Память святого Варвара, бывшего прежде разбойником

This blessed Barbarian was formerly a fierce robber in the countries of Lukan 3001. He shed a lot of human blood, and no one could catch him, much less fight him, since he possessed extraordinary bodily strength. But the most kind and philanthropic God, who does not want the death of a sinner and seeks salvation for everyone, just as once the Apostle Paul (Acts 22:1-30), so through the action of His Providence caught this thief in the net of salvation. One day, when this robber was sitting in a cave and looking at the abundance of looted gold, suddenly his heart was touched by the grace of God, leading the sinner to the path of repentance. And so the thief was touched in his soul and, remembering the Last Judgment of God, began to grieve, saying in his soul: “Alas for me, a sinner, what I have done! I shed a lot of human blood, desecrated many wives, stole other people's property and did many other evils! Meanwhile, whether today or tomorrow, I must die; and what I have acquired, who will be left with?!” And then he cried out again: “I know that Christ, out of His mercy (Luke 23:40-43), accepted the ancient thief to Himself: He will accept me too, if only I repent. “Behold, now I repent, I lament my crimes and seek His mercy.” Having said this in the depths of his soul, the Barbarian rose up and, without saying anything to his comrades, took only the sword under his clothes and, leaving everything, went at night to the nearest village, in which there was a church. Arriving at the church during Matins, at the end of it, he fell at the priest’s feet with tears, exclaiming: - Holy Father! Do not reject me, a damned sinner who has come to your holiness: for I want to repent of the atrocities I have committed. The priest, picking him up from the floor, led him to the holy altar and said: – Confess, my son, the sins you have committed before God; I will be a humble witness of your confession and repentance. “I, father, am the same robber Barbarian, whom I think you also heard about.” I am filled with many sins, bodily uncleanness, robbery and murder: for I killed up to three hundred people, including killing with the sword two elders who did not want to allow me to the sacrament of repentance. And now you, father, if you know that God will accept me repentant, then bind my sinful sores with the commandments of God at your discretion; if not, then take this sword and order them to kill me. But the presbyter said to him: - Child! There is no sin that overcomes God's mercy: just don't despair. Go to my house and do whatever I command you. Coming out of the church, the presbyter looked around and saw that Barbarian was moving behind him on his elbows and knees, and said, turning to him: - What are you doing, child? “From this time, when I cast myself to the ground before the Lord my God with my sins, I will not rise from the ground until all my evil deeds are forgiven me.” “Child,” the presbyter told him, “you voluntarily make a vow to God of this.” And so keep it - and everything will be forgiven you. Arriving home, the presbyter said to him again: - Here, child, my children, slaves, cattle, dogs: which of them do you want to be equated with so that you can eat food with them? - I, father, do not consider myself equal even with dogs; but, due to the necessary bodily need for food, place me with them, so that I can eat food with them and remain homeless for all days and nights. “Do as you say before God, child, and trust in His great mercy.” And Barbarian lived in this state with that presbyter for three years, like four-legged cattle, crawling on his hands and feet and not rising from the ground, considering himself unworthy to be with people, but only with four-legged animals and dogs, he ate together and was with them outside the house both day and night. At the end of the third year, the presbyter said to him: - Enough, child, stop eating with dogs, for the Lord shows you His mercy. “But I, father,” answered Barbarian, “still want to graze with the cattle.” - Child! God also sees this vow of yours, which you bring to Him out of your humility, thus wanting to suffer for your sins. And Barbarian went out with the cattle outside the village, walking like four-legged cattle and eating scanty grass. Having reached the meadow, he stayed on it for twelve years, remaining naked and not even wearing any rags. And his skin became like tree bark: scorched by the heat of the sun and cracked by frost, it turned black like coal. And the blessed Barbarian became a voluntary martyr. When twelve years of such suffering in the desert had passed, he received, by Divine revelation, a notification of the forgiveness of his sins and that he would have to complete the feat of his repentance as a martyr, with his own blood. And then one day, walking through a meadow, Barbarian approached the road where some merchants stopped. They, thinking that some kind of animal had approached (for they did not see what was in the thick grass), shot several arrows at him from their tense bows and struck him with three arrows; When they approached, they saw that they had shot a man, and they were horrified. The barbarian commanded them neither to fear nor to grieve, and told everything about himself, and commanded them to announce his death to the presbyter of that village. Having said this, he gave his soul into the hands of God. The above-mentioned presbyter, having learned from the merchants about what had happened, went to the place where he saw the body of the blessed Barbarian illuminated like light. Having performed the usual singing over the dead, he buried him in the very place where he was killed. Subsequently, healings began to flow from the tomb of blessed Barbarian for those suffering from various ailments. After some time, the people gathered here with the presbyter; They opened the coffin and saw that the saint’s body was not only incorruptible, but also exuded healing myrrh. Then everyone was amazed and glorified God; The honorable relics of Saint Barbara were transferred with great honor to their village and placed in the church, marveling at the wondrous love for mankind and mercy of Christ our God, to whom, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, is given honor and glory forever. Amen. You might be interested in: