Saint Isaac the Syrian – The Fiery Voice of the Wilderness

By RTOC Priest Aleksandar

Oh, the mysterious providence of God, which nurtures prophets in the silence of the desert and kindles an unquenchable light in the hidden depths of the heart! Who can comprehend the ways of the Holy Spirit, who raises the pillars of the Church in solitude? Who can express the glory of those who, fleeing the world, became beacons of salvation for the world?
Behold, in the ancient land of Nineveh, a chosen one of God was born—a hidden flower in the garden of the Lord, whose fragrance neither time nor oblivion can extinguish. From his youth, his heart thirsted for the Lord, and in the monastery of Mar Mattai, near his native city, he laid the foundation for his spiritual ascent. Oh, how wondrous it is to behold a man who early rises above the world, who flees the noise of the world into silence, that in that silence he might hear the very voice of God!
But lo, a light cannot be hidden under a bushel! And when the voice of his holiness and miracles was heard, he was called to ascend the throne of the bishop of Nineveh. Yet what is a man whose soul is the fire of prayer, and whose heart is not in his own keeping, but in the hands of God? For only five months he remained in the episcopal rank, and then, like a bird that cannot live in a cage, he left behind the glory and rank, fled from human honors, and, carrying within himself the mystery of the desert, hid himself in the monastery of Rabban Shapur.
Oh, the mystery of God! How profound is the wisdom of those who know that true glory is not found in the heights of human honor, but in the depths of repentance and prayer! For glory is not what is seen, but what burns in secrecy, in the heart that has become an altar of God.
And so, in the solitude of his cell, Saint Isaac the Syrian began to pour forth rivers of spiritual wisdom. His mind, stilled from the noise of the world, became an instrument of the Holy Spirit. Who can fathom the depths of his words, save the one who himself has been deemed worthy to gaze into the abyss of his own soul? For his writings are not mere sermons, not mere teachings—they are the cry of a soul consumed with love for God. They are light for those who walk in the dark paths, a fountain of living water for those dying of thirst for God.
Just as the deep ocean conceals pearls within its depths, so too are his writings filled with hidden mysteries, accessible only to those willing to dive into the abyss of humility. He speaks of silence that enlightens, of tears that elevate, of love that consumes all fear. He teaches that it is better to converse with God in solitude than to be renowned among men in the world. Who can understand this language except the one who has himself tasted the sweetness of dying to the world and living only for Christ?
Behold, even great saints, such as Simeon the Stylite, sought counsel from this man who dwelt in silence. Oh, how great is the depth of a mind unburdened by vanity, that cares not for human praises, but seeks only that the heart may be an offering unto God! Who can measure his understanding of the soul, his knowledge of human frailty? For he was not only a man of prayer but also an experienced physician who knew how to heal the wounds of sin, how to quench the fire of passions, and how to enkindle the love for God that knows no bounds.
He who fled from the world became a teacher to the world. He who entered into the depths of silence spoke the deepest truths. For his words were not the fruit of mere reflection but of a fire that burned within him—not consuming him but illuminating him.
And so, in his old age, when his soul already dwelled more in the heavenly than in the earthly, he surrendered his spirit into the hands of the One whom he had served all his life. Yet he did not leave this world in darkness but illuminated it with his words, which still live, which still warm souls, which still, like a sword, divide truth from falsehood, light from darkness, life from death.
Oh, Saint Isaac, mystery of the wilderness, teacher of hidden wisdom, do not forget us! You who have watered the hard soil of human hearts with your tears, warm us also with the love you have known! Teach us the silence that speaks more than words, the repentance that brings joy, the humility that conquers pride!
For just as you have known the depth of God’s mercy, so too do we long to taste that light which shines in those who have plunged into the abyss of their own souls. That, purified by tears, refined by endurance, and inflamed with love, we may be found worthy to be called children of the Light and not shadows of this world.
To Him who is the Uncreated Light, who knows the depths of the heart and receives the tears of the penitent, Christ our Lord, be glory unto the ages of ages. Amen.
With tears and prayer for this world,
Priest Aleksandar RTOC