The remembrance of hell should always be in your mind, for it has much fruit within it. Who can remember eternal fire and remain without tears? Weep, my child, […]
Category: Saints and Elders – Counsels
Why God creates bad people?
Why, despite knowing it beforehand, did God create those people who were to sin and not repent, and apparently to suffer eternal damnation? If God did not create […]
Elder Efraim of Arizona. About Illness
I am sick with the flu and feel sharp pains in my appendix. I don’t know what will happen. In any case, glory to Thee, O God. God […]
How to treat your brother
Do not consider your brother, who until yesterday was spiritual and virtuous, evil and wicked because of the hatred towards him which was created today by the influence […]
Elder Efraim of Arizona. About Repentance
(The Elder writes to one of his spiritual daughters in the world:) † All that you suffered, my daughter, was because of your self-reliance. Didn’t I advise you to have […]
A sanctified soul radiates goodness
That which is not expressed usually has more power than words. Evil has no barriers, it is not hindered either by locks or by distances. Evil can even wreck […]
Elder Efraim of Arizona. About Humility
Didn’t Lucifer and Adam fall away from God through pride and rebellion? Wasn’t Adam saved by the humility of the Theotokos—“Behold the handmaid of the Lord; let it be […]
Elder Efraim of Arizona. Repentance
Repentance is endless. All the virtues, by the grace of God, may be perfected by man, but no one can perfect repentance, since we need repentance until our last […]
Dealing with struggle-Dealing with conflict
“Do not be despondent when fighting against the incorporeal enemy, but even in the midst of your afflictions and oppression praise the Lord, Who has found you worthy to […]
Elder Efraim of Arizona about the importance of Silence
Do not grieve for me, my child, but struggle ardently. Struggle in silence, prayer, and mourning, and you will find the elements of eternal life. […]