The passions nurtured for years needs to be surmounted through tears and sufferance, through a constant, self-conscious and serious effort, otherwise the recovery of man and his religious life are just an illusion, and the suffering (disease, anxiety) will not be cured.

Canons therefore, are not a punishment for sins, but a treatment that needs to be assumed by the penitent who wants to be cured and achieve salvation.

Someone who was lost for years in severe sins and wants to partake immediately thinking he is worthy of it, will suffer even more if his spiritual father doesn’t cast away his pride and boldness (so harmful to the soul) through his advice, scolding and encouragement.

The passions nurtured for years needs to be surmounted through tears and sufferance, through a constant, self-conscious and serious effort, otherwise the recovery of man and his religious life are just an illusion, and the suffering (disease, anxiety) will not be cured. 

(Translated from Ieromonah Adrian Făgeţeanu, Ieromonah Mihail Stanciu, De ce caută omul contemporan semne, minuni şi vindecări paranormale? Un răspuns ortodox, Editura Sophia, Bucureşti, 2004, pp. 45-46)