Homily Two for the First Sunday After Pentecost, the Sunday of All Saints
By Archimandrite Kirill Pavlov
(Delivered in 1964)
By Archimandrite Kirill Pavlov
(Delivered in 1964)
In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit!
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, on this day, which concludes all the great feasts — the Bright Resurrection of Christ, the glorious Ascension of the Lord, and the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles — the Orthodox Church celebrates the memory of all the saints who have pleased the Lord throughout the ages and who now triumph in Heaven in their victory over sin and evil. They are, as it were, the firstfruits of humanity, redeemed by the Most Pure Blood of Christ and renewed by the grace of the Holy Spirit of God, brought to God the Father through Jesus Christ. They are the blessed fruits of the sufferings, the crucifixion, the glorious Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, the descent of the Holy Spirit of God, and His abiding presence in the Church.
Among the saints glorified today by the Church are people from every land and every age, of every rank and station, every calling and condition, every office, sex, and age. There are kings and commoners, masters and servants, clergy and laity, soldiers and civilians, peasants and craftsmen, husbands and wives, young men and maidens, rich and poor, noble and humble, learned and unlearned — and all of them lived upon the earth just as we do.
All the saints were people subject to the same passions as ourselves (cf. Acts 14:15). Like us, they possessed flesh and shared in human weakness. Like us, they were conceived and born in sin; they felt the movements of fleshly passions and desires and were often subjected to temptations and seductions even greater than those we endure. Yet despite every temptation and stumbling block, they courageously resisted them. They did not yield to the evil impulses of soul and body, but guarded themselves against sins and vices, advanced in virtue, and attained great moral perfection and salvation.
In the work of salvation, the saints were helped by the same almighty grace of God and the same grace-filled means that have also been given to us. For, as the Holy Apostle Paul says: “The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men” (Titus 2:11). The saints, like us, carried out various worldly responsibilities and often bore the burden of difficult duties — ecclesiastical, civil, social, familial, and many others. Yet these concerns did not extinguish their concern for the soul. On the contrary, all their earthly labors were permeated by this concern. Therefore, their many cares and obligations did not become an obstacle to growth in godliness and the attainment of salvation.
Once a townsman said to Saint Nephon: “It is impossible to be saved while living in the world. Even if a man is pious himself, others lead him into temptation. Besides, there is so much conversation and criticism! Some think that virtuous and pious people are overly intellectual; others dislike their way of life because it differs from that of everyone else. Some call them unsociable, and all of this is very dangerous for the human heart. Whoever wishes to be perfect must live in a monastery or in the desert.”
After listening to him, the Saint replied:
“My child, neither a place saves a man nor destroys him; only his deeds save him or destroy him. Neither a holy rank nor a holy place is of any help to the one who does not keep the commandments of God. Saul lived amid royal splendor — and perished. David lived amid that same royal splendor — and received a crown. Lot lived among the lawless Sodomites — and was saved. Judas was among the company of the Apostles — and inherited Gehenna.
Whoever says that it is impossible to be saved in the world while having a wife and children is flattering his own foolishness and passions. Abraham had a wife and children, servants and maidservants, and great wealth; yet this did not prevent him from acquiring the title of the friend of God.
How many ministers of the Church and lovers of the desert have been saved! How many nobles and soldiers! How many craftsmen and farmers! How many people have been saved amid the noise of great cities and in the silence of the wilderness! Read the lives of the saints, and you will see the names of God's holy ones. On the other hand, within these same ranks and stations, in these same places, and at the same times, countless multitudes have perished. From kings to slaves there are children of the Kingdom of Heaven, and from kings to slaves there are children of perdition.
Child of the Church of Christ! Do not deceive your mind: the salvation of God may be found in every place if you fulfill the will of your Lord. The Lord receives a righteous soul into His embrace equally from a throne and from a plow, from the altar and from the battlefield. Therefore, if anyone lives in the world, let him not despair. If he falls into sin, through repentance he can draw near to God once more. Let each person practice the virtues appropriate to the calling God has given him, and he will be saved. But if someone withdraws into the silent wilderness and yet does not put away his evil deeds, he will inevitably perish there as well.”
Yes, dear brothers and sisters who live in the world, you must firmly believe that worldly cares and concerns cannot become an obstacle to salvation if we seek it with all our heart and pursue it at every step of our lives, according to the commandment of the Savior:
“Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).
The saints whom we honor today assure us of this. For just as the stars of heaven illuminate all the ends of the earth and show the way to travelers, so the struggles of the saints shine forth, enlightening us spiritually and showing the path to those who desire salvation.
They look upon us with love. They know our lives, hear our prayers, and willingly help those who turn to them. In them we have heavenly intercessors and protectors, and in this we find our greatest consolation and joy.
Let us pray to them and ask that through their intercessions they may shield us from every evil and strengthen us on the path of growth in a godly life, so that we too may attain eternal salvation.
All ye Saints, pray to God for us! Amen.
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
