Prayer | ACEYA ~ Sydney

However, of this much we must be sure. Never. . .

January 22, 2020/in Church Fathers, Sayings, St. John Cassian /by Mirna Makko

“However, of this much we must be sure. Never by our sole diligence or zeal nor by our most tireless efforts can we reach perfection. Human zeal is not enough to win the sublime rewards of blessedness. The Lord must be there to help us and to guide our hearts toward what is good. Every moment we must join in the prayer of David: ‘Direct my footsteps along Thy paths so that my feet do not move astray’ (Ps. 16:5) and ‘He has settled my feet on a rock and guided my footsteps’ (Ps. 39:3) – all this so that the invisible guide of the human spirit may direct back towards love of virtue our free will, which in its ignorance of the good and its obsession with passion is carried headlong into sin.”

— St. John Cassian

The Doctor of our souls has. . .

January 22, 2020/in Church Fathers, Sayings, St. John Cassian /by Mirna Makko

“The Doctor of our souls has placed the remedy in the hidden regions of the soul.”

+ St. John Cassian, The Philokalia: The Complete Text (Vol. 1), “On the Eight Vices: On the Demon of Unchasity and the Desire of the Flesh”

There is no sin which cannot be pardoned except. . .

January 22, 2020/in Church Fathers, Sayings, St. Isaac of Nineveh /by Mirna Makko

“There is no sin which cannot be pardoned except that one which lacks repentance, and there is no gift which is not augmented save that which remains without acknowledgement. For the portion of the fool is small in his eyes.”

+ St. Isaac of Nineveh, “Six Treatises on the Behaviour of Excellence”, Mystical Treatises by Isaac of Nineveh

At the time of darkness, more than anything. . .

January 22, 2020/in Church Fathers, Sayings, St. Isaac of Nineveh /by Mirna Makko

At the time of darkness, more than anything else kneeling is helpful.”

— St. Isaac of Nineveh

Conquer men by your. . .

January 21, 2020/in Church Fathers, Sayings, St. Isaac of Nineveh /by Mirna Makko

Conquer men by your gentle kindness, and make zealous men wonder at your goodness. Put the lover of justice to shame by your compassion. With the afflicted be afflicted in mind. Love all men, but keep distant from all men.”

+ St. Isaac of Nineveh , The Ascetical Homilies of St. Isaac the Syrian, Homily 64, “On Prayer, Prostrations, Tears, Reading, Silence, and Hymnody”