Беседа в день Святой Пятидесятницы 110 . Святого Иоанна Златоустого, архиепископа Константинопольского

Again a holiday, again a celebration, and again the many-children and child-loving Church is adorned with a multitude of children. But what good is it to her to love children if she only sees the longed-for faces of her children on holidays, and not constantly, just as if someone, having beautiful clothes, does not have permission to use them all the time? For the multitude of those who come is the clothing of the Church, as the Prophet said in ancient times, speaking about the Church: clothe yourself with all of them in beauty, and cover yourself with them like utensils for a bride (Is. 49:18). Just as a chaste and noble woman, dressed in a robe that extends to her heels, seems more beautiful and better: so the Church, covered with our numerous congregation, as if with a long robe, appears more cheerful today. Today not a single part of her is visible naked as in previous days; the culprits of her then exposure are those who only came today, and do not always cover their mother. And that it is not a small danger to see one’s mother naked, let us remember the one who saw his father naked and was punished for this look. Although he himself did not expose his father, but only saw his father naked, he did not escape punishment for just what he saw (Gen. 9:22). Those who came today, but did not come before, do not only see their mother naked, but make her naked. If the one who saw nakedness did not escape punishment, then how can those who cause nakedness receive forgiveness? I say this not wanting to frighten you, but in order for us to avoid punishment, to avoid the curse of Ham, to imitate the good behavior of Shem and Japheth and always cover our mother. The Jews were told: You shall appear three times in the year before the Lord your God (Ex. 23:17); and God wants us to appear before Him continually. The Jews had to worship in Jerusalem, and nowhere else (therefore they were commanded to appear before God three times a year): the distance of the journey served as their justification, but for us there can be no way of justification. They were scattered throughout the whole earth: but, - says the Scripture, - the Jews living in Jerusalem were in awe of all the people under heaven (Acts 2:5). And we are often not separated from the church by even one lane, and yet we are so rarely in this sacred meeting, as if we were separated by vast seas. They were commanded to celebrate only at three times, but we are commanded to do this continuously: for with us there is always a holiday. And in order to make sure that we always have a holiday, I will tell you about the reasons for the holidays, and you will see that we have a holiday every day. So, we have the feast of the Epiphany. What is the reason for this holiday? The fact that God appeared on earth and lived with men (Bar. 3:38) is that God, the Only Begotten Son of God, was with us. And this always happens: behold, He says, I am with you all the days, to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20); therefore Epiphany can be celebrated on all days. What does Easter mean? What is the reason for this holiday? We then proclaim the death of the Lord: this is Easter; but we can do this at more than one specific time. Paul, wanting to show that the Passover can always be celebrated, says: As often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord (1 Cor. 11:26); So, if we can always proclaim the death of the Lord, then we can always celebrate Easter. Do you want to know that today’s holiday also happens every day? Let's see what is the reason for this holiday and why do we celebrate it? This is because the Spirit has come to us; just as the Only Begotten Son of God is with the faithful, so is the Spirit of God. How is this known? If you love Me, says Scripture, you will keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Comforter, that the Spirit of truth may be with you forever (John 14:15–17). Therefore, as Christ said about Himself: Behold, I am with you all the days, even to the end of the age, - and we can always celebrate the Epiphany; So also about the Spirit He said: He will be with you forever - and we can always celebrate Pentecost. In order for you to be convinced that we can celebrate constantly, that there is no specific time for this, and we are not bound by dependence on time, listen to what the apostle says. Paul: Let us also celebrate (1 Cor. 5:8). Although when he wrote this, there was no holiday, there was no Easter, no Epiphany, no Pentecost, but he wants to show that it is not time that makes holidays, but a clear conscience (for a holiday is nothing other than joy; spiritual and rational joy is produced by nothing other than the consciousness of good deeds; therefore, whoever has a good conscience and the same deeds can constantly celebrate). So, wanting to show this very thing, Paul said: let us celebrate in the same way, not with leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but without leaven of purity and truth (1 Cor. 5:8). Do you see how he does not constrain you by depending on the times, but commands you to have a clear conscience? I would like to spend the entire conversation on this, but so that you do not leave without instructions regarding the holiday, you need to turn your speech from this admonition to the reason for the holiday. Many blessings have repeatedly descended from heaven for the entire human race, but such as have been sent down today have never been sent down before. Find out what blessings there were in the past and what are today, so that you can see the difference between the two. God rained down the manna to eat, and gave them the bread of heaven: the bread of angels for the food of man (Ps. 77:24, 25); the deed, in truth, is great and worthy of God’s love for mankind! After this, fire was sent down to correct the lost people of Judah and consumed the sacrifice from the altar (1 Kings 18:38). Then, when everyone was exhausted by hunger, rain came and produced great fertility. These benefits are great and amazing, but the real ones are much greater: for it was not manna, fire and rain that were sent down today, but a stream of spiritual gifts; abundant rains were sent down from above, not stimulating the earth to fertility, but disposing human nature to give the fruits of virtue to the Cultivator of people. And those who accepted these drops immediately changed in their nature, and suddenly the whole earth was filled with Angels - not heavenly Angels, but those who in the human body show the virtue characteristic of incorporeal Forces. It was not the Angels who descended to the ground, but, what is more surprising, those below rose to their virtue, since they did not overthrow the flesh and did not ascend with souls alone, but, being in nature, became Angels by choice. So that you know that the previous punishment, when it was said: you are earth, and you will go back to earth (Gen. 3:19), was not a punishment, God was pleased to leave you on earth, so that the power of the Spirit would be even more revealed, performing such deeds through a mortal body. For one could see how the mortal tongue commanded demons; one could see how the mortal hand healed diseases; or, better, one could see how not only the mortal hand, but, what is much more surprising, the shadows of mortal bodies overcame both death and disembodied forces, that is, demons. Just as when the sun appears, the darkness dissipates, wild animals retreat to their refuges, murderers, robbers and robbers flee to the tops of the mountains: so when Peter appeared and raised his voice, the darkness of error was dispelled, the devil was removed, demons were put to flight, carnal passions were suppressed, mental illnesses were healed, every vice disappeared and virtue was established on earth. As if someone from the royal treasury, containing gold and precious stones, could take even a small part of the treasure contained in it, even just one stone, he would become the owner of great wealth: so - and from the mouth of the apostles, for their lips were the royal treasury, containing the treasure of healings; and every word emanating from them brought great spiritual wealth. Then, in truth, one could see that the words of the Lord are more desirable than gold, and much more precious than stone (Ps. 18:11): for what neither gold nor precious stones could do, the words of Peter did. How much gold could heal someone who was lame from birth? And Peter's word was able to correct this natural deficiency. He said: in the name of Jesus Christ arise and walk (Acts 3:6), and the word became action. You see how their words are coveted more than gold and a lot of honest stones! Do you see that their mouth was the king's treasury? In truth, they were doctors of the universe, and farmers, and helmsmen: doctors, because they healed diseases, - farmers, because they sowed the word of piety, - helmsmen, because they tamed the storm of errors. Therefore, Christ sometimes spoke to them as doctors: Heal those who walk... the sick (Matthew 10:7-8), - sometimes he said how you sent to farmers to reap, where you have not toiled (John 4:38), - and sometimes he talked with them as with helmsmen and fishermen, and said in one place: I will make you a fisher man (Matt. 4:19), and to Peter: Do not be afraid: from now on you will be catching men (Luke 5:10). And one could see miracles after miracles. Ten days before this, our nature ascended to the royal throne, and now the Holy Spirit descended on our nature; The Lord lifted up our firstfruits and sent down the Holy Spirit. Ten days have not yet passed since Christ ascended, and He has already sent down to us spiritual gifts, gifts of reconciliation. So that no one would doubt or wonder whether Christ did anything after his ascension, whether he reconciled the Father with us, whether he propitiated Him, in order to show us that He really reconciled Him with our nature, He immediately sent us gifts of reconciliation. For when enemies unite and reconcile with each other, then the reconciliation is immediately followed by invitations, congratulations and gifts. So we also sent faith, and received gifts from there, sent obedience, and received justification. And that you may know that the gift of the Holy Spirit is the gift of God's reconciliation, I will try to convince you of this from the Scriptures, first by showing that God withholds the grace of the Spirit when he is angry with us, so that you, convinced that the absence of the Holy Spirit is a sign of His wrath, and seeing that the Spirit is sent down again, may know that if He had not been reconciled, He would not have sent the Holy Spirit. How do we know this? The elderly Eli was a kind and prudent man in other respects, but he did not know how to correct his wicked children, out of excessive love for them. Listen, you who have children, how you should moderate your love and affection for them. Eli upset God with this and brought Him into such anger that He turned away from all the people. Therefore, the one who