Homily on the Feast of the Kazan Mother of God
By St. John of Kronstadt
By St. John of Kronstadt
"O diligent Intercessor... pray for all to Your Son, Christ our God, and grant salvation to all who flee to Your mighty protection." (Troparion to the Kazan Mother of God).
Do you all, beloved brethren, always pray diligently to the Mother of God? If any of you do not pray to Her, or do so not from the bottom of your heart, I implore you from this day forth to begin to pray to Her with all fervor, for the Lady is a swift Intercessor for all Christians who fervently seek Her protection and intercession. She does not turn away from anyone and does not neglect anyone. To be granted Her intercession, all that is required is a firm faith in the power of Her prayers and a humble, sincere prayer.
What calamity has befallen you, or what inner sorrow do you bear: hasten to prayer to the Lady, and do not seek solace in any earthly comforts – be it in theaters, circuses, or social gatherings, much less should you resort to wine to alleviate your sorrow and forget your misfortune, as many do. Theaters, circuses, and entertainments that involve wine or other similar distractions are new calamities, though they may not be evident at first glance, for they are beguiling.
If sins or passions torment you, or if unwholesome habits possess you, seek refuge in the most compassionate Mother of all – the Queen Mother of God; pray to Her thus:
O all-bountiful Lady Theotokos, behold, I am beset by such and such passions and sins; You are all-powerful, Your prayer is omnipotent before Your Son and God. Shield and protect me from myself, from my sinful passions and habits. I earnestly desire correction and salvation for myself with all my heart, but without heavenly assistance, without intercession from above, I can accomplish nothing. I may take one step forward, only to retreat ten steps back, for I am repelled by the strength of the adversary against the Lord. I am a wretched, poor, and spiritually blind beggar; help me, the wretched, poor, and blind one - I implore You with all my heart. I believe that You hear every sigh of my heart, every word that comes forth from my heart, and that You graciously intercede for all who sincerely seek Your help and for those whom sinful seduction has not completely deceived. Therefore, I beseech You, protect, save, and have mercy on me, a sinner.
Thus, let us pray to the Most Merciful Queen, the Mother of God – and we shall certainly be granted Her protection and intercession. Amen.
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
