[Abba Nilus] also said, “If you want to pray properly, do not let yourself be upset or you will run in vain.” Sayings. Nilus, 6 … Read entire article »

[Abba Nilus] also said, “Prayer is a remedy against grief and depression.” Sayings. Nilus, 3 … Read entire article »

[Abba Nilus] also said, “Prayer is the seed of gentleness and the absence of anger.” Sayings. Nilus, 2 … Read entire article »

[Abba Nilus] also said, “Do not be always wanting everything to turn out as you think it should, but rather as God pleases, then you will be undisturbed and thankful in your prayer.” Sayings. Nilus, 7 … Read entire article »

Abba Nisterus said that a monk ought to ask himself every night and every morning, “What have we done that is as God wills and what have we left undone of that which he does not will?” He must do this throughout his whole life. This is how Abba Arsenius used to live. Every day strive to come before God without sin. Pray to God in his presence, for he really is present. Do not impose rules on yourself; do not judge anyone. Swearing, making false oaths, lying, getting angry, insulting people laughing, all that is alien to monks, and he who is esteemed or exalted above that which he deserves suffers great harm. Sayings. Nisterus, 5 … Read entire article »

Abba Nicetas said of two brothers that they met with the intention of living together. The first thought within himself, “If my brother wants something, I will do it,” and the second thought the same, “I will do the will of my brother.” So they lived many years in great charity. Seeing this, the enemy set out to separate them. He stood at the entrance to the cell, appearing to the one like a dove and to the other like a raven. The first said, “Do you see that little dove?” The other said, “It is a raven.” They began to argue and to contradict one another, then they stood up and fought till they drew blood, to the great joy of the enemy; and they separated. After three days they returned … Read entire article »

Abba Olympius of the Cells was tempted to fornication. His thoughts said to him, “Go, and take a wife.” He got up, found some mud, made a woman and said to himself, “Here is your wife, now you must work hard in order to feed her.” So he worked, giving himself a great deal of trouble. The next day, making some again, he formed it into a girl and said to his thoughts, “Your wife has had a child, you must work harder so as to be able to feed her and clothe your child.” So, he wore himself out doing this, and said to his thoughts, “I cannot bear this weariness any longer.” They answered, “If you cannot bear such weariness, stop wanting a wife.” God, seeing his efforts, took away … Read entire article »

[Abba Orsisius] has also said, “I think that if a man does not guard his heart well, he will forget and neglect everything he has heard, and thus the enemy, finding room in him, will overthrow him. It is like a lamp filled with oil and lit; if you forget to replenish the oil, gradually it goes out and eventually darkness will prevail. It is still worse if a rat happens to get near the lamp and tries to eat the wick; it cannot do so before the oil is exhausted, but when it sees the lamp not only without light, but also without heat, it tries to pull out the wick and it brings the lamp down. If it is earthenware it breaks, but if it is brass, the … Read entire article »

Abba Poemen said, “Teach your mouth to say what is in your heart.” Sayings. Poemen 164. … Read entire article »

It was said of Abba Poemen that he dwelt at Scetis with his two brothers, and the younger one was a nuisance to them. So he said to the other brother, “This lad is making us powerless, let us get up and go away from here.” So they went away and left him. When he saw that they did not come back for a long time, the young brother realized that they were going far away and he began to run after them, crying out. Abba Poemen said, “Let us wait for our brother, for he is worn out.” When he reached them he bowed to them and said, “Where are you going? Are you leaving me on my own?” The old man said to him, “It is because you are a … Read entire article »