Sunday, June 10, 2007

A Deep Abyss

John of Ad Orientem quoted a striking passage from St. Theophan in the comments of a recent discussion in the blogosphere that has not drawn out the best in people; I liked it well enough that I thought I'd post it here:

Even if a person’s sin is not only obvious, but very grievous and comes from a hardened and unrepentant heart, do not condemn him, but raise your eyes to the wondrous and incomprehensible judgments of God; then you will see that many people, formerly full of iniquity, later repented and reached a high degree of sanctity, and that, on the other hand, others, who were on a high level of perfection, fell into a deep abyss. Take care, lest you also suffer this calamity through judging others.