To Live is Christ, and to Die is Gain No. 1 | Orthodox Christian Art PosterTo live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1: 21 What others had contrived for his death proved to be life for him. This is life: if Christ is preached. He is fully prepared to meet death so that this can be accomplished. He knows that a great blessing will be given to him for his prayer and constancy. Clumsy malice will continue to work against him in ignorance. To trample down the malevolence of those who were laying snares against his life

in particular the troparion of the Nativity:

the Virgin Theotokos

control of one's passions and base impulses) for the sake of the Kingdom

It's later than you think

and then in 1929 it was moved to the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow

casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God

and the protector of soldiers

which orders all things for the best

and thus is not suitable for use in a church

“Spat upon and smitten on the cheek

and then shall the end come

the might of His Resurrection with that of His Ascension