12. In Delivering Oneself From Despondency and Despair It Is Good to Turn in Prayer to the Saints of God

There come upon us days in which we not only yield to despondency but are on the verge of complete despair. What is to be done then? Of course, nothing more than to turn first of all in prayer to God, who himself calls the afflicted to himself and himself promises them his help. Call upon me, he says, in the day of your trouble, and I will hear you (Ps. 49:15). But do you know what else? After prayer to God, in days of despondency and despair, it is good to turn in prayer also to the saints of God, for examples show that the saints of God extend help and show mercy to such wretched people and drive away despondency and despair from them. To convince you of this last truth, we will bring before you today the following example. A brother of the Sarov Wilderness, by the name of John, entered it after completing his military service and in accordance with the monastery rule performed various obediences with all zeal. He had great faith in Father Seraphim, enjoyed his reciprocal love and instruction, and himself strove as far as possible to imitate his God-pleasing life. Like good soil, despite his advanced years, he made progress in many virtues—in fasting and prayer, in patience and love, in humility and obedience—and was especially compassionate toward all the afflicted and suffering. After the death of his teacher and benefactor, monk John shut himself in his humble cell and was there like a living dead man, laboring in fasting and prayer and monastic works. Having received from the Lord the gifts of humility and warmth of heart, he steadfastly endured all the snares of the enemy, with which the enemy tried to lead him away from the path of salvation.

Once, by God’s permission, the spirit of malice drew him into such an abyss of despondency and despair that the ascetic was about to take his own life, and only his firm faith in Father Seraphim saved him from the greatest danger. In the moment of heartfelt anguish, faith in Father Seraphim illumined him as with a light of some kind, and he cried out in a loud voice: “Dear Father Seraphim, help me!” No sooner had he uttered these words than the man of God appeared to him beside the holy icons in his cell, looking entirely alive, and blessing him said: “My joy, I am always with you. Take courage, do not despair, but wage war against the enemy-devil.” These words dispersed all the darkness of despondency from the monk, and from that time on he became completely calm in spirit. After this wondrous visitation he labored still more zealously, and at last completed his feat in peace and departed to the Lord (“Accounts of the life of Father Seraphim,” by Schema-Abbot Seraphim, pp. 304-305).

Thus, in despondency and in a state close to despair, it is good, after prayer to God, to turn in prayer—as you see—also to the saints of God. The example of Saint Seraphim appearing to the despairing monk clearly convinces us of the truth that the saints, illumined by the light of God’s countenance, see us, see what feelings we cherish toward them and what we desire from them, and that they are always ready to extend help and mercy to those who pray to them with love. And what else needs to be noted here? That the saints of God, having themselves all traversed the narrow, difficult, and sorrowful path on earth, and thus knowing from their own experience the necessity of higher help for a suffering person, will in all likelihood never refuse such a person this help if he asks them for it. Yes, beyond doubt the saints retain love for us even in the world beyond; beyond doubt their prayer for us is of great power before God (James 5:16); and therefore, finally, it is beyond doubt that both in difficult circumstances of life and at all times we must pray to them. Amen.