THEOSISInnocentius of Kherson
Upon the return from Babylonian exile, Nehemiah and Ezra served as remarkable instruments of God’s Providence for the Church, exemplifying a profound love for their homeland. Their devotion to their people and country was unmatched; although their physical presence was in Babylon, their hearts were intertwined with the ruins of Jerusalem. One day, as Nehemiah stood before the king of Persia, he was asked, ‘Why is thy face lamentable, but thou bearest sickness?’ Nehemiah replied, “Why should not my face be sad, for the city, the house of my fathers’ sepulchres, is desolate, and its gates are burned with fire.” This exchange led to the return of many Jews from exile and the restoration of Jerusalem's walls.