The Prologue from Ohrid: Lives of Saints by Saint Nikolai Velimirovič for Old Calendar date February 29 , and New Calendar date March 13 (only on leap years).
1. THE VENERABLE JOHN CASSIAN
John, this great spiritual man, was born in Rome of renowned parents. In his youth he studied all the secular sciences, especially philosophy and astronomy. After that, he devoted himself completely to the study of Holy Scripture. Striving from good to better and desiring even higher levels of perfection, Cassian traveled from Rome to Constantinople to personally hear and see St. John Chrysostom. Chrysostom instructed him and ordained him a deacon. Benefiting much from the wise Chrysostom, Cassian traveled farther east, to learn even more and become more perfected. He remained in Egypt, the longest time in Nitria, among the famous spiritual athletes from whom he learned the art of every virtue. He finally returned to the west and settled in the town of Marseilles [French Seaport]. Here he established two monastic communities: one for men and one for women. At the request of the monks, Cassian wrote many essays which are especially beneficial for the lovers of the spiritual life: "Eight Books on the struggle against the eight principle passions" [Institutes of the Monastic Life and Conferences on the Egyptian Monks]. Of great importance is his essay against the heretic Nestorius. This essay was written at the request of Archdeacon Leo. He served our Lord faithfully and enriched many with his wisdom and took up habitation in eternal life in the year 435 A.D. The relics of St. Cassian repose in Marseilles [France] even today.
2. THE VENERABLE BARSANUPHIUS
Barsanuphius was born a pagan in Palestine and was baptized in his eighteenth year and immediately was tonsured a monk taking the name of John. When he became known for of his virtuous life, Barsanuphius was elected archbishop of Damascus. He did not remain long at this position. Yearning for the reclusive, ascetically spiritual life, he secretly left Damascus and went to the wilderness of Nitria. Here, he presented himself as the monk Barsanuphius and immediately, was assigned, as an obedience, to be a water-carrier for the monastery. The former archbishop accepts this obedience with joy. With his wise reflections, meekness and diligence, Barsanuphius soon became a model example to all the monks. Only before his death was it revealed to the monks who this Barsanuphius was. Thus this saint, by his example, served as a reproach to the proud and power-loving and as a comfort to the humble and meek. He died peacefully and took up habitation with the Lord in the year 457 A.D.
HYMN OF PRAISE
SAINT CASSIAN ON PASSIONS
Cassian numbered eight terrible passions
And still the ninth - impure thoughts.
In food and drink, Gluttony the first,
To the spirit and body, Promiscuity the second,
Avarice, shackles which tie one to the metal,
Anger, of man's heart the frost which freezes and constricts.
Melancholy, which erodes the soul; the insatiable worm,
Slothfulness, drowsiness to a soul, which spins [weaves] death,
Vanity, a serpent; a many headed serpent,
It is everywhere and nowhere, the grass conceals it,
Pride, a double-edged sword that cuts and hems,
Both the young and old mercilessly destroys,
And the ones vigorous, and arrogant [proud] because of strength,
And the spiritual elders, to themselves, dear.
Of all these passions, our defense God is
By the prayers of the holy Saint Cassian.
REFLECTION
St. John Cassian writes of the struggle with the spirit of lust in this manner: "Struggle with the spirit of lust is a bitter struggle; longer than other struggles; a daily struggle victoriously accomplished completely only by a small number of people. This struggle begins with the first mature growth and does not cease until all other passions are defeated. In this struggle, a two-fold weapon is necessary. For the achievement of this perfect and pure chastity bodily fasting alone is not sufficient (although fasting, before everything else is necessary): along with this, meekness of the spirit and unremitting prayer is necessary against this most impure spirit [lust]. After that, continual study of Holy Scripture together with prudent mental exercises and after that physical labor and handiworks, all of which keeps the heart from lusting and restores it to itself and, above all, profound and true humility without which victory over any passion can never be achieved. Victory over this passion [lust] is conditioned with the perfect purification of the heart from which, according to the words of the Lord, flows the poison of this sickness [lust]. "For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies" (St. Matthew 15:19). One must have stable humility and patience in the heart as well as careful protection of oneself from anger and other passions during the course of the day. For in as much as the fire of anger enters in us, afterward so much easier, does the ember of passions penetrate us. It is interesting that even many other great spiritual fathers bring into causal tie the passion of anger and the passion of lustful desire from which follows, that the most angry ones are the most lustful ones.
CONTEMPLATION
To contemplate the Lord Jesus as the vigilant Watchman over His Church: "Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (St. Matthew 28:20).
1. How He watches over the entire created world and especially His Church acquired by His Blood;
2. How He watches over every baptized soul as a gardener over His planting;
3. How He through serenity and through tempest, leads His Church, leading her [The Church] to ultimate victory;
4. How He watches even over my life, that it grow and that it may be built in His eternal kingdom.
HOMILY
About the living presence of Christ
"I am with You always, even to the end of the ages" (St. Matthew 28:20).
