January: Day 3: Holy Martyr Gordius

January: Day 3:
Holy Martyr Gordius
 
(The Necessity of Confessing the Faith)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. The Holy Martyr Gordius, whose memory is celebrated today, lived in the 3rd century, came from the Cappadocian city of Caesarea and was a centurion in the Roman army. Having resigned from his position as centurion, he labored in the desert. When the Emperor Licinius raised a persecution of Christians, Gordius came to the city at a time when the pagans were celebrating a festival in honor of the god of war, Mars. Appearing at the celebration, he proclaimed that he believed in Christ and despised idols. The governor ordered that the Saint be cruelly tortured. “The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man will do to me!” he said during the torture. Seeing the inflexibility of Saint Gordius, the governor changed his severity to kindness, and with the promise of various rewards he thought to persuade him to renounce Christ. But the Martyr answered: “You cannot give me anything better and dearer than the Kingdom of Heaven.” Then the governor ordered the execution of the Holy Martyr. When they led Saint Gordius to execution, some advised him to renounce Christ, if only in words, "but to remain a believer in his soul." "And what did the Lord say in the Gospel?" the Holy Martyr said in reply: "Whoever denies Me before men, I will also denounce him before My Father in heaven." Having crossed himself, he calmly bowed his head under the executioner's sword.

II. The Holy Martyr Gordius, by his holy example, teaches us to courageously confess the Christian faith.

There can be two kinds of confession of faith.

One is special, during times of persecution, and the other is general, during the normal peaceful course of life.

a) Persecutions for faith in Christ, for Orthodox dogmas have happened. History testifies to them, whole hosts of holy martyrs speak of them. Persecutions still happen in some places. It must be said that they are always possible.

How should an Orthodox Christian behave during persecution for the Holy Faith? Our Lord Jesus Christ said: "When you are persecuted in one city, flee to another" (Matthew 10:23). "Hide yourselves for a little while, until the wrath of the Lord pass by," says the Prophet Isaiah (26:20). When persecution has come, test yourself; if you feel weakness, fear and dread, be silent, praying to the Lord to strengthen you in the coming misfortune. If you wish, you can hide. Many did this during times of persecution, retreating into the forests and deserts in whole communities. There will be no sin in this at all.

But the Orthodox Christian no longer has the opportunity to hide. They have taken him and are leading him to trial for the name of Christ. Be brave, faithful servant of God! Do not be afraid and do not be terrified! Declare, tell about the power of your love for the Lord, stand for Him to the point of being ready to shed blood.

An Orthodox Christian should not remain silent in those cases when fellow believers are ready to renounce their faith due to weakness and cowardice. The weak must be encouraged, strengthened and supported. Many saints did this and thus brought great benefit not only to Christians, but also made unbelievers believers.

b) Thanks be to the Lord God, we now live in peaceful times. People are not persecuted for the faith of Christ and are not forced to confess it. So should we confess the faith when there are no external motives? We must, for internal ones remain. And the latter compel a person to speak, act and live sincerely according to the rules of the Orthodox faith. We say sincerely, for hypocrisy is a grave sin before God. And what is the use and purpose of it? If you are sincerely convinced that your faith is the only true one, then show it by your actions according to your conviction. Do not look at what others will say about you. Perhaps there will be foolish ones who will laugh. Let them laugh in condemnation of their foolishness. The Holy Apostles rejoiced when they were dishonored for the name of Christ. We should imitate them. If they begin to oppress for the faith, it will be even more beneficial for you. Rejoice! the crown of martyrdom is already descending upon your head. Shame, fear and confusion are sure signs of little faith. "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels" (Luke 9:26). This is what we need to fear, and not what people will say about us. The Lord will turn His face away from us, we will perish in that terrible hour of judgment. Therefore, an Orthodox Christian must fearlessly, openly speak and live according to the rules of the holy faith.

There are cases when our silence is completely inexcusable. You meet a blasphemer. He openly censures and blasphemes the Orthodox faith. Rebuke him, confess the truth. If he listens to you, you have gained a brother. If he does not pay attention to your words, you can rest assured, judgment belongs to God alone, and you have fulfilled your duty.

c) What shall we say about those weak-willed believers who, when the opportunity arises, are ready to put on a mask of unbelief? It makes no difference whether fear or frivolity is the cause, in both cases this base pandering to men is shameful and sinful. And what does it look like: one foolish person thinks foolishly, and another, to please him, takes on the appearance of being foolish!? This is an example of base hypocrisy! A sincere Christian should not act like this. He loves the Orthodox faith more than anything earthly and confesses it openly and fearlessly before everyone. His word does not diverge from his deeds. He lives according to the rules that the Orthodox faith gives him. Such a confession of faith in words and life will lead a Christian to salvation. And the Holy Apostle Paul says: “For if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Rom. 10:9–10).

III. You see what end the confession of faith has. It is for the salvation of the soul and makes people blessed. Go with God's help boldly along this path, Orthodox Christian! 

 

Source: A Complete Annual Cycle of Short Teachings, Composed for Each Day of the Year. Translated by John Sanidopoulos.