”I pray for all of you”, from the Letters of Elder Joseph of Vatopaidi (2)

Nea Sketi 21/1/1987

To my beloved child, I fatherly pray that Christ’s Grace be with your spirit.

I have received your letter, which was just a little smaller than a newspaper, though it could even be as big as that! Fr. Athanasios and Fr. Theonas are about to leave for Thessaloniki to see some doctors and to sort out the book, and they will perhaps speak with you there. I was very pleased to hear about X; it is good for him to have his own family nest, since time passes and then everything seems like drudgery. read more… What can one say regarding trials and temptations? Are we talking about the present or the future ones? The present ones, whether past or still active, are less fierce than those to come and, therefore, we must realize that it is essential that we be better prepared for them than those we have faced so far. We too have entered a cycle of trials here which has so far been unknown to us. The priest, for instance, has gone out again. Let’s wait and see where all this will lead us. These are the times foreseen by the Fathers when all the living will be tested. For the time being, we must show patience; both now and throughout the future. Amen. “All who desire to live a godly life will be persecuted” ; and truly, “we must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God” .

These are the things that characterize the unjust world we are living in today. And these are not even the beginning of all that is coming in the near future in order to rectify social justice! Therefore, in the future, do not wonder why this, or why that. You need to be concerned about something else: how to confront with patience and prayer – and with perseverance – the things that are to come. Everything has a purpose: that we should love our Christ and comprehend the meaning of the Cross, which nowadays is something we especially need. Everything human turns and goes through changes and is altered, and, unfortunately, we remain the same and many times we blame everything else!

As for me, I am getting stiff; my legs especially have become totally useless. But in general we have many infirmities. The telephones are now out of order and we have some peace at last. Unfortunately, they will be repaired again soon and the “circus” will start up once more!

Every day, you hear of trials, illnesses, divorces, life escapades; and it makes your heart ache continuously. What has the world come to without the presence of God! It’s a jungle – human carnage! May the Lord have mercy on us!

With all my love and affection, I pray for all of you,

Your father, lowly Joseph

Source: Γέροντας Ιωσήφ Βατοπαιδινός – Elder Joseph of Vatopaidi (facebook)