His Holiness explains the meaning of rest from a divine and human perspective, showing that God Himself rested after completing creation, and that the human being experiences several kinds of rest: bodily rest, mental rest, emotional rest, rest of conscience, and spiritual rest. He affirms that rest is not laziness, and that fatigue may be sacred when it leads to inner peace and spiritual growth.

Rest from a biblical and spiritual perspective

• God rested after creation to declare the meaning of completing the work, and He rested on the day of Resurrection as Redeemer and Savior. Believers wait for the eternal rest where there is no pain or toil.

• After departing from this world, humans rest from the burdens of the body and the evil environment, as Scripture says: “They rest from their labors and their works follow them.”

Types of rest in human life

• Bodily rest is a divine commandment, not a sin, provided it does not turn into laziness or stagnation.

• Rest of the mind, heart, and emotions are different forms yet connected, for the body rests when the soul is peaceful, and becomes weary when the soul is troubled.

• There is also “internal fatigue” caused by fear, anxiety, and pessimism, which is harder than bodily tiredness.

The relationship between rest and fatigue

• Sometimes bodily fatigue leads to rest of conscience and spirit, such as hard work done faithfully, long nights of study, or endurance for the sake of truth, as with John the Baptist or Joseph the Righteous.

• At other times people seek psychological comfort at the expense of spiritual well-being, through lying, false praise, or comforting the sinner while he perishes spiritually.

True rest is the rest of the spirit

• Bodily rest is less valuable than rest of conscience and rest of spirit.

• Martyrs and saints accepted sufferings because their spirits were at peace in faith.

• Service itself is fatigue, but it is sacred and fruitful, and God rewards each according to his labor.

Rest and fatigue in our relationship with others

• It is wrong to comfort someone emotionally while harming his spiritual state.

• Some people tire themselves, their families, society, and even the Church, while the peaceful soul is not easily disturbed by external causes.

Spiritual summary

True rest is not bodily relief but the rest of the spirit. Sacred fatigue is that which leads to faith, self-control, and loving service to others. Vain fatigue is that which ends in the loss of inner peace. To live in true rest, the believer must first seek the rest of the conscience and the spirit according to the Orthodox faith.

For better translation support, please contact the center.