Orthodox Portal

St. Anthony teaches: “Learn to love humility, for it will cover all your sins. All sins are repulsive before God, but the most repulsive of all is pride of the heart. Do not consider yourself learned and wise; otherwise, all your effort will be destroyed, and your boat will reach the harbor empty. If you have great authority, do not threaten anyone with death. Know that, according to nature, you too are susceptible to death, and that every soul sheds its body as its final garment.” In Byzantium there existed an unusual and instructive custom during the crowning of the emperors in the Church of the Divine Wisdom (Hagia Sophia). The custom was that, when the patriarch placed the crown on the emperor’s head, he also handed him a silk purse filled with earth from a grave, so that even the emperor would recall death, avoid all pride and become humble.

Macarius was an Egyptian and one of the younger contemporaries of Anthony the Great. He married out of obedience to his parents but his wife died shortly thereafter. He withdrew to the wilderness, where he spent sixty years in labor and struggle, both inwardly and outwardly, for the Kingdom of Heaven. So much did he succeed in cleansing his mind of evil thoughts and his heart of evil desires, that God bestowed upon him the abundant gift of miracle-working, so that he even raised the dead from the graves.
Ream more »

… stand before the icon, prostrate yourself a few times, and begin the recital of the customary prayers: “Glory to Thee, Our God, glory to Thee! O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth…”
Repeat this without haste so that you enter into every word and so bring the meaning of each word down into your heart… and accompany this by bowing.
Ream more »

St. Andrew, by the Spirit enlightened, and the first-called Apostle of Christ, proclaimed the Lord day after day, and baptized the people with the Cross. Like a gardener in his own garden, through village and town he walked, and skillfully grafted wild trees, watering them with Living Water, until he came to the end of his days, and saw the Cross awaiting him. Joyful Andrew said to the Cross: “Greetings, O Cross! God sanctified thee, Christ sanctified thee with His body. O Cross, be thou my resting place. From the dust of the earth, take me; to God in the highest, raise me up, and let Christ take me from thee – The very Christ Who, because of me, was crucified on thee.” Disciple of the holy Baptist, and apostle of Christ the Savior, O Andrew, first called star, by your prayers, help us.

“Is not that which is best, above all, and surpassing all, and that which by preference is most worthy of our love, the Very Lord, our Savior Jesus Christ Who created us, adorned us with blessings, Who gives life to all, sustains everything, and nurtures and loves all?…Should we not then love God above everything and desire Him more than anything?…Let us at least promise ourselves that from this day and from this very hour we will strive to love God more than anything else and labor to fulfill His Holy will…”