For this reason He was incarnated, as if on an icon depicting both piety and virtue, so that each and every one, looking at Him, would imitate the Prototype as much as possible. For this reason He wore our body, so that we, too, as much as possible, would imitate His life. Therefore, when you hear about His words or deeds, do not accept it as you have to, superficially, but immerse yourself in the depths of contemplation, try to become a partaker of the mysterious essence of what is said (113, 278).

God, who created man, is true Life; therefore, whoever has lost the likeness of God has also lost communion with life... St. Basil the Great (8:56).

As Adam was the beginning of the death of all the living, so our Lord was the beginning of life for all the dead. St. Ephraim the Syrian (31:102).

The Lord has come as an intercessor for you, to call upon the lost, the wounded, to return to you the original image of the pure Adam. St. Macarius of Egypt (33, 192).

A Christian is one who, as far as a person is possible, imitates Christ in words, deeds and thoughts. The Monk John of the Ladder (113, 278).

Each of us is a painter of our own life. Our soul is like a canvas, virtues are colors; Jesus Christ is the image from which we must copy. St. Gregory of Nyssa (113, 278).

He (Jesus Christ) inclined the unbelievers to the faith by persuasion, brought the ungrateful to their senses with condescension, answered those who contradicted with meekness, mercifully tolerated the proud, humbly yielded to persecutors, the murderers of the prophets and the eternal enemies of God, even in the very hour of suffering on the cross, wished to bring them to God (113:279).

If we are in Christ, if we have put on Him, if He is the way of salvation for us, then, following this path of salvation, we will imitate His example, as the Apostle John convinces us: "Whoever says that he abides in Him must do as He did" (1 John 2:6). St. Cyprian of Carthage (113, 279).

If Jesus Christ had not been the true God, He would not have left us an example. Saint Leo, Pope of Rome (113, 279).

And your Lord loved and called to Himself those who hated Him, and the weaker they were, the more He cared for them. He vouchsafed His table to publicans and sinners. The more the Jewish people despised and reviled Him, the more He gave them help and mercy. And thou shalt imitate Him (113:279).

If you are the body of Christ, then bear the cross, because He bore it; endure spitting, blows on the face, crucifixion, as He endured, although He was sinless... (45, 28).

If you are a student, then imitate the teacher, this is the duty of the student. If He Himself went through sorrows, and you go through tranquility, you are going the wrong way. How then do you follow without following? And how can you be a disciple without following the Master? St. John Chrysostom (113, 279).

Every Christian must be meek, quiet and patient in adversity, not repaying evil for evil to anyone, because Christ Himself was subjected to reproach from the Jews, endured, endured beatings and blows on the face. St. Athanasius the Great (113, 279).

Do you see how boundless is the march for those who ascend to God, how the past always becomes the beginning of that which lies above? St. Gregory of Nyssa (19:276).