Saint Herman was a great Ascetic, he pushed his body to the limit in order to hold onto the Holy Spirit dwelling in his heart. He wore an iron Cross and chains as part of his Asceticism.
“And I, a sinner, have been trying to love God for more than forty years, and cannot say that I perfectly love Him. If we love someone we always remember him and try to please him; day and night our heart is occupied with that object. Is that how you, gentlemen, love God? Do you often turn to Him, do you always remember Him, do you always Pray to Him and fulfill His Holy Commandments?”
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