SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE
The spiritual struggle of a Christian has never been easy. He has to contend not only against the obvious temptations of the world and against the corruption in himself, not only "against flesh and blood, but against...the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." (Eph. 6:12)
In addition to the decisive support which participation in the life of the Church offers him, he is comforted by the knowledge that there exists a "great cloud of witnesses," those who have already been through the same struggles and know how to advise and encourage people who follow their footsteps. The spiritual experience of numerous ascetics is contained is crystallized form in the writings of the Fathers. We can draw on their spiritual life, as is the case in our time.
Humble enjoyment of the teachings of the Fathers, whether in the monastic cell of an elder or through books, is a basic part of Orthodox [Christian] devotional life.
Archbishop Paul of Finland
The Faith We Hold
Page 26, St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, New York - 1980
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