Letter from John Chryssavgis=
“Jamie
[1] You know? Of course, people prefer to say that ultimate hope doesn’t die. Because it is scary to say otherwise. Or else, they are clinging to an empty, pietistic concept of hope in God. The truth is, when you go through this [as Christ did on the Cross] then it certainly does not feel as if there is ultimate hope. I mean to say, it would be like Christ going through the Cross, only because he knew he’d pull off the resurrection three days later. That would be a lie! He was resurrected BECAUSE he died, hopeless, shamed.
[2] Few accept this, you say. Well, of course. What did you expect? It hurts like hell. Even those who know what you say is true would prefer it to be otherwise; it would hurt less. And you are right= it becomes either a turning point or final ruin; sometimes, it feels so scary not knowing which will ensue!
[3] Yes, you are right to say – and here I do agree – that monasticism has for the most part lost that; it has become institutionalized..”