Prologue in Sermons: December 12

To Young Men

December 12
 
(The Tale of Two Hermits, Brothers by Birth)

By Archpriest Victor Guryev

Many young people today are indifferent to religion and do not practice piety. They think that only old age should concern itself with matters of faith. And of youth, they say: "Why waste youthful days in vain? Time will pass, and then pleasures will no longer be sweet, therefore it is necessary to seize them in due time." And so it follows that in youth it is permissible to forget about the future life, and one can devote oneself entirely to the world and its lusts. But if this is so, then the question arises: do you really think that the filth with which you were soiled in youth can be washed away easily and quickly in old age? Believe me, having entered you in your youth, it will become even more deeply ingrained in your wrinkles in old age, and then, understandably, washing it away or casting it off can be quite difficult even for great souls, not just ordinary ones. Besides, did God ever tell any young man that he would live to old age? No. This means that a young man, just like an old man and a man, even earlier than them, can be given over to God’s judgment at any hour and therefore must always be ready for it.

Christian youths of old behaved differently than they do today. Many even dedicated themselves entirely to serving God and, even in their youth, achieved remarkable moral perfection. Listen to one remarkable example of this.

“Once,” related Makarios the Great, “when I was sitting in the Skete, two young brothers came to me and asked: 'Where is Abba Makarios’ cell?' I said: 'What do you want from him?' They answered: 'We have heard much about his life from the elders and have come to see him.' I said: 'I am Makarios.' They bowed to the ground to me and said: 'We want to settle with you.' But I, seeing their youth, and also the fact that they seemed to be the children of rich parents and effeminate, said to them: 'You cannot stay here.' To this the younger one replied: 'There is nothing to be done; if you do not allow us to stay here, then we will go elsewhere.' Then I thought: 'Why am I driving them away?' I ordered them to make a cell near me and gave them an axe and some bread and salt for this. I pointed to a large stone and said: 'Hew out a cell for yourself in it, cover it with brushwood and live.' Meanwhile, I was thinking, 'They'll probably quit because of such labor!' They asked me, 'What do monks do?' I answered, 'Weave baskets,' and taking a few branches, I began teaching them how to weave. After this, they left, carved a dwelling for themselves in the rock, and settled in it. They did not visit me for three years, only silently going to church to receive the Holy Mysteries. After the allotted time, I began to think, 'What does this mean? Many come to me from afar, while these live nearby, but do not come. I will go and see for myself how they live.' 

I arrived, pushed at the door, and they immediately opened it. Having said a prayer, I sat down. The older youth also sat down and silently began to weave baskets, and the younger brought some hot food and three loaves of bread and placed them before me. I said, 'Rise, and let us partake of food.' They both rose and partook with me. When evening came, they asked me, 'Will you stay with us or will you leave?' I said, 'I will stay.' They spread a mat for me, and I lay down; and then they both together opposite me. At that time, I began to pray mentally that the Lord would show me how far they had progressed in spiritual work, and I was heard. Suddenly the veil of the cell was opened and a light flashed. Thinking that I was sleeping, the young men stood up, girded themselves, raised their hands to heaven and began to pray. And I saw that demons, like flies, surrounded the younger brother, and some wanted to sit on his lips, others on his eyes; but they were unable to do either. An angel with a fiery weapon drove them away. They did not dare approach the older one at all. Towards morning, the young men lay down again, but then I got up. Immediately they stood up with me. And the older brother said to me, 'Do you want to sing twelve psalms with us?' I answered, 'Yes.' And so the younger began to sing the first five psalms, and as he sang, a fiery lamp seemed to issue from his lips and ascend to heaven. After the younger, the elder began to sing, and when he opened his mouth, a fiery rope seemed to issue from it and reach to heaven. When they had finished singing, I asked them both to pray for me. They bowed silently, and I left them. Then, after a short time, I learned that the elder brother had died first, and then, on the third day, the younger.

Young men! In view of such a great example of faith, obedience, patience, fasting, fervent prayer, and overall spiritual perfection of these young men — what sacrifices would we not rightly demand of you for the salvation of your souls? But not much is needed. Remaining each in your own calling, at least do not allow yourselves to be completely overcome by the world and its lusts, lest their tares, taking root, later destroy you. Avoid, as much as possible, temptations and seductions, and direct your thoughts to obedience to Christ. Believe that in youth, even more easily than in old age, you can enter into communion with God and Christ our Savior. Amen.

Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.