Macarie de la Optina, st Advice to laypeople Translation from Russian by Adrian Tanasescu Vlas Published 2011 Our goal must be to “seek God’s Kingdom and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33), that is, to fulfill the commandments of God, who cleanses us from passions and grants us rest and the hope for salvation, out of His unspeakable divine lovingkindness, and not because our deeds; for, even if we carry out everything that has been commanded to us, we must deem ourselves to be unworthy servants (cf. Luke 17:10). As long as we are still sinful, we must strive to uproot the tares from our hearts. We must not, however, expect to reach dispassion and rest very soon: it takes time, effort and God’s assistance. All that is obtained easily, is also quickly lost. Do not be idle or frightened, but entrust yourself to God’s will. (St. Makarios of Optina) Format: 13 x 20 cm; 248 p. ISBN: 978-973-136-257-1 “Russian Fathers” «« back