The remembrance of death

[Olympiada]

I have been reading a quote from Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk on conquering depression and it says the thought of death can chase away the demon of dejection. In post modern Western society, the thought of death is called suicide ideation and seen as not healthy. How does one distinguish between the two?

[M.C. Steenberg]

The remembrance of death takes its basic impetus from the words of the psalm, 'Teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom'; and whenever it is approached, it must be understood in this broad context. The remembrance of death is ultimately a tool for life, for the fostering and purifying of life, for granting it right direction. If the remembrance of death is embraced in a spirit of morbidity, focussed on death and cessation, it is not being embraced rightly. The remembrance of death is part of the arsenal of tools for 'sorrowful joy', or, to take up John Klimakos' term, 'joy-creating sorrow' - an act that fosters awareness, compunction and transformation.

That said, the specifics of the 'remembrance of death' are (and need to be) intently personal in approach, because here in a way more pronounced than in some other realms, a sort of 'mass application' of the concept in any specific framework of terms can be deeply spiritually unhealthy. What it means to 'remember death' can be discussed generally; but as to its actual practice, it is a kind of ascesis that requires guidance.

But the main context is always hope, the full reality of life. Hence Fr Silouan's word from the Lord, 'Keep your mind in hell and despair not' (a connected but not identical concept) which similarly was not for him a morbid, wrathful concept, but one of peace and wonder.

INXC, Matthew

[Antonios]

Dear Olympiada,

I have understood the 'remebrance of death' to be more of a way to keep vigilance and obidience rather than to chase away the demon of dejection. Perhaps you could provide a quote from St. Tikhon?

Suicidial ideation is exactly that- thoughts of killing oneself as an escape due to majoy depression, etc. This obviously is not effective way of escape in a Christian sense, since we believe after death, we will come before the awesome judjement seat of Christ and give account to how we have spent out lives. If we kill ourselves, which is the greatest sin, a sin against the Holy Spirit which is unforgivable as stated by Christ, then we escape this earthly life and enter eternal hell (hardly an escape).

The practice of remebrance of death is akin to bitter medicine, which in the right amount of doses heals our weaknesses. It is done in order to keep watchfullness and awareness in our how we conduct ourselves, always considering that we will eventually have to give an account for our laziness, forgetfullness, and ignorance. This gives us godly fear and humility.

With this godly fear and humility, this leads us to repentence. And then, finally through repentence, when we begin to understand how merciful our Lord is, we enter the hope and joy of God's love.

I hope this helps, and God bless you this Lenten period.

[Olympiada]

Matthew wrote


The remembrance of death takes its basic impetus from the words of the psalm, 'Teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom'; and whenever it is approached, it must be understood in this broad context. The remembrance of death is ultimately a tool for life, for the fostering and purifying of life, for granting it right direction. If the remembrance of death is embraced in a spirit of morbidity, focussed on deat h and cessation, it is not being embraced rightly. The remembrance of death i s part of the arsenal of tools for 'sorrowful joy', or, to take up John Klimakos' term, 'joy-creating sorrow' - an act that fosters awareness, compunction and transformation.

A bishop said he did not have much time left. I discussed this with many people and some said he was getting old and others said he was sharp as a tack. I have many friends that are older than him that do not talk about having few days left. Since this bishop instructs people to read the Psalms , I take it he was talking about the Psalms. Thank you for bringing this up. I will have to investigate which Psalm this is. This is an excellent Lenten meditation.

What is a spirit of morbidity?

'Joy creating sorrow' is not at all supported in post modern California. Ho w can one have an attitude like that in such a place as this?

In Christ Olympiada

[Olympiada]

Dear Antonios, Here is the section of the quote from Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk


The thought of death, which perchance may cross your mind, the thought of Christ's judgment, of eternal torment and of eternal bliss, turn s away dejection. Meditate on these things"

[M.C. Steenberg]

'Joy creating sorrow' is not at all supported in post modern California. Ho w can one have an attitude like that in such a place as this?

Have it, in spite of and because of the fact that it is not 'normal'.

[M.C. Steenberg]

The thought of death, which perchance may cross your mind, the thought of Christ's judgment, of eternal torment and of eternal bliss, turn s away dejection. Meditate on these things.

The noble St Tikhon, who understood that nothing is more morose, more a cause of sullenness and dejection, than the vision of an eternity without repentance.