I s'pose, to stay "on brand", as it were, that one way to bridge the divide between us is to become acquainted with one another's saints. If we can see God's grace shine through them, we can certainly be inspired.
Who is your patron saint? Did you choose or did someone choose for you? Why did you choose him/her?
My saint is St. Seraphim of Sarov.
St. Seraphim was a 19th century Russian staretz (holy elder) and monastic. He experienced many miracles in his lifetime and the Mother of God appeared to him several times. He was healed by her and by her icon (Kursk Root icon - look it up) as a child. St. Seraphim was an intense ascetic, always pursuing a deeper spiritual life, and lived as a hermit for a time. He is said to have prayed the Jesus Prayer for 1,000 days and nights while kneeling on a rock in the forest. He befriended many animals, including a bear named Misha who ran errands for the saint. Fr. Seraphim was once beaten nearly to death by a band of robbers who stumbled upon him in the woods; he crawled his way from the hermitage to his monastery and quickly forgave his offenders. He became the spiritual father of many. The saint was found reposed kneeling before his favorite icon of the Theotokos in his cell with many candles lit - candles he lit for all of the people who asked him to pray for them. St. Seraphim is well known for his saying, "acquire a spirit of peace and 1,000 souls around you will be saved".
I chose St. Seraphim because I deeply want to emulate his mercy, prayer, asceticism, faith, and love. I want to grow in my love for the Theotokos like him. Above all, I long to acquire a spirit of peace.
Fr. Seraphim, pray to God for us!
