Why Christians Must be Readers

READ THE lives of the Saints and see how many hardships they endured against their “old man” spoken of by St Paul in Romans 6:6. ~Letter 23

The lives of the Saints and the writings they left us warm up the fervor of your soul and incite it to desire ardently our sweetest Jesus, just as officers in the army tell their troops about the feats of the brave and thus make them fight valiantly. ~Letter 11

If you read the lives of the saints and toil (pray) a little at night, you will quickly obtain what you seek, and your soul will rejoice that Christ loves you so much. ~Letter 77

Never neglect reading from the Fathers. You will benefit greatly because the saints set an example for you. You see your faults and failings as if in a mirror and correct your life. Reading is like light in the darkness. ~Letter 26

Read the divine books so that your nous may be enlightened by them and that your soul may be directed along a spiritual path. And this divine reading will become your heavenly dowry and eternal riches. ~Letter 44

Reading enlightens the nous and helps the [Jesus] prayer. Bodily labor, when it is done in moderation and does not cause agitation, is very beneficial: it leads you to humility. ~Letter 72