Homilies from the Menaion for Every Day of the Year: November 3

The Month of November 

Day 3

65. What Reward Awaits Those Who Help or Visit Those in Prison?

(From the Life of Akepsimas, Bishop, and Those with Him)

It is known that one of the works of bodily mercy consists in helping someone who is in prison or visiting him. What do you think, brethren? Will those who are diligent in this work of mercy receive a reward from God, or not? Know that they will, and that their reward will be great. For those who help or visit people in prison can expect the favor of God, crowns in Heaven, and, finally, such blessings and such joys there as we cannot even imagine now.

How do we know that those who help people in prison obtain the favor of God? From the Life of Saints Joseph the Presbyter and Aethalas the Deacon. What is written there? The following is recorded: In the city where the aforementioned Saints lived, there was a certain holy woman named Snandulia, who pleased God by visiting those who suffered in prison. When she learned that Joseph and Aethalas had been thrown into prison after their torments, she went there and, finding the Saints lacerated and barely breathing, gave the prison guards a great deal of gold and persuaded them to release the Saints for a short time so that they could go to her house. When the martyrs were brought to her, Snandulia laid them on beds, washed their wounds, wiped the blood from them with clean linen, anointed their bodies with precious myrrh, kissed their shattered hands and feet, and wept bitterly over them. Then Joseph said to her: “O holy woman! Know that the kindness you have shown us is pleasing to God, and for it you will receive His favor.” From this it is clear that those who help people in prison truly receive the favor of God.

How do we know that those who visit people in prison receive crowns? From the Life of the Holy Great Martyr Katherine, in which we read that while the Saint was in prison, she was visited by the wife of the tyrant king, Porphyrios, his military commander, and two hundred soldiers with them. The queen fell at Katherine’s feet and said with tears: “Today I consider myself fortunate and blessed because I have been deemed worthy to see you, and my heart and soul rejoice as I look upon you. You are blessed because you have entrusted yourself entirely to Christ, from whom you receive so many gifts.” The Great Martyr answered her: “And you are blessed, O queen, for I see the crown prepared for you, which has been lifted up on high by angelic hands, and you will receive it in three days.” From this it is clear that those who visit people in prison also receive crowns.

Finally, how do we know that those who visit prisoners receive such blessings and such joys as we cannot even imagine? This too is evident from the Life of the same Great Martyr. Saint Katherine said to Porphyrios, the military commander who had visited her: “The tongue cannot express the blessings that the all-good and loving God has prepared for those who love Him and keep His commandments.” And after this, it is said, “Porphyry was filled with immeasurable joy.” Therefore, it is also true that those who visit people held in prison receive in Heaven blessings that cannot be expressed.

And what follows from this? That, so that we too may not be deprived of these inexpressible blessings, we must help those who are in prison and, if possible, visit them as well. Indeed, can we neglect this work of mercy when the Lord applies it to Himself and says to those who practice it: “I was in prison, and you came to Me” (Matthew 25:36)? What could be more desirable than hearing this voice at the Judgment? What could be sweeter, both for those who visit prisoners in particular and for the merciful in general, than these words at that same Judgment: “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 25:34)? O Lord, grant that we too may all be deemed worthy to hear this joyful and desired voice of Yours! Amen.

Questions on Discourse 65:

1. According to Saint Joseph the Presbyter, what will Snandulia receive for helping those who are in prison?

2. According to the queen’s words to the Holy Great Martyr Katherine, what does the queen consider herself to be because she has been deemed worthy to see the Great Martyr?

3. According to the queen, why is Katherine blessed?

4. According to Katherine, what will the queen receive in three days?

5. What should we do for those who are in prison so that we may not be deprived of the inexpressible blessings?

 

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.