wrote about this, wanting to show that God has completely turned away from them, says: the word of the Lord is not honest, not a vision is sent (1 Sam. 3:1), here calling rare things honest; by this he expressed that the gifts of prophecy were then rare. Also another, weeping and sobbing about the wrath of God, says: at this time there is no prince and prophet (Dan. 3:38). And the Evangelist says: It is not for the Holy Spirit that Jesus was not glorified (John 7:39). Since He had not yet been crucified, then, says (the Evangelist), the Holy Spirit was not given to people, for glorified means: crucified. Although this event is shameful in its nature, but since it was committed for loved ones, Christ calls it glory. Why wasn't the Spirit given before the crucifixion? - Because the universe was still in sins, in malice, in enmity and dishonor, until the Lamb was sacrificed, taking upon Himself the sins of the world. So, until Christ was yet crucified, there was no reconciliation; and until there was reconciliation, until then in justice the Spirit was not sent down. Thus, the sending of the Spirit is a sign of reconciliation. Therefore, Christ says: You have no choice, but I go; if I do not go, the Comforter will not come (John 16:7). “If I do not go,” He says, “and reconcile the Father, I will not send you the Comforter.” Do you see how much evidence there is that the absence of the Holy Spirit in people is a sign of God’s wrath? And when you see that the Holy Spirit is being sent down abundantly, then do not doubt at all about reconciliation. “Where, you say, is the Holy Spirit now? Then, indeed, it was possible to say this when there were signs, the dead were raised and all the lepers were cleansed; and now how will we prove that the Holy Spirit is inherent in us? Do not be afraid: I will show that the Holy Spirit abides with us today. How and in what way? So, if we did not have the Holy Spirit, then there could be no remission of sins. Listen to Paul, who says: for sometimes we are foolish, and disobedient, and seduced by various desires... When the grace and love of God our Savior appeared, not by the works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us by the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit (Tit. 3:3-5). And in another place: do not flatter yourselves: neither harlots, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor defilers, nor sodomites, nor covetous, nor thieves, nor drunkards, nor molesters, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:9, 10). Do you see all kinds of vices? And these are the evils: but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified. How? The question is whether through the Holy Spirit we have been freed from vices. Listen: but be sanctified, but be justified, by the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God (1 Cor. 6:11). Do you see that the Holy Spirit has blotted out all those evils? Where are those who blaspheme the dignity of the Spirit now? If He does not forgive sins, then He is received in baptism in vain; if He forgives sins, then it is in vain that he is blasphemed by heretics. If it were not for the Holy Spirit, then we could not call Jesus Lord: for no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:3). If it were not for the Holy Spirit, then we, the faithful, could not cry to God as we cry: Our Father who art in heaven. Just as we could not call Jesus Lord, so we could not call God Father. Where can you see this? “From the words of the same Apostle: Because you are of a son’s nature,” he says, “God has sent the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying: Abba, Father (Gal. 4:6). So, when you call on the Father, remember that you are worthy to call Him this because the Spirit moves your soul. If there were no Spirit, then in the Church there would be no word of wisdom and knowledge: for to whom the word of wisdom is given by the Spirit, to another the word of understanding (1 Cor. 12:8). If there were no Holy Spirit, then there would be no shepherds and teachers in the Church, for they too are supplied by the Spirit, just as Paul says: in whom the Holy Spirit hath made you shepherds and bishops (Acts 20:28). Do you see that this too is from the Spirit? If the Spirit were not present, then the Church would not exist; if the Church exists, then it is obvious that the Spirit is present. Why, you say, are there no signs now? Here listen to me with attention; I often and constantly hear this question from many: “Why then did all those who were baptized speak in tongues, but now they no longer do?” Let us first learn what it means to speak in tongues, and then we will tell you the reason. What does it mean to speak in tongues? The person being baptized immediately began to speak the language of the Indians, Egyptians, Persians, Scythians, Thracians, and one person received many languages; for the Scripture says that Paul, having found some who had been baptized with the baptism of John, said to them, “Have you received the Holy Spirit by nature, having believed?” They decided to him: but even if the Holy Spirit is there, we hear. He immediately commanded them to be baptized, and I laid Paul’s hand on her, and the Holy Spirit came on her, and he spoke in tongues (Acts 19:2-6). Why is this grace now stopped and taken away from people? Not because God wants to humiliate us, but because, on the contrary, he shows us great honor. How? - I'll tell you. At that time, people who had recently abandoned idols were very senseless: they were devoted and amazed at everything