From - ETERNAL MYSTERIES BEYOND THE GRAVE by Archimandrite Panteleimon 1

taken from

ETERNAL MYSTERIES BEYOND THE GRAVE 1

by Archimandrite Panteleimon

Human beings who approach perfection and have achieved purity of heart, they who have “acquired the Spirit of God” [from St Seraphim’s conversation with Motovilov] even while they are still in this world, have the daring to enter the place of the Creator, and to join angels and the spirits of the saints. While they are still in their earthly bodies, they well know that they will reign with Christ; for already here on earth they have come to know the sweetness of divine illumination and the effect of God’s power. The supernatural gifts of communion with God, which the soul can receive when it is still in the body, are only an indication of those heavenly rewards which cannot even be told to man, since we possess no images or words fit for their description. Once they had risen to the heights of spiritual elevation while still in this life, these holy men experienced a blessedness and joy which resemble the eternal heavenly joy of the life to come. Hence these men were already angels and healed all kinds of illnesses, both mental and physical. When they were praying they were transfigured and shone with the light with which the Savior shone on Mt Tabor. The forces of nature obeyed them; men and beasts, plants, water, and air did their will. Their thoughts, their visions and contemplations have been left for us in their works, and these works, illumined from above, contain accounts of the future life, that life which begins beyond the grave. Some of these accounts are included in this book. Their teachings on immortality can briefly be summarized in a single paragraph: Man is a being destined to immortality. Thus he cannot help having a concept and an expectation of it. In some individuals, however, this feeling is strong, while in others it is so weak that it hardly shows itself. Why is this so? The reason is that man in his present condition contains two parts. One of these is immortal and will not disappear with death; the other one is mortal and lives only until death. Each of these parts produces in man a disposition related to it. Both are so tightly knit that they form one whole. Therefore, the feeling of immortality together with the feeling of mortality merge into one indefinite and vague feeling. When a man lives relying chiefly on that which in him is truly immortal, that is, his spirit and his conscience, then the feeling of immortality grows stronger. If, on the other hand, he gives himself over to that which in him is temporal and dead, namely, his flesh and blood, the feeling of mortality grows. Our soul avidly desires heavenly light and cannot therefore be satisfied with earthly goods. This is why many people who apparently possess all that is necessary for earthly happiness still often experience great sorrow of soul. Blessed Augustine, after he had tasted all the joys and beauties that the earth offers, exclaimed to God, “You have created us for Yourself, and our heart is restless until it finds rest in You.”

ARCHIMANDRITE PANTELEIMON AND HOLY TRINITY MONASTERY

Archimandrite Panteleimon (Nizhnik) – “My Son, do not Lose God!”

Archimandrite Panteleimon, the founder, and builder of Holy Trinity Monastery was born into a simple peasant family in the village or Rechitsa, in the Province of Grodno in Belarus, on January 16, 1895. His family was large, and to feed it, the father of the young Peter (Fr. Panteleimon’s secular name) had to work hard. Peter himself, from his earliest years, was accustomed to the hard work of the farmer.

His mother, a pious woman, imparted to her son a simple faith and was sincerely grieved when she learned that the eighteen-year-old Peter intended to travel to faraway America in order to make money to send home for the support of the family. She knew that many had returned from America having lost their faith, and she wept much over this. Unable to hear the sight of his mother’s tears, Peter asked why she wept so uncontrollably. Through her tears, his mother replied: “My son, do not lose God!” “These words of my mother remained in my heart and my memory all my life”. Fr. Panteleimon was to say in later life.

After his arrival in America, Peter worked first in a sugar factory near Chicago. He had to work on Sundays and feast days, and this weighed heavily upon the conscience of the young man. He thus began to consider how he might escape this, and addressing God, he asked Him: ” Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk O Lord!”. The year 1917 arrived, with all the bloody horrors which inundated the Russian land. Peter’s native village was put to the torch, and his family scattered all over Russia. Peter’s mind and heart inclined towards monasticism and in the year 1918, the twenty-three-year-old man entered the Monastery of St. Tikhon of Zadonsk in Pennsylvania. In 1920 Peter received the monastic tonsure, being given the name Panteleimon, and was ordained to the rank of hierodeacon; and in 1921 he was ordained a hieromonk.

