Homilies from the Menaion for Every Day of the Year: November 4

The Month of November

Day 4

66. To Orthodox Soldiers: On Which Soldier Is Most Likely to Defeat the Enemy in Battle

(From the Life of Venerable Ioannikios the Great)

When you, God-loving soldiers, enter into battle against the enemies of your homeland, who do you think among you is most likely to emerge victorious, ahead of the others? Of course, you will say: “God alone knows who!” But perhaps some will add: “Most likely, the one who has studied the art of warfare better than the others, who is undaunted in courage, and who possesses better weapons than the rest.” We fully agree with the first answer, that God alone knows who will emerge victorious, but we do not entirely agree with the second. In our opinion, the one most likely to emerge victorious is not the one who is skilled, courageous, and possesses good weapons, but the one who was already a true Christian before the battle, who always had the fear of God in his heart, who conducted himself righteously and piously even before the battle, was diligent in prayer, and showed zeal for every good work. Which of us is right in our judgment? Let us not argue about this; let the matter itself decide between our judgments.

When Venerable Ioannikios the Great entered military service in his youth, it is said that he was loved by all his comrades for his meekness and humility. In addition, he observed a strict fast and preserved his chastity. Often, when his duties took him to the palace, he would find time there to spend entire nights in prayer, while his abstinence in food was unparalleled. After he had served in the Greek army for six years, the Bulgarians declared war on the Greeks, and Ioannikios had to march out against the enemy. In the war, he displayed extraordinary courage: like a second David, he struck down foreigners everywhere; before the eyes of the emperor, he defended the emperor’s troops against the enemy and, as his Life relates, cut them down like grass. On one occasion, when the Bulgarians captured one of the Greek nobles during a battle, Ioannikios charged at those who had taken him captive and, after defeating some and scattering the others, freed the prisoner. His exploits were so great in general that the emperor ordered them to be entered in a commemorative book, so that when the war was over, Ioannikios might be honored with a high rank and great gifts.

One of Ioannikios’s exploits, however, was particularly remarkable. No one could stand against a certain Bulgarian who was distinguished by his extraordinary strength and had killed many Greeks. But Ioannikios, upon hearing of him, boldly charged at him and immediately beheaded him. Thus did this pious young soldier prove himself an extraordinary victor on the battlefield.

From this account it becomes clear that we are more likely to be right when we say that, in battles, it is the pious soldier who is more likely to emerge victorious, rather than those who are convinced that the soldier who defeats the enemy is simply the one who relies on his weapons and courage. Consider Ioannikios: while rescuing the nobleman, he fights against many, striking some down and putting others to flight; he sees before him another man, a Goliath in strength, and strikes him down. But do not forget that all those whom Ioannikios struck down and scattered were not some disorderly rabble, but experienced soldiers who, as you have just heard, had overcome the Greeks—and not just once. This means that the Lord is not on the side of strength, but of righteousness, and that He “does not delight in the strength of a horse ... but takes pleasure in those who fear Him and in those who hope in His mercy” (Psalm 146:10–11 LXX).

In view of this, you too, God-loving soldiers, if you wish to become yourselves steadfast victors over your enemies, should place your hope of victory not in your weapons or your own courage, but in your pious way of life and in constantly pleasing God through good works. Do not go forth to battle with only bodily weapons, but also with spiritual ones. Set out fortified by faith, armed with prayer and hope. And do not rush against the enemy before pouring out fervent prayers before the Lord and His Most Pure Mother. If you act in this way, then your pious life, your prayer, and your hope will also bear fruit—not dead fruit. There is no doubt that then the enemies will not be able to stand against you, and you will crush their pride and strength. Amen.

 
Questions on Discourse 66:

1. For what reasons was Venerable Ioannikios the Great loved by all his comrades when he entered military service in his youth?

2. What did Ioannikios find time to do at night when his duties took him to the palace?

3. What did Ioannikios do when the Bulgarians captured one of the Greek nobles during a battle?

4. How did Ioannikios charge at a certain Bulgarian who was distinguished by his extraordinary strength?

5. By what means should we please God in order to become steadfast victors over our enemies?

 

Source: The Cheti-Minei: Homilies for Every Day of the Year (Book 1: September, October, November) by Archpriest Viktor Guryev. Publication of the Russian Panteleimon Monastery on Mount Athos, 1896. Translated by John Sanidopoulos.