material, they still had no concept of incorporeal gifts, and they did not even know what spiritual grace was and contemplated by faith alone; that is why there were signs then: for some of the spiritual gifts are invisible and are comprehended by faith alone, while others are also revealed in a sensory sign to certify the unbelievers. For example: the remission of sins is a spiritual matter, it is an invisible gift (since we do not see with our bodily eyes how the soul is cleansed); and the ability to speak in different languages, although it also comes from the spiritual action of the Spirit, however, is also a sign that is sensual and perceptible to unbelievers (for a language heard outside is a revelation and revelation of an action occurring inside the soul, that is, invisible). Therefore, Paul says: the manifestation of the Spirit is given to everyone to benefit (1 Cor. 12:7). So now I have no need of signs. Why? – Because even without the appearance of a sign, I learned to believe in the Lord. An unbeliever needs a pledge, but I, a believer, do not need a pledge or a sign, although I do not speak in tongues, I know that I am cleansed from sins. They would not have believed then if they had not received the sign, therefore signs were given to them as a deposit of faith, through which they believed, so that the signs were given to them, not as the faithful, but as not yet faithful, so that they would become faithful. So Paul says: signs are not for those who believe, but for those who are unbelieving (1 Cor. 14:22). Do you see that the cessation of signs is not proof that God is humiliating us, but that He is honoring us? He did this, wanting to show our faith - that we believe in Him without deposits and signs. If they had not received a sign and a guarantee in advance, they would not have believed Him in the unseen, but I show all my faith even without this. This is the reason why there are no signs now. I would like to talk about the reason for the holiday and show what Pentecost is, why the gift was given on this holiday, why in tongues of fire and why after ten days, but I see that the teaching is too long. Therefore, adding a little, I will finish my speech. When the days of Pentecost ended... the nations appeared to them, dividing them like fire (Acts 2:1-3). Not fiery, but like fiery, so that you do not suspect anything sensual in the Spirit. Just as He descended onto the streams of the Jordan, not as a dove, but in the form of a dove (Luke 3:22): so here too, not by fire, but in the form of fire. It is also said above: as the breath that bears a storm (Acts 2:2), - not the breath that bears a storm, but as the breath that bears a storm. Why did Ezekiel receive the gift of prophecy not in the likeness of fire, but in a scroll, and the Apostles receive gifts through fire? For it is said about him that God gave into his mouth a scroll of books, in which was written weeping, and pity, and grief, and the writing that was before and what was behind (Ezek. 2:9, 10), and he ate it, and it was in his mouth as sweet as honey (Ezek. 3:3); but about the Apostles - not so, but: the Gentiles appeared to them like fire. So, why is there a scroll and writing there, and a tongue and fire here? - Because he went to expose sins and mourn the disasters of the Jews, and these went to destroy the sins of the universe; therefore, he received a scroll to remember the coming disasters, and these received fire to burn and destroy all the sins of the universe (for just as fire, falling into thorns, easily destroys it completely, so the grace of the Spirit destroys the sins of people). But at this event, the insensitive Jews, instead of being amazed, trembling and worshiping the Giver of the gift, again show their madness, accusing the Apostles, filled with the Spirit, of intoxication. They are said to be full of wine (Acts 2:13). Imagine the ingratitude of people and look at the gratitude of the Angels. The angels, seeing our firstfruits being carried up into heaven, rejoiced and said: lift up your gates, O princes, and lift up the gates of eternity: and the King of glory will come in (Ps. 23:7); and people, seeing the grace of the Spirit descending upon them, say that those who received the grace were drunk, and were not even ashamed of the season: for during spring it was impossible to find wine, and then it was spring. However, let’s leave them and look at the reward of the man-loving God. Christ took the firstfruits of our nature and gave us the grace of the Spirit; and as happens after a long war, when the battle is over and peace is concluded, those who were at enmity among themselves give each other pledges and hostages: this is what happened between God and human nature; it sent Him its firstfruits, which Christ lifted up, as a pledge and a hostage, and He sent us as a pledge and a hostage the Holy Spirit. And that we have a pledge and a hostage is evident from the following: the pledge and hostages must be of the royal family; Therefore, the Holy Spirit was sent down to us as being royal by nature, just as He who ascended from us was of royal descent: for He was from the seed of David. Therefore, I am no longer afraid, since our firstfruits sits on the mountain; therefore, even if someone told me about an undying worm, or about an unquenchable fire, or about other punishments and torments, I am no longer afraid, or better yet, although I am afraid, I do not despair of my salvation. In fact, if God did not want to bestow great blessings on our family, he would not have taken the firstfruits of