American Orthodox Catholic Christianity
Faith Of Our Fathers Series
Prophecy of Elder Ambrose of Optina
My child, know that in the last days hard times will come, as the Apostle
says, behold due to poverty in piety, in churches the heresies and schisms
will appear", and as the Holy Fathers foretold, than on the thrones of
hierarchs and in monasteries, there will be no men tested and experienced
in the spiritual life. Wherefore, heresies will spread everywhere and
deceive many. The enemy of the human kind will act skillfully, if possible,
leading the chosen ones to heresy. He will not begin by discarding the
dogmas on the Holy Trinity, divinity of Jesus Christ, on Theotokos, but
will unnoticeably start to distort the Teachings of the Holy Fathers from
the Holy Spirit - the Church teaching itself. Cunning of the enemy and his
"tipics" will notice a very small number of those most experienced in
spiritual life. Heretics will take over the Church, everywhere will appoint
their servants, and the spirituality will be neglected. But the Lord will
not leave His servants without protection, and in ignorance. He said "by
the fruits you will recognize them". And strive to distinguish them from
real pastors; those spiritual thieves who are snatching the spiritual
flock, do not enter through the door into the sheepfold, but cross in the
other place" as the Lord said it, that is, they will enter in illegal way,
with force(violence) destroying God's order. The Lord calls them the
criminals.
Truly, their real duty is persecution of true pastors, their imprisonment,
for without that the spiritual flock may not become captured. Therefore, my
son, when you see in the Church mocking of the Divine act, teaching of the
Fathers, and God-established order, know that the heretics have already
appeared, even though for some time they might hide their evil intentions,
or will unnoticeably deform the divine faith, to better succeed by
deceiving and tricking the inexperienced .
They will persecute not only the pastors, but also the servants of God, for
the devil who is directing the heresy cannot bear living in Divine order.
Like wolfs in sheep skin, they will be recognized by their vainglorious
nature, love for lust, and lust for power - those will be betrayers causing
hatred and malice everywhere; and therefore the Lord said that one will
recognize them by their fruits. The true servants of God are - meek,
brother-loving and obedient to the Church (ed: order,traditions).
At that time, monks will endure great pressures from heretics, and the
monastic life will be mocked. The monastic families will be impoverished,
the number of monks will reduce. The ones remaining, will endure violence.
These haters of the monastic life, who merely have the appearance of piety,
will strive to draw monks on their side, promising them protection and
worldly goods(comforts), but threatening with exile to those who do not
submit. From these threats, the weak at heart will be very humiliated
(tormented).
If you live to see that time, rejoice, for at that time the faithful, not
possessing other virtues will receive wreaths merely for standing in faith,
according to the Word of the Lord "everyone who confesses Me before men, I
will confess before My Heavenly Father".
Fear the Lord, my son!, don't lose the received wreath, not to be rejected
by Christ into the utter darkness and eternal suffering.
Bravely stand in faith, and if needed joyfully endure persecutions and
other troubles, for than the Lord will stand by you...and holy Martyrs and
Confessors with joyfully watch at your struggle.
But, in these days, woe be to monks tied to possessions and riches, and who
for the sake of love of comfort agree to subjugate themselves to the
heretics. They will lull their conscience saying: we will save the
monastery, and the Lord will forgive us. Unfortunate and blinded, they are
not even thinking that through heresies and heretics, the devil will enter
the monastery, and than it will no longer be a holy monastery, but bare
walls from which Grace will depart from forever.
But God is more powerful than devil, and will never abandon His servants.
There will always be true Christians, till the end of time, but they will
choose lonely and deserted places. Do not fear troubles, but fear
pernicious heresy, for it drives out Grace, and separates from Christ,
wherefore Christ commanded consider the heretic as let him be unto thee as
a heathen man and publican.
And so, strengthen yourself, my son, in the Grace of Christ Jesus. With joy
hasten to the confession and enduring the suffering, like Jesus Christ's
good soldier who said: "BE FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH, AND I WILL GIVE YOU THE
WREATH OF LIFE"
To Him, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, honor and glory unto ages of
ages. Amen.
St. Ambrosy of Optina "Last times and now" collection of writings