Saint Gregory the Theologian:
“The best and safest thing is to close the windows of the senses and turn to oneself, not accepting into the soul the impressions of worldly storms and human strife, which, like muddy streams, only defile the purity of thoughts.”
Saint Ephraim the Syrian:
"Curiosity about worldly rumors and wars is the enemy's secret network. He occupies a person's mind with other people's affairs so that he does not have time to repent of his own sins before the hour of exodus comes."
Saint John of Shanghai:
"There have always been and will always be wars and turmoil in the world, for the world lies in wickedness. But a Christian must guard his inner ark. Close the doors of the mind to external noise, so that amid the storm you may preserve the peace of Christ."
Venerable Paisius Velichkovsky:
"A mind captivated by concern for earthly kingdoms and wars becomes like a bird caught in a net. It flails, its wings weaken, and it cannot soar to Heaven. So too, a person who collects rumors is powerless to rise to pure prayer."
Saint Demetrius of Rostov:
"Many are eager to find out: 'What's new? What are the leaders' plans? Where have the troops moved?' But ask them: 'What's new in your heart? What passions have been conquered today?' - and they will remain silent, for their whole mind is turned outward, and within there is desolation."
Venerable Nilus of Sinai:
"Close your ears to news of others' misfortunes and strife, lest you feed your soul with the poison of hopelessness. The Lord rules the world, and entrust everything to Him, but keep the eye of your mind unperturbed."
Reverend Justin (Popovich):
"Worldly news bombards the human soul daily, trying to force it to live by earthly standards. But a Christian is called to live for eternity. Leave the world's worldly things, let the dead bury their dead, and you follow Christ in the silence of your heart."
Venerable Pimen the Great:
“The soul that seeks news from the world is like a house without doors and windows: all kinds of filth, stray dogs and evil thoughts enter it unhindered, defiling the sanctity of the heart.”
Saint John Chrysostom:
"You spend hours listening to stories of battles, the disputes of rulers, and the misfortunes of others, but you don't have even half an hour for the Word of God. Don't be surprised then that a barren desert reigns in your heart, not the peace of Christ."
Venerable Porphyrios Kavsokalyvite:
"When a person becomes preoccupied with politics and worldly concerns, he loses the Christ within. Don't fill your head with gloomy predictions and the horrors of war. Turn your gaze to the Light, and the darkness will retreat from your soul."
Ancient Patericon (sayings of the elders):
"A brother asked the elder, 'What should I do? My mind is constantly preoccupied with thoughts about the fate of nations and wars.' The elder replied, 'This is a sign that you have not yet truly begun to mourn your sins. He who sees his own dead lying at home does not run to the square to watch strangers being buried.'"
Saint Anthony the Great:
“If someone says to you: ‘Listen to what great things are happening in the world, how kingdoms are collapsing and nations are perishing,’ close your ears and answer: ‘My kingdom is not of this world, and I don’t need to know how other people’s houses are collapsing when I need to finish building the temple of my own soul.’”
* Saint Ephraim the Syrian:
"The devil is a cunning hunter. He knows it's difficult to trap a believer with obvious sin, and so he offers them a "noble" occupation—following the course of history and sympathizing with its misfortunes through the news. But the outcome is the same: the soul loses contrition and becomes filled with dry pride and fear."
* Saint John Chrysostom:
"You say, 'I must know the news to navigate the events of the times.' O blind man! The events of the times lead to only one thing—the end of the age and the Judgment. What good is it to you to know the precise path the world is taking to its destruction, if you yourself are straying from the path of salvation?"
* Saint Macarius of Optina:
"Any news of worldly troubles that enters the soul through curiosity leaves a dark residue. A person begins to mentally fight, defending some, cursing others, and without realizing it, becomes a slave to hatred. Guard yourself from this spiritual contagion."
* Saint Pachomius the Great:
“When a monk or layman begins to earnestly question those coming from the cities: ‘What is heard there about the armies and kings?’, the guardian angel leaves him with tears, for he sees that the person voluntarily sweeps the grace of prayer from his heart and covers it with the dust of earthly vanity.”
* Saint Ignatius (Brianchaninov):
"Reading secular news and immersing oneself in political calculations develops a terrible disease in a person—carnal wisdom. A person begins to rely on the strength of armies, the wisdom of politicians, or chance, completely forgetting that everything, absolutely everything, in the world happens by God's Providence."
