An Example of Meekness
March 12
(A word of John Climacus on the patience of Cyrus the monk.)
By Archpriest Victor Guryev
March 12
(A word of John Climacus on the patience of Cyrus the monk.)
By Archpriest Victor Guryev
Among the steps of the ladder that leads to heaven, the virtue of meekness also occupies a necessary place. That it is necessary for us is shown by the Lord Himself, who calls us to it, saying: “Learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart” (Matt. 11:29). And that it leads us to crowns is evident from the fact that the Lord promises a reward to the meek: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
What is meekness, and what does it truly mean to be meek? This you will see from the following example:
John Climacus related concerning the Venerable Cyrus that he was so meek that, although he was insulted every day both by those above him and by those below him, and although he was always humiliated by everyone and driven away from the refectory every day, he endured everything — not only without complaint, but even with gratitude. In such a condition he lived in the monastery for fifteen years; receiving insults from all and suffering persecutions even from servants, he never answered a word to anyone. On the contrary, when John asked him how he was able to endure every day both hunger and humiliation, Cyrus replied:
“Believe me, brother, the fathers do not treat me this way out of malice, but only to test whether I am truly a monk. For when I entered here, they told me that those who renounce the world are tested here for up to thirty years. And besides, without fire even gold does not shine.”
And when the death of this ascetic came, as he took leave of the brethren he exclaimed:
“I thank the Lord and you, fathers, that because of your testing I was not tempted by demons, and everything has served for my salvation.”
Thus, this is what it means to be truly meek! As you see, it means to learn to overcome evil with good (Rom. 12:21), to restrain within one’s soul the movements of anger, to forgive insults and offenses, and to seek peace with those who offend us.
Unfortunately, brethren, at the present time it is precisely these qualities of the true Christian that we lack. Indeed, what do we see around us? Everywhere in our families there are disorders, enmity, and disagreements. Everywhere we see disrespect for elders; here and there are divisions, and here and there we encounter hatred or the desire to trip up our neighbor. And why? Because within us there is not even a shadow of the God-pleasing virtue of meekness. And without it we pour oil rather than water on fires; we do not heal wounds but aggravate them; we do not overcome evil, but are ourselves overcome by it.
No, brethren: if you truly wish to acquire peace on earth, do not forget that without meekness you will never find it. More than that, without meekness you will live here as if in hell, and evil can never be stopped or cut off by evil — neither by you nor by anyone else. It can be stopped and cut off only by meekness, humility, and patience. Amen.
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
