Reasons For Rejoicing

Μὴ χαίρε ὅταν εὖ ποιήσῃς τινὶ, ἀλλ' ὅταν ἀμνησικάκως ὑπομείνῃς τὴν παρεπομένην ἐναντιότητα. Ὂν γὰρ τρόπον αἰ νύκτες τὰς ἡμέρας, οὕτω αἱ κακίαι τὰς ἀρετὰς διαδέχονται. Ἅγιος Μάρκος ὁ Ἐρημίτης, Περὶ Τῶν Οἰομένων Ἐξ Ἔργων Δικαιοῦσθαι Source: Migne PG 65.949a

Do not rejoice when you do good to someone, but rather when you endure the assaults of adversity and are unmindful of injury. For this is the way, night and day, that vices are supplanted by virtues. Saint Mark The Ascetic, On Those Who Think Themselves Justified By Works

Trials And Prayers

Ὁ συνιὼν τὸ ὑπὸ τοῦ ἁγίου Παύλου μυστικῶς εἰρημένον, τὴν πάλην ἡμῶν πρὸς τὰ μνευματικὰ τῆς πονηρίας φήσαντος, γνώσεται καὶ τὴν παραβολὴν τοῦ Κυρίου, πρὸς τὸ δεῖν πάντοτε προσεύχεσθαι καὶ μὴ ἐκκακεῖν. Ἅγιος Μάρκος ὁ Ἐρημίτης, Περὶ Τῶν Οἰομένων Ἐξ Ἔργων Δικαιοῦσθαι Source: Migne PG 65.949d

He who understands what is said by Saint Paul when he openly speaks of our wrestling with spirits of wickedness, 1 he also grasps the parable of the Lord which would have us praying always and not growing weary. 2 Saint Mark The Ascetic, On Those Who Think Themselves Justified By Works 1 Ephes 6.12 2 Lk 18.1

Peter, Paul And Stephen

Εἰ μὴ νυκτερινῆς ἄγρας ἀπέτυχεν ὁ Πέτρος, οὐκ ἂν τῆς ἡμερινῆς ἐπέτυχε, κaὶ εἰ μὴ αἰσθητῶς ἐτυφλοῦτο ὁ Παῦλος, οὐκ ἂν πνευματιχῶς ἀνέδλεψε, καὶ εἰ μὴ βλάσφημος ἐσυκοφαντεῖτο ὁ Στέφανος, οὐκ ἂν, τῶν οὐρανῶν αὐτῷ ἀνεῳχθέντων, τὸν Κύριον ἐθεάσατο. Ἅγιος Μάρκος ὁ Ἐρημίτης, Περὶ Τῶν Οἰομένων Ἐξ Ἔργων Δικαιοῦσθαι Source: Migne PG 65.960b

If Peter had not failed in his nocturnal trial, he would have not have achieved so much in the light of day, and unless Paul had been corporeally blinded, he would not have received spiritual vision, and unless Stephen had been accused of blasphemy by informers, the heavens would not have opened for him and he would not have seen the Lord. Saint Mark The Ascetic, On Those Who Think Themselves Justified By Works

Wisdom And Knowledge

Μακρόθυμος ἀνὴρ, πολὺς ἐν φρονήσει· ὁμοίως καὶ ὁ λόγοις σοφίας παραβάλλων τὸ οὗς αὐτοῦ. Χωρὶς μνήμης Θεοῦ, γνῶσις ἀληθὴς εἶναι οὐ δύναται· ἐκτὸς γὰρ τῆς προτέρας, ἡ δευτέρα νόθος ὑπάρχει. Ἅγιος Μάρκος ὁ Ἐρημίτης, Περὶ Νόμου Πνευματικοῦ Source: Migne PG 65.924b

The long suffering man is a man of much thoughts and likewise with the one whose ear receives the words of wisdom. Without mindfulness of God, true knowledge is impossible, for without the former the latter is spurious Saint Mark The Ascetic, On The Spiritual Law.

A True Word

Ἐὰν θέλῃς σωθῆναι, ἀληθῆ λόγον ἀγάπησον, καὶ μηδέποτε ἀκρίτως ἔλεγχον ἀποστραφῇς. Λόγος ἀληθὴς μετέβαλε γεννήματα ἐχκιδῶν, καὶ ὑπέδειξεν αὐτοῖς φυγεῖν ἀπὸ τῆς μελλούσης ὀργῆς. Ἅγιος Μάρκος ὁ Ἐρημίτης, Περὶ Νόμου Πνευματικοῦ Source: Migne PG 65.921a-b

If you wish to be saved, love a true word and never foolishly avoid correction. A true word can transform a brood of vipers and show them how to flee the coming wrath. 1 Saint Mark The Ascetic, On The Spiritual Law. 1 Mt 3.7

