February: Day 6: Holy Martyrs Dorothea and Theophilos

February: Day 6:
Holy Martyrs Dorothea and Theophilos
 
(The Beneficial Nature of the Thought of Eternal Life)

By Archpriest Grigory Dyachenko

I. At the time when Saint Dorothea, whose memory is celebrated today, was being led to the place of execution, one of the torturers, named Theophilos, said to her mockingly: "Bride of Christ, send me apples and flowers from the paradise of your bridegroom Christ!" The Holy Martyr, not at all ashamed by his words, with firm faith in God's help, said: "I will certainly send them!" and continued to go to the place of execution. Here she began to pray to God, when suddenly an Angel appeared to her and offered her three apples and three flowers. Saint Dorothea asked him to take the apples and flowers to Theophilos, and she herself bowed her head under the sword. Theophilos received the apples and flowers and, knowing that at that time it was winter and, consequently, it was impossible to obtain natural fruits, he recognized the power of the true God, confessed himself a Christian, was tortured and finally beheaded with the sword.

II. So beneficial was the thought of eternal life after the death of the woman, that the boorish pagan Theophilos was subdued by this thought to the holy faith and was baptized, despite the death that lay before him for his faith.

a) The thought of eternity has always produced a great effect: it has inspired martyrs and made the most severe sufferings not terrible for them; it shut up ascetics in the desert and brought them to feats of inhuman self-denial; it has stopped even hardened sinners on the path of lawlessness and given them the courage to fight their passions. And for us, the thought of eternity has beneficial consequences.

b) Everything temporary, no matter how important it may seem, is as nothing in comparison with eternity. Glory, honor, dignity, titles and distinctions are nothing; for at the hour of death they will fall from us, as leaves now fall from trees. Riches, possessions, houses, gardens are nothing; for none of this will follow us into eternity, everything will go to others, perhaps even to our enemies, and will be used against our desires and intentions. The very sorrows and misfortunes, from which we cried in this life, murmured, did not know where to find a place - are nothing; for at the hour of death they will appear as if they had never been.

c) That which can pass into the other world is essential. Let something have no importance for my temporary stay on earth, let it even be harmful to it; but if it will have a beneficial effect on me in eternity, then I will treasure it as a treasure, and will use all my strength and means to acquire it.

d) One should not, forgetting the eternal, give in to the temporary and perishable. No, whatever I do on earth, I will never do it for the earth alone, but will always have heaven and eternity in mind. Should happiness meet me, I will use its gifts to serve God and humanity, to atone for my sins by deeds of compassion and help to my fellow people in distress. Should temptations befall me, I will endure them in a spirit of humility and devotion, turning my sorrow and tears to the benefit of my soul.

III. Let us therefore awaken from our pernicious insensibility! We have served and labored long enough for the vain world; it is time to serve and labor for God and our Savior. We have wasted long enough the talents given to us, causing harm to our souls and consciences; it is time to begin to think of repentance and returning to our father's house. Let us go to our homes so as not to live as we lived, or rather killed ourselves before; let us go and begin, with God's help, to build an eternal temple for our souls, which now lies in ruins, so that we may find a place of rest befitting those who have labored well in time for eternity, and not a place of sorrow and sighing, which awaits unrepentant sinners. Amen. 

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