June: Day 2: Holy Great Martyr John the New of Suceava

June: Day 2:
Holy Great Martyr John the New of Suceava
 
(Nature and Human Life Teach Gratitude to God)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. The Holy Great Martyr John the New, whose memory is celebrated today, is called "of Suceava" because his relics are in the city of Suceava, the Moldavian Whalachian capital, in Austria. Saint John lived in Trebizond and was engaged in trade. Trade affairs did not prevent him from being a good Christian. He loved to study the word of God, and this directed his life and work to everything holy and pleasing to God. Once, when he was traveling on a ship with goods, the captain of the ship, who was, in all likelihood, of the Catholic faith, entering into disputes with him about the faith, could not dispute and decided to destroy him out of hatred. Upon arriving with the ship at the city of Akkerman, he presented himself to the city governor, a Muslim, and informed him about John, stating that he wished to renounce Christianity and embrace Mohammedanism. The mayor summoned John and offered him to accept Mohammedanism, but John said: "God forbid that I should ever renounce Christ!" The mayor began to threaten him with executioners, but John answered: "Chop, burn, hang, beat, torture me as best you can; I am ready to endure everything out of love for my Christ." Then the executioners began to beat him with briar sticks, so that his body flew in pieces through the air, and the blood flowed in streams, but John "thanked God for having granted him the ability to wash away his sins with his own blood." Finally, they tied him by the legs to the tail of a horse and dragged him through the streets of the city. There they laughed at him and cut off his head. The Holy Martyr died on June 2, 1492.* At night, lighted lamps and three angels were seen over John's body, singing and censing, and it was buried. After 70 years, the holy relics of the Great Martyr John were transferred to Suceava, to the Moldavian-Valakh city.

II. Although the Holy Great Martyr John presents us with many instructive lessons, we will only focus your attention, pious listeners, on one of the most important of them, namely, on his thanksgiving to God for having enabled him to suffer for Jesus Christ and to wash away his sins in his own blood. What an instructive lesson for all Christians to thank the Lord in sorrow, and in joy, and in times of prosperity, and in hours of suffering, in general to thank the Lord for everything!

“Wherever we look,” teaches Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk, “wherever we turn our eyes and minds, everywhere we have ample opportunity to glorify the goodness of God.

At night you look at the clear sky, decorated with stars like beads, and the moon shining among the stars - these serve you: give thanks to 'the One who created the moon and the stars in the region of the night' (Ps. 135:9).

The day has dawned; the sun has sent forth its rays over the whole world; its light shines upon you: give thanks to Him who 'made the sun to be the day' (v. 8).

The clouds sprinkle rain, they sprinkle it on you: give thanks to 'He who clothes the heavens with clouds, and prepares rain for the earth' (Ps. 146:8).

The wind arose and began to drive away the clouds and clear the sky - it serves you: give thanks to 'He who brings forth winds from His treasures' (Ps. 134:7).

You see the fields filled with various fruits; the meadows and forests green, the garden trees abundant with fruits - this is the work of God's goodness; this is sent to you from God: give thanks to Him who gave, saying: 'Bless the Lord, my soul" (Ps. 102:1). 

Winter has come, the earth is clothed in snow, the frost has connected the lakes, rivers and swamps, and so everywhere a free path has been arranged, there is no need for bridges and other necessities for crossings - this is God's goodness; this serves your need: bless 'Him who gives His snow like wool' (Ps. 147:5).

Winter passes, and spring comes, thus the approaching resurrection of all creation, those who died at once, are announced to you: bless 'Him who has so pleased.' 

Spring has come; here a new treasure of God's gifts is revealed; the sun shines favorably and warms, the beneficially dissolved air is felt, the earth from its depths produces its treasures, the fruits of seeds and roots appear and give themselves for everyone to use; meadows, cornfields, fields, forests are dressed and turn green, are adorned with flowers and give off every fragrance; springs and rivers flow and not only sight but also hearing are gladdened; everywhere various voices of birds are heard, like some sweet music; cattle disperse across the fields and steppes, do not require food from us, they feed and are satisfied with what the hand of God has opened to them, they are content, eat and play, and thus, as it were, give thanks to the goodness of God; the whole of the heavens is changed into a new, beautiful and joyful form; the insensate and sentient creature is, as it were, born anew. To you, the rational creature, all this wealth of God's goodness has been revealed; say with gratitude: 'Bless the Lord, my soul!' (Ps. 102:1). 

The earth has brought forth various fruits for your satisfaction and consolation: bless Him who has so arranged it, saying with a joyful spirit with the Prophet: 'You have made me glad, O Lord, in Your creation!' (Ps. 91:5).

You eat food: give thanks to the Benefactor. Your rest is warmed, or your food is cooked by fire - the gift of God is fire, which works and serves you: bless the One who created it.

When the day is past, sing with thanksgiving, for the Lord has counted you worthy to spend it without harm or destruction; sing with your heart and lips: I will praise You, O Lord! I fell asleep in the night, and having slept, I arose, saying: I will bless You, O Lord! Say with the Prophet: 'I slept and slept; I arose, for the Lord has helped me' (Ps. 3:6).

You feel remorse for your sins: offer thanksgiving to God, who has suffered your sins and has not delivered you into the hands of your enemy: confess with gratitude with the Prophet: 'I will confess to You, O Lord, with all my heart, and I will glorify Your name forever: for Your mercy is great upon me, and You have delivered my soul from the lowest hades' (Ps. 35:12, 13).

If you feel the fear of God's judgment or the desire for the eternal life of God, then grace calls you to repentance, say: Blessed is the Lord, 'Who wills all to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth!' (1 Tim. 2:4). 

Hasten to the call of God's grace, while the time is favorable and the day of salvation, while the Lord listens and helps. For He says: 'In an acceptable time I obeyed you, and in the day of salvation I helped you. Behold, now is the acceptable time! Behold, now is the day of salvation!' (2 Cor. 6:2).

When sorrow, grief, illness or any other unpleasantness comes, your Lord seeks your salvation: give thanks to Him who desires and seeks your salvation: speak with the king and prophet David: 'It is good for me that You have humbled me, that I may learn Your statutes!' (Ps. 118:71).

Think about the saving providence of the Son of God for the human race (you must always think about such a great and important matter): with joy and deep humility sing: 'Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all His rewards!' (Ps. 102:1, 2).

You hear the voices of the prophets and apostles, you hear those preaching the word of God - understand that these messengers of God serve you, who 'preach the gospel of peace, they preach good things' (Rom. 10:15), they preach the remission of sins, the approaching kingdom of heaven, they teach the truth, they guide you on the right path, they lead you to eternal blessedness: 'speak with a grateful spirit': glory to God, our Benefactor forever!

III. Thus, both in prosperity and in adversity we must thank God. In prosperity: because we, unworthy as we are, receive His blessings from Him freely, and are consoled by them. In adversity: because we are corrected by Him, we come to our senses, we recognize ourselves, our unworthiness and wretchedness, we learn to have God’s good things as great and to honor the Giver of good things. Glory to God, our Benefactor, forever. Amen.” 

 

Source: A Complete Annual Cycle of Short Teachings, Composed for Each Day of the Year. Translated by John Sanidopoulos.

 

* Most likely it was around the year 1330.