St. Macarius the Great
Concerning the Christians' treasure, which is Christ and the Holy Spirit, who practices them in various ways to come to perfection.
Concerning the spiritual unction of Christians, and their glory, and that without Christ it is impossible to be saved or to become a partaker of eternal life.
That spiritual persons are subject to temptations and to the adversities which spring from the first sin.
Elder Joseph of Vatopaidi
Rating: 10|Votes: 2
What were they "suffering at present" from? They were tortured with whatever the devil threw at them, since he is always generating ways to prevent the devout from getting on with their business. He begins with minor internal or external annoyances and reaches even the highest of all evil, death.
Rating: 8,3|Votes: 3
On the following morning, the soldiers were again taken to Agricola. This time the pagan tried flattery. He began to praise their valor, their youth and strength, and once more he urged them to renounce Christ and thereby win themselves the respect and favor of their emperor.