It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God

“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

(Hebrews 10:31)

It’s been almost two weeks since the horrifying news broke about the systematic torture and killing of animals by Gabriela Sashova and Krasimir Georgiev from Pernik. The exposure of their monstrous crimes rightfully sparked a wave of compassion and an outcry for justice. I hesitated for a long time before deciding to comment on this, as the topic is truly painful. But after much deliberation, I’ve chosen to speak.

These atrocities brought back images of past animal cruelty that I can never forget—acts that, I must say, were ultimately avenged from above. I won’t describe them, as such violence is deeply traumatizing to the soul.

The brutal acts in Pernik have raised legitimate public questions about justice:

Will the perpetrators be fairly punished?

Will the judicial system be capable of reforming them?

What will happen once they’re back in society?

This is why I write these lines now. There are many true accounts of violence against animals that have been unmistakably avenged by God, recorded as warnings for anyone who believes such deeds can go unpunished. As I said, I believe we shouldn’t retell such cruelty—especially when it involves larger animals. Instead, I will share a relatively bearable story from the 19th century to remind you that God’s justice reaches evildoers everywhere and always.

Don’t feel helpless or despair if the justice system fails — remember: God always has the final word.

Some time ago, I heard a story on Radio Radonezh that deeply moved me. I’ll recount it from memory. It was part of a longer narrative about miracles performed by a Russian saint whose name I, unfortunately, no longer recall. He lived in the mid-19th century, led a righteous and holy life, and from humility, kept himself hidden from the world. Yet near the end of his life, many Christians from near and far began to seek him out for his prayers, as he had become a miracle worker.

Crowds gathered outside his humble hut, each bringing their pain. The saint would shut himself inside to pray from the heart. Miracles often followed.

One day, a young woman came to him, holding the hand of her three-year-old blind son. Tearfully, she told the hermit that her child had been born completely healthy, with perfect vision, but had suddenly and inexplicably gone blind just a month ago.

The saint was deeply saddened. He gently stroked the child, blessed him, and retreated into prayer. After some time, he came out, and the mother approached expectantly.

“When you were a young girl,” he said, with sorrow in his voice, “you used to climb trees and blind fledgling birds in their nests—out of cruelty and senselessness.”

Ashamed, the woman gasped, “But… no one knows about that. Only I do.”

“You and God know,” the saint replied. “And now He has revealed your terrible secret to me.”

“I was young and foolish,” she wept. “I regret it deeply. Please, Father, pray to God! Let me lose my sight instead if it must be, but let my child be healed!”

“I knew you would say this,” the saint responded, “and I have already prayed. God is merciful and does not desire suffering. But He is also just. In your case, His answer is no. The child will not regain his sight. You must carry this pain for the rest of your life, to remember what you did to those helpless little birds — and to repent every single day.

But do not grieve for the child. He is innocent and blessed, and one day he will enter paradise. This cross is yours to bear. You earned it yourself. All living things belong to God — and no one has the right to harm them.”

I share this story not to suggest we should stop fighting injustice or give up on earthly justice, but to remind you that everything we do is under God’s all-seeing eye.

Now just imagine: If God is so fiercely protective of even the smallest creatures, what awaits those who commit violence and murder against human beings?

Let us always remember:

“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:13)