~ Attending Church

St. John Climacus was asked if there are reliable signs by which it's possible to know whether a soul is drawing near to God or moving away from Him. After all, regarding ordinary things there are clear signs as to whether they're good or not. When, for instance, cabbage, meat or fish begins to rot, it's easy to notice it, since the rotting object begins to give off a foul odor, the color and taste change, and its external appearance witnesses to its deterioration. Well, and what about the soul? After all, it's bodiless and can't give off a bad smell or change its appearance. To this question the Holy Father replies, "A sure sign of the deadening of the soul is the avoidance of church services."

A man who is growing cold towards God begins first of all to flee attending church. At first he tries to come to services later, and then he ceases altogether to visit God's temple.

~ Remaining in Church

Blessed Matthew of the Caves resembled the first Holy Evangelist not only in name but also in deeds. This blessed man gave himself over to ascetic toil in the Caves Monastery and received from God the great gift to see the enemies of mankind - the demons - and to know their hidden snares and devices. In revealing them to others, he served for the good and salvation of the brethren.

Once, while standing in his usual place during a church service, Blessed Matthew saw an invisible demon in the image of a a warrior. The demon moved about the church throwing some sort of sticky petals on the brethren. If one of the petals fell on a brother and remained on him, his attention to the divine service immediately weakened and his fervour toward prayer was lost. The brother would find some excuse for himself, quickly leave the church for his cell, and go to his cell where he would lie down to sleep and not return to church. When Blessed Matthew revealed this to the brethren, they became especially watchful and attentive and resisted the temptation to leave the church during a service.

~ On Anxiety

Let us not then grieve, beloved, let us not despond on account of the present tribulation, but let us admire the well-devised plan of God?s wisdom. For by these very means through which the devil hoped to overturn our city, hath God restored and corrected it. The devil animated certain lawless men to treat the very statues of the Emperor contemptuously, in order that the very foundations of the city might be razed. But God employed this same circumstance for our greater correction; driving out all sloth by the dread of the expected wrath: and the thing has turned out directly opposite to what the devil wished, by the means which he had himself prepared.

~ Commandments

Will any one of you, who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep, say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come at once and sit down at table?' Will he not rather say to him, 'Prepare supper for me, and gird yourself and serve me, till I eat and drink; and afterward you shall eat and drink?' Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that is commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'