What Should the Life of Christian Spouses Be Like?
October 9
(From the Story of the Venerable Father Daniel About Andronikos and His Wife)
By Archpriest Victor Guryev
October 9
(From the Story of the Venerable Father Daniel About Andronikos and His Wife)
By Archpriest Victor Guryev
Throughout the year, the Holy Church frequently commemorates Christian spouses, that is, husbands and wives who, living their lives together, strove with one another in virtue and were together granted crowns for it. Since the lives of these saints offer valuable lessons regarding how to attain salvation within the context of family life, they should be particularly instructive for us, laypeople.
As an example, I will point you to something from the life of Saints Andronikos and his wife Athanasia.
“There was,” begins the hagiographer, “Andronikos, a man reverent and adorned with virtues, and also his wife Athanasia.” What were their virtues? They divided their property into three parts: one they gave to the poor, another to the church, and the third they used for their own sustenance. They were gentle, which earned them the love of the entire city in which they lived. They maintained purity in their marital bed. They were always compassionate and aided the needy. Every Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday they attended church. They remained steadfast in misfortunes and endured them with submission to the will of God. When Andronikos heard of the severe illness of his only son and daughter, he merely said: let the will of the Lord be done. When he learned of their death, falling before the icon of the Savior, like Job, he said: "Naked I came forth from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; as the Lord willed, so it has been done. Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forever." Finally, having resolved to dedicate themselves entirely to the service of God, they bequeathed their property to the closest of their relatives, requested that a hospital and a hostel for monks be built with their funds, freed their slaves, and thereafter spent the remainder of their lives in complete seclusion from the world.
Therefore, brethren, here are the conditions for salvation even within married life! They are: a good heart, sincerely and steadfastly loving God; diligence in observing God's commandments; constant mutual love and faithfulness in fulfilling mutual duties; love for one's neighbors; humble devotion to God amidst all difficult and sorrowful circumstances of life; and unwavering trust in God. Imitate Saints Andronikos and Athanasia in their married life, and your salvation will be assured. Amen.
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
