Beautiful Confession of Faith

A page from the March Synaxaristes

Holy Martyr Quadratus and those with him

Jason:  Quadratus, why wilt though deliver thyself up to terrible tortures?  Why has thou deliberately chosen to disobey the imperial edict?  If only thou wouldest pay homage to the gods, thou wilt share with us in the delights and pleasures of this life.

Quadratus:  One who posseses a sound mind knows that life has been given to us by God.  It is God, therefore, to Whom love is due.  We Christians reverence the Giver more than the gift.  We offer thanksgiving and praise to the Lord, by means of living virtuously and spreading His glory in every place by our own sufferings.  One ought not to cleave to this transitory life by exchanging the honor due to the true and living God for reverence to insensate idols.  What god is as great and perfect as the One Who bestows everlasting gifts upon us?  Whom can we recognize in these great gifts if not Christ the Savior Himself?  We call Him Savior Who endured the Cross and death for our sake.  We desire to uphold piety and the true Faith, though terrible chastisements await us.  We shall face them and not cower.  The design of those who would beguile or corrupt true zealots of the sacred Mysteries is demonic.  All should strive to choose that which is superior.  Each one must examine the fruits, lest one should come to perdition by following those who only feign piety and virtue.  We have chosen to follow the holy apostles and fathers.  Therefore, have no hope in any scheme to beguile us.  Nothing can make us renounce Christ.  The truth of God and genuine piety have already persuaded us and united us to Christ.  Consider, moreover, that the common law of nature exempts no one from death.  At a man's final hour, his spirit goes forth and he returns to his earth.  In that day all his considerations perish.  On the one hand, the works of an unrighteous man and his fleeting glory come to nought.  On the other hand, in everlasting remembrance shall the righteous be.  We, therefore , have chosen to suffer for Christ — God helping us — that we might leave behind an example for others who desire to confess Him and take up this cross.

from p. 223

"Each one must examine the fruits, lest one should come to perdition by following those who only feign piety and virtue."   

 

[Using a cult as an example of those who feign piety and virtue, I first think of the cult leader who convinces his followers that blind obedience is necessary for salvation.  The saint says we Christians are responsible for "examining the fruits."  Cult leaders try to suppress any honest contemplations, saying it is self-will or a temptation from the devil.  Instead, the  cult leader wants followers to not think, to constantly do the Jesus Prayer to prevent suspicions ("evil") thoughts, and to hypnotize.  ~jh] 

Another page: 

"We do not permit unbelievers to penetrate the mysteries of piety. . . . Understanding is not granted unto all , , ,  ."   

[How closely tied are cult/heresy/pagans. ~jh]