Outside the Uspienski Sobor of the Kremlin, the group of women huddled together. “I didn’t notice the winter is almost over,” said one. “What are you talking about? Half our life has already passed…” said the other. And that turned into a long discussion as the sun came out and the snow almost melted and the golden domes of the Assumption Cathedral shone down on us, and the icons from the most beautiful church in the world looked over the coffins of the tsars.
It almost turned me into a believer.
“Our church is all about suffering for others, and forgiveness. Read Dostoevsky…”
And in Crime and Punishment, he said: ‘And He will judge and forgive all the good and the evil, the wise and the meek… And when He has done with all of them, then He will summon us. “You too come forth,” He will say. “Come forth, ye drunkards, come forth, ye weak ones, come forth ye children of shame!” And we shall all come forth, without shame and shall stand before Him. And He will say unto us: “Ye are swine, made in the image of the Beast and with his mark: but come ye also!” And the wise ones and those of understanding will say, “O Lord, why dost Thou receive these men?” And He will say: “This is why I receive them, O ye wise, this is why I receive them, O ye of understanding, that not one of them believed himself to be worthy of this.” And He will hold out his hands to us and we shall fall down before Him and we shall weep… and we shall understand all things. Then we shall understand all!… Lord, Thy kingdom come!”’
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One Comment
Is this the Holy Virgin of your next story? What a gorgeous, porcelain-skinned, angelic figure!