"And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone in his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Ignatios, our divine and God-bearing Father, was Bishop of Antioch during the reign of Emperor Trajan (98-117 A.D.). He was known as Theophoros, that is, "God-bearer" or "God-borne." This Saint is said to have been the small child taken into the holy hands of the Master Christ and set in the midst of His disciples. Jesus then said, "If anyone doth wish to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all." And He took a little child and set him in their midst. And after He took him into His arms, He said to them, "whosoever shall receive one of such little children in my name, receiveth me; and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but the One Who sent Me forth" (Mark 9:35-37). Holy Tradition maintains that the Master most clearly manifested the seven-year-old lad's future progress and proficiency in the Apostolic Teaching.

Saint Anthony the Great writes, "If you see your brother sin, do not disparage him, do not reject him and do not condemn him. Otherwise you will end up in your enemies' (Satan's) hands. Do not judge any mortal being lest the Lord should dismiss your prayers."

My former fellow-prisoner the Romanian Orthodox Deacon John Stanescu, suffered in jail for his faith. Colonel Albon, director of the slave labor camp, was informed that someone had dared to preach in a cell. He entered the cell carrying a cane and demanded to know the culprit. When no one responded he said, "Well, then all will be flogged."

Bodily purity is primarily attained through fasting, and through bodily purity comes spiritual purity. Abstinence from food, according to the words of the son of grace, Saint Ephraim the Syrian, means: "Not to desire or demand much food, either sweet or costly; to eat nothing outside the stated times; not to give oneself over to gratification of the appetite; not to stir up hunger in oneself by looking at good food; and not to desire one or another sort of food."

When one holds a discussion with pseudo-Christians about hard asceticism of the body and spirit for the love of Christ, they become angered, calling you a hoaxer, a pagan or a barbarian.

If you want to test the faith of a Christian, talk to them about asceticism. The faithful will feel compunction, while the lukewarm, those who are fake and faithless, will protest.