February: Day 16: Holy Hieromartyr Pamphilos

February: Day 16:
Holy Hieromartyr Pamphilos
 
(On the Need for a Christian to Care About the Salvation of his Neighbor’s Soul)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. Holy Hieromartyr Pamphilos, whose memory is celebrated today, lived at the beginning of the 4th century, was born in Berytus, in Caesarea of Palestine, where he later served as a priest. Having received an excellent education in Alexandria, he studied the Holy Scriptures: he compared the texts of the New Testament, corrected places corrupted by copyists, copied manuscripts himself and distributed them to all who wanted them. He worked long and hard on this matter and collected a large library of sacred books in Caesarea. At the same time, distinguished by his piety, he distributed his wealth to the poor and devoted himself to the spread of the true faith and Christian education.

These exploits of his did not go in vain: during the time of Diocletian, he was summoned to trial and after torture was thrown into prison, where he spent two years, together with two Christians - Deacon Valentinus and Paul. At that time, the persecution of Christians was terribly intensifying, and unfortunate Christians, exhausted by torture, crippled - with gouged out eyes and with cut tendons in their legs, were driven to hard labor in the mines. After two years of imprisonment, Pamphilos was led to execution together with his companions. The torture of the martyrs and the steadfastness with which they endured suffering, openly confessing Christ, attracted many followers from the people, who voluntarily declared themselves Christians and accepted execution. Saint Pamphils, together with twelve other martyrs, was executed in 308.

II. The life of the Holy Hieromartyr Pamphilos, who cared about the correction of books of the Holy Scriptures corrupted by copyists, about the distribution of copies of the word of God to the poor, about the spread of the Christian faith and enlightenment, and in general about the salvation of the souls of his neighbors, teaches us, beloved brothers, to care for the souls of our neighbors.

We must be ready to serve our neighbor by imparting our knowledge without envy, especially by teaching in religion and good life. "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another" (Col. 3:I6).

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven" (Matt. 5:16)

In particular, one can imagine in this form a plan for saving the soul of one’s neighbor.

a) Pray earnestly, both in general for the salvation of all, and in particular for the salvation of those whom you know more and who, in your opinion, are in special need. Pray, desiring for the brethren a certain gift of understanding, or zeal, or prayer, etc., and asking for yourself the strength and ability to act for their salvation, or better yet, giving yourself up as a divine instrument for this work. Especially prayerfully ask for untempting action before others, and by prayer cleanse yourself from past unintentional and accidental incidents that can be tempting. Do not be tempted by the thoughts and words of others, as if such prayer were of no use; for, besides the fact that he who has sanctified himself by it is always more capable, more disposed to act for the salvation of others, there is a secret communion of souls, by which one, it is incomprehensible how, can inseminate another, or predispose it to insemination through itself or through others. An example is the mother of blessed Augustine, who with her prayers converted her almost lost son to God and a good Christian life, and the holy martyrs, who often converted their tormentors to Christ God with the power of their prayers. If we all mutually turn our spirits to others in prayer, then as many warming rays will come to each one as there are people. Consequently, everyone would be warmed by a measure of warmth equal to all of Christianity. Then no force could overcome a single Christian.

b) Be a living example of faith and piety. When you go out and appear in the circle of Christians, let everyone see living Christianity in you, see that you understand it, honor it, and practice it. This is the same as building up your brother in everything: by word, and look, and movements, and deeds, and not upsetting him or tempting him with any of this. Remember: "woe to that man by whom the offense comes" (Matt. 18:7). In being an example, both good and evil have a very strong effect, which is why, as much as the one is obligatory, the other is condemnable.

c) But this is not enough: one must also desire, and carefully strive to assist, and contribute by deed in the work of the salvation of others, for what is the use of saying only "warm yourself" and not giving what is needed? He who truly loves will do everything for the beloved. Love does not look at inconveniences and does not see them. But if there are any, she is ready to lay down her life for her friends, - to sacrifice everything, even her life, for their salvation. Coldness in this reveals coldness both about one's own salvation and about God's glory, as well as lack of conviction in faith, and self-love, and resolute carelessness. Therefore, we must attentively watch all cases in relation to our brethren and seek among them, whether there is not someone to whom we can, according to our strength, put something into the soul, savingly assisting him in salvation.

Having noticed something that is especially dangerous for him in another, take every effort to calm him down and bring him to his senses, as best you can. Act directly yourself, find people who can influence him, watch for an opportunity, enter into close relations and dispose him to yourself, etc. But under no circumstances give a sign of pleasure or consent to those things, either by word or by deed... If all those around the faulty one showed him signs of disfavor, then, it seems, he should now come to his senses, for where would he go then? One of the best ways of admonishment is to bring another to reason himself: let him find it himself, you only arrange the matter so that he finds it.

III. Therefore, "let each one build up his neighbor" (1 Thess. 4:11), concluding our teaching with the words of the Holy Apostle Paul. Amen. 

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