Truth and Life Quotes

“Contemporary man has not been able to organize his life in such a way as to allow himself sufficient leisure- free time- for prayer and the contemplation of Divine Being. The reason for this is covetousness, that passion which St. Paul called 'idolatry' and St. John Climacus 'the daughter of unbelief ... blasphemy against the Gospel, a turning aside from God'. True Christian 'poverty' is unknown and uncomprehend by the world. And if we go on to say that this spirit of non-acquisition grows and develops until it embraces not only the material but 'intellectual' possessions too, to the majority of people this will seem madness. Men regard their learning as spiritual riches, not suspecting the existence of a higher knowledge and riches quite incomparable, since they bring with them a deep peace. In pursuing material comfort men have lost spiritual comfort. The materialistic dynamism which dominates our century is rapidly acquiring a demoniacal character; which is not surprising, since it is nothing else but the dynamics of sin.”
― Sophrony Sakharov, Truth and Life

“When one reduces the dimensions of the divine revelation concerning mankind, one thereby excludes the possibility of attaining true repentance. If men regard themselves only as weak beings, they permit and condone a multitude of transgressions. Because they are thinking of themselves as inferior to Christ, people then refuse- and let this not appear a strange exaggeration- to follow Him truly to Golgotha. To abase in our consciousness our Creator's plan for mankind is not a proof of humility, but an error and even a great sin. We must have the courage to approach the content of divine revelation 'with face uncovered', and 'beholding the glory of the Lord', be 'changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord' [2 Cor. 3:18]”
― Sophrony Sakharov, Truth and Life