Seek, my child, the nobility
of the soul, for it is truth; that of the body is false. Do not seek
honor from men, for this injures one; but rather, seek heavenly glory .
. . . You are to be sympathetic with all the brethren and help them as
much as possible; and, you are to minister to them that are unable
or weak. Do not desire to live by another's labors . . . . Never
ridicule anyone, and especially when they are in misfortune. When you hear that a certain brother is disorderly, supplicate God to
correct his life. Visit and help the sick, and serve the brethren as
their servant; so you might be a friend of Christ Who, for your sake,
became a servant and minister. Always heed, my child, not to fall into
temptations. However, if it happens that you should fall, immediately rise up and amend yourself with repentance, and again
hasten to prayer. In this manner, live your life, my child, and God
shall always come to you and help you in soul and body.
St. Theodora of Alexandria, "The Lives of the Spiritual Mothers: An Orthodox Materikon of Women Monastics and Ascetics
Today the bonds of childlessness are loosed, * for God has heard Joachim and Anna * and He promises manifestly that they, against all hope, would give birth to the Maiden of God * from whom the Uncircumscribed One Himself would be born, becoming man, * and he commanded the Angels to cry out to her: * “Rejoice, O Full of Grace, the Lord is with you!” (Troparion - Tone 4)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Today the whole world celebrates * the conception of Anne which was brought about by God, * for she gave birth to the one who, beyond understanding, * gave birth to the Word. (Kontakion - Tone 4)
Saint Nicholas of Myra
The truth of your deeds has revealed you to your flock, * as a rule of faith, an image of meekness, and a teacher of abstinence. * Therefore, you attained the heights through humility, * and riches through poverty. * O Father and Hierarch Nicholas, * pray to Christ God that our souls may be saved. (Troparion, Tone 4)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
In Myra, You were shown to be a servant of the sacred things, O Holy Nicholas, * for, fulfilling the Gospel of Christ, you, O Venerable, laid down your life for your people, * and saved the innocent from death. * Therefore, you were sanctified as a great initiate of the grace of God. (Kontakion, Tone 3)