Appeal to the Saints during periods of Spiritual Depression

"All do not realize with equal seriousness the great significance for our spiritual life of meditation on the Lives of the Saints. Some go so far as to say: 'I have the Gospels; I have Christ - I need no intermediaries.' Some do not actually utter these self-assured words, but on the other hand neither do they appeal to the saints during periods of spiritual depression ( and who has not had such experiences?). For what is a saint? A man like ourselves, but one who, having followed the right path, has found that which we all seek - God. Why, then, should we not study them and follow their example? Strictly speaking, we all share the same aim - sanctity - according to the measure of our powers."

- Fr. Alexander Elchaninov