Prologue in Sermons: December 25

For Those Entering Military Service

December 25
 
(Our Venerable Father Nicholas the Monk, a Former Soldier)

By Archpriest Victor Guryev

When, brethren, the time comes for military recruitment, the majority of those preparing to enlist usually spend their time in an extremely indecent manner. Drunkenness, singing, fighting, and all manner of disorder are seen and heard everywhere. This debauchery has always been so widespread that it has even become proverbial. "He reveleth like a recruit," is commonly said of a man who has fallen into the depths of evil. Brethren, you who are going to serve your Tsar and your Fatherland! Is this how you should act? Is this not a holy and divine work? Truly so. And where the work of God is, is there room for debauchery, filth, and demonic worship? No, brethren, we must conduct ourselves there with all reverence and the fear of God; for it is said, "Cursed is everyone who does the work of God carelessly" (Jer. 48:10). Remember, too, that by joining the military, you are putting your very life on the line; if not today, then tomorrow you could be sent against the enemy, and your life will hang by a thread. And if so, do you really think that God will be your protector when, as now, you offend His Majesty with your unjust behavior? No, brothers, if you wish to survive the war and return safe and sound, then conduct yourself chastely, overcome your impure passions, and have the fear of God in your hearts. Otherwise, do not expect God's mercy.

Saint Nicholas, whose memory the Holy Church celebrates on the 24th of December, served in the Greek army before entering monasticism. He was a God-fearing, pious, and chaste man, which he once demonstrated in action. While once on a campaign against the Bulgarians, he stopped overnight at an inn and was tempted to sin by the innkeeper's daughter. Overcoming his impure passion, he presented the vileness of her act to her and dissuaded her from sin, concluding with the words: "Don't you see that I am about to embark on a bloody battle? Consider: can I now defile myself and anger God? Leave me alone." And then, rising from his bed and praying to God, he set out on his journey. The following night, he had a dream in which he saw himself in a beautiful place, and beside him stood a strong and majestic man, who said to him, "Look around me and tell me what you see." "Yes, Lord," answered Nicholas, "I see on one side that the Greeks are hacking at the Bulgarians." "Look," then said the apparition, "on the other side: what is there?" "There," said Nicholas, "the Bulgarians are hacking at the Greeks." After this, the battle seemed to be over, and the apparition continued, "Look more closely at the battlefield: can you not find anything special there?" Nicholas began to peer and saw that the entire ground was completely covered with dead bodies, and only one spot remained empty among them, and it was so small that it seemed to be reserved for only one person. The apparition said, "What do you think about this?" "I am ignorant and simple, Lord, I do not understand," answered Nicholas. The apparition said, "The empty place among the dead is your place; if you were killed, you too would lie there with the others. But since you preserved your chastity last night and vanquished the lustful serpent, you thereby delivered yourself from death and saved both your body and soul." The vision ended. Soon after, battles began between the Greeks and Bulgarians, and at first the Greeks were victorious; then the Bulgarians began to attack the Greeks and slew a great multitude; only a mere fraction remained. Among those saved was Nicholas. Having thanked God for his salvation and mourned his fallen comrades, he entered a monastery and spent the rest of his life solely in serving the Lord.

Here, brethren, is an example of how a true warrior who loves Christ should act! Therefore, like the aforementioned righteous man, so as not to defile yourself with vile deeds upon entering service and during the service itself, you too should ask yourself questions more often: What am I preparing for? What task am I embarking on? What awaits me? Can I defile myself when, if not today, then tomorrow, I may face death? Will the Lord deliver me from it if I anger Him with my life? And with what face will I appear before Him in the event of death?

With these and similar questions, guard yourself now from sin and remain pious. Then, undoubtedly, God's mercy will be with you. Amen.

Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.