Prologue in Sermons: December 24

 

For What Purpose Did the Holy Church Establish the Observance of the Saints' Feast Days

December 24
 
(Instruction for the Eve of the Nativity of Christ.)

By Archpriest Victor Guryev

The Holy Orthodox Church daily honors the saints who have pleased God since time immemorial, sometimes holding special services in their honor, and generally constantly reminding us of them. Why is this so?

First, so that, in remembering the saints, we learn to imitate their virtues and keep our soul and body pure and blameless. The instruction on the Eve of the Nativity of Christ asks, "Why do we commemorate the Holy Forefathers?" and answers, "Let us, brethren, emulate their good deeds and strive to do the same; that we may be friends of God and sons of His kingdom. Such were the forefathers. They were men like us, but they hated carnal indulgences, subdued the flesh to the spirit, and bridled it. They loved vigilance, fasting, and unceasing prayer. And it behooves all to be zealous for these things, and not thieves, drunkards, or evildoers, for torment with the devil is reserved for them."

Secondly, the Holy Church constantly reminds us of the saints so that we may turn to them in times of need and offer them veneration. Saint Basil the Great says: "The oppressed seeks the saints, the joyful turns to them; one to find deliverance from difficult circumstances, another to ensure his well-being. Here you will find a pious wife praying for her children, requesting the return of an absent husband, or health for the sick. May your petitions be worthy of the saints... The holy countenance, the sacred host! An unshakable regiment! Common guardians of the human race! Good partners in care, fellow laborers in prayer, the strongest intercessors, the lights of the universe, the bloom of the churches. You were not hidden by the earth, but embraced by heaven; the gates of paradise have been opened to you" (Homily 19 on the Holy Forty Martyrs). Such veneration was offered to the saints by the universal teacher, and such power he attributed to their prayers.

Thirdly and finally, the Holy Church frequently commemorates the saints in order to constantly guard our spiritual communion with them. The more often we remember the saints, the closer we become to them; the more often we turn to them, the more convinced we become that they are our dearest mentors, friends, and benefactors, and the more we draw closer to them and kindle our love for them. "But to me," says David, "Your friends, O God, are very precious" (Psalm 139:17)! Thus, brethren, it is not in vain that the Holy Church constantly reminds us of God's saints, but with the goal of teaching us their faith, so that in difficult times in our lives we may always resort to them as our most reliable helpers, so that we may always be grateful and thankful to them for their blessings and never break spiritual communion with them.

Let us, brethren, be attentive to the intentions of the Church and follow in the footsteps of the saints. "Looking at their way of life, let us emulate their faith, love, hope, zeal, way of life, steadfastness in suffering, and patience even unto bloodshed; so that we too, with them, may be deemed worthy of crowns of glory" (John of Damascus, 'An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith', Book 4, Chapter 15). Amen.

Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.