Saint Demetrius of Rostov and his works

This edition includes the fourth part of the correspondence of St. Philaret of Moscow (Drozdov) with Archimandrite Anthony, vicar of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, covering the period from 1857 to 1867 (549 letters in total). The letters were preserved by the addressee as a spiritual treasure and published by his decision for public access, representing valuable historical and church material. The letters reveal the deep ascetic and pastoral wisdom of St. Philaret, his attention to monastic life, the spiritual growth of the brethren and personal achievement. The correspondence reflects the touching friendship and trust between the saint and Archimandrite Anthony, including moments of spiritual support, discussions of health, and even humorous instructions. - monastic management and discipline: issues of internal regulations of the Lavra, appointment and movement of monastics, maintenance of statutory deanery; - economic and construction affairs: repair and construction of churches and monastery buildings, management of land holdings and income of the monastery, supplying the monastery with the necessary resources; - spiritual care and pastoral activities: instructions on the spiritual leadership of the brethren, advice on resolving moral and disciplinary issues, support for the spiritual growth of monastics; - relationships with secular authorities and society: receiving high-ranking visitors, charitable activities of the monastery; - theological and liturgical issues: interpretation of church canons, clarification of liturgical practice, discussion of publications of spiritual literature. The letters serve as a unique source for studying the personality of St. Philaret, his management style, theological views and spiritual experience. They demonstrate a combination of rigor and fatherly love, deep faith and practical wisdom, which makes them not only a historical document, but also edifying reading for modern Christians. 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Five witnesses are not counted accurately: the monastery builder, of course, was not an observer of Irenaeus. Moreover, I did not think of rejecting your testimony. I remembered that this hieromonk was removed from Novospassky, but I did not remember under what circumstances. Wanting to find out, he delayed the case. Finally, I learned that the circumstances were such that it was doubtful to have him in the Lavra, and those who knew his removal from Novospassky would have seen him in the Lavra with doubt. During testing, people are mostly good. Therefore, I concluded that it was better not to accept it than to accept it with fear of difficulties. And the Lavra, one might say, is above accepting those expelled from other monasteries. From this, I hope you will see that my decision did not involve disrespect for your testimony. I followed your reminder about the Pesnoshsky treasurer: but before I did not give him the legguard because when he wanted to give it to the late father Maxim, he avoided it, and thereby put an obstacle for the treasurer. You can visit Pesnosh at a time convenient for you. Peace to you and your brothers, and forgive me. I’m not writing anymore because the housekeeper announced his arrival late. It’s not a problem, Father Viceroy, that you are keeping me busy with what you say is an extraneous matter, which, however, is not extraneous to my position. But the trouble is that I cannot give permission on a note that is not signed by anyone, which does not indicate in which church the marriage is intended, and therefore I cannot know which priest to give the order to. The note mentions that the bride was born in Resurrection parish: but the marriage may take place in the groom's parish, and the groom may live in another parish. Put things in order: there will be no stopping my case. You can tell the priest that I allow this. But it happened to me that many people were not satisfied with a verbal permission, but demanded a written one in order to have an excuse for the future. Peace to the viceroy father and brethren. Look, Father Viceroy, at the heating project for the Assumption Cathedral, which I have shown, if possible, in pencil on the plan. Near the cathedral on the northern, western and southern sides there will be underground passages into which a descent will be made on the western side from under the Church of the Mother of God of Pechersk. There are two underground ovens on the north and south sides, and two similar ones on the west side. From the northern furnace the chimney will be laid in the wall of the synodal house, from the southern one in the wall of the cathedral itself. I don’t know how the chimneys of Western stoves will be made. Heat pipes will be laid from the furnaces into the cathedral and into the altar under the floor, and tanks with vents will be placed in places. The chapters will not close, but will only receive second windows. Apart from this, nothing in the cathedral will be touched. I was not officially asked about this project, as I was asked about the previous project, and the matter was decided. Having learned about this by hearsay, I asked to show me the plan: and then they showed it. The case will cost about 40,000 rubles. They don’t say how much it will take annually to heat and maintain this device. As they do not ask me, and as there are no changes inside the church, I do not think of touching this matter with any of my words. Artistic issues do not concern me. There is a fear that the job, even if done, will not be entirely satisfactory, and that the damp heat and soot will soon damage the interior decorations; but even this cannot be decisively proven before experiment, and therefore the objection would be made at random and without benefit. They refer to the Laurel Cathedral, although the reference is inaccurate, because this building is small in comparison with the Assumption Cathedral and is maintained with such care that cannot be promised to the Assumption Cathedral. I am informing you of this project so that you can tell me your opinion, is it reliable? Will the heat, traveling underground, reach the cathedral in such quantities as to warm it? Will underground ovens and underground passages be durable? Will an old white stone wall safely withstand a break and a chimney installed in it? Will the maintenance, installation and production of heating require too much money? Public opinion is difficult to discern given the unknown nature of the project. Some people think that I should intervene to protect the interior of the cathedral. But I don’t think so due to the above circumstances. Pointing to the Trinity Cathedral, as an example, makes it clear that I am asking you about this matter as an experienced one. I would like to hear what your experience and discretion have to say. You wrote about the change of the steward of the St. Petersburg metochion by Hieromonk Gerasim. I don't argue. Now I have received your letter about the change of Alexander by Eutheimis. Is it good to suddenly change? Isn't it better to first look around with another one that is not new in place? I have not yet received any reports of these changes. In one of your letters you wrote a lot in defense of the establishment of the monastery. Didn’t it seem to you that when I spoke about arbitrariness in building churches there, I also applied this to you? Not at all. You presented and I agreed, without presenting it to the Holy Synod. You're right; and I, according to the decrees of the Synod, had to present it to him; and without imagining it, he acted arbitrarily; and in the Holy Synod it was heard that they were thinking of demanding an explanation from me. But God and St. Sergius were pleased to bless the matter and cover up the violation of the new letter of the law, although according to the ancient rules I acted non-judgmentally. Regarding the proposed Login Church, I instructed the monastery builder to tell her that, according to the rules given to me, I do not find it convenient to allow the construction of it, and I advise her to make the sacrifice intended for God in a different way. With the builders I sent you the contribution of the Right Reverend Rizhsky 1000 rubles. with the issuance of his letter of appointment. From the fact that he also offers an increase, one must conclude that he intends to do something ecclesiastical that would remain a monument. Tell me about this. I received a complaint against Malyshev in a letter. I am sending it to you. I don't intend to start a writing business. But read and talk to Malyshev, is it true that his debtor lived with him for a year without help from him, and for this Malyshev does not make any concession from the debt, but demands all the due 500 rubles? – Thank you, Father Viceroy, for peacefully accepting my explanation of the matter and Hieromonk Irenaeus. I agreed to the dispensation of the Gospel on behalf of His Eminence Plato 1; but I did not write about the details on the report that will go to the Council, but I am writing to you especially. It seems to me that there is no need to arrange a cross. There are crosses. It is better to use the entire contribution for the Gospel, so that it is done splendidly and lastingly. I doubt that the descent of the Holy Spirit can be depicted in the Gospel. It is written not in the Gospel, but in the Acts of the Apostles. On Sundays, after reading the Sunday Gospel, they usually apply it to the Gospel; and it is especially fitting that they venerate the image of the Risen Savior. The apostles, preachers of the Gospel, especially call themselves witnesses of the resurrection of Christ. Therefore, it seems to me that it is more decent, and consistent with custom, to depict the Resurrection of Christ on the top board of the Gospel, but not in the Western image, as they do now, but in the image of an ancient icon. Among the image is Christ the Savior. Under His feet are the broken gates of hell. On His sides, below Him, erected by Him: And this may be enough to avoid crowding in the icon. This image can take up two-thirds of the board. On the third third at the top in the light is the image of the Lord of Hosts, God the Father, in the form of the ancient of days, and on His chest, or from His mouth, is the image of the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove. The image of God the Father should only be up to the waist, covered from below with clouds, almost divided above the emerging Savior, and stronger towards the sides, so as to fill the upper part of the board. Thus we will have the image of both the Holy Trinity and the Resurrection of Christ. The bottom board can be according to your guess. I don’t understand what you mean by internal part. On which you want to put the name of the investor. It seems to me that on the bottom board under the cross below you can write: Save, Lord, the Most Reverend Archbishop Plato, who reverently brought this gift to the Most Holy Trinity and St. Sergius. 1856. If you agree to this, then in this sense, order to make a drawing and show it to me. Let me ask you to take care of yourself. There is no need to stand in the Trinity Cathedral at the westernmost door. I usually take second place: but here, too, sometimes I feel the air flowing through the door. On the day of Epiphany, you should have dressed lightly for the liturgy: and during the sacrament, change your clothes and add warm clothes for the procession. U o. Macarius 2 had some very unique thoughts, such as the idea of ​​going abroad and dying somewhere in obscurity, which did not come true because the night before the start of the journey he fell ill and soon died. But he was a sincere servant of Christ God; and of course it is noteworthy that in a time of no sorrow he predicted sorrows for neglecting the spread of the word of God, and sorrows then came. It occurs to me that a protocol drawn up by eight bishops and two protopresbyters, an unusually complete synodal meeting, about the Russian translation of the Holy Scriptures, should be sent to the Bishop of Kiev, so that he would consider whether he alone really needs to stop this matter: for it was stopped by his thoughts, communicated to Count Alexander Petrovich. Note. A letter without indicating the time when it was written; is relied upon here in connection with previous letters and because the “day of Epiphany” is mentioned here as a recently passed day. Peace to the viceroy father and brothers. In the inventory of deposits it is not clear otherwise. The nobleman Sokolov gave a cross with signatures about St. relics that do not exist. What is this from? And it is unseemly in the inventory. Why did the late sacristan Simeon leave the cross of the Kiev province in the town of Lisyanka, and why did this cross wander for a long time? Under number 11 is the contribution of Prince Khilkov, an ark with some kind of burr inside with a handle - what is it? To those who went to St. Petersburg, before reading your letter, I already said what you wrote. I was prompted to give them advice, among other things, by the fact that I had heard unpleasant things about his behavior about the steward, who had now been recalled from there. The inscription on the Gospel that is about to be arranged can be placed in the place as you suggested. It is almost too late for the civil governor to talk about Sapelkin, who is moving away from Moscow to Voronezh, as they say for sure. It seems that his thoughts were very different from the thoughts of the main boss. It's a pity. In the city of Sinelnikov, one could see a disposition towards useful activities. It is good that Sapelkin desires holy confirmation. The schismatics and the servants are unblessed, and there is no true peace. Let the sacrament of confirmation be performed on him in the monastery, to complete the grace of baptism with this grace. It can be done in the monastery: for there is no need for a metrical record of this. This is for the soul, not for information. Thank you for your thoughts on heating the Assumption Cathedral. I had previously decided not to touch upon this matter when I was not asked: now I remain calmer with this determination. Your guess that what is happening in the school tower comes from some departed, unpacified soul, in my opinion, is acceptable. It seems that this is not one soul. The darker one, who knocked at night with iron boots: and therefore, after the presence of the shrine, the place visited by the shrine became inaccessible to her. For another, it remained accessible, and, moreover, during the day, as less alien to the light. It is a good deed to also perform the blessing of water and a memorial service. When the current Bishop of Novgorod was the rector of the St. Petersburg Academy, shortly after the death of the disabled Nestor, who served at the Academy, the secretary of the Academy began to imagine at night that Nestor was walking around his room with familiar steps. After several sleepless nights, the secretary opened up about this to the rector. The rector inquired to see if Nestor had been concerned about anything before his death, and found out that he owed a small amount of money, and died without paying the debt. The rector ordered the debt to be paid and a memorial service to be performed for Nestor: and the secretary rested peacefully after that. The Khotkovo abbess more than once expressed to me the difficulty she felt from the diversity in her monastery, in which there is a communal, semi-communal, and separate life in cells, and asked me to give her some rules for guidance. I promised her to write to you, and I instructed her to tell you about this: but either I didn’t have time to write, or I forgot. Take the trouble to tell me your thoughts about this, both for the benefit of the monastery and for the calming and strengthening of the abbess, who seems to feel quite strongly about the difficulty, how best and most trustworthy to decide. Now she showed me the plan of the building that had begun to be built. Already two internal walls have been rebuilt. Now, at one end of the building, part of these internal walls is supposed to be dismantled to create more space. Isn't it better not to disassemble, to endure the tightness, so as not to reduce the strength? For above these walls there will be two more floors. During a conversation with the abbess, I discovered that the architect does not know whether the foundation of a