Saint Athanasius the Great: "There are two ways in life. One is ordinary and
worldly, that is marriage; the other one is angelic and a higher one, that is
celibacy. If someone chooses the worldly way — marriage — he will not be
censured, but he will not receive the same gifts. However, he will receive some
of them, because he brings the thirty-fold fruit. But if one chooses a glorious
way which is high above the world he will receive more wonderful gifts, though
this way is more mournful and difficult than the first one: because he has
brought a perfect and hundred-fold fruit."
Saint Gregory the Theologian: "There are two possible ways in life — marriage and
celibacy, and the latter is higher and more godlike, but it is more difficult
and dangerous, and the former is lower, but more safe..."
"Neither celibacy, nor marriage connect or disconnect us
with God or with the world entirely, so that one could be worthy of abhorrence,
and the other of unconditional praise. On the contrary, the mind must be
a good governor both in marriage and in celibacy, and to create virtue in them
like an artist in a certain material..." "Though marriage has an
earthly origin and celibacy makes us brides to Christ the King, it happens,
however, that celibacy throws us down to earth, and marriage brings us to
Heaven. That is why, if one began to blame marriage and another
one celibacy, both would be wrong..." "Virginal life is
better, really better; but if it serves the world and the earth it is worse
than marriage."
Return to the first page
