23. Faith Heals the Sick

It is well known that almost all sick people speak of nothing else but their illness and desire nothing else but to be rid of it. Those who have the means spare nothing toward that end. They call for doctors, spend money on them and on medicines, pray to God, give alms, and confess their sins. But, unfortunately, one must note that even with such efforts it often happens that the illness persists, the spirits of the sick fall, and they despair entirely of their recovery. What is to be done in such a situation? There is nothing left to do but to strengthen oneself in faith in God—and this will be the very best course for the sick. One gentleman had suffered for more than three years from severe and terrible illnesses. He had a complete relaxation of the whole body; his legs were paralyzed, contorted, and swollen at the knees, and bedsores with ulcers had appeared on his back and sides. This man, having given up hope of help from doctors, ordered his servants to take him to the venerable Seraphim; when he was brought, four servants carried him in to the man of God. He told the latter of his afflictions—that he had tried every method of treatment, that he now placed no hope of recovery in anything, and had no other expectation of healing from his ailments except by the grace of God alone. The venerable elder, for his part, asked the sick man: “Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, that He is the God-man, and in His Most Pure Mother of God, that She is the Ever-Virgin?” The man answered: “I believe.” — “And do you believe,” the elder continued, “that the Lord, who formerly healed instantly and by His single word or touch every infirmity that people had, can just as easily and instantly still heal, as before, those who need help by His single word—and that the intercession of the Mother of God to Him on our behalf is all-powerful, and that by Her intercession the Lord Jesus Christ can at this very moment, instantly and by one word, wholly heal you as well?” The sick man answered: “I truly believe all this with my soul and heart; and if I did not believe, I would not have ordered myself to be brought here.” This was enough, and the elder said: “If you believe, then you are already well!” — “How can I be well,” asked the astonished sick man, “when your servants and you yourself, holy father, are holding me up?” — “No,” said the venerable one, “you are completely and entirely well in your whole body right now.” He then lifted him from the ground and led him forward. At first the man found it difficult to stand on his feet, but then he felt some strength descending upon him from on high; he took heart and walked steadily… The venerable elder then said further: “Do you see what a miracle the Lord has worked with you today? Believe always and unfailingly in Him, Christ our Savior, and firmly hope in His loving-kindness toward you; love Him with all your heart, cleave to Him with all your soul, always firmly hope in Him, and give thanks to the Queen of Heaven for Her great mercies to you” (“Life of Elder Seraphim,” pp. 170-172).

It should be noted that many pilgrims were witnesses of this healing and, returning to the monastery, proclaimed to all the great miracle. And so, brothers, it is truly best of all for the sick to strengthen themselves in faith. As you can see, the very moment the sick man professed his faith before Father Seraphim, he at once became well. But this is not an isolated example. Read about the earthly life of our Lord Jesus Christ, and you will see that He healed the sick only by their faith or by the faith of those who asked on their behalf. Thus, for instance, a centurion asks through friends for the healing of his servant, humbly confessing his faith through them, and the Lord says: “As you have believed, so let it be done for you” (Matt. 8:13). And the servant recovered. By faith the Lord also healed the woman with the flow of blood, saying to her: Daughter, your faith has saved you (Mark 5:34). It was enough for the father who brought his demon-possessed, deaf-mute son to the Savior to say: I believe, Lord; help my unbelief — and the demon was cast out and the boy was made well. And the faith of the Canaanite woman who sought the healing of her daughter the Lord praised and said to her: O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you desire. And her daughter was healed from that hour (Matt. 15:28). From this you can fully convince yourselves that faith in illness truly works miracles, and that all things are possible to one who believes. And if that is so, then strengthen yourselves in faith both in illness and at all times, and according to your faith it shall be done for you. Amen.