He served often, laboured greatly for the good of the community, and diligently read the works of the holy Fathers. His personal piety, and the grace of God, which always “fulfills that which is lacking”, helped him to lead an ascetic life within the monastery. But soon, within ten years of his arrival at the Monastery of St. Tikhon, Fr. Panteleimon reached the conclusion that he could no longer live in a monastery where spiritual decay reigned without endangering his own soul. Many monks who had been ordained to the priesthood went out to service parishes, but Fr. Panteleimon did not consider this a legitimate solution to the situation; he still longed for a strict monastic life. He began to seek out a solitary place for himself, somewhere in a forest, near a spring, where he could “build a chapel in which to pray and live independently, far from the vanity and tumult of the world”.
A place was found – in size slightly more than three hundred acres, in New York State, near the town of Herkimer. In order to pay off even as little as half of the cost of the land, he had to work first for two years in Igor Sikorsky’s aeronautics factory. In the spring of 1930, after Pascha, as Fr. Panteleimon relates, “I arrived alone on my own land. Everything was in a state of neglect. There was tranquillity all around. Not a soul. I climbed a hill several times in the forest, delighting in the surrounding peace, and was able to see my own farm from there. There was a little old two-room cabin, without any windows, and a well nearby. On other portions of the farm, there were four wells. That was all there was. All around there was the forest and silence – a real wilderness. My first purchase for the farm was, I remember, a little metal tea kettle. I used to leave the house and go out to the farmyard, kindle a fire between three stones, and set the kettle, filled with water, over it; then I would go to the store in Jordanville for supplies. By the time I would return, the kettle would have boiled and breakfast would be ready”.

HOLY TRINITY MONASTERY JORDANVILLE NY
Gradually, brethren began to gather around him. His cell in the wilderness began to develop into a skete. In 1935, after Vladyka Vitaly (Maximenko) arrived in America, the consecration of the new church was to take place. On the feast of the Holy Spirit, the divine services were celebrated with great solemnity, presided over by Vladyka Vitaly, culminating in the consecration of the church. All went well, until suddenly, at the end of the liturgy, someone noticed that a fire had broken out on the second floor. The wind soon fanned the blaze, and within a few hours, the new church had burnt to the ground before its founder’s very eyes. It was difficult to bear this loss. But the brethren did not despair. They continued to labour, never losing hope that a church would be erected. In 1945, a new foundation was laid for the future Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. The following year, the brotherhood was augmented by monks originally from the Monastery of St. Job of Pochaev in Ladomirova, Czechoslovakia. The monastery began to grow, and Fr. Panteleimon contributed much to this growth by his own labours. He could be seen working at every phase of its construction. He cleared forested areas by himself, excavated ponds and lakes with a bulldozer, worked at typesetting. He managed to publish many books himself, including a twelve-volume set of the Lives of the Saints in Russian, a book on the lives of the ascetics of the 19th century, a handbook for the study of sacred history, and many others.

Fr. Panteleimon passed away on the 14/27 December 1984. May his memory be eternal!

Learn to respect and to love the lowly and simple people. by Saint Nikolai Velimirovic and ABOUT BOB

LEARN TO LOVE AND RESPECT THE LOWLY SIMPLE PEOPLE

by Saint Nikolai Velimirovic

 and

About Bob

Such as these are the most on earth: such as these are the most in the Kingdom of Heaven. In them, there is no pride, i.e., the basic madness from which the souls of the rich and the powerful of this world suffer. They carry out their duty in this world perfectly and yet it appears to them amusing when someone praises them for it, while the self-seeking men of this world seek praise for all their work and often, it is imperfectly completed. 

