Below is an extract of a wonderful, yet somewhat potentially confronting story, taken from the books of Mother Erene. It is related by the reverent abbess herself and provides a wonderful exhortation to us of the absolute importance of regular and proper confession and communion. Enjoy my blessed audience!
“He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in Him” (John 6:52).
Mother Erene relates:
There was a man called William Abdel Maseeh Michael who lived at 63 Al-Manyal Street, Old Cairo. He had a large jewellery shop on the ground floor of his apartment block. He was very wealthy and honest, sincere and just. He was also known for his great kindness and acts of mercy. He loved all people and was steadfast in the Christian Faith. He would discuss the Faith with understanding and knowledge with other people. He did his best to act according to the Biblical commandments.
But one day William had a heart attack. As a result, he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at Al-Salam Hospital in Al-Mohandseen, Cairo. He was cured, but then had another attack, which he also survived. But the doctors warned him that a third one would be fatal. However, on 1st March 1990 he had a third heart attack. The doctors tried in vain to rescue him. Finally, they declared his death, and left the room to complete the paperwork required for his burial and funeral. This took place at 3 am.
Two hours later, the nurses heard a voice crying in the room. They went in and to their surprise they saw William trying to get out of the bed, but could not because his body was still attached to some machines. He told them, “Indeed, I was dead, but now I am back to life and my heart is in good condition.”
He went through many medical tests and X-rays, which proved his words. The doctors and all the people present were stunned and asked him to tell them what happened. To fulfil what the Lord Jesus Christ told him to do, he asked for the reverend fathers of St. George Church in Al- Manyal: Hegumen Ileya Raouf and Hegumen Mousa Al-Gohary. He recounted the following in their presence and in front of many people:
“An angel came and took me up as if I were in an airplane. I found myself in a very beautiful place full of light, joy and peace. I saw in front of me the God of glory on a great Throne. To His right was Our Lady the Virgin. I was so overwhelmed by fear that I knelt down before Him. He told me, “Kneel also before My Mother, for she has suffered much with Me. She deserves veneration from the whole world because she is always praying and interceding for humanity all the time.’ So I did as the Lord commanded.
Then the Lord told the angel, ‘Show him the places of the saintly fathers and his family in Paradise and then take him to Hades to see the place of the evil ones. Then bring him back here. I walked with the angel and saw in Paradise indescribable glory and beauty. I saw the Patriarchs our Fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. As well, I saw St. George and many martyrs and saints. The angel was introducing them to me. I saw my family and many of my good acquaintances whom I knew well before their departure to heaven. Everyone was in a place earned according to his struggle and piety.
Then the angel took me to Hades, a very dark place filled with depression and great torment. All the people there were in agony and crying because of their sins and because they did not love God and lost the chance of repentance while on earth. Hence, they were aware that their suffering was eternal. I could not stand being in that place and asked the angel to take me out. He took me back to God who told me, “William, did you see Paradise and Hades? You will recount what you saw when you go down.’ So I told Him, ‘God, I cannot go down anymore. I cannot stand being in the world anymore. Please let me stay with You in Paradise.”
The Lord of Glory told me, “William, it is true that you act according to the commandments, but you do not confess your sins; nor do you receive Communion. You do not take My flesh. and blood. How can you have companionship with Me? Did not I say in Scripture, “unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you” (John 6:53).
I brought you here so that you would see Paradise and Hades with your own eyes. You will go down to the world with a good heart and health. You will recount what you saw, and then repent, confess, and receive Communion. Do all the things that you were not practising because I will take you back quickly. I want all My children to stick to Me, to love each other, to humble themselves, and pray the Lord’s prayer as much as they can.””
The reverend priests of the Church of St. George recorded what he had said. They held special Liturgies for him every day. He then sorted out his worldly affairs by dividing some of his fortune among his family members and distributing the rest among the poor. He also donated curtains for the altars of the churches of St. Mary, the Mother of God as an act of veneration because he loved her dearly after witnessing her glory in heaven.
He finally departed to heaven after three weeks during which he was daily confessing and receiving Communion. When his soul departed from his body, his face glowed with light and serenity even after he was put in the coffin.
Ref: Mother Erene – A torch of love dazzling in the Coptic Monastic Life (Book 6), p. 39-41
The Art of Orthodoxy 