Here is consolation above consolations!
Here is consolation for those whom the tempest breaks! Let them only remember: There Christ is beside them and let them not be afraid. He is the Helmsman.
Here is consolation for those who are sick! Let them know that Christ is there beside their bed and let them not despair. He is the Physician.
Here is consolation for those who grow old! Let them not lose sight that Christ travels with them through time to all eternity, into eternal youth and let them be at peace.
Here is consolation for those who are tormented by men! Let them not think that they are abandoned, for Christ is with them in all suffering; at judgment and in prison and let them rejoice. He is the Judge.
Here is consolation for those who are disturbed by evil spirits! Let them remember that Christ is the conqueror over evil spirits, He is on their side and let them be strengthened. He is the Victor.
Here is consolation for all who seek the light of justice and truth! Let them believe that Christ is closer to their soul than their eyes and let them adhere to His leadership. He is Light.
O, my brethren, in truth, Christ is constantly with us as light is constantly with the eyes, which see. But O, our sorrow if the eyes of our soul are closed and, in vain does the light labor to encounter the pupil of our vision! O, our sorrow and grief when we are not with Christ!
He goes out to meet us. Are we going out to meet Him? He wants to be with us. Do we want to be with Him? If we want consolation, we must be with Him all days to the end of our time.
O Lord, our only consolation, do not leave us!
To you be glory and thanks always. Amen.
1. THE VENERABLE JOHN CASSIAN
John, this great spiritual man, was born in Rome of renowned parents. In his youth he studied all the secular sciences, especially philosophy and astronomy. After that, he devoted himself completely to the study of Holy Scripture. Striving from good to better and desiring even higher levels of perfection, Cassian traveled from Rome to Constantinople to personally hear and see St. John Chrysostom. Chrysostom instructed him and ordained him a deacon. Benefiting much from the wise Chrysostom, Cassian traveled farther east, to learn even more and become more perfected. He remained in Egypt, the longest time in Nitria, among the famous spiritual athletes from whom he learned the art of every virtue. He finally returned to the west and settled in the town of Marseilles [French Seaport]. Here he established two monastic communities: one for men and one for women. At the request of the monks, Cassian wrote many essays which are especially beneficial for the lovers of the spiritual life: "Eight Books on the struggle against the eight principle passions" [Institutes of the Monastic Life and Conferences on the Egyptian Monks]. Of great importance is his essay against the heretic Nestorius. This essay was written at the request of Archdeacon Leo. He served our Lord faithfully and enriched many with his wisdom and took up habitation in eternal life in the year 435 A.D. The relics of St. Cassian repose in Marseilles [France] even today.
2. THE VENERABLE BARSANUPHIUS
Barsanuphius was born a pagan in Palestine and was baptized in his eighteenth year and immediately was tonsured a monk taking the name of John. When he became known for of his virtuous life, Barsanuphius was elected archbishop of Damascus. He did not remain long at this position. Yearning for the reclusive, ascetically spiritual life, he secretly left Damascus and went to the wilderness of Nitria. Here, he presented himself as the monk Barsanuphius and immediately, was assigned, as an obedience, to be a water-carrier for the monastery. The former archbishop accepts this obedience with joy. With his wise reflections, meekness and diligence, Barsanuphius soon became a model example to all the monks. Only before his death was it revealed to the monks who this Barsanuphius was. Thus this saint, by his example, served as a reproach to the proud and power-loving and as a comfort to the humble and meek. He died peacefully and took up habitation with the Lord in the year 457 A.D.
HYMN OF PRAISE
SAINT CASSIAN ON PASSIONS
Cassian numbered eight terrible passions
And still the ninth - impure thoughts.
In food and drink, Gluttony the first,
To the spirit and body, Promiscuity the second,
Avarice, shackles which tie one to the metal,
Anger, of man's heart the frost which freezes and constricts.
Melancholy, which erodes the soul; the insatiable worm,
Slothfulness, drowsiness to a soul, which spins [weaves] death,
Vanity, a serpent; a many headed serpent,
It is everywhere and nowhere, the grass conceals it,
Pride, a double-edged sword that cuts and hems,
Both the young and old mercilessly destroys,
And the ones vigorous, and arrogant [proud] because of strength,
And the spiritual elders, to themselves, dear.
Of all these passions, our defense God is
By the prayers of the holy Saint Cassian.
