Homily One on Saints Cyril and Methodios, Equal to the Apostles (St. John Maximovitch)

Homily One on Saints Cyril and Methodios, Equal to the Apostles 

By St. John Maximovitch

(Delivered in Shanghai in 1941)

What a joyful cry of gratitude would burst forth from the lips of people who from birth had sat in a dark cave deprived of light, when someone, opening their gloomy dwelling, would pour into it the life-giving rays of the sun and then lead them out into freedom!

Such also should be the feeling of gratitude we experience toward the holy brothers Cyril and Methodios.

To the Slavic tribes who “sat in the land and shadow of death” (Matt. 4:16) of paganism, they brought the light of the true Faith of Christ.

To those who knew nothing of the Kingdom of Heaven, they proclaimed it and showed the way into it.

The servants of false pagan gods they made into servants of the True God!

The 950th Anniversary of the Baptism of Rus’ (A Homily of St. John Maximovitch from 1938)

"With Voices of praise the land of Rome extols Peter and Paul, through whom its people came to believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Asia, Ephesus and Patmos likewise laud John the Theologian; India — Thomas; Egypt — Mark; all lands and cities and peoples venerate and glorify their own teachers, who instructed them in the Orthodox faith. Let us also, then, with our feeble voices, but to the best of our ability, praise one who wrought great and wondrous deeds, our teacher and instructor, the great kagan (prince) of our land, Vladimir, the grandson of old Igor."

Thus spoke Saint Hilarion, Metropolitan of Kiev, in the middle of the eleventh century, when little more than half a century had passed since the baptism of Rus'. At that time this holy man, with his penetrating vision, already saw the greatness of Saint Vladimir's accomplishments, and called upon Rus' to glorify him in a fitting manner. In what words, then, and with what colors shall we depict what Saint Vladimir accomplished by the baptism of Rus', now that we have lived to see the millennium of this glorious occurrence? Let us recall what Rus' was before Vladimir and what it became after its baptism by Saint Vladimir.

On the Holy Right-Believing Prince Alexander Nevsky (St. John Maximovitch)

 

On the Holy Right-Believing Prince Alexander Nevsky

By St. John (Maximovich), Archbishop of Shanghai and San Francisco

The Enlightener of Rus', the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir (1015, commemorated on July 15/28), having left the throne of the Grand Duchy, went to the very Throne of the Heavenly King to intercede before Him for the Russian Land. Saint Hilarion, Metropolitan of Kiev and All Rus' (1067, commemorated on October 21/November 3) during the reign of Yaroslav the Wise (1054), turning to the tomb of Saint Vladimir, as if he were alive, called out to him: "Rise up, O honorable head!" And when the right time came, Saint Vladimir did indeed rise up for Rus', clearly to all. Two hundred and twenty-five years had already passed since the day of his death, and Rus' had suffered the most severe trials. The Tatars devastated the Russian Land and took possession of it. The capital city of Kiev, the font of Rus', was burned. And from the north and west new enemies were moving, wanting to destroy Orthodoxy and deprive the Russian people of that priceless pearl with which Saint Vladimir had enriched them. The first blow of those enemies was to be taken by Novgorod. That Novgorod in which Saint Vladimir spent his adolescence, being its Prince at that time.

Homily on the Transfiguration of the Lord (St. John Maximovitch)

Homily on the Transfiguration of the Lord

By St. John Maximovitch

When He created the world, God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness" (Gen. 1:26). The image of God in man is manifested in his mental abilities, in his authority over nature, his power, and his ability to create. The likeness of God in him lies in his moral perfections, in his spiritual aspirations, in his ability to achieve holiness.

The image and likeness of God, in which our first parents were created, was fully reflected in them before the Fall. Sin violated both the former and the latter, although it did not completely deprive a person of them. The mind and everything else that was the image of God remained in man, but to develop them it is necessary to use great efforts, yet he achieves only a small measure of what the first parents completely received. There remains in man, to some extent, the desire to be in the likeness of God, although sometimes he falls beyond recognition.

Pascha in the Midst of Summer: Venerable Seraphim of Sarov (St. John Maximovitch)

 

Venerable Seraphim of Sarov

By St. John Maximovitch

(Delivered in Serbia in 1928)

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit!

"In the middle of the Summer they will sing Pascha," they once said in Sarov. Seventy years passed from the death of the man about whom these words were pronounced, and on July 19, 1903, all of Rus' resounded with songs of praise, glorifying God and His Saint. Indeed, all of Rus' rejoiced then as on the day of Holy Pascha, even more.

Terrible days were to come for Russia, but the memory of Saint Seraphim neither died nor weakened. Russian people continue to appeal to him and glorify him, both in the suffering Homeland and throughout the ends of the world where they are scattered. Even other nations are becoming familiar with Saint Seraphim; his biography is being translated into various languages, evoking not only admiration, but also, in many, the striving to apply in their own lives the lessons given to us by his life. Thus, despite the changes that have taken place in the world, the memory of Saint Seraphim not only does not fade, but it remains a lamp that shines ever brighter to humanity.

Homily Before the Memorial Service for the Tsar-Martyr (St. John Maximovitch)

Homily Before the Memorial Service for the Tsar-Martyr

By St. John Maximovitch

Forty Years Ago, a single day saw the collapse of the greatness and glory of the Russian State, a bulwark of peace throughout the whole world. The signature of the Sovereign, the Emperor Nicholas II-do, on the act of abdication from the Throne, is a historical boundary separating Russia's great and glorious past from her present dark and cruel circumstances.

The entire weight of the present regime's evil and its reordering of life is aimed at honest, well-intentioned and devout people, and the whole nation lies in oppression and constant fear. People are afraid of their own thoughts, thoughts they have not expressed aloud; they are afraid that what they are thinking might be reflected in their facial expressions.

What happened that day, forty years ago?

What Was the Moral Strength of the Holy Grand Prince Vladimir?

By St. John Maximovitch

“Whoever does and teaches, he will be called great in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:19)

Why is Grand Prince Vladimir holy and equal to the apostles?

He turned from pagan darkness to the light of Christ, was himself baptized, baptized the people of Kiev and sent them to other cities and regions of his principality to baptize.

He was the first of the all-Russian rulers to become a Christian and laid the foundation for the Christian structure of the Russian state. With him, the Russian State begins to be Orthodox, and Christianity penetrates into all areas of national and state life.

Did he act only as a ruler, were his actions aimed only towards an acts of state?

No, he himself showed himself to be a true Christian and preached Christ not so much by word as by his personal example.

Address Delivered by Saint John Maximovitch at his Ordination as Bishop of Shanghai (1934)

Bishop John upon his arrival in Shanghai (December 1934)

On May 20/June 3, 1934, the Synod of Bishops of ROCOR determined John Maximovitch to be Bishop of Shanghai, Vicar of the Chinese and Beijing Dioceses.

On May 27/June 10 of the same year, in the Russian Church of the Holy Trinity in Belgrade, he was ordained as bishop. The ordination was done by Metropolitan Anthony (Khrapovitsky), who at the same time sent a letter to Archbishop Dimitri (Voznesensky) of Hailar, where he wrote: "I am already so old and weak that I can't think of any travel, except for a trip to the cemetery. But instead of myself, I, as my soul, as my heart, send to you Bishop John. This small, physically weak person, in appearance almost like a child, is a miracle of ascetic perseverance and rigor in our time of universal spiritual relaxation."

On December 4, 1934, Bishop John arrived in Shanghai, where about 50,000 Russian refugees had been living. He quickly settled the differences between the Orthodox parishes.

The Church as the Body of Christ (St. John Maximovitch)

 

The Church as the Body of Christ

By St. John Maximovitch

"He (Christ) is the head of the body, the Church" (Col.1:18).

"The Church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all" (Eph. 1:23).

In the Holy Scriptures the Church is repeatedly called the Body of Christ. "I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, ... for the sake of His body, which is the Church" (Col. 1:24), the Apostle Paul writes about himself.

Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, says he, are given by Christ "for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ" (Eph. 4:11-12).

At the same time, bread and wine are made into the Body and Blood of Christ during the Divine Liturgy, and the faithful partake thereof. Christ Himself ordained it so, communicating His apostles at the Secret Supper with the words, "Take, eat; this is My Body; ... Drink ye all of it; for this is My Blood of the New Testament" (Matt. 26:26-28).

