Since the undertaking of a podvog involves the acceptance of sufferiung and the practice of self-sacrifice, let us briefly address, at least briefly, the different perspectives of suffering as it relates to salvation in Eastern Orthodoxy as opposed to Western Christianity. In Orthodox Christianity, suffering has no intrinsic value and does not discharge punishment due to sin.

By His incarnation, Christ fused eternal being with created body; by enduring suffering, He made this body to learn obedience and thereby conquered the flesh and its passions, which had subjected man to corruption; and by laying down His created bodily with its corruptible nature, and having “taken our sins in His body,” He, killed death. Thereby fashioning a incorruptible nature for mankind through His resurrection.

“[I]n the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Certainly, we can rightly abhor suffering and physical death, which are the result of sin, but we cannot, as Christians, be afraid of or avoid either one of them. Patiently enduring one’s cross for the sake of love is the only path to the Kingdom of Heaven.

Just as Christ did not ascend the cross for the sake of punishment but as a voluntary offfering, so God does not punish us with suffering. He allows suffering to touch us as an opportunity to “offer [our] bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God,”(Romans 12:1) or so that, by falling, we might come to our senses, repent, and, learn obedience to the law of love.

A sermon by St. John Maximovich of Shanghai and San Francisco in Serbia in 1928 on St. Seraphim of Sarov. The sermon is as applicable to us today as it was then. As in the time of Tsar Nicholas II and his family,  the royal martyrs, we too, find ourselves on some sort of precipice. Something in the world is changing around us such that we can sense, but cannot fully perceive. Strange alliances are forming, war is raging with no end in sight, egged on and funded by nations who seemingly have no appetite for peace, but for transformation by domination.  Society is deteriorating at an ever-increasing rate. Perversions of every kind are celebrated publicly. Murderous rage spews at those who attempt to protect human life. Economies are failing. Livelihoods have been threatened or destroyed for refusal to participate in experimental biotechnology trials. Storms rage. Suffering and death are everywhere.

But we must be faithful. We can control nothing, save for that which has been given to us for control: ourselves. We must, as St. Paul encourages in Romans 12:12, rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, and continue steadfastly in prayer….

This week, I share a story from an Elder on Mt. Athos about a layman who undertook a podvig (spiritual struggle) in simple obedience, which resulted in a miraculous spiritual accomplishment. We also learn of the dangers of pride in such instances. 

"Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." Colossians 1:3. 

"Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." - Jesus Christ (Matthew 18:4)

Through this story, we learn that we can choose to carry our cross in the submission of our will to others by simple and guileless obedience even if/when it may appear that a mistake has been made.

In this inaugural episode I briefly explain the history of the concept of podvig, outline it's aim as the struggle for true freedom, and set the stage for future meditations on this integral spiritual discipline.

1 Peter 4:12-13

"Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy" Hello and welcome to Podvig. I'm Joel Dunn. What is Podvig? Essentially it is the Russian Orthodox concept of the spiritual struggle towards holiness and ultimately for slavation.