Penthos

Penthos is a forgotten virtue in our day. Yet the Fathers and Mothers in the desert insisted that unless you had it, you were not on "the way". "If anyone does not destroy the passions of the soul with the fire of tears, he will never be able to acquire charity, which is the fullness of the law" says an author of the life of Saint Theognos. Why do we not hear about this? Our devotions tend to be clean and sanitized. Emotions are actually discouraged. Yet, early Christians felt emotions were part of the human condition, and should be directed toward the spiritual!