“As the world around us grows darker more of us will be challenged about our faith, more of us will be called before despots and atheists and rulers and kings and synagogues. The powers of this world will work in our favour because Christ will give us the opportunity to find salvation by being willing to confess Him before these earthly powers. This darkness will only increase, let us not fool ourselves about this. Darkness is the fruit of deception. As we grow closer to the end unbelief and immorality will multiply all around us. In the midst of this every confessor of Christ will be precious to God. Let us hold on to this assurance. No one will confess Christ in his own strength. We mustn’t fantasize about being martyrs when we are living such sinful lives. If we live and give ourselves to the passions we will not be confessors of Christ. It is the Holy Spirit that convicts the soul of Christ and the Holy Spirit only enters those places that are cleansed and prepared for Him.”

— Father Spyridon Bailey