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The Legend of Peresvet/Chapter Ten: Hegumen Sergius

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Chapter Ten:
Hegumen Sergius

Humble the pride in yourself!

Keep peace in the soul!

Forgive and forget all wrongs!

Be charitable and merciful in deeds!

Hegumen Sergius

The fact that hegumen Sergius could both understand God and know His Will, and the fact that he stove to live so always, was something that Peresvet has guessed at — or, more precisely, felt clearly. But Sergius himself hardly ever told him or others about this.

Sergius was usually silent and taught the same to all his brethren. He taught not only external silence, the daily habit of laconism, but also a special inner silence, which can be found in an open spiritual heart. In the Christian tradition, such silence is called by the Greek word hesychia. Sergius explained that this word means more than just the practice of ascetic silence, and that the attainment of this silence is very significant on the spiritual Path. In this silence, God’s Love grows and blossoms in the devotee’s soul, and God becomes so close that no one is nearer!

That state of love, calm, and peace of mind, in which Sergius himself always lived, was special and expansive. It was as if he embraced the whole monastery with the soul. It was a marvelous calm and clear space of all-encompassing silence.

It was as if a transparent, slightly golden, boundless Light spread everywhere in the space of the monastery and around it! That is how Peresvet perceived Sergius — as a special soul, a Great Soul!

Through this state of his, the hegumen helped everyone in the monastery to gain spiritual achievements. He helped even just by the fact that in this space of his love and peace — the monks lived. And he also explained the ways of finding purity of soul and inner silence.

This space of Light-Love, natural to Sergius, was visible only to a soul developed to the necessary level. Usually, it seemed as if all this Light was smiling and sparkling with gentle joy. True, Sergius could also become quite stern. But even his severity consisted of great kindness and a loving understanding coming from the Depths.

Peresvet never tried to hide his spiritual experiences from Sergius. He understood that Sergius already knew much directly from God. But all the same, Peresvet told everything both in confessions and in simple, private conversations. So now, he was going to tell the hegumen about his meeting with Jesus.

* * *

Sergius met Peresvet with great joy! He accepted the icon and the books.

Afterwards, Peresvet said to Sergius:

“There is something important I must tell you about: I have seen and heard Jesus…”

… The hegumen listened attentively to Peresvet. His face was full of light.

Then he asked:

“Do you want everyone to know about this event? So that the ranks of the higher clergy will make an inquiry as to whether the miracle really was revealed to you — or if it was only a temptation? Do you want to be glorified for seeing a miracle of God?”

“No, I do not want and do not seek glory in it! Whatever you decide, so be it!”

“Then do not speak of it needlessly! Today there are few true believers, but there are many who are envious! You may make an exception only for those who know you well and love God deeply, so that an understanding of the great possibilities of the soul and of the Love of God may be revealed to them.

“And one more thing — keep on learning humility! I know that you have already learned much, and that you see and hear messages from Heaven. Therefore, now you have to watch more diligently for your pride in yourself: so as not to regard yourself as chosen, so as not to set yourself higher than others!

“Just remembering this is one thing, but truly humbling oneself will require more attention to oneself-soul!”

“And if someone from higher ranks asks me in confession — should I keep silent?”

“It is not a sin — to see Jesus! What is there to repent of?” — Sergius said with a calm smile.

Then he continued:

“Remember, Alexander, that even truth should be told with caution! It is not always good to tell a person what they cannot yet comprehend, no matter how hard you try! Sometimes silence is better! Such silence is not a sin but wisdom!

“Try to feel the Will of God with your heart and strive to follow it!”

… After a short silence, Sergius said:

“Now tell me about the bandits! How did it happen, where did you get these dashing people, and why did you bring them to the monastery? Tell me the whole truth!”

… Sergius looked with a soft smile at the slightly embarrassed Peresvet.

“It is as you say: they were robbers! What is there to tell, what is there to hide?”

“So…, what then…? They attacked you from behind, and you, grabbing one with your left hand and the other with your right, dragged them by the scruff of their necks like blind kittens?...”

“Well — sort of… They were starving, they thought I had food and money in my bag, but I had only some bread. I showed them the icon. And afterwards, well, we had a meal, we talked… They repented of their lives for a long time and asked me if they could come to the monastery.”

“And do you think they really want to go to God? Or do they just want to live in warmth and comfort at someone else’s expense?”

“I think they are sincere in their desire to repent and purify themselves as souls…”

“Well, call them to me, I’ll listen to them, and I’ll decide! Through these people, God is now setting up some difficult tasks for our brethren. You will soon see and understand how God’s providence is realized through you for many.

“This is important! Begin to notice it! Accept without pride and with great humility — that God wants to give evidence of His Will through you in this world!

“The Will of God is realized through every person. But those who understand this are very few!”

* * *

Afterwards, the two former thieves stood before the prior. The older of the two spoke up, making excuses:

“Our life before becoming robbers was not a good one. With our former prince, in the squadron, we were mercenaries… And, one day, our houses were burned down during an enemy raid. Our families perished! The prince didn’t protect them, didn’t defend them! He had other tactics and other benefits…

“But how to live? We didn’t want to serve that prince anymore, we were embittered by what he had done. We had no home and no money, but we were strong! We began to plunder along the roads, taking out our pain and sorrow on others… It was as if because we ourselves felt bad, we wanted to make others feel even worse. And that’s exactly what we did. For five years, we lived as robbers…

“We had no idea how repulsive we were to our victims and no one had ever tried to resist us before!

“And your monk, Alexander Peresvet, — he has a mighty, heroic strength! He not only stopped us, but he as if shook out all the rottenness in us, as if overturning everything in our lives! Even thinking of that previous way of life is impossible to us now!

