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“Contemporary man has not been able to organize his life in such a way as to allow himself sufficient leisure- free time- for prayer and the contemplation of Divine Being. The reason for this is covetousness, that passion which St. Paul called 'idolatry' and St. John Climacus 'the daughter of unbelief ... blasphemy against the Gospel, a turning aside from God'. True Christian 'poverty' is unknown and uncomprehend by the world. And if we go on to say that this spirit of non-acquisition grows and develops until it embraces not only the material but 'intellectual' possessions too, to the majority of people this will seem madness. Men regard their learning as spiritual riches, not suspecting the existence of a higher knowledge and riches quite incomparable, since they bring with them a deep peace. In pursuing material comfort men have lost spiritual comfort. The materialistic dynamism which dominates our century is rapidly acquiring a demoniacal character; which is not surprising, since it is nothing else but the dynamics of sin.” — Sophrony Sakharov