The Crown of Love for One’s Neighbors
January 23
(Commemoration of Paulinus the Bishop, who gave away all his possessions in alms, and afterward even gave himself to be sold to the pagans.)
By Archpriest Victor Guryev
January 23
(Commemoration of Paulinus the Bishop, who gave away all his possessions in alms, and afterward even gave himself to be sold to the pagans.)
By Archpriest Victor Guryev
The crown of love for one’s neighbors is to lay down one’s life for them. “Greater love than this,” says the Savior, “no one has, than to lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). But what does it mean to lay down one’s life for one’s friends? It means that, in time of need, one must be ready for every kind of feat of self-denial. If life is required—give your life; freedom—give your freedom; property—be deprived of your property. In a word, be ready to sacrifice everything, not excluding even yourself.
Does this amaze you, brethren? Do not be amazed. True, perhaps such people are not found today, but in former times they did exist. And behold how far their love for their neighbors sometimes extended.
Saint Paulinus, Bishop of Nola, in order to ransom his fellow countrymen from captivity by the Vandals, distributed all his possessions and was left with absolutely nothing. At that time a widow came to him and asked that he give her money to ransom her son from captivity. The servant of God searched all the corners of his cell, hoping to find something, but found nothing. Coming out to the petitioner, he said: “Believe me, I have nothing with which to ransom your son except myself. Therefore, if you wish, sell me as a slave in exchange for your son, and let him return.”
The widow at first took the bishop’s words as mockery, but he convinced her of their sincerity, and they both went to Thrace to the son-in-law of the Vandal king, a prince in whose captivity the widow’s son was held. Meeting the prince, the sorrowful mother first fell at his feet, without mentioning Paulinus, and begged him to have mercy and release her only son. But when tears and supplications did not help, she pointed to the Saint and asked the prince to exchange her son for Paulinus.
The comely appearance of the hierarch pleased the prince, and he asked Paulinus: “Do you know any trade?” “I do not,” was the reply, “I can only cultivate a garden.” Then the king’s son-in-law kept him for himself and returned the son to the widow. And thus the hierarch of God became a gardener: he grew vegetables, brought them to his master’s table, and remained in such service for a long time. The king’s son-in-law loved him greatly and often conversed with him.
Once, during a conversation, the Saint said to him: “I have heard that you are preparing to go on a journey. Do not go; for at the present time you should be concerned not with traveling, but with securing the royal throne for yourself. Know that the king will soon die suddenly, and then, if you are not here, not you but another will become king.” These words struck the king’s son-in-law, and he reported them to the king. Having heard them, the latter said: “I wish to see the one who told you this.” The prince replied: “Today, during the meal, I will send him to you.” And then he personally ordered Paulinus to bring vegetables to the royal table.
Paulinus appeared. When the king saw him, he was struck with awe. Calling his son-in-law to him, he said: “What your servant said to you about me is true. Know that today in a dream I saw a judgment upon myself, and at this judgment, where all my nobles were present, this man sat higher than all. The judgment over me ended with my royal power being taken away from me. Ask him who he is. I do not think he is of low rank, for I saw him clothed in high dignity.”
Then the prince, having taken Paulinus aside to a secluded place, began to implore him to reveal his rank. Paulinus at first evaded an answer, but finally revealed that he was a bishop. With fear and great humility, the prince then bowed before him and offered to grant him whatever he wished. Paulinus asked for the freedom of all the captives of his city, and with them he returned home in triumph and joy. It should not be left unmentioned that his prophecy concerning the king’s death soon came to pass.
Thus, brethren, this is what it means to lay down one’s life for one’s friends! Such a feat is certainly heavy and scarcely bearable, but the reward for it is great. Such self-denying love has great value in the eyes of God. “Mercy triumphs over judgment” (James 2:13); it “covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8); and finally, it prepares for the merciful a place where the Lord Himself will be (John 12:26). Amen.
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