building built on a slope is strong. Therefore, will it be safe to build all floors with vaults? Shouldn't the top one be left without arches? The abbess also showed me an estimate of the required materials for this building. The price has not yet been shown. But the amount of materials, given the current high cost, makes it possible to foresee a requirement for a large amount. And by this year the abbess was left with something like 2,000 rubles. Is it possible to decide to build next summer? Take the trouble to figure this out and give advice. The abbess asks me: I’m not a master of this business. I have not answered you for a long time, Father Vicar, about the word of St. Demetrius about the Mother of God: they worship your sinless conception from holy parents. And now I don’t hope to answer enough. I don’t know what’s happening to me; but I have so little time to take the measures set before me that I begin to think whether I am being told to admit my powerlessness and abandon them completely, perhaps even with the unpleasantness of an obvious malfunction. The word of Saint Demetrius can be understood about a pure conception from voluntary sin, for this happened after a long honest life, and in old age, not according to the desire of the flesh, but in obedience to the prophecy of the Angel. But it is not incredible that he understood it the way they think about it in the West today. He received his initial education in a way that included Western teachers and Western books. The counter-opinion, marked by reverence for the Mother of God, could be accepted out of a feeling of that same reverence, while it did not occur to the idea to strictly examine it in relation to the dogma of the redemption of the human race from original sin solely by the blood of the incarnate Son of God. At the same time, I remember my conversation with the Pustyn archimandrite Ignatius 3. He disapproved of the book about the imitation of Christ so much that he forbade it to be read. I objected to him that St. Demetrius cites the words of this book, stipulating that Thomas a à Kempis, although a foreign merchant, brings good goods. The archimandrite answered me: we do not know when Saint Demetrius was introduced into the grace-filled dignity of a holy father, and perhaps he wrote what I indicated even when he was simply a pious writer or preacher. And St. Barsanuphius the Great said that the holy fathers, under the protection of the grace of God, wrote the pure truth; However, meanwhile, sometimes, without protecting themselves with prayer, they wrote opinions heard from mentors, not strictly tested, which the reader, without insulting the holy fathers, can, and should, put aside, without being obliged to accept them. I doubt whether it is necessary to write discussions about the conception of the Mother of God, and whether it is useful. It seems that we look at this issue quite calmly. Is it possible to stir up strife, the resolution of which is difficult to foresee? Let us suppose that another, being careful not to shake the dogma of atonement, represents the Birth of the Mother of God as pure only from arbitrary sin; and another, reverent for the Mother of God, considers it pure and from original sin, not having in mind what this opinion has to do with the dogma of atonement. God bless them both. If they ask us, we will speak in the words of the stichera for the Annunciation: The Son of God dwelt in the womb of the Most Holy Virgin, purified by the Holy Spirit. Was it really true that the Holy Church, at 1850 years old, had not yet had time to establish its dogmas? – The Western Church apparently thinks so when it now proclaims a new dogma that was not a dogma before. The Eastern Orthodox Church is content and saved by the dogmas sufficiently established at the seven ecumenical councils. It seems to me that the reasoning of some French bishops is blessed, who said that the church did not decide the question raised by the pope dogmatically, but left everyone to freely discuss it without prejudice to their Orthodoxy and salvation, and that for this reason some saints had an affirmative opinion on it, and some negative; and therefore, if an affirmative opinion is made a dogma, then the negative opinion opposite to this will become a heresy, and saints will turn out to have a heretical opinion. What to do with them? Exclude from the saints already recognized as saints in the church? Should we admit that people with heretical opinions can be saints? What is the use of this insoluble confusion? That is, why turn free opinion into dogma? This is what I think, or rather, I write almost without thinking. What has been given to you to understand, you tell me. With this, I am sending the contribution that was delivered to me to the Gethsemane monastery. Read, Father Viceroy, the enclosed letter from the Right Reverend of Riga, and would you please write me a note to send to him, based on the article you noticed? Thank God that the builder Savva wisely took on the monastery. Tell him my wish for the blessing of God and the help of the saints. You can return the canonarch if there is hope for correction. You can send those who are capable for initiation into the surplice. Peace be with you, father governor, and brethren. The righteous instruction to His Eminence Anthony is that one does not come down from the cross. But what if I’m not only not crucified yet, but I’m also carrying the cross poorly, or I’m barely carrying it, and perhaps I’m not preparing it, but I’m also blocking the path of salvation for others? We don’t know what we want. Have mercy, Lord! Thank God that the prayer for the overwhelmed church bore fruit. Their stories about.F. Many instructive conclusions can be drawn. Among Father Anastasia’s creditors, there are probably poor people, to appease them with him they need not only convictions, but also money. I offer 300 rubles from me. About your visit to the subordinate monasteries, and the accepted order, you need an official report, which goes to the Consistory. For I. Venedict there is an unforbidden spiritual consolation - the communion of the Holy Mysteries with the permission of the spiritual father. If it may be consistent with his state of mind, permission for him to serve in the priesthood: for this, a report is needed from you, or from the abbot of the monastery in which he is located. What you wrote about the affairs of the Khotkov Monastery did not resolve my concerns about it. The abbess made an estimate for the completion of the begun building at 18,000 rubles. The abbess reduces it to 13,000 rubles. How can one get down to this task when there are 3,000 or 4,000 rubles left from the past year; and they will probably soon be spent on ordinary needs? Delaying the arch will slightly reduce consumption. Take the trouble to get involved in this matter and help the abbess and my ignorance in economic matters. You also did not resolve the more important question of what to do with the diversity of the Khotkov Monastery. From your reasoning I conclude that I was mistaken in ordering the late inumenia to direct the monastery towards a communal character. I had less experience with this. In the Serpukhov women's monastery, Bishop Platon established a hostel: but when I came to the administration, I found there were more people living separately than hostels. The late abbess of the Alekseevsky Monastery of Nazareth suggested that I appoint another Nazareth there, her student, to restore the dormitory, allowing me to live there in retirement. And so it happened. It was supposed to be accepted into the monastery only on the rule of community life: and thus, over time, the number of those living in the community increased, and the number of those not living in the community decreased; and the communal character became dominant in the monastery. I thought that something similar could happen in the Khotkovo Monastery. According to important present considerations, this seems unlikely to be achievable. Why didn’t you say this clearly earlier? I always sent both the deceased and the current abbess to you to receive instructions in their actions, and if I agreed to something, it was usually with confidence in your agreement, and I don’t remember any case in which I would have given a decision against your opinion. And what prevented you from admonishing them and me in good time? You speak with particular approval about the arrangement by the late Abbess Eupraxia of a common meal for poor sisters, without attracting those who did not want to join her. It seems that even now many remain on their own, not participating in the common meal. But even in this case, some rule is needed for those who work for the meal, while others, having dined, work for themselves. The good traits of the actions of the late Eupraxia that you demonstrate, your fair and edifying reasoning about the necessary qualities and dispositions of an abbess, please use them as an instruction for the current abbess Khotkovskaya. According to my note, she is disposed to accept instructions. You yourself named her to me when I was thinking about taking this place: do not deprive her of instructions on how best she can justify your preliminary opinion. For the sake of the parents of St. Sergius, accept the patience and labor determined to determine what needs to be done to improve their monastery. The thought came to me about Venedikt: if what happened to him was due to an illness, and at that a hereditary one, which is consequently less reliable for a final recovery, then how will we be protected in the future from attacks similar to the previous ones, begun by secretive, imperceptible actions before they came into existence? God's blessing and peace to the vicar father and the brethren of the monasteries. The Gospel drawings are very good. But there was confusion. Gubkin set the price at 1,500 rubles. I didn't like it. I don't like asking for more money from an investor. It is also undesirable to add so many of our own: we have our own needs. It occurred to me to call Gubkin and talk to him. He said that out of 1,500 rubles, 600 were for silver and gilding, and 900 for art. I asked how much weight there would be in the Gospel, he answered that in his work there were 15 pounds, and in book 9, a total of 24 pounds. I asked Nestor about the weight of the Gospels: and he said that in Bethany there is a Gospel weighing 22 pounds, which he carried with difficulty into the upper church in the ministry. I remember that one of the deacons, Leonty or Moses, sometimes refused to carry the festive Gospel due to its severity. The Gospel that we want to organize is intended for frequent use: therefore, shouldn’t we pay attention to ensuring that it is not too heavy? Gubkin says it can be made from 10 pounds, but the images won't be as clear. He also said that the picture assigned to the bottom board is more difficult than the top one. But it seems to me that there should be little concern about the bottom board: for it can be little visible. So, shall we return to your idea of ​​having just a cross with some embellishments on the back board? Then the top board would separate as clearly as possible; and the lower one would be less heavy, due to its simplicity. So I think it would be possible to do a good job for 1000 rubles, which Gubkin does not deny. Don’t be angry that I’m still bothering you, and think about what was said and tell me your thoughts. You ask about the day of accession to the throne not early, but in good time. I wrote about this to Vladyka Novgorod, and pointed to the charter, which orders the feast of the Presentation, which took place on the Monday of the first week of Lent, to be celebrated on the previous Sunday. But St. The Synod decided to celebrate the accession to the throne on the week of Orthodoxy. This is good for ordinary churches, but it is difficult for those in which the rites of Orthodoxy are performed. Before the liturgy, many years will be proclaimed to the Sovereign Emperor and the Highest Family: and according to the liturgy again. How will members of the Holy Synod rush to St. Petersburg from this service to the court church to congratulate the Sovereign Emperor? “But that’s their concern.” You should now have a decree about this. Yesterday I saw the new civil governor, Prince Shcherbakov. This time I didn’t remember to talk about Sapelkin. Will try. I've had chills since Friday. I served yesterday and yesterday with difficulty. Today my new Eminence of Samara visited me. 4 He is not afraid of Samara, but is content. He tells strange things about St. Jeremiah. Diveyevo from St. Petersburg, a list of huge icons, or better, paintings of St. Isaac's Cathedral. The Eminence does not want to allow them into the church, but the Diveyevoskys ask. What is he? Go, he says, to the Tambov bishop. Peace be with you, father governor and brethren. What kind of misfortune is it that we have all these misunderstandings and difficulties? The question: how dare you, I don’t think you’ve heard from me. When the abbess wanted to break one main wall of the mortgaged building: then I objected that the outer walls were probably built with special care, and the inner ones were not so strong. And when he found out that the outer walls had been preserved, he was pleased. But when I found out that both inner walls were broken and new ones were erected, I noticed that it would seem enough to break one and put it closer to the other inner one, since it was required that the inner corridor not be too wide. This way there would be less work; otherwise, it seemed that it would not matter that one half of the building would be narrow and the other wide. That's all I said when we discussed costs. But why bother asking a strong question about this when the job is done and there is no need to redo it? If this circumstance had interested me greatly, I would not have omitted it in my letter to you, which was not very short. That I gave permission to the late abbess, based on her pestering, although I usually tried to send her to you, and the permissions turned out to disagree with your opinions, this could be. But I ask you to at least believe from now on that in this case you could and can tell me your opinion, and this could and can serve to correct the orders and be careful. But you didn’t mention what now urgently requires permission: should the construction continue next summer given the apparent lack of funds? Can the estimate be reduced? Is there any hope of getting funds that are not so far from the estimate? If you have not resolved these questions to the abbess, she will of course turn to me again with them. Help. God's blessing and peace to the vicar father, and likewise to the brethren of the monasteries. Do good, thinking early about fasting and repentance. Through this and my laziness you remind me of this. May the Lord bless the feat of fasting for you and your brothers, may your labor not be in vain before the Lord, and may the conversation of your prayer delight Him, and may peace and joy in the Lord increase in your purified souls. Forgive me my shortcomings and guilts, and ask me forgiveness from the Forgiver and from you. Thank you for explaining what I didn’t understand in your papers. The drawing for the second side of the Gospel is satisfied. Gubkin announced the price to Simeon at 1200 rubles. I don't want to argue anymore; and instructed Simeon to express our consent to the artist. Thank you for your disposition to help the abbess. Help her in arranging the building, the meal, and the spiritual home of the sisters. It is written about Theodore the Sanctified that the brethren did not tell him their thoughts, but asked him to tell them their thoughts, that is, to give instructions according to their condition. Likewise, if the abbess does not have the freedom to reveal her thoughts to you, according to what is noted in her, do not deprive her of instructions. Based on my comments, I hope that she will accept and implement. You want to fire me from small tasks and assign me to big ones. Often, not knowing how to do even small things, I willingly share them with others: but not very small things seem to become more difficult from day to day. Others do whatever they want, without restraint; others are stopped on the straight path. You have heard that the matter of the landowners voluntarily liberating the peasants, about some kind of order formality, about which an order from the minister to the executors would have sufficed, a decree was published, which in St. Petersburg was bought with effort at the Senate printing house, and from this there was confusion and confusion. Now they think that there will be a new decree that will correct the erroneous impression. But how did they not notice this earlier, after previous experiments? This is not the only example. You can imagine that for a stranger to stretch out his hand into the bishop’s house in order to snatch the steward, it is something similar to entering someone else’s pocket without the owner’s permission. The Most Reverend Neil suggested that the Holy Synod take from me the steward of the bishop's house in Chudov and send me to Siberia as an archimandrite, and the Holy Synod accepted the offer. True, they ask me about this decree: but the decree is not a letter; the housekeeper's mind is excited; and I don't want to take it upon myself to hold back. The Right Reverend Kamchatsky is called to St. Petersburg: let’s assume that this is an acquisition here, but there won’t it be an irreparable loss, when it is not clear that anyone there is equipped to continue his work? Read from Fr. the rector of the Academy, a letter from Andrei Nikolaevich, which was sent for publication in the local publication, but which is doubtful for me. Tell me what you think. Peace be with you, Father Viceroy, and the brethren of the monasteries. You can imagine those worthy of tonsure: but isn’t 28 suddenly too much? Especially in a monastery, isn’t it better to have less than 20 for the first time, so that suddenly increased generosity is not followed by involuntary stinginess? And isn’t some gradualness in seniority better than 20 perfect peers? However, you know people, and from this knowledge you can better determine how best to act. In the approximate schedule of expenses for the current year, I was asked the question: why is there no consideration regarding firewood with the purchase of wood for firewood? From the Lord peace to the father governor and the brethren of the monasteries. The Bethany Library has my papers sealed. Now I need them. Show this about. to the rector, and take all these papers from him; and send it to me by express on Monday morning. Pray for the unanimity of those serving in the Church of God. In the case of the translation of S. Scripture, Count A.P. 5 wrote to the ruler of Kyiv, and this one wrote an extensive opinion against the general opinion of the Synod. The highest commanded me to communicate this to me, and then propose it to the Holy Synod. So, there is disagreement in the hierarchy, which, if it does not lead to unity, will present a sad appearance and cause difficulty for the Sovereign Emperor in resolving this matter. Pray that I may be admonished and guided towards the path of truth and peace. Peace to the viceroy father and brethren from the Lord. I did not find in the papers what I was looking for, namely the letters of the Kyiv ruler, which would now be useful to me. It is strange that some other papers were missing, namely, on the structure of the clergy and on theological schools. The first item contained notes from secret meetings at the beginning of the last reign. About the second, during the coronation of Emperor Nikolai Pavlovich of blessed memory, the written opinions of the bishops who were at the coronation were taken. I remember that I sent these papers to the Bethany library: but they are not there. I thought that in Bethany it would be quieter and that things would be better preserved from prying eyes: but now something else has disappeared from me. Give two packages to the Academic Library. The portfolio contains certificates, certificates, certificates, diplomas and some service documents. As some rescripts have already been deposited in the Lavra in the sacristy: wouldn’t it be better for everything in the briefcase to be here, especially since the bishop’s letter is also here? – By the grace of the Lord, peace be with the souls of the vicar father and the brethren of the monasteries. Thank you, Father Viceroy, for sharing my concerns. I return the messenger, leaving the briefcase with me: because I don’t have time to sort it out. We were at a loss about the celebration of the accession to the throne: because an objection was sent to St. Petersburg. Only yesterday it became known that the Sovereign Emperor ordered it to remain as ordered, that is, to celebrate on the week of Orthodoxy. Thank you for sending the box with papers. It now contains what we need. But those about which I wrote to you, about the structure of the clergy and schools, remain not found. And it would be necessary to have them. The authorities are beginning to doubt the reductions in clergy staff made in most dioceses and the replacement of income with salaries. But here's some unexpected news. Hegumen of Ugrezhsky tells me that Filaret of the monastery fasted in the first week in his monastery and now with him. It seems the abbot did not finish his sentence. It seems that Filaret is thinking of staying with him: and the abbot, of course, will be happy to persuade him to do so. Tell me what reasons Philaret could have had for leaving the monastery; and what will you recommend, and what will you advise if my guess is justified. They tell me that all the desert cells are broken, except Filaret’s, which is why Filaret may be afraid that he will not be left in his current cell. I want to know how much truth or falsehood there is here. Do not delay writing to me about this, so that it will be more convenient for me to meet the request for the transfer of Filaret, which may appear soon. Yesterday Filaret visited me shortly after I read your letter. He expressed a desire to move to the Ugreshsky Monastery. Why? The church is far from his desert cell, and the path through the snow or mud is difficult. You can beg for a cell in the monastery for such times. “I can’t stand the entire service, and the elders will be unhappy with this.” - They will not condemn you if it is due to weakness. When the reason he presented was thus weakened, he resorted to another. - Deserted cells are broken; I'm afraid that it will be my turn. - There is no reason to be afraid of this; old ones are broken; yours is strong, and when you are allowed to build a stone prayer book, this serves as a sign that your dwelling is strong. “I imagined to him that there was less silence in the Ugreshsky Monastery; and, willingly or unwillingly, he will often be drawn to Moscow; and this may lead to new difficulties. - For this he asked to turn his prayer book into the church, I answered that I had not seen it, and without seeing it, I could not give an answer; and at the same time he noticed that he demanded a lot for his person, because the church would need a hieromonk. He replied that there was someone willing. Seeing that he did not want to name it, I did not force him to confess. I He said that he should first of all reveal to you the thoughts that were shaking him: he did not answer this. When he insisted about the church, I replied that I could not give an answer until, God willing, I was not there. It seemed to me that this delay was not unnecessary: ​​over time he can better understand his thoughts and take advantage of your advice. It is not clear to me with whom and what he is not at peace with in his current place. Its transition to proximity to Moscow is not very desirable, for the reasons stated above, and therefore, in order to justify the transition, more or less blame will be placed on the monastery, and stories that are not solid and unedifying may occur. I would like to know your thoughts about this. Today I received your letter and icons. Thank you, but I’m going to tell you the need more than once. Among the enamel icons received from you, there is no icon of the Savior (except for a few - an image not made by hands) and the Mother of God with the Eternal Child, for example, the Vladimir one. There are times when these are exactly what are required. Write me a few. I am sending you, Father Viceroy, a request from the wanderer Shaposhnikov, who demands Gregory to petition for the Renon hermitage. It seems to me that we don’t need to get involved in this alien matter; and it is better for Gregory not to know about this request, so that his thoughts do not worry. However, tell me what you think. I bid you farewell to the city architect Gornostaev, sent by the Synodal Chief Prosecutor to inspect the structure of some ancient churches. The purpose of this review is to have ancient models for building a large church under the Holy Synod, which still has a small one. Help Mr. Gornostaev to fulfill the instructions given to him and take drawings from objects from which he finds it necessary. May the Lord, Physician of souls and bodies, together with spiritual peace, grant you, Father Viceroy, physical health. You advised me to use my declining health sparingly. Don't you need this advice too? – It seems to me that it is necessary. Not thinking of being able to write, you wrote a long letter to me. God bless. But a shorter letter would, of course, tire you less. I wish to have long letters from you with good reasoning: but I do not want it to be forced on you. Following your allegory, I wish you to cleanse a particle of gold from ignoble matter, to preserve it so that it does not get bogged down and lost in the ground. I want to get down to business with the forest. Tell me to write to me how many people live in the Lavra: on testing temporary residents; in the premises of services, hospitals, schools, asylums, in the Lavra and at the Lavra; how much firewood is consumed daily? Similar information about the monastery. Is it possible to show the amount of timber construction materials used last summer for construction and repairs in the Lavra and its buildings? I still don’t know what of this information would be appropriate to use in business; but you need to have them for consideration. I have just received your letter, Father Viceroy, and am consoled by the fact that your health is improving. But I am concerned about how you spent this day. No one would have condemned you if you had spent this day as the protection of your unsatisfied health requires: and many were relieved by the care. I wish to hear from you. May the mercy of the Lord be with you. March 10th 1857, 8 p.m. I wish the Father Viceroy peace, health and attention to the protection of health. If you yourself admit that you still need to sit in your cell, then don’t contradict your own confession. This morning, Prince Sergius Mikhailovich asked me in a letter about you, having heard about your illness: take care and do not increase your worries. Martin, who was in the Lavra and did not leave it by any means, now came from the Prilutsky Monastery to Moscow as a collector. One family asks to remove him from Moscow to protect the peace of this family; and they say that he went to the Lavra. It would be useless, I think, to allow him to stay at the Lavra for a long time. A merchant, a wine farmer, came to me with a request to let two people from the monastery go with him to Jerusalem. A petition will come to you to admonish them. I want to know what they will say. And to the father governor and another request to take care of your health and protect yourself from unwell affairs, and for your health from difficult ones. Write that you are delivering information about the number of brethren and so on: but I did not receive them. Regarding the tonsure of the monastery and Lavra brethren, I told you one thought, so that generosity in tonsuring many suddenly and filling vacancies would not make us again in need of vacancies; and therefore considered this matter to be preliminarily resolved. So that one place does not complain about another, I believed that now the monasteries, who were previously tonsured for Lavra vacancies, would list these vacancies in their own monastery, and then tonsure them in the Lavra or monastery, in each place for their own vacancies, and only in case of special need place the monastery one on the Lavra vacancy, or the Lavra one on the monastery vacancy. However, present the worthy ones, but, in my opinion, not for every single vacancy suddenly. Peace from the Lord to the vicar father, and also to the brethren of the monasteries. I have two of your letters in front of me: and in neither of them do you speak about your health: and I have not yet forgotten about the pain in your leg. Is it over? For those of the Trinity who drink milk on Tuesday and the Thursday of Pentecost, God bless them. They need this both because of the weakness of some, and because their place is poor in other food. Tell them to consume this infant food with thanksgiving to God, and to be like children, with kindness and heartfelt obedience to the will of the Heavenly Father. Now, I think, you have already begun the cleansing of the cathedral with the blessing of our Venerable Father Sergius. Help me resolve my confusion. In the Arzamaz community there is a sick girl Agrippina. Pyotr Alekseevich Vrasky speaks kindly of her and offers to accept her into the Moscow monastery, to which she expresses a desire. He has no idea why. But I wonder if this is because she enjoyed the favor of the previous urgency more than the current one. It is difficult to guess whether her position will be good here, given her soreness. Moreover, Moscow is curious: and with its curiosity it sometimes tempts good people. From there, it seems, one barefoot girl came to Moscow: and it seems that her stay here was not without temptation. Don't you know Agrippina? And do you think that it is possible to take it to Moscow with the hope of peace, or is it healthier for the bird not to change nests? Alexey Vasilyevich Tolokonnikov asks to remember his parents at the monastery, and gives a ticket there for 500 rubles. When it works, let the builder notify him. I will send the ticket either with this letter or after it. I can't. Yesterday and yesterday I had difficulty finishing the liturgy. Yesterday's service was on the occasion of the anniversary of Prince Sergei Mikhailovich. I left straight from the church: I wasn’t even at the Orphanage’s celebration. Remember me at the feet of our reverend and God-bearing father Sergius. To the vicar father and the brethren of the monastery there is a blessing from the Lord, and from my measure a kiss of rejoicing: Christ is risen! And in accordance with your kiss sent to me, the kiss: He is truly risen! The Lord bless your joy in Him, may it be spiritual, emanating from faith, affirming faith, perfect in love for Him, expanded into love for each other and for everyone: for we have all been given eternal life, even if we strive to receive what is given from Him. Let your prayer be, I will not be a stranger to the blessings that I wish for you. I also want to know about your health, Father Viceroy, and I also ask you to take care of it. Thank you for the information about the ill Arzamazskaya. It seems that it would be more beneficial for her to reject the proposed relocation. It is good that those drawn to earthly Jerusalem have calmed down: let them better think more diligently about the path to heaven. It is a pity that some of them will allow themselves to be carried away by the dreamy thoughts of the late Gregory. It is necessary to tell them how dreamy thoughts prevented him from correctly understanding the last true foreshadowing of preparation for the future. I don’t want to know their names, if you don’t want it: but I want to know if they will see that it was in vain that they cast their thoughts from a quiet harbor into an unknown sea. The Khotkovo abbess fell ill in Moscow, and upon returning to the monastery, it seems, she was significantly ill, and, it seems, was not very inclined to have medical help. Pay attention to this, for the sake of humanity. Prince Sergei Mikhailovich was in a very poor state of health during the first half of Holy Week; on Wednesday he received Holy Communion; and he's been better since Friday. The slow pulse and accelerated breathing began to approach the normal position. But he is very weak. On Friday, after vespers, I went to see him: but Dr. Blumenthal told me that if I went in to him and forced him to speak, it would be harmful to him; and I returned without seeing him. Yesterday I heard from Prince Trubetskoy that he was better, but still weak. Today I sent the steward to him, but he has not returned yet. I myself am not very fit to travel now. Thank God that yesterday could have been three times in the Assumption Cathedral, and in this case I am glad that it is cold. Read, Father Viceroy, what is rumored to be written by Archimandrite Luzhetsky about Mr. Kamynin’s intention to build a monastery for Yesei. For me this is doubtful: because Mr. Kamynin, who had great respect and trust in Yesei, due to certain circumstances, came into great doubt about him. But I think it’s not superfluous for you to know this for observation. Wouldn’t Jesse’s thoughts, which had already existed before, linger again, leading to predictions about the place that rumors now again point to. Doctor Blagonravov was then aligned with the thoughts of Jesse, and it is not incredible that he was disposed to arouse them again and support them. Please note that there is no second attempt to steal people from an existing monastery in order to fill an unrealizable monastery. I saw Prince Sergei Mikhailovich today. Those around him are happy with his condition. But I still see illness in his eyes. Помолитесь о нем. God's blessing to the viceroy father and brethren. Alexey Ivanovich Lobkov petitions for the presenter of this letter, who wishes to join the monastery, and testifies to his good disposition. Receive it with attention and testing, and decide whether to accept it and where. I would like to know what happens next. Thank you for the Easter artos. In the name of the Lord, blessing to the viceroy father and brethren. I would like to send the newborn Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich an image of St. Sergius, not a small one, so that it could be placed in his room, and another small one that would be at his cradle, and, perhaps, in time on his chest. Help me accomplish this. God will bless the work of Vertograd Potions and Gardening. It’s cold here: however, since there hasn’t been any frost so far, I think it’s not harmful to the plants. In Austria, they say, the frost killed the blossoming trees. Lord, do not deprive your poor people of their needs. Joasaph, I think, will return to you, and everything that is with him, except for the image of the Angel, which I have not yet seen. I'm still sick with a cold; and yesterday with difficulty I performed the service with prayer for the High Newborn. Due to illness, I am not going to you now: but I had to do this, because the Sovereign Emperor deigned to command me to bring a prayer for the Highly Newborn on behalf of the Most August Parents precisely at the tomb of St. Sergius. I will try to gather my strength and be with you on Monday or Tuesday to fulfill what was commanded and what I wanted, on Wednesday or Thursday, depending on my strength. The pain is severe. Do I need any prescription in the morning? What should I do with the oilcloth that is on my neck when I go to the bathhouse? Note. The time of writing of this note is not indicated; it has a connection with the previous one, and both were written, obviously, either in the Lavra or in the monastery. Sorry for being silent for a long time. I arrived in Moscow safely, with the thought of gratitude to you for your help and care for me. I'm sad that I can't go to you. But people and daily affairs rob me of my time so much that I don’t have time for things for which I especially needed to be in Moscow. Last Sunday, I had difficulty consecrating the church of the same faith: from half of the liturgy I had no voice to shout. Next Sunday they call you to the Greek monastery: and you have to work hard for the Greeks, who made significant donations for the decoration of the church. I don’t know when I’ll get out to you. I still have cold pain from time to time, and by the way, as before, in my left jaw, but not severe. God will bless the servant of God Athanasius, who does good. The case of Irinarch is bitter. Let me say that a particle of sin falls on the dean, who should have previously seen Irinarch’s wrong path and stopped it. Irinarch came to the Lavra from the Moscow Stavropegic Monastery. It should be taken with special caution from such places. The Most Reverend Jeremiah was dismissed from service, and the Eminence Innocent from this century. Both are early. The Most Reverend Innocent had assignments in his place for which it was not easy to find another inventive and managerial person. May the Lord not leave His church without beneficial workers. God's blessing to the viceroy father and the brethren of the monasteries. Thank you for the peace of my stay with you. I refused to travel to the Odigitrievsky monastery due to my weakness and unfavorable weather, and because my time was limited by business. I present this to you. I have already written to you, Father Viceroy, that I grant you the consecration of the church in the Odigitrievsky monastery. You can take with you those you write about. Prayers for sovereign travelers in the church should stop, because the Sovereign Emperor, according to preliminary information, is now in St. Petersburg; and because in St. Petersburg prayers were not established at all. The Bishop says that no one officially notified him of the departure of the Sovereign Emperor: and therefore he did not make any order. For the Empresses who are still wandering, let each faithful and zealous person pray privately, so that the Lord will return Them in peace and health. Has Ananias returned, or is there new news about him? So far, neither the moon nor the sun have conquered the clouds. Now the morning is clear and not warm, after a cloudy evening: but in the past days this was soon replaced by rain. Is the Bethany lie alive? 1857, July 15th. 8 a.m. When you left, Father Viceroy, then I remembered that you needed to see the structure built in the yard, whether it was well done: for I cannot and do not know how to look after it. Mrs. Palitsyna told me that icons were needed in Zadonsk for the hostel church of the late Matrona: and I undertook to deliver the icon of the Savior, which should be at the royal gates, and asked for measures. She sent me a description of the entire iconostasis: but this does not concern me; I must do what I promised. The measure of the icon is shown. She wanted the image of the Savior to be in the upper half of the icon, and those who labor and are burdened were written in the lower half. But that would be something made up. I wish better that the entire icon depicted the Savior seated and holding an open, upright Gospel, on the open pages of which it would be written: come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Such an icon exists in the church. Do yourself a favor and instruct the treasurer, or whomever you decide, to arrange a decent board. It was light here for four days; Yesterday evening and now after the liturgy there is not very long rain. Now they are afraid of this. Is rye healthy? To the viceroy father and brethren, peace from the Lord. We accept new ministers for the local church and return the old ones. Mitrofan, as much as I see and know, I approve. I don't know anything else. Two Kyiv novices, one of whom is nameless, sent me a long letter in which they talk about their desire to move to the Gethsemane monastery, and, speaking humbly, they seriously judge the Kyiv Lavra, as if everything in it deviates from the path, and no one leads to the path. I am sending this letter for your information, in case they come, so that you have preliminary information about them, and know not only their humility, but also their inclination to judge. Wouldn't it be necessary to advise them not only to judge less, but also to seek humility less? At Voskresenskaya, in Barashi, the church has actually been baking and selling bread, without a sign, for forty years now, all of the same family, in an extension to the church, over which there is a porch. The large two-story church needs the income received from this. Neither those who condemn this nor the parishioners will replace this income. What to do here? Such are often the difficulties in Moscow churches. After the service on Saturday and Sunday at the Novodevichy Monastery, during the liturgy, in extreme heat, I felt lightheaded and exhausted with cold sweat, so I had difficulty finishing the service. But upon returning home and resting, he returned to his normal position. Can you explain to me what cold sweat means during a fever? This admonishment comes to you, Father Viceroy, who wants to visit the Lavra, a priest of the Anglican Church, an Oxford professor, from the family of Lord Stanley. Give him every possible convenience to get acquainted with the sights of the Lavra, about which he himself told me that it once saved Russia. Take as your translator one of the members of the academy, or Bethany professor Epiphanius, who speaks French more fluently. Blessings and peace to the viceroy father and brethren. An Anglican Church priest, an Oxford professor from the family of Lord Stanley, will be at the Lavra on Monday or Tuesday. Prepare a good room for him at the hotel, and receive him with attention. Speaking to me, he himself said that the Lavra saved Russia. Introduce him to its monuments by hiring a translator from the academy’s mentors or Bethany professor Hieromonk Epiphanius. I wish you to joyfully celebrate the Dormition and Resurrection of the Mother of God: but after this holiday here, I do not hope to be able to travel the next day and begin the holiday in the monastery. I think I won’t dare to do something that even after determination may prove unsuccessful. You have been busy with the Kyiv novices, perhaps because, among other things, you did not understand what I said according to my thoughts. I did not in any way offer to accept them, if they came, for residence: and if I used the word accept, I meant how to meet them and how to deal with them; and I sent the letter so that you would look at them, not only as they appeared, but also as they showed themselves in the letter. I even wanted to say directly not to accept them into the skete: but I restrained myself so as not to hamper your reasoning. A special occasion forces me to decisively refuse to participate in the monastery festival. For three days in a row I had prolonged bleeding with frequent drops from the nose, but on the last day it lasted more than half an hour, which is why I thought it would not be an unnecessary precaution to invite a doctor. He found it necessary to use means to stop it, and only after a considerable time the blood stopped, not by itself, but by the barrier of dried blood. It was on Saturday. Until now, the bleeding has not resumed: but from time to time I feel fog in my head and excitement in the left half of my body. I think you need to be careful not to subject yourself to very long and strenuous efforts. Celebrate with peace and consolation, without alienating me from the fellowship of your prayers. God's blessing to the vicar father, and also to the brethren of the monasteries. I usually have more leisure time when I am sick. Yesterday I was in the Archangel Cathedral in the damp and cold, without fear for the present day: but now I am forced to stay in the cell. God bless your concern for the common good. Thank you for the reminder about the translation of Holy Scripture. I didn’t think that it was necessary to explain this matter to Rev. Innocent. But when I received your letter on the evening of the 25th day, I almost lost hope of talking to him; because the 26th day is occupied by the Royal holiday and preparations for the service of the 27th day, on which the procession of the cross was moved; on this day the Right Reverend was planning to leave. However, when on the 26th day I told him that I would like to talk to him again, and he expressed the same: he stayed until the 28th day, and on the 27th day after dinner we had a long conversation with him about what was necessary. He noticed with surprise how weak the objections of the Kiev ruler in the matter of transfer were. Odigitrievskaya’s sickness was not with me as you expected. It is true that I advised her not to rush to the monastery against the will of her parent: I advised her to resort to God to show her the best for her, and bowed the heart of her parent. But I did not at all think of condemning her if she acted not according to my advice, but according to a different reasoning. Have you heard about her and what? Do not send the icon of the Savior for the Tyurin church to me: but accept the labor of writing and sending, having paid from me for writing and for sending. I have not read about interest on the capital of the law, and I have no time, and it is unpleasant to read about a disposition that will bring grief to many poor people. And now I haven’t gotten to the law yet, and I don’t know what it means to be reduced to one and a half percent. Doesn't this also apply to the capital that the State Treasury borrowed from the guardianship councils? Having gathered my strength, I will try from Prince N.I. Trubetskoy, learn his concept of the reason of the law, and then I will see what to do. Count A.P. are waiting here these days. How do you feel about shortening the prayer form? I suggested: about all the noble Imperial family. And they said: about the entire reigning house. Is this better? I remember when, with the accession of Emperor Alexander, two Empresses appeared: Elizaveta Alekseevna was called by some the reigning Empress, in contrast to the Empress Mother. Hearing this, a member of the State Council said: the last reigning Empress was Catherine II, now the Emperor reigns and no one else. I will send you several copies of sermon 6, perhaps for novices, though. If I did not thank you for the blessing from the monastery holiday (as your letter at that time makes me aware of): forgive me. I accepted the blessing with reverence and gratitude. Thank you for your discussion about my illness. I also think that the bleeding is a help, due to the mercy and long-suffering of the Lord: but when it continued for a long time, it seemed to me not to be an unnecessary precaution to call a doctor before exhaustion, so that when exhausted it would not be too late. The abbess visited me today with a sick woman. The latter has one word decent and the other disordered; also actions. She herself reminded that I did not advise her to go to a monastery without her parent’s blessing: but I was not attentive to my answer to this. Now it was discovered that a similar state to the current one had happened to her in her father’s house before entering the monastery. The abbess is tired of her, and returns to the monastery: and she sends her with some sisters to the Monk Sergius, about which the sick woman speaks in between random words. Take care of her, and may our venerable father Sergius bless her. O. Nathanael 7 taken away from us: but thanks be to God, with good preparation for the great journey. Following a long request, I agreed to be in Bogorodsk for the consecration of the church 8, and at the same time in the Berlyukov desert. I almost repent about my health and the weather. The builder is calling you too. I leave this to your will. They also came from the Pavlovsky churchyard to call me: but they hardly had enough strength and time for this. Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich will soon be in Moscow. They brought me a lithograph of the Kyiv St. Sophia Cathedral. Dress her, cover her with glass and place her in the monastery in my room at the church. Just now I had time to talk with Prince Nikolai Ivanovich Trubetskoy about interest on capital contributed to the safe treasury. He says that there are many perplexities similar to ours, and that the Council presents questions about them, but also opinions. And the institutions subordinate to the Guardian Council, which have capital for their maintenance, do not know what interest they will receive. At the same time, he told me something strange: that the monastic and church sums are called church sums, and the Lavra sums are called government sums, and he could not explain where this came from. I need to write to the Holy Synod and to the Chief Prosecutor, and write soon. Hurry to help me by drawing up a note about the purpose of our amounts, and what difficulties an excessive reduction in interest should cause. Sevastyanov fell ill and needed to go to someone else’s yard. I wouldn’t really want him back, even if he’s healthy. His tongue is broken. When he is not in a hurry in reading, this is not noticeable: but although I told him not to rush, he rushes and stumbles. They are offering to invite me from St. Petersburg to Moscow from the dismissal of the Eminence of the Caucasus, 9 and I decided on this before your thought about the Eminence Jeremiah, but I have not yet had time to write. I would be glad to invite the Right Reverend Jeremiah, if I could hope that it would be for his peace and mine. But due to the peculiarities of his character, and due to his peculiarities even in the priesthood, I am afraid that his actions may cause difficulties, and he will not accept reminders. Answer me on this. I still don’t know what the research is going on in Nizhny; and I don’t understand why it was necessary to send someone else’s bishop, who was not yet familiar with his diocese, when the Nizhny Novgorod diocese is going to have its own new bishop 10, not involved in the affairs of his predecessor, and consequently capable of examining them impartially. With Count A.P. I only saw each other for three hours a quarter, and therefore did not have time to talk about everything I wanted and needed. I expect more comfort upon his return. Your non-existence in the Berliuk desert does not require forgiveness. I did not demand this, but gave it up to your will, thinking, on the one hand, that it might be inconvenient for you to leave, and on the other, that you might want to look at the desert. I was so chilled in the apartment in Bogorodsk that I endured it even in the desert, and for the first day in Moscow I wore a fur coat to my cell. I was at four church consecrations: they are calling for three more. It seems that I will have to refuse. Pray to St. Sergius to bless me to come to his feet. News about the journey of the Sovereign Emperor is changeable. The last thing is that he deigned to arrive in Moscow on the evening of the 13th. Because the doctors did not want to allow the Empress to the Kyiv Lavra, they will probably still advise to speed up the end of the trip. However, think about the longed-for visit, with readiness to meet it. I had G. Dyatlev. He is zealous for the good of the church and fatherland. His information from abroad is bitter, and such that it is difficult to use it to arouse the jealousy of others. Let's pray to the Lord! Burnt staffers need help. I am waiting for what the Council will say. I received information about the Right Reverend Jeremiah that his dismissal happened very simply, and without any extraneous influences. He sent a petition about this to the Holy Synod. G. A. II. He said that it would be good to keep him, because he finds that he is doing good, for example, he brought the divine service in Nizhny to the best form before. But the members said that since he was asking for the sixth time, we must agree to the request. The matter for which the Eminence Plato was sent was precisely about a small feast of some spiritual ones. But I have not heard about the anathema. For some reason, the Eminence Plato did not understand the matter, asked about the wrong thing, and did not reveal anything. Attention was paid to what happened because one of the very significant people in the highest circle brought news about it to St. Petersburg. I talked about Diveevo with whomever I should, and found favorable thoughts in the monastery. They just say the abbess is not very smart. Joasaph was not ordered to do anything until the discretion of the new diocesan bishop. I need to finish so as not to be late for the post office. Moscow, October 9th, 1857 Yesterday the Sovereign Emperor and the Empress were greeted and escorted out. They are in desirable health. The health of the Empress seems to have improved. I had the opportunity to hear Them and talk with Them quite before the table, at the table and after the table. The Sovereign Emperor deigned to say that he was surprised at how cheerful he found the ruler of Kyiv. He performed the liturgy in the presence of Their Majesties at the Lavra Cathedral and led Them through the caves. On another day, in the cave church, the viceroy performed the liturgy in front of Them. The Empress is pleased with her visit to Kyiv. The Sovereign Emperor said that He was very pleased that he had a church with him abroad and could listen to the Divine service. The Empress expressed regret that she could not now be in the Lavra. I asked about you. I don’t understand the idea of ​​ten rubles for the monument to the Millennium of Russia, how they came up. Although the enterprise did not arise from high wisdom, such an answer would not be seen as very cold. Shouldn't we suggest to the brethren that those who wish sign a hryvnia, a ruble, so that there will be ten to two rubles, to which something would be added from me? Until I receive an answer to this from you, I will keep the idea to myself. I am glad that Rector 11 takes office with prayer. I looked at the sacred vessels. Very well gilded. The story of how one who was led astray was admonished by St. Sergius is comforting and instructive. It is strange and pathetic that there is false wisdom in the Academy. Recently, a discussion about the eternity of torment was composed and published in it: and at the same time, there were those who thought differently. In the mentors after G-va, I did not notice any inclination towards foreign wisdom. One of his elders, who was seen to have imprudently used Hegel's thought, now serves in the church with the approval of the parishioners for arranging reverent church service. About Chrysanthus, the Eminence Eugene says that the Eminence Plato was preceded in order to slowly tonsure him, and proposed a test for him: But the Eminence Plato did not listen. Thanks to St. Sergius that we are warned not to take Chrysanthus to the Academy. Today, while washing my face, I saw the letters D.M.F. on the towel, and concluded that it was stolen by us in the Lavra. I ordered that my cells be returned to the owner: and you pay attention to whether he noticed this, as a careful guardian of what was entrusted to him, or dozed off. God will bless the unknown investor, and certainly will when he acts on the vision. I would like to know if the banners are quadrangular, as in the old days? Bronze lectern to the altar for the clergyman's book, or on the east side under the tabernacle? If for a book, would it be convenient to use it in the Trinity Altar, with the columns near the altar? I said goodbye to Count Alexander Petrovich yesterday, and now he had to leave. My relations with him, due to his good disposition, were convenient. But some things are difficult. He, it seems, will not insist on his idea against the translation of the New Testament: he only thinks that this will lead to the decline of the Slavic dialect and regrets it. There is unpleasant news from Nizhny. One of the first remarks of the new bishop is that the bishop's house, which, according to others, is beautiful, is dissatisfyingly beautiful. The divine service, which was very sedate under his predecessor, is said to have been done very hastily. They suggest that I say a word about this to my former guest, who, however, did not give me any reason to write to him. I don’t know whether it’s better to fulfill what is useful to my brother and the church, or not to get into someone else’s sleigh. Peace to the viceroy father, and likewise to the brethren. Forgive me. I'm drowning in business and can't swim out. Having started to read your letter dated the 25th day, seeing what it was about, imagining that I needed to write about the forest in detail, but I don’t remember everything I need, and there is no business in mind, I put the letter down without finishing it: because I was very interested in one difficult matter, which had to be hastily completed and sent to St. Petersburg. Then I thought about demanding the case from you, but I didn’t have time to write. Finally, in order not to waste time, I want to write to St. Petersburg, I read your letter to the end, and I find an idea that had not occurred to me before, that you should go to St. Petersburg on this matter. If there was already an idea for you to go to St. Petersburg to inspect the farmstead, then it is better to go now both for the farmstead and on the matter of the forest. If you do not meet with this new objection: then entrust the monastery to the treasurer with the sacristan and the dean, and get ready for the journey, and come to me at the crossroads. It will be necessary to either write a note about the matter and give it to you, or state the matter in a relationship. Write what needs to be said, because nothing else can come to my mind. My memory is no longer what it used to be, but meanwhile, I have to write everything I need myself. There is not enough time and energy. With the news of the vicar and the diocese, things are better for me than before. Oh St. I didn’t answer for a long time about the relics for the church in the monastery, partly out of bewilderment. It is difficult now to protect sacred things in churches. It happened more than once in Moscow that crosses with St. relics were stolen from icons. And in the church of the St. Petersburg courtyard there have been kidnappings more than once. I have now agreed to your submission. But give the steward some instruction about storage. Shouldn't we keep more in the altar? and only place it on the icon during the liturgy? Another day the frost here reaches 10 degrees. But there is no snow. Isn't this harmful to the fields? We do not get water from the air: and in the south there is disaster from water. Have mercy, O Lord, Thy creation! What is your journey? Wouldn't you be late? Wouldn't things be settled if we didn't know what else we can say in his favor? Against the idea that the Lavra is rich, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to present to Mikhail Nikolaevich 12 that we were about to start building up fire capital; but when a donation was needed during the war, we were forced to destroy it and turn it into this donation; therefore we have no surplus. Alexey Gavrilovich Popov is a kind person, and he diligently sets out to build the church. Therefore, it is good to assist him in obtaining material conveniently. But if bricks made with cheap firewood are sold so cheaply that next summer, with expensive firewood, the brick will cost us more than what was sold: then this loss would have been incurred unnecessarily. However, I do not reject what you have already laid down. I had the Right Reverend Kirill 13, to whom a vast door is opened in the East, and against many resistances. He has the free movement of thought and speech, but through experience he is not prepared for a task that is difficult even for experienced people. May God help him. They give him 14,000 rubles. per year; and something auxiliary is being arranged, under the patronage of High Persons: but the plan of arrangement is not yet in clear outline. A voluntary society would be required: we know how to lead dissatisfiedly, of which prison society is an example. It was put together diligently: but then it weakened; those who promised annual benefits stopped giving; coercive measures drove away the hunters; now the committee that was supposed to be the core of society is barely holding together; but there is no society anymore. On the issue, I suggested something similar to a society. I don't know how they will receive it. Pray for me who is sick. From last Friday to Saturday my teeth and head hurt as much as last May: now it’s easier, but I can’t celebrate tomorrow either. Peace to the Father Superior and the brethren of the monastery. God bless you, and you bless us to celebrate the day of St. Nikon. It becomes difficult for me to serve in a house church, because the windows on the left side every time affect the sore left side of my body, and especially my head. Two weeks before, I felt almost as ill as in the spring in the Lavra: and now my left ear and eye, and even the left side of my throat, hurt a little. Ask me for the mercy of St. Nikon on his day. If they give the Lavra 700 acres of forest, we will also be grateful for this to the patronage of St. Sergius; and let us not grumble that not everything is according to our wishes. The Monk Sergius will continue to take care of his monastery. Amazing things happen in the world. People lived and lived in the world before us; We lived and lived in the world as sinners: finally, in 1857, we learn that we do not know how to learn to read and write! I found the sheet of Petersburg Gazette you indicated and read the legend about Zolotov’s elementary wisdom. Probably, the teacher’s art of arousing the attention and desire of students plays a big role in the speed of learning. Perhaps success will be satisfactory. But from various inventions of the hasty teaching of grammar, one notices the consequence that those who quickly learn do not know grammar and have a poor command of the language. Systematic students of grammar have more difficulty: for this they learn the correct language in all its shades, and get used to being fluent in the abundance of the language. If you like, send one of our teachers to learn Zolotov's method. May the Lord help his servant Elizabeth, and may he protect her from dark battles. You can laugh at what are called omens. But sometimes the meaning is hidden in them, although the connection between what precedes and what follows is not clear. The bird flies in in the spring and flies away in the fall, sometimes earlier, sometimes later: and it turns out that it seemed to have foreseen what kind of weather would follow. Not without experience, it was a sign that the unusual appearance and impudence of animals was a bad omen. I am missing my Christian reading book for the month of July. Did I forget her in the Lavra and the monastery? Tell me to look in my cells. I also remembered the case. On your behalf, the nun Thomaida came to me, who left the Goritsky monastery and has been living in Kashira for a long time in the hope of a future monastery. She calls the Khotkovo nun Magdalene on the same path, saying that you approve of this too. Is this true? Here's another thing. The Khotkovskaya abbess aroused the desire and hope of the broken road (highway). Some promise, some have already given some money. I wanted to talk about this with the Governor-General: but I fell ill; and only yesterday I could talk to him. By the way, I expressed to him the fear that if we give the matter to the engineers and our money into their hands, the costs may rise far beyond our assumptions. Therefore, it is necessary to ask the manager of the communications routes that he had supervision, and the matter was in our hands: but is this reliable? Meanwhile, he said that some landowners do not agree to allow the road to be straightened on their land; promised to talk to them. But here too there is a fear that they will demand rewards. Think about this and tell me your opinion: whether to get down to business so as not to get confused. Send the letter enclosed to the abbess. Thank you, Father Viceroy, for the blessing from the feast of St. Nikon. I believe that this will bring me blessings and health. God has vouchsafed me to celebrate his day with a sacred service. If you like, I’ll write to Mr. Diaghilev. Get ready, as you think, to St. Petersburg, and visit me along the way. Then let's talk about it there. Today, a stranger, but, as he says, who was with me before, saddened by the death of his wife, came to me to talk about his sadness, and brought a carpet. When I said that I didn’t see the reason for this, he answered: although send to the monastery and pray for the departed Anna, Nadezhda and Varvara. I agreed to this, and with Fr. I am sending a carpet to Abel. There is a lot of sadness in our affairs. For example, the schismatics and their patrons swayed many of their co-religionists and forced them to write to the Governor-General that they were not affiliated with the church, admitting that they had given subscriptions to this; consequently admitting that through false subscriptions they obtained the right of merchants by forgery, and they used it for two years. The authorities did not pay any attention to this, but began to look for evidence that they were not annexed. What happened? The man gave a signature about his desire to join, he admits that he was in the church and prayers were read over him, then from the documents it is clear that he buried his deceased father