Page 5 - Revista Paisiana Nr 12 Februarie 2025

“Make account that thou
hast done nothing, and then
thou hast done all. For if,
being sinners, when we ac-
count ourselves to be what
we are, we become ri-
ghteous, as indeed the Publi-
can did; how much more,
when being righteous we ac-
count ourselves to be sin-
ners.”
St. John Chrysostom

“What made our Lord Jesus
Christ lay aside his garments,
“An angel fell from heaven without any other gird himself with a towel, and, pouring water into a
passion except pride, and so we may ask whether it is basin, begin to wash the feet of those who were below
possible to ascend to Heaven by humility alone, wit- Him (John 13:4, etc.), if not to teach us humility? For
hout any other of the virtues.” it was humility He showed us by example of what He
St. John Climacus then did. And indeed those who want to be accepted
into the foremost rank cannot achieve this otherwise
“At the Last Judgment the righteous will be re- than through humility; for in the beginning the thing
cognized only by their humility and their considering that caused downfall from heaven was a movement
themselves worthless, and not by good deeds, even if of pride. So, if a man lacks extreme humility, if he is
they have done them. This is the true attitude.” not humble with all his heart, all his mind, all his spirit,
St. Peter of Damascus all his soul and body - he will not inherit the kingdom
of God.”
“A man who is truly humble is not troubled St. Anthony the Great
when he is wronged and he says nothing to justify
himself against the injustice, but he accepts slander
as truth; he does not attempt to persuade men that
he is calumniated, but he begs forgiveness.”
St. Isaac the Syrian

"Consider well, brethren, how great is the
power of humility. Consider how great is the spiritual
energy behind saying, `Pardon me.' Why is the devil
called not only `enemy,' but also `adversary'? He is cal-
led `enemy' because he is a hater of man, one who
hates what is good, a traitor; and `adversary,' because
he always puts obstacles in the way of good. If so-
meone wants to pray he puts obstacles in the way
through evil suspicions, shameful thoughts, and spiri-
tual torpor. If a man wants to give alms he obstructs
it through avarice or procrastination. If a man wants
to keep vigil he obstructs it with hesitations or lazi-
ness. In every single thing he is against us when we
desire to do good. This is why he is called the enemy
and the adversary and why, by lowliness, all his at-
tacks and devices are brought to nothing."
St. Dorotheos of Gaza

PAISIANA nr. 2 / februarie / 2025 5