The Watchful Gate

These quotes demonstrate that the essential practice which leads one to true knowledge in whatever culture or circumstances is uncovering and listening to conscience.

"The saintly father also mentioned the good things that were taught by the pagan philosophers. Like a truly wise bee, he gathered up every useful thing from them and presented it in his teaching just at the right moment. For example, the sayings "Nothing in excess", "Know thyself", and so on, which I mention, not only because I consider them to be important but also, because my weakness compels me."

-Abba Dorotheos

(Note: "Nothing in excess", "Know thyself". The first saying is found in Theognis of Megara and in the Lyric poet Pindar, while the second is from Aristotle. The use of these saying s in the context of this spiritual text is a proof that the Fathers did not hesitate to use terminology and the categories of Greek thought in order to speak about their faith and spiritual life. The Fathers were open to embracing all things considered positive to the evangelical position. The words of Justin the Apologist are characteristic: "Whatever things have been rightly said by anyone belong to us Christians".)

"Though not with the same power as in the people of God, nevertheless the presence of the Spirit of God also acted in the pagans who did not know the true God, because even among them, God found the chosen people. For instance, there were the virgin-prophetesses called Sibyls who vowed virginity to an unknown God, but to God, the Creator of the universe, the all-powerful ruler of the world, as He was conceived by the pagans. Though the pagan philosophers also wandered in the darkness of ignorance of God, yet they sought the truth which is beloved by God. Because of this, God-pleasing seeking, they could partake of the Spirit of God. It is said, that nations who do not know God, practice by nature the demands of the law and do what is pleasing to God (cf. Rom. 2:14). The Lord so praises truth that He says of it Himself by the Holy Spirit: "Truth has sprung from the earth, and justice has looked down from heaven" (Ps. 84[85]:11)."

"So you see, your Godliness, both in the holy Hebrew people,a people beloved by God, and in the pagans who did not know God,there was preserved a knowledge of God - thus, my son, a clear and rational comprehension of how our Lord God the Holy Spirit acts in man, and by means of our inner and outer feelings, one can be sure that this is really the action of our Lord God the Holy Spirit,and not a delusion of the enemy. That is how it was, from Adam's fall, until the coming into the world of the Lord Jesus Christ,in the flesh."

-St. Seraphim of Sarov

"It is certain that there are many people, even very barbarians and nomads, who exchange their manners and become good and beautiful, transgressing the bestial laws, that always had the power among them. This way then in all universally the Holy Spirit is. Yet specifically and according to another conception, He is in all who live according to law, as legislative and foretelling future mysteries, generating in them the sense of transgression of the commands and the science of the foretold perfection according to Christ. Hence we see also many of them to abandon the old worship, which lies in shadows, and being transposed willfully to the new and mystical worship."

-St. Maximus the Confessor