Prologue in Sermons: May 16

Good Instruction Should Be Heard From Anyone Who Offers It

May 16

(Commemoration of our Venerable Father Theodore the Sanctified, disciple of Saint Pachomios.) 
 
By Archpriest Victor Guryev

Some people do not like to hear good advice from those who are younger than they are, or from those whom they consider in some way inferior to themselves. “He is still young,” they say of such people, “and he wants to teach us!” Such reasoning is not praiseworthy.

You are hungry, and food is offered to you — eat. It makes no difference who offers it, otherwise you may die of hunger.

You are thirsty, and drink is offered to you — drink, without asking whether the vessel is gold or iron, so long as the water in it is pure; otherwise you may die of thirst.

Precious pearls are scattered about; gather them wherever they may lie, otherwise you will lose the treasure. Later you will regret not gathering them, but it will be too late.

Homily for the Sunday After the Baptism of the Lord (St. Cleopa of Sihastria)

Homily for the Sunday After the Baptism of the Lord

(On the Preaching of the Word of God)

By Saint Cleopa of Sihastria

“From that time Jesus began to preach and to say: Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17).

Beloved faithful,

One of the teachings of today’s Holy Gospel says: “From that time Jesus began to preach and to say: Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). The same words were spoken by Saint John the Baptist when he began to preach in the wilderness of the Jordan: “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). The same message was also given to the Holy Apostles when they were sent to preach the gospel, for He said to them: “As you go, preach, saying: The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand” (Matthew 10:7).

Today’s divine Gospel says: “From that time Jesus began to preach…” (Matthew 4:17). But what does “from that time” mean? It means from the time when the holy and great Prophet John the Baptist was arrested and thrown into prison. This truth is shown by today’s Holy Gospel, which says: “Now when Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, He departed to Galilee” (Matthew 4:12). But did the Savior depart to Galilee out of fear? By no means. Rather, He went to Galilee in order to begin preaching the gospel from there, according to the prophecy of the Prophet Isaiah, who says: “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles. The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned” (Isaiah 9:1; Matthew 4:15–16).

Prologue in Sermons: November 13

Simplicity in Preaching

November 13

(From the Life of Saint John Chrysostom)

By Archpriest Victor Guryev

To those of you who are accustomed to reading the Divine Scriptures, I especially often remind you to, whenever possible, read at least a little of the Scripture concerning what is necessary for life and piety to even the simple-minded seekers of salvation. But, unfortunately, I often hear discouraging feedback from the readers about their listeners: "Following your advice, we read to those who come to us seeking the Divine," they say, "and they understand nothing. What should we do in this case?"

Brethren who read and teach! How should I reason with you and your listeners? Should I admonish them to pay attention? Yet, it seems, it is impossible to rebuke them for their inattention; for if they had not wished to pay attention, they would not have come to you voluntarily. After all, no one is forcing them. Should I reproach you? But I fear offending you. In any case, knowing that a friend's scolding is more pleasant than an enemy's kisses, I hope you will hear what follows from me without offense.

