Archimandrite Emilianos on sin's crippling effect on humanity

The post consists of a quotation from Archimandrite Emilianos on the consequences of sin for human nature. The elder writes that sin has made humanity so useless, so sick and weak, that it cannot do anything significant by its own strength. He recalls that Adam and Eve spoke with God, asked Him questions, He answered them, and God called them.

By contrast, the present condition has reached a point where people cannot even remember God's name, let alone see Him. The quote states that we have arrived at a stage where we cannot control a single one of our thoughts, our hatred, or our malice. We are subject to this weakness, imprisoned in it, like birds in their cages.

The text offers a sober description of the fallen state, emphasizing the total inability of human will to master the passions or to approach God without divine initiative. It presents the contrast between the original communion with God and the current captivity to disordered thoughts and passions as a measure of what sin has cost.