2024-09-02 06:20:43
“According to an ancient custom, today we mark the beginning of the Church New Year, as it was designated as the beginning in more ancient times, when not only the New Church Year began, but the calendar in general. It is good to remember some texts from the chants and from the readings, related to this event, let’s remember these readings and what the passing of one year into another is really about, and that is, first of all, about seeking God’s blessing.”
His Eminence Metropolitan Seraphim of Nevrokop said this in his sermon after today’s holy liturgy, BTA reported.
The bishop’s service today was in the church “St. vmchk. Dimitar” in Blagoevgrad, which is celebrating its second church holiday today, as in the past there was another church on the site of the church, dedicated to Saint Simeon Stuplnik, whose memory we celebrate today.
The periods of time pass one after the other, many in number during the life of each one of us, their quantity is incalculable, since the world existed, whenever the New Year approaches and comes, the church offers prayers for God to give his blessing of abundance to the earthly goods, for peaceful times, but also for favorable opportunities for the salvation of human souls, Metropolitan Seraphim also said.
On today’s day, in which the memory of Saint Simeon Stulpnik is also celebrated, His Eminence Metropolitan Seraphim of Neurokop recalled the life of the saint devoted to God. Metropolitan Seraphim noted that Saint Simeon Stulpnik grew up in a pious family, in his youth his heart was filled with Christ’s love, and when he came of age, he was ordained a monk.
In his sermon, Metropolitan Seraphim of Neurokop pointed out that no one should go alone on his way to the Lord, because, as it is said in the word of God, woe to him, because if he falls, there is no one to support him and help him. Saint Simeon, following this trodden, safe path of spiritual life, entrusted himself to the guidance of experienced monks in the holy monastery near his birthplace. However, his soul could not stay with the common path of the monastic brotherhood, it always aspired to greater exploits, and seeing this, the abbot of the monastery blessed him to leave it and do exploits, but Saint Simeon was nearby and used the guidance of his spiritual elder, Metropolitan Seraphim said in the sermon.
After spending time at the bottom of a dry well and in a cave, Saint Simeon builds a tower where he chooses to live, far removed from temptation. Throughout his life, he maintained humility, despite the gift of miracles, healing and help, which he was able to provide through God’s grace to people. A feat without humility has no value, noted Metropolitan Seraphim of Neurokop and recalled from the life of Saint Simeon the experience of his humility. The monks decided to test whether Saint Simeon was not losing his soul in spiritual charm by sending an order to come down from the ladder. When representatives of the monks conveyed to Saint Simeon their order, he immediately began to descend, without any hesitation. This was a clear sign that he did not have any pride in himself, but performed his feat in complete humility, so they told him not to go down and not to interrupt his feat and gave him the blessing of the reverend fathers, Metropolitan Seraphim said.
The Metropolitan of Neurokop noted that we can learn many lessons from all lives. He urged the laity to pay attention when they are in church to what is being read and sung, to be careful about ourselves and other people, not to be distracted, which is why the word of God cannot enter our hearts, “even if I want the soil to be good”. At the end of his sermon, Metropolitan Seraphim congratulated the holiday and wished Saint Simeon to help everyone.
After performing the holy liturgy, His Eminence Metropolitan Seraphim of Nevrokop held a water consecration in the church “St. vmchk. Dimitar” in Blagoevgrad.