Prologue in Sermons: November 5

To Young Lovers of Monastic Life

November 5

(From the Life of Saint John Chrysostom)

By Archpriest Victor Guryev

The fifth commandment, "Honor your father and your mother," among other things, imposes upon children the duty to feed and comfort their parents in times of poverty, illness, and old age. Unfortunately, we often encounter children violating this duty in various ways. For example, some young people, after spending some time in a pious, strictly Christian life, sometimes fall into spiritual pride and begin to think that it is not worthwhile for them to remain in the world, that they can and should leave it and begin a monastic life. And so, you see, a young man abandons his aged father and mother to their fate and leaves. He leaves, and they, poor things, struggle like fish against ice, in cold and hunger, and are forced, like beggars, to beg from their neighbors for alms. Are such young people behaving well or not? I don't know what you would say to them; I, for my part, would advise these lovers of monastic life to act in the same way as the aforementioned Saint of God acted in this case.

Saint John Chrysostom, having lost his father at a young age, went to Athens and, having studied scholarly wisdom there, returned to his homeland in Antioch and decided to renounce the world and take on the monastic life. However, he was not soon to carry out his plan, and for the following reason. His mother, Anthusa, upon learning of his intention, was extremely distressed and resolved to stop him. Summoning him to her, she, shedding tears, said to him: "By God's will, it is ordained, my child, that you are to be an orphan, and I a widow. You know that nothing could have compelled me to enter into a second marriage and bring another husband into the house of your father. But how difficult it was for me to endure those years! In widowhood, I remained as though in a tempest or in a fiery furnace, enduring all manner of trials, and only you were my consolation during that time, you in whom I saw the image of your father. Thus, his estate has been entirely preserved by me, and everything is prepared for you for the years of your maturity. Have mercy on me, stay with me, and bury me. Then you may fulfill your desire and... act as you wish." What then? John, moved by his mother's pleas, postponed his intention to become a monk, waited for her death, and himself buried her. Only after this did he distribute his property, free the slaves, and, entering a monastery, take monastic vows. 

So, ye who have parents and are zealous for piety! Do not rush to leave this sinful world and flee into the desert. Your duty is to console your parents and provide for them during their old age – a duty that is direct, holy, and great, simply because it is instilled by the very voice of nature itself, and thus you must fulfill it above all else. In conscientious fulfillment of this duty, your prayers will more readily reach God, and your sins will be cleansed more and more. "He who honors his father," says Sirach, "will be heard on the day of his prayer" (Sir. 3:5). "My child, take care of your father when he grows old... When you are in trouble, the Lord will remember your kindness and will help you; your sins will melt away like frost in warm sunshine" (Sir. 3:12–15). And in this way, by fulfilling the Fifth Commandment, you will also better prepare yourself for the life of seclusion and monastic devotion that you cherish. Amen.

Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.