On the Christian
The wealth of the Christian is the comfort he receives from sorrow and the joy he finds through faith.
— Saint Isaac the Syrian
There are three ranks of Christians:
1. The servants, who do not do evil because they fear hell.
2. The hired servants, who do good for the reward and enjoyment of Paradise.
3. The sons, who do good out of love for the Lord.
— Saint Basil the Great
What is the special characteristic of a Christian? To remain watchful every day and every hour, and to be ready to become perfect, so as to please God, knowing that the Lord comes at an hour he does not know.
(Luke 12:40)
— Saint Basil the Great
Nothing characterizes a Christian more than being a peacemaker, because our Lord promised us a reward for this.
— Saint Basil the Great
The athlete is revealed by the stadium, the governor by winter, the general by battle, the courageous person by adversity, and the Christian by temptation.
— Saint Basil the Great
The martyr of Christ does not look at the unpleasant trials, but at the crowns. He does not examine the temporary dangers, but the eternal rewards.
— Saint Basil the Great
Whatever someone may be, he cannot truly be a Christian as long as he is not within the Church of Christ.
— Saint Cyprian
The spiritual life of the Christian is directed toward three things: the commandments, the doctrines, and faith. The commandments separate the mind from the passions; the doctrines introduce it into the knowledge of creation; and faith leads it to the vision of the Holy Trinity.
— Saint Maximus the Confessor
There are three ranks of people who follow Christ:
The first are those who follow Him only with their thoughts. They admire the spiritual struggle from afar but never decide to take up the weapons and fight.
The second are those who enter the battle but want to fight according to their own will, not according to the will of God.
The third are those who understand that the greatest good of the soul is to imitate Christ and surrender themselves to Him, allowing Him to guide them.
The first rank is cold and slow.
The second is lukewarm and idle.
The third is warm and diligent.
— Saint Nicodemus the Hagiorite
Every Christian ought above all:
- To love God.
- To love his brother and his fellow human being.
- To avoid hatred, resentment, and quarrels, and quickly reconcile.
- To avoid sinful curiosity and desires.
- Not to swear oaths falsely or carelessly.
- Not to seek revenge or return evil for evil.
- To avoid disputes and prefer peace and spiritual judgment.
- Not to judge others.
- To forgive others, so that God may forgive us.
- To give alms, pray, and fast not for human praise, but for God.
- To seek heavenly treasures rather than earthly possessions.
- To be humble and not proud.
- To endure trials with patience.
- To remain spiritually awake, prepared for death and God’s judgment.
- To repent continually from the depths of the soul.
- To strive in good works, seeking entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven.
— Saint Nicodemus the Hagiorite
“Let us strive to live as true Christians — with faith, love, repentance, humility, and obedience to the will of God.” ✝️


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