May 19
(The death of the Right-Believing Prince Ivan, in monasticism Ignatius, the Wonderworker of Vologda.)
By Archpriest Victor Guryev
There seems to be nothing more difficult than preserving good cheer when we endure an offense, and especially when we suffer undeservedly. The heart seems ready to tear apart: “Can it really be,” we say, “that God does not see that we suffer unjustly? Will He really not punish our enemy? And why does the latter triumph? Where is justice?” And by this we usually add another sorrow to the one already oppressing us: for anger torments the heart, malice toward the enemy takes away the last peace, and indeed the sufferings become unbearable.
But what is to be done, you will say? How can one act otherwise? The devil, who hates good, once implanted in the heart of the great prince Ivan Vasilyevich hatred against his brother Andrey Vasilyevich of Uglich and his children Ivan and Dmitry. He ordered them to be sent in chains to Pereslavl; afterwards they were taken to Belozersk, then to Vologda, and there they remained in prison in chains for many years. One of these persecuted ones, the right-believing Prince Ivan, arming himself with courage, not only himself endured the undeserved heavy punishment without complaint, but had such strength that he also exhorted his brother Dmitry and said to him:
“Do not grieve, brother, because of this prison and these chains; it is God Himself, wishing to grant something beneficial to our souls, Who placed it into the heart of our uncle to act thus toward us. It was the will of God to arrange this so that we might not become attached to this vain light. Let us therefore pray to the Lord that He may send us His mercy and give us strength joyfully to endure our sorrow for His name’s sake, and by it deliver us from eternal torment.”
And how did it all end? It ended in this: that this wondrous Ivan, having spent thirty-two years in chains, through his wisdom and patience acquired compunction and tears for himself, and afterwards, before death, having received the monastic habit, rejoiced and was glad even in prison; and when he reposed, the Lord glorified him. From his body, as is said in the Life, a fragrance spread throughout the whole city, and his relics even to this day grant healing to those who come with faith.
Thus, this is how one must act when enduring unjust offenses and sorrows. One must understand that nothing can happen without the permission of God; one must humble oneself, forgive everything to one’s enemy, entrust everything to God, and cover everything with patience and love. When the right-believing Ivan attained this, then he also acquired compunction, and even in prison, in chains, rejoiced and was glad. And every person will acquire great benefit if he acts likewise. For what does the one who conquers offenses and enmity with love acquire? He acquires greatness of spirit, firmness of will, true nobility of heart, mastery over his inclinations and desires, steadfastness and ease in overcoming temptations, and the highest degree of love toward neighbors (Romans 5:3–5; Matthew 5:44–48).
In such a person every offense passes away with tears, as the heat of the sun passes away with the coming of rain; and such a person becomes capable even in the fiery furnace to glorify God, and in prisons and wounds to rejoice and be glad. Finally, he acquires also those two most glorious victories which truly may be called victories above victories: one over himself, and the other over his enemy. Amen.
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
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