Беседа 18. На день святого мученика Гордия 71

This is the natural law of bees - not to fly out of the hives until the king leads them in flight. And I, because I see that the people of the Lord are now going for the first time to the heavenly flowers - the martyrs, I am looking for a leader. Who inspired this numerous swarm? Who turned winter gloom into spring lightness? For the people now, indeed, for the first time, pouring out of the city as if from hives, filled with their crowds this decoration of the pre-city, this sacred and beautiful field of martyrs. And since the miracle of the martyr and me, having aroused and brought me to the oblivion of infirmity, brought me here, then, as if on some flower, I, too, with a strong voice, will hum the deeds of this man, thereby accomplishing a deed both pious and at the same time pleasant to those present here. For “whoever praises the righteous, people will rejoice,” the wise Solomon recently told us (Proverbs 29:2). However, I wondered to myself what this riddle meant by the speaker: is it that when some rhetorician or skilled speaker composes a word to the surprise of the listeners, then people are amused by some captivating sound that pleasantly strikes the ear, approving the invention of thoughts, the arrangement, the pomp, and the harmonious flow of speech? But this could not have been said by someone who had never used this kind of speech. He could not advise us to solemnly and eloquently speak praises to the blessed ones, who themselves everywhere preferred even syllables and artless speech. Therefore, what does he say? The fact that people rejoice in spiritual joy, at the mere reminder of the merits of the righteous, being excited to compete and imitate the benefits they hear about. For the history of people who are comfortable in life gives those seeking salvation, as it were, some light illuminating the path of life. Therefore, as soon as we listen to the life of Moses, narrated by the Spirit, competition for the virtue of this man is immediately born in us, and meekness of character becomes worthy of imitation and respect for everyone. Other people's praises come from spreading words; and in the reasoning of the righteous, what they actually did is sufficient to demonstrate the superiority of their virtue. Therefore, when we recount the lives of those who have become famous for their piety, first of all we glorify the Master among His servants; We praise the righteous by testifying to what we know, and we delight people by hearing beautiful things. So the life of Joseph is an exhortation to chastity, and the story of Sampson is an encouragement to courage. Therefore, the Divine School does not know the law of praiseworthy speeches, but considers the testimony of deeds to be a praiseworthy speech, as well as the praise of the saints, sufficient, and sufficiently useful for those striving for virtue. Just as the law of laudatory speeches is to find out about the fatherland, to find the family, to describe the upbringing, so our rule, keeping silent about what is related, fills the testimony with what actually belongs to everyone. Am I more honorable because the city once accomplished difficult and great feats and erected glorious monuments to victories over its enemies? What does it matter to me if his position is favorable, comfortable both in winter and in summer? And if it is abundant in people and can feed a lot of livestock, what good does this do to me? Even if he surpasses all the cities under the sun in the number of horses; can this make us the most perfect in human virtue? And also, by describing the peaks of the neighboring mountain, that they are sky-high and rise high in the air, are we not deceiving ourselves that through this we are praising people? It will be funniest when the righteous despise the whole world, and we begin to fill speeches praising them with worthless little things. So, mindfulness is enough for constant benefit. For the righteous themselves do not need an increase in glory, but we who are still in this life need remembrance for imitation. Just as fire naturally follows that it shines, and peace follows that it is fragrant, so good deeds are necessarily followed by useful things. However, it is not unimportant to learn in detail the truth of what happened then; because we have been given an unclear rumor by which the valiant men of this deed have been preserved in their exploits; and our job, it seems, is to be like the painters. And when they copy images from images, they deviate very far (as is natural) from the originals; and for us, who are deprived of sight of the very actions, there is a considerable danger - to belittle the truth. But since the day has come that brings us the memory of the martyr, who fought gloriously as a witness for Christ, we will say what we know. He was born in this city, for which we love him more, because he is our own decoration. Just as fruitful trees give back the fruits they produce to their own land, so this martyr, having emerged from the depths of our city and ascended to the greatest heights of glory, gave the city that gave birth and raised him the pleasure of its own fruits of piety. Foreign fruits are also beautiful when they are sweet and nutritious; but domestic and native fruits are much more pleasant than foreign ones: besides pleasure, due to their proximity to us, they also provide some decoration. Gordius, inscribed in military service, and distinguished in the military lists by both physical strength and spiritual courage, becomes famous; why