The Martyrdom of Saints for Christ
-Elder, what does "Good Paradise" mean?***
May you go to Paradise well.
-Could it mean, Elder, "May you go to the good Paradise?"
Listen to what you are saying; is there a bad Paradise? In any case, in order for anyone to go to sweet Paradise, be must eat much bitterness here, in order to have the passport of trials in his hand.
What things are happening in hospitals! What tragedies! What pain the world has! How many mothers--O poor people--are getting surgeries, thinking of their little children and having the agony of the whole family! How many heads of families have cancer, and are getting radiation, and what a torture they have! They can't work, but they still have to pay rents, and have a whole bunch of expenses!
Here, others have their health and they still can't make ends meet. How much harder is it for someone who is sick or is too sluggish to work to fulfill his obligations! They have given me all people's problems. How much I hear every day! Continuously tortures, difficulties!...Bitterness all day from the mouth, and at night I fall down fasting before I fall asleep. I sense great bodily fatigue, but inner rest.
***Note: The greeting, "Good Paradise", is a traditional greeting among many Orthodox monks and laymen for namedays and other special occations. It replaces the common Greek phrase "Chronia Polla" ("Many years"), and thus more properly focuses not on more years on earth, but on reaching blessed Paradise.
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!
http://full-of-grace-and-truth.blogspot.ca/2013/07/good-paradise.html