“Why, my wretched soul, are you acting crazy? Why have you become anger, like those who foam at the mouth? With precisely this anger you show that you are ill; for, if you were not ill, you would not have felt pain."

“The monk must die to his neighbour and never judge him at all, in any way whatever.”

Her delight in the divine scriptures was incredible. She was forever singing, “Thy words have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against thee…”

"...if we are anxious to reach abiding perfection of heart we must constantly endeavour to obtain the virtue of humility."

"Abba Longinus said that just as a corpse does not feel anything or judge anyone, so the man who is humble of mind cannot judge anyone, even if he should see him worshipping idols."

They slapped Him, buffeted Him, mocked Him, nailed Him to the Cross, gave Him vinegar with gall to drink, and pierced His side. He endured all of this for our salvation, and yet we cannot endure a small insult for His sake?

"...may my soul be received into Your hands spotless and undefiled, as an offering before You."

May you who have power on earth to forgive sins, forgive me, that I may draw breath and that I be found in your presence.

“And therefore, if you would prepare in your heart a holy tabernacle of spiritual knowledge, purge yourselves from the stain of all sins."

“If we seek God, he will show himself to us, and if we keep him, he will remain close to us.”

“Imitate the publican, and you will not be condemned with the Pharisee. Choose the meekness of Moses and you will find your heart which is a rock changed into a spring of water.”

“Many people living secluded lives on the mountain have perished by living like people in the world. It is better to live in a crowd and want to live a solitary life than to live a solitary life but all the time be longing for company.”

“Habit is a powerful agent, and by degrees is changed into nature itself; so that some call it a second nature.”

True patience and tranquility is neither gained nor retained without profound humility of heart.

Abba John said to his brother, 'Even if we are entirely despised in the eyes of men, let us rejoice that we are honored in the sight of God.'

Amma Olympias was a “...partner of the divine Word, a consort of every true humility, a companion and servant of the holy, catholic and apostolic Church of God.”