On love without God

It is impossible to replace the absence of God with a love for humankind, because man will immediately say: why should I love humankind?

F.M. Dostoevsky  

Saint Paisios on the role of the teacher

"To be a real teacher - especially in our time - is truly something great. Children are like blank cassette tapes. One can record on them either dreadful songs or divine Byzantine music. The work of a teacher is sacred. A great responsibility lies on his shoulders, and if he is attentive, he can receive a great reward from God. His duty is to teach children the Fear of God. Teachers must find ways to bring the knowledge of God and of their country to children. Let them simply plant the seeds; if you don't see how they sprout, it's alright. Nothing happens without leaving a trace, the time will come when the seeds bud.

And teachers should always behave kindly to children, with leniency, with love. They should try to awaken 'philotimia' (a sense of honour) in children. A child wants love and warmth. Many children are completely deprived of this at home. If a teacher loves a child, then the child will love him in return. And then it will be easier for the teacher to do his job. Our teacher, when we misbehaved, could whip us. But he loved children, and children loved him too. He didn't have his own kids, and he really loved children.

Therefore, mothers and fathers who give birth to many children are worthy of praise. But even more worthy of praise are those true teachers who give 'rebirth' to many children and become mothers and fathers of 'a great multitude of children.' They give society reborn people, and thus society improves."

Saint Paisios of Athos