Поучение на день Пятидесятницы. Святого Феодора, игумена Студийского и исповедника

Brothers and fathers! By the grace of the Most Holy Spirit, we were privileged to celebrate Holy Pentecost, that is, the Descent of the Holy Spirit. About this Descent of His Lord Jesus Christ said: It is not only for you, but also for the whole world, that as I go, the Holy Spirit may come. If I do not go, I, the Comforter, that is, the Holy Spirit, will not come to you: if I still go, I will send Him to you. When He comes, He will guide you into all truth (John 16:7,13). This promise and His good deed are so great that we cannot even understand Him: for the Lord promised to send not an angel, not a man, but the co-natural Spirit Himself. So, the Only Begotten Son of God, having completed the Father’s work, ascends into heaven, and the Holy Spirit descends: not another God (let there not be!), but another Comforter, as it is written. And, oh, indescribable philanthropy! God Himself became our Comforter. Thus, He truly comforts those burdened by misfortunes, protecting them from exhaustion in spirit, as the Holy Apostle testifies to this, saying: without battle, within fear, but God comforts us who are humble... (2 Cor. 7:5). He comforts a heart frightened by demonic fears, raising it through daring hope to invincible courage, as Saint David testifies: for you, O Lord, have helped me and have comforted me (Ps. 85:17). He consoles, inspiring the rebellious mind, that he was given peace with God and tranquility, as the Apostle testifies, saying: we pray according to Christ, as we pray to God: we pray according to Christ, be reconciled, that is, have peace, with God (2 Cor. 5:20). Do you see the unsearchable condescension? Do you see the incomparable gift? Woe - in heaven the Only Begotten Son intercedes for us before the Father, as it is written: He who is at the right hand of God also intercedes for us (Rom. 8:34). Down on earth, the Holy Spirit comforts us in many ways. - What will we give back to the Lord for all these gifts that he gave us (Ps. 116:4)? Isn’t that what the psalm says: all my bones say: Lord, Lord, who is like You? Deliver the poor from the hand of those who strong him, and the poor and the wretched from those who plunder him (Ps. 34:10). And one more thing: my help comes from the Lord, who created heaven and earth (Ps. 120:2). If the Lord had not helped me, my soul would have entered hell (Ps. 93:17). The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man does to me (Ps. 118:6). So, having such a Comforter, the Holy Spirit, invincible power, the Great Protector - God and supporter, let us not be afraid of the fear of the enemy and not be afraid of opposing forces, but courageously and firmly hasten to our exploits, experiencing them day after day, not being seduced by the seductions of the serpent, and not exhausting ourselves under his incessant attacks; let us extinguish carnal love, as if it fills the house of our soul with fire. I assure you that this sinful desire is not pleasure and joy, but a dangerous and cruel disease, not sweetness, but insanity and evil darkness. Those who have tamed the fury of the flesh, washed away its filth and clinged to the One God with all their hearts know this. This way of life is the most pleasant and happiest: for then a person, although he is in the flesh and in the world, is not subject to them - although he lives on earth, he dwells in the spirit in the invisible, resting in spirit from the gracious breath of the Holy Spirit. Why do we allow voluptuousness, having conquered us, to so pervert and subject us to such changes that we, bowing down to the earth, to flesh and blood, are completely alienated from our all-good God?.. We flee, brothers, from every passion: we flee the love of money, which is the root of all evil; we flee unbelief, as it separates us from communion with the Lord; we flee from every other passion that overcomes our soul - anger, envy, hatred, pride, selfishness: so that death does not find us unprepared and alienate us from God; alienation from God is also alienation from the kingdom of heaven. Judgment and eternal reward for those who do not do deeds pleasing to God, which judgment no flesh can endure: for even to think about this in one’s mind, before being subjected to torture, is already torment. So that we can avoid the wrath of God coming on the disobedient sons (Eph. 5:6), let us do good deeds, so that the Lord will rejoice in His deeds (Ps. 103:31). Let us begin to continually please God, purify ourselves and renew our souls. Take heart: the Lord is near to all who call on Him in truth (Ps. 144:18). Let us repent daily, and God will forgive us our sins, comfort us and give us eternal life, which may we be worthy to receive in Christ our Lord Himself; to Him belongs glory and power with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen 127. Curs. Compl. Patrolog. Mign., tom. XCIX, p. 519...; Wed Small Catechism of Theodore the Studite - manuscript. Moscow Synod, bib. X century (374/CCCLXI), l.l. 22 vol. – 26. Will announce the teachings of the teacher. Theodora abbot. Studio. Ed. 1896 Kaluga, pp. 251–256; Philokalia in Russian transl., ed. 1889, vol. IV, pp. 447–449 Sunday. Read XII (1848–49), pp. 69–70. You might be interested in: