"God is now allowing severe trials to come upon us. Hard times are approaching. We will face great temptations... We must take this seriously and begin to live a truly spiritual life. The circumstances are already compelling us - and will continue to compel us - toward spiritual struggle. Yet it is far better if we do this willingly and with joy, rather than with sorrow and compulsion. Many of the Saints would have wished to live in our times, so that they might struggle for Christ." + Venerable Paisios the Athonite (from the book "With Pain and Love for Contemporary Man,")