Protopresbyter Dionysios Tatsis | October 9, 2026 | Orthodoxos Typos
Clergymen often speak to the
faithful about the virtues and the passions. In their sermons, they regard
everything as easy: the acquisition of virtues without effort, and the struggle
against the passions likewise without effort. The reality, however, is
different. Every well-intentioned Christian faces his own difficulties in this
twofold struggle. These difficulties vary according to each person's character,
but also according to the way he has lived up to that point. Experience gained
through sin is the great obstacle to overcoming the passions, while the
acquisition of virtues requires continuous effort and is subject to the attacks
of the evil one.
This twofold struggle is waged
simultaneously, because the virtues and the passions are opposed to one
another. The virtues mortify the passions, and the passions destroy the
virtues. There is an unceasing battle. The spiritual combatant sees the virtues
and desires them, but he must be sincere and resolute in combating the
passions, because, in practice, the virtues he seeks cannot be acquired when he
timidly indulges his sinful desires.
The virtues are not acquired
overnight. There are many rungs on the ladder, and there is always the danger
of falling and losing the benefit of all one's efforts up to that point.
Confession, firm resolve, and practical application are necessary, not merely
theoretical knowledge of the virtues and the passions. Each rung on the ladder
of virtues represents an achievement that can easily be lost, leaving behind a
bitter experience if there is no repentance and recovery. The experience of a
fall can subsequently be transformed into spiritual strength and prevent
further falls.
The passions, likewise, are
deeply rooted in man and persistently demand satisfaction. He is easily taken
captive by them and regards them as innocent and natural. He feels no concern,
and only when they lead to some unpleasant incident does he begin to reflect on
their existence and consider it necessary to restrain them.
Saint John of Kronstadt states
that the passions distort a person's character: “A person who allows the
passions, the offspring of the devil, to dwell in his heart gradually becomes
infected with demonic pride, which makes his return to virtue difficult. This
is because such a person is not easily convinced that he is a sinner and
believes that he does nothing deserving of condemnation and that he is in the
right, even when he follows his passions and sins.” The saint adds a saying:
“We must cultivate the virtues, while the passions must be uprooted as soon as
they appear.”
We often observe that some people
have passions that are well known in the communities in which they live. These
passions are deeply rooted in their hearts and remain unchecked. As these
people grow older, their passions grow stronger as well, and it is pitiful to
see elderly people, whose physical strength has deserted them, speaking and
struggling to satisfy their passions! They remain enslaved to their passions
throughout their lives!
There are, however, also those
who struggle continually, even though they have become firmly established in
virtue. They remain vigilant lest, at some difficult moment in their lives, the
devil tempt them and they lose their spiritual fruit, which they humbly
safeguard, never considering themselves beyond the reach of temptation.
May we all take the shining
example of virtuous people as our spiritual guide, so that we may succeed in
cultivating the virtues and combating our passions.
Greek
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