Слово 13

Said at the ordination of Eulalia to the rank of Bishop of Doara Accept, brothers, my word, although it is very brief and far from perfect. But the Lord God knows how to weigh mercy with righteous judgment, for he accepts Paul’s planting, like Paul’s, and Apollo’s drink (1 Cor. 3:6), and the widow’s two mites (Luke 21:3), and the humility of the publican (18:14) and the confession of Manasseh (2 Samuel 33:13). You too accept the newly composed word about the newly ordained Shepherd. Receive a voice of thanksgiving for the miracles we see. Although we are small and the last of the children of Israel, nothing prevents the little ones from giving rich thanks. Of course, the most perfect will give God the most perfect praise, and we will bring to Him now what we can. So, “sing a new song to the Lord, for He has done wonders” (Ps. 97:1)! We were overwhelmed by the waves, overthrown, driven out; some disasters have already oppressed us, while others have threatened us. Who changed the storm into a calm wind? Who crushed the weapon, the sword and the battle? Who accepted us, exiled and rejected? Didn't you, O God, create this? “The Lord is strong and mighty, the Lord is mighty in battle” (Ps. 24:8), - He divided the sea, He fed the distressed people in the desert, sending them wonderful rain 78, He brought forth water from the stone, He defeated Amalek with an inexplicable and mysterious lifting of hands (for the hands of the priest, erected on the mountain and taking a position of prayer, accomplished what many thousands could not do); He destroyed the walls without battering guns or battle; I will say, finally, He overthrew Goliath, the proud and arrogant descendant of giants, who dared to go against the great David. Therefore let us say with one accord: “Blessed be the Lord, who did not give us as prey to their teeth. Our soul is delivered as a bird is delivered from the net of its catchers” (Ps. 123:4.6.7); Let’s add other things that the soul, rejoiced by the great gift of God, says. I came not to bring a sword, but peace. I did not go to shame the great Shepherd 79 who presides over the glorious city 80 . I know that he is venerable, I recognize him as the head, I call him a saint, although he suffered offense; let him only be loving of children and care about his Church. I tried to increase, not reduce, the number of priests; to depose heretics, and not to reduce the number of Orthodox. What are you saying, son of Dathan and Abiron, 81 an unreasonable leader who dared to rebel against Moses and raise his hands against us, as they opened their mouths against the great servant of God? And you weren't horrified? aren't you ashamed? was not your flesh scattered on the ground when you intended this? And after this will you stretch out the same hands to God? Will you begin to bring Him gifts and pray for the people? I am afraid that the sword of God will remain inactive and at peace even before that. You have not done anything important to your Shepherd, but you have caused yourself a lot of harm, alienating yourself from the grace of God. Now come, best and most perfect of Shepherds 82, and together with us or even before us, receive your people, who have been entrusted to you by the Holy Spirit, who are brought to you by Angels, which your life and good morals have acquired for you! Do not be surprised that you inherit the throne despite various temptations and obstacles. Nothing great happens without temptation and testing, for according to the natural order, the unimportant is accompanied by convenience, and the high is accompanied by difficulty. You heard him say “that through many tribulations we must enter the Kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22), - say it yourself: “we passed through fire and water, and You brought us to freedom” (Ps. 65:12). Oh miracle! “Weeping may endure in the evening, but joy comes in the morning” (Ps. 29:6). Let the enemies shout and widen their mouths, like dogs barking in vain, but we will not curse. Teach to worship God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, in three hypostases, in one glory and lightness. “Require the lost, strengthen the weak, provide the strong” (Ezek. 34:16). We expect from you the same skill in spiritual matters that we know you have in worldly matters. Therefore, receive from the highest leaders the most perfect armor, with the help of which you will be able to “quench the fiery arrows of the evil one” (Eph.6:16) and present to the Lord “a special people” (Titus 2:14), “a holy nation, a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9), in Christ Jesus the Lord, to whom be glory forever. Amen. These and subsequent words refer to Anthimus, Bishop of Tyana, who was at enmity with Basil the Great. You might be interested in: