The Benefits of Praying for the Dying
February 12
(From a Homily of Saint Gregory, Pope of Rome, about a monk who was given to a serpent as food because of sin, and was delivered by the prayers of the brethren.)
By Archpriest Victor Guryev
February 12
(From a Homily of Saint Gregory, Pope of Rome, about a monk who was given to a serpent as food because of sin, and was delivered by the prayers of the brethren.)
By Archpriest Victor Guryev
All of us, brethren, by Christian love are obliged to pray for one another at all times, as the Apostle says: "Pray for one another" (James 5:16); but our prayer must be especially fervent and heartfelt for those of our neighbors who are approaching death. The dying are in particular need of prayer, and earnest prayer for them frees them from the terrors of the hour of death, and sometimes even brings them recovery.
Saint Gregory, Pope of Rome, relates the following:
“In my monastery there lived a devout monk. One day his brother came to him and also asked to be admitted into the monastery. He was accepted. But alas! the newcomer lived quite differently from his brother. He showed no concern for his soul, did not keep the rule, judged others, dressed finely, and could not bear it when anyone began speaking to him about the life to come and repentance. Several times they intended to expel him, but each time, unwilling to grieve his pious brother, they left him.
After some time a severe illness struck the negligent one, and he lay on his deathbed. When his body began to grow cold, the brethren gathered around him and began to pray. At that moment the dying man suddenly cried out: ‘Go away, go away from me! A terrible serpent holds my head in its dreadful jaws and cannot fully devour me only because of you. Step aside so I may cease suffering; let it devour me and end my torment!’
‘What are you saying? Make the sign of the cross,’ they told him.
‘I cannot,’ he replied, ‘for the serpent is crushing me.’
Then the monks began to pray even more fervently, and their prayer was not in vain. Soon the sick man felt better and, rejoicing, said: ‘Glory to God! The serpent, to whom I was handed over because of my sins, has left me and is fleeing. Pray for me still more; from my heart I wish to amend my life and begin anew.’
They prayed. And what happened? His life was spared; he completely reformed and remained in repentance and piety until his death.”
Seeing from this the beneficent power of prayer for the dying, hasten to their bedside with prayer. It is very possible that it will save the sick person and the Lord will raise him up; but it is entirely certain that your prayer will bring spiritual benefit — it will ease his struggle with the devil’s temptations before death and help him die as a Christian, and it will also ease your own grief at parting from him. Amen.
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.