Allow yourself to be Harmed

“Let yourself be persecuted but do not persecute others; be crucified but do not crucify others; be insulted but do not insult others; be slandered but do not slander others. Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. Such is the sign of purity. Suffer with the sick. Be afflicted with sinners. [...]

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When Insults Annoy You

Amma Dionysia gave alms to a beggar, but less than he wanted. The beggar began to speak harshly to her, and Dionysia took offense, wanting to strike back. Abba Zosimas corrected her, saying, “You are striking against yourself. You are chasing every virtue from your soul. Can you endure what Christ endured? My lady, I [...]

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Blasphemy, Cruelty, Hypocrisy

Presumption and boastfulness are causes of blasphemy. Avarice and self-esteem are causes of cruelty and hypocrisy. — Saint Kosmas Aitolos

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The Lord is Risen

Thou, O Savior, didst come forth unbegotten
From the Virgin’s womb, leaving her virginity unsullied;
Just so now Thou hast abolished Death in death.
Thou hast left in the tomb the fine linen of Joseph,
But Thou hast raised from the tomb the ancestor of Joseph;
For Adam came following Thee; Eve came after Thee,
Eve serves Mary,
But all the earth [...]

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Suddenly Joy

Suddenly sorrow has been changed to joy,
And all has become joyous and a cause for rejoicing;
I do not hesitate to say, ‘I have been glorified as Moses,’
For I have seen, I have seen — not on the mountain but in the tomb,
Not concealed by a cloud, but by flesh,
The Lord of the Immortals and of [...]

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The Tide

Truly never before has the cross of each person who wants to be a true Christian been as heavy as in this time of the triumph of falsehood which we are experiencing.
Never before on this earth has there been such a huge number of people who freely and easily, without any shame, without any pangs [...]

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Distinctions of Grace

The glorious fount of Him Who was sitting
at the well as Giver of drink to all,
flows to each according to His will:
Different springs according to those who drink.
From the well as single undifferentiated drink
came up each time for those who drank.
The Living Fount lets distinct blessings
flow to distinct people.
St. Ephrem the Syrian, Hymns.

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