“If you do not wish to sink into the mire of this Earth, do not come down from the Cross.”
Saint Augustine of Hippo
+
“The Cross is the door to the Mysteries.”
Saint Isaac the Syrian
+
“The knowledge of the Cross is concealed in the sufferings of the Cross.”
Saint Isaac the Syrian
+
“Seek courage also in remembering the patience of all the Saints, and especially that of the Martyrs.”
Saint Theophan the Recluse
+
“The Grace of God allows us to taste the gall and vinegar (difficulties of life), because what will we have to show at the time when the Martyrs will be showing their wounds and the Confessors will present their beatings? What will we then present?”
Elder Joseph of Vatopedi
+
“The devil tempts that he may ruin; God tests that he may Crown.”
Saint Ambrose Bishop of Milan
+
“When we bravely and quietly endure the afflictions sent to us, we participate a little, albeit not fully, in the sufferings of Christ.”
Saint Macarius of Optina
+
“Suffering reminds the wise man of God, but crushes those who forget Him.”
Saint Mark the Ascetic
+
“The path to God is a daily cross. No one has ascended to Heaven by way of ease. We know where the easy way leads.”
Saint Isaac the Syrian
+
“When you want to make a beginning of a good deed, first prepare for temptations, which will come to you, and don’t doubt the truth [of that which you do for God.]”
Saint Isaac the Syrian
+
“Do not lose heart when you meet difficulties; they are the way to Heaven. Do not stop on the side of the stream, but cross it to Glory.”
Saint Theophan the Recluse
+
“Why is it that much is said and written about the sufferings of Holy men and women? Because the Saints, alone, are considered Victors. Can anyone be a victor without conflict, pain, and suffering? He who does not engage in combat for the sake of Christ, either with the world, with the devil or with one’s self, how can he be counted among the soldiers of Christ?”
Saint Nikolai Velimivoric
+
Saint Nektarios once resposned to Saint Daniel, who experienced a great deceit from a supposed-God-pleasing man, in a letter saying “Brother in Christ, the trials to which, entirely by Divine economy, you are submitted, will send you great Spiritual profit. Informed by my heart, I say to you that today you are more perfect than you formerly were. Therefore I beg you: cease sorrowing, and Glorify the Lord Who has Mercy on you.”
Saint Nektarios of Aegina
+
“Patience adorns the Soul with diamonds which are not of the Earth, but belong to the Jerusalem that is above.”
Saint Raphael of Lesvos
+
“When they’d suffered many tortures and had shown endurance unto death, the Holy Martyrs became worthy of crowns and glory. The more cruel the tortures they underwent, the more glory and boldness they acquired before God. In the same way, and provided they were patient to the end and didn’t complain, Souls that were subjected to great sorrows, (either from other people or from bodily diseases), were also rewarded with the same crowns and glory as the Martyrs. And such people will not only enjoy all this in the future, from God, but even here they’ll be granted the consolation of the Holy Spirit. Since the path leading to Heavenly life is, indeed, narrow and full of sorrows, and there are few who walk it, this is why, for the sake of the hope of Heaven, we should withstand with steadfast patience every trial of the evil one. The sufferings of this time can in no way be compared to the glory that will be given to us.”
Saint Makarios the Great of Egypt
+
“Endure with gratitude, and you will soon be shown Mercy by God. God has tied the Salvation of people to patience. He who endures until the end will be saved, says the Gospel. That is why God allows hardships and various trials, so that people may practice patience.”
Saint Paisios the Athonite
+
“Because suffering purifies the Soul as fire purifies gold. Through trials, we learn humility, patience, and love. Never forget Christ Himself suffered before His Ressurection. Endure with hope, and you will see His Glory.”
Saint Nektarios of Aegina
+
“The Lord has decided that it is time for us to carry His cross. Let us try to be worthy of this joy.”
Saint Elizabeth the New Martyr of Russia
+
“Taking up our cross means obediently and humbly submitting ourselves to those temporary sorrows and afflictions that Divine Providence sees fit to allow against us for the cleansing away of our sins. Then the cross will serve us as a ladder from Earth to Heaven.”