July: Day 29: Teaching 1: Holy Martyr Kallinikos

July: Day 29:
Holy Martyr Kallinikos
 
(Every Christian Can Contribute to the Spread of the Christian Faith Through Pious Words and Good Life)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. Today the Holy Church celebrates the memory of the Holy Martyr Kallinikos. Saint Kallinikos was born in Cilicia and was raised in the Christian faith. He was deeply grieved, seeing that the people in their error worshiped soulless idols and did not know the true God, and decided to devote his whole life to preaching the holy faith. He went around many cities and villages, converting pagans from idols to Christ God. Among other things, he arrived in the Galatian city of Ancyra, and laboring there in the gospel of Christ, he won many for God. The unbelievers seized him, presenting him to the city governor as a corrupter of the people and a preacher of the forbidden law. The governor, an evil and cruel man and hater of Christians, began to severely reproach him for turning the people away from the gods, and then subjected him to cruel tortures, but the Martyr endured them patiently. Then they sent him to the city of Gangra to be burned there. The journey was difficult and torturous: exhausted and weakened by the tortures he had endured, he had to keep up with the soldiers who were riding on horses; iron boots with sharp nails caused him the most severe pain at every step. But the Martyr trusted in God, prayed to Him the entire journey, and God did not abandon him with His mercy. The weather was sultry; the soldiers accompanying him were exhausted from thirst and heat. Kallinikos, pitying them, turned to the Lord with prayer, and at his prayer there suddenly gushed water out of a stone. The pagans cried out: "Great is the God of Christians!" But then they brought him to the city where the execution was to take place. Seeing the fire prepared for him, he cried out joyfully: "I thank You, Heavenly Father, that You have deemed me worthy to suffer for Your name! Receive my spirit in peace." With these words, he entered the fire and gave up his soul to God. This was in the middle of the 3rd century. His body remained unharmed in the fire and was reverently buried by Christians.

May: Day 16: Venerable Theodore the Sanctified

May: Day 16:
Venerable Theodore the Sanctified
 
(On How Shameful It Is To Leave the Church During a Sermon)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. The Venerable Theodore, called the Sanctified, whose memory is celebrated today, was a disciple of the Venerable Pachomios and had deep knowledge of the Holy Scriptures. When he was only twenty years old, the Venerable Pachomios ordered him to deliver a sermon to the brethren. Theodore, without any disobedience or objection, led the conversation and said much for the benefit of the monks. But some of the elders did not want to listen to Theodore and said: “What is this? Even every novice teaches us!” And, leaving the assembly, one after another they went to their cells. When Theodore finished his speech, Pachomios sent for those who had left and asked why did they leave the conversation? The elders answered: “Because you appointed a youth to teach us, who have lived in the monastery for many years.” Hearing this, Pachomios sighed deeply and said: "Have you not understood that the devil has caught you in his net? After all, you have destroyed all your virtue with pride. You did not leave Theodore, but fled from hearing the word of God and were deprived of the grace of the Holy Spirit. I am not younger than you, but I also listened to him with great attention." With these and similar instructions, the Venerable Pachomios finally brought the proud elders to their senses, and they no longer exalted themselves and humbly listened to the teachings of Theodore.

May: Day 3: Teaching 1: Venerable Theodosius of the Kiev Caves

May: Day 3: Teaching 1:
Venerable Theodosius of the Kiev Caves
 
(Teach By Good Example)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. Our Venerable Father Theodosius, Abbot of the Caves, the head of the monastic community in Russia, who lived in the 11th century, and who is remembered today, taught his brethren many useful words, and his words were not fruitless, but by his life and good example he simply conquered the hearts of those around him. His brethren, the monks of the Caves, were very zealous in church services, because their abbot was the first to arrive for divine services and the last to leave the church. Wherever he appeared in the monastery, he set to work everywhere, as an example to the brethren. He appeared in the kitchen, here he began to knead dough; he came to the monks who were the compilers of books, and here he applied his feasible work, and his example always greatly encouraged the brethren in holy labors.

March: Day 4: Teaching 2: Holy Martyrs Paul and Juliana

 

March: Day 4: Teaching 2:
Holy Martyrs Paul and Juliana
 
(Every Martyr Is At The Same Time A Preacher)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. The Emperor Aurelian, once traveling around his kingdom, arrived in Ptolemais. As he was entering the city, a young Christian named Paul crossed himself and said to his sister, who was standing near him: "Get ready, sister; there will be a great temptation for the Christians." The emperor saw that the young man crossed himself and ordered him to be taken into custody, because Christians were then being severely persecuted.

When, after futile attempts to persuade him to abandon the Christian faith, Saint Paul was subjected to torture, a young girl ran into the court and began to reproach the emperor for his cruelty. This was Juliana, Paul's sister.

"Why do you torment my brother?" she exclaimed. "Has he ever in his life insulted the imperial majesty, or offended any of his fellow citizens? The whole people will vouch for his virtue. Sovereign, spare him!"