Why do men leave one place and settle in another place? Primarily because they hope that they will be more fortunate in the other place.
Prologue of Ohrid - February 27/14, 2023
And in truth, from the worldly point of view of life and contentment, places can be different: better or worse. He, who does not hope in a better life after death, seeks a better sensual pasture in this life. But if we listen to the hearts of those men, who were able and capable to live in the so-called best places on the globe of the earth, we will detect dissatisfaction, sorrow and despair. They did not find that which they were seeking. They ate to over satisfaction in every place, and finally, still hungry, they gaze death in the eyes.
But look at the Christian Saints!
They sought places with the least earthly pleasures: places that were "desolate, dangerous, arid, impassable, and devoid of water", isolated places and terrible places that attracted the least attention and for which no one competes. They considered every place on earth equally worthless, but they chose those places for one solitary reason:
Because they wanted to draw nearer in the spirit and mind to their eternal homeland.
And, if one were to listen to their hearts, they would sense joy and contentment such that the world cannot ever give.
Glory to Thee our God.
+ Glory to Thee for All Things! +
Glory forever!