St. Theodora, honored at the Sihla Monastery: In order to save ourselves, we must fight through hardship, says IPS Seraphimtranslated

"To save ourselves, to acquire eternal life and win the Kingdom of God, we must struggle a lot through hardship, fasting, prayer, almsgiving," Metropolitan Seraphim of Germany, Central and Northern Europe emphasized on Friday.

His Eminence officiated the Holy Liturgy on the occasion of the feast of Saint Pious Theodora from the German Sihla Monastery.

The celebration was attended by hundreds of pilgrims from the whole country, who came to honor the patroness of the monastic settlement and to worship in the places where the saint had died.

Faith is shown by one's life Numerous pilgrims participated on Friday, 07.08.2026, in the feast of Saint Pious Theodora, the patroness of the Sihla Monastery. Photo credit: Doxology / Rev. Silviu Cluci The Most Reverend Father Seraphim showed that the acquisition of salvation requires an unceasing spiritual struggle and liberation from the passions that distance man from God.

"We can do this with the gift of God, through faith. Unwavering, unwavering faith, which moves even mountains, as the Savior tells us."

At the same time, His Eminence emphasized that true faith does not remain just a simple...