Prologue in Sermons: May 15

On the Vision of God

May 15

(On the Commemoration of our Venerable Father Pachomios the Great.) 
 
By Archpriest Victor Guryev

In the Life of our Venerable Father Pachomios the Great, among other things, it is said that he attained such a high degree of perfection that through his dispassion he was raised even to the vision of God. Is this possible?

The Holy Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen, before his suffering and death, gazing into heaven, saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God (Acts 7:55).

When Venerable Sisoes the Great sensed the approach of death, he said to the monks surrounding him, with his face shining brightly: “Abba Anthony has come!” After a little silence he cried out: “The choir of the prophets is appearing!” At that moment his face shone even more brightly, and he began speaking with someone invisible. “With whom are you speaking, Father?” the monks asked. “The Angels of the Lord,” answered the elder, “have come to take me, but I beg them to leave me here a little longer so that I may repent.” “But you have no need of repentance at all,” they replied. “No, brethren,” said the Venerable one, “I do not even know whether I have made a beginning of my salvation!” The monks marveled at the humility of the righteous man, while at that moment his face already shone like the sun. “Look!” he finally cried out. “The Lord Himself has come!” Everyone was struck with awe, and shortly afterward the elder departed this life; then there flashed something like lightning, and the cell was filled with fragrance (Prologue, July 6).

Once Saint Seraphim, while serving as a Hierodeacon, was concelebrating the Divine Liturgy with the superior on Holy Thursday. After the Little Entrance and the readings, Seraphim proclaimed at the Royal Doors: “O Lord, save the pious and hear us!” But scarcely had he turned to the people, lifted the orarion toward those standing there, and said, “And unto the ages of ages!” than a ray brighter than the sun illumined him. Looking into this radiance, he saw the Lord Jesus Christ in the form of the Son of Man, in glory and shining with ineffable light, surrounded by the heavenly powers — Angels, Archangels, Cherubim, and Seraphim — like a swarm of bees, coming through the air from the western church doors.

Thus, brethren, the vision of God is possible, and besides these examples, the Lord Himself confirms it. He said: “He who loves Me shall be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him” (John 14:21).

Should we desire this vision of God? Yes, certainly we should, but not a physical vision of God — rather a spiritual one, such as David had. “I foresaw the Lord always before me,” he says, “for He is at my right hand” (Psalm 15:8). Remembering the omnipresence of God, let us draw near to the Lord through faith, strengthen ourselves with hope, and embrace Him with love. Then our vision of God will be both joyful and salvific for us. Amen.

Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.