Sermon on the Feast Day of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God (On the Guidance of the Mother of God and Her Moral Dignity)

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit! There are no other imams of help, no imams of other hope, except Thee, O Lady. Help us, in Thee we hope and glory in Thee, for we are Thy servants, that we may not be ashamed. Dear brothers and sisters in Christ! When a person goes to some distant country or city and the way there is unknown and dangerous to him, then he takes as a companion an experienced guide, to which he entrusts himself. And, despite the dangerous road, thanks to this guidebook, he safely reaches his destination. This happens in everyday life, but it also happens in spiritual life, when pious Christians entrust their lives to experienced guides - heavenly patrons. The path of spiritual life of a Christian who strives to save his soul is thorny and dangerous, and therefore needs guidance. Pious Christians turn to many holy saints of God for their heartfelt needs, but especially to the Sovereign Queen of Heaven, the Most-Pure Virgin Mary, to Whose protection they entrust their lives - from their very youth to its last moment. It would seem that the time of childhood and youth is the most innocent and safest years, but who can deny that even at this age there are thousands of dangers: temptations, temptations, improper upbringing, loss of parents, illnesses can destroy it at the very beginning of life, and the flower of life will wither forever. This is the most responsible period, and those pious parents act wisely, who from their earliest years entrust their children to the protection of the Mother of God; history knows many examples when the Mother of God saved children from countless dangers and dried up streams of children's tears. Nor is that period of life easier when a person comes of age and reaches adulthood: how many labors, sorrows, illnesses, and dangers are there that oppress soul and body and would be ready to crush the weak human creature with their weight, if it were not for the protection of the Mother of God and Her help! Years pass. And so, in reverent contemplation of eternity, the soul, burdened with sins, comes to repentance, and the feeling of fear and trembling takes possession of it to such an extent that it burns in the fire, not finding peace for itself. And only tears, shed by her with a sense of living faith before the image of the Fervent Intercessor, will be able to dispel the darkness that enveloped her and return to her a grace-filled mood, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Orthodox Christians, by virtue of the greatest generosity of the Mother of God, called Her by various names: they called Her "Quick to Hearken", "Joy of All Who Sorrow", "Seeker of the Lost", "Unexpected Joy"; they also called Her the "Guide". We celebrate the feast in honor of the icon bearing this name today. The icon of the Mother of God, called the "Guide" (in Greek "Hodegetria"), according to legend, was painted by the holy Evangelist Luke and before the triumph of Christianity in the Greco-Roman state was located in Jerusalem. When the Christian faith triumphed, the "Guide" was transferred from Jerusalem to Constantinople, where the Greek emperors very often took her with them on campaigns against their enemies and won victories with her. In the XI century (in 1046) the Greek Emperor Constantine Monomakh blessed his daughter Anna with a copy of it, passing her off as the Chernigov prince Vsevolod. In the XII century, Vsevolod's son Vladimir Monomakh transferred this icon from Chernigov to Smolensk, from which the icon received the name of Smolensk. There it was placed in the cathedral church in honor of the Dormition of the Mother of God, and there, later, when the hordes of the Horde Khan Batu approached Smolensk and intended to suddenly seize the city and ravage it, it manifested its miraculous grace-filled power. Finding themselves on the brink of death, the inhabitants of Smolensk gathered in the Cathedral and prayed with tears to the Mother of God for help and intercession before the icon of the "Hodegetria". Bitterly grieving, they imposed a strict fast on themselves and repented, confessing their sins and asking forgiveness. And so, at midnight, a voice came to the church sexton from the icon: "Go, tell My servant Mercurius to come to church in military clothing." When the warrior Mercurius appeared (and he was a very pious man), the icon was heard: "My saint Mercury! The ruler of the Horde wants to attack My city this night with all His army, but I beseeched My Son and God for My house, that He would not give it over to the slavery of the enemy. Go out secretly from all to meet the enemy, and by the power of Christ you will conquer. I Myself will be with you, helping you. But along with the victory, the crown of martyrdom awaits you." Mercury did so - he killed the giant warrior, on whom the Tatars relied more than on their entire detachment, and defeated the army of Batu Khan with the help of lightning-fast men and in the presence of the Bright Woman, whose majestic face terrified the enemies, but he himself fell killed. In the 14th century, the Hodegetria was transferred to Moscow, but a century later, in the 15th century, the inhabitants of Smolensk asked to return the icon to their city. Solemnly, with a procession of the cross, the icon was escorted from Moscow and, having performed the last farewell moleben before it on the Devichye Pole, they sent it to Smolensk. And later, not far from the place of farewell to the icon, the Novodevichy Convent, which exists to this day, was built. As we perform the glorification of the Mother of God today, my beloved, it is necessary for us for