Prologue in Sermons: September 8

Both the Uneducated and Those Who Do Not Live in Monasteries Can Be Saved

September 8

By Archpriest Victor Guryev 

Some Christians think that in order to be saved, one must either go to a monastery or study the entire Divine law, and that without this, they say, one cannot be saved. Such people are mistaken. It is, of course, true that it is perhaps easier to be saved in a monastery than in the world, and it is also true that a Christian must study the Divine law; but if a person cannot, due to circumstances, go to a monastery and cannot study the entire Divine law, this does not mean that such a person will not be saved. On the contrary, examples show that both the illiterate and those living in the world have found great grace from God and have become especially close to Him; and this, of course, should convince us of the truth that both the uneducated and those living in the world can be saved.

Once there was a drought in the land of Cyprus, and the Bishop of that land began to earnestly ask the Lord to send rain upon the earth. His prayer was heard, and a voice from above told him that the next day, after Matins, he should go out to the city gates and ask the first person he saw entering them to pray for rain, and when that person prayed, there would be rain. The Bishop did as he was told, leaving his house with his clergy at the city gates. And behold, the first to enter them was an elder carrying a load of firewood. The Bishop held him back. The elder laid down his burden and received a blessing from the Bishop. The Bishop, in turn, also bowed to him and said: "Abba, I beg you, pray that the Lord send rain upon the earth." The elder began to make excuses about his unworthiness, but the Bishop did not cease to fervently ask him to pray. Then the elder, not daring to resist the will of the Bishop, knelt down and began to pray. And what happened? Soon, to everyone’s amazement, rain truly poured down on the earth. 

 

After this, the Bishop said again to the elder: “Father, create love and for the common good tell us about your life, so that we too may begin to imitate it.” The elder answered: “Forgive me, my Master! I am a sinful man and do not know of a single good deed by which I could be consoled. I have spent my days in vanity! And my life is spent in this: every day I go out of the city and, having collected a load of firewood, I sell it, buying myself bread for the day’s food with the proceeds, and then I go to the church, where I spend the night. In the morning I again begin to collect firewood. And if at some time, sometimes for a day or two, the weather prevents me from collecting firewood, then I endure hunger during that time, glorifying God; and then, when the weather clears, I go to work again.” Having heard these words of the elder, the Bishop and those with him glorified God, who had given such patience and humility to the elder, and said to him: “Truly you have fulfilled the words of Scripture: I am a stranger on earth.” Then the Bishop took the elder to himself and fed and comforted him until his very death.

Now you see, brethren, that here is an elder, who did not live in a monastery and was unlearned, who found such grace with God that he was even granted the gift of working miracles. This, without a doubt, should convince you that both the unlearned and those living in the world can be saved. Therefore, do not say that salvation can only be found in a monastery or by studying the entire Divine law. God, as you see, receives praise for Himself even from the lips of babes, and His salvation is found in every place. Therefore, if you are unlearned and live in the world, then save yourself, like the elder mentioned, in simplicity of heart. Love God with all your heart, work, pray, be humble and patient, and your salvation will be certain. Amen.

Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.