REFLECTION
St. John Cassian writes of the struggle with the spirit of lust in this manner: "Struggle with the spirit of lust is a bitter struggle; longer than other struggles; a daily struggle victoriously accomplished completely only by a small number of people. This struggle begins with the first mature growth and does not cease until all other passions are defeated. In this struggle, a two-fold weapon is necessary. For the achievement of this perfect and pure chastity bodily fasting alone is not sufficient (although fasting, before everything else is necessary): along with this, meekness of the spirit and unremitting prayer is necessary against this most impure spirit [lust]. After that, continual study of Holy Scripture together with prudent mental exercises and after that physical labor and handiworks, all of which keeps the heart from lusting and restores it to itself and, above all, profound and true humility without which victory over any passion can never be achieved. Victory over this passion [lust] is conditioned with the perfect purification of the heart from which, according to the words of the Lord, flows the poison of this sickness [lust]. "For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies" (St. Matthew 15:19). One must have stable humility and patience in the heart as well as careful protection of oneself from anger and other passions during the course of the day. For in as much as the fire of anger enters in us, afterward so much easier, does the ember of passions penetrate us. It is interesting that even many other great spiritual fathers bring into causal tie the passion of anger and the passion of lustful desire from which follows, that the most angry ones are the most lustful ones.
CONTEMPLATION
To contemplate the Lord Jesus as the vigilant Watchman over His Church: "Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (St. Matthew 28:20).
1. How He watches over the entire created world and especially His Church acquired by His Blood;
2. How He watches over every baptized soul as a gardener over His planting;
3. How He through serenity and through tempest, leads His Church, leading her [The Church] to ultimate victory;
4. How He watches even over my life, that it grow and that it may be built in His eternal kingdom.
HOMILY
About the living presence of Christ
"I am with You always, even to the end of the ages" (St. Matthew 28:20).
Here is consolation above consolations!
Here is consolation for those whom the tempest breaks! Let them only remember: There Christ is beside them and let them not be afraid. He is the Helmsman.
Here is consolation for those who are sick! Let them know that Christ is there beside their bed and let them not despair. He is the Physician.
Here is consolation for those who grow old! Let them not lose sight that Christ travels with them through time to all eternity, into eternal youth and let them be at peace.
Here is consolation for those who are tormented by men! Let them not think that they are abandoned, for Christ is with them in all suffering; at judgment and in prison and let them rejoice. He is the Judge.
Here is consolation for those who are disturbed by evil spirits! Let them remember that Christ is the conqueror over evil spirits, He is on their side and let them be strengthened. He is the Victor.
Here is consolation for all who seek the light of justice and truth! Let them believe that Christ is closer to their soul than their eyes and let them adhere to His leadership. He is Light.
O, my brethren, in truth, Christ is constantly with us as light is constantly with the eyes, which see. But O, our sorrow if the eyes of our soul are closed and, in vain does the light labor to encounter the pupil of our vision! O, our sorrow and grief when we are not with Christ!
He goes out to meet us. Are we going out to meet Him? He wants to be with us. Do we want to be with Him? If we want consolation, we must be with Him all days to the end of our time.
O Lord, our only consolation, do not leave us!
To you be glory and thanks always. Amen.
+ + +
Охридски пролог
Свети Николај Велимировић Жички.
Охридски пролог
Свети Николај Велимировић Жички.
29. ФЕБРУАР (стари) или 13. МАРТ (нови календар)
1. Преподобни Јован Касиан. Овај велики духовник родио се у Риму од родитеља славних. У младости изучи све науке светске, нарочито философију и астрономију. По том се сав предаде изучавању Светога Писма. Простирући се од добра на боље и желећи све виши степен савршенства, Касиан оде из Рима у Цариград, да лично чује и види светог Јована Златоуста. Златоуст га поучи и посвети за ђакона. Користивши се много мудрим Златоустом, Касиан се упути даље на Исток, да се још више научи и усаврши. Највише се задржао у Мисиру, у Нитрији, међу чувеним духовним атлетима, од којих се научио вежбању у свакој добродетељи. Напокон се врати опет на Запад, и настани се у граду Марсељу. Ту основа два манастира, један мушки и један женски. На молбу монаха написа Касиан више списа, од којих је нарочито користан за љубитеље духовног живота: „Осам књига о борби против осам главних страсти.” Врло му је важан спис против јеретика Несторија. Овај спис написа Касиан на молбу архиђакона Лава. Послужи верно Господу и обогати многе мудрошћу, па се пресели у вечни живот 435. године. Мошти светог Касиана и данас почивају у Марсељу.
