Patristic Quote of the Day

In this way the saints are holy and blessed because of the Blessed One who is with them. Through Him they become alive instead of dead, wise instead of unwise, holy and righteous, and sons of God, instead of polluted, wicked, and slaves. From themselves and from human nature and effort there is nothing whatever that enables them to be justly so called. Rather, they are holy because of the Holy One, righteous and wise because of the righteous and wise One who abides with them. In short, if any men are really worthy of being called by these great and august names, their appellation derives from Him, especially because their own efforts and powers are so far from capable of making them righteous and wise that their righteousness is mere wickedness, their wisdom sheer folly. -- St. Nicholas Cabasilas, *The Life in Christ* p. 138