Prologue in Sermons: November 10

 

How Should a Christian Act During Illness?

November 10

(Saint John Chrysostom, the Healing of Archelaus, and his Repentance)

By Archpriest Victor Guryev

Brethren! When one of us is struck by illness, especially a serious and prolonged one, we usually spare nothing to cure it, seeking help from doctors, spending money and medicine on them; but very often it happens that their help is completely useless. The illness persists, our spirits fail, and we completely despair of recovery. The situation is terrible! What are we to do about it?

In Antioch, there lived a nobleman named Archelaus. One day, his face was afflicted with leprosy, and he suffered from it for a long time, unable to rid himself of it despite all efforts! He was saddened! Those around him looked at him with disgust, and he was compelled to constantly hide himself from their gaze. One of his closest friends, taking pity on his condition, once suggested the following: "Not far from here, there is a monastery," he said, "in which there lives a monk named John. I have heard many good things about him, and many Christians turn to him for help; let us go to him and ask for his prayers. What will happen?” Archelaus agreed, and both of them, upon arriving at the monastery where John resided, fell at his feet and begged for healing. In response to the requests of his friends, John said to Archelaus: “First, make a vow to God to live henceforth according to His commandments; then fill the hands of the poor with alms from your possessions; and finally, believe that God is able to heal you.” Archelaus replied: “Whatever you command me, I shall observe to the end, and if I have taken anything unjustly from anyone, I will return it in full, only heal me, venerable father!” After this, John ordered the brethren to wash Archelaus with holy water, and the latter became completely healthy.

Thus, this is what we should do in times of illness: strengthen our faith, untie all the sinful bonds that bind us, and vow to improve our lives in the future and, if possible, ease the lot of those who suffer. Saint John Chrysostom's advice to Archelaus may also hold the key to why, despite all the help we receive from doctors, we often receive no benefit from them. Clearly, doctors don't help because God refuses to help us. And why is that? Because we forget Him, don't trust in Him, and don't turn to Him for help. Therefore, let us accept Saint John Chrysostom's advice for the future and be guided by it during illness. But what do I mean, during illness? No, we'll do better if we follow it both before illness and at all times. Amen.

Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.