“The life of the Orthodox Church provides us with numerous examples of how Almighty God manifests His power through small and lifeless things—especially those things that serve as signs of the Incarnation, life and suffering of our Lord Jesus Christ. Such things include the Cross, icons of the Theotokos and the saints, holy water, oil, myrrh, and so forth…The power of the Cross is mysterious: no matter how unexplainable, it is true and indisputable. Yet St. John Chrysostom speaks of a custom in his time, in which the sign of the Cross is attached “on the emperor’s diadem , on the accoutrements of the soldiers, and it is traced on parts of the body—the head, the breast and the heart— and also on the table of oblation and over beds.… If we need to expel demons, we use the Cross; it also helps to heal the sick.”
Saint Nikolai Velimirovic
~The Prologue of Ohrid

“We who are given the fullness of true Christianity are obliged to be working on ourselves, to be watching the signs of the times, and to be extremely joyful, as St. Paul is constantly saying: ‘Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say: Rejoice!’ (Phil. 4:4). We rejoice because we have something which all the death and corruption of this world cannot take away, that is, the eternal Kingdom of Jesus Christ.”
Fr. Seraphim Rose

“I said since my elder has sent me I am not going to give up until I fall down. Only then am I free of responsibility. With a lot of difficulty I walk like a turtle for a few meters. I made the sign of the cross and I said “my panagia to the prayers of my elder help me.” After this little prayer the barrel on my back became lighter I walked a little, it felt a little lighter. I started walking normally. In a little while I felt that all of the weight was lifted. As soon as I started climbing a steep steps it was as if someone behind me was pushing me. I was almost running up the steps and at the same time I was saying the prayer, “Lord Jesus Christ. Period.”. A loaded meal takes two hours to travel the distance between the port in our hutts. I assure you that I climb up in less than an hour with 65 kg of oral on my back.”
Abbott Haralambos
~Abbot Haralambos of Dionysiates

“A few words: “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us” and “Most Holy Theotokos, save us”. We don’t need to read encyclopedias, nor many books. With these two little prayers, all Christians are saved. Monastics who do not have worldly concerns pray much and achieve heights. Our Panagia also helps much. It is like they are speaking into the ears of our Christ, because they are dedicated to the prayer and this is their primary work, and whoever has the gift of prayer in their heart, when they die they are not bothered by the toll-houses. Immediately after their death they go straight to Christ. There are no hindrances, because the name of Christ has power. God is fire.”
(Elder Ephraim of Arizona, 2014 Interview)

“Listen, I’ll explain this thing that seems like a mystery to you. In the evening during my prayer when I had finished and wanted to rest I saw Satan threatening to put obstacles and trials in the way of my decision and my plans. And I said to our Christ, “Lord, don’t stop him so I can show him that I love you and will endear the cold as long as you allow it.” So that was why all this happened I child so that I wouldn’t have heating as quickly as you wanted me to.”
Elder Joseph
~My Elder Joseph