Orthodox Parables and Stories: Patience, Long-suffering and Forbearance

PATIENCE, LONG-SUFFERING AND FORBEARANCE 

A certain brother was saddened by someone and though he faced the temptation correctly with silence and patience, he slowly submitted to the thought of sorrow. That is why he besought God with tears to grant him patience, long-suffering and forbearance. Once, while he was praying, he fell into a very light sleep and found himself in a magnificent and divine meadow. There he saw a multitude of brightly dressed people standing before the throne of Jesus, chanting aloud and with ineffable sweetness: "All ye that have been baptised into Christ, have put on Christ, Alleluia". The brother was observing ecstatically and wondering who they were. So he decided to ask one of them. He answered him: “When we lived in the world, we went through the river of afflictions and temptations; in this way our garments have been washed and become so bright. The afflictions of that life have now become springs of rejoicing and our pride in Christ. That is the reason we chant continually, have put on Christ. For the faithful person is not dressed with the false joy of the world, but with afflictions and patience, with trials, temptations and persecutions for the love of Christ.” The brother came to himself and his heart was on fire with the desire to also live with uncomplaining patience at every sorrow and temptation, in order to be counted amongst them also. 

From the book, Spiritual Paths through the Beatitudes  Piraeus 2009, Protopresbyter Stephanos Anagnostopoulos