The spirit of the times often tempts us to think that, in response to every injustice, each of us must “do something,” and this “something” is often a public proclamation—we are against that, we are for this. The martyrs and confessors of the Soviet Yoke present us with a different way. Very few of them were slain for public opposition to the Communist regime, regardless of the false accusations leveled against them; in fact, many of them went well out of their way to comply with the civil authorities. But quietly preaching Christ, quietly bearing witness to the kingdom not of this world, humbly carrying out the services and maintaining the life of the Church—all of this was hateful to the enemy of mankind, and that is why he stirred the authorities up against the saints. Here is a lesson for us: rather than more talk, more indignation, more public stands, more controversies and opinions, perhaps we need more prayer, more fasting, more services, more attention to our neighbors, that is, the living and breathing people God places before us each day. To say it in a few words, what we need is more simplicity and more humility. This is the way of holiness, and holiness is the only solution to the ailments of fallen creation.
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