Prologue in Sermons: November 25

Against the Fear of Death

November 25

(The Passion of our Holy Fathers, Which King Abenner Burned Alive)

By Archpriest Victor Guryev

I once told you, brethren, that in order to not fear death, you need to reflect on it more often. Now I offer you further instruction on the same subject. Listen to the following story.

The King Abenner of India, a wicked persecutor of Christians before accepting baptism, once issued a decree that all monks living in his kingdom were to leave his country within three days and seek refuge wherever they could. He threatened death to those who failed to comply. Soon after, while on a hunting trip, Abenner happened to encounter two monks. Upon seeing them, the king became greatly irritated and angrily said to them, "What is this? Do you not know that within three days you were all supposed to have left my country?" "We know," the monks replied, "and we have left your country; but we are passing through it now only to deliver food to the brothers who remain here." "But what food do they need," cried the king, "when they are condemned to death? Don't you know that all those condemned to death are filled with terror and sorrow and do not require food?" "No, sir, not all those condemned to death are in fear and sorrow," the monks replied. "Only those who expect nothing good for themselves in the life to come and who are so attached to earthly blessings that they part with them with the greatest difficulty are terrified of death. We, however, having left this world and all that is in it, and walking the narrow and sorrowful path for Christ's sake, do not fear death, for we have love only for the heavenly, and death is desirable to us as the swiftest passage to a better and eternal life." "But," said the king, "you left my country; therefore, you truly fear death." "No, sir, we left your country not out of fear of death," the monks replied, "but out of pity for you, lest you be subjected to greater condemnation for killing us. And if you absolutely desire our death, then we repeat to you again that it is not terrible for us." Hearing this, Abenner became even more enraged and immediately ordered the monks to be put to a cruel death by burning. "And thus," the story concludes, "Christ's saints met their death by fire and received martyrdom and crowns."

Therefore, this is the way to overcome the fear of death! It consists, as you see, of not becoming attached to earthly goods throughout life, of loving the Lord Jesus with all your heart, and of constantly reflecting on the blessedness God has prepared for those who love Him. That this is truly a remedy against the fear of death is confirmed by the example of not only the aforementioned monks but also the entire host of martyrs who suffered for Christ. With faith in Him and the future life, they not only boldly but also joyfully looked death in the eye, for they were convinced that for Christians it is merely a transition to a better, eternal life! Amen.

Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.