Saint Ignatius Brianchaninov
+
“It is necessary to always endure everything, no matter what happens, for God’s sake, with gratitude.”
Saint Seraphim of Sarov
+
“We should be prepared to put up with everything, happily, for the sake of God. Our life is but a moment compared to Eternity and therefore, as Saint Paul says: “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the Glory that will be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18).”
Saint Seraphim of Sarov
+
“Do not be troubled, do not mourn more than is right, because thus you give rights to the evil one to hit you with strength.”
Saint Luke the Surgeon, Archbishop of Simferopel
+
“Encourage yourself with this thought, affliction lasts but a short time, while peace is for ever.”
Saint Moses the Ethiopian
+
“Always give thanks for everything, even for the afflictions, to the Lord and the Panagia.”
Saint Seraphim of Vyritsa
+
When Anthony thought about the depth of God’s judgements, he asked, “Lord, how is it that some die when they are young, while others drag on to extreme old age? Why are there those who are poor and those who are rich? Why do wicked men prosper, and why are the just in need?” He heard a voice answering him, “Anthony, keep your attention on yourself, these things happen according to God’s judgement, and it is not to your advantage to know anything about them.”
Saint Anthony the Great
+
“The Holy 40 Martyrs said to each other: “By stripping off our garments we have put off the old man. The winter is cold and bitter, but Paradise will be warm and sweet. The freezing is painful, but the reward will bring us joy. Let us not be defeated, O brothers! We suffer a little, but Christ will Crown us with the laurel of victory. He is our God and the Saviour of our Souls.”
The Forty Holy and Glorious Martyrs of Sebaste
+
“The Lord has ordained that for a little labor, which we temporarily endure in this life, we shall be granted the Kingdom of the Heavens, life everlasting, ineffable delights, and endless rest.”
Saint Irene Chrysovalantou
+
“If someone wants to lift a heavy rock and holds it far from his body, he won’t be able to lift it, it’s impossible. To lift this rock he must hold it close to him, to his chest, to embrace it. Likewise, embrace your cross…”
Elder Joseph of Vatopedi
+
“If in all of this there is sorrow to be borne, I trust in the Lord that it will not be without its use to you.”
Saint Basil the Great
+
“On the Way of the Cross, you see, my children, only the first step is painful. Our greatest cross is the fear of crosses… We have not the courage to carry our cross, and we are very much mistaken; for, whatever we do, the cross holds us tight – we cannot escape from it. What, then, have we to lose? Why not love our crosses, and make use of them to take us to Heaven?”
Saint Jerome of Stridon
+
“All the troubles of life on earth will seem like a drop of salt water in a fresh water river when compared to life in Paradise: ‘What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, what the heart of man has not conceived – God has prepared for those who love Him.’”
Saint Nikolai Velimivoric
+
“Everyone has a cross to carry. Why? Since the leader of our faith endured the Cross, we will also endure it. On one hand, the cross is sweet and light, but, on the other, it can also be bitter and heavy. It depends on our will. If you bear Christ’s cross with love then it will be very light; like a sponge or a cork. But if you have a negative attitude, it becomes heavy; too heavy to lift.”
Saint Ephraim of Katounakia
+
“No matter how much we may suffer, the time will come when all will end and each one of us will be given repose in accordance with his labours. Are you afflicted? Are you in pain? Do you weep from the pressure of sorrowful events? Are you weary? Take courage, for through such things the Kingdom of God is acquired. But if you have it easy in everything and do not remember God, then grieve, for you are not walking the path that leads to God. Afflictions, sicknesses, and torments weary us continually so that we abhor this world and desire the world there, where Cherubim and Seraphim Hymn God, where there is the real and true repose, the day without evening, the Blessed Light; while things here, in comparison with the Eternal things, are dark and abominable. May our Holy God grant us Spiritual understanding, so that we always prefer the Everlasting things, the highest good, Our Sweet God.”
Elder Ephraim of Arizona
+
“Sorrow is a true school of Prayer.”
Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk
+
“We should be prepared to put up with everything, happily, for the sake of God. Our life is but a moment compared to Eternity and therefore, as Saint Paul says: “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the Glory that will be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18).”
