Everything happens according to the judgement of God

Elder Nikon of Optina
The Will of God

If you carefully observe the details of your life and that of others, with startling clarity you will see that no amount of caution or measure taken has ever been able to determine what will transpire, for everything happens according to the judgement of God. There is no one to blame. We must humble ourselves and endure, otherwise we sin against God.

[Living without Hypocrisy, p. 23]

O Lord, let it be according to Thy will

Elder Moses of Optina
The Will of God

We must always say: "O Lord, let it be according to Thy will," either this way or that, for we must receive all that is sent to us as from the hand of God; the sorrowful with patience, the pleasant with thanksgiving.

[Living without Hypocrisy, p. 22]

God always watches over us

Elder Leo of Optina
The Will of God

We must be certain that the Divine Providence of God always watches over us, and arranges all circumstances for our benefit, even when they are unpleasant for us.

[Living without Hypocrisy, p. 21]

Wholeheartedly rely on the will of God

Elder Nikon of Optina
The Will of God

If we wholeheartedly rely on the will of God, then everything will be fine, and what is unpleasant will be accepted like as it should be. Everything that happens leads to the salvation of our souls, and in this is revealed great and profound wisdom. To them that love God, all things work together for good (Rom. 8:28).

[Living without Hypocrisy, p. 19]

Be gentle, kind

Venerable Seraphim of Sarov

You cannot be too gentle, too kind. Shun even to appear harsh in your treatment of each other. Joy, radiant joy, streams from the face of him who gives and kindles joy in the heart of him who receives. All condemnation is from the devil. Never condemn each other. We condemn others only because we shun knowing ourselves. When we gaze at our own failings, we see such a swamp that nothing in another can equal it. That is why we turn away, and make much of the faults of others. Instead of condemning others, strive to reach inner peace. Keep silent, refrain from judgement. This will raise you above the deadly arrows of slander, insult and outrage and will shield your glowing hearts against all evil.

Elder Tadej of Vitovnitsa

Elder Tadej of Vitovnitsa
Father Tadej (Thaddeus, Фадей) was born in Serbia in 1914. Aged 15, he was told by doctors that he had only five years to live. The young man entered the monastery of Milkovo, where he became a monk, the disciple of Russian monks who had taken refuge there. They had come to Serbia as a result of the Bolshevik coup d'etat in Russia and the neo-calendarist persecution of Orthodoxy at Valaam Monastery, then in Finland. Among the Russian monks at Milkovo was the well-known Fr. Ambrose, a disciple of St Ambrose of Optina. It was from him that Fr. Thaddeus soon learned the Jesus Prayer.

After the repose of his revered elder, the saintly Fr. Ambrose, Fr. Thaddeus moved to the monastery of Gorniak, where he was tonsured by its Russian Abbot Fr. Seraphim. Two years later Fr. Thaddeus was ordained priest. After this he was given various obediences and until the outbreak of the Second World War served at the Patriarchate in Pec.

From here he returned to Belgrade where he was arrested by the Gestapo, who had already arrested Patriarch Gabriel and the future St Nicholas (Velimirovich). They considered Fr Thaddeus to be one of the leaders of the Serbian resistance to the Nazi occupation. However, these charges were dropped, Fr. Thaddeus was released and he set off for the monastery of Vintovitsa.

Fr. Thaddeus was to remain in Vintovitsa for most of the rest of his life. He became known as an elder and every day received all who came to him for advice, support and consolation. However, he was persecuted by those jealous of him and spent the final years of his life with spiritual children. He departed this life on 13 March 2003 and was buried in the monastery of Vitovnitsa. He is venerated by his many spiritual children, especially Serbs, Montenegrins, Macedonians, Bosnians, including former Muslims whom he converted to Christ.

Sayings of Elder Tadej in English
Sayings of Elder Tadej in Serbian

Valaam Monastery - Step to the Skies

Valaam Monastery - Step to the Skies
Mount Athos of the North, the worthy and great Lavra -- so was called this ancient monastic dwelling, which was founded by Saints Sergius and Herman, the Valaam Miracle Workers. More than once did the Valaam Monastery see destruction and devastation, more than once did its monks die by the edge of the sword more than once were its holy churches engulfed in flames. But every time, the monastery recovered from its wounds, rose and flourished again.

Official website of Valaam Monastery