Regarding Forgiveness

If you hate someone, you cannot have peace in God. Because He is the one who said: “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you (Matthew 6, 14).” And if the other person is not making peace with you, you always keep yourself away from hate, and pray for him honestly and never say a bad thing to anyone else about him.

St. Maximus the Confessor, Fourth 100 chapters regarding love, Filokalia

Translated by Dr. Nick Stergiou

 http://www.orthodoxpath.org/saints-and-elders-counsels/regarding-forgiveness/

Forgiveness Elder – Ephraim of Arizona

Just as we wish for God to love us, to forgive us, to overlook our errors, to watch over us and protect us with His providence, so we should extend the same to other people.

Forgiveness doesn’t require effort, it isn’t difficult. What does it need? It needs humility.

Saint Dionysios of Zakynthos the Bishop of Aegina – the Saint of Forgiveness

St. Dionysios of Zakynthos, the Bishop of Aegina

Commemorated December 17 (his repose) and August 24 (the transfer of his Relics)

St Dennis is remembered for many miracles, but primarily as the saint of forgiveness.

One day a man hammered on the gates of the monastery in a desperate state.

St Dennis let him in and sat him down, and asked what was disturbing him? He said I have just killed a man! St Dennis could see the blood on his hands and clothes. The saint asked him who has he killed, and it turned out to be his own brother, and the man in front of him was a hired assassin! He was petrified realising what he had done, and because he had been seen, and soldiers were following him!

St Dennis thought hard, his mind swimming with emotion. But deep within himself, god somehow entered his heart, and he felt forgiveness, not for the act but the person. His brother could no longer be saved, but this desperate soul could, and he faced instant death if the soldiers found him.