In this video, Elder Cleopas of Romania (✝1998) tells us a story of Alexander the Great of Macedon. Alexander the Great’s final wish—to be buried with empty hands—symbolizes the truth that worldly conquests and possessions are meaningless in death, as only one’s good deeds hold eternal value. Fr. Cleopa Ilie was forced to live as a hermit in the mountains for nine years during the oppressive Communist regime in Romania.
The Romanian Orthodox Church has approved the canonization of 16 new saints during the synodal sessions held on July 11-12th 2024. Venerable Cleopa of Sihastria Monastery is one of them. They will be officially recognized as saints in 2025.
Video source: DrumulSpreInviere, https://youtu.be/QsZ5G8pbW58
Recording time: around 1992-1994
Fr. Cleopa:
A Reminder for Every President
Alexander the Great of Macedon, the one who conquered so many countries… When he understood that his death was near, he said: “Build my grave of stone, the coffin of marble, and let both my hands dangle EMPTY out of my coffin!”
This was his testament… he was Alexander the Great…
They asked him, “But why, Your Majesty?”
“Whoever puts something in my hands will be guilty of death! Empty handed!
I want all people to know that I, Alexander the Great, who conquered the whole world, have to leave this earth with my hands EMPTY! I cannot take anything with me!”
Even if you put something in his grave, it stays there; he can’t take anything with him. Do you know what he takes with him? Every good work!
Good works can redeem the soul. It wasn’t a prophet who told us the value of the soul, nor an apostle… but Christ Himself who said: “What will a man give in exchange for his soul? Even if he gains the whole world, he cannot buy his soul.” [see Matthew 16:26]
The soul is the image and likeness of God… So, we should care for our souls, staying in prayer always, making pure confessions, going to Church, living in holiness, cleanliness, fasting, charity, and good deeds…
Because we will be judged in the state in which death finds us!
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