Wisdom from the Fathers Courage through Periods of Darkness 5 years ago trueorthodox IT IS NOT JOY OF THE SPIRIT ALONE THAT MANIFESTS OUR LOVE OF GOD; UNFLINCHING COURAGE, STAUNCHLY MAINTAINED THROUGH LONG PERIODS OF DARKNESS AND ANGUISH, PROVES THIS LOVE EVEN MORE DEFINITELY. ST. MACARIUS OF OPTINA Tags: Courage Optina Periods of darkness St. Macarius of Optina Continue Reading Previous Christ wishes to raise men up to heaven, and has given them all the means to attain this; whilst the Devil wishes by every means to attach men to earthly, sensual, transitory things St. John of KronstadtNext The Lydda Icon of the Mother of God – March 12