Let us never despair of our salvation!

In the Lives of the Saints, we find an example of steadfast repentance and its fruit: A brother, often sinning, immediately ran to the Icon of the Savior and, throwing himself face down on the ground, with bitter tears cried out: “Have mercy on me, Lord, and remove this cunning temptation from me!”

But not long after, he sinned again and, without losing hope, again ran to the Icon of the Savior and asked for forgiveness and help to correct himself. But one day, when he was in sobs and tears before the Icon, the devil, seeing that he could not completely gain control over him, appeared to him in his face and said to the honest Icon: “You are not just, Lord, that you receive this sinner who every day promises himself before You, although he still sins!” And a voice was heard to him: “O most cunning loser, are you not satisfied with having encompassed the world, but do you also strive to win the one who has come to the unspeakable mercy?

When he comes to sin, you do not chase him away, but you receive him with joy, hoping to gain him, and I, who commanded My disciples to forgive seventy times seven, will I not forgive the one who comes to Me? Are there so many sins in the world that they weigh heavier than the blood shed on the cross for sinners? So, behold, I found this one standing at My feet and victorious over you, showing himself. I will receive him therefore and save his soul because he did not despair of his salvation!”

Let us know the mercy of God and never despair of our salvation!

Archimandrite Seraphim Man

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