Слово на Святую Пятидесятницу. Святого Ионна Златоустого, архиепископа Константинопольского

Today our earth has become heaven, not because the stars descended from heaven to earth, but because the apostles ascended above the heavens, since the grace of the Spirit was poured out. The Lord made the universe heaven, not changing nature, but restoring human will. He found a publican and made him an evangelist, found a man of God and changed him into an apostle, found a thief and brought him into heaven, found a harlot and made her more honest than a virgin, found the Magi and turned him into evangelists, drove out vice and introduced virtue, brought God's grace. The earth became heaven. And what are the stars compared to the apostles? The stars are in the sky, the apostles are above the sky. The stars are from sensual fire, the apostles are from spiritual fire. The stars shine at night, but are not visible during the day; the apostles send rays of their light both day and night. When the sun appears, the stars disappear; the apostles shine with their rays even at a time when the Sun of righteousness shines. The stars at the resurrection will fall like leaves; the apostles will then be caught up in the clouds. The apostles are more brilliant than the stars themselves; and he would not be mistaken who would call them the luminaries of the universe, luminaries not only while they lived, but even now, when they had already died. the grace of holy men does not disappear with their death, does not weaken with their death, is not allowed into the ground: the deeds themselves testify to this. They (i.e., the apostles) were fishermen, and they died as fishermen; but their networks are still active today, as evidenced by the multitude of those receiving salvation daily. They were winegrowers, and after their death, the vines are still green with their leaves and laden with fruit. They are pillars because they supported the roof of faith, - harbors because they calmed the waves of wickedness, - helmsmen because they guided the universe on its way from earth to heaven, - shepherds because they drove away wolves and preserved the sheep, - vinedressers because they pulled up thorns and sowed the seeds of godliness, - doctors because they healed our wounds. And so that you know that such words are not just sound, I will give the example of Paul, who did all this. Do you want to see him as a sower? Az planted, Apollos gave drink (1 Cor. 3:6). Would you like to see him as an architect? For the architect is wise and lays the foundation (1 Cor. 3:10). Do you want to see him as a wrestler? This is how I strive, not like the air that beats (1 Cor. 9:26). Do you want to see him as a warrior? Our struggle is against flesh and blood (Eph. 6:12). Do you want to see him walking? Let us, from Jerusalem and all around, even to Illyricum, fulfill the gospel of God (Rom. 15:19). Do you want to see him as a leader? Having put on the armor of faith (1 Thess. 5:8). Do you want to see him as an ascetic? I have fought the good fight (2 Tim. 4:7). Do you want to see him crowned victorious? Otherwise, a crown of righteousness will be kept for me (2 Tim. 4:8). Although he was alone, he became everything (i.e., a sower, an architect, etc.), imitating his Lord. And our Lord, being one in His essence, took on all kinds of forms. Why all kinds? - for our salvation. You were the branch, and He became the root. I am the vine, but you are the birth (John 15:5). You wanted to go; He became the path for you. By me whoever... will go in and go out and find pasture (John 10:9). You have become a sheep; He became your shepherd. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep (John 10:11). You became a sinner; He became for you the lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (1:29). You wanted to eat, He became your meal. You desired to drink, He became a cup for you. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him (John 6:56). You wanted to be dressed, He became clothing for you. If you are baptized into Christ, put on Christ (Gal. 3:27). You wanted to become a bride, He became a groom for you. If you have a bride, you have a groom (John 3:29). You wished to get married, He became your husband. For I have betrothed you to one husband to present a pure virgin to Christ (2 Cor. 11:2). You were a harlot and became a virgin. Oh, unheard of and extraordinary things! How did the harlot become a virgin? “I can’t research it in detail, but I firmly believe it.” Yet it was the grace of the Spirit that accomplished this. Grace poured out, and the nations appeared to them, dividing them like fire (Acts 2:3). Not fiery, but like fiery. “If it was fire, then why didn’t they burn?” - asks the Jew. I’d rather ask the Jew: why didn’t the fire burn the bush - a dry and easily combustible substance? What is stronger than fire? What is more insignificant than a bush? However, the tree did not burn, and the fire did not go out. And again, how did the fire not burn those three youths, but the flame turned into dew? There was a competition between fire and bodies, and victory remained on the side of the bodies. What was softer than wax turned out to be harder than iron. Explain these ancient events to me. But those preceded those who are now, so that people would now believe the truth. Why does the Holy Spirit descend in fire? - Because of the fervor of the minds of those who accepted Him, and not for this reason only, but also because the Spirit destroys sins in the same way as fire destroys thorns. The holy man was thrown into a pit and stopped the mouths of the lions (Dan. 6:22). The fishermen went around the universe, found it sick and restored it to health - found it rebellious and brought it into a state of order, without shaking spears, without throwing arrows, without resorting to the help of monetary power and oratorical speeches, but they did not even have clothes and were clothed only in Christ. They were poor and at the same time rich; deprived of money, they owned the kingdom; they were alone and at the same time not alone: ​​alone because there were no people with them, but not alone because their Lord was with them. I am with you, says the Lord, until the end of the age (Matthew 28:20). They walked around the entire universe like sheep among wolves. Who has seen or heard something like this? The Lord says: I will call you like sheep in the midst of wolves (Matthew 10:16). What kind of shepherd sends his sheep in the midst of wolves? On the contrary, when a shepherd sees a wolf, he gathers the sheep. Christ did the opposite of this: he sent the sheep to the wolves, and the sheep were not caught by wild animals, but the wolves themselves became meek like sheep. And so that they would not say: “We are sheep, and You send us to be devoured by wolves and food for wild animals,” He eliminated their thought with one word. The Savior did not say, “go,” because in sending them He did not mean their own strength; but he said: Behold, I am sending you. You are weak, but He who sent you is strong. I am the One who established the heavens, founded the earth, poured out the sea, who nailed the handwriting directed against you to the cross, abolished the old law, returned you to your ancient fatherland - the One who crushes the strong and strengthens the weak. What is more powerful than the sea? Meanwhile, the small sand holds back his unbearable force. I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves. What do you command? Be wise as a serpent, and your goals as doves (Matthew 10:16). What does it mean: wise, like a snake? The serpent, even though he received countless wounds, but kept his head unharmed, is completely healthy. So you, if the enemy wants to take money from you, give it to him - give it, even if he takes away your treasures and even your very life, just keep your faith. Be wise. As long as faith remains, everything is very easy. Naked you came from your mother’s womb, and naked you will leave this life. But will anyone send you into exile? The earth is the Lord's, and its fulfillment (Ps. 23:1). Perhaps you are dying? But death is a journey for you. Just don’t lose your faith, this undiminished treasure, a faith that is inexhaustible. For God, the Church is highly desired, not protected by walls, but fenced by faith. For the sake of this Church the sky was established, the sea was poured out, the air was spread out, the earth was founded, paradise was planted, the law was given, prophets were sent, miracles were performed, the sea was divided and united, the rock was torn apart and returned to its former form, manna fell and a meal was suddenly prepared. For the sake of the Church, the prophets appeared, and for her sake, the apostles. And why should I say so much? For the sake of the Church, the Only Begotten Son of God became man, as Paul says about this: He who did not spare His own Son (Rom. 8:32). God did not spare His Son in order to spare the Church. For her sake He shed the blood of His Son. This blood irrigates the Church, so its growths cannot dry out and do not lose their leaves. They are not subject to the inevitable conditions of the seasons and are not subject to time at all, so that their leaves turn green in summer and fall off in summer. It is not the natural conditions of the annual times that matter here, but the grace of the Spirit cultivates the Church, therefore the latter is indestructible. However, it is not surprising that it is indestructible, but that it is indestructible despite the many enemies attacking it. How many have been at war against the Church from time immemorial? When it was first planted, many things were set in motion against it. In the first days of the existence of the Church, kings were given over to wickedness, and generals as well; in this sense, the orders of the rulers were issued; everywhere - smoke and smell from burning (pagan) sacrificial animals; the air became polluted, the earth became unclean, demons raged, the devil rejoiced. Where is now the one who dared to be at enmity with the Church? When it was just planted, and at that time they did not harm it, but when it touched the sky, do you really hope to overcome it? Christ declared: the gates of hell will not prevail against her (Matthew 16:18). It is easier to destroy heaven and destroy the earth than for the Church to suffer in any way. Christ Himself says: heaven and earth pass by, but My words will not pass by (Matthew 24:35). And naturally, because the word of God is more powerful than heaven itself; after all, heaven is a matter of words. God said: let heaven come into being, and His word became deed. “I, who established the heavens, created nature. But it was not for the sake of heaven that I took on a body, so that you would understand that the Church is more precious than heaven, and angels, and every creature. Therefore heaven and earth pass by, but My words do not pass by." What words of the Lord are we talking about here? About the words: You are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). On this stone. He did not say: on Peter, because He created His Church not on man, but on faith. What kind of faith was this? You are the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:16). The Lord called the Church a rock, subject to the action of waves, but not shaking. The Church experiences temptations, but is not overcome by them. Even demons cannot overcome confessions. Oh, unprecedented and wonderful things! The wall is undermined, and yet the treasure is not stolen. The body is exhausted, and yet faith is not killed. Such is the power of martyrs. On this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. Pay attention to the exact meaning of the words. The gates of hell will not prevail against her. Why, they say, does He (the Lord) not prevent temptations to attack the Church? Yes, I don’t interfere, but isn’t it to show My strength? If no one had discovered any hostile actions towards the Church, they could have said: “if it had been subjected to enemy attacks, it would have been defeated.” That is why He (the Lord) allows enemies to attack her, so that victory is not achieved by her in the complete absence of her enemies. And he did not say: the gates of hell will not attack her, but: they will not prevail against her. She will be subject to enemy attacks, but will not be defeated. The Church is tossed by a storm on the waves, but does not drown; it is overwhelmed, but does not disappear under the water; arrows hit her, but do not cause her wounds; Siege weapons are used against it, but the tower remains unshakable. But why should I talk about the Church? The fisherman uttered only one word - and it stands like an unshakable tower. How many tyrants have tried to deprive this word of all its power, but have failed in their intentions, because it is based on stone. And although the devil emptied his quiver, he did not bring harm to the Church. Why? - The gates of hell will not prevail against her. How many enemies did the Church have from the very beginning? But where are those who were at enmity with her? - They disappeared and fell into oblivion. Since they were at enmity against the Church, the memory of them disappeared. The Church shines more than the sun. For all this let us thank God; To him be glory and power forever and ever. Amen 113. In short. See Bibliot. Patr. Concionator., vol. IV, p. p. 507–509; cp. Full Collection created, St. Chrysostom, ed. 1897, vol. Ill, pp. 862–368. In Curs Compl. Migne is a word classified as Spuria. You might be interested in: