I am so blessed to have this Christlike example and patron for my life, St. Nikolai Velimirovich, Bishop of Zhicha (Serbian Orthodox Church)!
ST. NIKOLAI VELIMIROVICH
(1881-1956)
from http://oca.org: "Saint Nikolai was renowned for his sermons, which never lasted more than twenty minutes, and focused on just three main points. He taught people the theology of the Church in a language they could understand, and inspired them to repentance."
Interesting fact: Nikolai and Patriarch Gavrilo were imprisoned and tortured in Dachau death camp from 1944-45 due to their open criticism of the Nazis during their occupation of Yugoslavia. you can read more about his life and works here.
I try to read his writings every day (along with the Holy Gospel and epistles, of course), and his sermons never fail to soften my heart:
"Do not hope without measure [limit] but according to the measure [limit] of your efforts as regards the improvement of your life, let that be your hope. Truly, great is the mercy of God, long is the patience of God and infinite is the love of God. Behold, God loves you more and is more merciful to you than you are to yourself and He continually wishes you salvation even more than you yourself do. But he, who to the end mocks the mercy of God and he, who to the very end laughs at the patience of God and he, who to the end opposes the love of God, will God then take him by force into His kingdom and make him a fellow citizen with the angels and saints?
How terrible is the darkness of Hades, the clanging sound of chains and the gnashing of teeth? Those who ridiculed the mercy of God and opposed the love of God dwell there [Hades]. Will you want to go there, O prodigal soul? God does not desire that you go there; the angels mourn because you are headed there; the saints are praying that you return; Holy Church offers sacrifices for you that you would come to your senses. If you despise all of that O why would you despise it all! Then what kind of mercy do you expect from God?
O righteous Lord, help us that we may, in due time turn away from the path which leads to the darkness of Hades, make us to understand and strengthen us in goodness, before You send Your angel to take away our soul.
To You be glory and thanks always. Amen."
You can read his daily sermons, reflections, and lives of the saints, compiled here
image source
image source
image source
Thanks for reading. Let me know if you like this sort of thing and would like to learn more about the Orthodox Church and her saints!
-Nikolai Bowman