our edification to remember Her moral virtues, with which She pleased God. After all, the Most Holy Virgin is the only one Who was vouchsafed the highest honor to be the Mother of the Most High God. From the very birth of the Virgin Mary was distinguished by unparalleled piety, was chaste both in body and spirit, combining with such wondrous, angelic chastity the greatest modesty in all - the first sign of true innocence. She was very modest in dress, in her manners, in her eyes, and in her speech. She dressed decently, with modesty, adorning herself not with braided hair or golden garments, but with good deeds, in order to please the Lord. In this regard, women should follow the example of the Mother of God and imitate Her, because we often see that even believing women, when they come to church, dress indecently, half-naking themselves and thus serving as a temptation for others. Wives should not be concerned about good clothes, but about good deeds, as befits people who have devoted themselves to piety. The Most Holy Virgin Mary was also distinguished by her extraordinary humility. She, Who had communion with God and the Angels, Who was honored with such high honor, everywhere tries to be the last, does not demand signs of reverence and praise for Herself, but on the contrary lives in obscurity, earning Her livelihood by the labors of Her hands. She was also distinguished by her complete devotion to the will of the Heavenly Father, accepting with unshakable generosity everything that pleased the will of God to send Her in Her life. With uncomplaining obedience she endured all sorrows and misfortunes, placing all her hope in the Lord. Even in those hours when She saw Her Beloved Son on the Cross, when the sword pierced Her soul, when She experienced such unimaginable sorrows as none of the earth-born had ever endured, – and then She did not fall under the weight of Her cross, but bravely and firmly endured the trial sent down to Her. But as much as the MostHoly Virgin was devoted to the will of God and as courageous as Her soul was, so much was She compassionate and tender to the people whom She loved with all Her heart, by which She gained for Herself the love of the people. And in this we must imitate Her.

Amen. 28.07./10.08.1963

Homily on the Forefeast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit! Today, dear brothers and sisters, celebrating the departure of the Transfiguration, we have descended from Tabor, and today, having entered the forefeast of the Dormition, we must then pass on to Gethsemane, to the tomb of the Mother of God, so that we may see the final mystery upon Her. Tabor is joyful, and so is Gethsemane. The Holy Church calls the Dormition of the Mother of God the last sacrament on Her, the last of those by which Her entire earthly life was accompanied. The entire life of the Most Holy Virgin in its appearance and content was something mysterious and wondrous, bearing upon itself the signs of the Divine seal. For the glorification of the Mother of God and our edification, let us remember with faith and love what these were the sacraments accomplished by God's Providence in Her. The first mystery in the life of the Mother of God was revealed in Her very birth, Her descent into the light of God. From whom did She come? From elderly parents - as a result of a special prayer and vow. It pleased the wisdom of God that She Who was to give birth to the God-Man should Herself be the fruit not so much of the natural powers of human nature as of the inspiration of God's grace. And so the aged Joachim and Anna, who had reached old age, when all hope of becoming father and mother was already lost for people, thanks to their strong faith and hope in the Almightiness of God, through their prayers received a pure gift from heaven – the Most-Blessed Mary. Thus the first mystery was accomplished in Her - at the time of Her birth. The second sacrament appeared to Her during Her entry into the Temple by a three-year-old Maiden. The very introduction of Her at such an age was extraordinary, as a consequence of the special, extraordinary vow of the righteous Joachim and Anna to dedicate the fruit of their prayers to the Lord. And in this way, from a very young age, She was able to become akin in spirit and heart to all that is holy. Being in the Temple for upbringing, She, like the other virgins, should have been only on the threshold of it, but meanwhile we see how the Holy Maiden is led by the high priest by a special revelation into the Holy of Holies, where only he himself could enter only once a year. It pleased the Divine wisdom that the future Mother of God, the animated Kivot of God, should dwell where Her prototype was kept, the ark of the Covenant with manna and tablets. Thus the second mystery was accomplished on the Virgin - during Her entry into the Temple. The third mystery was revealed to Her when She reached the age of majority. The Old Testament, as we know, did not know the state of virginity, consecrated to God and sanctified by the Law, as the New Testament Church knows and understands it, so the Most Holy Virgin Mary, having reached a certain age, following the example of the other virgins, had to choose a spouse for Herself. But the Virgin Mary declared that She had firmly resolved to belong to no one but God alone for the rest of Her life. The chief priests were at a loss as to what to do; after consultations and prayers, they decided to betroth Her to such a person who would agree to bear the name of her husband, without using his rights. The lot fell on the righteous elder Joseph, and so the Most-Pure One became a Spouse, without ceasing to be a Virgin, thus combining in Herself virginity and matrimony, the blessing of the Old and the grace of the New Testament. This mystery of betrothal served for the time being as a veil necessary for the fulfillment of the great mystery of the incarnation of the Son of God. And how the very mystery of the Incarnation of God was accomplished is known from the Gospel. The Virgin said: "Behold, the handmaid of the Lord" (Luke 1:38), and the power of the Most High overshadowed Her, and the Word became flesh. It was the sacrament of all sacraments, but it did not end the sacraments that were to be performed on Her. They only deepened, became more invisible, remaining very edifying and comforting for us. These sacraments are followed by the mystery of the Crucifixion. There was not only one Son on the Cross, but there was also a Mother. Throughout Her entire life She was on the cross, and especially on Golgotha. It could not be otherwise. For Her Divine Son Himself said: "Whosoever shall not take up his cross, and cometh after Me, is not worthy of Me" (Matt. 10:38). Who was more worthy of the Lord than His Mother? Therefore, no one has ever worn such a cross throughout his entire life as the Most-Blessed Virgin Mary. Her Cross was not made of wood or matter, but of those sorrows and humiliations in which the Mother of God dwelt until Her very death. Prepared to appear as the Mother of the Creator of heaven and earth, and hailed by the Archangel as blessed among women, She must at the same time suffer from the suspicion on the part of the guardian of Her virginity, that She was married to the delight. Is it not a cross? The time is approaching for Her to give birth to Him Who will have no end to the Kingdom, but there is no room for their family in the inns of Bethlehem, and She gives birth to Him in a cave and lays Him in a manger. Is it not a cross? The angels sing: "Glory to God in the highest" (Luke 2:14), the shepherds and magi worship and bring gifts, but the evil Herod seeks to kill the Child, and they have to flee to Egypt at night. Isn't it a cross? And on Golgotha, what did Her pure heart feel, when Her Son cried out in agony: My God, My God! why hast thou forsaken me? (Matt. 27:46). Here, without a doubt, Simeon's terrible prophecy was fulfilled in all its force: "And a sword shall pierce thy own soul" (Luke 2:35). The mystery of the crucifixion was followed by the adoption of the disciple John to the Mother of God of Christ and Her introduction as the mother of this Apostle into his home. Thus, all Her life She was predestined to dwell in obscurity, bearing the fate of a simple humble Christian. And this was the great mystery of God. After all, it was not without significance that these amazing words from the Cross were spoken: Woman! Behold, Thy son (John 19:26). They determined the character of the entire subsequent life of the Mother of God. When the Divinity of the Son, with His Resurrection and Ascension to heaven, was revealed in all its power, when the world began to bow down before the name of the Crucified One, then the Mother of Jesus naturally had before the greatest honor and glory, befitting the Mother of the Son of God, the Savior of all men. No one, without a doubt, could be more worthy of all praise and all reverence than Mary. However, the glory and honor given to the Most Holy Virgin during Her earthly life would have deprived the Mother of the most exact resemblance to the Divine Son, Who until the end of His life had nowhere to lay His head; such glorification of Her would be accompanied by certain inconveniences in the spread of the Gospel. Dear brothers and sisters, the Holy Church commands us not to grieve on the day of the Dormition of the Mother of God, but to rejoice, because in such a wondrous death of the Most-Blessed Virgin, to the consolation of all, the power of the Lord appeared with special triumph, Who, by His death and Resurrection, crushed the sting of death and made it joyful and blessed for His faithful followers from the most terrible and painful. Here is the first reason for our joy. Secondly, we rejoice in the Most-Pure Mother Herself, for after the sorrows and sufferings with which, according to the prediction of the righteous Simeon, Her life was filled, She finally received a reward corresponding to Her virtue. The Most-Pure Virgin until Her very blessed death belittled Herself, humbled Herself and endured; but from that time, from the day of Her Dormition, Her exaltation and glorification also begins. Thus, at the tomb of the Mother of God, a new meaning of death was revealed, given to her by the Risen One from the tomb: having hitherto been a punishment for sin, she now became a witness of virtue, a reward for the feats accomplished in life. The third reason for joy is explained by the church hymn: In the prayers of the Ever-Vigilant Mother of God, and in the intercessions of the immutable hope, the grave and mortification cannot be restrained (Kontakion of the Dormition - Ed.). If during Her lifetime She was an Intercessor for the poor before Her Son, then after Her repose and ascension to heaven, the words spoken by Her in consolation for those who mourned over Her departure began to be fulfilled in all their power: "I will not leave you orphan after My repose - not only you, but also the world, I will visit, edify and help the poor." After Her repose, the Most Holy Virgin became the most powerful Intercessor and Intercessor for all, truly the Mother of the entire Christian world. Remembering, dear brothers and sisters, the blessed repose of the Mother of God, we must take care to prepare ourselves worthily for death, so that we may meet it not with fear, but with joy; and for this it is necessary to constantly remember it. This remembrance will gradually prepare our soul for the transition to eternal life, to detach the heart from all sensual passionate earthly attachments. The Holy Fathers say: "He who has acquired the memory of death can never sin." The second remedy for the fear of death is a clear conscience. A person with a clear conscience can calmly cross the threshold of eternity - bodily death. Such a person can calmly say with the righteous Simeon: "Now lettest Thou Thy servant, O Lord, according to Thy word, in peace" (Luke 2:29). But who can have a really calm conscience? - Someone who tried to live a truly Christian life, who was an obedient son of the Church, who was reconciled with God and people, who prepared for death by the sacrament of Repentance, which removes the burden of sins weighing on the conscience, and tasted the Body and Blood of Christ in the sacrament of Communion. The next powerful remedy for a person against the fear of death is his faith in the immortality of the soul. The body decays and decays, but the spirit, created by God for immortality, remains to live forever. The last and most powerful means is the belief not only that the soul is immortal, but also that there will be a time when it will unite with its resurrected, glorified body for eternal life beyond the grave - blessed for the righteous, painful for sinners. Having a living faith in this truth, a Christian will not only not be afraid of death, but will even greet it with joy when it comes to him. This living faith in the existence of eternal blissful life beyond the grave animated countless hosts of martyrs in the first centuries of Christianity and made death the most joyful event for them, despite the terrible torments. Dear brothers and sisters, beholding the blessed dormition of the Mother of God, let us strive to make our end peaceful by zeal in a virtuous life and contempt for vice. How did the Most Holy Virgin achieve such a blessed end? - Purity of chastity, strictness of abstinence, constancy in prayer, humility and patience in difficult circumstances, hope in God's Providence. Therefore, imitating the example of the Mother of God, walk the narrow path, which leads to eternal life. Yes, indeed, patience is needed on this path. And therefore, strengthened by hope in God, endure in happiness, so as not to be carried away by deception, endure also in misfortune, so as not to fall into faint-heartedness in the midst of difficult trials. Endure all sorrows and illnesses and all the difficulties that must be endured in order to stand on the righteous path. For he who endures to the end shall be saved (Matt. 10:22). By doing so, each of us will have true peace in our souls and the hope of a blessed peaceful end; The last hour will not frighten us, and the end of this life will be for us the beginning of eternal life, and the grave will be a ladder to heaven. Amen. 1960

Homily on the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos (I)

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit! Dear brothers and sisters, today the entire Christian world solemnly and joyfully celebrates the day of the radiant repose of the Mother of God. Although it seems that the event being celebrated is sad, full of tears, because here we meet death, nevertheless the Holy Church is now clothed in the garments of triumph, rejoices and rejoices, and calls us to this. Why should we rejoice today, on the day of the Dormition of the Mother of God? - Because the very word "dormition" shows that the death of the Mother of God was extraordinary. It was a dream that was soon followed by a joyful awakening. A few days before the Dormition, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to the Most Holy Virgin with the news of Her imminent departure from this life. Filled with deep faith in the life to come, the eternally blessed life, She accepts this news not with fear and sorrow, but with a feeling of the liveliest joy and the greatest gratitude to God. At the same time, the almighty power of God from all over the world gathers the Apostles to Jerusalem so that they would give honor to the Mother of God and bury Her. At the very hour of death, an extraordinary light illuminates the temple of the Most Holy Virgin, and in the open heaven those present behold the Lord of Glory Himself with the Angels and saints, coming forth to meet His Mother. The Apostle Thomas, according to the special dispensation of God, appears after the burial of the Most-Pure One, wishes to venerate Her, the tomb is opened for his sake, but the body of the Mother of God is no longer found in it... In such a wondrous death of the Most-Blessed Virgin Mary, to the consolation of all Christians, the power and majesty of our Lord Jesus Christ were especially solemnly manifested, Who by His death and Resurrection crushed the sting of death and from terrible and painful made it joyful and blessed for His faithful followers. Before the coming of Christ to earth, death was very terrible for man, because it stole him away like a fierce beast its prey, irretrievably, and there were no means to get rid of it, for sin reigned over people. But after the appearance of the Lord in the flesh and His victory over sin and death, the horror of death disappeared, it became like a peaceful sleep, after which the joyous morning of the universal Resurrection would come. To the extent that each of us conquers the sin that still lives in us, the fear of death also disappears, so that the triumphant conquerors of sin greet it with joy and no longer die, but as if they fall asleep in peace. The most obvious example of the triumph over death we see today in the Dormition of the Most-Pure Virgin Mary. She knelt into the coffin only for a short rest. Behind the Mother of God we see the Apostles, martyrs and all the saints, who met death with joy, as the greatest friend, who, in return for the transient blessings of this world, its sorrows and misfortunes, grants them eternal bliss. The Holy Church tries to instill in us the same fearlessness towards death, exhorting us to drive away fear by gradually eradicating sins in ourselves, and calls her dead departed, that is, as if they had fallen asleep, because immortal life in the future is so indubitable for a Christian that he truly looks upon death only as a dream. Amen. 1961

Homily on the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos (II)

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit! Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, today the entire Church of Christ, and with her you and me, spiritually triumphs and rejoices, glorifying the glorious Dormition and the transmigration from earth to heaven of our common Christian Mother, our Sovereign Intercessor, the Most-Blessed Virgin Mary. Sung by the ancient Prophets and blessed by the Holy Spirit for the joy and bliss predestined for Her by God, She, the Most-Pure One, living on earth, does not yet see the fulfillment of these Divine prophecies in Herself; on the contrary, great sorrows, needs, and spiritual experiences accompany Her earthly life. In Her earthly life, the words of the righteous Simeon were fulfilled over Her exactly: "And a sword shall pierce Thy own soul" (Luke 2:35). How much grief the Most Holy Virgin endured, how many hidden tears She shed on earth, when She saw the terrible sufferings and death of Her Beloved Son! And now, on the very day of the Dormition of the Mother of God, Her tearful sowing and work ends. From the moment of Her transmigration from earth to heaven, Her unearthly majesty, Her glory and bliss begin - and are revealed before the eyes of the entire universe. The Holy Tradition about the glorious Dormition of the Mother of God tells the following. After the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ into heaven, His Most-Pure Mother visited with special love those places near Jerusalem which were marked by the prayer, suffering and death of Her Beloved Son. The Mount of Olives, Golgotha, the vineyard where the Body of the Savior was buried, became the favorite places of Her prayers and outpourings of the holy feelings of Her heart. Often and for a long time She pondered over Her death and future life after death, often She even turned to the Lord with a prayer for Her speedy departure from this life and blessed union with Him – Her Son and God. And then one day, when She was praying on the Mount of Olives, a Heavenly Messenger appeared to Her – the Archangel of God Gabriel, who had previously announced to Her the seedless conception and birth of the Savior of the world from Her. Now, standing before the Most-Pure One, he foretold Her that the time had come for Her to transmigrate from earth to heaven and to partake of the grace-filled consolations of the Holy Spirit. Filled with deep faith in the future eternally blessed life, She received this news from the Archangel not with fear and sorrow, but with a feeling of the liveliest joy and the greatest gratitude to God. The Archangel of God gave Her a paradise branch, a symbol of Her future joy and bliss. Before Her death, the Most-Pure wished to see the holy Apostles and prayed to Her Son for the fulfillment of this desire. The Apostles were at this time scattered throughout the world, preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom to all nations. And so, through the prayer of the MostHoly Virgin, they instantly, caught up in the Divine power, flock through the air on clouds to the place where the Most-Pure One dwelt in Jerusalem, in order to pay Her last respects and with their holy hands to bury Her immaculate body. But this miracle was not enough; at the moment of Her dormition, the very heavens were opened, and the Lord of Glory with a multitude of Angels and saints Himself descended to meet His Immaculate Mother. The Lord Himself appears in order to reveal to all ages and peoples that greatness which the Grace-filled Mary attained by the height of Her humility and the holiness of Her life equal to the angels. Her most pure body, which bore within itself God the Word, saw no corruption, no longer subject to the law of natural destruction; on the third day after Her dormition She was resurrected by the Lord and in a new glorified body She was lifted up from earth to heaven. The holy Apostles were convinced of this wondrous transmigration into heaven by the following miraculous events. By God's providence, one of the twelve Apostles of Christ, the Apostle Thomas, did not arrive in Jerusalem on time with all the disciples, but reached it only on the third day, greatly grieving that he was not vouchsafed to be near the Most-Pure Mother of God in his last moments and to receive Her blessing. Then the other Apostles, in order to console him, went with him to Gethsemane, where the body of the Most-Pure One was buried, in order to venerate Her; however, when they opened the tomb, Her body was not in the tomb. The Apostles were greatly grieved and perplexed about what had happened. But in the evening, when they were all gathered together in the Upper Room, the Mother of God appeared to them, shining with heavenly glory, with a multitude of angels and saints, and said: "Rejoice! I am with you all the days." And, of course, the Apostles rejoiced greatly and were comforted by the fact that the Mother of God, according to Her own word, would be with them unceasingly, preserving them by Her prayerful intercession on all the paths of a difficult life full of dangers, at the same time assuring them even more of the truth of the resurrection of the dead. Thus, the death of the Mother of God is only a quiet, restful sleep or, as the Orthodox Church calls it, dormition.

