Catechumens: As you have heard me say to you, now and then, Orthodox ‘spirituality’ is not of a theoretical type, but is in the entire tradition of the Fathers rooted in practice, whether in the silent prayers of the Hesychasts or in the charitable labours of St. Basil. And the source and character of our piety in practice is ascetic. The hours we pray are monastic hours. The Jesus Prayer, simplest, seemingly, of all prayers, learned at the very beginning and by young children, is a monastic prayer with a deep ascetic practice behind it, though we are instructed not to add to it any ascetic feats without the clear direction of a spiritual director. One looks at the Orthodox keeping of time, celebrating the seasons by following the path of Our Lord’s life, venerating daily the various heroes who have gone before on that journey, and alternately feasting or fasting, and the ascetic character of our whole worship is unmistakable. When we receive Holy Confession, we confess the same kinds of passions struggled against by monks. When we receive Holy Communion, we strive, as they do, to see God. There is no disparity between their lives and ours; we are all seeking the same thing, celibate or married, monastic or in the world. In fact, the monks are the light of laymen, as angels are the light of monks.
Likewise, we have discussed, as we would expect, the ascetic character of Holy Scripture. Israel fasted in preparation for God’s activity, put on sackcloth and ashes in repentance, and even engaged in abstinence in preparation for jihad. These were not merely legal pieties, though the law too was given to help man overcome the passions. In the same way, an instruction to fast was first given to Adam in the perfection of Eden, that he might not acquire the passions, and the breaking of that fast slew the world. Christ is our prime example, born of a virgin, Himself a virgin, fasting in the wilderness, feasting with his disciples, keeping the holy days and long watches or hours, and purifications by which He purified our nature and all creation. The Apostles, likewise, followed in this way, and the Fathers after them, and we do as well, following after our Bishop, a celibate and prototype of ascetics. The Holy Scriptures read like a manual for ascetic training, teaching us to fast from the passions, war with death in our flesh, restrain the body’s appetites, and acquire the spirit of humility. The writings of the desert Fathers retain an unmistakable continuity with those of the Holy Apostles, whether instructing us on preferring others in love, or on overcoming temptation, or on seeing God and theosis. In the Scriptures, it is the same Christ in all, whether in our diversity of vocations we live in the world or the desert. He remains the ultimate example of ascetic piety. I tell you these things now, in the hope that the enemy will never be able to lure you from the path, and likewise if I stumble and am lost, you may remind and strengthen me, and we will continue on together. — Catechetical Letter 1/25/2005
Let us seek to discover the things of heaven through the sweat of our efforts, rather than by mere talk, for at the hour of death it is deeds, not words, that must be displayed. — St. John Climacus
Unless a man sets himself at utterly at nought, he cannot speak of the majesty of God. — St. Diadochos of Photiki
Even if we should have mounted to the very pinnacle of virtue, let us consider ourselves last of all. — St John Chrysostom
Humility is constant forgetfulness of one’s achievements. — St. John Climacus
He who has once placed his hope in God no longer is concerned over himself. — St. Paisius Velichkovsky
The Law, in its imperfection says: ‘Attend to yourself’ (Deut. 4:9). The Lord, in His perfection, tells us to correct our brother, saying, ‘If your brother sins against you, etc.’ (Matt. 18:15). If your reproof, or rather your reminder, can be pure and humble, then do as the Lord commanded, particularly in the case of those who will accept it. But if your progress has not reached this far, at least do what the Law says. — St. John Climacus
The single-phrased Jesus Prayer bridles unruly thought. — St. Ilias the Presbyter