Praise for the Conception of Saint John the Prophet

Come, beloved, let us use the Gospel treasury without laziness today to draw from there, according to custom, wealth that is abundantly given and never spent; go to the all-wise, wonderful guide, and let us again follow Luke to see Christ ascending a high mountain and taking Peter, James and John as witnesses of His divine transfiguration. “Taking Peter” with his comrades, “the Lord went up to a high mountain” (“We sing Peter” with his comrades, “the Lord went up to a high mountain”) (Luke 9:28; Matt. 17:1). High is the mountain on which Moses and Elijah talked with Christ; high is the mountain on which the law and the prophets talked with grace; high is the mountain on which (was) Moses, who slain the Passover the lamb and sprinkled its blood on the doorposts of the Jews; high is the mountain on which Elijah cut the ox into pieces (and) destroyed the sacrifice with fire through the water; high is the mountain on which Moses opened and closed the Red Sea; high is the mountain where Peter (and his companions) will know that He is the One before whom all things in heaven, on earth and under the earth will bow (Philip. 2:10). He only took three; He did not take everyone, did not leave everyone, did not envy the rest in glory, did not consider them more insignificant, because He is righteous and arranges everything justly; thinking about everyone, He united them, who were not participating, in mutual love among themselves. Since Judas, who was about to become a traitor, was unworthy of that divine vision and terrible phenomenon, because of this He does not take the others, so that he, as the only one abandoned, would subsequently have no protection; He takes with him three witnesses of the transfiguration, sufficient according to the law, and those who are to his liking and the rest. He himself says: “Keep them..., O righteous Father, that they also may be one, just as We are one” (John 17:11). Judas, seeing that Andrew, Thomas, Philip and the rest were with him near the mountain, that they were not grumbling, not indignant, not reproaching, but rejoicing and jointly recognizing the heavenly grace for themselves and for everyone, he was completely irresponsible, (as) never despised in anything miraculous. But he had a wallet, and he innocently slandered his wife to the world, and boldly betrayed the Teacher to his enemies. And what does it say (in the Gospel)? “And he was transfigured before them... And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him” (“And you were transfigured before them: ... and ... Moses appeared and Elijah speaking with him”) (Matthew 17: 2–3). Peter, as always ardent in everything, seeing with the eyes of his mind those talking to Him, whom he had never known, without thinking much about the miracle, without thinking much about the unexpectedness of divine brilliance, called the deserted place beautiful, from a fisherman he became a tent maker, when he cried out to the Savior: “let us make three tabernacles: one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah, not knowing what he said” (“let us make here three the canopy, one for you, and one for Elijah, and one for Moses, not knowing what they are saying”) (Luke 9:33). But, oh, supreme and first of the disciples Peter! Why are you carried away by base thoughts, and dishonor the divine with human thoughts, and speak of erecting three (canopies) in the desert? Do you consider the Lord in the same honor as slaves? Do you want to make one tent for Christ, and the same dwelling for these two? Was Moses conceived by the Holy Spirit like Him? Did a virgin really give birth to Elijah, like His All-Holy Virgin Mary? Did the baby in the womb really recognize Moses as His Forerunner? Has heaven really announced the birth of Elijah? Or did the Magi bow to the swaddled Moses? Did Moses and Elijah really perform so many miracles? Or were spirits driven out of the man cave? Moses once became angry and, striking with his rod, crossed the sea; and your Teacher, Jesus, traveling on the sea with the Father, made the deep navigable. Elijah, having prayed, multiplied the widow's torment and raised her son from the dead; and he who took you as a disciple from among the fishermen fed thousands with a few loaves of bread; hell devastated and carried away those who had been sleeping for centuries. Therefore, Peter, do not say: “let us make three canopies here,” nor – “it is good for us to be here” (“it is good for us to be here”) (Matthew 17:4, Luke 9:33), (do not say) neither human, nor low, nor earthly, nor vulgar; Think about the things above, examine the things above, as Paul declared, not the things on the earth. Why is it wonderful for us to be here, where the serpent, having dishonored the first-created, caused harm and paradise concluded, where we heard that (we must) eat bread by the sweat of our brow, where we learned that (we must) mourn and tremble on earth for disobedience, where everything is shadow, where everything will disappear instantly? Why is it great for us to be here? If Christ left us here, then why did He partake of flesh and blood? If Christ left us here, then why did He come down to the fallen and raise up the lying one? If it is wonderful to be on earth, then the heavenly key-bearer was called in vain. What, finally, is the use of heavenly keys? Since you desire this mountain, henceforth part with the sky; if you want to erect tents, refuse to be the foundation of a church. Christ was not transformed in vain, but to show us the future transformation of nature, future salvation, the second coming on the clouds with the voice of the archangel. He is Himself, clothed with light as with clothing, the judge of the living and the dead - why He called Moses and Elijah to present these signs to the gaze of the ancients. And what does the great writer say? “While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and behold, a voice from the cloud said: This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; Listen to him” (“I said again to him, behold, a cloud of light in their autumn: and behold, a voice from heaven said: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: hear him”) (Matthew 17:5). Even while Peter was speaking, the Father answered. “What are you talking about, Peter, as something wonderful, not knowing what you’re talking about? You were not yet instructed, and you did not know sonship firmly when you said: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (“you are the Christ, the Son of the living God”) (Matthew 16:16). You, “son of Jonah” (“var Jonah”) (Matthew 16:17) and Simon, have seen so many miracles! I made you the key-bearer of heaven, and you have not yet put off your shipowner’s clothes. This is the third time you resist the will of the Savior, you speak without knowing what. He said to you: “I must... suffer much” (“it is fitting for me to suffer”), and you say: “let this not happen to you” (“you shall not have this”) (Matthew 16:21–22). He said again: “all of you will be offended because of Me” (“all of you will be offended”), and you say: “even if all are offended because of You, I will never be offended” (“if all ... I am not I will be relieved" (Matthew 26:31, 33). So now you want to erect a tent for Christ, who with Me founded the earth, who with Me established the sea and strengthened the firmament, who kindled the ether, and who built everything with Me before the ages - to Him who is from Me, - a tent to Him who is in Me and with you, - a tent for Adam without a father, - a tent for God without a mother, - a tent for him who took a tent, a virgin’s womb, which he chose for Yourself. Since you want to erect three tents, not knowing what you are saying, then I, taking advantage of the bright cloud, observing the tent and those present, exclaim from on high: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (“this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased”). Not Moses and Elijah, but This One; not this or that, but This One; one and it is He whom I have approved—to Him you listen. I justified Moses, but I approved this one; I took Elijah, but I sent this one from the Virgin into heaven itself: “No one has ascended into heaven except he who came down from heaven” (John 3:13). He came down to earth and humbled Himself, taking on the form of a servant. If He did not become what we are, remaining what He was; if he did not endure the cross with us and for us and did not buy the world with his own blood, then the economy is in vain, and the ancient sayings of the prophets are not firm. But stop, Peter, and do not think about human things, but about God’s things: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; Listen to him” (“This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: listen to him”). Twice I used this voice regarding Him: with you, on this mountain, and with John, on the Jordan River. The ancient prophet truly spoke of this voice when he exclaimed: “Tavor and Hermon rejoice in thy name” (“Tavor and Hermon will rejoice in thy name”) (Ps. 89:13). What name? “This is my beloved Son.” He gave Him a name that is above every name. But you, beloved, will ask, of course: “What does it mean: “Tabor and Hermon rejoice in Thy name”? Learn, then. Tabor is the mountain where Christ was transfigured at will, and was witnessed by the Son from the Father, as you have just heard. Hermon is a small mountain in the Jordanian land, from where Elijah was ascended, and near which, in the streams of the Jordan, Christ was baptized by His will, and was witnessed by the Father by the Son. On these two mountains, the immaculate Father, establishing sonship, then and now exclaims a second time: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; Listen to him." He who listens to Him also listens to Me; and whoever is ashamed of Him and His words, I will be ashamed of him in My glory and the holy angels. Listen to Him unfeignedly, simply, limitlessly, searching with faith, not measuring with the tongue, accepting with faith, and not weighing the Word with words. Paul the preacher, curbing vain things and teaching everything beyond doubt, exclaims: “Oh, the depth of the riches of both the wisdom and knowledge of God! How incomprehensible are His destinies and unsearchable His ways!” (“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and understanding of God! For his judgment was not tried, and his ways were not explored”) (Rom. 11:33). To him be glory forever and ever. Amen. The rising sun extends its rays to the whole world; and the east of the birth according to the flesh of the Lord Christ sends its disciples to the entire universe, like rays. And today, like lamps, Peter, James and John illuminate this sacred meeting, fishers of the infidels and those who previously erred in the knowledge of God, using a cross instead of a cane, instead of a rope with a triple confession, drawing spiritual fish from the depths of wickedness; they (were) partners with their Teacher in unspeakable mysteries, becoming self-seers and self-hearers of unspeakable and invisible deeds. Peter, by faith, is called a rock, and on himself supports the building of the church: “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it” (“you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it”) (Matthew 16:18). But let’s see why and for what reason did the