St. Nikon of Optina

Orthodox Saints · Various centuries

  1. “Only one who guards himself from all sin can have sincere and fervent faith. Faith is only preserved in the presence of good morals.”

    — St. Nikon of Optina

  2. “The spiritual father only shows the way, like a signpost, but we have to traverse it ourselves. If the spiritual father shows the way and the disciple doesn't move himself, then he won't get anywhere, and will rot near the signpost.”

    — St. Nikon of Optina

  3. “We must consider all evil things, even the passions which war against us, to be not our own, but of our enemy the devil. This is very important. You can only conquer a passion when you do not consider it as part of you.”

    — St. Nikon of Optina

← All sayings