"Women signify the supreme realization of the virtues ( Read more... )

"An intellect faithful in the practice of the virtues is like St. Peter when he was taken captive by Herod(cf. Acts 12:3-18). The name 'Herod' means 'made of skins or leather', and so Herod signifies the law of leather, that is, the will of the flesh. St. Peter is guarded by two squads of soldiers and shut in by an iron gate. The two squads signify ( Read more... )

"If you want the body of the commandments to flourish,
you must zealously desire the pure spiritual milk of maternal grace (cf. 1 Pet. 2:2);
for is on this milk of grace that you must suckle yourself
if you wish to increase your stature in Christ."

St. Gregory of Sinai
The Philokalia Vol IV

The following is an exerpt from the Philokalia ( Read more... )