Quotes by Orthodox Christian Saints

Quotes by Orthodox Christian Saints
Showing posts with label charity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label charity. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 2, 2023

The higher a person’s position in society the more he should help others without ever reminding them of his position.

St. Nicholas II, Czar of Russia

Tuesday, May 9, 2023

Such are the souls of the saints: they love their enemies more than themselves, and in this age and in the age to come they put their neighbor first in all things, even though because of his ill-will he may be their enemy. They do not seek recompense from those whom they love, but because they have themselves received they rejoice in giving to others all that they have, so that they may conform to their Benefactor and imitate His compassion to the best of their ability; "for He is bountiful to the thankless and to sinners" (cf. Luke 6:35).

St. Peter of Damascus

Thursday, April 27, 2023

The Lord said: Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me (Matthew 25:40). 

Similar things happen in almsgiving and in Holy Communion. In Holy Communion we receive the Living Lord Christ Himself, in the form of bread and wine; in almsgiving we give to the Living Lord Christ Himself, in the form of the poor and needy. A certain man in Constantinople was unusually merciful. Walking along the streets of the city, he would press his gift into the hands of the poor and hurry onward, so he would not hear their gratitude or be recognized. When a friend of his asked how he had become so merciful, he replied: “Once in church I heard a priest say that whoever gives to the poor, gives into the hands of Christ Himself. I didn’t believe it, for I thought, ‘How can this be, when Christ is in heaven?’ However, I was on my way home one day and I saw a poor man begging, and the face of Christ shone above his head! Just then a passerby gave the beggar a piece of bread, and I saw the Lord extend His hand, take the bread, and bless the donor. From then on, I have always seen Christ’s face shining above the beggars. Therefore, with great fear I perform as much charity as I can."

St. Nikolai Velimirovich

Monday, March 6, 2023

You alone I follow, Lord Jesus, Who heals my wounds. For what shall separate me from the love of God, which is in You? Shall tribulation, or distress, or famine? I am held fast as though by nails, and fettered by the bonds of charity. 

Remove from me, O Lord Jesus, with Your potent sword, the corruption of my sins. Secure me in the bonds of Your love; cut away what is corrupt in me. Come quickly and make an end of my many, my hidden and secret afflictions. Open the wound lest the evil humor spread. With Your new washing, cleanse in me all that is stained. 

Hear me, you earthly men, who in your sins bring forth drunken thoughts: 

I have found a Physician. He dwells in Heaven and distributes His healing on earth. He alone can heal my pains Who Himself has none. He alone Who knows what is hidden can take away the grief of my heart, the fear of my soul: Jesus Christ. Christ is grace! Christ is life! Christ is resurrection! Amen.

St Ambrose of Milan


Saturday, March 4, 2023

If we have true love with sympathy and patient labor, we shall not go about scrutinizing our neighbor's shortcomings. As it is said, "Charity shall cover the multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4:8). . . True love screens anything of this kind, as did the saints when they saw the shortcomings of men. Were they blind? Not at all! But they simply would not let their eyes dwell on sins.

St. Dorotheos of Gaza