Saint Michael, Bishop of Synades, once arrived in a village called Areos (doesn't exist today) In this village a very large number of rats had fallen and destroyed every fruit in the fields and vineyards. The inhabitants were in despair and did not know what to do, how to deal with this great evil. They even risked starving to death.
So they begged the saint to receive them and pray for their salvation.
"Fast for three days," he told them "and cleanse yourself physically and mentally. Then I will tell you what to do, and may the good Lord have mercy, forgive your sins and stop the evil."
Three days passed and the Saint ordered:
"Gather all in your fields and your vineyards and chant, with a contrite heart and hope to God, "Lord have mercy".
Indeed, they all came together and chanted "Lord have mercy", and the hierarch knelt down, raised his hands and gaze at Heaven and prayed with tears in his eyes:
"Lord Jesus Christ, God, Creator of the universe, watch over Your people and Your heritage and do not forsake Your creatures; They may have sinned before You and deprived Your goodness, but they have not departed from You. Turn Your wrath into compassion and test Your creatures, good and merciful God.
As soon as the saint had finished his prayer, the place was quenched and the crowds of rats disappeared! All the locals thereafter praised God, who saved them, and thanked their Holy Bishop.
translated by Orthodox Parables and Stories
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.