The Most Precious Thing

There is an old legend according to which God said to one of His angels: "Go down to earth and bring back the most precious thing in the world."

The angel flew down to earth and traversed hills and valley, seas and rivers, in search of the most precious thing in the world. Finally after a number of years, the angel came upon a battlefield and beheld a brave soldier dying of the wounds he had received in defence of his country. The angel seized a drop of blood, brought it to the throne of God, and said, "Lord God, surely this is the most precious thing in the world." God said, "Indeed, O angel, this is precious in my sight, but it is not the most precious thing in the world."

So the angel returned to earth and, after many years of wandering, came to a hospital where a nurse lay dying of a dread disease that she had contracted through nursing others. As the last breath passed from her lifeless form, the angel caught it up and brought it to the throne of judgement, saying, "O Lord God, surely this is the most precious thing in the world." God smiled at the angel and said, "Indeed , O angel, sacrifice on behalf of others is very precious
in my sight, but it is not the most precious thing in the world."

The angel returned to earth and this time wandered for many years. Then it happened that the angel beheld one day a vicious looking man riding through a dark forest. He was going to the hut of his enemy to destroy him. As he approached the enemy's house, light streamed from the windows as the members of the household, unsuspecting, went about their tasks.

The villain approached and looked into the window. There he saw the wife putting the little son to bed, teaching him to pray, instructing him to thank God for all his blessings. As the vicious man looked at this scene, he forgot why he had come. He remembered his own childhood-how his mother had put him to bed and taught him to pray to God. The man's heart melted and a tear rolled down his cheek. The angel caught the tear and flew to God saying, "Dear Lord, surely this is the most precious thing in the world-the tear of repentance."

God beamed upon the angel as He spoke, "Indeed, O angel, you have brought me the most precious thing in the world-the tear of repentance which opens the gates of heaven."


Extracted from Eastern Orthodoxy: A Way Of Life
by Anthony Coniaris
Light and Life Publishing Company 1966