The Beginning of Wisdom Is the Fear of the Lord (A Poem by Venerable Daniel of Katounakia)

The Beginning of Wisdom Is the Fear of the Lord

A Poem by Hieromonk Daniel the Danielite of Katounakia

(1846–1929)

Whoever acquires the fear of God within himself,
Such a one will become capable of conquering all things.

For the fear of God grants sobriety;
It grants courage, understanding, and a moderate mind.

It grants courage and great-heartedness,
And, on the contrary, before no one does he feel cowardice.

For he hopes in God, and calls upon Him,
And from every danger he is always delivered.

In afflictions and temptations he rejoices with great joy;
He never grows indignant, nor does he ever become troubled.

For he knows the blessings that endurance
Will bring forth through the temptations he patiently bears.

They are heavenly blessings, blessed life,
And joy filled with all gladness, which is eternal.

Prologue in Sermons: June 2

On the Fear of God and on the Fact that the Lord Receives Our Prayers in Every Place

June 2

(A Homily of Saint John Chrysostom)
 
By Archpriest Victor Guryev

In order that the virtuous life may not seem difficult to us, we must hold fast to the following: we must have the fear of God in our hearts, and we must pray more fervently, not being constrained by any particular place for prayer. This is evident from the following.

Saint Chrysostom says:

“If you have learned to sin, then impose upon yourself the fear of God, and you will overcome the habit of sin. Then it will not be difficult for you to conquer anger within yourself and forgive the one who has grieved you. Then it will not be difficult for you to pray to God and ask His mercy. Then you will speak no evil words against anyone. Then you will not envy your neighbor. Then you will learn to love everyone. Then it will be easy for you to avoid foul speech and slander, and you will not trouble others. Then you will not swear oaths. Then you will be merciful toward people.

Prologue in Sermons: February 19

People, Both the Uneducated and Those Living in the World, Can Be Saved

February 19

(Homily of Saint Gennadios, Patriarch of Constantinople, on the fear of God.)

By Archpriest Victor Guryev

Some among the common folk, lazy concerning the work of their salvation, when spoken to about salvation, wishing to justify their negligence, exclaim:

“I am simple and ignorant; I know nothing!”

Others say: 

“I have a wife and children; necessities overwhelm me — I have no time for salvation!”

Let us see, brethren, whether this is truly so.

Why do you trouble yourself, O man, seeking many books that instruct you in what is beneficial, and going to every teacher saying: “Teach me how I may be saved”?

Prologue in Sermons: November 7 (a)

About the Fear of God

November 7

(From the Life of the Holy Martyr Theodotos the Innkeeper)

By Archpriest Victor Guryev

Reading the lives of the saints, we often find accounts of many robbers, harlots, and other great sinners abandoning their evil lives, turning to God, becoming the most zealous servants of God, and subsequently, for their holy lives, even being granted the gift of miracles. Tell me, brethren, what was the reason that the aforementioned people turned from the enemy of our salvation to God, from sin to virtue, and from the path of destruction to the path of righteousness? We do not know which reason you will point to for all this, but we, for our part, believe that the main reason for the sinners' conversion to repentance and correction of their lives was the fear of God. Hearing this, you may ask: how is this evident? We answer that it is evident from the following examples.