Introduction to
The
Acquisition of the Holy Spirit
in Ancient Russia
Series
The acquisition of the Holy Spirit, which has been made possible by Jesus Christ, is the main aim of man upon this earth. Through the ascetic struggle of “pulling down” the grace of the Holy Spirit into a repentant, humble heart, man communes with God and begins to experience, even while still on this earth, eternal life in the Kingdom of Heaven.
“When the Spirit of God comes down to man and overshadows him with the fullness of His inspiration, then the human soul overflows with unspeakable joy, for the Spirit of God fills with joy whatever He touches.”
—St. Seraphim of Sarov, 19th Century
When our Lord Jesus Christ sent down the Holy Spirit as He promised, His faithful followers were granted to experience the saving state of union with God. This acquisition of the Holy Spirit by Christians became the catalyst that transformed whole nations.
“I feel that my spirit has once more found a sense of direction, that my thinking has grown purposeful, that because of a visit of the Holy Spirit my heart is unspeakably glad and my mind ecstatic.”
—Monk Isaac of Scete, 4th Century
The path to acquire sanctity—the indwelling of the Holy Spirit—is not an easy one because it involves the voluntary self-crucifixion of the fallen man. Fortunately, this 2,000-year-old path has been well trodden and marked along the way with knowledge acquired from the skilled experience of countless holy men and women who have truly known God.
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