Prologue in Sermons: February 16

Virtues Are the Steps of the Ladder Leading to Heaven

February 16

(An Edifying Parable from the Paterikon.)

By Archpriest Victor Guryev

Among the teachings and counsels of the Holy Fathers there are parables that are very instructive and greatly beneficial for the salvation of the soul. Today I will relate one of them.

A certain simple layman, a pious man, once came in the company of many other Christians to the Venerable Poemen and asked him for instruction. Poemen replied: “Today you yourself speak a word to the brethren.”

The visitor exclaimed, “How can I, wretched as I am, speak, Father?”

“You,” Poemen answered - and all present joined him, insisting that the simple man speak.

Then he said: “I am an unlearned man and cannot say anything except the following parable, which I once heard from a great elder. Here it is.

Homily on Saint Martinian (St. Michael Choniates)

Editorial Introduction

This homily survives in only one manuscript, the Laurentian codex (Λ), folio 104a, but it was found without its beginning, the opening having been lost together with the leaves of the codex that went missing between the end of the address “To Stryphon” and the leaf now bearing the number 104. The missing leaves were probably three in number. The title, being absent in the manuscript, was supplied conjecturally.

Homily on Saint Martinian 

By St. Michael Choniates, Metropolitan of Athens

… though differing in rank of glory, yet all are glorified and shining with purity: virginity is gold, widowhood and marriage silver — second indeed in order and glory to virginity, yet not deprived of splendor, provided they are kept free from the defiling stain that corrupts.

Prologue in Sermons: February 7

Chaste People, By Preserving Chastity Themselves, Take Care That Others Preserve It As Well

February 7

(A Saying from the Lemonarion about a black-robed nun who fled into the desert for the sake of a young man.)

By Archpriest Victor Guryev

To turn a sinner away from sin and to bring him back from the error of his way is a great work, as the Holy Apostle James also teaches. “Brethren,” he says, “if any of you err from the way of truth, and one convert him; let him know, that he who converts the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:19–20). Thus the Apostle teaches, but does he teach rightly?

One of the desert elders, named John, related the following: There was in Jerusalem a certain maiden, tall in stature, chaste, and of holy life, named Mastridia. The devil, envying her piety, implanted in a certain young man the thought of seducing her into sin. Mastridia learned of this and, in order to turn the young man away from sin and to preserve her virginity, acted thus: she gathered bread-grains into a basket and departed into the desert. By this she drove away from the young man the evil thought that inclined him toward sin and brought peace to his heart.

Prologue in Sermons: December 25

For Those Entering Military Service

December 25
 
(Our Venerable Father Nicholas the Monk, a Former Soldier)

By Archpriest Victor Guryev

When, brethren, the time comes for military recruitment, the majority of those preparing to enlist usually spend their time in an extremely indecent manner. Drunkenness, singing, fighting, and all manner of disorder are seen and heard everywhere. This debauchery has always been so widespread that it has even become proverbial. "He reveleth like a recruit," is commonly said of a man who has fallen into the depths of evil. Brethren, you who are going to serve your Tsar and your Fatherland! Is this how you should act? Is this not a holy and divine work? Truly so. And where the work of God is, is there room for debauchery, filth, and demonic worship? No, brethren, we must conduct ourselves there with all reverence and the fear of God; for it is said, "Cursed is everyone who does the work of God carelessly" (Jer. 48:10). Remember, too, that by joining the military, you are putting your very life on the line; if not today, then tomorrow you could be sent against the enemy, and your life will hang by a thread. And if so, do you really think that God will be your protector when, as now, you offend His Majesty with your unjust behavior? No, brothers, if you wish to survive the war and return safe and sound, then conduct yourself chastely, overcome your impure passions, and have the fear of God in your hearts. Otherwise, do not expect God's mercy.

Prologue in Sermons: November 30

Reflecting on the Fire of Gehenna and How the Virtues of Chastity and Mercy Confer Great Benefit Upon a Person

November 30*

(The Tale of Zacharias and John is Very Beneficial for the Soul)

By Archpriest Victor Guryev

Know, brethren, that contemplation of the eternal torment of sinners, their removal from the blessed contemplation of God's face, and the eternal darkness in which they will languish, as well as the two greatest virtues — chastity and mercy — bring significant benefit to a person. They make such a Christian a vessel of Divine Grace, make him a Saint, even make him a Wonderworker. We will now convince you of all this.

