If you look in the dictionary, it will be clear that affection is a tender feeling caused by something touching. A fluffy kitten, a small child, an unexpected pleasant act of a loved one - all this can cause affection.
Affection - what is it usually caused by
Affection is a very pleasant and joyful feeling. It can be so strong that it touches you to tears. Often sensitive creative people who try to see beauty in everything are subject to it. They are touched by the first rays of the sun in spring, birds sitting on a branch notice the touching behavior of others. This feeling helps to remember that there are many interesting things in the world besides material goods. That is why people who are fixated on enrichment are rarely touched. They simply do not have the time and desire to look at the world around them, they are consumed with a thirst for profit, they have no time to be distracted. Thus, they deprive themselves of pleasant emotions that can be obtained with absolutely no effort.
You can always find a reason for affection. It is enough to look at the world around you more attentively. Trees are very beautifully reflected in the November puddles, colorful butterflies appear on a sultry day, etc.
Affection as a Christian virtue
The word "affection" has its own meaning in Orthodox Christianity. Affection is considered a virtue that brings an Orthodox person closer to understanding the Divine. It lies in joyful crying, humble and exalted state. This is a very strong feeling that not everyone can achieve. Only the one who has understood his own imperfection in front of unlimited Divine mercy and humanity is able to cognize it. Affection in Orthodox Christianity is considered an invaluable gift from God, a special visit to the human soul by God. For this feeling, they thank you in churches, light candles and ask you to prolong the peaceful state. It is able to fill a person's soul with a special love - for his neighbor and God.
In Orthodoxy there is an icon of the Mother of God "Tenderness". They pray to her for a happy marriage of daughters, for happiness and prosperity. There is also an Orthodox church built in honor of this icon. It is located in Nizhny Novgorod.
For those who have experienced Divine affection, a very special state is revealed. It becomes clear that God is all-merciful and ready to forgive the worst sin. A person begins to repent, purifying his soul even more. He tries to do good deeds, to help loved ones, stops condemning the actions of people. He understands that everything is God's will. And only he can decide who is to be executed and who to have mercy. And you can only help others to comprehend this knowledge, but not in any way be angry with them for not understanding or unwillingness to follow the Divine laws.
