“They become more steadfast than those who have not suffered. The Almighty God, Who made the invisible Angels and all visible things on the earth, made heaven, and made man “in His image and likeness” (Genesis 1:26), like the father in the parable of the Prodigal Son, awaits the return of his unruly children. The first Adam, through his egotism, brought us here to the land of weeping, to the land of exile. We must become children of the second Adam, of our Lord Jesus Christ, go up to heaven, to our real homeland and see His glory and the awesome beauty of His All-Holy face. Of course, one cannot conceive of a return without the Church and without a sacramental life. The Church is the Body of Christ. Her head is the Lord Himself. The body can do nothing without the head. Did you understand me? No matter how much a young person toils, he will not be saved outside the Church! The Lord said, ‘without me you can do nothing’ (John 15:5). Whoever recovers from the intoxication of sin and changes the evil path he is walking and asks God to help him, He will not refuse His help. He has promised us that, if we ask Him, He will hasten to come to our aid, “for everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it shall be opened” (Matt. 7:8). “Whoever asks for something very fervently, I will give it to him, and I will open the door of my compassion to whoever knocks on it and demands my undivided help and protection.” These words of God leave no doubt about His quick help, as long as we ask Him for it.”

– ‘Elder Anthimos of Saint Annes’