a hundred soldiers were entrusted to his superiors. When the tormentor of that time extended the ferocity and cruelty of his soul to the point of declaring war on the Church and raising his atheistic hand against piety, announcements were made everywhere, and at every marketplace, in every prominent place, decrees were read not to worship Christ, or the punishment for those who worship would be death; a command was also given that everyone should bow to idols and honor stones and trees as gods, on which art has imprinted a certain image, or those who do not obey will suffer cruelly; when there was disorder and rebellion throughout the whole city, and the pious were plundered; they stole property, tortured the bodies of Christ-lovers with beatings; wives were dragged all over the city, youth was not spared, old age was not respected; those who committed no injustice suffered as evildoers; The prisons became cramped, rich houses became empty, and the deserts were filled with fleeing people; The fault of those who endured all this was piety; and the father betrayed his son; the son denounced his father; the brothers raged against each other; the slaves rebelled against their masters - some terrible night enveloped the world; due to the devil's insanity, everyone did not recognize each other: houses of prayer were destroyed by wicked hands; altars were thrown down; there was “no place lower than the offering, no place lower than the censer, no place to devour” (Dan. 3, 38); but everything, like a cloud, was overcome by terrible despondency; the servants of God were driven out; every pious assembly was horrified, and the demons rejoiced, desecrating everything with fat and blood - then this good man, having preceded the coercion of the courts, throwing off his military girdle, left the city. Having despised power, despising glory, all kinds of wealth, kinship, friends, slaves, the pleasure of life, everything that is desired for people, he went into the deepest and impassable deserts for people, considering life with animals more pleasant for himself than communicating with idolaters, and in this imitating the zealot Elijah, who, when he saw the overwhelming idolatry of the Sidonian woman, retired to Mount Horeb and lived in a cave, seeking God, until he saw what he wanted, as long as a person can see God. Such was Gordius, who fled the city riots, the market crowd, the arrogance of officials, the courts of slanderers, those who sell, buy, swear, and speak falsely; foul language, sweet speech and everything else that urban crowds carry with them, like a ship carries with it a small boat. Purifying his ears, purifying his eyes, and above all purifying his heart in order to come into a state of seeing God and becoming blessed, he saw in revelations, studied mysteries, “neither from man, nor” by men (Gal. 1:1), but having a great teacher - the Spirit of truth. From here, having turned to thinking about life, how useless, how vain, how more insignificant than any dream and any shadow, I became more aroused to desire the highest calling. And as an ascetic, feeling that he had already trained himself enough and anointed himself for the feat with fasting and vigils, prayers, constant and continuous teaching in the words of the Spirit, he noticed the day on which the entire city, celebrating a festival in honor of the battle-loving demon, took the place of the spectacle in order to see the horse lists. So, when the whole city had gathered at the top, there were both Jews and Greeks there, and mixed in with them were a considerable number of Christians, who, living without caution, sitting “with the vain host” (Ps. 25:4), not shying away from the assemblies of “the evil ones” (Ps. 63, 3), and this time they became spectators of the fast running of the horses and the experience of the drivers; when the slaves were released by the masters, and children from schools fled to the spectacle, women from the common people and the ignorant appeared; when the field was full, and everyone was already straining their eyes to see the rise of the horses, - then this good man, great in heart, great in mind, descended from the heights of the mountain to the place of the spectacle, was not afraid of the people, did not begin to calculate to what many hostile hands he was betraying himself, but with a fearless heart and sublime mind, as if through frequent stones or many trees, pushing through those sitting around field, stood in the middle, confirming with himself the word that “the righteous like a lion” trusts (Proverbs 28:1). And how undaunted was his soul that, standing in an open place in the midst of the spectacle, with fearless boldness (and some of those who heard this are still alive) he proclaimed the following words: “I was found to those who did not seek me, I was revealed to those who did not ask for me” (Isa. 65:1), showing that he was not brought into danger by necessity, but voluntarily gave himself up to the feat in imitation of the Master, Who, unrecognized by the Jews in the darkness of the night, Himself announced Himself. The extraordinary nature of the spectacle soon attracted the attention of the spectators to a man who looked wild in appearance, whose head was disheveled from a long stay in the mountains, his beard became long, his clothes were dirty, his whole body was withered; he had a staff in his hand and a bag hanging at his side. In all this, a certain pleasantness was visible, secretly illuminating him. And as soon as they found out who he was, everyone immediately raised a mixed cry. Those close to the faith 72 applauded with joy, and the enemies of the truth urged the judge to kill him and had already condemned him to death in advance. Everything was filled with screams and confusion; stopped looking at the horses; They stopped looking at the charioteers, the display of chariots turned into a futile noise. No one had leisure for their eyes to see anything but Gordius; No one's ears could bear to hear anything other than his words. Some vague rumble, like a light wind, passed through the entire assembly of spectators and filled the lists. When the heralds gave the people a sign to remain silent, the pipes fell silent and numerous organs fell silent. They listened to Gordiya, looked at Gordiya. He was immediately presented to the mayor, who immediately sat and ordered the feat of cultivation. First, Gordius asked in a quiet and meek voice: who is he and where is he from? And when he named his fatherland, clan, the degree of dignity he held, the reason for his flight, his return, then he added: “I am here to prove by my very deeds my contempt for your orders and my faith in God, in whom I have placed my trust. I am here because I heard that you are superior to many in ferocity, and therefore I chose this time as convenient for the fulfillment of my desire.” With these words, like fire, igniting the rage of the mayor, he aroused all his fury against himself. “Call the executioners,” he says. -Where are the lead balls? Where are the whips? Let them stretch it on the wheel; they twist his limbs on a tree; They will bring instruments of torture, prepare animals, fire, a sword, a cross, a pit. But what does this lawless man gain,” he continued, “by dying once and for all?” “I suffer so much damage,” said Gordius immediately, “that I cannot die for Christ many times!” And the mayor, with his natural ferocity, became even more cruel, looking at the dignity of the martyr and considering the courageous sublimity of his thoughts to be his own dishonor. The more I saw fearlessness in his heart, the more bitter I became and the more intensified my struggle to overcome this man by inventing torment. This is how the mayor acted! And the martyr, turning his gaze to God, delighted his soul with the words of the sacred psalms, saying: “The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man will do to me” (Ps. 117:6); and: “I will fear no evil, for You are with me” (Ps. 22:4), and repeating other sayings that are similar to them and incite to courage, which he knew from God’s words. How far was he from giving in to the threats and fearing that he himself had invited torment to himself. “Why are you hesitating,” he said, “why are you standing? Torment the body, twist the limbs, torture as you like! Do not envy me in blessed hope. The more you increase the torment, the greater the reward you prepare for me. We have an agreement about this with the Lord. For the ulcers that appear on the body, in the resurrection a bright robe flourishes on us, for dishonor - crowns; for prison - heaven; for condemnation with evildoers - being with the Angels. Sow more on me so that you can reap much more for me.” When they could not overcome it with fear and the task turned out to be impossible, they changed their means and resorted to caresses. For this is the trick of the devil: he frightens the timid, but weakens the courageous. Such was the cunning of the evil one even then. When he saw that the martyr was not yielding to the threats, he attempted to surround him with deceptions and baits. And he promised gifts, and already gave some, and in others he guaranteed that they would be given by the king, namely: a significant place in the army, monetary rewards and everything he wanted. When his attempt failed - the blessed one, hearing the promises, laughed at his madness, if he really thought of giving something equivalent to the Kingdom of Heaven - then the tormentor could no longer control his anger, drew his sword, himself took on the position of executioner, and committing murder with his hand and tongue, condemned the blessed one to death. All the spectators moved to this place, and those who remained in the houses all flocked to the city walls - everyone looked at this great and ascetic spectacle, marvelous for the Angels and for all creation, painful for the devil, terrible for demons. The city was empty of inhabitants; like some kind of stream, people flocked to this place in crowds: not a single woman, not a single man, unknown or noble, wanted to deprive themselves of the spectacle; the guards of the houses left their guard; the merchants' shops remained unlocked; goods lay abandoned in the market places. The only guard and security for everything was that everyone left, and not even a bad person remained in the city. The slaves left the master's services, and whatever the newcomers and natives were in the city, everyone came here to see the martyr. Then the maiden, daring to appear before the gaze of men, and the old man, and the sick man, overcoming their weakness, were outside the city walls. Friends, surrounding the blessed one, striving for life acquired by death, surrounded him, mourning and kissing him for the last time. Shedding hot tears for him, they begged not to put themselves on fire, not to ruin their youth, not to leave this pleasant sun. Others tried to mislead him with sweet-tongued advice, saying: “Just say renunciation in words, but in your soul have the faith you want. Without a doubt, God listens not to the tongue, but to the thoughts of the speaker. This