Death is inevitable and death is harmless - these are the two truths that we must always remember in order to worthily prepare ourselves for the hour of death and not to be afraid of it and not to tremble. Death was very terrible for man before the coming of Christ the Savior to earth, when sin – its power – reigned in the human race and there were no means to free oneself from it and from death. But after the Lord's appearance on earth, when He gained victory over sin and death, all its horror disappeared, it became like a peaceful sleep, after which comes the joyous morning of the universal resurrection. Dear brothers and sisters, a worthy veneration of this feast on our part will be a worthy preparation for death, and for this we must try to the best of our ability to overcome the sin or vice that dwells in us as its cause. Imitating the example of the Most-Pure Mother of God, let us walk the narrow, narrow path that leads to eternal life. Patience is needed on this path, strengthened by which, with hope in God's help, one must generously endure all misfortunes, sorrows and illnesses, so that, having stood on it, one may attain the endless bliss of the Heavenly Kingdom. If we, like the Most-Pure Virgin Mary, spend our lives pleasing to God, in keeping the commandments of God, in purity of spirit and body, and in constant repentance of our sins, then on the day of our dormition a wondrous miracle will take place over us, and our grave will become a ladder to heaven. Let us turn today with fervent prayer to the Mother of God, Who then ascended to heaven in order to appear as the protection and Intercessor of the world; with tenderness let us ask Her Her Motherly protection over all our lives, so that through Her intercession we may all attain a peaceful, serene end and repose with the righteous. Let us pray to Her from the depths of our souls and call out to Her with love: Rejoice, O Rejoicing One, Who dost not forsake us in Thy Dormition. Amen. 1962

Homily on the Akathist to the Mother of God

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit! Christ is risen! Come, people, to this quiet and good refuge, the speedy Helper, ready and warm salvation, the protection of the Virgin... (Kontakion to the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God). Dear brothers and sisters, once upon a time, a certain woman, enraptured by the wondrous teaching of Christ the Saviour, raised her voice and exclaimed: "Blessed is the womb that bore Thee, and the breasts that nourished Thee" (Luke 11:27). These few words express the greatness and glory of the Mother of God, with which the whole world, visible and invisible, gave Her for Her love and mercy to suffering humanity. It is always a joy for a believing Christian heart to remember this love and mercy of the Most Holy Theotokos, but it is especially gratifying for us, the brethren and visitors of this holy monastery, which was honored with a wondrous visit from the Mother of God, over which She promised to constantly spread Her Divine protection. The Orthodox Church of Christ, above all creatures, earthly and heavenly, venerates the most honorable Cherubim and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, our Most-Holy, Most-Pure, Most-Blessed, Glorious Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary. According to the teaching of the Church, She is the only hope of sinners, the salvation of all who come to Her from troubles and misfortunes, the source of mercy and the invincible wall, the immutable intercession to the Creator, the hope and intercession of the faithful, the Joy of all who sorrow and the Intercessor of the offended. She vigilantly intercedes in prayers for us before God. An innumerable multitude of people stand before Her gaze every day, every night, every hour and moment, some of whom are surrounded by innumerable hordes of invisible enemies seeking their destruction, others are burdened with immense sorrows and misfortunes, and others suffer from grave illnesses and illnesses; and all of them are seen by the Most-Blessed Mother of God. In Her boundless love for the human race, She takes to heart every tear, every misfortune and every sigh, and unceasingly prays to Her Divine Son and Lord, that He be merciful to human iniquities and deliver His servants from all evil. St. Demetrius of Rostov writes: "Being the Mediator between God and our sins, the Most Holy Theotokos does not allow our sins to ascend near before God, and with the voice of Her prayers for us reflects the voices of our sins, crying out against us to God." Therefore, there is not a single true Christian who would not lift up his private and public prayers to the Mother of God with complete trust and love and would not feel Her grace-filled help. Dear brothers and sisters, the word of God announces to us that there is a world of evil spirits who constantly care about the destruction of human souls. The Holy Apostle Peter says to Christians: "Be sober, be watchful, for your adversary the devil walketh about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Pet. 5:8). Therefore, where can a poor and infirm person take refuge and find refuge from the treachery of these adversaries? A Christian finds refuge from them only in the protection of the Mother of God. In the akathist we have just read, we heard the following words: Rejoice, O thou who hast slain the demons (Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos, Ikos 2), Rejoice, O thou who hast swept away the inhuman tormentor from the authorities (Ibid., Ikos 5), Rejoice in the torment of invisible enemies (Ibid., Ikos 4), Rejoice, O thou who hast cast down demons (Ibid., Ikos 6). These words assure us that the Mother of God drives away demons from us, and Her very name puts evil spirits to flight. And the Holy Church of Christ knows many cases when the Most-Blessed Mother of God delivered people from invisible enemies. The Prologue tells of a man named Codratus. He was possessed by demons, and