Orthodox Parables and Stories: "God Still Exists"

Fyodor Mikhailovich Makhov was returning home one winter along the Pekhorka River. It was getting dark. The road was not visible. Approximately in the middle of the river, the man fell into the hole. The river in this place is deep, even in summer they tried not to swim here.

Finding himself under water, Fedor began to sink. It was very dark underwater. Trying to swim out, the man hit his head on the ice.

And then he immediately went to the bottom. Sinking deeper, he cried out to God with all his heart: “God, if You exist, save me!”

At that moment, the water above his head lit up with light. Some force pulled Fyodor up, something pushed him out of the hole. He crawled across the ice, then got up and walked. The coat was wet and heavy. But Fedor reached the house and did not even get sick.

Since then, he, recalling this incident, said: “God still exists! Otherwise, I wouldn't exist."