“The path to the Kingdom of Heaven is thorny, and much will have to be overcome”translated

Is life with God joy or work? How can a Christian analyze his spiritual state? What is important to know about the prayer rule and the sacrament of the Eucharist for those who have been living church life for many years? We talk with Priest Roman Solodko, rector of the church in the name of the Apostle Andrew the First-Called.

– Father Roman, there are different periods in a person’s spiritual life: the time when he just comes to the Church, knows little about faith, but is very eager to fulfill everything to the maximum, and the time of “cooling down.” Why?

– When the hand of God touches the heart of a person, then the internal state of this person is transformed - he experiences the most vivid, previously unfamiliar spiritual sensations: extraordinary joy, happiness, lightness. Then comes another period. But it is important to understand and remember that the grace of God is inexhaustible and always abides on each of us. We, due to our lifestyle, sinful behavior, violation of God’s commandments, move away from this grace. For example, each person, in order to receive benefits or benefits, can act not according to his conscience or commit some other sin, and therefore the feeling of God’s presence and joy in our lives periodically disappears.

It also happens that, having come to God,...