If you want to serve God, prepare your heart not for food, not for drink, not for rest, not for ease, but for suffering, so that you may endure all temptations, trouble and sorrow. Prepare for severities, fasts, spiritual struggles and many afflictions, for by many afflictions is it appointed to us to enter the Kingdom of Heaven (Acts 14,22); The Heavenly Kingdom is taken by force, and they who use force seize it (Matt 11:12).
Featured image: Kizhi Pogost, Church of the Transfiguration (built 1714). Photo by Richard Davies.
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