Поучение 73. На Успение Пресвятой Богородицы. О бывшем здесь духовном торжестве, и о стяжании царства небесного.

Brothers and Fathers! From time to time there are celebrations, here and there, like the current one in Nicomedia; and people rush to these celebrations to buy and sell. But this does not last long, and again it ends and passes; for the life of every man passes away; but the triumph of the soul is one and never passes. What is bought at this celebration is not gold and silver, not clothes and jewelry, nor anything else perishable and earthly, but the salvation of the soul, eternal life and the kingdom of heaven. We must have every care about him, since this is our duty; however, many people care little about this, and, directing all their care and love to the corruptible and vain things of the world, they spend all their time in evil and wretchedness. But let us not destroy, brethren, our good purchase, that is, the salvation of our soul, hearing the Lord say that the kingdom of heaven is within your heart (Luke 17:21). Therefore, for this sake, let us strive every day to make purchases not with gold and silver, but with the Orthodox faith, pure and blameless living, obedience, patience, humility, long-suffering and meekness, and most of all with love, which collects and unites the wills of many into one union of perfection. Christ said about this in the Gospel: “like the kingdom of heaven is to a merchant looking for good beads, and he found one bead of great value, and sold all the things that were named after him, and bought those priceless beads” (Matthew 13:45-46). Do you understand, brethren, that you are wise merchants, who left all your possessions, worldly joy and everything in the world, and instead of all this bought good and most excellent, excellent and valuable beads, Jesus Christ and our God; because you took up the cross and followed Him in holiness and righteousness? But every celebration is a time of joy and complacency; Let us also be complacent and joyful, sober and watchful in this triumph of the Divine purchase, purchasing our salvation. A good merchant is one who leaves everything out of reverence and is never hard-hearted (Prov. 28:14). A good buyer who accepts dishonor as praise and glorification. A good exchanger is one who gives his blood and receives the Divine Spirit through patience and service. Since the word has led us to mention service; then let us show love to the brothers who serve in the kitchen and undertake great labors, and to others who bear the burdens of others, and thus fulfill the law of Christ with love. Let us also honor those who take care of the necessary needs of the monastery and brethren, as good and skillful builders in the Lord; Let us also honor the singers who sing wisely and humbly, for they will receive a greater reward than everyone else. Do you see and understand what our monastic life is, and our venerable order, the blessed purchase, which our holy fathers performed with great zeal? We will buy this and, having completed it in a godly manner and having completed it, we will return with joy to our monastery, just as blessed David sings: “turn, my soul, to your rest, for the Lord is good to you” (Ps. 114:6). Oh, that at the hour of our death we may all speak these words and receive eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord, to whom belongs glory and power with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. You might be interested in: