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Church Fathers V3 - Fr George Grube - Saint Mina Coptic Orthodox ...

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St. Anthony of Egypt who was found contemplating the mercy and providence<br />

of Almighty God concerning the departed, when a voice was heard saying,<br />

“Anthony, care for yourself, for the state of the dead are the judgments of God,<br />

and it is not for you to know them.”<br />

WRITINGS OF THE FATHERS:<br />

++++++++++<br />

+ If you wish to be delivered from grief, do not become attached in heart to<br />

anything, or anyone.<br />

- Metropolitan Philaret of Moscow<br />

+ One should always endure any grief, or trial, for the sake of God and with<br />

gratitude. Our life is a single minute in comparison with eternity, and therefore,<br />

according to the Apostle Paul, “...the sufferings of this present time are<br />

not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us”<br />

(Romans 8:18).<br />

- St. Seraphim of Sarov<br />

+ The Lord helps us amid sorrows and temptations. He does not free us from<br />

them, but imparts to us the power to bear them easily, even to ignore them.<br />

- Optina Elders<br />

+ A wise Father said, “Most people fear the loss of a loved one because, not<br />

attending to their own salvation, they have time to waste thinking about the<br />

salvation of others.<br />

- A Desert Father<br />

+ As a wrestler constantly engages in bodily exercises, so also the pious<br />

struggler ought to exercise himself in every good work to prepare for death.<br />

- St. Ephraim the Syrian<br />

+ The Christian sees the grave as the mystical door that leads us to the new<br />

world, the world of heaven. He sees the grave as a sweet mouth, in spite of its<br />

apparent ugliness, through which the earth will exchange the kiss of love with<br />

heaven.<br />

- The Brotherhood of <strong>Orthodox</strong> Theologians<br />

+ Death is not only an evil but also a good thing. For we see that death is<br />

advantageous and life is a penalty. Therefore, St. Paul says, “To me, to live is<br />

Christ and to die is gain.” What is living to Christ but the body’s death and the<br />

breath of life? We must die with Him in order to live with Him. So then, let us<br />

daily practice and incline ourselves toward dying.<br />

- St. Ambrose<br />

- 59 -

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