in a church of the same faith, baptized children and communicated the holy mysteries, and was in confession; and everything says that it is not connected. Another signed a petition to open a Edinoverie church at the Rogozhskoye cemetery; wrote an essay in defense of the same faith against the schism, and this essay, signed by him with his own hand, was submitted to the Consistory: but he keeps saying that he is not annexed. They say that these people, even if this case goes to the criminal chamber, hope for acquittals for themselves and accusations for the priests. Everyone says that they prove their deeds with money; but there is no one who accuses. Peace in the Lord to the vicar father and the brethren of the monasteries. Thank you, Father Viceroy, for your philanthropic concern for my old age. The north window in the altar of my church and the north window near the place of veil are already covered with wooden and felt shields. But in the church there are also two windows to the north and two to the west; and this transparency does not have a favorable effect on me. Given the state of my body, I doubt the benefits of rubbing the body with coarse wool, and besides, it’s not convenient to do it myself; but I don’t like other people’s hands on my body. I'll think about forcing myself. I am sending two tickets for 50 rubles. and 30 rub. to the monastery They say the depositor died long ago; the tickets went to different monasteries, and finally they brought them to me. Take my money 150 or 175 rubles. and on the 1st day of December distribute to the ministers, the poor and the poor; something for the students too, if you think so. I am sending a description of the new palace. To the Lavra or Alexander Library? Give an answer to this and do it. Those coming from St. Petersburg say that there is strong talk about a change in the situation of the peasants. And twice they told me, but I don’t know from what source they got the information, that the Monk Sergius appeared to the Sovereign Emperor and gave instructions not to do this. May the Lord keep the Tsar’s heart in His hand, and may He arrange for what is good and useful. Peace to the viceroy father and the brethren. I am ashamed to write to Mr. Diaghilev his name without a patronymic. The hierodeacon who was with him should know. Ask and write to me. And is his rank correctly shown by you? Write about Larin’s contribution that he was appointed to repair the dilapidated robe behind the shrine. But what is this robe on? The request of the nun Thomaida presents a difficulty. By what right do we let the Khotkovo nun Magdalene go, to petition for the establishment of a monastery in a foreign diocese, and, moreover, not knowing how the diocesan authorities there will look at this? Who knows whether the matter will be handled wisely, and whether nun Magdalene will not cause confusion and trouble, like the late Hierodeacon Gregory? In order to remove these difficulties from us and not to interfere with Thomaida’s work, I suggested to her that the nun Magdalene move to the Tula monastery, and there act according to the consent and instructions of the Eminence there, which would be more correct and convenient, and would not give the Eminence of Tula the unpleasant thought, perhaps for him, that strangers were building a monastery in his diocese. Today I saw my new Eminence Caucasian 14. He feels good and gets down to business with determination. I have already chosen a new rector of the seminary and an inspector and secretary for the Consistory. He rejoices at the favor of the Bishop of Novgorod towards him. But there is also sad news that he confirms. Regarding the Optina monks taken to the Jerusalem mission, he thinks that it would be better to keep them under the experienced leadership of Elder Macarius in order to use them to maintain and spread good monasticism in Russia. Maybe it's true. There might be others for Jerusalem. Through the prayers of Saints Peter, Alexy, Jonah and Philip, and our venerable fathers Sergius and Nikon, may the blessing of the Lord come to the vicar father and abide on him. At 2 o’clock in the afternoon, when my weakness requires a quiet position and easy reading, for lack of other time, I write to you, Father Viceroy, and thank you for the information about your journey. May the Lord manage it in peace, for the benefit of the monastery. I don’t know what kind of stauropegia you’re talking about, and I wasn’t asked about it. I have a case, according to Mr. Ignatiev’s information, about priestlessness, albeit delayed, which I hasten to present to the Holy Synod soon. I have no idea about stauropegia. If you hear anything more clear, write to me. God's blessing to the viceroy father and the brethren of the monasteries. I sincerely thank you, Father Viceroy, for your work for the Lavra and for helping me, who is sick. It is God’s mercy that you appeared in such a timely manner at a difficult time for me. With a different doctor, the fight against the disease, in all likelihood, would have continued longer. Now I hope that during the holidays in the churches you will bless God the Lord from the fountain of Israel. I wrote to Mr. Vishnevsky; and gave what was written to the dean. It's a pity that you and the official parted ways. With his departure, it would be necessary to send someone from the Lavra to catch you on the road, or to notify Moscow if he arrived there before your departure. May the Lord grant you the joy of glorifying the Nativity of the Lord the Savior, with the pure voice of an angel, with the humble heart of the Bethlehem shepherds. Pray that my unworthiness may not be deprived of this joy. After a glass of soda water in the morning in front of you, I drank another at 5 o'clock in the afternoon without noticeable benefit. Today some instinct demanded that I drink tea with almonds: and, moreover, the effect of the magnesia I had taken long ago, which seemed unfinished, ended with a palpable relief for me. Yesterday, both at night and in the morning, pain in the teeth and gums came from time to time; the left side of the head felt some pain when touched; and the whole left side of the body was weak: now everything is approaching its normal position. Using the attached paper, tell the treasurer to give me 3 rubles. With. and returned the certificate. At the same time, I am enclosing a contribution to the monastery of 100 rubles. With. Read the attached notebook and tell me your opinion. I wrote hastily with a sore eye, and hesitated to send: but I decided to send, telling the Bishop of Novgorod that if he found the assumptions dubious, then he would not show it to others. He decided to send it soon because if there was delay, even what might be useful would be useless. The hours and prayer services in the schismatic chapel were served in Gorodets by an elder of the same faith: and the Holy Synod, having not resolved this before due to failure to present the issue, looked at the fulfillment of this without controversy. Permission during confession to accept for joining the Orthodox Church without a special rite was permitted before in case of illness. Now this is assumed only without limitation by condition. Perhaps the schismatics will not agree. This doesn't bother me. The more lenient the church was, the more right it was in the face of their insubordination. Return the notebook in a short time through the right means. It is with consolation that I hear you, Father Viceroy, and the brethren glorifying the Born Lord, in hearing my measure, and I sincerely thank you. I invoke God's blessing on you for the new summer. Pray, and let us pray, may the Lord add more mercy to us, who have sinned a lot, may his intimidation awaken us for the better, and may he not reprove us with rage, but punish us with anger. My eye hurt before the holiday, and now it hasn’t completely calmed down. The Bishop of Kiev wrote to me for the last time on November 26, and told my unworthiness that he loved me with the love of Christ. This blessing is comforting for me, but the deprivation after many years of fraternal communication is sad. In difficult times for me, he did not leave me with words of like-mindedness and consolation. In difficult matters, I usefully turned to his advice. Peace be upon him! Peace be with you, Father Viceroy, and the brethren. Thank you for your reassuring word regarding the Edinoverie project. I have no claim to approval. I needed to relieve myself of doubt whether I was extending condescension to the children of disobedience beyond what was due. I have nothing about this from St. Petersburg: although there is already time for an answer, or for a new question, and circumstances should not be conducive to delay. The description of the dying time of the Kyiv ruler, reported by the student, is comforting. From the Great Saturday service, he probably sang the canon sung at the burial of bishops. May the Lord fulfill his word regarding the new dispensation of the peasants. In Austria, the new dispensation of the peasants, to which ours wants to be similar, did not turn out to be successful. Some lands, which were cultivated under the authority of the landowners, remain uncultivated due to the freedom of the peasants. Estates taken over by peasants are sold at auction for non-payment of taxes; As a result, beggary increases. But, it seems, things could have been better for us if the good landowners had explained the matter well to the peasants and reached thoughtful agreements with them. One landowner called the elders of his peasants and gave them to read what was proposed from the government; and, although their first word was: better the old way, but seeing the need, they began to talk about an agreement. The landowner offered them the estates not with a ransom, but as a gift; then he appointed how much land he would give them for cultivation, with what payment for the tithe, and he volunteered to hire him to cultivate the landowner’s plowing land; and they, agreeing on other things, said about the last article: no, master, you’ll go broke; hiring free people will be expensive; and tell us to process this share for you as before; It's not hard for us. Thus continuing the agreement, they drew up rules in which they took precautions against disorder from self-will. If the best had entered into the matter in this way, even the worst could have settled it with less fear of harm. But how many will understand and try? But following your Kiev letter, I received a letter yesterday from the rector of the Kiev Academy, which does not confirm what the student wrote. I am sending you this letter, and by the way the Bishop’s last letter, and a telegraphic dispatch about death. Return all this to me: because I have not yet answered the rector. I started writing this letter in the morning; and they tore everything off; it is now the end of the first hour; and the secretary is waiting. I am returning the student's letter. Peace of the Lord to the vicar father and the brethren of the monasteries. You can imagine monk Agapit for ordination, but not for the next resurrection. This winter they will gird me more than once and lead me to the consecration of churches: and so on next Sunday. You can send Agapit to the next Wednesday, on which I propose to fulfill the duty of the fortieth day according to the ruler of Kyiv, or already during Lent. – I had the opportunity to mention the expressions of Vladyka Novogorodsky’s conversations that you know about, and I had the audacity to mention to him in a letter 15. He accepted it graciously. It is a pity that there is dissatisfaction with fraternal communication between the brothers. I didn’t even think about touching the peasants’ affairs. And it’s not my business, and it’s hard to imagine what could be done reliably, when the matter got underway, it’s not convenient to return, the called-up actors don’t see what to do, and there’s no unity between them. We must pray that the Lord will guide them to what is true and useful. Someone says that the nobility is not familiar with the subject proposed to them, and wants to publish a magazine for their instruction. When will this instruction come when the work has already begun and should be completed in a short time? – At the end of the twenty-five-year reign of the late Emperor, an untitled letter was sent to me from St. Petersburg, written by a lady, in which they persuaded me to incite the patriots to offer the Emperor an honorary title. These days I received the attached letter, which, having read, I ask you to return. Doesn't this mean that here, as once in France, there are women ready to preach a communist republic? – An unknown officer sent, with a letter denouncing the corruption of our literature, a sheet of Illustration in which on one page Humbert and the liberation by Pius IX of the rebel of their castle of the Holy Angel are described: and in the middle of this sheet a wide cross is outlined and in it is depicted the head of the Forerunner at the top, the Last Supper in the middle, and below the head of the Savior, which is also indicated under the sheet. Is it possible to think that this is out of stupidity, and not with evil intentions? – I don’t know why they didn’t send this to the Bishop of Novgorod, in whose diocese the Illustration is published. If I write about this, I will interfere in someone else’s business: and silence will hardly be fair. – Today the Eminence Kamchatsky came and visited me. He did not please me with news from St. Petersburg. He wants to go to the Lavra, and probably next Monday. Accept it as duty dictates, and bless it with an icon from the monastery and the abbot. Greetings on the eve of Lent. Blessed be the entrance, and the procession cheerful, and the fruit of the feat soul-nourishing and joyful. Let your prayers awaken me from laziness. Agapit returns as hierodeacon. His ordination now followed the consecration of the church: because they did not want to keep him in Moscow. I am returning a letter in which the sayings about the spiritual dispensation encourage confidence in the sayings of foresight. And what we see with the eye of ordinary observation and understanding unfortunately corresponds to the threats of the gift of insight. We have sinned, we are lawless: but do not betray us to the end, O God of our fathers. I would like to know the expected answers to the questions. A book about the relations of the Roman Church to others, an essay, according to the title page, by Avdiy Vostokov, and in fact by the Right Reverend Anatoly, would be useful if it were written with due diligence. But there are oversights in it that weaken confidence in it and provide weapons to the enemies of Orthodoxy. For example, he attributes to the Sultan the approval of the election of the patriarch as Divine. And here are the strange things about this book. This work is Theological, polemical, and therefore requires especially careful consideration of Theological: but it was censored by a secular person, Karpov. They assure that one hundred members of the Holy Synod read this book before printing, and approved it: and when, after printing, the errors in it were shown to them, they recognized them as so important that this had an adverse effect on the opinion of the dignity of the author. After reading this book, return it: maybe I will need it again. Moreover, I have not yet read it completely, but only skimmed in places. I demanded a letter about marriage on the assumption that permission was given on the note that arrived afterwards and forwarded to you. It turned out that I intended to do this, and thought that it had already been done. This is my memory. Give the note with the resolution sent to the church for a search, and take the letter from there. – Forgive me, I don’t think I made a mistake when I subordinated my project to the reasoning of my elder. It is not my measure that by asking for God’s help and by faith, what is asked for will be literally fulfilled. I called on God’s help at the intercession of the saints: but I don’t know whether God wanted to show me help, and what kind, or to leave me to my thoughts, so that someone else would later correct them to my humility. If the matter only depended on me: then, having called on God for help, I had to act, betraying the matter to the will of God. And when the matter in order should have been subordinated to the reasoning of another, I do not think that the right to stand for one’s thought