Слово 34. Послание к диакону Григорию

My lord, brother in the Lord, Deacon of Christ Gregory! If, having recognized your sin, you correct yourself, then do not be surprised, for Christ’s sake, at my madness. My heart is spiritually sick that you are acting so indecently, and moreover, deliberately. On such sacred days, having abandoned the sacred and “the essence of God,” you celebrate according to the worldly throat and belly, which decay. Where is the fear of God and the memory of death and that terrible torture that will happen at the judgment of Christ? Or have you forgotten the one who says: Drunkards will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:10); also - the commandment of God, which says: Take heed, lest your hearts be burdened with gluttony and drunkenness (Luke 21:34) and other things known to you? Is it so, Gregory, do you keep the commandments of Christ and the statutes and rules of the fatherland? Or don’t you remember that He will judge us strictly according to His commandments? But perhaps you will say: good people forced me, and how could I disobey them? Gregory! But in your opinion, isn’t Christ good, Who with all the Holy Scripture calls you to the heavenly banquet? What is more necessary for us, tell me, if you still have even a drop of Christian reasoning left in you: Christ and all His saints and the heavenly feast, or mortal people and satanic feasts? Do not be embarrassed by this word - it is not mine, but St. John Chrysostom. If you, having been called by Christ the salt of the earth, are so outrageous, then what will the earth be salted with? No matter what happens to anyone, let him be thrown out of the kingdom of heaven and men be trampled under foot (Matthew 5:13). Gregory! Remember what was said: A servant who knows the will of his master, and does not do according to his will, will be beaten many times (Luke 12:47). If you believe this word, then correct yourself before the terrible Judge; and if you don’t believe it, you’ll see for yourself. You might be interested in: