Prologue in Sermons: February 12

The Benefits of Praying for the Dying

February 12

(From a Homily of Saint Gregory, Pope of Rome, about a monk who was given to a serpent as food because of sin, and was delivered by the prayers of the brethren.)

By Archpriest Victor Guryev

All of us, brethren, by Christian love are obliged to pray for one another at all times, as the Apostle says: "Pray for one another" (James 5:16); but our prayer must be especially fervent and heartfelt for those of our neighbors who are approaching death. The dying are in particular need of prayer, and earnest prayer for them frees them from the terrors of the hour of death, and sometimes even brings them recovery.

Saint Gregory, Pope of Rome, relates the following:

“In my monastery there lived a devout monk. One day his brother came to him and also asked to be admitted into the monastery. He was accepted. But alas! the newcomer lived quite differently from his brother. He showed no concern for his soul, did not keep the rule, judged others, dressed finely, and could not bear it when anyone began speaking to him about the life to come and repentance. Several times they intended to expel him, but each time, unwilling to grieve his pious brother, they left him.

March: Day 12: Teaching 1: Saint Gregory the Dialogist, Pope of Rome

 

March: Day 12: Teaching 1:
Saint Gregory the Dialogist, Pope of Rome
 
(Under What Conditions is Philanthropy Not Pleasing to God?)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. Saint Gregory the Dialogist, Pope of Rome, whose memory is celebrated today, descended from a noble and pious Roman family. He left worldly life and the noble office of governor and entered the Monastery of Saint Andrew the First-Called, which he founded. Having distributed all his property to the poor and to monasteries, Saint Gregory spent his life in extreme poverty, and struggled in abstinence and prayer. Elected Bishop of Rome, he refused the episcopal rank for a long time and hid in secret places. When his refuge was discovered, he submitted to the election and accepted the rank of Pope of Rome. Full of humility and ardent love for God and neighbor, Gregory was burdened by his high rank, but zealously fulfilled the duties imposed on him: he used all his income to help the poor, with the firm word of a shepherd he pacified the enemies who attacked Italy, sent preachers of the Christian faith to distant countries, for example, he sent Augustine to England, wrote commentaries on the Holy Scripture, in conversations he expounded the lives and miracles of Italian saints; for these conversations he was called the Dialogist. He is credited with putting in writing the rite of the Liturgy of the Presanctified, which until then had been celebrated according to oral tradition.