An excerpt from St. Ephraim's writings: Oh Lord, Thou Who was oppresssed by the wicked, console the just who suffer oppression.  May he who is attacked by calumny, from being earthly may become spiritual, and he who is visited by oppression, from being corporeal may he become ethereal.  What shall be the measure of his reward who, like his God, is oppressed?  Who shall weight the promises made to him, who like our Lord suffers calumny?  He who suffers ignominy, shall with them receive what was promised the Apostles.  He upon whom the sufferings of the Apostles have fallen, shall together with them obtain the victory.  Not in vain does God call those his servants who have struggled hard for the victory; nor while he forget the oppressors who torment the innocent among us.  He shall judge them with fire, and separate the good from the wicked; every man shall be tried as by fire, and shall render an account of himself.

He that is oppressed by envy and hate, let him look to God and he shall receive consolation.  Let every one who suffers from the envious, look to Christ and he will be comforted.  The serpent, the first deceiver, was the first fruits of all deceivers.  SInce thy God was bowed before the oppressor, do not murmur when you suffer calumny. Think how Christ like you once suffered. Blessed thy soul because thou are oppressed, that the image of Christ is impressed upon thee; blessed thy spirit that suffers calumny, for you bear the sign of the Son.