Do you fast? Then feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, visit the sick, do not forget the imprisoned, have pity on the tortured, comfort those who grieve and who weep, be merciful, humble, kind, calm, patient, sympathetic, forgiving, reverent, truthful and pious, so that God might accept your fasting and might plentifully grant you the fruits of repentance.

Yet, when we must put aside our wrath, quench our envy, soften our anger, offer our prayers, and show a disposition which is reasonable, mild, kindly, and loving, how could poverty stand in our way? For we accomplish these things not by spending money but by making the correct choice.

Fasting of the body is food for the soul.

Things themselves do not remain, but their effects do. Therefore we should not be mean and calculating with what we have but give with a generous hand. Look at how much people give to players and dancers-why not give just as much to Christ?

When you are weary of praying, and do not receive, consider how often you have heard a poor man calling, and have not listened to him.

Memory of our good works makes us negligent and leads to arrogance. Do not think of your good deeds, so that God may remember them.

Whether or not our prayer is heard depends not on the number of our words, but on the fervor of our souls.