I am a Christian. He who answers thus has declared everything at once-his country, profession, family; the believer belongs to no city on earth but to the heavenly Jerusalem.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes that a true believer identifies with a divine city rather than any earthly belonging.
Saint John Chrysostom's quote reflects the idea that a Christian's primary identity lies in their faith rather than their nationality or societal labels. The 'heavenly Jerusalem' represents a spiritual belonging that transcends earthly ties, suggesting that true believers live for a higher purpose and connection.
In practice
This quote can be used in a sermon to encourage believers to focus on their spiritual family rather than earthly divisions.
No one has ever been accused for not providing ornaments, but for those who neglect their neighbour a hell awaits with an inextinguishable fire and torment in the company of the demons. Do not, therefore, adorn the church and ignore your afflicted brother, for he is the most precious temple of all.
It is simply impossible to lead, without the aid of prayer, a virtuous life.
When we teach our children to be good, to be gentle, to be forgiving (all these are attributes of God), to be generous, to love their follow men, to regard this present age as nothing, we instill virtue in their souls, and reveal the image of God within them.
Abba Moses asked Abba Sylvanus, Can a person lay a new foundation every day? The old man replied, If you work hard, you can lay a new foundation every moment. Abba Pimen said, To throw yourself before God, not to measure your progress, to leave behind all self-will; these are the instruments for the work of the soul. The desire to rule is the mother of heresies.
I hear no one boast, that he hath a knowledge of the Scriptures, but that he owneth a Bible written in golden characters. And tell me then, what profiteth this? The Holy Scriptures were not given to us that we should enclose them in books, but that we should engrave them upon our hearts.
Prayer should be the means by which I, at all times, receive all that I need, and, for this reason, be my daily refuge, my daily consolation, my daily joy, my source of rich and inexhaustible joy in life.
If leading worship is just about bringing a group of people into a room so we can get goosebumps and sing songs together, there's not much value in that. But if leading worship is a means to an end, that we leave this place as a different kind of people, as part of a new humanity that God wants to create... then that matters.
The Catholic Church is not dead, it is not even tired!
If in my life I fail completely to heed others, solely out of a desire to be 'devout' and to perform my 'religious duties', then my relationship with God will also grow arid. It becomes merely 'proper', but loveless.
Our Christian identity is belonging to a people: the Church. Without the Church we are not Christians.
The Coptic Church respects the law but it does not accept rulings that go against the Bible and our freedom of religion.
The sacred page is not meant to be the end, but only the means toward the end, which is knowing God Himself.
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