Fasting of the stomach is abstinence from food;

 

Fasting of the stomach is abstinence from food;

fasting of the tongue is abstinence from lewdness;

fasting of the eyes is abstinence from indecency;

fasting of the hands is abstinence from injustice;

fasting of the heart is abstinence from evil thoughts.

Perfect fasting is abstinence from all evil.

If you fast physically, but with your tongue you speak evil, you have become like one who cuts a tree from the root and expects fruit from its branches.

✝️Saint Isaac the Syrian.

“My body needs nourishment, not indulgence;

 “My body needs nourishment, not indulgence;

moderation, not abundance;

self-sufficiency, not luxury.

For these benefit both soul and body and grant health, strength, and well-being.

Otherwise, health is ruined and dreadful, pain-filled diseases arise.”

— Saint Isidore of Pelusium

Spiritual Counsels of Blessed Gerontissa Galaktia Kanakaki of Crete

Blessed Gerontissa Galaktia of Crete was known for her simplicity, humility, and profound discernment. Her words were not many, yet they were filled with grace and practical wisdom, guiding souls toward repentance, silence, and love for God. Her counsels reflect the spirit of inner watchfulness and hidden virtue that characterizes authentic Orthodox ascetic life.

- “The tongue is the devil’s best friend.”

- “You need four things: love, humility, silence, and secret almsgiving.”

- “Confess properly, so that the devil may have no hold over you.”

- “Let us not slander others, lest God expose our own sins when He comes again.”

- “Pray the Jesus Prayer — ‘Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me’ — but also invoke the Holy Trinity. I pray in this way: ‘Father, forgive me; Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me; Holy Spirit, enlighten me.’”

- “Whoever fears to sin fears nothing else.”

(For the one who truly fears sin is freed from every other fear.)

I have a friend who is a taxi driver. He worked on Sunday mornings and did not go to church.

 

I have a friend who is a taxi driver. He worked on Sunday mornings and did not go to church. One day I approached him and asked him how much he earned per day, and he told me about 1,700 drachmas. So I suggested that the following Sunday morning, he go to church and then go to work, and whatever he earned less than 1,700 drachmas, I would give him the difference. My friend thought about it and finally accepted my proposal. He went to church on Sunday and then worked as a taxi driver until evening. That evening, he called me and said:

"Dimitrios, something amazing happened! I was so busy I couldn't keep up with all the customers! I made 2,000 drachmas!"

 Since then, my friend has been going to church every morning. People who work on Sundays and don't go to church, the money they make is not blessed and one day they will lose it one way or another. Because whoever collects money away from God, scatters it. That is why we see many families who work from morning till night but are unable to put any money aside. Sunday money is fire, said Saint Kosmas of Aetolia.

 

 Dimitrios Panagopoulos († February 13, 1982)

If we count the entire Bible, ```which``` commandment do we find written more times than the others?

 If we count the entire Bible, ```which``` commandment do we find written more times than the others?

The answer can change the way we live and think.

It is neither the commandment "Thou shalt not steal", nor the commandment "Thou shalt not kill".

The most frequently repeated commandment is: "Thou shalt not be afraid".

```Do not be afraid!```

_Do you know how many times it is written?

_ 365 times.

One for each day of the year.

Start your day with prayer and entrust it entirely into the hands of your Creator.

And when the day is over, say: "```Have I endured today? Tomorrow belongs to God```!"

Every day, you will try to do the best that is humanly possible,

without insecurity and anxiety.

And above all, follow this commandment:

"Believe and do not be afraid".

Saint Eumenios Saridakis