Possessing Knowledge

Ό γνωστικὸς καὶ εἰδὼς τὴν ἀλήθειαν, οὐ διὰ μνήμης τῶν πραχθέντων, ἀλλὰ δι' ὐπομονῆς τῶν ἐπερχομένων ἐξομολογεῖται τῷ Θεῷ. Ἅγιος Μάρκος ὁ Ἐρημίτης, Περὶ Τῶν Οἰομένων Ἐξ Ἔργων Δικαιοῦσθαι Source: Migne PG 65.952d

Being knowledgeable and knowing the truth is not through the recollection of things done but in the confession of God in the endurance of present trials. Saint Mark The Ascetic, On Those Who Think Themselves Justified By Works

Sin And Repentance

Μὴ ἀφῇς ἀνεξάλειπτον ἁμαρτίαν, κἂν βραχυτάτη τυγχάνῃ, ἵνα μὴ ὕστερον ἐπὶ μεῖζον κακὸν κατασύρῃ σε. Ἅγιος Μάρκος ὁ Ἐρημίτης, Περὶ Νόμου Πνευματικοῦ Source: Migne PG 65.921a-b

Do not dismiss a sin that is unrepented, for though things may go well for a little while, it will not be long before it drags you down into greater evil. Saint Mark The Ascetic, On The Spiritual Law.

Humility And Knowledge And Damnation

Οὐκ ἔστι συνειδήσεως κατάγνωσις ἡ ταπεινοφροσύνη, ἀλλὰ χάριτος Θεοῦ καὶ συμπαθείας ἐπίγνωσις. Ἅγιος Μάρκος ὁ Ἐρημίτης, Περὶ Τῶν Οἰομένων Ἐξ Ἔργων Δικαιοῦσθαι Source: Migne PG 65.945a

Humility is not consciousness of damnation but the understanding of the grace and compassion of God Saint Mark The Ascetic, On Those Who Think Themselves Justified By Works

Fear And Longing

Γεένῃς φόβος καὶ παραδείσου πόθος παρέχουσι τὴν τῶν θλιβερῶν ὑπομενήν· καὶ τοῦτο, οὐκ ἐξ ἑαυτῶν, ἀλλ' ἐκ τοῦ γινώσκοντος τοὺς διαλογισμοὺς ἡμῶν. Ἅγιος Μάρκος ὁ Ἐρημίτης, Περὶ Τῶν Οἰομένων Ἐξ Ἔργων Δικαιοῦσθαι Source: Migne PG 65.949b

The fear of Gehenna and the longing for Paradise bestows endurance in trials, and this is not our own work, but it is from Him who knows our thoughts. 1 Saint Mark The Ascetic, On Those Who Think Themselves Justified By Works 1 Ps 138.1-5

Trials And Endurance

Πειρασμοῦ ἐπελθόντος, μὴ ζήτει διὰ τί, ἣ διὰ τίνος ἐλήλυθεν, ἀλλ᾽ ὅπως ἂν αὐτὸν εὐχαρίστως καὶ ἀμνησιχάχως ὑπομείνῃς. Ἅγιος Μάρκος ὁ Ἐρημίτης, Περὶ Νόμου Πνευματικοῦ Source: Migne PG 65.960a

When trial comes, do not seek why, or through whom it has come, but how you may endure it joyfully and without mindfulness of injury. Saint Mark The Ascetic, On The Spiritual Law.

Achieving Goodness

᾿Ασφάλισαι λόγον ἀπὸ καυχήσεως, καὶ λογισμὸν ἀπὸ οἰήσεως, ἵνα μὴ παραχωρηθεὶς πράξῃς τὰ ἐναντία. Οὐ γὰρ ἐξ ἀνθρώπου μόνον τελεσιουργεΐται τὸ ἀγαθὸν, ἀλλὰ τοῦ παντεπόπτου Θεοῦ. Ἅγιος Μάρκος ὁ Ἐρημίτης, Περὶ Τῶν Οἰομένων Ἐξ Ἔργων Δικαιοῦσθαι Source: Migne PG 65.957b

Keep the tongue secure from boasting, and keep thought from mere opinion, lest after you act quite differently. For the good is not achieved by man alone, but by the all seeing God. Saint Mark The Ascetic, On Those Who Think Themselves Justified By Works

Commandments And Trial

Ὁ ποιήσας ἐντολὴν, ἐκδεχέσθω τὸν ὑπὲρ αὐτῆς πειρασμόν· ἡ γὰρ εἰς Χριστὸν ἀγάπη, δι' ἐναντίων δοκιμάζεται. Ἅγιος Μάρκος ὁ Ἐρημίτης, Περὶ Νόμου Πνευματικοῦ Source: Migne PG 65.916d

He who keeps the commandments will endure trials, because the love for Christ is proved by adversity. Saint Mark The Ascetic, On The Spiritual Law.

