Elder Ephraim and the Mentally Challenged Boy

Elder Ephraim's vision of a mentally challenged boy he knew when he was young. A sweet consolation for all those bearing this cross, for "without exception," as Elder Ephraim teaches, "anyone who had a physical or mental handicap in this life who goes to heaven will be perfect there."This reading is from "My Elder Joseph the Hesychast" by Elder Ephraim of Arizona, p. 536? "My Elder Joseph the Hesychast" by Elder Ephraim of Arizonahttps://stanthonysmonastery.org/products/my-elder-joseph-the-hesychast? Orthodox Prayers for Children, Parents, and Spouseshttps://youtu.be/JQsmE_k4A9w? PLAYLIST: Elder Ephraim of AZ & St. Joseph the Hesychast - Readingshttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzFKi22k2KYg5pt1Tvc3lnjd41E9pdR-p? PLAYLIST: Marriage and Family Life - Teachings from Orthodox Saintshttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzFKi22k2KYgkVz_d0SAUQkWSGp-L75yd⛪ FIND an Orthodox parish and monastery near you: https://orthodox-world.org/https://orthodoxyinamerica.org/_______Geronda [Joseph] advised all of us: "Use your prayer-ropes to pray for the departed so that they may be comforted and saved, too. Pray for everyone you knew, your grandparents, your relatives." I did this, and one time during my vigil I had a vision of little Chris! Little Chris was a childhood acquaintance of mine. He and his brother came to elementary school holding hands, and all of us could tell they were somewhat mentally challenged. They both died of starvation at a very young age during the difficult years of the German Occupation. When I saw little Chris in that vision, we were seated across from each other at a dinner table, and both of us were eating. He appeared a little older than I had remembered him. He was shining with a brilliant light and had an otherworldly beauty. Instead of looking like he was mentally challenged, his entire demeanor-—his eyes, his face—displayed a wise and serious disposition, like a heavenly being. As soon as I saw him, I said: "Little Chris! How are you? How are you, my little brother? Where are you?" With his head lowered, he replied in a serious tone, "Father, wouldn't it be better to be silent?" "Yes, certainly. We should be silent. I'm just so happy to see you." I answered. I was so delighted after seeing that little fellow. His reply was so wise that I said to myself, "His mind must be extremely sharp." It just goes to show that when insane and mentally challenged people go to heaven, they become wiser than the wisest men on earth. Without exception, anyone who had a physical or mental handicap in this life who goes to heaven will be perfect there._______Orthodox Wisdom is dedicated to sharing the writings and lives of the Saints of the Orthodox Church. Glory to Jesus Christ!