St. Alexander was an eminent philosopher and he left everything, hid himself from exalted society, the praise of the world and mingled with the lowliest and the simplest of men, as a charcoal-burner among charcoal-burners. Instead of former praises and honors, he endured with rejoicing that children ran after him and laughed at him because of his sootiness and raggedness. However, Alexander was not the only one who liked to live with the lowly and simple. Many kings and princes, learning of the sweetness of Christ's Faith, removed the crowns from their heads and fled from aristocratic vanity to be among the simple people. Did not He alone, the King of Kings, the Lord our Christ appear among shepherds and fishermen?" 

~ Saint Nikolai

The words of St Nikolai perfectly describe Bob (pictured below) and therefore a direct hit to the heart with me because I grew up around many alcoholics, lowly and simple people for a good portion of my life which moved me to add this anecdote.

ABOUT BOB

(I took these photos in Amana, Ia. sometime before Bob's repose)

Bob worked for me long before I was ordained an Orthodox priest.  I always felt strange putting it that way since I could not relate to him as an 'employee'.  He was somewhat younger than me, lowly and simple as St. Nikolai puts it.  Bob was not only lowly and simple, he was damaged.  Without exaggeration, a young boy in an adult body.   Bob once related to me that he was beaten as a child but I learned more of it from an acquaintance that knew him far longer than me.  His distorted speech, severely labored effort to communicate and slave-like reaction and gait when given instruction supported the story of his past and evoked such compassion such that the who, what or why of it, required no confirmation.   Nevertheless, Bob was clothed in innocence and purity of heart which whelmed every mangled effort to express words and gestures.

Occasionally, again very much child-like, he attempted to criticize his friend Terry, who was older and who often accompanied Bob and me on a job.   One of those instances was when Bob found out that Terry didn't attend his mother's funeral.  Terry always calmly defended himself with, 'she didn't mind'.   Terry, at least in expression, appeared to love his dog more than his mother.  He always called her "Mama Dog", an overweight, possibly Beagle mix.  It was more than obvious that Terry was also molded by a background far from what we would call normal.

Bob worked so hard that large quantities of white foam would collect in the corners of his mouth - much like a horse with the white streaks of sweat on his neck from a long gallop.   Seeing Bob "slaving" in such a manner,  I envisioned, with heartache, a horrid past of some sort that contorted his effort from moderation to a sustained full throttle in an instant.  I immediately asked him to stop working and sit.  I never let him work that hard again.  

Please forgive the analogy.  Bob approached everyone "tail wagging", a gesture of humility saddled to a tribute.   At times, with a few others, which only he seemed to sense, Bob would remain at a short distance, expressionless and quiet.

People like Bob are like uncut gems from the earth but with facets that reflect light and shine most brilliantly - without polish. 

I will never forget Bob in my prayers and can still hear him stretching and distorting my name, which always preceded a long stutter.  Eternal memory.

Photographer unknown

A few of many comments about Bob made by others who knew him.

Bob would light up the room with his beautiful smile. I for one looked forward to that everyday as it made me smile as well. 

The world has lost a true angel! Such a friendly, humble soul. We were blessed to have Bob in our lives and will miss his beautiful smile and gentle nature.

My children, ...... , loved Bob, as did our entire church. His life was a blessing to others. 

The thing about Bobby was the peace and joy that emanated from him during all events in his life. This is just the way that Bob was. .... his love and respect for the Lord was obvious.

I helped Bob get around town and helped him fulfill his needs any way I could. What Bob didn't know was that I needed him way more than he ever needed me. He was the one person that would always listen no matter what I was rambling on about. He would then deliver his genuine smile and you immediately knew that everything would be okay. He was a wonderful man and a good friend to many. He is loved and will be dearly missed.

ONE WORLD: Carol's Hands

ENCOUNTER:  Carol's Hands - God always gives us the edge

Once again, another encounter. This time just inside the front doors of a Walmart, with a man named Carol.

  

Carol was sitting on an electric shopping cart just inside the doors waiting for his wife.  As I was about to take one of the other carts, he began speaking to me.  I was quickly distracted when I caught sight of his hands, or rather absence of them.  My mind took flight from his words.

