthodoxy #orthodoxchurch #christian #wisdomofthefathers #stporphyrios #joy

A photo posted by @wisdomofthefathers on Feb 1, 2016 at 11:45pm PST

The Presentation of our Lord and Saviour in the Temple

February 2, 2016 | Instagram, Uncategorized, Wisdom

The Presentation of Our Lord and Savior in the Temple: When the most pure Mother and Ever-Virgin Mary's forty days of purification had been fulfilled, she took her first-born Son to Jerusalem on this, the fortieth day after His birth, that she might present Him in the temple according to the Law of Moses, which teaches that every first-born male child be dedicated to God, and also that she might offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons, as required by the Law (Luke 2:22-24; Exod. 13:2; Lev. 12:6-8). On this same day, a just and devout man, the greatly aged Symeon, was also present in the temple, being guided by the Holy Spirit. For a long time, this man had been awaiting the salvation of God, and he had been informed by divine revelation that he would not die until he beheld the Lord's Christ. Thus, when he beheld Him at that time and took Him up into his aged arms, he gave glory to God, singing: "Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, O Master. . ." And he confessed that he would close his eyes joyfully, since he had seen the Light of revelation for the nations and the Glory of Israel (Luke 2:25-32). From ancient times, the Holy Church has retained this tradition of the churching of the mother and new-born child on the fortieth day and of the reading of prayers of purification. The Apodosis of the Feast of the Meeting in the Temple is usually on the 9th of February. This, however, may vary if the Feast falls within the period of the Triodion. Should this occur, the Typicon should be consulted for specific information concerning the Apodosis of the Feast. Apolytikion in First Mode Hail Virgin Theotokos full of Grace, for Christ our God, the Sun of Righteousness, has dawned from you, granting light to those in darkness. And you, O Righteous Elder, rejoice, taking in your arms, the Deliverance of our souls, who grants us Resurrection. Kontakion in First Mode Your birth sanctified a Virgin's womb and properly blessed the hands of Symeon. Having now come and saved us O Christ our God, give peace to Your commonwealth in troubled times and strengthen those in authority, whom You love, as only the loving One.

A photo posted by @orthodoxy_for_you on Feb 1, 2016 at 8:21pm PST

Love Humility

February 1, 2016 | Instagram, Uncategorized, Wisdom

Learn to love humility, for it will cover all your sins. All sins are repulsive before God, but the most repulsive of all is pride of the heart. Do not consider yourself learned and wise; otherwise, all your efforts will be destroyed, and your boat will reach the harbor empty. – St. Anthony the Great On this day we commemorate St. Anthony the Great. May his prayers be with us. #orthodox #orthodoxy #orthodoxchurch #christian #wisdomofthefathers #stanthonythegreat #humility

A photo posted by @wisdomofthefathers on Jan 31, 2016 at 11:13pm PST

Spend the day in holiness

February 1, 2016 | Instagram, Uncategorized, Wisdom

The only means by which you can spend the day in perfect holiness, peace, and without sin, is the most sincere, fervent prayer as soon as you rise from sleep in the morning. It will bring Christ into your heart, with the Father and the Holy Ghost… -St. John of Kronstadt #orthodox #orthodoxy #orthodoxchurch #Christian #wisdomofthefathers #stjohnofkronstadt

A photo posted by @wisdomofthefathers on Feb 1, 2016 at 6:21am PST