Sayings of the Holy Fathers... St. John Alexeev of the New Valaam in Finland

Sayings of the Holy Fathers…
St. John (Alexeev) of the New Valaam in Finland
“The spiritual life is like bodily growth: The man himself doesn’t notice it. However, a sign of spirituality is… when someone sees his sins like the sand of the sea. In this is the health of the soul.”
“If you strictly look after yourself, you will truly see yourself as worse than all, then those praising you won’t hurt you; because people only look at a person’s external appearance, but inwardly they do not know him.”
“We should strive for virtue as far as our strength will allow, but to stand firm in virtue is not within our power, but within the Lord’s, and the Lord preserves us not for our labours, but for humility.”
“There is no such commandment to demand love and a proper life from others. Let those who are appointed by Divine providence take care of others.”
“Sin is never satisfied; the more you feed it, the more food it requires.”
“There are two benefits from sorrow: The first is zeal for God and gratitude from the whole heart; the second is that it delivers from vain cares and worries.”
“Without prayer, life will be filled with much sighing, but when you acquire the skill of prayer, the heart will rejoice and be at peace-a blessed state.”
“The labour should be ours, but success depends on grace; grace is given not for labours but for humility-as much as a man humbles himself, so much does grace come.”
“If you find someone of the same spirit, then talk and consult with him-this is the best method in our time. An inexperienced leader can only harm the spiritual cause-there were many such cases in former times and in ours.”
“It is most useful to see everyone as good, and yourself as worse than all.”
“If you happen to falter in virtue-do not tremble, for our nature is very changeable. Only angels inherently stand invariably in virtue.”
“The spiritual life is like a tree, the Holy Fathers say: Without leaves-that is, without labours-there will be no fruit, and, a tree without fruit is hewn down.”
“We must work towards pleasing God according to our own free will, then grace will help us. But if we do not labour, then the grace of God will not help; our labour and the grace of God go together.”
“Although it’s somewhat hard to endure grief, it’s very useful. We must prepare, with God’s help, to endure vilification (insults), reproach, contempt, and ridicule. If we prepare ourselves, it will be easier to endure them when they come.”
“We needn’t fear infirmities, for the Lord descended from Heaven for the infirm. If a man is aware of his infirmities and repents, the Lord, in His goodness, will not remember his infirmities and sins. Above all, we must fear demonic pride, vanity, enmity, and condemnation; but infirmities humble our supposed piety.”
“When you say something for the good of another’s soul-speak simply. You don’t need to think about how to influence him. The grace of God will do this beyond our desire, if only it will be for the benefit of the one listening.”
“In all perplexing questions, take as a rule the advice of the divinely-wise Holy Fathers: If two evils stand before you, choose the lesser, and if two virtues, choose the greater.”
“Temporary solitude is good, for it calms the soul a bit from various vanities. But to live in solitude… It does not cure the passions, but only lulls them. If you live attentively among people, you will more quickly come to self-awareness, for there are many terrible things there that uncover your rot.”
“If something human happens, we have to remember that we are not wiser than the all-wise Solomon, not stronger than the Prophet David, and not more zealous than the Apostle Peter.”
“Build yourself a home and take no care for that of others, then you will know how to build homes for others.”
“Knowledge without spiritual experience only puffs up.”
“Holy Scripture should be read not for knowledge, but in order to save our souls.”
“Don’t get excited to jump high-the spiritual life demands patient gradualism.”
“Reproach is very useful, and praise is very harmful, for by it we are tripped up in the spiritual life. Vainglory greatly binds us and weakens our free will.”
“Silver is known by its standard, but asceticism by humility.”
“We must deeply believe in God’s providence and not seek out the reasons why this or that thing happens to us.”
“We should do everything for the sake of God, and not pay any attention to people, for people praise today and tomorrow overthrow.”
Reached capacity:

[@HomoEucharistica]

Fr. John of (New) Valaam, pray for us sinners!

[@Lilo82531]

Thank you❤

[@mariebahnan2309]

Amen

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Thank you-these videos are a blessing and edifying !

[@teresa145]

Amen Holy Jesus Son Of The Most High Living God Love and Blessings to all Brothers and Sisters In Holy Lord Jesus Name Amen

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Praise The Most High Living God YAHWEH In Holy Lord Jesus Christ of Nazereth Mighty Name I Pray Amein and Amein Blessings from Teresa uk