“We must have the determination to overcome temptations comparable to the sorrows of the first Christians. All the witnesses of Christ’s Resurrection were martyred. We should be ready to endure any hardship.”
“It is essential to read the Gospel, that incomparable book. Then our life will be built up on the basis of the Word of God. And we will begin to think and make decisions in the spirit of the Divine commandments. How beautiful, when one begins to think like the Creator of this world!”
“When we begin to lead the Christian life, all our labor, all our struggle [podvig] is directed towards accepting even our enemies with love. In this consists the Christian’s martyric witness.
Elder Sophrony
We are each given many opportunities in our daily life to endure the hardship of misunderstanding or wounded feelings.
We need such things to help purify our hearts.
Does it not say: Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. Do not run from hardship but embrace it as sent by God for your good.
In a very real way the Church of our Living God is a wonderful field of practice for such things. — Father Wayne