The soul of man is a bird, hidden and vulnerable, it is the breath of God.

The soul of man is a bird, hidden and vulnerable, it is the breath  of God. With careful attitude to her own person and loved ones, she wakes up, wakes up and blossoms, turning into a big and strong white bird. The spiritual wings are strengthened and grow by prayer and repentance, and when it grows to the measure of Christ, it separates from the mortal body, the clay ... And soars into the radiant blue of the heavenly heights ... And flies on the wings of the soul of man, guarded by Angels, to the Sweetest One, to the Savior of the world, to Christ ...

Elder Nikolai (Guryanov)