“And then he showed us the face of Jesus on the icon.

“And he told us about Jesus…”

… The speaker’s voice trembled:

“And it turned out, he had an icon in his shoulder bag. And on it, was the Lord Jesus Himself!

“And behind his back, Heaven seemed to open! It was as if we were robbing the Lord Himself! It was the Lord Who stopped us, Who made us to see reason!

“We repented and will repent to the end of our days and be thankful that God stopped our lawlessness!

“Your monk told us afterwards that he was once a vigilante, that he buried his wife, and that now he lives with God in peace and joy.

“And not just in this icon is there protection from trouble, but in full surrender to God, in the love of the heart for everyone and everything! And then God Himself and all the host of Heaven will be with us always! And even if death comes — then we must accept it with humility!

“And if you are clean, Heaven will be open to you!

“We now want to be cleansed! Accept us into the cloister, and punish us for our sinful life — at least until the end of our days!”

… Sergius did not allow these former criminals to be monks. But, he accepted them as probationary novices for a long time.

And he didn’t send them away.

* * *

The new inhabitants of the monastery were met by the monastic brethren unkindly, and with great wariness. It turned out that these men were the same robbers who attacked the monastery wagons a year ago, and they were why the brethren had experienced hunger and starvation for a long time. One of the monks, who suffered from that event, recognized them and didn’t hold back, telling everyone everything.

And they themselves did not deny their sins…

There was much indignation among the brethren because of this! It is very difficult for people to forgive those who are directly responsible for one’s suffering…

… The following day, Sergius spoke in his sermon about forgiveness:

“Do we know how to forgive? How can we learn this virtue?

“Jesus said of those who crucified Him: ‘Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do’.* Through this, Jesus teaches us great forgiveness…

“Matthew told us how Peter asked Jesus: ‘Lord, how often shall by brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?’ Jesus said to him: ‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.’*

“Jesus teaches us to forgive!

“And He also teaches us to see in every person that which draws them to God.

“It is important to gain the ability to look closely at ourselves-souls — to uncover anger, to dislodge it, and to replace condemnation with deep understanding…

“Let us also try, my brothers, to show this not in words but in deeds!

“Let us always try to treat our fellow men with love, and live in peace among ourselves!”

* * *

That evening, Yegor asked Peresvet:

“Is it true that these bandits took our carts with provisions last year? Did they tell you about it?”

“I do not know, Yegor. Maybe it was our carts, maybe not… Is there any difference: whether it’s our misfortune or other people’s? They have repented now… They were wicked men, and now they are trying to turn to good. I think we can help them.”

“How?”

“Through kindness, I think… Try to see what a wonderful miracle of God it is that now two people, who had been robbers for five years, want to change from evil to good!”

“But how is that a miracle? It was you who converted them!”

“No, Yegor, it was not I, it was God! That is the most important miracle — when God touches a soul! Then a person makes an important choice, choosing how to live further, so that he or she tries not to sin anymore and strives towards God!

“All miracles, no matter if they are ones of healing and salvation, unusual food multiplication, or of any other kind, are performed with that end goal as their purpose. It sometimes happens that even a very simple action, which does not even look like a miracle at first sight, starts a transformation in human souls. It is through such actions as this, that God reveals His Love!

“We can help our new brothers greatly at this time. We have to see the light that is in them and strengthen the hope that has appeared in them on the path of salvation.”

“Yes, I’ve understood that.

“Hegumen Sergius spoke very well about that today.

“I also thought about forgiveness. It is easy for me to forgive our new novices. But how can I forgive those who, in fact, have done great evil to me personally and to my family, my friends? Even if I imagine that someone has killed my brothers and sisters, then such anger boils up in me! I do not have such love in me that I could forgive such evil deeds!”

“Yes, it is very hard. And not always — not even with the passing of many years — do such wounds of the soul are healed from bitter losses! It is primarily through vengeance that grows stronger and hatred that never stops — that wars in our world keep multiplying and multiplying. And there is no end to the bloodshed!

“I have thought a lot about how to bring kindness and justice into this world.

“For example, the people of one prince, at his order, go on a raid on the settlements of another neighboring prince, ravaging homes in retaliation for some offense between people who were once neighbors… Others, after some time, attack in response… And so it goes on for a long time…

“It may seem that all these people are Christians. But, when given an order, they do violence and cruelty, causing suffering and death to the innocent. It is terrible and shameful!

“And it is bitter to say, Yegor, that I was one of those who — at the dictate of a prince — did deeds that were sometimes not righteous at all! I didn’t even think then about what was true or untrue, or what in it followed the goodness dictated to us by God, or if it pleased God.

“And now I understand that we must not allow anger and malice in ourselves! And love and forgiveness must be increased in our hearts and in all our deeds. If everyone begins to act in such a way, it will be the fulfillment of God’s Commandments!

“Maybe through this, people will gradually realize the Teachings of Jesus Christ?

“Will they understand then the Truth, which is — Love for God?

“Will they understand the unacceptability of all kinds of evil, including murder and violence?

“Perhaps, such times will come?

“I often dream now about a peaceful and beautiful life. It’s like a different country there, but very much like ours… There, the beauty of nature is so lovely! Fields, meadows, birch groves, clean rivers and lakes! And people live there — peacefully, happily! Loving families, happy children! Laughter resounds and joyous songs fill the air! Brightness shines on all faces! Happiness and peace are in every heart! There’s no war and strife there…

“Maybe this is God showing me real paradisiacal places? Or maybe it’s up to us to create such a world?”