If we move out of our self, whom do we encounter? asks Saint Theophan the Recluse. He supplies the answer at one: We meet God and our neighbor. It is for this very reason that "denying oneself" is a stipulation, and the chief one, for the person who seeks salvation in Christ: only so can the center of our being be moved from self to Christ, who is both God and our neighbor.

When the Most Pure and Divine Maiden, the Most Blessed Ever-Virgin Mary the Theotokos, reached the age of three her holy and righteous parents, Joachim and Anna, remembered the vow they had made when they prayed to be delivered from childlessness, promising to offer their offspring as a gift of God. Therefore, as all the ancient holy Fathers testify they called together their relatives living in Nazareth, person of royal and high-priestly lineage, for the righteous Joachim was of royal stock and his spouse Anna was of the high-priestly line.

Now that we know where the battle we have just begun is to be fought, and what and where our goal is, we also understand why our warfare ought to be called the invisible, warfare. It all takes place in the heart, and in silence, deep within us; and this is another serious matter, on which the holy Fathers by much stress: keep your lips tight shut on your secret! If one opens the door of the steam bath the heat escapes, and the treatment loses its benefit.

Here is a man of God and a mighty wonderworker, who was called a second Moses! Born of wealthy and eminent pagan parents, Gregory at first studied Hellenic (Greek) and Egyptian philosophy, but, seeing its barrenness, and insufficiency, he turned to Christian teachers, particularly Origen of Alexandria, with whom he studied for several years and by whom he was baptized.

The Prince grew angrier and sent a whole company of warriors with orders to bring back the Apostle by force, and to slay anyone who attempted to prevent them from seizing him. When they drew near the church, a light from heaven shone upon the Apostle, concealing him. Overcome by fear, they threw down their weapons and fled, returning to tell the Prince what had happened. The Prince fell into a mighty rage and taking all of his servants, himself went to apprehend the Apostle, but as he approached the church, he was suddenly struck blind and had to ask for someone to guide him. He begged the Apostle to forgive him his sin and give light to his blinded eyes.