Saint Seraphim of Sarov
+
“Endurance is the queen of all Virtues.”
Saint John Chrysostom
+
“God tested Abraham. That is, He sent him afflictions for his benefit, not so that He could find out what sort of man he was, for God knows everything, but so that He could give him the means to perfect his faith”
Saint Mark the Ascetic
+
“Father, if I knew back then how Eternal Life would be and the Heavenly beauty the Souls enjoy by being next to God, I honestly would have asked for my Martyrdom to last for ever, as it was absolutely nothing compared to the Gifts of Grace of God!”
Holy Great Martyr Euphemia to Saint Paisios the Athonite
+
“You must never be afraid, if you are troubled by a flood of thoughts, that the enemy is too strong against you, that his attacks are never ending, that the war will last for your lifetime, and that you cannot avoid incessant downfalls of all kinds. Know that our enemies, with all their wiles, are in the hands of our Divine Commander, Our Lord Jesus Christ, for Whose Honour and Glory you are waging war. Since He himself leads you into battle, He will certainly not suffer your enemies to use violence against you and overcome you, if you do not yourself cross over to their side with your will. He will Himself fight for you and will deliver your enemies into your hands, when He wills and as He wills, as it is written: ‘The Lord thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp, to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemies before thee’ (Deut. 23:14).”
Saint Theophan the Recluse
+
“Not knowledge you learn, but knowledge you suffer. That’s Orthodox Spirituality.”
Mother Gavrilia
+
“When a farmer starts ploughing in order to sow, he doesn’t look back, and God protects him.”
Saint George Karslides
+
“Unexpected trials are sent by God to teach to practice the ascetic life; and they lead us to repentance even when we are reluctant.”
Saint Mark the Ascetic
+
“Whoever carries a large Cross also experiences a great Resurrection.”
Saint Evmenios Saridakis, the New
+
“Sufferings bear so much fruit that if we were a little wiser we would not want to ‘come down from the cross’.”
Saint Sophrony of Essex
+
“Some people want to go to the Resurrection without passing by the way of Golgotha.”
Saint Gavrilia, the Ascetic of Love
+
“Look to the end of every involuntary suffering and you will find in it removal of sins.”
Saint Mark the Ascetic
+
“The Mercy of God is hidden in sufferings not of our choice; and if we accept such sufferings patiently, they bring us to repentance and deliver us from everlasting punishment.”
Saint Mark the Ascetic
+
“Every affliction tests our will, showing whether it is inclined to good or evil. That is why an unforeseen affliction is called a test, because it enables a man to test his hidden desires.”
Saint Mark the Ascetic
+
“Good God provides each person with a cross relevant to their strength; the idea is not suffering but the ascent from the cross to Heaven; because in reality the cross is a stairway to Heaven. If we realise what treasure we are saving from the pain of ordeals, we will not groan, but praise God bearing the small cross he gave us as a gift.”
Saint Paisios the Athonite
+
“Woe to our times: we now depart from the narrow and sorrowful path leading to Eternal Life and we seek a happy and peaceful path. But the Merciful Lord leads many people from this path, against their will, and places them on the sorrowful one. Through unwanted sorrows and illnesses we draw closer to the Lord, for they humble us by constraint, and humility, when we acquire it, can save us even without works, according to Saint Isaac the Syrian.”
Saint Macarius of Optina
+
“My child, endure everything, for a Crown is being woven invisibly for the head of each one of us. Winter is bitter, but Paradise is sweet. Endure the frost of trials, that your feet may joyously dance in Heaven.”
Elder Ephraim of Arizona
+
“Trust God, Who is good, powerful, living and He will bring you to rest. After trials there follows spiritual joy. The Lord watches over all those who for His love endure trials and sorrows. So don’t cower and don’t be fainthearted.”
Saint Nektarios of Aegina
+
“Humility and suffering free a man from all sin; for the first cuts out Spiritual passions, and the latter bodily.”
Saint Maximus the Confessor
+
“Bear sorrows for the sake of the Heavenly Kingdom. Without sorrows there is no Salvation. On the other hand, the Kingdom of God awaits those who have patiently endured. And all the glory of the world is nothing in comparison. My joy! I implore you to acquire a peaceful spirit.”
