February 14translatedThis page has been translated from Serbian to English. It may contain minor phrasing or syntactic issues.
The Lives of the Saints
1. VENERABLE AKSENTIJE
Aksentije was a very distinguished nobleman in Constantinople among the nobility and courtiers of Emperor Theodosius the Younger. Warmed by Christ's love, Aksentije became a monk and remained for not a long time in Constantinople. When people began to speak praises about him, he fled from human praises and settled on a certain mountain near Chalcedon, which was later called Aksentije's Mountain. His wish to remain there forever hidden from people was not fulfilled, for shepherds found him and made him known. And people began to bring the sick to him for healing. And he healed many. To the blind he restored sight, lepers he cleansed by anointing them with oil, and the paralyzed he raised up, and many demoniacs he freed from demons. All this is admirable, but his humility is even more admirable. Whenever they begged him to heal someone, he defended himself with the words: I too am a sinful man! But compelled by many entreaties he would approach healing in the following ways: either he would invite all present to pray together with him to God for the sick person; or he would first strengthen faith in people, then tell them that God would give to them according to their faith; or he would speak over the sick person's head: the Lord Jesus Christ heals you! He did all this only so that the wonderworking would not be attributed to him but to Almighty God. He participated in the Fourth Ecumenical Council in Chalcedon and powerfully defended Orthodoxy from the heresies of Eutyches and Nestorius. In deep old age the Lord took his young soul to Himself in the year 470, while the old body remained on earth, from which it was also formed.
2. VENERABLE ISAAC, RECLUSE OF THE CAVES
He lived in the time of Saints Anthony and Theodosius. He came to the monastery as a wealthy merchant. He left everything and distributed it to the poor, and gave himself to the strictest asceticism in a walled-up cell. Saint Anthony himself through an opening gave him one prosphora every other day. Deceived by demons, who appeared to him in angelic light, he bowed down to them, then even to Satan himself, believing it was Christ. From this he became ill, and lay bedridden for two years, after which he recovered and became a more cautious and experienced ascetic, for which reason before the end abundant grace was given to him. He reposed in the year 1090.
Hymn of Praise
Aksentije, ornament of Orthodoxy, One night in mute silence Prayed to God with tears, And in spirit ascended to heaven Like a cherub with fiery wings, While the saint's gaze wandered Into the host of stars in the heavenly vault; The elder was amazed, the elder wept, The holy monks ask him, To tell them what he beheld, And why the elder wept? "My children, holy monks, I saw the soul of holy Simeon, Simeon the great Stylite, Pillar of faith, pillar of Orthodoxy, Tonight the Stylite has departed, His soul ascends to heaven, Bright flame, brighter than stars, The soul stopped by us, Greeted me the sinner sweetly." From that night many nights passed, Until news came of the Stylite's death, All recognized the truth of the vision That holy Aksentije saw.
Reflection
Why do people leave one place and move to another? Mainly because they hope to be happier in another place. And indeed, from the viewpoint of worldly life and pleasure, places can be different, better and worse. Whoever does not hope for a better life after death, seeks better sensory pasture in this life. But if you listen to the heart of those people who could and knew how to live in the so-called best places on the earthly globe, you will perceive dissatisfaction, misery and despair. They did not find what they were seeking. They ate to satiety in every place, and finally hungry they look death in the eye.
But look at the Christian saints! They chose places with the least worldly pasture, places "dry, impassable and waterless," places solitary and terrible, places that least attract attention and which no one fights over. All places on earth they considered equally without value, but they chose these places only so that they might more easily draw near in spirit and mind to their immortal homeland. And if anyone listened to their heart, they would perceive joy and satisfaction.
Contemplation
Contemplate the Lord Jesus as parent who in the desert weeps for His children, calling them and gathering them, namely: 1. The children of the people of Israel (at that time); 2. The children of all peoples on earth; 3. The children of all times from creation to the end.
Homily
on reversed values in God's kingdom
But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first (Matthew 19:30; Luke 13:30)
How wise is He who uttered these words! He did not say that all the first will be last and all the last first, but many. There is not a single error in the Gospel and nowhere any exaggeration.
Why did the Lord limit and not say all, but many? Experience teaches us that some of those who were first in honor on earth, remained first in honor also with God. There were emperors who from their throne pleased God, and there were people outside all authority who until death angered God. There were rich men who by charity and faith were saved, and there were poor men who because of malice and unbelief received condemnation. There were famous people who rejected both faith and virtue. And so some who were first here, remained first there also, and some who were last here, remained last there also.
But, alas, many first here became last there. And O joy, O justice of God: many last here, became first there!
The Lord neither singled out nor praised any one estate, any one trade, above all others, but recruited (and to this day recruits) the army of light from all estates, from all trades and occupations. For Him the measure of a man is neither crown nor beggar's bag but faith — faith and virtue.
Wise Lord, remember us also in Thy kingdom. To Thee be glory and praise forever. Amen.