Do you really think that our vigilance or any podvigs [spiritual struggles] are powerful and sufficient to give us boldness before the Holy Chalice? Do you remember the thief? One sigh of sincere repentance, simple faith in the merits of the Crucified One—this is our justification, not our illusory podvigs. Of course, we have to labor, but not such that we see and imagine our justification and dignity are in these podvigs. "A heart that is broken and humbled God will not despise" (Ps. 50:19).

St. John of Kronstadt
From the book: Conversations of Archpriest John of Kronstadt with Abbess Taisia, Sretensky Monastery, 2022