Carol is 82.  Only two thumbs developed, each on a partial palm.  No fingers.  Carol drove truck for almost 40 years, just how I don't know.   I suppose anyone who can zip and unzip a coat with only two tiny thumbs, is capable of about anything. We shook hands.  Careful not to glance down at his hand as we touched, I kept my eyes on his eyes.  Gently but firmly my hand completely encased his.  It was the hand of a child.  With his hand in mine there was a transfer of information faster than the devices we now plug into or "pair" with but here a transfer of feeling, emotion, tactile, visible, a lifetime of labor, suffering and endurance at the wheel.  I wanted to weep and cheer simultaneously. 

Distracted even further, I recalled the similar effects of a drug introduced in the 50's called Thalidomide* and asked if his condition was the result of his mother having taken it.  Not thinking, I realized he was born before the drug was introduced. He replied, no, and added that he had not been injured, but was the result of a congenital malformation or simply, born without hands.

"Forgive me Carol but your life is inspiring to me.  I spend too much time at a computer and as a distraction, I initiate a slideshow of photographs on a computer monitor near me.  If you allow me to take your photograph, I will be inspired each time your photo appears."  Carol responded as though he expected the request, and, with a big smile quite happily permitted me to take his picture.  He even asked if he could remove his jacket, which at first puzzled me, but curiosity vanished as I watched him unzip it and later zip it up with thumbs only.  Although done somewhat slowly, I could not clearly detect the precise movement of his palms. It was nonetheless amazing to see and, my guess, judging by his enduring smile, enjoyable for  him to show me!  At my request he crossed his arms.  

So often we hear the term, 'count your blessings'.  Frankly, I don't feel counting them is that difficult for anyone.  Recognizing them however is another story.  And I am not talking about being appreciative for having what others may lack, such has hands, but rather recognizing that our greatest source of blessings, after God, that come from being aware of and knowing that God Himself fashioned all things with "his own hands".

Carol's wife arrived.  An oxygen tank trailed behind her.  She was a heavy set woman with a child's face and a manner to go with it.  Unexpectedly she terminated Carol's story in order to express her sadness and discontent with what she perceives as an increase in prejudice, and people judging each other in these times - something many others, even in brief encounters, quickly allude to.   

Although the three of us spoke for at least half an hour, I was more than a little overwhelmed with the child-like spirit and charity of these two people so much so that it clouded most of the conversation, except the occasional gratitude they gracefully and succinctly offered our Lord Christ.  Nevertheless, I left not only inspired but more aware of my self-centeredness and self-pity.  

As we all know, there are countless forms of suffering in the world, by those who endure and those who fail to endure, suffering from those who abuse, and the suffering of those who are abused.  Nevertheless, followers believe that Christ is everywhere present and fills all things and therefore know all things are possible in Him, they know that He is in and beyond His creation simultaneously, that He does what He pleases but He is the answer to all things.  What greater joy when our Father Christ allows us to experience directly the depth of is His own personal love for us.  How wonderful when we feel Him and His love being shared by two or more creatures, especially sinful people.

So, regardless of an individual or creature's appearance, image, intellect, status, race, species, virtue or lack of it, etc., can we not say that each encounter and its infinite facets, is a step beyond and, a even a stumbling block to all sciences, philosophy, etc., and what is referred to as the uncertainty principle and the correspondence principle or rather Quantum Mechanics?  Or who, from all the "greatest" of men, has asked:  How can I know the universe when I don't even know myself and its Creator? 

In fact, for those who believe and those who know, all questions are answered in the verse:  St Matthew 6:22 ...if thine eye be single, thy whole body will be filled with light.

*Thalidomide first appeared in Germany on 1st October 1957. It was marketed as a sedative with apparently remarkably few side effects. The Drug Company that developed it believed it was so safe it was suitable for prescribing to pregnant women to help combat morning sickness. The drug was NOT thoroughly tested however and resulted in Phocomelia, the name given to the flipper-like limbs which appeared on the children of women who took thalidomide. Babies effected by this tragedy were given the name 'Thalidomide Babies' (photo). 

I caution you NOT to look for more images of Thalidomide children online unless you want to break your heart. You will be appalled! May God forgive us for so many things.

Thalidomide children

RETURNING TO OUR FATHER

Dear Fr. Raphael,

Evlogeite!

