The answer
St. Basil the Great answers, “This question is also covered by the question in which we explained grief according to God (cf. 2 Cor. 7:10), that is, if we mourn over sins either because we weep over those who through their transgression of the law dishonour God (Rom. 2:23), or because of those who are in peril through sin, for the soul that sins, itself shall die (Ezek. 18:4, 20) according to him who said: that I may mourn over many who have sinned till now (2 Cor. 12:21).”1468
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty
Notes
1468 St. Basil of Caesarea, The Rule of St Basil in Latin and English: A Revised Critical Edition, trans., Anna M. Silvas (Collegeville, Minnesota: Liturgical Press, 2013) Q. 52: p. 153.