Saint Seraphim of Sarov
+
“If you have terrible pain that torments you and you cannot endure any more, look at the Cross, look at the Son of God with His bowed head wearing the Crown of Thorns. Think how many times they struck His head, think of the pain they caused to the Holy One, think of the thorns and you will learn to endure your own pain.”
Saint Luke of Simferopel
+
“It is impossible to escape tribulation in this world but the man who is given over to the Will of God bears tribulation easily, seeing it but putting his trust in the Lord, and so his tribulations pass.”
Saint Sophrony of Essex
+
“Whoever gives up his cross cannot be worthy of the Lord and become His disciple. The depths of the Divine Being are revealed to the Christian when he is crucified for Our Saviour. The Cross is the foundation of authentic Theology.”
Saint Sophrony of Essex
+
The Holy 40 Martyrs said to each other: “By stripping off our garments we have put off the old man. The winter is cold and bitter, but Paradise will be warm and sweet. The freezing is painful, but the reward will bring us joy. Let us not be defeated, O brothers! We suffer a little, but Christ will Crown us with the laurel of victory. He is our God and the Saviour of our Souls.”
The Forty Holy and Glorious Martyrs of Sebaste
+
“For our love for God is demonstrated above all by the way we endure trials and temptations.”
Saint Gregory Palamas
+
“God had one Son on Earth without sin, but never one without suffering.”
Saint Augustine of Hippo
+
“Do not be afraid of difficulties. Learn to love them, the thank God for them. They have some Holy purpose for your Soul.”
Saint Porphyrios of Kavsokalyvia
+
“I beseech you, O Holy servants of God, Pray for me to Christ that He have mercy upon me, for it is my desire to suffer for Him, but I have not the strength to do so. I fear the cruel torments I see you have undergone.”… The Saints said: “Therefore, come, O brother, and tread with us the path of Martyrdom, which leads to the Master Who looks down upon our struggles. Suffer together with us, for you will not soon find again a company like ours.”… When he heard these things, the heart of Varus was set afire with love for God, and he wished to endure torment for Jesus Christ. He passed the entire night in Prayer with the Holy Martyrs and hearkened unto their teaching gladly…
Saint Varus the Martyr slain by the sword in Egypt, and his Companions
+
“I have a heart, and I have many afflictions. But ‘the afflictions of the present time lead to glory in the age to come’, and so I don’t reckon them as anything. Daily I see my grave, that I am a dead man. But within this dead flesh dwells an Eternal Soul. I care for my Soul which is something Eternal. Because of this, my child, you also should care for your Soul, near the Fathers of the Church.”
Saint Iakovos Tsalikis of Evia
+
“The path is thorny, but there are roses in Paradise; Sufferings are bitter, but Christ is sweet.”
Saint Nikolai Velimivoric
+
“For the Christian, the cross gradually becomes lighter and more joyful, while for the nonbeliever it becomes heavier and more burdensome. Why is this so? Because where the one carries their cross with faith and devotion to God, the other carries it with grumbling and anger.”
Saint Innocent of Alaska
+
“This is truly the road, my sister, and the one writing to you bears witness to the truth out of his own experience. So be brave and strong in the Lord, enduring whatever comes to you, expecting, along with the pain, the Peace and Grace of God. Be strong and give courage to your Soul.”
Saint Joseph the Hesychast
+
“None of your suffering has come by chance. Nothing can happen to us without Our Lord’s consent; and His consent is not only wise, but always dictated by His love of us. Carefully examine your conscience and your life, and I am sure you will understand what l mean.”
Saint Macarius of Optina
+
“My child, it was because of patience that I managed to make it through all the obstacles that presented themselves.”
Saint Nicholas Planas
+
“Whoever gives up his cross cannot be worthy of the Lord and become His disciple. The depths of the Divine Being are revealed to the Christian when he is crucified for Our Saviour. The Cross is the foundation of authentic Theology.”
Saint Sophrony of Essex
+
“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honour, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith – the salvation of your souls.”