Dear +++

O Kyrios

I'm still going through my hard drive, and came across this quote from a French Catholic priest who died in 1751. Does it reflect an Orthodox understanding of surrendering to God?

I am interested in your opinion but since you ask, I will of course give you my opinion which undoubtedly will, if nothing else, at least confirm what I don't know.  

Perfection consists in doing the will of God, not in understanding His designs.

From reading Abba Dorotheos, he describes perfection as the acquisition of virtue.   I'm sorry I can't provide the reference.  As for me personally, the oneness we have in Christ is everything.  Whatever He chooses for me to understand or be made privy to is another of His gifts, which are outside of all things.  Forgive me, I don't intend to stake any kind of claim, I simply repeat what the fathers have revealed to all of us.

The designs of God, Isn't the design that all men should be saved? the good pleasure of God, Isn't God's good pleasure that all men should be saved? the will of God, Isn't His will that all men should be saved? the operation of God and the gift of His grace are all one and the same thing in the spiritual life. It is God working in the soul to make it like unto Himself. What is the soul if not the image and likeness of God?  It is however stained with sin but the Light of God, when acquired washes away the stain.  Is anything lacking once someone is saved?  Perfection is neither more nor less than the faithful co-operation (I'm not to fond of the use of co-operation in this) of the soul with this work of God, and is begun, grows, and is consummated in the soul unperceived and in secret. (?) [The science of theology is full of theories and explanations of the wonders of this state in each soul according to its capacity. One may be conversant with all these speculations, speak and write about them admirably, instruct others and guide souls; , one is, compared with those who, without any knowledge of these theories, receive the meaning of the designs of God and do His holy will, like a sick physician compared to simple people in perfect health. The designs of God and his divine will, accepted by a faithful soul with simplicity, produces this divine state in it without its knowledge, just as a medicine taken obediently will produce health, although the sick person neither knows nor wishes to know anything about medicine. As fire gives out heat, and not philosophical discussions about it, nor knowledge of its effects, so the designs of God and His holy will work in the soul for its sanctification, and not speculations of curiosity as to this principle and this state. When one is thirsty, one quenches one’s thirst by drinking, not by reading books which treat of this condition. The desire to know does but increase this thirst. Therefore when one thirsts after sanctity, the desire to know about it only drives it further away. Speculation must be laid aside, and everything arranged by God as regards actions and sufferings must be accepted with simplicity, for those things that happen at each moment by the divine command or permission are always the most holy, the best and the most divine for us.]

If I understand this clearly, I agree with it.
If you will indulge me, I had many sessions with an individual, who was far, far more well read in Orthodoxy dogmatics, history, practice, etc. than me (which isn't saying much) and could question and answer just about everything, but he lacked the following.  Once I realized we both were at a dead end, I prayed silently.  As a result I felt the following was appropriate.  Everyone must understand what Christ requires when He says that anyone who seeks to lose His life forHis sake, will have it.  In other words,  we must deny (St. Matt. 16:24) ourselves (the self)entirely.  Subsequently I advised this person, to forget everything he knew.   As time went on, he remained entangled and shackled.  After all, without Christ we can do nothing (St John 15:5).   The question asks,If without Him we are nothing, than what if we are with Him?  But to be worthy of Him, we must love Him above father, mother, son or daughter..... (St. Matthew 10:37).

At our last meeting, I suggested he stop studying, fretting, and trying to understand God, etc., etc., until he could forget himself and simply be the prodigal that we all are.  Imagine returning home having spent your inheritance, shaming your own being, shaming your father and so on, and yet the virtue of humility is acquired.  Without it, nothing would have been gained.  Although it is difficult to give up pride, could the rest have been any more simple?  Did he go through any interrogation from his father?  Did his father not come out to meet him?  Didn't he kiss him on the neck and make a banquet for him?

Once we acquire virtue and repent, our Father comes to meet us, embraces and kisses us and we are home.

+ I pray you find, from trying to make sense of what I have said, that which can only be granted to those who keep their lamps burning with the oil of virtue, while knocking on the doors of Paradise.