A Dangerous Way

Ὁ μὴ γινώσκων τὰ κρίματα τοῦ Θεοῦ ἀμφίκρημνον ὀδὸν κατὰ νοῦν διαβαίνει, καὶ ὑπὸ παντὸς ἀνέμου ῥᾳδαίως ἀνατρέπεται· ἐπαινούμενος γαυριᾷ καὶ ψεγόμενος ἐρεθίζεται, εὐωχούμενος ἀσελγαίνει, καὶ κακοπαθῶν ἀποδύρεται, συνιὼν φανητιᾷ, καὶ μὴ νοῶν σχηματίζεται, πλουτῶν ἀλαζονεύεται, καὶ πτωχεύων ὑποκρίνεται, κορεσθεὶς θρασύνεται, καὶ νηστεύων κενοδοξεῖ, τοῖς ἐλέγχουσι φιλονεικεῖ, καὶ τοῖς συγγνώμην αὐτῷ ἀπονέμουσιν ὡς ἀνοήτοις ἐφυβρίζει. Ἐὰν μήτε οὖν κατὰ χάρι Χριστοῦ γνῶσιν ἀληθείας καὶ φόβον Θεοῦ αἰτήσηται, οὐ μόνον ἐκ τών παθῶν, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἐκ τῶν συμβάσεων δεινῶς τραυματίζεται. Ἅγιος Μάρκος ὁ Ἐρημίτης, Περὶ Τῶν Οἰομένων Ἐξ Ἔργων Δικαιοῦσθαι Source: Migne PG 65.957d

He who does not know the judgements of God walks on a perilous way of the mind, and he is easily shaken by any wind. 1 If he is praised he becomes boastful, if he is reproved he is angered. He is raucous at a feast, and lustful when drinking. If he is afflicted with evils he laments. If he understands something he parades it about, and if he does not understand he pretends that he does. Becoming wealthy, he becomes proud, and being poor he feigns that he is rich. When he is well supplied he is overbearing, and when he fasts he is vainglorious. Just like a fool he considers it an insult when others forgive him. Thus if it is not according to the grace of Christ and in the fear of God that one seeks knowledge of the truth, it is not only grave things that deeply wound one but even trivial things. Saint Mark The Ascetic, On Those Who Think Themselves Justified By Works 1 cf Mt 11.7, Ephes 4.14

Truth And Reward

Ἔστιν ὁ ἀλήθειαν λέγων καὶ ὑπὸ ἀφρόνων μισούμενος, κατὰ τὸν Ἀπόστολον· καὶ ἔστιν ὁ ὑποκρινόμενος καὶ διὰ τοῦτο ἀγαπώμενος. Ὅμως οὐδέτερον τῶν ἀνταποδόσεων τούτων πολυχρόνιον γίνεται, διότι ὁ Κύριος, ἐν ἰδίῳ καιρῷ, ἐκάστῳ τὸ δέον ἀνταποδίδωσιν. Ἅγιος Μάρκος ὁ Ἐρημίτης, Περὶ Τῶν Οἰομένων Ἐξ Ἔργων Δικαιοῦσθαι Source: Migne PG 65.957b

He who speaks the truth shall have the hatred of the mindless, according to the Apostle, 1 and he who lies shall be loved because of that. But neither of these rewards last for a long time, rather it is the Lord who to each in his own time shall give the fitting reward. Saint Mark The Ascetic, On Those Who Think Themselves Justified By Works 1 Jn 8.40

Profitless Correction

Μὴ πειρῶ ἐλέγχων ὠφελεῖν τὸν ἐν ἀρεταῖς καυχώμενον, διότι ὁ αὐτὸς καὶ φιλενδείκτης καὶ φιλαλήθης εἶναι οὐ δύναται. Ἅγιος Μάρκος ὁ Ἐρημίτης, Περὶ Τῶν Οἰομένων Ἐξ Ἔργων Δικαιοῦσθαι Source: Migne PG 65.964a

It does not profit to upbraid one who is boastful of his virtues, since he can neither suffer correction nor love the truth. Saint Mark The Ascetic, On Those Who Think Themselves Justified By Works

Perfect Prayer

Οὐκ ἔστι προσευχὴ τελεία προσευχὴχωρὶς νοητῆς ἐπικλήσεως· ἀπερισπάστως δὲ βοώσης ἐννοίας ἐπακούει ὁ Κύριος. Ἅγιος Μάρκος ὁ Ἐρημίτης, Περὶ Τῶν Οἰομένων Ἐξ Ἔργων Δικαιοῦσθαι Source: Migne PG 65.936b

There is no perfect prayer without the crying out of the soul, for the Lord attends to the cry of the soul. Saint Mark The Ascetic, On Those Who Think Themselves Justified By Works