November: Day 25: Teaching 2: Holy Great Martyr Katherine

November: Day 25:* Teaching 2:
Holy Great Martyr Katherine
 
(The Betrothal of the Christian Soul With Christ)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. The Holy Virgin Katherine, commemorated today, was renowned for her wealth, intelligence, and beauty. The paganism in which she had been raised did not satisfy her with either its beliefs nor its customs. Many sought her hand, but she refused, declaring that she would only marry a suitor who was as accomplished as she was in both education and appearance. A certain Christian elder learned of this and, entering into conversation with her, told her of a suitor who incomparably surpassed her in both wisdom and beauty. She asked if she might see him. And so, praying before an icon of the Mother of God with the Eternal Child, which the elder had given her, she fell asleep and saw in a dream the Queen of Heaven and Her Divine Son. No matter how hard she tried to discern Him, He averted His face from her, saying that she was unworthy of His gaze. As soon as morning came, Katherine told the elder her dream and her sorrow. He gave her detailed instructions in the faith, and she was baptized. Returning home, she prayed for a long time, fell asleep, and again saw the same vision. But Jesus Christ, looking mercifully upon her, said to His Most Pure Mother: "Now I desire that she be My bride." The Mother of God took her hand, and the Savior placed a precious ring on her finger. Awakening, she was amazed to find the ring on her hand, and now she thought only of remaining faithful to the Heavenly Bridegroom.

September: Day 26: Teaching 2: The Repose of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian

 

September: Day 26: Teaching 2:
The Repose of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian
 
(Lessons to Follow From His Life: 
a. Zeal for the Salvation of Others; 
b. Love for the Lord and Others; 
c. Virginity)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. The Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, celebrated today, was the son of the Galilean fisherman Zebedee and his wife Salome. Before his conversion to Christ, he was a disciple of Saint John the Baptist and, together with Saint Andrew, followed the Lord at the direction of the Forerunner, as he himself recounts in the first chapter of his Gospel, without, however, indicating his own name. During the Lord's earthly life, John, along with Saint Peter and his brother James, was among the Lord's three beloved disciples: he was honored to witness the appearance of Divine glory on Mount Tabor, was present at the resurrection of Jairus's daughter; at the Secret Supper, the Lord revealed Judas the traitor to him. Filled with love for the heavenly Teacher, John followed the Lord to the trial and stood at the Lord's cross with a few persons, His relatives according to the flesh. In his dying moments, the Lord entrusted him with the care of His Most Pure Mother. Appearing to him after the Resurrection at Lake Tiberias, the Lord hinted at his long life and peaceful end. Fulfilling his sacred duty to guard the Most Pure Mother of the Lord, John lived in Jerusalem until her Dormition. Here he was tried and scourged before the Sanhedrin; he left Jerusalem only once, to join Peter in bringing the Holy Spirit upon the Samaritans baptized by the deacon Philip.

Homily for the Commemoration of the Equal-to-the-Apostles Saint Thekla (Fr. Daniel Sysoev)

Homily for the Commemoration of Saint Thekla

By Fr. Daniel Sysoev

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

I congratulate you all on the feast day of the Holy Protomartyr Thekla, Equal-to-the-Apostles! If we look at the history of the Church, we see that there were saints who were once highly venerated, but later became less so. This applies to Saint Thekla. The entire ancient Church, right up until the 15th century (now she is highly venerated only in Syria), held her in high esteem. Yet many Orthodox Christians don't even know her life, which is remarkable. 

Saint Thekla was from Asia Minor and lived in the city of Iconium, near Antalya, now Konya (fifty kilometers from Antalya). Saint Thekla was an ordinary pagan, a young woman of nineteen, betrothed to a pagan youth. At that time, the Apostle Paul was passing through the city, preaching the holy gospel. He went to preach in a high-rise building called an insula (Latin for "insula" — literally translated as "island" — in ancient Roman architecture, a multi-story residential building with rooms and apartments). At that time, cities already had high-rise buildings inhabited by the less wealthy. Saint Thekla lived in a mansion next to this "khrushchevka" building, where the Apostle Paul celebrated the Liturgy in one of the apartments.

July: Day 31: Holy Righteous Eudokimos

July: Day 31:
Holy Righteous Eudokimos
 
(On the Means of Preserving Chastity)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. Saint Eudokimos, whose memory is celebrated today, was born in the ninth century in Cappadocia to pious parents Basil and Eudokia. His pious parents also taught their son piety. He was a warrior, but his favorite activities were fasting, prayer, reading sacred books, and the most diligent assistance to the poor, widows, and orphans. Burning with love for God, he desired the highest perfection in spiritual life, and so gave a vow of chastity before God. His chastity extended to the point that he avoided even talking with women. Of women, he conversed only with his mother. Such a strict manner of his behavior made him known to the Emperor Theophanes, who appointed him commander in the Charsianon region. The new high position of service did not change the good pious direction in Eudokimos, he therefore succeeded even more in Christian exploits. But he did not live long on earth, and he had barely reached the age of 33 when he peacefully gave up his soul to God.