Sayings of The Holy Fathers:
(Wishing to show us that no one enters there clothed in mourning, the Master made this clear in the parable when He said: "Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?" and then: "Bind him hand and foot, and cast him into the outer darkness" (Mt.22:12-3). Now, I think that this was said not as if the man had first sneaked past by Him Who is without error, but because it was not yet time to reveal such mysteries. Because, at that time, He did not want to say more plainly that "No one will enter there without wearing the robe of My divinity," He uses this saying to suggest it. St. Paul, too, when he had been taught this by Christ speaking within him, said: "Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven" (1Cor.15:49).)
St. Symeon the New Theologian
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"By the death of martyrs religion has been defended, faith increased, the Church strengthened; the dead have conquered, the persecutors have been overcome. And so we celebrate the death of those of whose lives we are ignorant. So, too, David rejoiced in prophecy at the departure of his own soul, saying: "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints." He esteemed death better than life. The death itself of the martyrs is the prize of their life. And again, by the death of those at variance hatred is put an end to."
St. Ambrose of Milan
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"Do not be despondent when fighting against the incorporeal enemy, but even in the midst of your afflictions and oppression praise the Lord, Who has found you worthy to suffer for Him, by struggling against the subtlety of the serpent, and to be wounded for Him at every hour; for had you not lived piously, and endeavored to become united to God, the enemy would not have attacked and tormented you."
St. John of Kronstadt
St. Symeon the New Theologian
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"By the death of martyrs religion has been defended, faith increased, the Church strengthened; the dead have conquered, the persecutors have been overcome. And so we celebrate the death of those of whose lives we are ignorant. So, too, David rejoiced in prophecy at the departure of his own soul, saying: "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints." He esteemed death better than life. The death itself of the martyrs is the prize of their life. And again, by the death of those at variance hatred is put an end to."
St. Ambrose of Milan
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"Do not be despondent when fighting against the incorporeal enemy, but even in the midst of your afflictions and oppression praise the Lord, Who has found you worthy to suffer for Him, by struggling against the subtlety of the serpent, and to be wounded for Him at every hour; for had you not lived piously, and endeavored to become united to God, the enemy would not have attacked and tormented you."
St. John of Kronstadt
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