By Saint Seraphim Rose from his book ''Orthodoxy and the religion of the future''
Orthodox Christians! Hold fast to the grace bestowed upon you; never allow it to become a matter of routine; never approach it with purely human standards, and never demand that it be logical or understandable to those who understand nothing higher than what is inherent in man and who hope to acquire the grace of the Holy Spirit in any way other than that by which the Church of Christ transmits it to us. True Orthodoxy, by its very nature, must seem completely out of place in these demonic times—a dwindling minority of the despised and "foolish" in the midst of a religious "revival" inspired by a different spirit. But let us take comfort in the words of our Lord Jesus Christ: "Fear not, little flock! “For it was your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” ( Luke 12:32 ). May all Orthodox Christians be strengthened before the coming battle, remembering that in Christ victory is always ours. He promised that “the gates of hell shall not prevail against His Church ” ( Matt. 16:18 ), that for the sake of the elect He will “shorten the days” of this last abomination of desolation ( Matt. 24:22 ). And truly, “...if God is for us, who can be against us?” ( Rom. 8:31 ). Even in the midst of the fiercest temptations, we are told: “...be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” ( John 16:33 ). Let us live, as faithful Christians of all times have lived, in anticipation of the end of all things and the coming of our dear Savior; for “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!’” ( Rev. 22:20 ).