* Venerable Isaac the Syrian:
"Silence of the mind from worldly news is the mysterious door through which Divine Light enters the heart. Curiosity about the affairs of kings and nations is the thick curtain that obscures this Light. Choose for yourself: whether to live in the Darkness of worldly chaos or in the Light of Christ's peace."
* Saint Seraphim of Sarov:
"My joy, I beg you: flee from conversations about worldly news as from snake venom. The snake wounds the body, but the news wounds the soul itself, depriving it of peace for many days. Let the world roll where it rolls, and hold fast to the robe of Christ."
* Saint Theophan the Recluse:
"What are our daily news, newspapers, and gossip? They are a murky, dirty stream in which the enemy drowns Christian souls. People think they are simply 'in the know,' but in reality, their minds are already paralyzed by fear, despondency, and unbelief. Close this window and look only to the Gospel."
* Elder Paisiy Svyatogorets:
"Worldly news brings only anxiety and spiritual despondency. Even if you knew everything that was happening on the entire planet, you wouldn't be able to fix it. But if you shut yourself away in silence and pray from a pure heart, your prayer will bring real help to both you and the entire world."
* Elder Thaddeus Vitovnitsky:
"Our minds should not be a dumping ground for world news. When we absorb news of wars and violence, our inner radio is tuned to hell. Switch it to heavenly frequencies through constant praise of God, and no fear will touch your heart."
* Saint Nicholas of Serbia:
"People are constantly searching for news because they have a void inside them that they try to fill with noise. But this void is filled only by God. Stop feeding on rumors of earthly victories and defeats; seek victory over your own egoism—that is the only news that matters for eternity."
* Venerable Porphyrios Kavsokalyvite:
"Do not study evil, do not immerse yourself in gloomy news and forecasts of wars and catastrophes. He who constantly looks at darkness becomes dark himself. Look to Christ, fill your soul with His Light, and then all external chaos will seem to you like nothing more than a thin smoke that will soon disappear."
* Reverend Laurentiy of Chernigov:
"The time will come when television and newspapers will say things that will make the weak-hearted die of fear. Don't watch or listen to this news, children. It's all demonic scare mongering designed to take away your faith. A Christian needs to know one piece of news: Christ is Risen!"
* Elder Joseph the Hesychast:
"A mind addicted to the news is a prodigal mind. It leaps from one piece of news to another, from one tragedy to another, and ultimately lacks the strength for repentance. Cut off this curiosity once and for all. Let the whole world die for you, and you, too, die to the world, so that you may rise in silence with Christ."
* Saint Silouan the Athonite:
"He who loves the Lord cannot be interested in worldly news. His mind is constantly occupied with God, and in this prayer he sees the sorrow of all humanity and weeps over it, not because of newspaper articles, but by the grace of the Holy Spirit, who reveals true love to the heart."
* Venerable Kuksha of Odessa:
"Why do you fill your holy heads with worldly filth? You read the news and start discussing, condemning, arguing. And the demon stands nearby and rejoices: he has stolen your prayer, driven the peace from your heart. Close your ears, pray quietly, and the Lord will protect you from any misfortune."
* Saint Luke of Crimea:
"Don't give in to the general panic sown by worldly news. Remember that above all armies, rulers, and alliances stands the Almighty God. Fear nothing, maintain your inner peace, and raise your children in faith and silence, away from the maddening noise of this age."
* Venerable Seraphim of Vyritsa:
"When you feel burdened and frightened by what people say around you, don't seek comfort in human rumors. Open the Psalter. Every word there is a medicine. Worldly news hurts, but God's Word heals. Keep your ark—your family and your heart—in deep silence."
Saint Gregory the Theologian:
"A mind that gathers news of battles and worldly upheavals everywhere is like a dog that runs around banquet tables, picking up scraps. Instead of feeding on the pure bread of the Divine Word, it feeds on rotten rumors and the malice of others."
John Chrysostom
"What does it matter to you who is at war with whom, or which king has fallen? Concern about the affairs of this world, if it turns into anxiety, robs you of peace. Contemplate not the movements of nations, but the movements of your own heart. For when you put your soul in order, you will see that God rules the world even when everything seems to be falling apart."