once the demons chased him through the wilderness for ten weeks. He was dying of hunger and was already expecting death. But then, at the moment of enlightenment of his mind, he turned with a prayer to the Mother of God, and the Most Holy Virgin Herself appeared to him in the wilderness, cast out demons from him, strengthened him, showed him the way to the house of his parents, and he became completely healthy. There are many other similar examples. But the Most Holy Theotokos delivers not only from invisible enemies, She also delivers pious people from visible enemies. In Alexandria there lived a certain reverent, merciful, Christ-loving man, who had a wife who was humble in disposition and fasting, and a daughter of about six years old. One day he had to travel from Alexandria to Constantinople on commercial business. When he was already leaving, his wife asked him: "To whom do you entrust us, our lord, during your absence?" "Our Lady the Mother of God!" answered the husband. Leaving one slave in the house, he left. The enemy of all good, the devil, inspired this slave with the evil idea of killing his master's wife and daughter, robbing the estate and running away with the stolen property. For this purpose, he took a knife and went to the upper room, where the mother and daughter were. But as soon as he approached the door of the upper room, where they were engaged in needlework, he was suddenly stricken with blindness and, seeing nothing, could not move forward or backward. Exhausted and unable to find a way out, he began to cry out and call for his mistress to come out to him and help him. Not suspecting any malicious intent, she nevertheless answered him: "Come to us." Then he began to call for her daughter, but the mother and daughter would not allow her daughter to come to him. At last, seeing that his plans were not carried out, he stabbed himself with a knife in a fit of anger and fell to the ground with a terrible scream. At the noise the neighbours came running, and the lady came out, and he, being still alive, told them of his evil intent and the misfortune that had befallen him. And all those gathered glorified God and His Most-Pure Mother, who preserved the lives of Their pious servants. This example teaches us, dear ones, that we too should always resort to the help and intercession of the Mother of God. There was and still is a pious custom among Christians to entrust their parishioners and children to the protection and protection of the Most Holy Theotokos, letting them go on a long journey, or, on the contrary, leaving them for some need. Dear brothers and sisters, our earthly life is full of sorrows and sorrows. It is not without reason that it is so often called the vale of weeping and lamentation. A man is born with weeping, and he goes to the other world with many sighs and torments. So no one can avoid sorrows and tears in this life; A person has much more troubles and misfortunes than joy. Everyone knows from experience how sometimes the grief of life oppresses the soul from all sides, the heart is exhausted by anguish and sorrow, and sometimes tears involuntarily flow from the eyes. It is difficult for a person to endure misfortunes, and sometimes he falls into despondency, and a feeling of sorrow takes possession of him. When a cloud of sorrows surrounds you, so that there seems to be no way out of this situation, then remember that you have in heaven a Mother, the Queen of Heaven, Who sees you, hears you, and knows all your spiritual movements. Call upon Her in faith, and She will come to you at once and deliver you from troubles and misfortunes. Let us pray to Her that She may hear us at this hour and deliver us from all sorrow and misfortune, cleanse us from all vice and sin, and vouchsafe joy in the eternal Kingdom of Her Son, so that we may always call out to Her with love: Rejoice, all-good Quick to Hearken, Who fulfillest our petitions for good! Amen. 1963Friday of the week about the paralytic

Homily on the Paraclesis of the Mother of God

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit! Christ is risen! Come, people, to this quiet and good refuge, the speedy Helper, ready and warm salvation, the protection of the Virgin... (Kontakion to the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God). Dear brothers and sisters, once upon a time, a certain woman, enraptured by the wondrous teaching of Christ the Saviour, raised her voice and exclaimed: "Blessed is the womb that bore Thee, and the breasts that nourished Thee" (Luke 11:27). These few words express the greatness and glory of the Mother of God, with which the whole world, visible and invisible, gave Her for Her love and mercy to suffering humanity. It is always a joy for a believing Christian heart to remember this love and mercy of the Most Holy Theotokos, but it is especially gratifying for us, the brethren and visitors of this holy monastery, which was honored with a wondrous visit from the Mother of God, over which She promised to constantly spread Her Divine protection. The Orthodox Church of Christ, above all creatures, earthly and heavenly, venerates the most honorable Cherubim and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, our Most-Holy, Most-Pure, Most-Blessed, Glorious Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary. According to the teaching of the Church, She is the only hope of sinners, the salvation of all who come to Her from troubles and misfortunes, the source of mercy and the invincible wall, the immutable intercession to the Creator, the hope and intercession of the faithful, the Joy of all who sorrow and the Intercessor of the offended. She vigilantly intercedes in prayers for us before God. An innumerable multitude of people stand before Her gaze every day, every night, every hour and moment, some of whom are surrounded by innumerable hordes of invisible enemies seeking their destruction, others are burdened with immense sorrows and misfortunes, and others suffer