Prologue in Sermons: June 8

 

The Pious Should Not Despair When They Suffer Without Fault

June 8

(The Martyrdom of the Holy and Glorious Great Martyr Theodore Stratelates)
 
By Archpriest Victor Guryev

During times of severe affliction, many even among the pious lose heart, become faint in spirit, and say: “God has abandoned me; otherwise He would see what I am suffering and would come to help me!”

Is this so? No. The Lord sees everything, knows everything, and will never allow His servants to be tempted beyond what they are able to bear. And if He does permit afflictions to come upon them, sometimes very grievous ones, it is solely in order to grant them a higher reward in heaven as those who have endured to the end.

As proof of this, let us take something from the account of the sufferings of the Holy Great Martyr Theodore Stratelates. When he had been crucified and, besides the terrible agony of being nailed to the cross, endured other dreadful tortures as well, he finally, exhausted in both body and spirit, cried out:

“Lord, Lord, You foretold to me that You would be with me; why then have You now abandoned me? The time for help has come! Help me, for I endure all these sufferings for Your sake and out of love for You I bear this torment. Strengthen me, O Lord, or take my soul from me, for I can endure no more.”

Having said this, the Martyr fell silent. From this silence the persecutor Licinius concluded that the Saint had died and, after ordering that his body remain upon the cross until morning, departed from the place of execution. But at midnight an Angel appeared, loosed the Saint’s body from the cross, embraced him, and said:

“Rejoice, Theodore, soldier of Christ! Take courage and be strengthened in the name of Christ, the true God; behold, God is with you. Why then did you say that He had abandoned you? Complete your contest, and you shall come to the Lord to receive the crown prepared for you.”

Having spoken these words, the Angel became invisible, and the Saint began to praise and thank God.

Therefore, pious Christian, no matter how severe your trials or sufferings may be, never say that God has abandoned you.

“Where were You, Lord,” said the Great Martyr Katherine when the Lord appeared to her, “that during such terrible sufferings You did not come to comfort me?”

“I was here, in your heart,” the Lord replied.

Remember this word of the Lord, you suffering Christian, and never think that your sorrows are hidden from God. No, He sees them and knows them; and the more burdened your spirit becomes, the nearer He, the Merciful One, is to you.

“And know, beloved,” we conclude with the words of Saint Demetrius, “that in all troubles, afflictions, sorrows, and temptations there is great consolation whenever a man entrusts himself entirely to the will of the Lord, which by its very nature is good, always desiring our welfare and ordering all things for our benefit. For everything that He ordains for us, although it may seem contrary to us, nevertheless He arranges for our greater good. God permits afflictions not for our harm, but that He may enrich us with spiritual fruits; and when He sees us enduring and submitting ourselves to His will, He transforms misfortunes into prosperity and sorrows into rejoicing. Therefore let us commit ourselves to His holy will” (Works of St. Demetrius, Part I, p. 183). Amen.

Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.