A Lesson for Monks
January 18
(Teaching of Blessed Hilarion)
By Archpriest Victor Guryev
January 18
(Teaching of Blessed Hilarion)
By Archpriest Victor Guryev
We will speak to you, monks, today, and this is what we will say. The Prologue for today contains a sermon by Blessed Hilarion, which, in its content, pertains primarily to your monastic life. Since this sermon, in our opinion, contains many important, beneficial, and salutary lessons for you, we ask you to pay particular attention to its contents.
In his teaching, Hilarion, firstly, teaches you the fear of God and the love of God. He says, "Just as one nailed to a tree cannot accomplish anything he wishes to do, so one filled with the fear of God is alien to all carnal passions. And just as one nailed to the cross forgets all worldly things and awaits only death, so one who has renounced the world and clung to the love of God is far from carnal thoughts and lusts." Secondly, the blessed one reminds you that it is not good that it begins well, but rather that it ends well. "Blessed is not he who began good, but he who continues in it." Thirdly, he teaches that when you are overcome by impure thoughts, you should reveal them to your spiritual father. "When thoughts assail you," he instructs, "be at first unashamed to declare them to your father, so that you may crush the serpent's head." Fourth, he teaches patience. "If you," he says, "have begun to serve the Lord, then remember that you came to the monastery not for carefree living or peace and joy, but for temptations and sorrows. Through many sorrows must we enter the Kingdom of Heaven, and narrow and sorrowful is the path that leads to eternal life, and few are those who follow this path." Fifth, Hilarion teaches you to flee laziness and disobedience. "Do not pay attention," he instructs, "to the lazy and indolent concerning your salvation, but be strong in good thoughts." Do not imitate those who are rebellious, disobedient, and insolent, who constantly quarrel among themselves and are accustomed to disobeying authority." Sixthly, the Saint inspires humility and obedience. "When," he says, "someone humiliates or reproaches you, do not respond, but become as if dumb and deaf, and often read to yourself the Psalm of David: 'I said, I will keep my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I made a guard with my lips, when a sinner should rise up before me,' etc. (Psalm 38)."
If the abbot gives you any obedience, fulfill it with all meekness, and fulfill it as carefully as possible.
In conclusion, blessed Hilarion again turns your thoughts to the fear of God, and here are his last words: “The beginning of our salvation is the fear of God, from it are born: obedience, contempt for worldly goods, humility, mortification of evil will, victory over the flesh and healing of spiritual infirmities.”
It seems to me that you will now agree with me, monks, that I was right at the beginning when I said that the teachings of Blessed Hilarion, in their content, relate primarily to your monastic life and that they contain many important, useful, and salutary lessons for you. Indeed, it is clear from everything that the Saint steadfastly traversed all the stages of monastic ascent on the path to heaven, and through these stages he traversed, he leads you there as well, and leads you consistently and intelligently. Take his lessons to heart and order your lives accordingly. In conclusion, I pray to God that the grace of God, healing the weak and replenishing the depleted, may always be with you and strengthen your strength in good works. Amen.
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
