A firm beginning will certainly be useful for us if we later grow slack. A soul which is strong at first but then becomes lethargic is stimulated by the memory of its former zeal. And in this way it often takes wing again.
When the soul betrays itself and loses its blessed and much-desired fervor, it should carefully investigate the reason for the loss and should arm itself with all its longing and zeal against whatever was the cause. Its erstwhile fervor can return only through the same door through which it was lost.
Based on St. John of the Ladder
In this photograph deacons are shown censing at Easter, Vatopaidi.
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