Metropolitan Athanasios of Limassol on illness, death, and spiritual benefit from suffering

Metropolitan Athanasios of Limassol continues a previous homily by addressing illness, pain, and the mystery of death. He states that no human being can avoid death, which is an inevitable reality of earthly life. However, he explains that death is not the end of human existence because Christ conquers death by His own death.

Through His sacrifice and Resurrection, Christ abolishes death and opens the prospect of eternal life to humanity. The Metropolitan then poses a substantive spiritual question: how can we benefit spiritually from illness? He explains that difficulties, pain, and trials can, when faced with faith and prayer, be transformed into opportunities for spiritual cultivation and blessing.

He also refers to the prayer of people who are tested by serious difficulties, paralleling their spiritual struggle with the martyrdoms of the Saints. He emphasizes that only divine Grace can truly support a person and give the strength to endure the trials of life.