Слово 47. О том, что не должно недостойно приступать к Божественным Тайнам.

Since we remembered this Sacrifice, I want to say a little to you initiates - small in size, but possessing great power and benefit, because what is being said is not ours, but the Divine Spirit. What is this? Many partake of this Sacrifice once a year, others twice, others many times. Consequently, our word is useful to everyone, even to those who are in the desert themselves, because they receive communion once a year, and often after two years. What then? Who do we approve of? Neither those who once, nor those who often, but those who have a clear conscience, with a pure heart, with an undefiled life. Those who are like that always start, but those who are not like that never do. “Whoever eats and drinks unworthily eats and drinks condemnation for himself” (1 Cor. 11:29), as the apostle says. They are given to the saints; The deacon also expresses this, calling upon the saints with those terrible words. Since a person cannot know what belongs to his neighbor, if not the Spirit who dwells in him, then he pronounces these words: “holy to the holy.” If anyone is not holy, do not proceed. He doesn’t just say: “pure from sins,” but “holy,” because it is not liberation only from sins that makes one holy, but also the presence of the Spirit and the wealth of good deeds. What kind of sin is this? When they attack not with fear, but by hitting the chest, making noise, and so on. I have often said this, and I will not stop saying it. Don't you see at the Olympic Games, when the warrior's head is decorated and the herald calls for silence, what good order there is? How is it not senseless - where the devil triumphs, there is great silence, and where Christ calls to Himself, there is great noise? It’s better to say: there is calm in the sea, and waves in the harbor. Why are you making noise, tell me? Without a doubt, business need is calling. So you at least know that you have work to do at this hour? In any case, remember that you are on earth? But isn’t this a sign of a petrified soul - to think at this time that you are on earth, and not participating in the choir of Angels, with whom you send up to God that mysterious song, the song of victory: “Holy, holy, holy”? This is why Christ called us eagles, saying: “Where the body is, there the eagles will also be gathered” (Luke 17:37), so that we would ascend to Heaven, soar to heights, lightened by the wings of the Spirit; and we, like snakes, crawl to the ground and eat the earth. Would you like me to tell you why the noise is happening? Because we do not always close the doors for you and allow you to leave before the last Thanksgiving: this indicates great neglect. What are you doing, man? When Christ is present, the Angels are present, the Meal is offered, do you give up and go away? And having been invited to dinner, don’t you dare leave before your companions? Would you like me to tell you whose work is done by those who leave before the Eucharist? When Judas took part in the last Supper on that final night and all the others were reclining, he jumped out and left. They imitate him too. If he had not left, he would not have become a traitor and would not have died; if he had not separated from the Shepherd, he would not have become the prey of the beast. Do you see that the last prayer after the Sacrifice follows this pattern? He was with the Jews, and they came out with the Lord, singing a song. I say this so that you do not make noise or shout, but in great silence and decency we will partake of this Divine Sacrifice, so that we can cleanse our souls and achieve eternal blessings. Do not claim that this is simple bread and wine; this is Body and Blood, according to the Master’s saying; do not judge a matter according to taste, but draw undoubted conviction from faith. When you begin, do not separate your hands, but make a seat for your right from your left hand, make a depression from your palm, as if you were to receive the King; Receive the Body of Christ with great fear, lest some Margaret fall out of your hand and you injure any of your members. In the same way, approach the Holy Blood, without holding out your hands... saying: “Amen.” While there is still moisture in our mouths, let us touch our eyes and forehead with our hands - other feelings will also be sanctified; and thank God, who has honored you with such a Sacrament. And how, you say, is it possible to be saved in the midst of the world? What are you saying? Do you want me to briefly show that it is not a place that brings salvation, but a way of life and a will directed towards God? Adam, being in Paradise, as in a pier, suffered a shipwreck; and Lot was saved in Sodom as in the sea. Job on the dunghill was acquitted; and Saul, being in the treasuries of the royal palace, lost both present and future glory and honor. This is not a defense, we tolerate this because we are not engaged in prayers and Divine meetings. Or don’t you see how those who want to receive dignity from the earthly king are persistent, and encourage others to intercede, so as not to fail in what they seek? This is what I say about those who miss holy meetings and who, in the terrible hour of mystery, engage in talk and idle talk. What are you doing, man? Didn’t you promise the priest who said: “Woe is our heart,” and didn’t you say: “Imams to the Lord”? Aren’t you ashamed and blushing to be a liar in such words and at such an hour? Alas! When the Royal Table is prepared, the Lamb of God is slain for you, the priest labors for you, the Seraphim stand, the six-winged ones cover their faces, all the incorporeal forces, together with the priest, are embassied for you, spiritual fire descends, Blood is poured into the chalice from an immaculate side, does your conscience, oh man, not condemn you? One hundred and sixty-eight hours are contained in a week, and God has determined one single hour for Himself; If you use it for everyday affairs, for conversations and laughs, then with what boldness will you finally approach the Divine Mysteries, with what conscience? Now, if you had feces in your hands, would you dare to approach the royal fringe? Not at all. Don’t look at the fact that this is bread, that this is wine - not like other ordinary foods, they are removed into the anus, no, don’t think anything like that. Therefore, when we begin, we think that we are communing with the Divine Body not as people, but as the Seraphim themselves, with the fiery tongs that Isaiah saw. I ask and implore you - let us not shy away from churches, and having gathered, let us not engage in conversations in church, but stand in fear and trembling, with our eyes downcast, with our souls directed upward, let us sigh with our hearts. Or don’t you see those standing near the mortal and temporary king - how motionless, silent they are, not rolling their eyes this way and that, but standing sadly, embarrassed, fearfully? From yourself, man, borrow reproof and approach the Heavenly God at least as you would approach an earthly king. I say this often, and I won’t stop saying it. And when we enter churches, let us enter as befits God, without any rancor in our souls, so that we do not suffer condemnation when we say: “Forgive us... as we forgive” (Matthew 6:12). These words are terrible; the one who says this almost calls out to God: “I have left, Lord, leave; I have forgiven, I’m sorry.” So, knowing about this, as well as about that fire, and about the Last Judgment, let us finally turn from the errors of our life path. After all, the day will come when the spectacle of life will cease and no one will finally struggle anymore. This is the time of repentance, and then – the Judgment; This is the time of exploits, and then of crowns. Be excited, I beg, and listen diligently to what is said. We lived in the flesh, let us finally live in the spirit; We lived in carelessness; we will finally live in repentance. Why are you arrogant, earth and ashes? What are you proud of? Why are you being arrogant? What hope do you have for worldly fame and fortune? Let's go to the coffins, please; Let us look at scattered nature, at stinking bones, at decaying bodies; look and, if you are wise, if you are reasonable, tell me who is the king and who is an honest man, who is free and who is a slave, who is a wise man and who is a simpleton? Where is the beauty of youth, where is the charm of the look, where are the beautiful eyes, where is the brilliant face? Isn’t everything dust, isn’t everything ash, isn’t everything ashes, isn’t everything darkness, isn’t everything decay and stench? Reflecting on this and remembering the last day, let us, while there is time, do good, so that we can get rid of the future endless hell and be worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven by the grace and love of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Ἐκλογαί άπό διαφόρων λόγων . Under this name are known collections of conversations compiled by various persons after the death of Chrysostom on certain topics, from those related to the topics and especially liked by the compilers of the works of the saint. The passages are given partly in a literal presentation, partly in a free retelling and are borrowed both from the original works of Chrysostom, and from works only attributed to Chrysostom, which have not only survived to this day, but have also been lost. These Eclogues (selections) were widespread and were used by both private individuals and kings. Known, for example, is the luxurious collection of Eclogues, owned by the Byzantine emperor Nikephoros Botaniatus (1078–1081), registered among the codices of the Koalene Library under No. LXXIX. The paragraphs in the text were arranged by us. – Editorial staff of “ABC of Faith” You might be interested in: