Prologue in Sermons: November 17

One Can Attain Salvation In Any Rank

November 17

(A Sermon on Eucharistos the Shepherd)

By Archpriest Victor Guryev

I have often said that salvation can be found not in a monastery, but in the world as well, and, indeed, in any rank, and to convince you of this, I have repeatedly cited examples of saints who, like you, were of humble rank and unlearned, and entered the Kingdom of Heaven. Now I intend to prove the same point again, and I believe the example I will give will be instructive for you.

Two elders who lived in the desert prayed to God to reveal to them how pleasing their deeds were to Him. Their prayer was heard, and a voice from above informed them that in holiness of life they had not yet equaled a commoner, Eucharistos, and his wife Maria, who lived in a village in Egypt. The monks immediately went in search of these people and soon found their home. Eucharistos was absent, so the elders waited for him, and they did wait. In the evening he returned home with his flock of sheep, and upon seeing the elders, he washed their feet, prepared food, and urged them to partake of it. “No,” said the monks, “first tell us your good deeds, and only then feed us. Until you do, we shall taste nothing from you!” The humble Eucharistos replied, “What good deeds could I have? I am a shepherd, and this is my wife.” The elders insisted on their point; he remained silent. Seeing his unwavering stance, they finally said to him, "Answer us, for God Himself has sent us to you!" Upon hearing this, Eucharistos was afraid and replied, "The sheep you saw are an inheritance from my parents; all that I receive from them, I divide into three parts: one I give to the poor, another I use to host strangers, and the third for my own needs. Since Maria became my wife, we both have maintained strict chastity, dressing in hairshirts at night – and until now, no one has known of this." Upon hearing this, the elders marveled, glorified God, and returned to the desert.

Thus, a simple shepherd became more exalted in the eyes of God than the elders who had abandoned the world for God! How did Eucharistos attain such a high degree of spiritual perfection? Through humility, love for the poor, hospitality, and chastity. Does anything prevent you from imitating him in these virtues? Of course not. And if not, then imitate him; be humble, merciful to your neighbors, and live chastely, remembering that marriage was instituted for the blessed birth and upbringing of children, not for lust. By leading such a life, you can be saved even in this world. Amen.

Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.