Don’t ignore suffering, don’t reject it. Don’t seek the Cross, but hold on to it if it comes! Our Saviour Christ didn’t want the Cross, but when it was given to Him, he didn’t abandon it anymore. He didn’t give in at all. They tore His flesh, but He didn’t give in. He didn’t say any of the things His enemies wanted Him to say. And so, it is through the Cross and only through… [ read more ]
It’s not victory that’s important, it’s striving towards God – St. John Maximovitch
God’s grace always assists those who struggle, but this does not mean that a struggler is always in the position of a victor. Sometimes in the arena the wild animals did not touch the righteous ones, but by no means were they all preserved untouched.
What is important is not victory or the position of a victor, but rather the labour of striving towards God and devotion to Him.
Though a man may be found… [ read more ]
The Healer for the sinner is He who forgave even his crucifiers – St Isaac the Syrian
There is indeed, a Healer for the man who has stumbled, even He who on the Cross asked that mercy be shown to His crucifiers, He who pardoned His murderers while He hung on the Cross. All manner of sin, He said, and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men, that is, through repentance.