By Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos
(Excerpt from his Homily Delivered in Mega Dendron on August 24, 2022)
(Excerpt from his Homily Delivered in Mega Dendron on August 24, 2022)
Of all the points of the life and activity of Saint Kosmas, one characteristic point must be emphasized which is the secret of his success, of the effect his word had on the people, apart from the energy of Divine Grace.
Wherever he spoke he set up a Cross and at the same time placed a stool so that he could be seen, because he was of small stature. The combination between the Cross, the stool and his completely sincere words and the simplicity of his life, that he had no "bag", as he said, were among the secrets of his success.
With the Cross he showed that it is the power of the Church and that the Resurrection is connected with the Cross. The Cross showed the patience we must have in our lives and that it is the harbinger of the Resurrection and the liberation of the Greek Nation. Of course, there was also the association that we have a Crucified and Risen Christ in contrast to Judaism and Islam.
With the "stool", as he said, he showed the death of the passions, the cultivation of the memory of death, our mortality and its transcendence with the Grace of God.
By his reference to not having a "bag" he showed that he is selfless, not seeking to exploit the people.
Of course, these three elements, i.e. Cross, "stool" and the absence of a "bag" are expressions of his apostolic and prophetic life.
This is also the secret, if we want to offer our labor on behalf of the Church and society, that is, it is the life of the Cross, selflessness.
Unfortunately, in our time there prevails life as anti-Cross which is the hedonistic way of life, which is actually the denial of the mystery of the Cross.
Seeking happiness is the great modern disease that creates conflicts of interest. Because the instinct of self-preservation prevails, wars are created and peace flees. Happiness is the satisfaction of desires and this disease is cured by purification, illumination and deification, as experienced by Saint Kosmas.
Saint Kosmas is a model of life for all of us, clergy, monks and laity, rulers and those in public office.
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
Wherever he spoke he set up a Cross and at the same time placed a stool so that he could be seen, because he was of small stature. The combination between the Cross, the stool and his completely sincere words and the simplicity of his life, that he had no "bag", as he said, were among the secrets of his success.
With the Cross he showed that it is the power of the Church and that the Resurrection is connected with the Cross. The Cross showed the patience we must have in our lives and that it is the harbinger of the Resurrection and the liberation of the Greek Nation. Of course, there was also the association that we have a Crucified and Risen Christ in contrast to Judaism and Islam.
With the "stool", as he said, he showed the death of the passions, the cultivation of the memory of death, our mortality and its transcendence with the Grace of God.
By his reference to not having a "bag" he showed that he is selfless, not seeking to exploit the people.
Of course, these three elements, i.e. Cross, "stool" and the absence of a "bag" are expressions of his apostolic and prophetic life.
This is also the secret, if we want to offer our labor on behalf of the Church and society, that is, it is the life of the Cross, selflessness.
Unfortunately, in our time there prevails life as anti-Cross which is the hedonistic way of life, which is actually the denial of the mystery of the Cross.
Seeking happiness is the great modern disease that creates conflicts of interest. Because the instinct of self-preservation prevails, wars are created and peace flees. Happiness is the satisfaction of desires and this disease is cured by purification, illumination and deification, as experienced by Saint Kosmas.
Saint Kosmas is a model of life for all of us, clergy, monks and laity, rulers and those in public office.
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.