About how indecent it is to engage in everyday affairs on Sundays

In letters to Ianuarius, Bishop of Caria, “On how indecent it is to engage in everyday affairs on Sundays,” St. Gregory the Great (Dvoeslov) draws attention to the inadmissibility of engaging in everyday affairs on Sundays, which should be dedicated to God. He condemns the actions of the elder, who, despite it being Sunday, was engaged in plowing and other earthly affairs before the start of the Liturgy. St. Gregory points out that such behavior not only violates the sacred canons, but also threatens the spiritual state of both the elder himself and his flock. He draws attention to the fact that the bishop should not care about temporary earthly acquisitions, but about the souls of his parishioners. True spiritual responsibility requires the pastor to be a model of piety and thoughtfulness in spiritual duties. Contents 1. Letter to Ianuarius, Bishop of Caria 2. From a letter to him 1. Letter to Ianuarius, Bishop of Caria Preacher of the almighty Lord, Ap. Paul forbids reproaching an elder (1 Tim. 5:1): but this rule should be observed only when the elder’s guilt does not cause any harm to the young; if the old man is the cause of death for the young, then he should be reproached without mercy, because the scripture says: a sinner is a hundred years old and will be cursed. (Isa.65:20). You old man, as we hear, did such an indecent act that if I were alien to humanity, I would have struck him with a curse; for I am told that on Sunday, before the beginning of the Liturgy, you went to plow the crops belonging to the bearer of this letter, and after this you began to serve the Liturgy; and after that he began to tear out the edges of his possessions. Everyone knows what punishment such an act deserves. I confess that at first I did not believe that you would reach such indecency; but my son, Hegumen Kiriak, who was in the Carian region, confirmed what I heard. Sparing your gray hair, I advise you, elder, to come to your senses and refrain from such frivolity and indecency. You should behave more carefully and modestly the closer you are to death. I wanted to already determine your punishment; but I am holding back solely out of condescension for your simplicity. But as for those who advised you to do this, I order them to be excommunicated for two months, however, with the understanding that if during this time they fall into illness, then you should not deprive them of your parting blessing; henceforth, beware of their advice and do not learn evil from those whom you should teach good; otherwise I will not spare either your simple-heartedness or your old age (Bk. 8 Pis. 2). Many people complain about you, but of all the complaints, what upset me most was what my beloved son, Abbot Kyriakos, conveyed to me - namely, that you ordered the sown field belonging to Donatus to be plowed on Sunday before the Liturgy; and that, not considering this important, after the Liturgy was celebrated, he himself tore out the edges. I advise you to think more carefully about the responsibility that you bear, and to avoid in every possible way everything that can burden your mind or soul, for you are obliged to care not about earthly acquisitions, but about souls; You must direct all your heart, all your care and all your care to the latter, and reflect on their benefits with all diligence, so that when the Lord comes, you can return to Him the talents given to you with a profit, and be rewarded with eternal glory with your faithful servants. As for the fact that I reproach and rebuke you for this; then it is not hardness of heart, but love that forces me to do this, because I want you to be a High Priest, not by name alone, which is not an honor, but by your deeds, which provide a reward. Being a member of the body of our Redeemer, I suffer when you fall into misconduct, but your good deeds delight me. (Bk. 9 Pis. 4).