The Destiny of Man

Protopresbyter Dionysios Tatsis | August 12, 2026

 

 

Worldly people strive in their lives to secure material goods, to satisfy their desires, and to stabilize their “happiness.” All their strength and all their capabilities are directed toward these things. The unceasing cares, which have no end, wear them down, and they remain indifferent to their spiritual advancement, the cultivation of character, and service to their fellow men. They do not have open horizons. They are shut up within themselves and within their narrow family circle. Nothing beyond that. Their social relationships may be many, but they are marked by formality and hypocritical behavior. They are always fragile, because their motive is not pure love, but they are based on some acquaintance they happened to make in the past, on some obligation or professional collaboration, and sometimes on an acquaintance made during vacations, etc. All these, of course, are events that do not create experiences useful for life. They rarely acquire stability and duration. Usually they become memories that quickly fade and are forgotten.

The conscientious Christian, however, makes different choices in his life. He strives to keep his worldly cares as few as possible and remains steadfast in his principles. He does not follow the pace of life of worldly people. His goal is not “happiness,” which is never attained, but spiritual achievements that lay the foundation for true happiness, which has substance and remains unaffected by the adverse conditions of the present life.

The satisfaction that comes from keeping God’s commandments, the consolation he receives from Christ through faith, and the hope of eternal life are the hidden nourishment that spiritually cultivates man and secures for him states that are not easily described, nor can they be compared with worldly “happiness,” whose ultimate result is misery.

Worldly people are unaware of the spiritual reality we have mentioned, despite all the disappointments in their lives. Unfortunately, they lack the relevant experience needed to appreciate the great sweetness that comes from keeping God’s commandments and acquiring the virtues, which form a character that surpasses the “gifts” of many worldly people. They live without spiritual concern, following an orientation of their own, dictated by their many desires, which are continually changing for the worse.

Saint John of Kronstadt, in a single phrase, gives an answer to all those who remain without a proper orientation in their lives and lose themselves in transient things, which destroy their interest in maintaining a steady course in life. Our Saint says: “Man’s highest destiny is to become pleasing to God, to save his soul.” And he adds: “When we yield to the demands of the flesh, we become our own worst enemies.”

The common experience of the virtuous testifies that becoming firmly established in a spiritual orientation makes life in Christ easier and enriches man with abundant feelings, most sweet experiences, and a fervent hope that the Lord will lead him to salvation.

 

Greek source: https://orthodoxostypos.gr/%e1%bd%81-%cf%80%cf%81%ce%bf%ce%bf%cf%81%ce%b9%cf%83%ce%bc%cf%8c%cf%82-%cf%84%ce%bf%e1%bf%a6-%e1%bc%80%ce%bd%ce%b8%cf%81%cf%8e%cf%80%ce%bf%cf%85/