Prologue in Sermons: March 21

A Monk Not by Calling

March 21

(A Homily of Kosmas the Presbyter)

By Archpriest Victor Guryev

He who goes to a monastery without prior preparation for the monastic life, without discernment, not by calling, is a bad monk; indeed, he can scarcely even be called a monk at all. This is evident from the following.

Kosmas the Presbyter says: “Many withdraw from the world into a monastery; but, not wishing to endure the wearisome services and labors of monastic life, they flee from the monastery back into the world and return like dogs to their vomit, fall into despair, and sin worse than before. Others of them wander through the cities, roaming about like madmen here and there, eating others’ bread for nothing, spending their time in inexcusable idleness, and watching for where there are feasts, becoming slaves not of God, but of the belly. And for them the latter becomes worse than the former.

And others, not wishing to provide for their family, flee to the monastery even from their wives and children. Such men do not seek the love of God, but desire sleep and the filling of their belly, and they have no faith. And this, according to the word of the Apostle, is worse than unbelievers. And the orphaned and hungry children curse them, saying: ‘Why did our father and mother bring us into the world? Why have they left us in such suffering and such misery?’ If the Lord commands us even to have mercy on animals, how much more should we not neglect our own children? And if someone lives according to the law of God, he will be saved even without a monastery. Black robes will not save us, nor will white ones destroy us, if we do works pleasing to God."

Therefore, brethren, you yourselves now see that a monk not by calling is a bad monk — or rather, not a monk at all.

Indeed, what kind of life do such monks live? It is not monastic life, but a mockery of monastic life; it is disgrace, it is scandal! Let us say more: it is even blasphemy!

But someone will object: who, then, can be a monk? Here is who:

"If you see in yourself the ability to endure every passion, then go to the monastery, and submit yourself to the abbot as to God; for Christ’s sake reject your own will entirely, and fulfill his will until your death. Honor the abbot as God, and the brethren as angels; and do not allow your heart to desire Rome or Jerusalem, but perform in your cell the prayers entrusted to you by the abbot."

Such a man may boldly go to become a monk, and from him, indeed, a good monk will come. And those monks of whom we spoke at the beginning—let them, instead of idleness, love labor; instead of fearlessness, let them instill in their hearts the fear of God; instead of drunkenness, let them love self-restraint; instead of wandering, let them shut themselves in their cell; let them wholly submit themselves to the will of the abbot. And then, it may be hoped, that even from them good monks will come. Amen.

Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.