was strengthened. Moreover, I myself was not free from doubts about the feasibility of the project, when there was already experience that the schismatics were told in the name of an authority figure: do not agree to anything, and they accepted it so well that they did not even agree to sign in hearing what was announced to them by the Highest command. God's blessing, peace, and health to the viceroy father. Asking before this for the intercession of St. Sergius before God, I ask you not to neglect the means of prevention and timely healing. – Andrei Nikolaevich writes that Mikhailo Nikolaevich presented his opinion to give the Lavra 1200 acres of forest in the places that you indicated. May the Lord incline the Tsar’s heart to affirmation. – I did not receive any petitions or rumors of disagreement from the Pesnosha monasteries. You will do a good deed if you visit the monastery and take care of the protection or restoration of peace. That orders regarding the army and internal guards can lead to difficulties is said by people who know the matter, and who have power and voice. Why their voice does not rise is not for us to judge: our business is to pray for the peace of the King and the kingdom. May the Lord give strong prayer books, which are very necessary in time, and in replacement of our weakness. I had a general who at one time strongly argued that railways should be built with our own means, and that these means would be found. They didn’t listen to him; because they did not expect to have money, and expected more skill in foreign engineers. Now it turns out that foreigners are building with our money, they are building poorly, and therefore, to improve things, they hire our engineers. – About keeping St. I have been taking care of the relics in the Blachernae hostel for a long time; and in one case an order was made which would limit arbitrariness. But I hesitated to directly demand the keys from Gavriil Petrovich, lest he impose this demand on the abbess, and lest the peace between them, which is still scarce, still diminish. Therefore, these days, when I saw Gabriel Pavlovich, I apologize, I turned this matter over to you, saying that the dean heard and told me about keeping the St. relics of a worldly person, and what needs to be corrected. He replied that he was a very pious and careful elder, and that the churchwomen assigned to St. relics, kind, but not very diligent in going to church. Finally, he agreed to hand over the keys to the priest, who comes to church early and has the convenience of unlocking and locking the arks. I stopped there until further notice. I learned that there the novices walk to the bell tower on the church roof, with the danger that the wind will blow them away or they will slip and fall. Strange structure of the building! I suggested G.P. put up a railing: he says that it will be ugly, and offers a rope, which is unlikely to satisfy. I again suggested placing a wooden handrail on sparse supports: he fell silent. He complains about the lack of cleanliness in the church. The abbess sends several sisters to keep the church clean: but there is no one to repay for the defect. He thinks that it would be better to appoint a special sister for each limit, and to exact from her the supervision of purity. Would you write to the Blachernae abbess about this, or would you stop by the Pesnosh monastery while traveling? Peace be with you and your brothers. Forgive me for not writing for a long time: I am missing a lot of things that are required of me. Read the attached sermon 16, and return it to me, or give it to Fr. to the rector, as you judge. I am sending a message about the most merciful grant of forests to the Lavra. I thought about this: I would like to pray in the Lavra with all the brethren for the Sovereign Emperor and Sovereign Empress: But I feel the effect of the current cold painfully even in my cell, and therefore I see myself completely unable to undertake the journey. I am not free to write because my hand hurts, it has a cold for the sake of those asking for blessings in the cold. – The death of Vasily Dmitrievich 17 was quick, but not sudden, because before that he fasted and communicated the Holy Mysteries. “This deprivation is also a pity for the most pious: a pious person near them is useful no less than a wise and strong one.” – In a Spiritual conversation there are definitely words that would be undesirable to come across in it. This, in my opinion, is the tailor’s story about his drunken adventures. Judge for me what I encountered. Captain Emelyan Danilov came to me and showed me his handwriting, in which he declares that he saw the Lord, and from him he received orders to announce it to the Tsar, metropolitans, bishops, boyars and others. Esaul says that he was in St. Petersburg, that his manuscript was in the hands of the Bishop of Novgorod for six days; that then the esaul saw the Sovereign Emperor, and presented him with his manuscript through the hands of the adjutant general or the aide-de-camp. I ordered the order itself to be copied, but literally only two articles were copied, and their contents were briefly copied out of the others. I am sending you this extract. Esaul now took his passport and went to Jerusalem. He speaks about his embassy as calmly and indifferently, like a person bringing someone else’s letter. I asked: did the Metropolitan of Novgorod speak to him, and what? - He answered: nothing; What should he say to me, a sinner? - I want to know your reasoning. I am sending another sermon 18. Give it back to Fr. to the rector at his discretion, and say that it has already been taken for printing in the statements. The Lord's blessing to the father governor and the brethren of the monasteries. Thank you for taking care of Sergievsky 19. Tell him there will be room for him. Thank you for the discussion about visions, which was given by chance to Esaul. It is obvious that in his manuscript there is an admixture of his personal concepts; and other things could have been aroused in him by rumor, such as the demand for the liberation of the peasants. But he has thoughts that are difficult to imagine born in a Cossack’s head. How did the original idea come to his mind that the multiplication of nobles, endlessly continued, should finally produce thousands of beggars, with claims to nobility in the fourth class, through which advantage is preserved and excess is eliminated? It seems to me that in this phenomenon there is something from the providence of God, which does not send us perfect prophets, so that we do not make ourselves more guilty by not paying attention to them, but allows some people of a mixed spiritual state to convict us in the name of God, through which we are given the opportunity to awaken and not fall under punishment; meanwhile, inattention to them is not a very serious sin, partly excused by their mixed condition. – Now I’m thinking about responding to the Chief Prosecutor about the royal mercy: and it will be possible to convey to the Holy Synod when the Highest will is fulfilled. The idea comes to me to write a word of thanks to the Sovereign Emperor and Empress: but I doubt whether to bother them with this; or better yet, thank you silently. February 26th. This hour has opened your letter of the 21st day: for yesterday I just received the bale in which it was. You can send your proteges, if you have time, both by Saturday: for I intend to serve on both Saturday and Sunday. And if you don’t have time, then one for this, and the other for next Sunday. Send me 100 rubles to the Vysokovsky brethren who suffered from the fire. Peace to the viceroy father and brethren. Thank you for visiting the monasteries and for the information. I would like to have a special report about the Blachernae hostel, that it was found in a location typical of the monastery. This may be suitable for the case of the idea of ​​converting a hostel into a monastery. – The idea of removing the bells to the ground will greatly upset Gabriel Pavlovich. Is it really impossible to arrange a convenient passage to the bell tower? – I have a need for enamel icons, especially small ones. Send it to me using my money: in the meantime, would you send me a few ready-made ones? In the Pesnoshsky Monastery, shouldn’t the instigator of the crowd be discovered and removed? – After some time, it is not superfluous to find out from the builder whether the world has been completely restored. Now get the relation of the graph in which the plots are named, Most Gracious data from the Lavra. The Minister notifies that the order has been made. Has it arrived? Shouldn't it be taken down? Shouldn't we immediately notify local authorities so that they don't touch what was given away? Judge, and do what is necessary; and if you need anything from me, imagine it. You want to thank me for interceding the forest. It's much more fair that it belongs to you. You suggested an idea that I don’t know if I would have decided to put into action if it had not made a circle and came to me from St. Petersburg. When the forest is accepted, it is necessary to make an order that the good deed of the Sovereign Emperor continues uninterruptedly and endlessly. For a long time I was not able to write our gratitude to the Sovereign Emperor and the Empress, due to the daily embarrassment of people and daily affairs. It seemed necessary to show in a good deed not only mercy, but also benefit: but on the other hand, I didn’t want to express what was happening in our country. Finally, I wrote without leaving my first thought. Then, as I was thinking whether to send what was written like this, I read in the foreign newspaper Nord (North) in a letter from Russia the following: they said that the wealth of Russian churches and monasteries would be used to buy out small estates. After this, I considered what I had written unnecessary and sent it. Then, I received a strong reprimand from Andrei Nikolaevich 20 for not thanking the minister for a long time. It's true that this is not good. I kept meaning to write to him, forgetting that it was he, and not the chief prosecutor, who notified me of the grant of the forest. Yesterday I wrote to Mikhail Nikolaevich, thanking him on behalf of myself and the Lavra. I don’t know what to do with the fact that I am not enough for work, and I am late in many ways. It seems that it would not be bad if they fired me. Pray for me. Just for your curiosity, I am sending you the lunch project and the score project. It seems to be an exhibition of secret political aspirations. But those who need to notice this more than others hardly notice this enough. From the Lord peace to the viceroy father and brethren. Answer me as soon as possible to the attached paper about the decommissioning of the Korsun icons in the Assumption Cathedral. Poshekhonov is a schismatic; and was in a dispute with the late Bishop of Kyiv over mural writing in the St. Sophia Cathedral. It would be better not to entrust the case to him. But is it convenient to entrust it to ours, and will it satisfy us? On the icons, Korsun is covered by Moscow; and they don’t look pleasant to my eyes: but wouldn’t this very thing on the list be attributed to those who copied it? – It was necessary to cry out to the local Eminence about the Tomsk case. I'll write to St. Petersburg. There are more than one puzzles about the Deveevsky case. The Eminence of Nizhny Novgorod, having been received by me fraternally, then did not write to me. At the request of General Akhmatov, on his case, I wrote to the Reverend Nizhny Novgorod, and he, answering me, asked the question: should he give a speech in the Committee about the peasants. It would be a different matter if he asked about a matter that needed to be decided according to church rules or custom: he would have more of a right to demand an answer from me. But the question of a random matter, requiring local considerations, why could I solve it better than he? “However, I wanted to answer, but I hesitated, and he wrote to Andrei Nikolaevich about me, as he put it, a bitter complaint about why I didn’t answer 21.” After this, can we expect that he will accept my words well? Moreover, I warned the Eminence against Joseph even during our meeting: but when he now acts contrary to this, can we hope that now, despite himself, he will listen to reminders about the removal of Joseph? Here is another new circumstance. The Diveyevo boss asks to go with 12 sisters to the Blachernae hostel. I told her to answer, firstly, that I wish her God’s help to support the improvement of the Diveyevo monastery, but in case of need, we are disposed to receive them, but we do not have premises. The abbess of Blachernae says that they can come and build homes for themselves. So, is it necessary to write to the Eminence, or wait to see what happens? I will not refuse to write if you think that it may still be useful. May tenderness in communion with the passion of Christ and the joy of the Lord's resurrection be granted to you, vicar father, and brethren. I wrote to St. Petersburg, explaining the reason for entrusting the painting of icons to the Lavra artist, and asked for a decisive notification whether this would be accepted. Moreover, I said that some preparations are being made to save time. Some questions were presented: but I did not propose them, because it would have been inconvenient for the Empress to answer. She saw the icons in place on one side. Therefore, I decided to do everything as is, except for the silver frames. Thus, it is not unnecessary to start making boards immediately. To the viceroy father and brethren, a word and a kiss: Christ is Risen! May the joy of the risen Lord dwell in your hearts, and may the power of His light remove from your souls everything that darkens and overwhelms. I thank you for your word of prayer for me, and I again ask for your prayers, so that I may still be a small part of the understanding and power of the resurrection of the Lord. Pray, Father Vicar, to St. Sergius for intercession before the Lord in these days, so that the temptations of the church may be satisfied. The voices are strong in favor of the schismatics. One question regarding this was addressed, among others, to me at the beginning of this year with the appointment of April 1st. I wanted to choose a good time to say in detail, in my opinion, the truth, with caution against objections. Strange thing! All the days passed in such captivity from urgent activities that I did not find a day or several hours for free reflection. Thinking about going to the Lavra: but I didn’t think it was feasible in the cold. I don’t know why it seemed to me that the deadline was April 8; and my last thought was, is it possible to retire to the Lavra by the end of this week, and ask for the help of St. Sergius, and think. Suddenly, on Great Wednesday, I received from St. Petersburg that the deadline was April 1st, and this should be preceded by a meeting. There was nothing left to do but write my opinion that same evening and send it on Thursday. Note: The letter does not indicate the time when it was written; preserved between letters of 1858 with a hand mark about. the governor, probably about the time of receipt: “March 27th day.” Thank you for the consecrated artos. May the Lord still grant you to partake of the joy of His resurrection, and above those who veil, and especially in the days of non-evening. I was told how a sick nobleman celebrated this Easter, whom his mother from the Voronezh province brought to Moscow for treatment. He had special zeal for the Monk Sergius, and seeing his recovery unreliable, suggested to his mother, in the event of his death, to put him in the Lavra, or in the Alekseevsky Monastery. Later, perhaps, with the idea that it would be less work for the mother. On the morning of Easter, he told his mother that he thanked God, having been honored to live to this bright day, and to be Christed with matter: that he had 20 hours left to live; and that it should be placed in the Alekseevsky Monastery. When asked why he said this, he answered that the Monk Sergius appeared to him, thereby showing favor towards his zeal, and told him what he had now told his mother. 