our grief. Previously, we, looking at the sky and imagining the disembodied Forces, saw our insignificance more clearly through comparison with the highest Forces; and now, when we want to see our nobility, we look to the mountain, to heaven, to the very throne of the king: there sits the firstfruits of us. So the Son of God will come from heaven to judge us. Therefore, let us prepare so as not to lose that glory: for our common Lord will certainly come and will not delay, he will come surrounded by an army, with regiments of Angels, councils of Archangels, ranks of martyrs, faces of the righteous, hosts of Prophets and Apostles, and among these immaterial armies He will appear as a king, in inexpressible and ineffable glory. Then the books will be opened, the judgment will be terrible and terrible: at it, as in a judgment seat, the written deeds of our life will be read; and the prophets talk a lot about these books. So, Moses says: if you forgive them sin, forgive it; otherwise, blot me out of the book, you wrote it in the book (Ex. 32:32). Christ also said to the disciples: do not rejoice in this, for the souls obey you: rejoice, for your names are written in heaven (Luke 10:20). And the prophet David: in Your book all will be written: in these days they will be created, and no one in them (Ps. 139:16); and one more thing: let them be consumed from the book of the living, and let them not be written with the righteous (Ps. 68:29). Do you see that some are blotted out, while others are written in? Not only the righteous are written in those books, but our sins are also written there (Mal. 2:17; 3:14-16) - they are written down not because God remembers the day, but to present the book as some kind of evidence and accusation. Perhaps I shook your soul with fear, but not yours, but mine in advance. So, I’ll finish the speech, or better yet, the fear, or better, I won’t finish it, but I’ll soften it; let it remain and cleanse your soul, but we will reduce its severity. How can we reduce it? – If we show that sins are not only written down, but also blotted out. At the court, everything that the defendant says while recording is certainly written down forever and cannot be erased; and in that book, even if you said something bad, then, if you want, it can be erased again. How is this known? From Scripture: Turn away Your face, says the Psmist, from my sins, and cleanse all my iniquities (Ps. 50:11). No one blots out what is not written; and since the sins are written down, he prays for their blotout. And someone else teaches how they are blotted out: through alms and faith, he says. “Sins are cleansed” (Prov. 15:27), - not only blotted out, but also cleansed, so that not a trace of blotting remains. Moreover, not only what is inscribed after baptism is blotted out, but also what is inscribed before this washing, and then everything is cleansed by the water of baptism and the cross of Christ, as Paul says: having destroyed the handwriting against us that was contrary to us, even that was taken out of the way, nailed to the cross (Col. 2:14). Do you see how this handwriting has been erased? And not only was it blotted out, but it was also torn: for the nails of the cross tore it so apart that it became insignificant. However, all this has been blotted out by the grace and philanthropic powers of the crucified Christ; and what was done after baptism requires great suffering in order for it to be blotted out again. Since there is no other baptism, but our tears, repentance, confession, almsgiving, prayer and any other pious activity are needed, then the sins committed after baptism are cleansed with great labor and effort. Therefore, let us make every effort to blot them out here and get rid of the shame and punishment there, for, even if we have committed countless sins, we can, if we want, lay down all this burden of sins. Let us have such a desire, since it is much better to work a little here and get rid of the inevitable punishment, rather than, after spending this short time in negligence, to fall into endless torment. Remember everything that has been said; if it is impossible to remember everything, then from everything, retain in your memory what was said about books - and whatever you say, say with caution, as if you had a note-taker with you. And always keep these words in fresh memory, so that those of you who are written in the book of the righteous may increase virtues, and those of us who have many sins written down may blot them out here, when no one sees, and get rid of their future discovery, for it is possible, as we have shown, to blot out all written sins through diligence, prayer and constant piety. So, let us strive for this at all times, so that, after going there, we may receive forgiveness and all avoid inevitable punishments, so that, having got rid of them, we will all be rewarded with the kingdom of heaven, by the grace and love for mankind of our Lord Jesus Christ, with whom to the Father, together with the Holy Spirit, be glory, power, honor, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen 111. The full title of this conversation is as follows: on Holy Pentecost, and why there are no signs now, and that our deeds and words are recorded. Oper. S. Chrysost. Edit. Montfauc. T. 2, pag. 514. In short. See Paul. collection created, St. Chrysostom, in Russian. translation St. Petersburg, 1896, vol. II, pp. 494–506; compare Words and conversations of St. Chrysostom for different occasions. St. Petersburg, 1865, vol. II, pp. 186–208. You might be interested in: