433. Речь к Преосвященному Савве, новорукоположенному Епископу Можайскому

(Spoken in the Great Assumption Cathedral on November 4; printed in the Addendum to the Works of the Holy Fathers in 1862 and in the Wanderer in 1863) Your Eminence Bishop Savva! The Holy Apostle Paul, teaching instructions to Bishop Timothy for his sacred ministry, among other things, wrote in his letter: “I remind you to kindle the gift of God that lives in you by the laying on of my hand” (2 Tim. 1:6). Thus, the inspired man testifies, firstly, that in sacramental ordination the “gift of God” is imparted; secondly, that it is not just a gift, laid down and given to the will of the recipient, but “living”, and, as is characteristic of the living, having its own power and action. And this is what happened to you, God-loving brother. You have accepted the “gift of God”; from now on the gift of God “lives” in you; extends “in you” the highest power and action to natural human forces and actions; It illuminates your mind to discern what is true, righteous and saving for souls and for the entire church, strengthens your will for exploits for the truth and righteousness for salvation. But, at the same time, as the God-wise Apostle in the person of Timothy teaches us, gives us high consolation and great hope, he also places great concern on us. “I remember,” he says, “to warm up the gift of God that lives in you by laying on my hand.” This means that if we do not “warm up” the gift of God in us, then its action may fade away in us or retreat into a mysterious depth, from which, although it will not cease to extend through us in the performance of the sacraments, it will not actually pour out onto us and onto our lives: and then we will be left with only natural forces, frustrated by sin, insufficient even for ordinary Christian, and even more so for the highest church duties. Therefore, in the word of the Apostle, firstly, “I remember to myself,” and then I bequeath to you, “to kindle the gift of God,” or, more clearly, to kindle and ignite in ourselves zeal and zeal, so that by the power and help of the gift of God, we faithfully and unremittingly act for the salvation of our own and those entrusted to us. How to heat and ignite? - The prayer of faith, the examples of steadfast ascetics for the glory of God and the good of the church, and most of all, the mental and heartfelt contemplation of the Lord Jesus, who laid down His soul for the redemption of our poor souls from hellish captivity - contemplation, which very naturally turns into reverent love for the Divine Redeemer, and into compassionate love for all souls valued so dearly. And with this love, if it is necessary to “give aid to the gospel of Christ” (2 Tim. 1:8), so much is now suffering from thoughts hostile to him, and from his unworthy life: one can find in the very suffering with Christ a feeling of bliss, still on the way to eternal bliss. With such parting words, enter the path of service that is opening before you, “and may the Lord send you a rod of strength” from Zion (Ps. 109:2). You might be interested in: