Whoever wants to become a Christian must first become a Poet!

Wounded by Love The Life and the Wisdom of Elder Porphyrios
Translated by John Raffan, Holy Convent of the Life Giving Spring
Denise Harvey Publisher, 2005

This is a jewel of a book. Some books are meant to be read over
and over and this is one of them. The narrative is warm. The words
soothe the heart. The teachings of the elder are genuine and 
simple but it takes a life lived in God to fully comprehend them.
"Whoever wants to become a Christian must first become a poet.
That's what it is! You must suffer. You must love and suffer - suffer
for the one you love. Love makes effort for the loved one. She runs
all through the night; she stays awake; she stains her feet with blood
in order to meet her beloved. She makes sacrifices and disregards
all impediments, threats and difficulties for the sake of the loved 
one. Love towards Christ is something even higher, infinitely higher.
And when we say 'love', we don't mean the virtues that we will
acquire, but the heart that is pervaded by love towards Christ and
others. We need to turn everything in this direction.

But are we inflamed by love for Christ? Do we run to the Beloved
when we are exhausted to find rest in prayer, ..." p.107 

Such a lofty poet is Elder Porphyrios. The lyricism and rhythm of
his teaching enraptures the soul and transports it to another world.
"You prepare yourself to acquire those things which Christ
desires in order for divine grace to enter you, but it cannot enter
when that special ingredient you require is lacking. What is that?
It is humility. Without humility we cannot love Christ...humility
and selflessness in the worship of God...Do not let your left
hand know what your right hand is doing.

No one must see you; no one must understand the motions
of your worship toward the divinity. All these things must
be hidden and secret as with the hermits. Do you  remember
what I told you about the nightingale? It sings in the middle of
the forest amid the silence. Can you say that anyone hears it
or applauds it? Not a soul. Such breathtakingly beautiful
singing in the midst of the wilds! Have you seen how its throat
puffs up? That's what happens also to the person who falls in
love with Christ. If he starts to love, his throat swells, he is
overcome, his tongue moves incessantly. He finds a cave, a
hidden dell and lives with God secretly, with groanings that
cannot be uttered. This is a sign that he is living with God..."
p.109-110.

Blessed Elder Porphyrios (Bairaktaris) the Kapsokalyvite (1906-1991)
Source

May we all have his blessing!