“The best and safest thing is to close the windows of the senses and turn to oneself, not accepting into the soul the impressions of worldly storms and human strife, which, like muddy streams, only defile the purity of thoughts.”
Saint Ephraim the Syrian:
"Curiosity about worldly rumors and wars is the enemy's secret network. He occupies a person's mind with other people's affairs so that he does not have time to repent of his own sins before the hour of exodus comes."
Saint John of Shanghai:
"There have always been and will always be wars and turmoil in the world, for the world lies in wickedness. But a Christian must guard his inner ark. Close the doors of the mind to external noise, so that amid the storm you may preserve the peace of Christ."
Venerable Paisius Velichkovsky:
"A mind captivated by concern for earthly kingdoms and wars becomes like a bird caught in a net. It flails, its wings weaken, and it cannot soar to Heaven. So too, a person who collects rumors is powerless to rise to pure prayer."
Saint Demetrius of Rostov:
"Many are eager to find out: 'What's new? What are the leaders' plans? Where have the troops moved?' But ask them: 'What's new in your heart? What passions have been conquered today?' - and they will remain silent, for their whole mind is turned outward, and within there is desolation."
Venerable Nilus of Sinai:
"Close your ears to news of others' misfortunes and strife, lest you feed your soul with the poison of hopelessness. The Lord rules the world, and entrust everything to Him, but keep the eye of your mind unperturbed."
Reverend Justin (Popovich):
"Worldly news bombards the human soul daily, trying to force it to live by earthly standards. But a Christian is called to live for eternity. Leave the world's worldly things, let the dead bury their dead, and you follow Christ in the silence of your heart."
Venerable Pimen the Great:
“The soul that seeks news from the world is like a house without doors and windows: all kinds of filth, stray dogs and evil thoughts enter it unhindered, defiling the sanctity of the heart.”
Saint John Chrysostom:
"You spend hours listening to stories of battles, the disputes of rulers, and the misfortunes of others, but you don't have even half an hour for the Word of God. Don't be surprised then that a barren desert reigns in your heart, not the peace of Christ."
Venerable Porphyrios Kavsokalyvite:
"When a person becomes preoccupied with politics and worldly concerns, he loses the Christ within. Don't fill your head with gloomy predictions and the horrors of war. Turn your gaze to the Light, and the darkness will retreat from your soul."
Ancient Patericon (sayings of the elders):
"A brother asked the elder, 'What should I do? My mind is constantly preoccupied with thoughts about the fate of nations and wars.' The elder replied, 'This is a sign that you have not yet truly begun to mourn your sins. He who sees his own dead lying at home does not run to the square to watch strangers being buried.'"
Saint Anthony the Great:
“If someone says to you: ‘Listen to what great things are happening in the world, how kingdoms are collapsing and nations are perishing,’ close your ears and answer: ‘My kingdom is not of this world, and I don’t need to know how other people’s houses are collapsing when I need to finish building the temple of my own soul.’”
* Saint Ephraim the Syrian:
"The devil is a cunning hunter. He knows it's difficult to trap a believer with obvious sin, and so he offers them a "noble" occupation—following the course of history and sympathizing with its misfortunes through the news. But the outcome is the same: the soul loses contrition and becomes filled with dry pride and fear."
* Saint John Chrysostom:
"You say, 'I must know the news to navigate the events of the times.' O blind man! The events of the times lead to only one thing—the end of the age and the Judgment. What good is it to you to know the precise path the world is taking to its destruction, if you yourself are straying from the path of salvation?"
* Saint Macarius of Optina:
"Any news of worldly troubles that enters the soul through curiosity leaves a dark residue. A person begins to mentally fight, defending some, cursing others, and without realizing it, becomes a slave to hatred. Guard yourself from this spiritual contagion."
* Saint Pachomius the Great:
“When a monk or layman begins to earnestly question those coming from the cities: ‘What is heard there about the armies and kings?’, the guardian angel leaves him with tears, for he sees that the person voluntarily sweeps the grace of prayer from his heart and covers it with the dust of earthly vanity.”
* Saint Ignatius (Brianchaninov):
"Reading secular news and immersing oneself in political calculations develops a terrible disease in a person—carnal wisdom. A person begins to rely on the strength of armies, the wisdom of politicians, or chance, completely forgetting that everything, absolutely everything, in the world happens by God's Providence."
