They’re not worth crying over (Elder Joseph of Vatopaidi)

When we speak to people today, about mourning, it seems strange to them, because they think it shameful to cry. Of course, when we’re dealing with passing, vain matters, it is indeed not worth crying. But that mourning’s just on the level of social convention. Spiritual mourning has to do with our relationship with God and is the product not so much of our own choice, as of the Grace of the Holy Spirit. The sense of responsibility for wicked deeds weighs down upon our heart and this gives rise to the sad state of mourning.