‘Wine makes glad the heart of man’ (Ps. 104:15). But you who have professed sorrow and grief should turn away from such gladness and rejoice in spiritual gifts. If you rejoice in wine, you will live with shameful thoughts and distress will overwhelm you.
No one on this earth can avoid affliction; and although the afflictions which the Lord sends are not great, men imagine them beyond their strength, and are crushed by them. This is because they will not humble their souls, and commit themselves to the will of God. But the Lord Himself guides with His grace those who are given over to God’s will, and they bear all things with fortitude for the sake of God, Whom they have so loved, and with Whom they are glorified forever. It is impossible to escape tribulation in this world, but the man who is given over to the will of God bears tribulation easily, seeing it but putting his trust in the Lord, and so his tribulations pass.
The person who truly wishes to be healed is he who does not refuse treatment. This treatment consists of the pain and distress brought on by various misfortunes. He who refuses them does not realize what they accomplish in this world or what he will gain from them when he departs this life.
For now is the time to labor for the Lord, for salvation is found in the day of affliction: for it is written: ‘In your patience gain ye your souls’ (Luke 21:19)
A small affliction borne for God’s sake is better [before God] than a great work performed without tribulation, because affliction willingly borne brings to light the proof of love.
Sometimes afflictions are sent to a person even though he is innocent, so that he would suffer for others, as did Christ. The Savior Himself first suffered for people. His Apostles also suffered for the Church and for people. Perfect love means suffering for your neighbor.
The year of 2022 marked an exciting milestone in the life of Archangel Michael Orthodox Church. We celebrated the 100th anniversary of our parish. In 1922, without a building to call their own, a group of faithful Orthodox began holding services at a local YMCA, St. Sava’s Serbian Orthodox church on East 36th and ultimately until 1926, in a vacant building on the property of the old Second Presbyterian Church on East 30th St. From these humble beginnings, through the purchase of land on Union Avenue to building and opening of a sister parish in Maple Heights, and finally to the purchase of property and building of our current Archangel Michael Church in Broadview Heights, we have a lot to celebrate and to be thankful for!
Mailing Address
Archangel Michael Orthodox Church
5025 E. Mill Rd
Broadview Heights, Ohio 44147
[email protected]
440-526-5192 (Phone)
