Quotes from Saints on Faith, Persecution, and the End Times

The post presents a collection of fourteen quotations from Orthodox saints and Church Fathers. St. John Chrysostom advises praying for those who laugh at one's faith, noting there will be no laughter on the day of judgment. Hieromonk Seraphim Rose appears several times: he says faith makes one look foolish and urges getting in the boat before the flood; he writes that everything passes away except God, and we must choose God over the world; he urges sharing Orthodoxy rather than keeping it private; and he states that suffering indicates another kingdom, for if Christianity meant happiness in this life we would not need heaven.

St. Justin Popovich declares that one who lives in faith within the risen God-man lives above death, and that European civilization built without Christ will inevitably collapse soon. St. Paisios the Athonite affirms that difficult and dangerous years will end with Christ's victory. Eugene (Fr. Seraphim) Rose contrasts Western Christendom, where God is dead and leaders prepare for Antichrist, with Orthodox Christians who know the living God and find salvation in the unchanging Orthodox path, not in ecumenical union with unbelievers.

St. Anthony the Great warns against communication with schismatics and heretics, urging unity with Christ and the saints. The Didache (chapter 1) commands blessing those who curse you, praying for enemies, and fasting for persecutors. St. Synkletike notes the great struggle and toil at the beginning of coming to God, followed by indescribable joy.

St. Gabriel Urgebadze says true faith is in the heart, not the mind; those with faith in the mind will follow the antichrist, while those with faith in the heart will recognize him. St. Theophan the Recluse describes the enemy waging war through the mind with doubt, despair, and distraction, urging believers to take every thought captive to Christ and make the heart a fortress of prayer.

The quotations are presented without additional commentary, forming a series of exhortations on faithfulness, spiritual warfare, and the last things.