A Word about false prophets, and false teachers, and heretics, and about the signs of the end of this age

(It was said in anticipation of imminent death) 1. This word of mine is regrettable, as the last thing I am sure of, but at the same time it is joyful. It’s sad because I won’t have to talk to you anymore, but it’s joyful that the time is coming for me to “be separated and be with Christ” (Phil. 1:23). “I have now a little time to speak with you” (John 14:30), as the Lord said. With heartfelt sorrow I will talk with you about false prophets, false teachers and godless heretics, about whom the apostle spoke: “But evil people and deceivers will prosper in evil, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Tim. 3:13), about which I often reminded you. I talked with you a lot, by the grace of Christ - as you yourself know, God-loving ones - and in almost every conversation we remembered them, if, of course, you remember, for example, what was said yesterday; and of course, you, I know, remember, especially those of you who love work, love books, love Christ. A book lover, in fairness, can be called a lover of Christ, based on the words of the Lord: “Whoever loves Me will keep My word” (John 14:23), and: “Whoever loves Me will be loved by My Father” (John 14:21). “He who loves Me” is taught in the law day and night, obviously in the Gospel and other Holy Scriptures. And such a person indelibly keeps in his heart the memory of God; waiting for Him from heaven, always watches the hour of His coming. Constantly having these sacred books in his hands, he will never forget about those terrible books about which it is written: “the judges sat down, and the books were opened” (Dan.7:10). This is the benefit of studying the Holy Scriptures, as you have heard many times before. And what do I keep saying? Of what is useful for us, the Divine Scripture has not kept silent about anything, has not forgotten anything, but constantly proclaims it - both through the prophets and through the apostles and, like a child-loving mother of her children, instructs, affirms and warns each of us; it reminds us of the past, the present, and the future, without omitting, as has been said, anything that is useful to us; and, moreover, it speaks about all this not secretly, not in a low voice, but everywhere, loudly proclaims it through the law, and through the prophets, and through the apostles, and even through the lips of the Lord Himself - as it itself testifies to this through the prophet Isaiah: “Cry loudly, do not hold back; lift up your voice like a trumpet" (Is. 58:1), and in another place: "Come up to the high mountain, O preacher of Zion," and a little later: "Lift up, do not be afraid" (Is. 40:9). Or David says: “I am exhausted from crying, my throat is dry” (Ps. 68:4). John the Theologian in his conciliar letter instructs: “Watch yourself” (2 John 1:8). What does Paul suggest? “Take heed and tread carefully” (Eph. 5:15). And the Lord? “I spoke clearly to the world; ...and in secret he spoke nothing” (John 18:20), and in another place the evangelist testifies about Him that He “claimed...: If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink” (John 7:37). Do you see how much effort, how much diligence, how much zeal in calling, and no one listens? And again blessed Paul says: “Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of circumcision” (Phil. 3:2). “Take heed that you walk carefully, not as fools, but as wise, making use of the time, because the days are evil” (Eph. 5:15-16). And John: “Take heed to yourselves, lest we lose what we have labored for, for many deceivers have entered into the world” (2 John 1:8,7). And there are many similar instructions in the Divine Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, calling us to awaken and stay awake. But we do the opposite, like those people about whom the prophet Isaiah said: “They have difficulty hearing with their ears, and have closed their eyes” (Is. 6:10). Oh, how many and what Scriptures we ignore when we hear them! For this reason, we will remain unanswered on the day of testing, when He who enlightens the secrets of darkness and Reveals all the movements of hearts comes, when the books are opened, when judgment sits (Dan. 7:10) - books about which we now listen with a smile, not wanting to attach importance to them. We have all lost our way and each wanders along his own path; with us again the same as it was before, when You did not rule over us, Lord (Is. 63:19). And truly, David’s prophecy was fulfilled on us: “But they mixed with the pagans and learned their works” (Ps. 106:35). That is why we were humiliated throughout the whole earth for our sins and “all this happened... for our instruction, who have reached the last ages,” as it is written (1 Cor. 10:11): and the shepherds are wolves, and the sheep are spoiled, and famine is at the door, not a famine of bread and a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the Word of God (Am. 8:11). However, let no one who trusts in the Lord despair. Do not lose heart, but always remember Him who said: “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). 2. Be calm: the Lord will not destroy the souls of the righteous with hunger (Proverbs 10:3). The Lord speaks about this famine through the prophet: “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord God, when I will send a famine on the earth—not a famine of bread, not a thirst for water, but a thirst for hearing the words of the Lord. And they will walk from sea to sea and wander from north to east, seeking the word of the Lord, and will not find it” (Amos 8:11-12). Do you see what is being said here about bread? God didn't talk about bread. Oh, terrible, soul-harming and disastrous hunger! Oh, hunger that brings eternal punishment! This hunger is the culprit of every bad deed; this hunger is the root of all evil. Foreseeing the onset of this famine, the prophet David begged God, saying: “Lord, ... my stronghold! Do not be silent to me” (Ps. 27:1). And he prophesied about the faithful, saying: “that He will save their souls from death and in time of famine will feed them” (Ps. 32:19). And in another place he says: “in the days of famine they will be satisfied” (Ps. 36:19), or: “The Lord is merciful and generous. He gives food to those who fear Him” (Ps. 111:4-5). These words of David apply to those who are diligent in studying the Scriptures: they will not experience hunger. Let us search the Scriptures so that the coming soul-destroying famine does not touch us; Let us be diligent in the Scriptures, lest we be led astray and carried away with every wind. The Savior says to those who are careless about the Scriptures: “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures” (Matthew 22:29). Indeed, such people are mistaken. And where did this soul-destroying famine come from? Is it not because they did not search the Scriptures? Oh, how many benefits we lose by leaving the Divine Scriptures! No wonder the Lord commanded to study them? Study carefully, study and search, and you will find great invaluable wealth, you will find treasure buried in a field: you will understand the Divine Scripture. Study - and you will find, and having found, sell everything you have and buy that field - the wonderful knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, in which the Son, the true Wisdom of the Father, is hidden; and having found Him, you will be blessed, as it is written: “Blessed is the man who finds wisdom” (Prov. 3:13). Study the Scriptures, beloved, whether you are rich or poor, slave or free, husband or wife: “Search the Scriptures” (John 5:39). After all, Divine Scripture is a treasury of all good things. But let us return to the subject of our conversation: we are talking about the end of the world, about false prophets and false teachers, about godless heretics, who, like a stormy stream, flooded everything and caused many temptations. And why did all this happen? Obviously, because the leaders turned out to be insufficiently knowledgeable and experienced: after all, the inexperience of the shepherds is death for the sheep. But where should I start speaking now? Should we first talk about the nearness of death, or scourge the false teachings of wicked heretics? If time had permitted, I would have exposed their false teachings and lawless deeds; but this is a big deal and many speeches are needed to expose their inconsistency. However, for the present case it is enough only - on the basis of Holy Scripture - to point out them as the enemies of Christ and the wolves who threaten His flock, but are everywhere removed and excluded from the sheep of Christ. And the prophets, and the Lord himself, and the blessed apostles quite rightly called them wolves, and not only wolves, but also an infection, and the wicked, and adversaries, enemies, treacherous, blasphemers, hypocrites, thieves, robbers, vile ones, false prophets and false teachers, blind leaders, vagabonds, evil ones, antichrists, temptation, sons of the evil one, tares, godless, Doukhobors, blasphemers of the Spirit of grace, who will not be released either in this century or in the future. “And through them the way of truth will be reproached” (2 Peter 2:2). To top it all off, they are the children of the evil devil, as the Theologian says: “children of the devil” (1 John 3:10). So, you need to first devote a few words to them, and then talk about death. We observe many such phenomena around us that indicate the proximity of the “end of the age,” as the apostle puts it (1 Cor. 10:11): difficult times have come, lawlessness has increased, the love of many has dried up, many deceivers have appeared and even more deceived. Let us open the sacred books, let us find the path of truth in them, let us follow it, let us hasten to the holy mountains - I mean the prophets and apostles - so as not to be mistaken and tossed about “tossed to and fro and carried away by every wind of doctrine, ... by the cunning art of deception” (Eph. 4:14). Let us not remain below, but together with the holy disciples of Christ we will ascend the blessed mountain and hear our Shepherd saying: “Beware that you are not led astray” (Luke 21:8); “Beware lest anyone deceive you” (Matthew 24:4); “beware” everywhere. And John says something similar: “Take heed to yourselves, lest we lose what we have labored for” (2 John 1:8); and Paul: “Beware of dogs” (Phil.3:2), “Take heed and tread carefully” (Eph.5:15). These admonitions: watch yourself, watch - are repeated for no other purpose than to warn and protect us from those who hide wolves under sheep's wool and deceive the careless. Obviously, there was an urgent need to repeat throughout Scripture: “take heed to yourselves,” watch, watch, be attentive - not only to yourself, but to the whole flock. The Divine Scripture is silent about nothing that is useful to us. 3. I cannot help but cry when I hear some of our Church members say that this is not said in the Divine Scriptures. And this is expressed not only by the flock, but also by those who consider themselves shepherds and are considered the successors of the apostles and prophets - in service, but not in morals. It is quite fair to address them with the words: woe to you, blind, ignorant and weak leaders, who adorn themselves with robes and not with books, who have forgotten the Word of God and serve the belly, as it is said: “Their god is the belly, and their glory is in their shame” (Phil. 3:19); You use the milk, wool and meat of the flock, but do not care about the sheep. How will you escape (the wrath of God) for such negligence about salvation? Armed with courage, I will bring to your attention more abundant evidence to show from the Holy Scriptures - the Gospels, prophets and apostles, under the guidance of Christ, how the lips of those who speak lies are stopped, and to enlighten the hearts of those who desire the Word. Where should we begin if not from the One who said about Himself: “I am... the beginning and the end” (Rev. 21:6)? Let each of you concentrate all your attention, leaving behind all worldly worries. The Lord said: “Beware that no one deceives you, for many will come in My name and say, “I am the Christ,” and they will deceive many” (Matthew 24:4–5; Luke 21:8). And again: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.” But, he says, “you will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:15–16). That is: by their speeches, by false prophecies, by their hypocrisy, by their bad fame, by their curses - you will recognize them. “A bad tree cannot bear good fruit” (Matthew 7:18). After all, every tree is known by its fruit. So you will recognize such people by their fruits. And having learned, do not receive them into your homes, do not enter into communication with them, do not conduct conversations with them, do not cast your pearls before them, but beware of their leaven, that is, their heresy. Let none of you neglect what has been said: after all, it is God himself who says it. Listen, shepherds, to the voice of the Supreme Shepherd; listen to how He exposes and drives away secret wolves; listen and be attentive to yourself and to the whole flock. “Beware of dogs” (Phil. 3:2), beware of predators, because “whoever does not enter by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs in elsewhere, is a thief and a robber” (John 10:1). In another place the Lord says about them: “Whoever is not with Me is against Me” (Matthew 12:30), and He says to them: “Your father is the devil” (John 8:44). “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you close the Kingdom of Heaven to men, for you yourselves do not enter, and you do not allow those who want to enter” (Matthew 23:13). And in another place he declares to them: “You are not of My sheep” (John 10:26). Do you see how the Lord exposes and shames the wicked everywhere in order to protect you from error? Oh, inexplicable condescension! Oh, inexhaustible goodness! What will we render to the Lord for all this? How will we justify ourselves before the Supreme Shepherd? Here, oh, shepherds and co-shepherds, a few of many! Do you see how everywhere the Lord, confirming us, calls in His holy Gospels, look, be awake, be attentive, be diligent, fight? And not only in the Gospels does he cry out like this, but also through the mouths of God-bearing prophets and theologian-disciples he speaks the same thing - because He speaks in everyone as He pleases, which Paul also confirms, declaring that Christ speaks in him (2 Cor. 13:3). So, let us now call the theologians here and listen to what they tell us about the heretics. Tell me, blessed Peter, whom our Lord Jesus Christ himself called blessed (Matthew 16:17). Tell us about those who seduce and want to seduce the flock of Christ, which has been handed over and entrusted to you by the Chief Shepherd and Guardian of our souls; say what is inspired to you by the Holy Spirit and strengthen your flock; show us the secret wolves, as your Teacher Christ the Lord did. This is what Peter says: “Know this first of all, that in the last days there will appear arrogant scoffers, walking after their own lusts” (2 Pet. 3:3). And again: “You will have false teachers who will introduce destructive heresies, denying the Lord who redeemed them... And many will follow their depravity;... their judgment has long been prepared, and their destruction does not sleep” (2 Pet. 2:1-3). They are the children of the curse, having forsaken the “straight path” (2 Pet. 2:14–15). This is what Peter, truly blessed Peter, proclaimed, Peter - the stone of faith on which Christ created His Church, Peter - the steward of the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, Peter - who walked on the waves as if on dry land, passionately loved the Lord Christ, who defeated Simeon the Magus in Rome, as the head and first defender of the faith, the first thief and disciple of the devil in heresies. The Apostle John said: “children of the devil” (1 John 3:10). Do you see how Christ speaks in all of them? After all, He himself said the same thing in the Gospel: “Your father is the devil” (John 8:44). I know many who say in defense of heretics that God created them too (besides God, they say, nothing can exist) - they understand neither what they say nor what they base their claims on. That God created each of us - I do not reject this along with them, but He created us for good deeds, so that we would improve in them and become children of God according to the right faith. 4. But let's return to the subject (of our conversation). John says: “Now many antichrists have appeared” (1 John 2:18), and again: “Take heed to yourselves, lest we lose what we have labored for, for many deceivers have entered into the world” (2 John 1:8,7). “Beloved! Believe not every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1). Elsewhere: “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your home and do not greet him. For he who welcomes him shares in his evil deeds” (2 John 1:10–11). And again: “Whoever transgresses the teaching of Christ and does not continue in it does not have God” (2 John 1:9). This is how John, the son of thunder, beloved more than all the saints, instructs us, who established the Church from end to end of the universe and stopped the mouths of heretics with his theology. And Jacob said: “Whoever wants to be their friend becomes an enemy of God” (James 4:4). Listen, all of you who share a meal with heretics, to this bitter sentence for you: you are enemies of Christ. In fact, whoever is friends with the enemies of the Tsar can no longer be a friend of the Tsar. He doesn’t even deserve to live and is condemned to the worst. Jude Jacob said: “For certain people have crept in, destined of old to this condemnation, the ungodly, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Master God and our Lord Jesus Christ” (Jude 1:4). And further: “in the last time there will appear scoffers, walking according to their own ungodly lusts” (Jude 1:18). “These are the wandering stars, to whom is reserved darkness of darkness forever” (Jude 1:13). This is what the glorious Judas teaches us - and even more powerfully. What remains now, finally, is Paul, the vessel of election: tell us, you too, according to the grace given to you from God, tell us about the present evil age, expose the secret wolves, expose and disgrace the thieves of God’s holy flock. This is what Paul says: “I know that after I am gone grievous wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock” (Acts 20:29). Do you see how theologians everywhere, in agreement with their Teacher, call godless heretics dogs and wolves? So Paul says elsewhere: “Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of circumcision” (Phil. 3:2). “Take heed ... lest anyone lead you away with philosophy and empty deception” (Col. 2:8). “Take heed and tread carefully...for the days are evil” (Eph. 5:15–16). After such admonitions, who can justify his negligence? And again in another place: “The heretic, after the first and second admonition, turn away” (Titus 3:10). And again: “Do not be carried away by different and strange teachings” (Heb. 13:9); again: “Evil men and deceivers will abound in evil, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Tim. 3:13); also: “for those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure” (Titus 1:15). Listen, you who share the feasts of love with them: how will you escape the wrath that is coming on you, you who are defiled with them in food and drink? How dare you begin to approach the Divine and Terrible Mysteries? Have you not heard blessed Paul crying: “You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; You cannot be partakers in the table of the Lord and in the table of demons” (1 Cor. 10:21). “Come out from among them and be separate, ...and do not touch anything unclean” (2 Cor. 6:17). Have I convinced you? Or were my labors in vain, and I was talking into the wind? However, for the sake of those who willingly and diligently listen to instructions and carry them out, I will not stop and will continue with the words of Paul; I’ll say the same thing again, listen: “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers... What has light and darkness in common” (2 Cor. 6:14). Where are the impudent ones who claim that this is not said in the Divine Scriptures, where are they, “their God is their belly, and their glory is in their shame, they think about earthly things” (Phil. 3:19)? This is how Paul teaches, instructs and exhorts us, the vessel of election, the fence of the Church, the victorious fighter, Paul, the lyre of God, the messenger of Christ, the writer of dogmas, the trumpet of the word, the speaker of piety, the net that caught the pagans. This is what the blessed theologians and apostles said even more about the godless and infidels. And much earlier, the prophets said the same thing: it is necessary to listen to these last ones too. Thus, the prophet David said: “There is no truth in their mouths” (Ps. 5:10); again: “Should I not hate those who hate You, O Lord, and not be disgusted by those who rebel against You? I hate them with complete hatred: they are my enemies” (Ps. 139:21-22). Solomon says that the wicked hypocritically pretend to be pious, and in another place he instructs: “My son! If sinners persuade you, ... do not go on the road with them” (Prov. 1:10-15). Isaiah the prophet - or rather the Lord through the prophet - says: “I raised and raised up sons, but they rebelled against Me” (Isaiah 1:2); and in another place: “There is no peace for the wicked, says the Lord” (Is. 48:22). 5. Isn't this enough? Is it necessary to cite the testimony of other prophets? For willing listeners, I think this is enough. And whoever has not paid attention to the word now will not be convinced by a more detailed presentation. Let us dwell a little more only on the words of the prophet David and see how he exposes and shames their hidden deceit, saying: “there is no truth in their mouth: their heart is destruction,” and so on (Ps. 5:10). Notice the wisdom of the prophet, how he reproaches and shames those who are mistaken in order to protect us from error. Listen, Orthodox, and do not condone heretics; Listen, O shepherds, and be afraid, and do not be silent, but preach the word; don't give room to the devil, don't open the door to the wolves. Imitate the blessed Apostle Peter, as he did in Rome, when the damned Simon blasphemed and claimed to himself that he was the power of God, did not remain silent and did not let it pass, but immediately exposed him and, showing that he was a deceiver, a robber and an enemy of God, cast him down from the heights and put him to death. In the same way, his son, or rather the son of the devil, Montanus, nasty, unclean and godless, with his two fornicators, the apostle decisively denounced and brought to silence, proving that he was an opponent of God, a false Christ and a false prophet, stopped his unclean lips with the name of Christ, without being generous and without condoning his blasphemy 1 . Do the same, shepherds, and not only do not take part in the nasty deeds of darkness, but also expose them, as the apostles did. And Godfather David endured a lot of labor and a lot of struggle because of wicked people, denouncing and forbidding them, shaming them and bothering God about them with such prayers: “How long, O Lord, the wicked, how long will the wicked triumph” (Ps. 93:3). “Spread them with Thy power” (Ps. 59:12). “Reward them according to their deeds, ... because they are not attentive to the actions of the Lord and to the work of His hands” (Ps. 27:4-5). “You, Lord, having awakened them, will destroy their dreams” (Ps. 73:20). Or, sending his prayers to the Lord, David begs Him to come down from heaven and fulfill his request: “Lord! Bow down your heavens and come down” (Ps. 143:5); "God! do not delay” (Ps. 69:6). “Let Your tender mercies soon precede us” (Ps. 78:8). And what is God, a lover of mankind, who wants all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth, close to all who call on Him in the truth? He did not despise or leave in vain the prayers of the saints, but “He bowed down the heavens and came down” (Ps. 17:10) and arranged everything for the salvation of our race, He taught us everything in word and deed. Thus, wanting to teach how future heads of churches should treat heretics, He made a scourge of ropes and, entering the church, drove everyone out of there, pushed them out and pursued them with the words: “My house will be called a house of prayer; but you made it a den of thieves” (Matthew 21:13). Listen, leaders of churches! The Savior gave you an excellent example to follow: follow His footsteps, vigilantly and vigilantly guard your flock and drive away the wolves from it. Then, casting out all those who were obviously opposed, and predicting the end, destruction and destruction of all those who were opposed in future generations, He said: “Behold, your house is left to you empty” (Matthew 23:38). Do you see how His words came true? Enemies and ill-wishers of the Church, i.e. heretics, in each generation, were given over to destruction, according to the word of the Lord, spoken by Him: “every plant that My Heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted” (Matthew 15:13), which came true. And it was He who was the first to do this and set an example, and after His ascension into heaven, the blessed apostles, following His example, fought against the opponents of the Church. After them, both the teachers of the Church and the holy councils that took place from time to time, confirming their Divine teaching, uprooted all those who persisted in heresies and put them to death, according to what is written: “You will destroy those who speak lies” (Ps. 5:7). So, they all died for their iniquities. In fact, where are now those who once fought against the Church - kings, rulers and wise men? They were scattered, exterminated, not a trace remained of them. 6. Where is the pride and insolence of the Jews? Where is Simon the Magus, the first heretic, disciple and forerunner of the Antichrist? Where is his evil offspring, the heir of his madness and wickedness, Montanus, the leader of the evil ones, with his two fornicators? Where are their notorious sacraments, which are disgusting to talk about, vile and vile, about which the apostle said: “the things that they do in secret are shameful to even speak of” (Eph. 5:12)? Where is Marcion, where is Valens, where is Manes, where is Basilides, where is Nero, where is Julian, where is Arius, where is Nestorius? Where are all those who opposed the truth, about whom the Church exclaimed: “dogs have surrounded me” (Ps. 21:17)? Didn't they all die? They were all scattered for their blasphemies and driven out from everywhere like wolves, because they met opponents and courageous fighters against them in the person of the blessed men - the then primates of the Churches: they were true shepherds! But I see a big difference between the pastors of that time and those of today. Those were fighters, and these were fugitives; those improved in books and learning, and these refined themselves in clothes and decorations. These, like mercenaries, leave the sheep and run away, but they laid down their lives for the sheep, following the example of the Good Shepherd. O blessed men, whose names are in the book of life! They were frightened by demons, they were threatened by heretics, but “the lips of those who speak lies will be stopped” (Ps. 63:12). I too will exclaim like David, who cried out with tears: “Where are Your former mercies, O Lord” (Ps. 89:50)? I, too, will say with tears: where is that blessed face of the saints and teachers who shone like lights in the world, keeping the word of life? However, what prevents us from now renewing their names in memory, even if only a few out of many? After all, this very memory of them will serve to sanctify our souls. Where is Evodius - the fragrance of the Church, the successor and imitator of the holy apostles? Where is Ignatius - the dwelling place of God? Where is Dionysius, the bird of the sky? Where is Hippolytus, the sweetest and most gracious? Where is Basil the Great, almost equal to the apostles? Where is Saint Athanasius, abundant in virtues? Where is Gregory, the second Theologian, the invincible warrior of Christ and his namesake? Where is the great Ephraim, the comforter of the faint-hearted, the mentor of the young, the leader of the repentant, the thunderstorm of heretics, the treasury of the Spirit, the vessel of virtues? Do you see what a cathedral? And how do these holy and blessed shepherds differ from those of today? I also know other God-bearing teachers, but this time the ones listed are enough. They, as I already said, laid down their souls for the sheep, and these - modern ones - leave the sheep and run; Those were strong in word and in deed, and these were strong in money and in acquiring horses, mules, fields, herds, cooks and a luxurious table. They are ready to talk about such things endlessly, day and night, but for the verbal flock, for which they will have to give an answer on the terrible day of judgment, they do not have a word. If anyone asks them about books, they answer: I am poor and cannot buy books. Meanwhile, before the people they appear not at all poor, but dressed in exquisite clothes, with tightly stuffed wallets; their necks are like those of fattened bulls, behind them they drag a crowd of students, or rather cooks; out of excess luxury they - it’s embarrassing to even say - took in, under the guise of work, concubines bought from captivity. Oh, great shame! Oh, shameful luxury! Oh, pathetic love of money! Oh, unfulfilled belly! Hence the temptations, hence the gossip, bad rumors, reproaches, unrest. To all reproaches they answer: I do not offend anyone, and I can dispose of my property. If one of the wicked heretics begins to spread his insane teaching, there is no one to answer, there are no hunters to fight: everyone turns out to be poor, dumb, everyone runs away. Oh, love of money is the evil root of all evil! Do you hope to be saved by wealth? But “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” (Matthew 19:24). Drowning in luxury and drunkenness, exalted with pride, do you want to defeat heresies? But woe to you, effeminate and voluptuous, flaunting in gold and exquisite outfits! How will you show others the wonderful poverty of Christ, who for our sake became poor and commanded His disciples not to have even brass in their belts (Matthew 10:9)? It is precisely you who are deceived, not understanding the Scriptures! Don’t you hear the Lord saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit” (Matthew 5:3), and also: “Woe to you who are rich” (Luke 6:24), and: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth” (Matthew 6:19)! Your wealth has increased, but your words have become scarce; Your clothes are perishable; will you give an answer to the Chief Shepherd Christ about them? After all, you know that each of us will give an answer to God about himself, and you - the bishops, priests and deacons - will have to answer both about yourself and about the sheep, as much as has been entrusted to each. See, don’t forget the talents entrusted to you! “Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock” (Acts 20:28); see that no sheep from your flock is lost. After all, you know that if one sheep dies, becoming the prey of the enemy - due to your carelessness - then with your whole life you will not atone for this loss: the Judge will require its blood at your hand. 7. Finally, come to your senses, get to work preaching the word, throw away all worldly worries, and be strictly attentive to your work. “Beware of dogs” ( Phil. 3:2 ). I say again: watch out, beware, and I won’t stop talking. Beware of predators, beware, because there are many deceivers operating in the world today. Stay vigilantly awake, you who have been entrusted with the gifts of the Lord’s grace; stay alert so that the hour of the terrible coming of the Lord does not find you sleeping, when He comes to demand from you an account of the talents that have been entrusted to you. With this in mind, beloved, “shepherd the flock of God,” as the apostle says, “overseeing it not under compulsion, but willingly and godly, not for vile gain, but out of zeal, and not lording it over the inheritance of God, but setting an example for the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive an unfading crown of glory" (1 Peter 5:2-4). Again, I repeat the same thing: listen, priests of the Lord, “kings of the earth and all nations, princes and all the judges of the earth, young men and maidens, old men and youths” ( Ps. 149:11–12 ): “Listen... all who live in the world” ( Ps. 48: 2 ), great and small, men and women, “rich as well as poor” ( Ps. 48:3 ); I beg you, listen carefully to my words. I want to show you and prove on the basis of the Holy Scriptures that not everyone who calls themselves Christians are actually Christians, that in relation to many this name is an empty phrase that only misleads others. There are many Christians in name, but in reality there are very few. Some seem to be both Christians and disciples of Christ in appearance, but traitors in character; in words they are pious and merciful, but in deeds they are unmerciful and wicked; Christians by name, but pagans by conviction, because, as the prophet David predicted, “they mixed with the pagans and learned their deeds” (Ps. 105:35). And, indeed, this prophecy has come true for us. How many Christians practice Jewish and Greek fables, genealogies, fortune telling, stargazing, magic and talismans? How many Christians observe unhappy days and years, omens and dreams, and the cries of birds? Then, aren’t it Christians who bathe in springs, first immersing lamps in them? Don’t Christians believe in meetings, eat things sacrificed to idols and strangled things, eat the blood of those crushed by beasts and torn to pieces by birds, and much more like that? How can those who admit all this be Christians? By what right do they dare to call themselves Christians? How do they dare to approach the Divine Mysteries, being worse than the pagans? In the same way, how many Christians adhere to pagan customs, such as decorating faces, greetings, dancing, clapping, men wearing women's clothing? With such customs, what benefit does it bring to a person to be called a Christian? After all, just as a maiden, as long as she retains her virginity, is worthily and decently called a virgin and is in fact a virgin, but if someone seduces her and corrupts her, and she loses her virginity, then she is no longer a virgin, so a professed Christian, if he has violated the covenant and trampled on his vows, and rejected the word of the Gospel and lives like a pagan, then it is useless for him to be called a Christian, as has already been said. Understand, all beloved, that we have renounced everything pagan in these few words, spoken by each of us at one time: “I renounce Satan and all his works.” Think about what you said: “all his works.” Look to whom you promised: not to an Angel, not to the king of the earth, not to the prince of this world, but to the King of kings and Lord of lords. You promised Him, you entered into a covenant with Him and were united in the presence of many witnesses; both you and your words are in His hands. And the time will come - He will come from heaven with your handwriting, with your words spoken by you in front of Angels and people. Remember this, brothers, and henceforth beware of pagan deeds! Listen to what the apostle says: “Therefore I speak and charge in the Lord, that you no longer walk as other nations walk in the vanity of their minds, being darkened in their understanding... But you have not so come to know Christ” (Eph. 4:17-18, 20). Take my words to heart, beloved, and do not associate with those who do this. There are many sons of destruction today, and they are still multiplying. Beware, the present time is evil, it chooses the same servants for itself. 8. Don't be surprised if shepherds turn out to be wolves. After all, it was in a conversation with bishops and elders that the Apostle Paul said: “and from among yourselves there will arise men who will speak perverse things” (Acts 20:30). So, do not be deceived by anyone, even if someone looks like an angel on the outside, but is a devil on the inside. That’s why Jesus says: “Beware lest anyone deceive you” (Matthew 24:4). And I will repeat the same thing again. Beware of temptation, no matter where it comes from - whether from strangers or from your own, and whoever it is who says “corrupt” - whether a bishop, a presbyter, a deacon or a reader - one of those “who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves” (Matthew 7:15), who have the form of godliness, but have denied the power thereof. But you, beloved, do not be led astray, but just as you received our Lord Jesus Christ, abide in Him, and the God of peace will be with you. But I’ve already said enough about this, I’ll talk a little more about the signs of the end of the world and thus conclude my word. As soon as I start talking about the end of the world, horror overcomes me and I get lost. Of course, all the works of the Lord are amazing, great, terrible and glorious, but the end of the world and the mystery of the second coming of the Lord surpass every word, every mind, every thought, cannot be depicted and amaze every ear. The students had a great desire to hear from their Teacher about the signs of the end of the world, and they made a lot of effort for this purpose. You have heard the Gospel story about this more than once. “When He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him alone and asked: Tell us, when will this be? and what is the sign of Your coming and the end of the age” (Matthew 24:3)? Notice the prudence of the disciples. When they want to ask the Lord about something important, they do not all suddenly turn to Him, but one by one, and say: one - tell us, Lord, another - tell us, Good One, another - tell us, Knower of the Heart, another - Leading the beginning and the end, tell us, Leading everything before its implementation, tell us, Creator of centuries, tell us, Father of the future age, tell us, “what is the sign of Your coming and death ", when will You come to judge the living and the dead of the whole universe, when will You abolish every principle, every authority and power, when will every knee bow before You, in heaven and on earth and under the earth? “Tell us what is the sign of Your coming,” so that we too can tell people about Your amazing appearance. The Lord answered them: “Beware that no one deceives you, for many will come in My name and say, “I am the Christ,” and they will deceive many; and that time is near” (Matthew 24:4–5; Luke 21:8). What is now happening before our eyes was then predicted by Him; “and that time is near”; now it has already arrived, as is obvious to everyone. Do you see how the Lord took care to expose heretics and false teachers and show us the deceit hidden in them? Answering the disciples’ question about the signs of His coming, He put the first of all the signs as the appearance of false teachers, these wolves plundering the flock of Christ, and the forerunners of the Antichrist. Then he pointed out the accompanying phenomena - wars and uprisings: nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. All these phenomena are happening before us now, but we don’t want to understand their meaning. Wars in various places, famines, earthquakes, heavenly signs and other things that He predicted, all this is now happening before us on a large scale, only the meaning of all this remains incomprehensible to us. “Then,” says the Lord, “many will be offended, and will betray one another” (Matthew 24:10). And where is there no betrayal now? Doesn’t almost everyone rise up against each other and hate each other? Obviously, this has been fulfilled. Doesn’t everyone rise up against each other: nation against nation, kingdom against kingdom, rulers against rulers, bishops against bishops, elders against elders, deacons against deacons, Are the readers at odds with each other, the laity with each other? “And because iniquity will increase, the love of many will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12). Therefore, the Lord predicted: “search the Scriptures” (John 5:39), and: “lest you be led astray” (Luke 21:8). nations" (Matthew 24:14). And then expect the end, get ready to see the abomination of desolation, the son of destruction, who will cause great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world. And again he says: “for false Christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect” (Matthew 24:24). Notice this: both here and there are false prophets and false teachers and false apostles of the Antichrist, the son of perdition, who, excited and inspired by unclean spirits, are the forerunners of the Antichrist and the enemy and with their preaching will deceive and prepare the people to accept the son of perdition. 9 . Therefore, brothers, Divine Scripture repeats here and there that many deceivers have appeared in the world. Therefore, the Lord added to His words: “Should I not hate those who hate You, O Lord, and not be disgusted by those who rebel against You? I hate them with complete hatred: they are my enemies” (Ps. 139:21-22). We must understand the meaning of this saying. “Behold, I told you beforehand” (Matthew 24:25) - now you have no excuse. “Behold, I told you beforehand”: if any of you is tempted, now he will be unrequited. “Behold, I told you in advance”: now no one has a reason to justify ignorance. “Behold, I have told you everything beforehand”: “so that you would not be led astray” (Luke 21:8). Be careful not to accept some false Christ instead of Me, the true Christ. “For many will come in My name and say, “I am the Christ,” and will deceive many” (Matthew 24:5), and “My time is at hand” (Matthew 26:18). Don't follow them. Do you see how much is said in the holy books about such things? That is why I often reminded you of the godless heretics and now I beg you: do not have any communication with them in anything decisive - neither in food nor in drink, do not have friendship with them, no acquaintance, no love, no peace. After all, if anyone agrees with heretics in anything like this, he is alienated from the Catholic Church. The true and sincere disciple of God boldly and loudly proclaims: “Whoever preaches to you a gospel other than what you have received, let him be accursed” (Gal. 1:9), and together with David sings: “Should I not hate those who hate You, O Lord, and not be disgusted by those who rise up against You? I hate them with complete hatred." Fear and tremble, you who share fraternal meals with them, hasten to correct yourself, so that your wickedness does not destroy you. You have already heard the words of warning: “Behold, I told you in advance.” But let us return to what we interrupted to finish our speech about the end of the world. Let me say briefly: the phenomena predicted by the Savior took place; now we are left in full readiness to expect further and not to demand more than is indicated to us in Scripture. Many ignorant and unstable people pervert the Divine Scripture; look, don't believe them. Evil and vices spread across the earth in a powerful wave, temptations are abundant. But see, do not be deceived: do not deviate either to the right or to the left, walk the royal path. Remaining firm in faith, you, beloved, will never be alone: ​​if not on earth, then in Heaven there are many faithful ones with whom you should strive for constant communication. There are the faces of Angels, there are patriarchs, prophets, apostles, evangelists, there are martyrs, holy confessors, there are saints who shone with hermit life, in a word - a great multitude of those whose names are in the book of life. Love them, be jealous of them, do not leave them, keep the memory of them in your hearts day and night, constantly hold their books in your hands and read them in order to receive great benefit from them. Enrich yourself in the word of truth, so that you will be able to reprove your opponents, and put to shame those who speak vanity, and stop the mouths of heretics, and admonish and convert those who fall. Delve into the Divine Scriptures, so that in cases of confusion and confusion you do not get lost, but find firm support in the Divine Scriptures. Do not allow any weakness, any hesitation in your thoughts for any reason. If you see many unreasonable people, do not be surprised: this is how it should be. If many false prophets appear, remember the words of the Lord that “false Christs and false prophets will arise” (Matthew 24:24). Deceivers will appear - remember what the prophet said: “Woe to those who make unjust laws and write cruel decisions” (Is. 10:1). If you see that the honest, faithful and reasonable are humiliated, while the vicious and proud, traitors and fornicators enjoy success and prosper, then remember what the apostle said: “But evil people and deceivers will prosper in evil, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Tim. 3:13). If you see that some professed Christians abhor the Divine Scripture, and hate those who preach the word of God, remember what the Lord said: “If the world hates you, know that it hated Me before you. If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you also” (John 15:18, 20). If you see that the people are running to deceivers, secret speakers, fortune-tellers, that the teaching of demons and the questioning of unclean spirits are spreading, do not be embarrassed, do not become despondent. Even if you see that one of the imaginary shepherds is engaged in such matters, do not despair; but although through tears, remember the words of the apostle that “in the last times some will depart from the faith, listening to seducing spirits and teachings of demons” (1 Tim. 4:1), and his other words: “The time will come when they will not endure sound teaching, but according to their own desires they will heap up for themselves teachers who have itching ears; and they will turn away their ears from the truth and turn aside to myths” (2 Tim. 4:3-4). 10. When you see luxurious feasts with all their pleasures, lies, noise and disorderly shouts, remember the words of the Lord: “Woe to you, you who are full now! for you will hunger. Woe to you who laugh now! for you will mourn and lament” (Luke 6:25). When you see them dancing and playing and singing demonic songs, with weeping and sobbing remember the words of David: “They do not know, they do not understand, they walk in darkness” (Ps. 81:5), and the prophet Isaiah: “Woe to those who from early morning look for strong drink and until late in the evening heat themselves up with wine; and the harp and harp, the tambourine and the flute, and the wine at their feasts; but they do not consider the works of the Lord, neither do they consider the work of His hands” (Is. 5:11-12). And in general, when you see any temptation that occurs, remember the words of the Lord: “Woe to the world because of temptations, for temptations must come; but woe to that man through whom temptation comes” (Matthew 18:7; Luke 17:1). But what do these people, hard-hearted and devoted to lies, say? There is no evil in entertainment, they say. What's the harm in playing a zither or something similar? Oh, extreme madness! Oh, the evil suggestion of the devil! An evil and adulterous generation, is this how you repay the Lord? The Most Pure Lord commanded everywhere that Christians should not touch entertainment at all, but you say: what harm is there in entertainment? “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil, who call darkness light, and light darkness” (Isaiah 5:20). Let these unbridled ones tell us, from what holy book can they provide evidence that a Christian can indulge in entertainment? What saints, what Gospel taught Christians to be so indecent? Here the universal and apostolic Church, from the rising of the sun to the west and from the ends of the universe, cries out and teaches and exhorts through the law, and through the prophets, and through the apostles, and through the mouth of the Lord himself, and positively nowhere will you find that a Christian is allowed to engage in such matters. How many kings and rulers, and wise men, and noble, and glorious, and lawyers, and slaves, and free, and poor, and rich, and old men, and young men! Who of them all can show or prove that a Christian is allowed to play the zither or dance, or do anything else that we have indicated above? Nobody can prove this. Let no one mislead you: a Christian cannot do this, all this is alien to the Catholic Church, all these are deeds characteristic of pagans. Let no one, my brothers, deceive you: the more you indulge in pleasures, the more you fall from grace: then Christ will not bring you any benefit. Let us return again to that first and wonderful confession that we made in the face of many witnesses - before Angels, people and the Creator of all things: after all, the handwriting of our confession is with Him in Heaven, and He will reward everyone according to the extent to which he fulfilled and kept the confession. There are inscribed the vows of each of us, and the renunciation of Satan, and the union with Christ, and our deeds, and actions, and words, and thoughts, and entertainment, and amusements; and Christ will bring all this with Him when He comes to judge us. So what do you want? Lie to Him? But this is impossible: both you and your deeds are in His hand. Hide from Him? But this is also impossible, since in His hand are all the ends of the earth and “there is no creature hidden from Him, but everything is naked and open before His eyes” (Heb. 4:13); there is no way to hide from His face. If you ascend to heaven, He is there; if you go down into the abyss, He will be there too (Ps. 139:8). It is written that “the Lord does whatever he wants, in heaven and on earth, on the seas and in all the deeps” (Ps. 135:6). What should we do, brothers? We have no choice left. “He knows the secrets of the heart” (Ps. 43:22) and the womb. It is impossible to escape and there is no one who can deliver out of His hand (Is.43:13). It is impossible to hide, since He holds the circle of the earth, and all those living on it before Him are nothing more than locusts. It is impossible to resist Him, as it is written: “You are terrible, and who can stand before You in the time of Your wrath” (Ps. 75:8)? After all, He is the Lord of heaven, and earth, and the underworld, He has the power to abolish all principle and authority and power. It is impossible to justify yourself before Him in any way, to find some kind of excuse or excuse, because from the end of the earth to the end the Divine Scripture cries out, and convinces, and denounces, and admonishes, and testifies, and threatens. That is why our Lord says: “He who rejects Me and does not accept My words has a judge for himself: I do not judge him. The word that I have spoken will judge him at the last day” (John 12:48,47). And also: “If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have had sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin” (John 15:22). You've heard that no one has an apology. Indeed, brothers, we have no choice. 11. But perhaps someone will object to me: you have already scolded us enough in your conversation, and brought sadness to us, and reminded us of punishments, and depicted retribution, and generally frightened and intimidated us excessively. I agree that this is so, and I know that each of you will give an answer to God for himself, each will reap what he sows, and each will bear his own burden. But since you started talking about this and frightened and intimidated us, then finally show us the way to salvation, give us a means to cure our ailments; After such horrors, please us with something. So I want to be saved: what should I do? How to achieve salvation? Who should I resort to? After all, I have sinned a lot - in word, in deed, voluntarily and involuntarily, day and night, and hourly. What should I do? Where to look for salvation? Who should I resort to? I'll tell you who to resort to. Blessed David indicated where one should seek refuge, saying: “God is our refuge and strength” (Ps. 45:2). This was also demonstrated by John, greater than all the prophets, saying: “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). The Angel also announced this: “He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). And again the prophet David says: “Lord, ... I take refuge in You” (Ps. 142:9). You, too, seek refuge in Him - in the One who said: “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Matthew 9:13), Who said: “The healthy do not need a doctor, but the sick” (Luke 5:31), Who said: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17), Who said: “Come to Me, all you who labor and heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28), Who said: "Him that comes to Me I will never cast out" (John 6:37), Who said through the prophet: "As I live, says the Lord God: I do not desire the death of the sinner, but that the sinner should turn from his way and live" (Ezek. 33:11), Who said that He "will not protect His elect who cry to Him day and night... I tell you that he will give them protection quickly” (Luke 18:7–8), Who said: “There is greater joy in heaven... over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:7,10). Run to Him with repentance and tears. Repent - and do not doubt, repent - and do not lose heart, do not despair of your salvation. There is joy in Heaven when you repent, but you hesitate? The angels are rejoicing, but you hang your head? The doctor of souls came for you, and are you hiding the wound? He calls loudly: turn to Me, sons of men, come to Me, and are you not hastening to His call? He exclaims: “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Oh, the immeasurable love of the Lord! “I came not to call the righteous,” he says, “but sinners.” So, take heart, sinner, and do not despair! The Good Shepherd came to call you, for your sake He bowed the heavens and came down, with the words: “Come to Me, all you who labor;... I came to call not the righteous, but sinners.” But be careful not to think too much of yourself when you hear about His indescribable love for mankind; He does not address you with a simple call, but adds: “I have come,” he says, “to call not the righteous, but sinners to repentance,” not for fun, but for tears, not for feasts and libations, but for fasting, vigil and tears, not for dancing, amusements and the pleasures of music, but for work, sorrow and hardship. “Blessed,” He says, “are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Matthew 5:4), obviously about their sins. So, start repenting. Just make a beginning, and the God of the repentant will help you and strengthen you; you will receive abundant grace from Him, and it will be sweeter to you than honey and honeycomb. The ways of life are varied, as it is written, and the ways of salvation are many. Use whatever method you want, just save yourself. If you can, give alms; If you can’t, God won’t punish you. Have you neither bread nor clothes? Get down on your knees, beat yourself on the chest, cry, sob, mourn, stretch out your hands to heaven, lift up your eyes to the Lord, fast, stay awake. This is at everyone’s disposal, and you really can’t excuse it with anything. Always try to please God with these means. However, they too must be used carefully and wisely; otherwise they will be useless and your work will be in vain. 12. So, practicing these virtues and falling to God with repentance, be especially careful not to have enmity with anyone - this is the main obstacle to achieving your goal - but, as the Apostle Paul said, “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil. 2:12) and keeping the commandment of Christ, which says: “If you forgive others their trespasses, your Father will also forgive you.” Heavenly" your sins (Matthew 6:14). If you pray to God with all your heart, without fuss and distraction, keep this commandment of his and leave it if you have anything against anyone. Do you want your sins to be forgiven? Forgive your neighbor for his sins against you. If you do not forgive your brother’s sins, the Lord will not forgive yours either, because He said: “If you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses” (Matthew 6:15). And we all know that He will not deceive, because He is not false and is faithful in all His words. Then, be prepared for the fact that the Lord may claim your soul every day. Do not do this in such a way as to repent today and forget about it tomorrow, to cry today and dance tomorrow, to fast today and tomorrow to get drunk on wine to such an extent that you can’t even stand your legs, to stay awake today and tomorrow to fall; but take care of your salvation so that you may be crowned. Be true to virtue, do not shy away from achievement, lest you lose your crown. Reject all the pleasures of this world, its glory, with hatred and say with David: “I hate lies and abhor them, but I love Your law. From every evil way I restrain my feet... I have sworn to keep Your commandments" (Ps. 119:163, 101, 106). Try to always be ready, so that when the One who demands your soul comes, He will always find you ready to repent - and I guarantee you that then He will not separate you from part of those who are being saved. Always keep the commandment of the Lord: "Watch and pray, lest you fall into temptation" (Matthew 26:41), and also: "Be prepared, for at an hour when you do not think, the Son of Man will come" (Matthew 24:44). The apostle also inspires the same thing: “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17). Think about what this means: “incessantly.” This means: always, at all times, day and night, in the evening and in the morning, and at every hour, and at work, and on the road, and in the field, and at the plow, and going to bed, and getting up from sleep. Do not put off prayer until Sunday or a holiday, do not choose a place for it. Deity is not limited to place: “In His hand are the depths of the earth” (Ps. 94:4). Therefore, the prophet David, praying every day and every night, did not distinguish either the day or the place, but with tears he said and urged himself: “in all the places of His dominion. Bless the Lord, my soul” (Ps. 102:22). So you, beloved, do not wait for a certain hour or day, do not be embarrassed by the place, but, as has already been said, in every place - pray at home, and when you come to church, pray, and wherever you have to - pray, in every place of His dominion. “Listen to this, all you who live in the world” (Ps. 48:2), “rich as well as poor” (Ps. 48:3), men and women, crowds of people, young men and maidens, old and young, kings of the earth and all the judges of the earth, listen to what is written: “the time is short, so that those who have wives must be as if they had none” (1 Cor. 7:29). Having rejected “ungodliness and worldly lusts, live soberly, righteously and godly in this present age, waiting for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:12-13). Remember me always, brothers, and adhere to the traditions that you received from the blessed prophets and apostles, and from the Lord of all. May the prophets serve you as an example of suffering and generosity, patience as Job, chastity as Joseph, prudence as Daniel, love as our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, Who gave Himself for us, and repentance as Godfather David. Here is an example of repentance, calling and convincing you with these words: “Come, children, listen to me” (Ps. 33:12), and I will teach you repentance: after all, I myself once succumbed to temptation, but rose through repentance and I know from experience the Lord’s philanthropy, I know how with open arms He accepts those who sincerely repent. It is impossible for the Lord to lie, but I heard Him say: “I will not change what has come out of My mouth” (Ps. 89:35). “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away” (Matthew 24:35). “Once upon a time I swore by My holiness” (Ps. 89:36). “As I live, says the Lord God, I do not want the death of the sinner” (Ezek. 33:11). Have you heard that the Lover of Mankind swore by Himself? Therefore, I beg everyone: “Come, children, listen to me,” and while there is still time, let us hasten, before the great day of the Lord comes, “let us present ourselves to His face with praise. Come, let us worship and fall down... before the face of the Lord our Creator” (Ps. 95:2, 6). Since He created us, He Himself “God! be merciful to us and bless us, make your face shine upon us” (Ps. 66:2). He is the God of the repentant, He accepts us who repent, He shepherds us. To him be glory and power and all thanksgiving, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. The author - whoever he was - made a big mistake here by asserting that Montanus was convicted by the apostles - whether he meant Peter or Paul. Almost a whole century after the martyrdom of the apostles Peter and Paul, Montanus began to preach his heresy, in the 19th year of Antoninus Pius (according to Epiphanius, who talks in detail about two “fornicators” - Priscilla and Maximilla). Creations attributed to St. John Chrysostom and classified in the Minya edition as Spuria.