Prologue in Sermons: April 30

To Bury the Dead in Poverty is a Deed Pleasing to God

April 30

(A discourse about Magisterian, who covered a dead man lying naked with his shirt.)

By Archpriest Victor Guryev

One of the works of bodily mercy consists in this: to bury the dead in poverty or to render assistance toward this, according to one’s means. I do not know how it is with others, but among you, to your honor it must be said, brethren, this good deed until now has always found sympathy. Many poor who died that were in our parish or were found dead, always you came to their body to pray for them and left your small contributions for their burial. And many, I repeat, poor dead there were among us, it was always possible to see near them a sufficient amount of money gathered, and with this money, as you yourselves know, for the unattended dead there was arranged both a proper burial, and a coffin was bought for them, and there was means to clothe them, and candles were set by the coffin, and the grave without difficulty was dug. Praising you for this, I desire that also in future time you remain just as compassionate toward your dead poor brethren as you have shown yourselves until now: I desire this because to bury the dead in poverty is a deed pleasing to God, and, consequently, it will never remain without reward.

There was a certain Magisterian, whom the king once sent to a certain place with an assignment. When he was on the way, he saw lying a dead, naked beggar and showed compassion to him. Having sent his servant some distance away from himself, Magisterian took off his shirt and covered the dead man with it. A considerable time passed after this, and Magisterian, by another royal assignment, again had to set out somewhere on a journey. This time a misfortune happened to him. As he was riding out of the city, he fell from his horse, was severely injured, and returned home. Then doctors gathered to him and when they saw that his leg was badly damaged, they came to the conclusion that it was necessary to cut it off, otherwise death would certainly follow. Having decided thus among themselves, they said to Magisterian: “Tomorrow we will come and heal you.” When they left, Magisterian called his servant and said to him: “Go after the doctors and find out what they think about my illness.” The servant went, and the doctors said to him: “Your master’s leg must be cut off, otherwise he will die. Tomorrow we will tell him this, and then — as he wishes.” The servant conveyed these words to his master, and Magisterian became sorrowful, lost sleep, and wept. At night he remained alone; in his room a lamp was burning. At midnight an unknown man appears to him and says: “Why are you weeping?” “How can I not weep, my lord,” answered Magisterian, “when I am all broken and the doctors have decided to cut off my leg?” The one who appeared said: “Show me your leg.” Magisterian showed it. The one who appeared said: “Rise and walk now.” Magisterian answered: “I cannot, for my leg is broken.” The unknown said: “Lean on me.” Magisterian obeyed and with difficulty began to walk. The unknown remarked: “You are still limping?” And after this, having rubbed as if with something the sick leg, he said to Magisterian: “Now lie down and sleep.” And to this he added several words about almsgiving. Magisterian exclaimed: “Are you already leaving me?” “What more do you need,” answered the unknown, “for you are now healthy.” Magisterian said: “For the sake of God who sent you to me, tell me, who are you?” The one who appeared said: “Look closely at me and see — is this not your shirt?” “Yes, mine, sir,” answered Magisterian. The one who appeared said: “I am the one whom you saw lying naked and dead, upon whom you placed your shirt; and for your good deed God has sent me to heal you. Give thanks to God.” Having said this, the one who appeared became invisible; and Magisterian became completely healthy and glorified God.

Therefore, also in the future do not cease, brethren, to show mercy to the dead in poverty, and the Lord also will not abandon you with His mercies. And how could one not help poor dead people? For the heart sometimes aches deeply when looking at some unfortunate deceased solitary man, or wanderer, or one simply found dead on the road. Who, if not good people, should prepare such for the journey, set a candle for them, accompany them to the place of their final eternal rest, shed a warm tear of prayer over their lonely grave? Neither relatives nor acquaintances are near them; who will replace such? Certainly we, we all, whoever we may be, must replace them; for God has commanded us to love not only some, but all: He has commanded us to consider all as our brethren, to show help and compassion to ALL without exception. Therefore let our love, according to the commandment of the Lord, be all-embracing, and let the dead not be forgotten by us. Amen.

Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.