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In addition to the well-known “history of Christianity,” which delineates the transgressions of bishops, theologians, kings, and nations, of supposedly Christian governments and of every established order in general, there is also the unwritten history of simple folk, who have lived and continue to live quiet lives, faithful to their Christian principles, even though world history has shown little concern for them. Many details about life in the past have also been preserved in the recorded lives of the saints, revealing another, largely unknown, history of Christianity, one that is a truer “history of the Church” than all the scandals and irregularities of ecclesiastical leaders. Indeed, the saints of the Church still remain the most authoritative representatives of Christianity, for they have made the best use of the inexhaustible spiritual resources and strength to be found in the Word and the Grace of God.

—Archbishop Anastasios (Yannoulatos)
Facing the World: Orthodox Christian Essays on Global Concerns (2003)

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— Christianity — Commonplaces #232 — Mar/Apr 2026 —