Fr. James Guirguis
As we draw nearer to this light of Christ we learn that the Lord Jesus Christ became a man precisely in order that He might share this light with us in a special way.
Hieromonk Pafnuty (Fokin)
“You’re useless, Sophrony!” brethren used to say to him angrily. “The Russian Orthodox Church has been preserved by Sophronies, just as Holy Rus’ was by Ivans,” the monk would reply with a frowning glance. And it was not until after the blessed repose of this “impolite” and straightforward man that the true meaning of these words became clear.
St. Alexei Mechev
O Cross of the Lord! Guide us all to the path of salvation, establish peace and calm in our land, so that we may live a quiet and peaceful life in all piety and purity.
Archimandrite Job (Gumerov)
The two-week fast from August 1 (14 n.s.) to 15 (28 n.s.) is called the Theotokos, or Dormition fast, because it is established before the one of the twelve great feasts of the Church, the feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God.
Thus, it was not the activities of the Church but the bishop himself that presented a threat to the Soviet powers, for his personal qualities did not fit the image of the “class enemy.”