Dimitry of Rostov

“ After Sebastian had listened to saint Hermias’s address he said:
— Make a sacrifice to the gods if you wish to enjoy the pleasures of this life.
But the saint replied:
— What can be for me the pleasures, what enjoyment and what life if, having withdrawn from my Creator, I will bow to demons? In truth, it is not pleasure but sorrow; it is not enjoyment but grief; it is not life but eternal death. ”

“ I have been sent a decree from the roman emperor Antoninus, ordering all Christians to make a sacrifice to the roman gods; if the Christians refuse to give a tribute, they will be subjected to fierce torments. Therefore you too Hermias make a sacrifice to the gods: you will then be the friend of the emperor and will be awarded great honours. ”

“ Before, I served Him secretly, but now I serve Him openly; the devil will not win over me; you only have power over my body, and only because it is in God’s will; over my soul nobody has any power, except God, Who will grant me patience and will keep me safe for ages. ”