+++	12:25 AM (6 hours ago)
to me

To me, the text struck a cord. It is part of a larger work, but I believe in this case the author was discussing the will of God and His designs not from a macro point of view, but from a micro one. The will of God (of course) is for all of us to be saved, to acquire the virtues and struggle against the passions, to bring ourselves as close to Him as possible. But how are we to deal with day-to-day challenges, or profoundly significant ones, in terms of “understanding His designs”? Having a close friend or family member die, or losing a job, losing a spouse, coming down with a fatal illness, losing your home to a fire or natural disaster… I think we all – even people of faith – try to intellectually rationalize what God’s purpose is in sending such trials, and I think the whole point of the article is… don’t. Your struggle isn’t to know what God’s purpose in such things are, particularly if you can’t find any obvious one. (I suppose if you can, it’s a blessing.) We should simply follow the example of Job, embrace the good and the bad, and take comfort in the knowledge that if we are doing what we should – struggling, fighting the good fight – that is enough. Accept what He has given you and continue on. Knowing “why things happen” isn’t necessary; we need to simply be faithful to Him… I didn’t know if the text was too fatalistic in its approach, at least from an Orthodox perspective.

Your last comments about putting aside all our questions and just accepting our role as the prodigal - that is something I need to work on! Thank you for your insights – I’m getting too tired to think, so better head to bed!

In Christ,

LETTER TO INDIVIDUAL CONCERNING HEAVEN AND HELL, STATE AND PLACE

Dear Fr. Raphael
Evlogeite!
In your last reply in our “Downfall” discussion, you mentioned the concept of hell being a state of mind versus a place. I have read some excellent articles on the subject from Frs. John Romanides and George Metallinos that agree with that assessment. But today I was going through my hard drive, trying to clean things up a bit, and I came across some notes on Fr. Seraphim Rose’s “The Soul After Death.” I did not write the notes and have no idea who wrote them, but I had them saved and they touch on the subject of “place” versus “state” and a few others things. It isn’t long, and it doesn’t appear to be complete. Would you mind taking a glance at it and give me your thoughts? I know everything surrounding this subject can only be inadequately explained, yet I would like to expand what I know about the general understanding of the Church. Thanks for any insights.
In Christ,
xxx

Dear xxx

Evlogia Kyriou
QUOTE: St. John Chrysostom(os) rightly says that we need to know simply that hell really exists and how to avoid going there! So, on the one hand, we know that heaven and hell are "somewhere," not nowhere, but beyond this we must relate to these realities by faith, not by sight. See I Cor. 13:12.

Who am I to comment? Nevertheless, here is how I feel about it, so take it as you will.

St Luke 17: 20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: 21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
As it says, '...the kingdom of God is within you.' Is it not then a place? We know that a dissection will not reveal it, yet to KNOW what 'within' means, wouldn't you agree requires it to be revealed or, one needs to be in that place or rather, the acquisition of the Holy Spirit - "Theosis"? And again, I think we discussed:

St. Luke 16:22-30 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;

23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

Does this not indicate a place and a state? If it is a 'place' as we understand 'places', then would we not assume that the two places (hell and Abraham’s bosom) can be traversed? But that is not the case at all or the rich man wouldn't be asking for a drop of water, (besides what would an actual drop of water do? Isn’t the drop of water God’s grace or forgiveness?) which, in conjunction with what I have read from *St. John the Wonderworker and St. Isaac of Nisibis, the idea of a 'state' is comprehensible since we do indeed experience God's grace and love while in the flesh, and at the same time, the consequences of doing what displeases Him. Do we not?

24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime received thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:

28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

*St. John the Wonderworker: I'm sorry but I cannot give you the actually reference but it exists in one of the Paragon blogs. 

 Nevertheless, St. John says that when we eventually come before Christ, Who is only Love, with unrepented sins, lacking love of God and neighbor, we experience such remorse and indignation which in turn prevents us from approaching Him.