from grave illnesses and illnesses; and all of them are seen by the Most-Blessed Mother of God. In Her boundless love for the human race, She takes to heart every tear, every misfortune and every sigh, and unceasingly prays to Her Divine Son and Lord, that He be merciful to human iniquities and deliver His servants from all evil. St. Demetrius of Rostov writes: "Being the Mediator between God and our sins, the Most Holy Theotokos does not allow our sins to ascend near before God, and with the voice of Her prayers for us reflects the voices of our sins, crying out against us to God." Therefore, there is not a single true Christian who would not lift up his private and public prayers to the Mother of God with complete trust and love and would not feel Her grace-filled help. Dear brothers and sisters, the word of God announces to us that there is a world of evil spirits who constantly care about the destruction of human souls. The Holy Apostle Peter says to Christians: "Be sober, be watchful, for your adversary the devil walketh about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Pet. 5:8). Therefore, where can a poor and infirm person take refuge and find refuge from the treachery of these adversaries? A Christian finds refuge from them only in the protection of the Mother of God. In the akathist we have just read, we heard the following words: Rejoice, O thou who hast slain the demons (Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos, Ikos 2), Rejoice, O thou who hast swept away the inhuman tormentor from the authorities (Ibid., Ikos 5), Rejoice in the torment of invisible enemies (Ibid., Ikos 4), Rejoice, O thou who hast cast down demons (Ibid., Ikos 6). These words assure us that the Mother of God drives away demons from us, and Her very name puts evil spirits to flight. And the Holy Church of Christ knows many cases when the Most-Blessed Mother of God delivered people from invisible enemies. The Prologue tells of a man named Codratus. He was possessed by demons, and once the demons chased him through the wilderness for ten weeks. He was dying of hunger and was already expecting death. But then, at the moment of enlightenment of his mind, he turned with a prayer to the Mother of God, and the Most Holy Virgin Herself appeared to him in the wilderness, cast out demons from him, strengthened him, showed him the way to the house of his parents, and he became completely healthy. There are many other similar examples. But the Most Holy Theotokos delivers not only from invisible enemies, She also delivers pious people from visible enemies. In Alexandria there lived a certain reverent, merciful, Christ-loving man, who had a wife who was humble in disposition and fasting, and a daughter of about six years old. One day he had to travel from Alexandria to Constantinople on commercial business. When he was already leaving, his wife asked him: "To whom do you entrust us, our lord, during your absence?" "Our Lady the Mother of God!" answered the husband. Leaving one slave in the house, he left. The enemy of all good, the devil, inspired this slave with the evil idea of killing his master's wife and daughter, robbing the estate and running away with the stolen property. For this purpose, he took a knife and went to the upper room, where the mother and daughter were. But as soon as he approached the door of the upper room, where they were engaged in needlework, he was suddenly stricken with blindness and, seeing nothing, could not move forward or backward. Exhausted and unable to find a way out, he began to cry out and call for his mistress to come out to him and help him. Not suspecting any malicious intent, she nevertheless answered him: "Come to us." Then he began to call for her daughter, but the mother and daughter would not allow her daughter to come to him. At last, seeing that his plans were not carried out, he stabbed himself with a knife in a fit of anger and fell to the ground with a terrible scream. At the noise the neighbours came running, and the lady came out, and he, being still alive, told them of his evil intent and the misfortune that had befallen him. And all those gathered glorified God and His Most-Pure Mother, who preserved the lives of Their pious servants. This example teaches us, dear ones, that we too should always resort to the help and intercession of the Mother of God. There was and still is a pious custom among Christians to entrust their parishioners and children to the protection and protection of the Most Holy Theotokos, letting them go on a long journey, or, on the contrary, leaving them for some need. Dear brothers and sisters, our earthly life is full of sorrows and sorrows. It is not without reason that it is so often called the vale of weeping and lamentation. A man is born with weeping, and he goes to the other world with many sighs and torments. So no one can avoid sorrows and tears in this life; A person has much more troubles and misfortunes than joy. Everyone knows from experience how sometimes the grief of life oppresses the soul from all sides, the heart is exhausted by anguish and sorrow, and sometimes tears involuntarily flow from the eyes. It is difficult for a person to endure misfortunes, and sometimes he falls into despondency, and a feeling of sorrow takes possession of him. When a cloud of sorrows surrounds you, so that there seems to be no way out of this situation, then remember that you have in heaven a Mother, the Queen of Heaven, Who sees you, hears you, and knows all your spiritual movements. Call upon Her in faith, and She will come to you at once and deliver you from troubles and misfortunes. Let us pray to Her that She may hear us at this hour and deliver us from all sorrow and misfortune, cleanse us from all vice and sin, and vouchsafe joy in the eternal Kingdom of Her Son, so that we may always call out to Her with love: Rejoice, all-good Quick to Hearken, Who fulfillest our petitions for good! Amen. 1963Friday of the week about the paralytic