Prologue in Sermons: November 2

 

 

Repentant Sinners Should Be Treated With Gentleness

November 2

(On Saint Serapion, How he Saved a Harlot)

By Archpriest Victor Guryev

It happens that even the greatest sinners sometimes experience moments of deep remorse: and in these moments, finding no source of comfort within themselves, they hasten to those around them, share the sorrow of their sins, and ask to be taught: What should they do? How can they be saved? and so on. Brethren! If such a person were to come to any of you seeking help, how would you treat them? I do not know; but it should generally be noted that some people, when encountering those branded as great sinners, either drive them away entirely or offer them admonitions so severe that next time they would not come to us at all. Such conduct is not advisable. It seems to me that we would significantly reduce the number of these so-called great sinners if we treated them gently and compassionately, applying the balm of mercy to their wounds.

One day, Saint Serapion (March 21), having come from the desert to the city out of need, saw a harlot, took pity on her, and began earnestly beseeching God for her salvation. His prayer was heard: the harlot fell at his feet and cried out, "Father, be merciful, take me wherever you wish, if only I may be saved; for this is why the Lord Himself sent you to me!" Serapion fulfilled her request, took her with him, and brought her to a women's monastery. There, entrusting her to the care of the abbess, he said to the latter, "Do not impose any restrictions on her, but let her save herself as she wishes; do not touch her." Well then? A beneficent ordinance brought forth beneficent fruits. The more the sinner observed meekness and love in others, the more deeply she recognized her own shortcomings and, therefore, the more earnestly she sought to atone for them. After living for a short while in the monastery, she first wished to partake of food only once a day, then every other day, then desired solitude, and finally concludes the account, "having thus repented, she pleased the Lord and, being saved, turned toward the Lord."

Therefore, let us not deal with repentant sinners with harsh words or rebukes, but in the spirit of the Gospel's meekness. To transplant a tree from bad soil to good, one does not uproot it needlessly, but digs it up with the utmost care; otherwise, it could be completely destroyed. So too, we must deal with a repentant sinner, as with a dying tree yet capable of revival, that we can more easily transplant it into Christ's garden. Amen.

Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.