It is the day of the Resurrection, and my beginning has good auspices. Let us then keep the Festival with splendor, and let us embrace one another. Let us say brethren, even to those who hate us; much more to those who have done or suffered aught out of love for us. Let us forgive all offences for the Resurrection’s sake; let us give one another pardon….
Don’t struggle directly with temptations, don’t pray for it to go away, don’t say “take it from me, O God!” For then you are acknowledging the strength of the temptation and it takes hold of you. Because, although you are saying “take it from me, O God,” basically you are bringing it to mind and fomenting it even more. Your desire to be free of the passion, will, of course, be there, but it will exist in a hidden and discreet way, without appearing outwardly….
…When our great Lord and God dies as a man, bowed down by men’s sins, who cares for Him dead, of all those for whom He has cared from all eternity? Who visits His tomb? Who shows love for the Dead? Women. Not each and every woman, but the Myrrh-Bearing Women, whose souls had been anointed by the immortal love of Christ the Lord.
The Holy Scripture, written by the Holy Spirit, cannot be understood through scientific research which can only provide surface aspects and details, never the substance. Without life in obedience to God, one is blind to Christ and what is written about Him in Scripture. (Conversations with Children, pg. 270.)
The bodiless enemy fights vigorously against us during divine services because at this time, by God’s grace, the regeneration of the soul is accomplished; therefore, let us not be depressed by the calumnies of the devil, but let us take courage and be strong, looking with our spiritual eyes upon Christ, the Founder of all good deeds, invisibly standing before us, and mysteriously accomplishing the regeneration of our souls. (My Life in Christ, pg. 330.)
