Nicholas Cabasilas was a passionate follower of Jesus Christ who lived in Constantinople in the 1300s, before the Ottoman Turks, led by Mohammed the Conqueror, over threw the city and named it Istanbul.

This history was made famous in a song called Istanbul (not Constantinapole) recorded by The Four Lads in 1953.  You can listen to it and see some pictures of Istanbul (not Constantinople) at this link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZfR33-m_tQ 

I hope these quotations from Nicholas Cabasilas inspire and motivate you.

“The greatest joy follows the greatest love.”

“It is not possible for those who have not died to sin, to live for God.”

“It is altogether necessary that faith be shown forth in our deeds.”

“When love of the Savior produces nothing new or extaordinary in us, it proves that we have encountered no more than mere words about Him.”

“Restraining one’s soul by good thoughts leads to cessation from evil thoughts.”

“Being occupied with and employed in base things brings destruction to the soul.”

“The Old Covenant was a word which instructed; now it is Christ Himself who is present and disposes and forms the souls of men.”

“For him who has lost reverence for God, all that might have availed to restrain wickedness has been removed.”