Homily on Pentecost (St. John Maximovitch)

 

Come, People, Let Us Worship the Trinitarian Divinity

By St. John Maximovitch

God is a Holy Trinity. A Trinity consubstantial and indivisible. Consubstantial, that is, one in essence, one in nature. A Trinity indivisible: the Son has never been divided from the Father, nor the Holy Spirit from the Father or the Son, and never will be divided.

The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are not three gods, but one God, since They have one nature. But not only because of this. People also have one nature, one essence. But with people one cannot say that two or three persons are one person, no matter how close and amicable they may be. People not only have separate bodies, but each one also has his own will, his own tastes, his own moods. No matter how similar people may be in body and character, it still never happens that everything is in common or that everything is the same.

Homily on the Paralytic, the Samaritan Woman and the Man Born Blind (St. John Maximovitch)

The Paralytic, the Samaritan Woman and the Man Born Blind

By St. John Maximovitch

(Delivered in Bitola in 1928)

Before concluding today's service, I would like to draw your attention to three Gospel events commemorated on the Sundays between the Sunday of the Myrrhbearing Women and the Ascension. In one the Gospel is read about Christ’s healing of the paralytic, in the other about the conversation with the Samaritan woman, in the third about the granting of sight to a man born blind. Three were honored to converse with Christ and accept His gift: one was healing from a long-term illness, the other was the resolution of issues that she herself could not resolve, the third was bodily vision. But their future fate is different.

Homily Two on the Holy Myrrhbearing Women (St. John Maximovitch)

 By St. John Maximovitch

The Myrrhbearers prepared myrrh to anoint the body of Christ.

They failed to fulfill this, since Christ rose from the dead before they came to the tomb.

Nevertheless, their sacrifice was accepted by the Lord, since He looks at the hearts of people and accepts the intention as if done even though it could not be fulfilled, despite all the zeal and effort.

“A merciful intention will please God,” is sung on the Sunday of the Holy Myrrhbearers.

The Lord "both accepts the deeds, and welcomes the intention, and honors the acts and praises the offering” (Word of St. John Chrysostom for Easter).

Homily One on the Holy Myrrhbearing Women (St. John Maximovitch)

An Appeal from Bishop John

By St. John Maximovitch

(Delivered in 1936 in Shanghai)

When Christ was condemned to death by Pilate and carried His cross to Golgotha, many people followed Him.

Among Him walked both the enemies of Christ and His followers.

However, the majority of the latter hid their closeness to Christ, and only women openly cried and wept for their Teacher.

Therefore, Christ turned to them alone on His way to Golgotha.

Even after the crucifixion, Christ’s disciples did not dare to approach Him, except for one virgin, John the Theologian.

But the women who came with Him from Galilee, with His Most Pure Mother at their head, did not leave Him here either.

Homily on the Sunday of Zacchaeus (St. John Maximovitch)

Homily on the Sunday of Zacchaeus

By St. John Maximovitch

Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost (Lk. 19:1-10).

Homily on the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos (St. John Maximovitch)

By St. John Maximovitch

(Delivered in Qingdao in 1948)

“O Lord, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all” (Ps. 103:24), the Psalmist proclaimed even in ancient times.

What is that wisdom (or "sophia" in Greek) by which all things were created?

Another Psalm says, “By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth” (Ps. 32:6).

And the holy Evangelist John the Theologian proclaims: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made” (John 1:1-3).

Homily on the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (St. John Maximovitch)

 By St. John Maximovitch

The Cross, which before Christ was an instrument of execution and caused fear and disgust towards it, after Christ’s death on the Cross became an instrument and banner of our salvation.

With it, Christ crushed the devil, from it He descended into hades and, freeing those who languished there, led them into the Kingdom of Heaven.

The image of the Cross is frightening for demons and, as a sign of Christ, is revered by Christians.

The Lord revealed it in heaven to Emperor Constantine, who was marching on Rome to fight the persecutor who had seized power, and, having built a banner in the form of a Cross, Emperor Constantine won complete victory. Having received help through the Cross of the Lord, Emperor Constantine begged his mother, Queen Helen, to find the most life-giving Cross, and the pious Helen, going to Jerusalem, after many searches, found it.

