Through long-suffering patience in severe affliction, nun Maria refined her soul, and the Lord granted her spiritual insight and the gift of comforting others. Many people began coming to her for guidance and prayer.
The services of Passion Week draw us into the last days of the Lord Jesus Christ's earthly life. Together with the Holy Church, we trace the Saviour's path along the Way of the Cross, from Bethany to Golgotha.
Let us prepare our souls with humility, making them like an upper room, so that the Son of God may enter us and keep the Passover within us with His disciples. Let us stay close to Him who freely chose to suffer.
Father Andrey Lemeshonok: "God is teaching and nurturing you, but you fiercely resist this teaching because you pity yourself too much. Your pride and your ego crave results."
St Joseph’s main compositions are the canons sung and read at Matins. St Joseph brought order to the Menologion, honouring lesser-known saints who lacked canons. In these works, he poured all of his heart’s devotion and love.
For his tireless love for others, the Lord rewarded the Vyritsa elder with great spiritual wisdom, the gift of healing troubled souls, as well as true vision, guidance and prophecy.