2. Преподобни Варсонуфије. Родом из Палестине. Рођен као незнабожац он се крсти у 18 својој години и одмах замонаши добивши име Јован. Када се прочу због свога добродетељног живота, би изабран за архиепископа у Дамаску. Но он не оста дуго на том положају. Жудећи за усамљеним духовним подвигом он тајно напусти Дамаск и оде у пустињу Нитријску. Ту се пријави као монах Варсонуфије, и одмах доби као послушање да буде водоноша манастирски. Негдашњи архиепископ с радошћу прими то послушање. Својим умним расуђивањем, кротошћу и вредноћом Варсонуфије ускоро постаде узорити пример свима монасима. Тек пред његову смрт би откривено монасима, ко је био Варсонуфије. И тако овај светитељ послужи својим примером за укор гордим и властољубивим, а за утеху смерним и кротким. Упокојио се мирно и преселио ка Господу 457. године.
Осам страшних страсти Касиан исчисли
И девето јоште — нечисте помисли.
Прождрљивост прво у пићу и јелу,
Па блуд, отров други и духу и телу,
Среброљубље — оков што за метал веже,
Гнев — мраз људског срца, што леди и стеже.
Печал — црв несити што душу разједе,
Униније — дремеж што смрт души преде.
Сујетљивост — змија, змија многаглава,
Свуд је нигде је — прикрива је трава,
Гордост — мач дворезни што сече и руби,
И младе и старе немилосно губи,
И младиће чиле, охоле због снаге,
И духовне старце, самим себи драге.
Од свих ових страсти Бог нам је одбрана
Молитвама светим светог Касиана.
РАСУЂИВАЊЕ
Свети Јован Касиан пише о борби с духом блуда овако: „Борба с духом блуда, борба је љута, дужа од других, свагдашња и само од малог броја људи потпуно к победи приведена. Ова се борба почиње с првог зрелог узраста и не престаје све док се остале страсти не победе. У овој борби потребно је двојако оружје. За достигнуће савршене и чисте целомудрености није довољан само телесни пост (премда је он пре свега нужан), потребна је уз то и сокрушеност духа и недоступна молитва против овога најнечистијег духа; за Свето Писма уједно с умним деловањем ирукодеље, које задржава срце од блуђења и повраћа га к себи, а изнад свега дубока и истинска смерност, без које се никада и ни над којом страшћу не може се задобити победа. Победа ове страсти условљена је савршеним очишћењем срца, из кога по речима Господа истиче отров ове болести. Јер од срца излазе помисли зле... прељубе, курварства и тако даље (По Матеју 15, 19)... Треба имати постојану смерност у срцу и трпљење, као и пажљиву предохрану себе у току дана од гнева и осталих страсти. Јер у колико у нас уђе огањ гнева, у толико лакше после про никава у нас жар похоти." Интересантно је да и многи други велики духовници доводе у узрочну везу страст гнева и страст блудне похоти, из чега следује, да су гневници највећи похотљивци.
СОЗЕРЦАЊЕ
Да созерцавам Господа Исуса као будног стражара над црквом Својом (По Матеју 28,20), и то:
1. како Он бди над целим створеним светом, а нарочито над црквом Својом, крвљу стеченом;
2. како Он бди над сваком крштеном душом као вртар над усевом својим;
3. како Он кроз тишину и кроз буру води цркву Своју, водећи је крајњој победи;
4. како Он бди и над мојим животом, да узрасте и узида се у царство Његово вечито.
БЕСЕДА
о живом присуству Христовоме
Ја сам с вама у све дане до свршетка вијека (По Матеју 28, 20)
Ево утехе над утехама!
Ево утехе за оне које бура ломи! Нека се само сете: ту је Христос поред њих, и нека се не боје. Он је крманош.
Ево утехе за оне који болују! Нека знају да је Христос ту крај њихове постеље, и нека не очајавају. Он је лекар.
Ево утехе за оне који старе! Нека не губе из вида, да Христос с њима путује кроз време све до у вечност у вечну младост, и нека буду спокојни.
Ево утехе за оне које људи муче! Нека не мисле да су остављени, јер Христос је уз њих у свима мукама, и на суду, и у тамници, и нека се радују. Он је судија.
Ево утехе за оне које зли духови узнемирују! Нека појме, да је Христос, победилац злих духова, на њиховој страни, и нека се крепе. Он је Победилац.
Ево утехе за све оне који траже светлост правде и истине! Нека верују, да је Христос ближи души њиховој од очију њихових, и нека се држе Његовог руководства. Он је светлост.
О браћо моја, ваистину Христос је непрестано с нама као светлост што је непрестано са очима које гледају. Но о жалости наше, ако су очи наше душе затворене, те узалуд се светлост труди да се сретне са зеницом вида нашег! О туге и жалости наше, када ми нисмо са Христом!
Он иде у сусрет нама,— идемо ли ми у сусрет Њему? Он хоће с нама, — хоћемо ли ми са Њим? Ако хоћемо утеху, ми морамо бити са Њим у све дане до свршетка нашега века.
Господе, утехо наша једина, не остави нас! Теби слава и хвала вавек. Амин.
Свети Николај ВелимировићSaint Nikolai Velimirovič
