By St. Joseph the Hesychast
The more time passes and as his end draws near, the more the devil fights against us with an extremely violent mania to damn us.
Especially now with Great Lent which is coming upon us, many temptations and many troubles come against us by the malicious demons.
This is so because at this time we afflict them even more with fasting and prayer, which in turn makes them more enraged against us.
Take care therefore to attain crowns in the stadium of this contest.
You must be more brave.
You must line up chest to chest against the fleshless ones.
Do not fear them.
From Expression of Monastic Experience, 16.