* Venerable Isaac the Syrian:
"Silence of the mind from worldly news is the mysterious door through which Divine Light enters the heart. Curiosity about the affairs of kings and nations is the thick curtain that obscures this Light. Choose for yourself: whether to live in the Darkness of worldly chaos or in the Light of Christ's peace."
* Saint Seraphim of Sarov:
"My joy, I beg you: flee from conversations about worldly news as from snake venom. The snake wounds the body, but the news wounds the soul itself, depriving it of peace for many days. Let the world roll where it rolls, and hold fast to the robe of Christ."
* Saint Theophan the Recluse:
"What are our daily news, newspapers, and gossip? They are a murky, dirty stream in which the enemy drowns Christian souls. People think they are simply 'in the know,' but in reality, their minds are already paralyzed by fear, despondency, and unbelief. Close this window and look only to the Gospel."
* Elder Paisiy Svyatogorets:
"Worldly news brings only anxiety and spiritual despondency. Even if you knew everything that was happening on the entire planet, you wouldn't be able to fix it. But if you shut yourself away in silence and pray from a pure heart, your prayer will bring real help to both you and the entire world."
* Elder Thaddeus Vitovnitsky:
"Our minds should not be a dumping ground for world news. When we absorb news of wars and violence, our inner radio is tuned to hell. Switch it to heavenly frequencies through constant praise of God, and no fear will touch your heart."
* Saint Nicholas of Serbia:
"People are constantly searching for news because they have a void inside them that they try to fill with noise. But this void is filled only by God. Stop feeding on rumors of earthly victories and defeats; seek victory over your own egoism—that is the only news that matters for eternity."
* Venerable Porphyrios Kavsokalyvite:
"Do not study evil, do not immerse yourself in gloomy news and forecasts of wars and catastrophes. He who constantly looks at darkness becomes dark himself. Look to Christ, fill your soul with His Light, and then all external chaos will seem to you like nothing more than a thin smoke that will soon disappear."
* Reverend Laurentiy of Chernigov:
"The time will come when television and newspapers will say things that will make the weak-hearted die of fear. Don't watch or listen to this news, children. It's all demonic scare mongering designed to take away your faith. A Christian needs to know one piece of news: Christ is Risen!"
* Elder Joseph the Hesychast:
"A mind addicted to the news is a prodigal mind. It leaps from one piece of news to another, from one tragedy to another, and ultimately lacks the strength for repentance. Cut off this curiosity once and for all. Let the whole world die for you, and you, too, die to the world, so that you may rise in silence with Christ."
* Saint Silouan the Athonite:
"He who loves the Lord cannot be interested in worldly news. His mind is constantly occupied with God, and in this prayer he sees the sorrow of all humanity and weeps over it, not because of newspaper articles, but by the grace of the Holy Spirit, who reveals true love to the heart."
* Venerable Kuksha of Odessa:
"Why do you fill your holy heads with worldly filth? You read the news and start discussing, condemning, arguing. And the demon stands nearby and rejoices: he has stolen your prayer, driven the peace from your heart. Close your ears, pray quietly, and the Lord will protect you from any misfortune."
* Saint Luke of Crimea:
"Don't give in to the general panic sown by worldly news. Remember that above all armies, rulers, and alliances stands the Almighty God. Fear nothing, maintain your inner peace, and raise your children in faith and silence, away from the maddening noise of this age."
* Venerable Seraphim of Vyritsa:
"When you feel burdened and frightened by what people say around you, don't seek comfort in human rumors. Open the Psalter. Every word there is a medicine. Worldly news hurts, but God's Word heals. Keep your ark—your family and your heart—in deep silence."
Saint Gregory the Theologian:
"A mind that gathers news of battles and worldly upheavals everywhere is like a dog that runs around banquet tables, picking up scraps. Instead of feeding on the pure bread of the Divine Word, it feeds on rotten rumors and the malice of others."
John Chrysostom
"What does it matter to you who is at war with whom, or which king has fallen? Concern about the affairs of this world, if it turns into anxiety, robs you of peace. Contemplate not the movements of nations, but the movements of your own heart. For when you put your soul in order, you will see that God rules the world even when everything seems to be falling apart."