The Pure Bridal

RESTRAINING THE PASSIONS WITH THE BRIDLE OF PURE FASTING,
LET US ALL IN PERFECT FAITH
STRIVE TO RAISE OUR MIND TO HOLY CONTEMPLATION!
LET US DESPISE THE PLEASURES OF THIS EARTHLY LIFE,//
THAT WE MAY GAIN THE LIFE OF HEAVEN AND DIVINE ENLIGHTENMENT!

Striving in faith is the only means we are granted to “gain the life of heaven.” To strive apart from faith is to fail before beginning – to set oneself on a false path. To have faith apart from striving is to create a false path out of thin air and walk on it with no feet. If there is no striving, there is no faith. If there is faith, there is striving. One cannot believe in the promises of God and not be moved to seek them.

Let us, therefore, restrain the passions, incapable of faith as they are, and receive live for our faith and strength for our striving.