Prologue in Sermons: April 24

On Attending the Church of God

April 24

(A discourse of Saint John Chrysostom, that Christians ought to leave their work and go to church when the time comes.)

By Archpriest Victor Guryev

Many Christians are very negligent in attending the church of God, and in many churches, even on feast days, the church bell resounds as though in some wilderness, and the churches themselves remain empty. Because of this, we have resolved today to offer the following word from Saint Chrysostom to such negligent people. If they do not listen to us, then let them at least listen to the universal teacher.

“I beseech you who have come here, instruct the negligent, so that they may come to church; for you have tasted the sweetness of teaching, but they have not… The Church is a refuge for all, and therefore let everyone hasten to it. If you are righteous, enter here to preserve your righteousness; if you are a sinner, hasten here to be saved. Without hearing the teaching of the Church, how can anyone direct his soul toward the good? The word of God is called light, and this light is more precious than visible light, for it enlightens souls. Concerning this the Prophet Isaiah said: ‘The people who sat in darkness and the shadow of death have seen a great light,’ that is, the true teaching. And those among you who come to church often, urge others also to do so, so that no one may say: ‘I am busy and therefore cannot come.’ Consider those who were invited to the royal supper but did not go. One said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen,’ another, ‘a field,’ a third, ‘I have married a wife.’ And for this the king was angered with them. Yet you are unwilling to dedicate even one hour to God. And what burden is it for you to go from church to your work? For if someone were distributing gold or silver, or offering honey or beer, would you not hasten? But to the church, where I distribute daily the word of God — which is better than gold and more precious than many costly stones, and sweeter than honey — you come only rarely. Therefore I condemn your sloth and reproach you for your negligence toward the church of God, and for depriving yourselves of its spiritual teaching, through which you would learn piety and save your souls.”

Therefore, brethren, hasten to the church of God, and here you will delight in the word of God, which is better than gold and more precious than costly stones; here, during the Divine Liturgy, you will partake of the saving remembrance of the life of our Redeemer; and here you will glorify the Lord together with the Cherubim and Seraphim; and here, finally, you will enter into the closest communion with the Lord through the participation in His most holy Body and Blood. Amen.

Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.