Supreme Commander receive this award? The Savior once asked his disciples what their opinion was of Him. While the others were silent, he, the valiant one, stepped forward and did not say: “Thou art made, Thou art created”; but, according to the word of the prophet: “You are the same, and Your years will not end” (“You are the same, and Your years will not fail”) (Ps. 101:28), said: “You are the Christ, the Son of God who lives” (Matthew 16:16). And for this confession he receives the keys of heaven: “And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven: and whatever you bind on on earth, it will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven" ("and whatever you bind on earth, it will be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth, it will be loosed in heaven") (Matthew 16:19). O wondrous and superior dignity! Walking on earth, He issued laws to the heavenly powers, and they observed them. And on earth he suggested an opinion, and God confirmed the verbal decision from above. Joseph, to whom Pharaoh's granaries were entrusted, was once blessed; but above competition and thrice blessed is Peter, to whom the treasuries of heaven itself are entrusted. I am not so much pleased that he received the power to knit, and not because the shadows falling from his clothes healed diseases, and I am not amazed that he raised Tabitha from the dead - (all) these are gifts of a specially active Spirit; and I praise Peter because he was the first of all to come forward for the true confession: “You are the Christ, the Son of God is alive” (Matthew 16:16). He confesses the one who appeared: “You are the Christ”; this is a sign of coexistence (of Him) with the Father. Let us also look at the special advantages of the blessed John. He (is pleased) not for the divine poverty in which he participated with Peter, since he was with the one who said: “I have no silver and gold” (“I have no silver and gold”) (Acts 3:6), and expressed his agreement in silence; but because, having reclined on the Lady’s chest, from there he made for himself that sacred and bright-voiced trumpet, through which he only declared in bold and believing language: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1), which heaven did not say, the angels did not think of, none of the other apostles received. Why and for what reason, being ahead of the rest of the evangelists, was he the last to write the Gospel? This also needs to be explored. Matthew set out the gospel miracles in order in Hebrew; Mark, having become a disciple of Peter, wrote what happened through the Lord Christ - I mean the birth without confusion, the immaculate life, amazing signs, Jewish envy, the saving passion, the life-giving death for us, the resurrection for incorruption, the ascension to the Father’s bosom; Likewise, Luke, an accidental disciple of Paul, walked the same road as before him. So, only John, like a certain fisherman who was sitting at a distance and was a spectator of other fishermen, when he saw that the main thing in knowledge had been abandoned, takes up the gospel fisherman’s cane and with it catches the fish he was looking for, and (then) gives it as a gift to the believers, exclaiming: “In the beginning was the Word.” It was not from the one from whom Mary, the named mother, Christ received his beginning, nor from the one from whom Joseph, His named father, He had his being; not from the one from whom Moses, from whom Abraham, the father of all before the law; but “in the beginning was the Word.” There is nothing older than the beginning, nothing older than the beginning; every business begins and depends on the beginning; and the beginning of everything is the Son, and, as the creator, He is the beginning of everything. Everything that is produced from the beginning is younger; only the beginning has the advantage of eternity. But let us see (the advantage) of the righteous Jacob. Although another Jacob, called righteous, received the title of righteous, as a distinctive one, he will not refuse this honor to his co-apostle. And the son of Zebedee is rich in many evangelical successes; It is enough at this time for a commendable word that he joyfully endured beheading for his love for the Lord. He is killed by Herod, as Luke relates in Acts (Acts 12:1–2). These are the ascetics of piety, these are the ministers of the gospel preaching. People and cities flock to see one who returned from Olympus with a wreath, and decorate (him) with laurel leaves for this; and we, at our meeting, contemplated not one, but three fighters, fighters for the Trinity, ascetics crowned for the Trinity. Every tongue ventures into immeasurability when it tries to praise one of them, and thought is lost, deciding to measure the sea of ​​virtues with a cup; however, we undertook this to show the fathers the fruit of our good thoughts. Two days ago we celebrated the birth of the All-Tsar Christ; Naturally, the wrestlers of the five labors performed brilliant competitions in honor of the birth of the Lord. This usually happens among outsiders: the royal birth is celebrated in the cities by the leaders. But there the conqueror reaps the pleasure of shadow and temporary joy; and here the rewards for those crowned are immortal, the crowns are eternal, joy is with the angels, glory is with the saints in the resurrection. This is saved as a pledge for such feats. Through their (the ascetics’) intercession may we also be preserved, and may this good shepherd be given to us for many decades in Christ, to whom be glory forever. Amen. Creations attributed to St. John Chrysostom and in the Patrology of Min, classified as Spuria. The paragraphs in the text were arranged by us. – AB.