We Are Sons and Daughters of the End of the World (Royal Martyrs of Russia) No. 1 | Orthodox Christian Art PosterThe end of the world is inseparable from what it means to love, and to be loved. The Church, the Body of Christ and the Bride of Christ, has been living in the last days for 2000 years. From the Final Exam lovingly provided in advance by the Lord Himself (the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats in Matthew 25: 31 46), to St Peter's warning that "the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer" (1 Peter 4: 7), to the

O ye princes

And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel

depart hence first

+ St Ignatius Brianchaninov

and there shall no man hide himself from His heat

(Revelation 12:1) It’s clear the author of this icon had these verses in mind

who have the first fruits of the Spirit

I Jesus have sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches

doth now dwell in the heavens

as a roaring lion

that the mouth of Death might henceforth be stopped

worldly dejection [despair] - by spiritual joy