Saint Peter the Holy Apostle
+
“A lofty and sound Soul does not despair over misfortunes, of whatever sort they may be. Our life is as it were a house of temptations and trials; but we will not renounce the Lord for as long as He allows the tempter to remain with us and for as long as we must wait to be revived through patience and secure passionless!”
Saint Seraphim of Sarov
+
“Those who put out to sea at first sailed with a favourable wind; then the sails spread, but later the wind becomes adverse. Then the ship is tossed by the waves and is no longer controlled by the rudder. But when in a little while there is calm, and the tempest dies down, then the ship sails on again. So it is with us, when we are driven by the spirits who are against us; we hold to the Cross as our sail and so we can set a safe course.”
Saint Syncletica of Alexandria
+
“You need not be despondent. Let those be despondent who do not believe in God. For them sorrow is burdensome, of course, because besides Earthly enjoyment they have nothing. But believers must not be despondent, for through sorrows they receive the right of sonship, without which is impossible to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.”
Saint Barsanuphius of Optina
+
“Do you wish to free yourself of sorrows and not be burdened by them? Expect bigger ones – and you will calm down. Remember Job and other Saints – what sorrows they had endured! Acquire their patience and your spirit will be consoled.”
Saint Barsanuphius the Great Elder of Gaza and Saint John the Prophet
+
“The Earth is a country of weeping, Heaven is a country of joy. Heavenly joy grows from seeds sown on Earth. These seeds are Prayer and tears.”
Saint Ignatius Brianchaninov
+
“The ancient Christians were tempted by the enemy with torment, and the current with diseases and thoughts.”
Saint Ambrose of Optina
+
“To bear the cross does not mean only visible, external sorrows, but also internal Spiritual ones. One must endure darkness, faitheartedness and similar things… For God sends this for the destruction of our pride and acquiring of humility.”
Saint Macarius of Optina
+
“The person who truly wishes to be healed is he who does not refuse treatment. This treatment consists of the pain and distress brought on by various misfortunes. He who refuses them does not realize what they accomplish in this world or what he will gain from them when he departs this life.”
Saint Maximus the Confessor
+
“We must have our gaze fixed on Heaven. Then nothing will shake us.”
Saint Amphilochios Makris of Patmos
+
“Remaining faithful to Monasticism is considered to be a Martyrdom.”
Saint Amphilochios Makris of Patmos
+
“Patient endurance kills the despair that kills the Soul; it teaches the Soul to take comfort and not to grow listless in the face of its many battles and afflictions”
Saint Peter of Damascus
+
“Remember that each of us has his own cross. The Golgotha of this cross is our heart: it is being lifted or implanted through a zealous determination to live according to the Spirit of God. Just as Salvation of the world is by the Cross of God, so our Salvation is by our crucifixion on our own cross.”
Saint Theophan the Recluse
+
“We advance toward humility by means of trials. He who rests on his virtue without suffering tribulation has the door of pride open before him.”
Saint Isaac the Syrian
+
“What does it mean to take up your cross? It means the willing acceptance, at the hand of Providence, of every means of healing, bitter though it may be, that is offered. Do great catastrophes fall on you? Be obedient to God’s Will, as Noah was. Is sacrifice demanded of you? Give yourself into God’s hands with the same faith as Abraham had when he went to sacrifice his son. Is your property ruined? Do your children die suddenly? Suffer it all with patience, cleaving to God in your heart, as Job did. Do your friends forsake you, and you find yourself surrounded by enemies? Bear it all without grumbling, and with faith that God’s help is at hand, as the Apostles did.”
Saint Nikolai Velimivoric
+
“If we had been born slaves, we would get beatings and slaps every day. But now we don’t even bear a cold word from a weak brother. O foolish and uncircumcised in heart! At a small temptation, we are quick to deny Him. We prefer eternal separation from Christ and eternal union with Satan, rather than humbly enduring a momentary trial!”
Saint Joseph the Hesychast
+
“My child, human life is filled with sorrow, we are in exile. Do not seek complete comfort. Since our Christ carried His Cross, we too must carry our cross. If we endure afflictions with patience, we shall receive Grace from the Lord.”
Saint Joseph the Hesychast
+