You who are the compassionately loving Mother of the merciful God, have mercy on me and give my heart compunction and contrition, humility in my thoughts, and release from my captive thoughts.

Wherever you go each day, leave a trace of goodness.” ☦️ St Paisius of Sihla (Romania) (1897-1990)

If you are not sick, if you do not suffer, it is … because the Lord calls you to participate in the suffering of others! You must be eyes to the blind, ears to the deaf, legs to the lame. You must be a helper to the disabled, to people who cannot move on their own, so that the love of Christ may be revealed in this service!

☦️Saint Luke of Crimea

In these difficult years, only a few simple priests will keep and preserve Orthodoxy. The big ones, the officers, will follow the other one.

People will be divided. Who are they going to follow? This will last a litlle and then the war will follow. After the war a canonical Synod will be convened and will put things in order.

☦️Elder Ephraim of Arizona

Photo: Tomb of Elder Ephraim of Arizona

When a mother prays for her children, she must melt like a candle. She should pray silently and with her hands raised high towards Christ, to embrace her child in secret.

☦️ St. Porphyrios of Kafsokalyvia

"Let us celebrate also the days of holy Pentecost, demonstrating through them the world to come." ☦️ St Athanasius, Pascal message, 332 AD

Pentecost and Holy Spirit Day (Monday after Pentecost) are celebrated in green vestments of all shades and green branches adorn churches.

The myrrh-bearing sisters Saints Mary and Martha are commemorated on June 4. The holy women reposed in Cyprus, where their brother became the first Bishop of Kition after his resurrection from the dead.

Saints Mary and Martha are hymned as having adorned themselves “with all the splendour of sacred virtues.”

“With your holy brother Lazarus, ye are also vouchsafed to dwell with the ranks of Saints on high, O ye sisters of Lazarus; and with him, O wise Mary and Martha, ye pray for us all unto the Master.”

The devil loves noise; Christ looks for silence.
☦️ St. Ambrose

An orchid species called "Flower of the Holy Spirit" (Peristeria elata) starts blooming during Pentecost each year.

Before it blooms, it looks like monks praying. When the flower blooms, it resembles a flying dove.

Blessed art Thou, O Christ our God, Who hast revealed the fishermen as most wise by sending down upon them the Holy Spirit - through them Thou didst draw the world into Thy net. O Lover of Man, glory to Thee!’ (Troparion of Pentecost)

At Pentecost, the fullness of the Godhead is manifested with the Spirit’s coming to man, thus the 8th Sunday of Pascha is also known as the Feast of the Holy Trinity.

The Holy Trinity icon, depicting the three angelic figures who appeared to Abraham, is often placed in the middle of the church, alongside the traditional Pentecost icon.

“The greatest miracle is the transformation of a sinner into a saint.” ☦️St Cleopa Ilie

For many consecutive years, a miracle has occurred at Pentecost at the Church of the Krasnogorsky (“of red hill”) Monastery in Ukraine’s Transcarpathia region.

The lilies are kept inside the icon case of the “Joy of All Who Sorrow” icon of Holy Theotokos. Although withered prior to Pentecost, they blossom when Pentecost again arrives, filling the temple with their fragrance. Glory to God!

I have been amazed that some are utterly in doubt as to whether or not the holy Virgin is able to be called the Mother of God. For if our Lord Jesus Christ is God, how should the holy Virgin who bore him not be the Mother of God?

✝️St. Cyril of Alexandria (June 9/ June 22), Letter to the Monks of Egypt 1 (427)

“They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. “ ✝️ John 16:2

“The universe offers You the God-bearing martyrs“, Holy Apostles Bartholomew of the Twelve and Barnabas of the Seventy (June 11/ June 24), “As the first fruits of creation, O Lord and Creator.Through the Theotokos, and their prayers establish Your Church in peace!“

☦️ Saint Paisios of Mt. Athos

What is simple is also what is most precious. Accordingly, in your spiritual life engage in your daily contest simply, easily, and without force. The soul is sanctified and purified through the study of the Fathers, through the memorization of the Psalms and of portions of Scripture, through the signing of hymns and through the repetition of the Jesus Prayer. Devote your efforts, therefore, to these spiritual things and ignore all the other things.

+ St. Porphyrios, Wounded by Love