[Aswdwdfg]

Are we to idolize our elders? I think not. I know people deeply venerate Elder Sophrony, but some retired bishops seem to be critical of this elder idolization... I'm sure no one 'idolizes' Father Sophrony. But he is very widely ackowledged to be a great saint, for example by Metropolitan Hierotheos Vlachos and by the Lavra Fathers. Is it not a great encouragement that God has given us in our time a saint who stands with the prominent Fathers of old? I only met him twice but I know those who knew him very well and I believe what they say of him.

Let us not get closer to the decease elders than to our own living priests, especially our dearly beloved parish priests who labor ceaselessly for our souls! The elders are not deceased - they are alive, more than they were when in this life. They also labour for our salvation; they care for us and help us. Please do not separate heaven and earth - they are bridged by the activity of the saints.