It is in the renewing of the mind, and peace of the thoughts, and love and heavenly attachment for the Lord, that the new creation - the Christian - is distinguished from all the men of the world.  This was the purpose of the Lord's coming: to vouch safe these spiritual blessings to those who truly believe in Him.  Christians have a glory and a beauty and a heavenly wealth which is beyound words, and it is won with pains, and sweat, and trials, and many conflicts, and all by the grace of God.

Saint Macarius the Great

Afflictions bring blessings to men; self-esteem and sensual pleasure, evil.  To accept an affiction for God's sake is a genuine act of holiness; for true love is tested by adversities.  Without affiction, virtue has not been tested.

Saint Mark the Ascetic

Christ is our hope, our cleansing and santification, our resurrection, life and repose.  He alone is what we all need, and therefore, the Orthodox Church constantaly pronounces these words aloud so that we may hear them during Holy Services of the Church, and be constantly renewed.  For we are inclined to forget the only thing we need.  With death all will be taken from us, all earthly goods, riches, beauty of body and raiment, spacious dwellings, etc., but the virtue of the soul, that incorruptible raiment, shall remain with us eternally.

Saint John of Kronstadt

Arise my soul, and review your deeds which have preceeded from you.  Scrutinize them closely, and shed the rain of your tears, declaring openly to Christ your thoughts and deeds, so that you may be justified.

Saint Andrew of Crete

"Continually forgive others.  Forgive AT ONCE, not one second latter, not one half second later, because if you hesitate to forgive, jealousy comes in the door, then hatred and envy.  Forgive instantly as Christ forgives instantly."

Gerontissa Makrina

Do not be careless.  Pray as much as you can - more frequently and more fervantly.  Prod yourself - force yourself to do so, for the Kingdom of God is taken by force.  You will never attain it without forcing yourself.

Saint Innocent of Alaska

Patience, forgiveness and joy are the three greatest characteristics of divine love.  They are characteristics of all real love - if there is such a thing as real love outside of divine love.  Without these three characteristics, love is not love.  If you give the name 'love' to anything else, it is as though you were giving the name 'sheep' to a goat or a pig.

Saint Nikolai Velimirovich

"Our Father awaits us with great zeal and desire, and with love He will see us returning from afar, and He will look upon us with compassionate eyes, and we shall be dear to Him, and He will fall on our neck running and embrace us and kiss us with His Holy Love.  He will not reproach us, and He will no longer remember our sins and iniquities, and all the holy angles and all His elect will begin to rejoice over us."

Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk