According to statistics, more than 80% of people believe in the existence of a heavenly afterlife. Ideas about this concept in different religions coincide.
This is eternal bliss, joy, and the absence of earthly problems. Christianity, Judaism and Islam are unanimous that before the Fall people lived in paradise.
Image of Paradise. Second quarter of the 12th century
Each religion has its own interpretation about how to achieve this happy destiny. Let's look at how to get to Heaven from the point of view of Orthodoxy.
What is Paradise
Paradise is called the Kingdom of God, or the Kingdom of Heaven. The idea of Paradise, as a place with coordinates in N-dimensional space, into which a righteous person ends up after death, has existed since the times of the Old Testament. Humanity has been dreaming about it since the time of Adam.
With the coming of the Savior, the concept of Paradise expanded. The preacher of repentance John the Baptist says:
“...the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”
(Matt. 3.2)
Jesus Christ clarifies:
“...and they will not say: behold, it is here, or: behold, there. For behold, the kingdom of God is within you.”
(Luke 17:21)
The Apostle Paul writes:
“The kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
(Rom. 14:17)
Man finds the Kingdom of God within himself.
Based on the words of the Savior, man finds the Kingdom of God within himself, and experiences the feeling of this joy already in earthly life. The Gospel tells about this, and holy people revered by the church testify.
Christ says:
“And he said to them, “Truly I say to you:
There are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Kingdom of God come with power.”
(Mark 9:1)
The Apostle Paul testifies that:
“...he was caught up into paradise and heard unspeakable words that no man can tell.”
(Corinth, 12.4)
Venerable Seraphim of Sarov said:
“...I was caught up in these abodes, but I don’t know - with the body or apart from the body. God knows, it's incomprehensible.
And it’s impossible to tell you about the joy and heavenly sweetness that I tasted there...
Ah, if you knew what joy, what sweetness awaits the soul of the righteous in heaven, then you would decide in your temporary life to endure all sorts of sorrows, persecution and slander with thanksgiving..."
The Apostle Paul writes:
A person experiences this joyful state of soul because he is with the Lord, the fullness of whose knowledge a person cannot comprehend in earthly life. “Now we see as if through a glass darkly, darkly...”
(1 Corinthians 13:12)
Christianity and Islam
With these religions, everything is more or less clear: lead a righteous lifestyle, that is, live according to God’s commandments, and after death your soul will go to the “cherished garden.” However, for those who do not want to limit their freedom and are looking for easier ways, there are so-called loopholes that allow them to avoid hellfire. True, there are some nuances here. A very striking example is jihad in Islam - zeal on the path to Allah. Recently, this concept has been associated with armed struggle and self-sacrifice, although it is much broader and is a struggle against one’s social or spiritual vices. We will look at a particular case of jihad, advertised by the media, namely suicide bombers. World news feeds are full of reports of explosions carried out by suicide bombers around the world. Who are they and why do they decide to take such actions? It is worth thinking about whether these people are doing a godly deed or are they victims of behind-the-scenes manipulators who, in the struggle for power, do not hesitate to shed the blood of others? After all, as a rule, it is not enemy soldiers who suffer from the actions of suicide bombers, but civilians. So their actions can at least be called questionable; killing women and children is not a fight against vices, but a violation of the main commandment of God - do not kill. By the way, murder is also not welcomed in Islam, just like in Christianity. On the other hand, history remembers wars committed in the name of God: the Church blessed the crusaders, the Pope personally sent soldiers on their bloody campaign. So the actions of Islamic terrorists can be understood, but cannot be justified. Murder is murder, and it doesn’t matter for what purpose it was committed.
By the way, in Orthodox Christianity, military service is also considered a charitable deed, although this concerns the defense of the Russian land from an external enemy. Both in the distant past and today, priests blessed warriors going on a campaign; There are many cases where church ministers themselves took up arms and went to war. It is difficult to say unequivocally whether a soldier killed in battle will go to heaven or not, whether all his sins will be written off from him or, on the contrary, he will be dragged down into the flames of hell. So this method can hardly be called a ticket to the Garden of Eden. Let's try to find other, more reliable methods.
Who goes to heaven
All Old Testament people went to hell, which is located in the bowels of the earth.
After his resurrection, Christ descended into hell and remained
“...in the heart of the earth there are three days and three nights”
(Matthew 12:40)
He preached there and led the righteous from there to the Paradise Abodes.
After this, the road to Paradise is open to everyone.
After the second coming
“...the earth and all the works on it will burn up”
(2 Peter 3:10).
God will create
"...a new heaven and a new earth"
(Rev. 21:1)
in which there is no hell. There will be between the righteous and sinners
"...the great chasm is established"
(Luke 16:26)
which they will not be able to cross.
The Descent of Christ into Hell
“No hell exists as an objective sphere of existence; it is a completely godless idea, more Manichaean than Christian.
Therefore, any ontology of hell is completely impossible and unacceptable...
Unthinkable as a sphere of objective existence, hell exists in the subjective sphere and signifies human experience and human path...”
(N. A. Berdyaev)
According to Rev. Seraphim of Sarov, -
"Heaven and hell begin on earth."
A person feels belonging to one or another world until death.
“A person’s state of grace during his stay on earth serves as a guarantee of his eternal bliss in heavenly Eden...”
(pr. Ignatius Brianchaninov, Ascetic experiences)
All human souls will be enveloped in the flame of Divine love.
If the soul reciprocates, it rejoices; if it is filled with impurities, it suffers.
“...eye has not seen, ear has not heard, and what God has prepared for those who love Him has not entered into the heart of man.”
(Corinth. 2.9)
St. Petersburg wrote about the fact that God’s love is poured out on everyone without exception. Isaac the Syrian in the book “Words of Asceticism.”
“I say that those tormented in Gehenna are struck by the scourge of love!
… It is inappropriate for anyone to think that sinners in Gehenna are deprived of God’s love. Love is a product of the knowledge of truth, which (as everyone agrees) is given to everyone in general.
But love, with its power, acts in two ways: it torments sinners, just as here a friend happens to suffer from a friend, and it brings joy to those who keep their duty.”
Venerable Ephraim the Syrian
See also the article Why you can’t cry for the dead
Sacrament of Baptism
How to get to heaven? The sacrament of baptism can help with this. The fact is that, according to Christian teaching, during this ritual the human soul is freed from all sins. True, this method is not suitable for the majority of people, because a person can go through it only once, and in most cases, parents baptize their children in infancy. Only representatives of the royal dynasty underwent the ceremony twice, and then only at the coronation. So, if you are already baptized and do not belong to the royal family, then this method is not for you. Otherwise, you have a chance to get rid of all your sins, but just don’t go to great lengths and finally do something that you will later be ashamed to tell your grandchildren about. By the way, some representatives of Judaism prefer to convert to Christianity in old age. So, just in case, because - according to their faith - heaven is here on Earth, and what will happen after death? So you can insure yourself, and at the end of your earthly existence, switch to another camp and ensure eternal bliss for yourself in Christian paradise. But, as you see, this path is only available to a select few.
What do you need to do to get to heaven?
All people are destined for the Kingdom of Heaven. God
“wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
(1Tm. 2.4)
There are no specific instructions on how to get to Heaven. The conditions and guidelines are set forth in the New Testament.
The Orthodox Church calls for daily reading of its chapters. Over the years, from constant reading, the mind will “bathe” in the words of the Gospel, and a person’s life will be assessed every moment from the point of view of the Law of God.
This is the basis of Christianity.
There is no salvation outside the church
The saints unanimously affirm this. The Lord established the earthly church as a place of salvation. He armed her with sacraments and filled her with teaching. The church is a hospital in which a person can be restored to the state in which he was before the Fall.
Orthodoxy is the only faith that preserves the apostolic traditions. The Apostle Paul commanded:
“Therefore, brethren, stand steadfast and hold fast the traditions which you were taught either by our word or by our message.”
(2 Thessalonians 2:15)
The gospel is part of the church's heritage. His correct understanding of salvation is set out in the apostolic traditions kept in the church, which are rejected by other denominations.
But the main thing in the church is Christ. He is the helmsman, the healer and the savior, whose word is unchangeable:
“I will build My Church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.”
(Matthew 16:18)
Christ is one, He is not divided, and His church is one. The apostle says with indignation:
“Is Christ divided?”
(Corinth. 1:13)
“one Lord, one faith, one baptism.”
(Ephesians 4:5)
Without God's help through the church, a person will drown in the abyss of passions and sins, just as one drowns in the depths of the sea without a ship and a helmsman.
Image of the Church of Christ
Be like children
The Savior himself indicated what kind of people go to Paradise.
“...truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven; Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
(Matthew 18:3)
A person should be simple to faith, just as a child is simple to the words of his parents. He believes without doubt. There is no guile in his soul; it is open to perception. Mistrust is the cunning with which the entrance to Paradise is closed.
The Father's will is stated in the Law of God.
“Not everyone who says to Me: “Lord! Lord!” will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in Heaven.”
(Matt. 7:21)
Icon of Christ and children
Change of mind
To correctly understand the Word of God, a change of consciousness is necessary, which translated from Greek means repentance.
“...repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”
(Matthew 3:2)
- John the Baptist calls.
He warns that people who have not produced fruit worthy of repentance will not escape future wrath.
“…neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor wicked, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.”
(1 Corinthians 6, 9-10)
St. Peter of Damascus said: “When you see your sins as the sand of the sea, know that you have begun repentance.”
Humility
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Saint John Chrysostom says:
“What does it mean: poor in spirit? Humble and contrite in heart."
Humility is the most important Christian virtue.
Christ, addressing his followers, says:
“...learn from Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart.”
(Matt. 11:29)
“God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble,” say the Apostles Peter and James in their letters.
In the Old Testament, David writes:
“The sacrifice to God is a broken spirit: a contrite and humble heart God will not despise.”
Through the prophet Isaiah, God indicates who is pleasing to Him:
“Whom will I look upon: the one who is humble and contrite in spirit, and who trembles at My word.”
(Isa. 66:2)
Without humility, a person is denied entry into Paradise, from which Dennitsa, who became Satan, was expelled for his pride.
Persecuted for the truth
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
(Matt. 5:10)
Divine truth is set forth in the Bible. People who profess Christianity and are persecuted for it inherit life with Christ. The word “truth” is identical to the word “truth,” and Christ calls himself the truth:
“I am the way and the truth and the life.”
(John 14:6)
Martyrs and confessors who suffered for Christ are crowned in Heaven.
Cathedral of New Martyrs of the Russian Church
Icon “One Hundred Thousand Georgian Martyrs”
Renunciation of the world
Following Christ involves renunciation of earthly attachments. If the goal of life is the Kingdom of Heaven, then other problems fade into the background.
This main sign of repentance is confirmed by parables and examples from the Gospel.
Christ says to the young man who has fulfilled the Law, but cannot renounce his possessions:
“...truly I say to you, it is difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.”
(Matthew 19:23)
Icon and painting about a rich young man
Why in the Kingdom of God there are many called but few chosen, Jesus explains:
“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, and wife and children, and brothers and sisters, and indeed his own life, he cannot be My disciple.”
(Luke 14:26)
Citing the parables of the unfinished tower and the king going to war against another king (Luke 14:28-32), Christ emphasizes:
“Anyone of you who does not renounce everything he has cannot be My disciple.”
(Luke 14:33)
“Another one said: I will follow You, Lord! but first let me say goodbye to my family. But Jesus said to him:
no one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God.”
(Luke 9:61-62)
St. John Climacus in his famous book points out that without renunciation there is no point in starting the path of salvation on the cross (Homily 1, § 10).
“Those who begin this feat, in order to lay a good foundation, must renounce everything, neglect everything, laugh at everything, reject everything.”
(1John 1:16)
“For whatever is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from this world.”
(Matt. 5:8)
The heart must be pure from earthly attachments, for “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”
At the same time, there is no need to leave your job, family, and go into the desert, as the Apostles write about:
“Everyone remain in the rank in which they are called. ... In whatever rank anyone is called, brothers, in that each one must remain before God.”
(1 Corinthians 7:20-24)
“...those who have wives must be as if they had not; and those who weep as if they were not weeping; and those who rejoice, as if they did not rejoice; and those who buy, as if they did not acquire; and those who use this world as if they do not use it; for the image of this world is passing away.”
(1 Corinthians 7:29-31)
“Or do we have no power to eat and drink? Or do we not have the power to have a sister as a wife as a companion, like the other Apostles, and the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?”
(1 Corinthians 9:4-5)
Just as in solitude a person remains with earthly passions in his soul, so one who possesses everything earthly may not have heartfelt attachments.
The Holy Spirit is the goal of Christian life
St. Seraphim of Sarov said in conversations that the goal of Christian life is to acquire the Holy Spirit. Without this important content, a person will be denied entry into the Kingdom. This is the story of the parable of the 10 virgins.
“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
Of these, five were wise and five were foolish.
The foolish ones took their lamps and took no oil with them.
The wise, together with their lamps, took oil in their vessels.
And as the groom slowed down, everyone dozed off and fell asleep.
But at midnight a cry was heard: behold, the groom is coming, go out to meet him.
Then all the virgins stood up and trimmed their lamps.
But the foolish said to the wise, Give us your oil, for our lamps are going out.
And the wise answered: so that there is no shortage for both us and you, you better go to those who sell and buy for yourself.
And when they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and they that were ready went in with him to the wedding, and the door was shut; Afterwards the other virgins came and said: Lord! God! open to us.
He answered and said to them, “Truly I say to you, I do not know you.”
(Matt. 25 1-12)
Parable of the 10 virgins
The virgin is the image of a pure soul, the oil is the image of the Holy Spirit, the groom is the image of Christ. The apostle states in his letter:
“If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.”
(Eph. 8:9)
For this reason, to the virgins who do not have oil, the groom says: “I don’t know you.”
St. Seraphim called the world a market place where one receives the Grace of the Holy Spirit. Goods are virtues that a person has the power to perform (Matt. 25:27).
Christ also talks about this in the parable of talents, which some added, while others buried in the ground.
“...you should have given my silver to the merchants, and when I came, I would have received mine with profit.”
Parable of the Talents
This parable is about the gifts that people receive from God: life, strength, health, intelligence, mental abilities, earthly riches, and other benefits. Those who use them as a commodity for the purchase of Heavenly blessings receive a heavenly inheritance.
The Lord says:
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break through and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break through and steal, for where your treasure is, there your heart will also be.”
(Matt. 6:19-21)
Don't judge and forgive
One of the ways to achieve Heaven is the ability not to judge and forgive others. This gives the right to enter Paradise, bypassing other virtues. Such a person, who has come to the judgment of God, will hear from the Savior - he did not condemn anyone, and I will not judge him. Christ himself testifies to this:
“Judge not, lest ye be judged, for with the same judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged.”
(Matt. 7:1-2)
“...if you forgive people their sins, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you.”
(Matt. 6:14)
II. Two truths about man
Man is a sinner
The Bible teaches us that all people have sinned and none of us are perfect to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but God requires perfection. According to Jesus, man needs to be perfect. As the Gospel says:
“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect...” (Matthew 5:48)
But can we do it? Alas. Scripture says -
“all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
God gave people commandments, breaking which a person commits sin.
Ten Commandments:
- I am the Lord your God; Let you have no other gods before Me.
- You shall not make for yourself an idol or any likeness of anything in the sky above, or on the earth below, or in the water under the earth. Do not worship them or serve them; For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, and showing mercy to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments.
- Do not take the name of the Lord your God in vain; for the Lord will not leave without punishment the one who takes His name in vain.
- Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Work six days and do all your work; and the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God: on it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your maidservant, nor your livestock, nor the stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord created heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them; and on the seventh day he rested. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and sanctified it.
- Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
- Dont kill.
- Don't commit adultery.
- Don't steal.
- Do not bear false witness against your neighbor.
- Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house; You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.
We have sinned in thoughts, words and deeds, failing to keep the commandments, breaking them through sins, doing inappropriate things and not doing what should be done.
Man cannot earn his place in Heaven
If a person is a sinner, then his deeds also contain sin. It is impossible to earn a place in heaven by sinful deeds and a sinful lifestyle. None of us can secure the Kingdom of Heaven on our own. We cannot save ourselves from the fate of Hell. As the Bible says:
“By grace you have been saved... and this not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8,9)
Make an effort
“From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and those who use force take it by force.”
(Matthew 11:12)
“...with your patience save your souls.”
(Luke 21:19)
In Church Slavonic, “taken by force” sounds like “needs.” Forcing oneself to do good, fighting against sinful desires and thoughts, showing patience in the fight against passions and weaknesses—this is the narrow and thorny path of life for a Christian.
“Enter at the strait gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many go in through it.”
(Matt. 7:13)
This narrow path is accompanied by a struggle on the invisible battlefield:
“...our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in high places.”
(Eph. 6:12)
“...the devil fights with God, and the battlefield is the hearts of people.”
(F.M. Dostoevsky)
Opinion of Archpriest Efanov
According to Archpriest Andrei Efanov, there is no detailed information regarding what happens to the soul after it is separated from the body. And Orthodoxy does not speak of any strict canons indicating exactly how the soul moves along the path to the Lord. One can only imagine these stages.
But there is a tradition according to which the deceased is remembered on the 3rd, 9th and 40th day. Some of the church authors associate these dates with certain events that occur on the way to the other world. This vision is not disputed by the church, but it is not perceived as a strict doctrinal norm.
