Orthodox Parable and Stories: On the Eagle Wings. Parable by the Holy Martyr Seraphim (Zvedinsky)

On the eagle wings. A parable by the Holy Martyr Seraphim (Zvedinsky)

“There was a terrible, dark abyss in the world, prisoners full of sorrows languished in it. And suddenly a wonderful mighty eagle flew into this abyss. He spread two wings and exclaimed: “All of you languishing in this abyss! Grasp my wings, hold on to them tightly, and I will carry you high up to the sun. ”

Prisoners believed the eagle. Clutched tightly on his wings. And the mighty eagle carried them from the abyss. He climbed higher and higher, and with him those who held onto his wings. The earth had already appeared, but the eagle did not stop. People holding on to his wings began to say: “Wait! We already see our dear light: thank you! Where are you still taking us? ”The eagle answered them:“ Just hold on tight, I will carry you higher to the sun itself! ”And he began to ascend higher and higher. He passed the sky, shining with radiant luminaries, flew the second sky, reached the third. But here he did not stop, but rose to the See of the Eternal Sun itself. And here, in the face of the Almighty, he piled his burden. ”

The Holy Martyr Seraphim explains this parable in this way. The eagle is, of course, Christ, risen and ascended to heaven. And the people who clutched at his wings are all who desired the Kingdom of Heaven: starting from the Old Testament righteous and including you and me. And the wings of Christ are so great, so powerful and voluminous, that they can lift everyone, the whole human race.

Christ extends His wings to us. And for Him it does not matter what we are, by whom we were born, how we lived before, what weaknesses we have. He only wants us to hold onto His wings, and He will carry us to the Kingdom of Heaven.