Homily for the Sunday of All Saints Who Shone in the Russian Land (St. John Maximovitch)

By St. John (Maximovich), Archbishop of Shanghai and San Francisco

Today is the feast of All the Saints who shone in the Russian land - all the saints who were raised by the Russian Church, the Russian land. Today is the feast of the spiritual sky over Russia. That sky stretches wide, starting from the holy prince Vladimir and the blessed princess Olga. They were, as it were, the roots of all the saints who shone in the Russian land. A great host has grown, a great tree of holiness. True, even before Grand Prince Vladimir there were saints, righteous ones, who shone forth where the Russian land is now. Those parts that now make up the borders of Russia, even before they became part of the Russian land, shone with the holy saints of God.

Chersonesus boasts of seven bishops who visited that region in the early days, and later Cyril and Methodius preached there. Grand Prince Vladimir was baptized in Chersonesus, and together with the relics of the ancient Hieromartyr Clement of Rome, he brought the Orthodox Faith to Kiev, and laid the foundation for the growth of the Russian Church there. Now we are celebrating all those saints of God - the Venerable Anthony and Theodosius and many other wonderworkers of the Caves, all the saints who shone in the Russian land, those saints who affirmed Orthodoxy, acquired Christianity, who affirmed faith and piety among the people, those saints who pretended to be fools, but in reality were wise and with their seemingly ridiculous deeds themselves humbled their pride, taught children to bow before holiness and follow the Gospel. We glorify the many saints of God, who shone in different directions in the Russian land; those martyrs who patiently endured the sufferings sent down to them, and, finally, those martyrs who, in a small rank, shone in antiquity, but now abundantly watered all the patches of Russian land with their blood. The earth was sanctified by their blood, the air was sanctified by the ascent of their souls. The sky above Russia was sanctified by the holy saints of God who shine over it. There are countless of them.

Saint John Maximovitch and the Jewish Patient Near Death

Once, during Bright Week in Shanghai, Saint John Maximovitch went to the Jewish hospital to visit the Orthodox Christian patients there. 

 

Passing through one ward, he stopped in front of a screen, concealing the bed upon which an elderly Jewish woman lay dying. Her family members were nearby awaiting her death. 

 

The Saint raised a cross above the screen and loudly proclaimed:  "Christ is Risen!"  upon which the dying woman regained consciousness and asked for water. 

 

1966 Paschal Message of St. John Maximovitch

 Christ is Risen!

“Even though You descended into the grave, O Immortal One, You destroyed the power of Hades.”

“I will go down to hades mourning for my son” (Gen. 37:35), the forefather Jacob said when he heard about the imaginary death, as if Joseph had died, though in reality he was sold by his brothers. Although Jacob was righteous and received many favors from God, constantly feeling the Hand of the Lord guarding him, he did not expect anything else in the future except hades. Deep was the fall of the forefathers in paradise, and with them all their offspring. Although many tried to live pleasing to God, they only outwardly fulfilled the law of God - it did not penetrate into their hearts and souls - they remained far from God in their spirit. Therefore, at that time there was no paradise for the descendants of Adam, they could not feel the radiance of the glory of God on themselves, their souls could not stay with the angels. Out of communion with God were all the souls of the dead, remaining in darkness and vexation of the spirit.

1963 Paschal Message of St. John Maximovitch

 

Christ is Risen!

Christ is Risen! The resurrected Creator in heaven is praised by angels. With incessant songs they glorify the Conqueror of the devil and death. All the forces of nature rejoice, all the elements triumph and glorify the Risen One. Evil and corruption have been defeated, everything that is filthy, which entered nature during the fall of Adam, disappears. Now all nature will be renewed for incorruption, for the eternal Kingdom of God, in which there will be no filthiness!

The dead now rejoice. Forgotten by them are the illnesses and sorrows that they endured in earthly life. The light of the Trinity illuminates them, their joy is inexpressible in earthly words, life fills them.

The forefathers rejoice, remembering their departure from hades and glorify their Liberator.