If all Christians read the Old and New Testaments of God, they would fear God more and go to church more often to hear the word of God. It would then be easier for the priests to preach to the people and to interpret the will of God and the law of God. I am also often troubled by the thought that some of the listeners will not understand me, because they have never read the Holy Scriptures, nor do they have one at home, nor can they tell what is the Old Testament and what is the New Testament. That tormenting thought prompted me to tell you more than once: Take the Holy Scriptures, as you hold the icon in the house, so hold the Holy Scriptures. The icon is holy in colors, and the Holy Scripture is holy in words. Read the Holy Scriptures, look at the icon. The Holy Scriptures teach you how you should live, and the icon shows you the image of a saint who lived according to the Holy Scriptures. Just as you can do without any other food, but you can't do without bread; so it is possible without any other word, but it is not possible without the word of God. Fair bread and holy word. The Lord Jesus speaks about bread and about words, so he says: Man does not live by bread alone, but also by every word that comes out of the mouth of God.

Saint Bishop Nicholas

Source: Monastery of Podmaine