Sayings of St John Chrysostom

Although it be with truth that you speak evil, this is also a crime.

You are a man, and yet you spit the venom of a poisonous serpent. You are a man and yet you become like a raging beast. You have been given a mouth not to wound but to heal.

Enter into the Church and wash away your sins. For here there is a hospital and not a court of law. Do not be ashamed again to enter the Church, be ashamed when you sin, but not when you repent.

When partaking of the Eucharist you bury your teeth in Christ’s flesh and drink of the same blood that came from His side … He did not say, “This is the symbol of my body … of my blood,” but “This is my body and blood.”

Even if others make war against us, it is right for us to remain in peace.

Feeding the hungry is a greater work than raising the dead.

The primary goal in the education of children is to teach, and to give the example of a virtuous life.

“Why,” you ask, do we see evil doers thriving and healthy and enjoying great prosperity? Let us weep for them, because their not having to suffer in this world is a guarantee of greater punishment in the next! To show this, St. Paul said, “But when we are judged, we are being chastised by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with this world.” Afflictions here are a form of reproof, while this in the other world are a form of punishment for those who were evil in their lives.

I would like to have a voice strong enough to make myself heard from the four corners of the world. I would climb the ugliest mountain in the universe and I would cry out to all men, “save, save your soul!”

The fast of Lent has no advantage to us unless it brings about our spiritual renewal. It is necessary while fasting to change our whole like and practice virtue. Turning away from all wickedness means keeping our tongue in check, restraining our anger, avoiding all gossip, lying and swearing. To abstain from these things – herein lies the true value of the fast.

Sins that are easiest to amend bring the greatest punishment. Anger is a strong fire, consuming all things its path; it wastes the body and corrupts the body, and renders a man base and odious to look upon. And if it were possible for the angry man to see himself at the time of his anger he would not need any other admonition, for there is nothing less pleasing than an angry countenance. Anger is an intoxicant and more wretched than God does not insist or desire that we should mourn in agony of heart: Rather, it is His wish that out of love for Him we should rejoice with laughter in our soul. Take away sin, and tears become superfluous; where there is no bruising, no ointment is required. Before the fall, Adam shed no tears and in the same way there will be no more tears after the resurrection from the dead, when sin has been destroyed. For pain, sorrow and lamentation will then have fled away.

After death no unrepentant person can escape the consequences of his sins, but just as prisoners are led out of their cell bound in chains and brought before the court, so are all souls when they depart hence; they bring with themselves their chains of sins before the dread judgement seat.

Lift up and stretch out your hands, not to heaven, but to the poor; for if you stretch forth your hands to the poor, you have reached the summit of heaven, but if you lift up your hands in prayer without sharing with the poor, it is worth nothing.

Every family should have a room where Christ is welcome in the person of the hungry and thirsty stranger.

Let none fear death, for the death of the Saviour has set us free. Christ is risen and the demons have fallen. Christ is risen and the angels rejoice.

The belief in stars is a foolish disbelief against God’s omnipotence and creativity, for God is subjected to the star’s power.

In ancient times, many Christians received the Holy Mysteries at random and without discrimination, especially on the day of their institution (ie Holy Thursday). Seeing the great harm that comes from careless reception of Communion, the Fathers have set aside forty days (of Lent) for prayer, listening to God’s word and attending services, in order that after proper purification of our heart by prayer, fasting, almsgiving, night-vigils and confession, we may receive Holy Communion with a clear conscience as many times as possible

What the Lord did not endure on the Cross (the breaking of His legs), He submits to now in His sacrifice for His love for you. He permits Himself to be broken into pieces that all may be filled. What is in the chalice is the same as that which flowed from Christ’s side. What is the Bread? Christ’s Body. Not only ought we to see the Lord, we ought to take Him and unite ourselves with Him in the closest union.

It is folly to abstain all day long from food, but fail to abstain from sin and selfishness.

Let your prayer be completely simple for both the Publican and the Prodigal Son were reconciled to God by a single phrase.