Gleanings from Orthodox Christian Authors and the Holy Fathers

friendship

3 Entries

A true friend is one who in times of trial calmly and imperturbably suffers with his neighbor the ensuing afflictions, privations and disasters as if they were his own. St. Maximos the Confessor (Third Century on Love no. 79)

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Never form a close friendship with someone who enjoys noisy and drunken feasts, or who likes telling dirty stories, even though he may have been a monk for many years. Do not let his filth defile you; do not fall under the influence of people who are unclean and uncircumcised in heart. St. John of Karpathos "The Philokalia: the Complete Text" (volume I), by St. Nicodemos of the Holy Mountain and St. Makarios of Corinth, trans. By G.E.H. Palmer, Philip Sherrard, and (Bishop) Kallistos Ware, (London: Faber and Faber, 1979), pp. 298 - 309

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'A faithful friend is beyond price' (Eccles. 6:15), since he regards his friend's misfortunes as his own and suffers with him, sharing his trials until death. St. Maximos the Confessor, Fourth Century on Love, Philokalia, Vol. 2

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