And from St Issac:

I also maintain that those who are punished in Gehenna are scourged by the scourge of love. Nay, what is so bitter and vehement as the torment of love? I mean that those who have become conscious that they have sinned against love suffer greater torment from this than from any fear of punishment. For the sorrow caused in the heart by sin against love is more poignant than any torment. It would be improper for a man to think that sinners in Gehenna are deprived of the love of God.

Love is the offspring of knowledge of the truth which, as is commonly confessed, is given to all.

The power of love works in two ways. It torments sinners, even as happens here when a friend suffers from a friend.

But it becomes a source of joy for those who have observed its duties.

Thus I say that this is the torment of Gehenna: bitter regret.

But love inebriates the souls of the sons of Heaven by its delectability.

In proportion to your humility you are given patience in your woes; and in proportion to your patience the burden of your afflictions is made lighter and you will find consolation; in proportion to your consolation, your love of God increases; and in proportion to your love, your joy in the Holy Spirit is magnified. Once men have truly become His sons, our tenderly compassionate Father does not take away their temptations from them when it is His pleasure to ‘make for them a way to escape’ (1 Cor. 10:13), but instead He gives His sons patience in their trials. All these good things are given into the hand of their patience for the perfecting of their souls.”

“In love did God bring the world into existence; in love is God going to bring it to that wondrous transformed state, and in love will the world be swallowed up in the great mystery of the one who has preformed all these things; in love will the whole course of the governance of creation be finally comprised.”

“If you practice an excellent virtue without perceiving the taste of its aid, do not marvel; for until a man becomes humble, he will not receive a reward for his labor. Recompense is given, not for labor, but for humility.”

Note: I read from Fr Seraphim Rose's book on Life after Death in the late 80's and also from Fr. Lazar Puhalo's on the subject. You may know that Metropolitan Philaret (Saint Philaret) called Fr. Lazar to a spiritual court because of the controversy between his book and that of Fr. Seraphim. Since did not respond, he was deposed. That is neither here nor there but for me, I am content with what I have read from St. John the Wonderworker and St. Isaac. And so, once more:

St. John Chrysostomos rightly says that we need to know simply that hell really exists and how to avoid going there! So, on the one hand, we know that heaven and hell are "somewhere," not nowhere, but beyond this we must relate to these realities by faith, not by sight.



Our Lord said that if our eye is single, we will be filled with light. Since Christ is the Light then what better way to make our eye single than by looking for and asking as continual as possible and advisable, for nothing, nothing at all, other than Him. And if we are fixed on Him (i.e. He is our Life) then should we not ask in lowliness to see all things as He sees them? And how does He see them? as that which He would and did give His life for. If we see all things in that Light, what concerns for heaven and hell do we have? If we are with Him, we are already in heaven, are we not? And isn't that the reason St. Paul tells us to pray ceaselessly or does he simply want us to become slaves to repetition? We don't seek and seek and seek. The objective is to find, to knock and have it opened to us, to ask and receive.



Again, please forgive my inadequacies and arrogance. I cannot help with your question as someone who is an accomplished follower of Christ but only offer my own personal view.

I DON'T LIKE HIM

I DON'T LIKE HIM

Here is the final portion of a short quote from the most illustrious and holy father Isaac of Nisibis (306 A.D.) 

‘…..Christ, who had no dislike for sinners, but prayed for them.’ St Isaac

St Isaac reminds me of a time when I heard a young and pious girl say:‘We are supposed to love everyone but we don’t have to like them.’

When I heard it come out of this young innocent mouth, the ears of my heart ached because it was said in Christ’s presence - our Christ Who directly commands us to LOVE our neighbor.

Our Savior Christ said nothing about which neighbors should be loved or which neighbors should be liked or disliked. He said ‘Love thy neighbor as thyself’ How much? As thyself!

When someone, anyone, offends you in anyway, what should you do? Have you not easily turned toward a friend and said you don’t like that person? But would you say it infront of a friend of the person who offends you?

Christ is the friend of man as in - all men. Are we not one in Christ? Did He not make man and woman from man? Only sin separates us. Our Savior said He is with us always, so when we sin do we not go away from Him and thereby cause Him to follow us when we should always remain by His side?