Homilies from the Menaion for Every Day of the Year: October 20

The Month of October

Day 20

51. On Patience

(From the Life of Holy Great Martyr Artemios)

The Lord teaches us to endure with patience the sorrows and sufferings we encounter in life. “By your endurance you will save your souls,” He says (Luke 21:19). “But he who endures to the end will be saved” (Matthew 10:22). In a word, the Lord teaches us patience. But the question is: how are we to learn it? From where are we to draw it? Where can we find it amid our sorrows? Brothers and sisters, the answer to these questions is simple: when you compare your sorrows and sufferings with those of the Savior, and when you also turn to that same Savior, imploring Him to grant you patience, then patience will undoubtedly be given to you, and you will endure your sorrows and sufferings with a cheerful heart.

It is not difficult to prove this, either. Listen to just one incident from the life of Saint Great Martyr Artemios, and you will be convinced of the truth of these words. When Saint Artemios, after enduring terrible tortures, was led into prison together with Saints Eugene and Macarius, he reasoned with himself as follows:

“Artemios! Behold, the wounds of Christ have already been marked upon your body, and now all that remains is to lay down your very soul for Him. But have I, unworthy as I am, endured more than my Master? His entire body was covered with wounds, and from His head to His feet He was afflicted with injuries. His head was pierced with thorns, while His hands and feet were nailed to the Cross for my sin. Yet He committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth. Oh, how numerous and great were the sufferings of my Master, and how far I fall short of His patience, wretched as I am! Nevertheless, I rejoice and am glad, enlightened by the sufferings of my Master, which ease my own pains. I thank You, O Master, for crowning me also through Your sufferings. I beseech You: grant me patience, that I may end my life confessing Your name, and help me to endure with a cheerful heart the sufferings that lie ahead of me. I cast myself into the abyss of Your mercies, O most good Lord and Lover of mankind!”

Did Artemios, then, attain patience after this? He did, for his Life relates that when he was beaten with ox sinews, he displayed such astonishing, superhuman patience that he seemed almost insensible. He neither cried out nor groaned, nor did he change the position of his body while the ground around him was being stained with blood. The Great Martyr’s patience was such that everyone present during his sufferings, including the emperor himself, was astonished by it.

It is therefore beyond doubt that comparing our sorrows and sufferings with the sufferings of the Savior, and praying to that same Savior to grant us patience, greatly helps us acquire patience amid sorrows and sufferings. The effectiveness of these means of obtaining patience is perfectly evident.

For example, you are in pain, you are insulted, you are tormented. But do not forget that you yourself are not without sin and that, perhaps many times, in one way or another, you have wronged and insulted your brothers and sisters. Now consider what it was like for the Lord to suffer, He who not only did no one any harm, but is Himself wholly love, wholly sweetness, wholly desire! What was it like for Him to be spat upon, beaten, tormented, covered in blood, and crucified alongside robbers? When you compare your own sorrows with those of the Savior, you will see how insignificant your sufferings are. As a result, the agitation of your heart will subside, your murmuring will cease, and you will endure your sorrow with patience.

It is equally necessary to ask the Lord for patience. He Himself endured to the point of death, even death on the Cross. He knows how essential divine help is to a person in suffering. He Himself was tempted and is able to help those who are tempted. Yes, let us ask the Lord for patience. When we ask, it will undoubtedly be granted to us, and our sufferings will be eased, for the Lord does not abandon such people without His help. “I am with him in trouble,” He says; “I will deliver him and honor him … and show him My salvation” (Psalm 91:15–16). Amen.

Questions for Discussion 51:

1. What did Saint Great Martyr Artemios ask his Master to grant him?

2. In what did Artemios ask his Master to help him?

3. Into what abyss, according to Artemios’s words, did he cast himself?

4. What helps us acquire patience amid sorrows and sufferings?

5. What will the Lord do for those who are afflicted?

 

Source: The Cheti-Minei: Homilies for Every Day of the Year (Book 1: September, October, November) by Archpriest Viktor Guryev. Publication of the Russian Panteleimon Monastery on Mount Athos, 1896. Translated by John Sanidopoulos.