The Lord is near, ask and it will be given to you
Despite the difficulties of the road to Paradise, Heavenly help will not be slow to come. With God's help, all sins, passions and temptations are overcome. The Lord, testing a Christian on this path, fills the praying heart with Grace, trusting in Him with faith and humility.
This is what the Lord says:
"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”
(Matthew 7:7)
“...and whatever you ask in prayer in faith, you will receive.”
(Matthew 21:22)
“If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”
(John 14:14)
The holy Apostles call for this:
“...always by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
(Phil. 4:6-7)
“…let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
(Heb. 4:16)
“...let him ask God, who gives to everyone freely and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, without any doubt.”
(James 1:5-6)
DECISION-MAKING
What do you think about all this?
Does this make sense to you? You have just learned of the greatest gift that has ever been offered by the greatest person who has ever walked this earth. Christ came from Heaven and died on the cross to give you the gift of Eternal Life. Do you want to accept this gift? If yes, then you can turn to God in prayer right now: Dear Heavenly Father, I realize that I have sinned before You. And I realize that You are just and must punish Sin. But Your Word says that You are loving and merciful and sent Your Son Jesus Christ into the world so that I could be reconciled to You. I believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son and I ask you to forgive my sins for the sake of Your Son. I thank you that Christ bore all my sin and all my weakness on Himself. Thank you God for Your forgiveness. Thank you that Jesus died on the cross of Calvary and rose again on the third day. I thank you that through Him You want to give me the gift of Eternal Life. Help and teach me to believe in You, teach me to read the Bible and pray and do things pleasing to You. In the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Signs of the Kingdom of God Within
A sign that a person has found Paradise in the soul is love. Christ speaks about this:
“By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
(John 13:35)
The great ascetic and ascetic St. Petersburg writes about such love. Isaac the Syrian. A merciful heart is kindled with love for everything that surrounds it.
About people, about enemies, about creatures, and even about the demons themselves. When this is revealed in the soul, there is no limit to joy. Such a person is ready to be burned 10 times for his love for people.
St. Silouan of Athos points out that the sign of God's Grace in a person is not miracles, but humility and love for enemies.
The sign of Heaven in the soul is love.
Confirmation of the correctness of these words is found in the Gospel:
“But to you who hear, I say: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you.
Give the other one to the one who hits you on the cheek, and do not prevent the one who takes your outer clothing from taking your shirt.
Give to everyone who asks you, and do not demand back from the one who took what is yours.
And as you want people to do to you, do so to them.
And if you love those who love you, what gratitude do you have for that?
...But you love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing; and you will have a great reward, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.
Therefore be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”
(Luke 6:27-36)
A sign of the Kingdom of God within is the desire for loneliness and secrecy. People, having found such a treasure in their souls, retire to private prayer. They avoid communicating with others. Against the background of this treasure, past pleasures are devalued.
“...the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid, and for joy he goes and sells everything he has and buys that field.”
(Matthew 13:44)
Ancient knowledge and equipment of the deceased
In ancient Egypt, priests prepared and taught the citizens of their country for the afterlife. How? During his lifetime, a person studied “magic techniques and formulas” that helped the soul overcome obstacles and defeat monsters. Relatives always put items in the grave of the deceased that he would need in the afterlife. For example, it was necessary to leave two coins - this was the payment to the boatman for transporting him across the river of death. People who have “seen heaven” often mention that they met dead friends, good acquaintances or relatives there who helped them with advice. And this is easily explained by the fact that modern people know nothing about the afterlife, because they don’t talk about it at school, and you won’t receive such information in institutes either. The priests in the church won't help you much either. What remains? This is where people close to you appear who care about your fate.
Robber Rescue
The first man to enter Paradise is not a Christian, but a thief who is crucified on the cross next to Jesus. He killed, robbed, and was justly condemned. But the Lord says to him:
“Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
(Luke 23:43)
The first man in Paradise is not a Christian, but a robber.
Experiencing terrible torment, before his death he humbled himself, acknowledged the justice of his punishment, stood up for the innocent suffering Christ, and said:
“Remember me, Lord, when you come into Your Kingdom!”
(Luke 23:43)
He confessed Jesus to be God.
It is not easy to come to terms with failures, illnesses, and to admit the justice of your punishment. Especially on the edge of life and death.
The two thieves on the cross are an image of all humanity. Some suffer and are indignant: “Why?!” Others humble themselves and thank God for everything.
Icon of the Prudent Thief in Paradise