way you will be able to soften the judge and appease God.” But the martyr was adamant, indestructible and invulnerable in all attacks of temptation. The inviolability of his thoughts can be likened to the “church” of a wise man, which, due to the safe affirmation “on the rock,” cannot be shaken by either uncontrollable gusts of wind, or heavy rain pouring from the clouds, or overflowing streams (Matthew 7:24–25). Such was this man, keeping unshakably “the affirmation of the faith... in Christ” (Col. 2:5). Seeing with spiritual eyes that the devil walks around, and encourages one to tears, assists another in sweet speech, the martyr says to those weeping in the words of the Lord: “Do not weep for me” (Luke 23:28), but weep for those who fight against God, who dare to act in this way with the pious, and with this flame that they kindle for us, they treasure for themselves the fire of Gehenna; stop crying and breaking my heart: I am not only once, but a thousand times, if it were possible, I am ready to die for the name of the Lord Jesus.” And to those who advised them to renounce in words, he only answered that the tongue created by Christ would not tolerate uttering anything against its Creator.” “For with our hearts we believe in truth, but with our lips we confess for salvation” (Rom. 10:10). Is the military rank really deprived of hope of salvation? Is there really not a single pious centurion? I remember the first centurion, who, standing at the cross of Christ, and through miracles realizing the power, when the insolence of the Jews had not yet cooled down, was not afraid of their rage, and did not refuse to proclaim the truth, but confessed and did not deny that “he was truly the Son of God” (Matthew 27:54). I also know another centurion who knew about the Lord, while he was still in the flesh, that He is God and the King of hosts, and that one command was enough for Him to send benefits to those in need through ministering spirits. The Lord confirmed his faith that it was greater than the faith of all Israel (Matthew 8:10). But Cornelius, being a centurion, was not worthy to see the Angel and finally received salvation through Peter? His alms and prayers were heard by God (Acts 10:31). I want to be their student. How can I deny my God, Whom I have worshiped since childhood? Will not heaven be terrified from above? Will the stars darken above me? Will even the earth hold me? “Do not be flattered: God is not mocked” (Gal. 6:7); “out of our mouth” he judges us; He justifies by his words, and condemns by his words (Luke 19:22). Haven’t you read the terrible threat of the Lord: “Whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 10:33)? But why do you advise me to contrive in this? Is it so that by such cunning I can acquire something for myself? Is it to gain yourself a few days? But I'll lose forever. Is it to avoid the torment of the flesh? But I will not see the good things prepared for the righteous. It is obvious insanity of the mind to perish with cunning, cunning and intrigues and obtain eternal punishment for oneself. On the contrary, I advise you: if your thoughts are bad, then learn piety; and if you adapt to the times, then “put aside the lies and speak the truth” (Eph. 4:25). Say that "Lord Jesus Christ to the glory of God the Father"; for every tongue will utter these words, when “at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow down, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth” (Phil. 2:10-11). All people are mortal, but there are not many martyrs among us. Let us not wait to become dead, but let us pass from life to life. Why are you waiting for a death that comes by itself? It is barren, useless, the common property of animals and people. Whoever entered life through birth is either exhausted by time, or crushed by illness, or inexorably destroyed by violent death. Therefore, when we must surely die, let us gain life for ourselves by death. Make what is forced voluntary; do not spare life, the loss of which is necessary. If earthly blessings were as long lasting, then even then one should try to exchange them for heavenly ones. And if they are short-lived and their value is much lower than the blessings of heaven, then a terrible numbness of the mind is to deprive oneself of the hoped-for bliss by worrying about earthly blessings.” Having said this and describing the image of the cross on himself, he went under attack, without changing the color of his body, and without changing the lightness of his face in the least. For he walked in the mood that he would not meet with the executioner, but would hand himself over into the hands of the Angels, who would receive him immediately after his slaughter and transfer him to a blessed life, like Lazarus. Who will depict the cry of the surrounding people? When such thunder filled the earth from the clouds, what kind of thunder rose up to it from the earth? This is the field of this crown-bearer! This very day I saw this wonderful spectacle, which time had not darkened, custom had not violated, and the extreme circumstances of subsequent events had not overcome. Just as we always look at the sun and always marvel at it, so the memory of this man is always bright for us; because “for an eternal memory there will be a righteous man” (Ps. 111:6) and among those who live on earth, while the earth stands, and in heaven, and among the righteous Judge, to whom be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. The memory of the holy martyr Gordius is celebrated on January 3. You might be interested in: