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St. Seraphim of Sarov on Despair

Published November 10, 2009 Uncategorized 3 Comments

St. Seraphim of Sarov

Just as the Lord is solicitous about our salvation, so too the murderer of men, the devil, strives to lead a man into despair.

A lofty and sound soul does not despair over misfortunes, of whatever sort they may be. Our life is as it were a house of temptations and trails; but we will not renounce the Lord for as long as He allows the tempter to remain with us and for as long as we must wait to be revived through patience and secure passionlessness!

Judas the betrayer was fainthearted and unskilled in battle, and so the enemy, seeing his despair, attacked him and persuaded him to hang himself; but Peter, a firm rock, when he fell into great sin, like one skilled in battle did not despair nor lose heart, but shed bitter tears from a burning heart, and the enemy, seeing these tears, his eyes scorched as by fire, fled from him wailing in pain. And so, brothers, St Antioch teaches, when despair attacks us let us not yield to it, but being strengthened and protected by the light of faith, with great courage let us say to the evil spirit: “What are you to us, estranged from God, a fugitive from Heaven and evil servant? You dare do nothing to us. Christ, the Son of God, has authority both over us and over everything. It is against Him that we have sinned, and before Him that we will be justified. And you, destroyer, leave us. Strengthened by His venerable Cross, we trample under foot your serpent’s head.(St. Antioch, Discourse 27).

Excerpt taken from the book: Little Russian Philokalia, Vol. I: St. Seraphim

3 Responses to “St. Seraphim of Sarov on Despair”

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  1. 1 George Patsourakos November 14, 2009 at 3:05 pm

    Christians must not despair over their misfortunes. They must always have a positive attitude, knowing that God will help them, regardless of the severity of a problem.

  2. 2 sowingseedsoforthodoxy April 2, 2010 at 6:17 am

    Thanks for the “good word.” I have enjoyed looking over your site. May I, with proper credit, quote some of your blogs? Thanks for consideration of this request. As you can see, my site is to share the Orthodox Faith. The Lord continue to use your site. Herman

  3. 3 Mary April 2, 2010 at 12:32 pm

    Hi Herman,

    I’m happy to hear that you’ve enjoyed looking at this blog. Of course you can quote anything on my blog, please feel free too!
    I can’t see your site, can you send me a link, please? Meanwhile, I will try to search it. 🙂

    God Bless
    Mary


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