Prologue in Sermons: April 10

On Obedience

April 10

(A Word from the Paterikon on Obedience)

By Archpriest Victor Guryev

Why is it, brethren, that the virtue of obedience is placed above many other virtues? What is the reason for this?

One of the elders said: he who abides in obedience receives a greater reward than the one who, by his own will, is saved in the desert. And he added that another of the elders was shown the places where the saints rest after death. There in one glorious place he saw a man, and it was revealed to him that this man, when he lived, was constantly ill, but in his illness he did not complain, but glorified God. In another place he saw another man, and it was said to him that this one is blessed because in life he was hospitable and received strangers into his house and gave them rest. In a third place he saw yet another man, who was blessed because he spent his whole life in the desert, not seeing the face of a man. Finally, in one especially glorious place he saw a man who, in the degree of his blessedness, was above all and wore a golden collar on his neck. “For what?” asked the one who beheld the vision. The one who was blessed for patience in illness said to him: “For this reason he is exalted above all, that the others did good deeds by their own will, but this one wholly subjected his will to the will of God and to the will of his spiritual father, and spent his whole life in obedience. For this he also received greater glory than all.”

Thus, this is why the virtue of obedience is placed above many other virtues: because it is joined with self-crucifixion. All the others, as was heard, performed their virtues voluntarily, but the one abiding in obedience renounced his own will and wholly subjected it to the will of God and to the will of his spiritual father. Thus, all his life he was on the cross. In view of this, hold fast to this virtue, and you will not regret it.

“Obedience,” teach the Holy Fathers, “is the parent of all virtues! O obedience, the salvation of all the faithful! O obedience, the finder of the Kingdom! O obedience, the opening of the heavens, lifting men from the earth! O obedience, the companion of the angels. O obedience, the nourisher of all the saints! By you they were planted and by you they were perfected.” Amen.

Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.