Virtue And Quiet

Ὁ διαπεράσαι θέλων τήν νοητὴν θάλασσαν, μακροθυμεῖ, ταπεινοφρονεῖ ἀγρυπνει, ἐγκρατεύεται. Ἐκτὸς δὲ τῶν τεσσάρων τούτων ἐὰν εἰσελθεῖν βιάσηται, θορυβεῖ τὴν καρδίαν, περάσαι δὲ οὐ δύναται. Ἡσυχία ὠφελεῖ, τῶν κακῶν ἀργήσασα. Ἐὰν δὲ καὶ τὰς τέσσαρας ἀρετὰς ἐν προσευχῇ προσλάβῃ βοήθημα, πρὸς ἀπάθειαν οὐδὲν αὐτῇ συντομώτερον. Ἅγιος Μάρκος ὁ Ἐρημίτης, Περὶ Τῶν Οἰομένων Ἐξ Ἔργων Δικαιοῦσθαι Source: Migne PG 65.936a

He who would willingly cast himself into the spiritual sea requires long suffering, humility, vigilance and temperance. Without these four, if someone tries to enter, his heart is troubled, and he cannot. Quiet is of benefit when it has leisure from the vices, and if the four aforementioned virtues have been received for help in prayer, since nothing else can achieve the untroubled state. Saint Mark The Ascetic, On Those Who Think Themselves Justified By Works

Resolving A Difficulty

Μὴ πειρῶ πρᾶγμα σκολιὸν ἐπιλῦσαι διὰ φιλονεικίας, ἀλλὰ δι' ὧν ὁ πνευματικὸς παρακελεύεται νόμος, δι' ὑπομονῆς, καὶ προσευχῆς, καὶ μονολογίστου ἐλπίδος. Ἅγιος Μάρκος ὁ Ἐρημίτης, Περὶ Νόμου Πνευματικοῦ Source: Migne PG 65.905c

Do not try to resolve some difficult matter by contention, but by means of what the spiritual law exhorts, which is patience and prayer and single minded hope. Saint Mark The Ascetic, On The Spiritual Law.

The Hearers

Πᾶν ῥῆμα Χριστοῦ ἔλεον, καὶ δικαιοσύνην, καὶ σοφίαν ἐμφαινει Θεοῦ, καὶ τὴν τούτων δύναμιν διὰ τῆς ἀκοῆς ἐμβάλλει τοῖς ἠδέως ἀκούουσιν. Ὅθεν οἱ ἀνελεήμονες, καὶ ἄδικοι, ἀηδῶς ἀκουοντες τὴν τοῦ Θεοῦ σοφίαν, γνῶμαι οὐκ ἐδυνήθησαν· ἀλλὰ καὶ λαλοῦντες ἐσταύρωσαν. Καὶ ἡμεῖς οὖν ἶδωμεν εἰ ἡδέως αὐτοῦ ἀκούομεν. Αὐτὸς γὰρ εἴρηκεν· Ὁ ἀγαπῶν με τὰς ἐντολάς μου τηρήσει, καὶ ἀγαπηθήσεται ὑπὸ τοῦ Πατρός μου κὰγὼ ἀγαπήσω αὐτὸν, καὶ ἐμφαίνσω αὐτῷ ἑμαυτόν. Βλέπεις, πῶς τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ἐμφάνειαν ἐν ταῖς ἐντολαῖς ἐνέκρυψε; Ἅγιος Μάρκος ὁ Ἐρημίτης, Περὶ Τῶν Οἰομένων Ἐξ Ἔργων Δικαιοῦσθαι Source: Migne PG 65.964a

Every word of Christ shows the mercy and righteousness and wisdom of God, and by hearing their power passes into those who gladly hear. Whence the merciless and unrighteous are unwilling hearers and unable to know the wisdom of God, but rather word of it torments. Thus it is for us to look to whether we hear Him willingly. For He himself said, 'He who loves me, he will keep my commandments, and he will be loved by my Father and I shall love him, and I shall show myself to him.' 1 You see how His showing is hidden in His commandments? Saint Mark The Ascetic, On Those Who Think Themselves Justified By Works 1 Jn 14.21

Gifts And Meekness

Ὁ Ἰακὼβ τῷ Ἰωσὴφ χιτῶνα ποικίλον ἐποίησε, καὶ ὁ Κύριος τῷ πραεῖ γνῶσιν ἀληθείας χαρίζεται, καθὰ γέγραπται, ὅτι Διδἀξει πραεῖς ὁδοὺς αὐτοῦ. Ἅγιος Μάρκος ὁ Ἐρημίτης, Περὶ Νόμου Πνευματικοῦ Source: Migne PG 65.929b

Jacob made a coat of many colours for his son Joseph, and the Lord gives the gift of the knowledge of the truth to the meek, as it is written, 'He shall teach the meek His ways.' 1 Saint Mark The Ascetic, On The Spiritual Law. 1 Ps 34.9