Joy And Feasts

Οὐκ ἔστι καταδίκοις ἐν φυλακῇ χαρμονή, καὶ οὐκ ἔστι μοναχοῖς ἀληθινοῖς ἐπὶ γῆς ἑορτή. Καὶ ἴσως διὰ τοῦτο ἐκεῖνος ὁ καλλίπενθος στενάζων ἔλεγεν· Ἐξάγαγε ἐκ φυλακῆς τὴν ψυχήν μου, τοῦ ἀγαλλιασθῆναι λοιπὸν ἐν τῷ ἀῥῥήτῳ φωτί σου. Ἅγιος Ἰωάννης τῆς Κλίμακος, ἡ Κλίμαξ, Λογος Ζ’ Source: Migne PG 88.808d

There is no joy for the condemned in prison, and no feast for true monks on the earth. And perhaps because of this that excellent mourner, sighing, said: 'Lead my soul from prison, that it may then rejoice in your ineffable light.' 1 Saint John Climacus, The Ladder, from Step 7 1 Ps 141.10