We often have completely false notions about people of high rank, crowned with glory and honor. We say: “How could they inherit the Kingdom of Heaven, when they live in honor and luxury, have rich tables, wear almost royal garments, and keep a great number of servants, and so on?” Such an opinion of ours about people of high position is often very mistaken, as can be demonstrated by facts themselves.
Once Saint Ephraim the Syrian, who lived in the desert, began to ask God to reveal to him how far Saint Basil the Great had advanced in spiritual labors. His prayer was heard, and he beheld a pillar of fire stretching from earth to heaven. And a voice was heard saying: “Ephraim, Ephraim! As great as the pillar of fire you saw, so great is Basil.”
Then Ephraim, taking with him an interpreter who knew the Greek language, went with him to Caesarea, where Basil the Great was archbishop. They arrived in Caesarea on the very feast of the Theophany of the Lord, and Ephraim immediately went to the church where Basil was serving. When he saw Basil in great glory and honor, surrounded by a multitude of clergy, Ephraim exclaimed to his companion: “In vain have we labored, brother! Is this how I expected to see him? Can he be great before the Lord when he stands in such rank and honors? Truly, we have borne the burden of the day and the heat in vain! And I marvel again how such a man can be likened to a pillar of fire.”
Meanwhile, Basil the Great sent the archdeacon to summon Ephraim into the sanctuary. When the archdeacon conveyed the invitation of the hierarch, Ephraim said: “The hierarch must be mistaken; we are strangers, and he does not know us,” and he remained in his place.
Then the sermon began. And what happened? Throughout it, to his own terror, Saint Ephraim saw, as it were, a tongue of fire proceeding from the mouth of Saint Basil. After the sermon, the archbishop said to the archdeacon: “Go and say to the visitor to whom I sent you: ‘Master Ephraim, enter the holy sanctuary.’” The archdeacon delivered the message. Then Ephraim cried out: “Truly, Basil is great! The Holy Spirit Himself speaks through his mouth!”
When, after the Divine Liturgy, he met the archbishop, the latter said to him: “I rejoice to see you, who have multiplied the disciples of Christ in the desert and cast out demons in the name of Christ. But why have you come to see me? For I am a sinful man.” Ephraim was astonished. Then, having partaken of the Holy Mysteries from the hands of Saint Basil, he turned to him with a request that he might obtain for him understanding of the Greek language. By his prayer the archbishop obtained this for him, and afterward ordained him first as a deacon and then as a presbyter.
See then: what did Saint Ephraim say of Saint Basil when he first saw him? He said to his companion: “In vain have we labored in coming here to see him. Can he be great before the Lord when he stands in such rank and honors?” Yet was Ephraim right? No. For first, he saw as it were a tongue of fire issuing from the mouth of Saint Basil; second, Saint Basil showed himself to be clairvoyant before him; and third, he worked a miracle upon him by obtaining for him understanding of a language foreign to him.
Therefore, brethren, “judge nothing before the time” (1 Corinthians 4:5), and do not forget that not only the poor are saved, but also those clothed in purple, those honored with the great dignity of the episcopal office, the rich, nobles, and other people of high rank. Thus David lived amid royal splendor and received the crown. Abraham had a wife and children, three hundred and eighteen servants, much gold and silver; yet this did not prevent him from acquiring the name “friend of God.” Yes, we repeat: judge nothing before the time. Amen.
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
