This is the teaching of the Church for all these days! "The events now commemorated," she seems to say, "are beyond the word of man; the mind itself cannot contain them: therefore, let us abandon all discourse, let us remove all earthly thoughts, let us stand in silence with spiritual fear and trembling; let us watch, listen and learn."

In obedience to this voice of the Church, I, brethren, would not have opened my weak mouth if I had not seen the need, and had not intended to bring you and myself closer to this longed-for silence of spirit and body, which the Church demands. Oh, how it is needed here! How necessary it is that we, surrounding the tomb of our Saviour, should silence all that is carnal in us, that we should elevate our minds and hearts above all earthly things! The King of kings and the Lord of lords comes to sacrifice: shall we be scattered spectators of this slaughter? Slain, He wants to give Himself as food to the faithful: is there a place for the cries of flesh and blood? Oh, may all earthly things now disappear from our minds, and may Jesus remain one with His Cross! Is He not enough for our minds? Is He not sufficient for our hearts? What miracles, what secrets are not hidden in these plagues! Vide! Do you see how God is an immutable truth, for which sin is intolerable to the point that it smites even the Only-begotten Son, Who bore our sins? Do you see how God is incomprehensible wisdom, whose ways are as far from our ways as heaven is from earth? Who could expect salvation for the world from the Cross? Who could have thought that eternal life would be enclosed in a tomb? Do you further see how God is perfect love, "falling away" (1 Corinthians 13:8), pursuing those loved by it to the depths of hell itself, and becoming a sacrifice for them? Do you see, finally, how all the attributes in God are one: love is the same truth, which is merciful, and truth is the same love, which purifies and heals?

You can see this through these wounds, in vain grief — to God: look through them at the world, and the mysteries of the existence of the world and man will be revealed to you. Here is an explanation of all that has passed: for of what is the cross made? From the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Whose hand made it? The one who prostrated herself to the forbidden fruit. Here is an explanation of our present. We are all under the cross, burdened with various calamities: for what? In order that, like the Sufferer of Golgotha, having completed the field of suffering, he might ascend through them to the primeval glory. Here is an explanation of our future. The Sepulcher of Jesus is feasted: why? Because all the graves will one day be empty, giving up their dead. The monk "is not given to see corruption" (Acts 2:31), so that all like Him will one day put on blessed immortality. It was not in vain that at the hour of His death the earth itself shook, the very heavens were darkened, the veil was torn asunder, the dead rose from their graves: on Golgotha the fate was decided, not only of mankind, but of the whole world; there all creation was redeemed to the freedom of the glory of the children of God!

There are so many mysteries in the tomb of Jesus for faith and hope: less for love? Do you want to know how to love God and your neighbor? "Do not ask anyone about this: look at the crucified Lord and you will know what true love means. Do you want to know to what extent patience, humility, devotion and gentleness should extend? Do not think much about these virtues: look at the crucified Lord, and you will see where their limit is and what measure they are. Are you looking for incentives to repentance, means to warm your heart frozen by sin? Embrace the life-giving Body with your thoughts: if it does not warm your heart, then only the flame of hell remains for it. You will find everything in the tomb of the Saviour, you will learn everything from the Cross: only when you stand before this tomb, make all earthly things silent in you, remove vanity and cares from yourself, part with the world, remain alone with Jesus. Oh, stay! Canst thou not abide with Him for one hour and for one hour? And why should I be? In order to receive from Him the forgiveness of sins; in order to hear: "Today thou shalt be with Me in paradise — justifications, that afterwards you may also be in the paradise of eternal cohabitation." Without this, what is the use of standing at the Cross, of venerating the tomb? With scattered thoughts, the good impressions received here will immediately dissipate; the fire of heavenly love, kindled from the grave, will soon be extinguished by the impudent breath of passions; The cries of flesh and blood will not be slow to drown out the quiet voice of the awakened conscience. The Holy Church sees this danger, and for this reason so carefully warns against it.

Let it be silent, brethren, let all human flesh be silent, and let it stand here with fear and trembling, and let it think of nothing earthly in itself. Amen.

Homily on Great Friday

When the children gather at the grave of their father, or the subjects at the grave of the bishop, then after tears and lamentation, the first thing they do is to learn the last will of the deceased. In the days past, brethren, we also lamented, sighed, and prayed, remembering the sufferings and death of our Lord. It is time now, surrounding His tomb, to know His last will for us. It is impossible that He departed from us to the Father without leaving us some kind of will. But behold, the book of the covenant is upon His hands! Let us be bold, brethren, to unbend this holy book, that we may see and hear what the Lord says about us (Psalm 84:9).

O brethren, He speaketh peace against His people (Psalm 84:9).

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, I give unto you (John 14:27), and I bequeath unto you, as My Father hath bequeathed unto Me the kingdom (Luke 22:29).

My God, is this testament to us? Lord, shall we sit on the throne on which Thou shalt sit? But Your Kingdom, Your will! Without You we are all nothing, with You each of us is everything! It was not in vain that Thou didst ascend to the Cross: after this miracle, there are no miracles, everything is natural. It pleases Thee that where Thou art there be Thy servant (John 12:26). It is not for servants to contradict this holy will. We are ready, O Lord, ready to share with Thee the glory of Thy Kingdom. But what do we need to receive this Kingdom? You Yourself did not suddenly ascend the throne. It cannot be that we can ascend it suddenly.

Whosoever willeth to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and come after Me (Mark 8:34). Whosoever taketh not up his cross, and cometh after me, is not worthy of me (Matt. 10:38).

Not an easy scepter for the Kingdom, but a scepter! Not a golden crown of thorns, but a crown! He who speaks from the grave can demand life. He who laid down His life for us (John 10:15-17) will not give us stones instead of bread (Matt. 7:9). We are ready, O Lord, ready to receive the cross from Thy hands. But what are we to do when we are exhausted under this cross? "Thou knowest Thyself as a spirit... cheerful, and the flesh... is weak (Mark 14:38). You yourself cried out for help when you were left on the cross by the Father. Where can we turn when we are exhausted under the cross on the path to the Kingdom bequeathed by Thee?

Let not your heart be troubled: believe in God, and believe in Me (John 14:1).

… without Me ye can do nothing" (John 15:5). But if ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, if ye will, ask, and it shall be done unto you (John 15:17).