On Prayer

(According to the Slavonic translation, part II, Homily 1)

A truly blessed thing is not to sin: and for those who sin – not to despair, but to weep over what they have sinned, in order to regain blessedness through tears. Therefore it is beautiful to pray always, and not to be cold, as the Lord says (Luke 18:1). And the Apostle also says: Pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17), that is, both night and day, and every hour. Not only when entering the church, but also at other hours, do not leave care about it; On the contrary, whether you are working, sleeping, or on the road, or eating, or drinking, or lying down, do not interrupt your prayer, for you do not know when he who demands your life will come. Do not wait for Sunday or feast, do not discriminate between places, but, as the Prophet David said, pray in every place of dominion (Psalm 102:22). Therefore, whether you are in church, or at home, or in the field, whether you are tending sheep, whether you are engaged in building, whether you are at a feast, do not abandon prayer; and when it is possible, kneel, and when it is impossible, pray with your mind; and in the evening, and in the morning, and at noon. If prayer precedes the deed, and, rising from the bed, devote your first movements to prayer, then sin will not find access to the soul. Prayer is a precautionary measure for chastity, a training of the heart, the taming of arrogance, a cleansing of remembrance, the destruction of hatred, the correction of impiety. Prayer is strength to the body, prosperity to the home, well-being to the city, power to the kingdom, a sign of victory in battle, the stability of peace. Prayer is the seal of virginity, the fidelity of marriage, the weapon of travelers, the guardian of those who rest, the trustworthiness of those who are awake, the fruitfulness of farmers, the salvation of those who sail. Prayer is the intercessor of the convicted, the consolation of the imprisoned, the consolation of the sorrowful, the joy of the rejoicing, the encouragement of the weeping, the feast on birthdays, the crown of spouses, the burial of the dead. Prayer is a conversation with God, equality with the Angels, advancement in good, abhorrence of evil, correction of sinners. Prayer made Jonah and the whale a home, and Hezekiah from the gates of death brought back to life, and turned the young men in Babylon into a spirit of dew (Dan. 3:50). By prayer Elijah bound the heavens, and do not rain three years and six months on the earth (James 5:17). You see, brethren, how powerful prayer is. In the whole life of a person there is no other property more precious than prayer. Never depart from it, never leave it, but, as our Lord said, let us pray, that our labor may not be in vain (Matt. 6:6). And when you stand praying, let him go, if you have any grudge against anyone, and your Heavenly Father... will forgive your trespasses" (Mark 11:25). Take heed, beloved, that we do not labor in vain in prayer, if we have enmity against anyone. The Lord also says: "If thou bring thy gift to the altar, and remember that thy brother hath something against thee, leave thy gift before the altar, and go first to humble thy brother, and then come and bring thy gift" (Matt. 5:23-24). And so, it is now evident that if you do not do this first, then everything that you bring will not be accepted. But if you fulfill the command of the Lord, then pray boldly to the Lord, saying: "Forgive me, O Lord, my debts, as I also forgive my brother, having fulfilled Thy commandment. Though I am weak, I have left it." And the Lover of Mankind will answer and say: "If you have forsaken, I also forsake you; if you have forgiven, I also forgive your debts; because I have the power to forgive sins on earth." Let go and it will be released to you. You see God's incomparable love for mankind. You see God's immeasurable grace. You have heard a short way to the salvation of your souls.

On Love for the Poor

(According to the Slavonic translation, part II, Homily 6)

Finally, brethren, let us neglect the temporary, and let us take care of the eternal blessings promised to us. Let us make an effort before it gets dark, before this market place is over: let us make friends for ourselves from the mammon of unrighteousness (Luke 16:9). Let us gain many poor people as witnesses, let us buy oil from them, and let us send before us: for these are those who sell oil for lamps: widows, orphans, the infirm, the maimed, the lame, the blind, the lepers, and all the poor who sit at the doors of the church. Let us bow them to our side; they will reconcile the Judge with us. Let us not turn away from those who come to us, but let us greet them cheerfully; and those who do not have the strength to come, we ourselves will send them: this is more important than the first. Let each one inquire into the churches if there is a poor person or a stranger, and, having found him, he will try to receive him into his house and give him rest. Let each one make an effort to anticipate the poor, before all those who wish to do this, because Christ enters the house together with the poor, Who became poor for our sake; for by such sacrifices God is pleased (Heb. 13:16). And if thou receivest the prophet... if I prophesy shall receive a reward (Matt. 10:41), then what reward will he receive who receives Christ Himself? Obviously, the one about whom it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor ascended into the heart of man... (1 Cor. 2:9). Whoever brings the poor into his house also brings in Christ, Who said: Blessed are the merciful... (Matt. 5:7). The poor have mercy on God in return (Proverbs 19:17), who said: "Inasmuch as you have created one of these my least brethren, you have created me together" (Matt. 25:40). Whoever receives a stranger under his roof receives Christ, Who said: "But the Son of God hath not where to lay his head" (Luke 9:58). All this and the like are the fruits of repentance, the crown, the praise and glory of Christians.

Let not the all-wise boast in his wisdom... and mighty in his strength (1 Sam. 2:10), but let everyone boast, let him glory in the Lord (1 Cor. 1:31). The praise of Christians is the commandment of the Lord. The praise of Christians is the teachings of the apostles and prophets. The praise of Christians is humility, spiritual poverty, and obedience. Praise to Christians is touching psalmody. The praise of Christians is repentance with tears. The praise of Christians is meekness and silence, so that everyone may submit and bow down. The praise of Christians is to wash the feet of the brethren. The praise of Christians is to say to one's friend: "Forgive me; I have sinned against you." The praise of Christians is hospitality and compassion. It is praise and salvation for Christians to always have beggars, orphans and strangers eating together at their meals, because Christ will never leave this house. The praise of Christians is not to allow the sun to go down in their anger, and not to fall asleep having something in their heart against anyone. The praise and crown of Christians is to endure sorrows and not to have resentment; such a person will be a friend of Him who said: ... your sorrow shall be turned into joy" (John 16:20). Praise to Christians is to visit those imprisoned in prison, that is, in caves, mountains, and abysses of the earth, to visit as a true disciple of Him Who said: ... in prison, and come unto Me (Matt. 25:36). The praise of Christians is to always remember God and the great day of judgment. And why not say the most important? The praise and honor and salvation of Christians is the confession of the right faith, so as not to enter into agreement and friendship with those who think the opposite, but to keep the commandment and covenant blameless, irreproachable, pure from all heresy, until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ. For the Lord, seeing such a one, will say: "Behold, truly an Israelite, that is, a Christian: in him there is no flattery" (John 1:47). This is what we should boast of, brethren, and not in chariots, not in horses, not in power, not in riches.

About Fasting

Behold, now is the time of acceptance, behold, now is the day of salvation (2 Cor. 6:2). Now the time has come in which prayers and supplications are accepted.

The Kingdom of God is now close to everyone who serves God in righteousness, because the days of pure fasting have come for him who truly fasts in purity.