Transforming Our Pain (Father Spyridon)

Christian tradition does not teach how to escape suffering, but how to carry it with purpose: God himself died on the cross. The saints, known as "spiritual athletes," did not ask for their pain to be removed, but for the strength to fulfill the divine will.

## Two miracles to maintain hope

The Gospel passages regarding the healing of **Jairo**'s daughter and the woman with the issue of blood serve as a reminder: no situation is beyond God's healing, no matter how desperate or prolonged it may be. The woman had been ill for twelve years and touched the edge of Christ's cloak amidst the crowd.

When life breaks apart, the Christian is called to turn toward Christ with that same desperate faith. This is not about naive optimism, but a trust that sustains even when there are no visible signs of a solution.

## Suffering cannot be avoided

God did not come into the world to teach us how to escape suffering. He died on the cross and called us to carry our own cross. Viewed superficially, pain seems like an absolute tragedy; however, a heart illuminated by Christ can discern the Resurrection even in the midst of crucifixion.

Citing **Elder Ephraim of Arizona**, it is explained that human beings were created with great dignity, but collective sin introduced suffering into the world, disfiguring reality. Pain is not an arbitrary punishment, but a consequence of that rupture.

## Church Fathers and the medicine of the soul

**Saint Basil the Great** maintains that pain constitutes a medicine for salvation and an opportunity to acquire virtue. **Saint John Chrysostom** adds that sadness and pain bring us closer to God. The Epistle to the Hebrews insists that God permits suffering for our own benefit, so that we may participate in His holiness.

The treasures of the Kingdom are not obtained cheaply. This is the idea that runs through the Patristic tradition: suffering accepted with faith ceases to be absurd and becomes a path.

## Saints as spiritual athletes

No one has suffered or been more persecuted than the saints. They are defined as "spiritual athletes" who experienced eternal joy through their suffering, not despite it. The question "why me?" loses its meaning in the face of such testimony.

Just as Christ did in **Gethsemane**, the saints did not simply pray for their pain to be taken away, but to receive the strength, faith, and perseverance to fulfill God's will.

## Providence and absolute trust

There are no coincidences. Life is completely in the hands of God, not under chance or pagan fate. Just as Jesus did not remove the water but called **Pedro** to walk upon it, God calls us to be patient and to trust in His divine providence.

Everything He permits is out of love and for our salvation. This is the practical conclusion of this vision: suffering is not denied, but walked through with hope.