Give charity with the blood of their hearts.Elder Paisios of the Holy Mountain

The elder Paisios of the Holy Mountain said:

An orphan, especially if it has lost its mother, and even if it is a little porcupine, must be embraced with pain and fervent love, so as to first feel warmth, take courage, and open up its heart.

The fervent love of Christ nourishes more than any other material food and gives many calories to the soul and body. Oftentimes, it even cures incurable diseases without medication and brings rest to souls.

Sacrifice for our fellow man conceals our great love for Christ. Those who have good intentions to give alms, but have nothing and on this account are afflicted, give charity with the blood of their hearts.

When man struggles with hope, however, divine consolation comes and the soul intensely feels the caress of God’s love.

The internal beauty of the soul, apart from spiritually beautifying and sanctifying man externally, with Divine Grace revealing him to others, also beautifies and sanctifies the ugly clothes the graced man of God wears.

KATAVASIAE FOR THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST   Tone 1

Ode IV:

A rod from the root of Jesse and blossom thereof, O Christ, Thou didst spring forth from the Virgin; from the mountain over-shadowed and densely wooded hast Thou come, incarnate of her who knew no man, O Thou praised and immaterial God. Glory to Thy power, O Lord!

We praise, we bless, we worship the Lord, hymning and supremely exalting Him unto all ages!

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