20 hours later he actually died. – I wrote about the lists from the icons of the Assumption Cathedral to the secretary of the Empress directly after communicating with you: but I still have no answer. And I wrote that whether Her Majesty would like my assumption, I would expect a decisive command. Thank you for bringing your humble request to St. Sergius. On Thursday, Count Alexander Petrovich arrived and told me what he had heard before his departure, that the most persistent defender of the schismatics hoped to be more moderate. – God will bless those who are zealous for the house of the Holy Trinity and St. Sergius. It’s such a pity for poor Joel that he added an addition to the long lesson of patience! You can send Ambrose and Mitrofan for ordination as hierodeacons. If the dachas you are given have hayfields that were used by the peasants of the settlement, then you need to deal with them quietly and carefully. If you let them use it for free for a while, then they will later accept this as their right and will argue. Therefore, it seems to me that this time they should be allowed to use it as before, but charge a small fee that would indicate our right. – I am sending my letters to the Sovereign Emperor and to the Empress, at your request, for attachment to the case. God's blessing to the viceroy father and the brethren. The Empress entrusts us with making a list of the Korsun icons of the Assumption Cathedral. Get down to business without delay. – The monks did not come at a very opportune time. Today I served: but they were not in time for this. They will have to wait until Saturday and Sunday. – What have you heard about forest allotment? The chamber does not write to me. Shouldn't I write to her? – According to the decree on collection for Palestine, it seems you did not do what was prescribed. I was told to put the mugs down. A draft of your order is required regarding this. I expect the same from the Consistory. – And I didn’t like the Jerusalem letter in the Spiritual Conversation. A terribly dark time. Those who seem to see well also stumble. I was asked what I thought about the articles in the Spiritual Conversation against the Jesuit Gagarin. I replied that the first, as an introduction, was good: but in the second one cannot approve of reproaches; because they only irritate and do not prove anything. To this they answered me that the bishop himself added one word. - Which? – It was written to the Jesuits: your order: corrected: your order, despised by all. I remain of the opinion that it would be better not to correct it this way. – Pray for the Orthodox Church, for Russia, and finally for me, a sinner. The monks return as hierodeacons. They seem to promise good things. I agreed to build a second floor. But it is necessary to firmly restore the damaged wall so that it can support the second floor. Regarding the circle for Palestine, your last assumption corresponds to the decree. I am returning the report for changes in this regard. It’s too early to think about monasteries along the Amur River. And what is being done is being done quite boldly. Another question about the ownership of this region is not without controversy. A remarkable report was written by the Right Reverend Eusebius about the foreigners of the Trans-Baikal region. They feel unsatisfactory in their beliefs. Those who converted to Christianity were formerly hated, but now they look at them calmly. They begin to respect Christianity. During the journey of the Right Reverend, foreign women, when they met, bowed to the ground to him, and if they could not kiss his hand or clothes, they kissed his carriage. He proposes to form missionaries for them in the Chinese mission: but this will take a long time. I told the count to find measures more quickly. Now he has three missionaries, one of whom knows the language of foreigners poorly, and two of whom do not know it at all, and sit in the Consistory. The news about the Orthodox in Turkey is sad; and there is grief from one’s own. The Greek clergy in Bulgaria expelled the Bulgarian language from the cities and the priesthood in Slavic. Some urban Bulgarians, as a result of this, have in some way become Greek, and as a result, unanimity with the rural ones has been disrupted. But Latin propaganda is trying to take advantage of this disagreement. We are concerned about this: but it is now more difficult to act than it was before. Tatyana Alekseevna Mukhanova sends air to the monastery. Ask the treasurer if I have subscribed this year to the publication of the Works of St. Father? If he hasn’t signed up: tell him to sign up for me, like last year, and give me my money. How is your water so strong when our Moscow River has opened up, they say, almost without leaving its banks? God bless your prudence in protecting the property of the Lavra. Get me an icon for Grand Duke Sergius without being late, so that I can send it in time. – We overslept during the action in the east and woke up late. Now they see that it is inconvenient to act openly, they want to act covertly: but, having made considerations about this, they published it; and the printed word is no longer a secret; and consequently they themselves revealed their secret thoughts to their enemies. Therefore, they can arouse the Turks to counteract the simplest acts of philanthropy. – It is difficult to do good out of the Bulgarians even if they were more free to act. And then, when they were strong, their history was full of civil strife. Now there are many reasons for divisions; and there are no reliable people in sight. The exarch turned out to be a traitor; and the archimandrite, whom they tried to make a bishop, turned out to be ill-intentioned. May the great Lord of the House sow new fields, when the grass of the earth is in the old fires and itself asks for a strict harvest. – It occurs to me that by the 29th day it would be possible to visit the Lavra for a few days: but I doubt whether the weather and the road will be for me. I wonder if I wouldn’t rather sit there doing something that is being interfered with in Moscow. – I received a dispatch by telegraph from the Bishop of Novgorod that an excellent hieromonk was needed for Syr Darya; and they pointed to one hieromonk. I replied that he had already left the diocese. Then he sent an order to select and send, so that he would arrive in Orenburg by May 10th. But following the decree, on the same day a dispatch was received that the hieromonk had already been found, and that there would be another decree not to carry out the first. For several days now there has been no second decree: and I don’t know whether they have changed their minds and whether they should not carry out the first one. Just in case, could you point me to someone who is capable and firm in behavior and has some education? – They don’t talk about the type of service. This is probably in the new fortress with a military detachment, and others. The fate of the rescript in the office of the Chief Prosecutor of the Holy Synod. However, the new ruler of Kyiv is worthy of a kind word. And the governor wrote to the Sovereign Emperor not to take him from Georgia. – I have long heard that falling ice in rivers is a bad omen. In the Moscow River, as I was told, first the water flowed on ice, then ice on water. I don’t know if everything rose to the surface. You incited me with bitter news. I didn’t think to say next Thursday: but now I want to, if the Lord allows it. 22 It is inconvenient for me to leave Moscow before the 23rd day. On this day there is a service in the Orphanage: you need to pray there for the Head of the Empress. Try to write about the Sarov desert now. I already told the Chief Prosecutor before that it is not good for bishops to dismantle monasteries for rent. He received the icons, and having opened the icon of the Holy Trinity, he did not consider it necessary to open another. I will present the first one: and I will leave the other one for the need that may present itself. – There is humility in the speech of the Right Reverend Anthony 23. How did it not restrain him from so boldly applying to himself the unparalleledly lofty and Divine? And how did the ordainer, who is highly approved, not give him advice to correct what he had said carelessly before distributing it in print? On many occasions now it seems to me that fog and cloud are thickening over us; and one must be wary of thunder. Shouldn't I write to the Reverend Anthony something about his speech, since I need to write to him? Or will it mean teaching other people's disciples, and being an unplanted judge? – I am sending you my sermon 24 Have I let it slip, seeing the bitch in someone else’s eye? - And they already took it from me; and probably printed it. Give it to the rector of the academy, use it for consideration, or, after reading it, return it. – I am returning to Kyiv. And it is wonderful that they have not yet called their bishop for ordination; but they used Bulgarian, who was removed from his appointment as not justifying his trust. – The Kyiv Metropolitan is called to St. Petersburg. On this occasion, Andrei Nikolaevich writes to him so that he does not rush, so that he fulfills his proposal to visit the land of new Christians and consecrate their churches, and not to go straight to Petersburg, but to arrive in Kyiv for the feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God, and then to Petersburg. Isn't it true that this is good advice? But from whom would it be better for them to come from, from the leading member of the Synod, or from a secular zealot for church affairs? – You are talking about off-roading: what should I do with the proposed journey to you? And I heard from others: that the highway is damaged, and instead of repairing it with stones, brushwood has been swept onto the road. However, today is a good day: maybe by the end of the week the path will be safer. Before this, my crew was not ready. I wrote about the Sarov desert to the Bishop of Novgorod and to the count. – I wrote to the count about the Diveyevo hostel even before his arrival in Moscow. He did not answer me in Moscow either; and it was not possible to ask him about this, on many other subjects of discussion. – Read pages 293 and 294 in the April Christian Reading book. What do you think of the faith that did not shame the pagan world and made it the owner of the universe? It also says that the Moabite king's sacrifice of his son was a matter of faith, and it saved the Moabites. Let it be known, Father Viceroy, that my journey to the Lavra is not earlier than Monday morning. I volunteered to be at the funeral of Count Vasily Dmitrievich; and it is scheduled for Sunday. The Lord is with you. I ask for your and brother's prayers. Don't bother waiting for me. Read, Father Vicar, the letter that I am writing to the protopresbyter about icons, and give appropriate instructions to the icon painter. I wish he would leave early tomorrow; because the letter to the steward, which must be sent with him, is necessary. The letter to the protopresbyter must be sealed and then given to the icon painter. In response to a written question about. to us from May 7, 1858: “Who is this and where can I find him, who has 60 icons of ancient writing? I would instruct Malyshev to take a preliminary look and notify me in detail.” Bishop M-ta's own answer: Former headman of the Edinoverie Church of the Transfiguration Almshouse, Andrei Efimovich Sorokin, a reasonable and zealous fellow believer. I think that it is necessary to approach him in a modest way, as a precaution against unkind people. God's blessing and peace to the viceroy father and brethren. Thank you, Father Viceroy, for taking care of me in the Lavra to my peace. I returned to Moscow safely; and now I was at the feast of the holy martyr Tsarevich Dmitry in the Archangel Cathedral. Yesterday the housekeeper told me that a novice had arrived for his shift. I asked how the person being returned behaved. Economy approved; and added: didn’t Theophylact, who is rude and sometimes quarreled with him, say something to him? It was in the morning. Before the all-night vigil, the departing novice came to say goodbye; and with sorrow he said: I don’t know why I am being replaced; I can testify to the steward and everyone that I have not done anything bad; and now I will be punished. To this I told him: that if his conscience does not accuse him of anything, then he should be calm, and that without guilt and without consideration of guilt he will not be punished. I asked the housekeeper if this novice had fun making acquaintances: the housekeeper did not confirm this. I saw this novice only in church services, and always found him to be in good order. Take this into consideration for the condemnation of the novice. – Thank you for taking the trouble to resolve the Khotkovo problem. In this case, they averted the loss of time, the costs, and the real danger that could occur if they began to tamper with the foundation of the building, due to the imaginary danger. Don't lay the blame on the abbess. When I found out that the bewilderment had been going on for several days: I asked: why didn’t she contact you? She replied that she came to see you once or twice; but it so happened that you were uncomfortable seeing her. That the opinion of the two architects shook the female mind is not surprising. It seems to me that your architect is especially wrong. If he, seeing a difficulty that he considered important, had immediately submitted it to your solution, the matter would have been resolved long ago, as you have resolved it now. Condescend to the infirmities of the boss; and do not leave the monastery and almshouse without your help. I return again to Khotkov. Can you think of a way to rid the almshouse building of water? I remember the abbess once told me that sometimes water sits under the floor for a long time. It seems to me that this is not only detrimental to the health of the residents, but sooner or later it must also be detrimental to the building. – I had not read the conversation that talked about a dog and a pipe of tobacco before you mentioned it. But upon returning to Moscow, I received very strange instructions about this. A certain Hegumen Foedor of Boguslavsky in the Kyiv diocese sent me a copy of his letter to Bishop of Novgorod, written by him in denunciation of some sayings of the Spiritual Conversation. Andrei Nikolaevich will insist that I must write about this to the Bishop again, although I have already written. It is a pity that Abbot Theodore, while well-intentioned, himself gets confused in his thoughts, for this can harm the action and his fair comments. Read and tell me your thoughts. In the name of the Lord, blessing and peace to the viceroy father. It’s hard for me to write to you again about a matter that you once looked at with displeasure. But I don’t see how this could be avoided. The Khotkovo abbess came to me with a request to dismiss her from her position, citing a long-standing disorder in her health, a lack of memory, and not for the first time these days, the sign of a stroke she noticed in herself was that when she woke up in the morning, she found one eye closed and her mouth was not in the correct position for some time. She presented this request to me before, but not with such urgency. Without doubting that her health was truly disturbed, I thought, however, whether the difficulties encountered in the matter of repairing the almshouse had a special role in this request; and asked what the situation was. She told about your inspection of the questionable parts of the building, and about your letter received after that, in which you order the construction of a vault in the lower floor. When considering the details and relevant circumstances of this case, difficulties arise that I cannot resolve, and which require resolution. Do yourself a favor and remove human shortcomings from attention; and with patience consider the matter of the monastery, and look philanthropically at the poor and elderly, whose housing is being dealt with. The abbess puts the height of the lower floor at just over three arshins. Would it be convenient to place a vault here? And will it be securely supported by a wall, which, although it is built on the ground, as you found, is on the ground through which water is now breaking through? For the vault there is now only part, and not all, of the required amount of material: therefore, the work cannot be done soon. What to do with a concluded carpentry contract? The vault, by prolonging the matter, will not result in the building not being able to accommodate residents for the winter, while some of the premises into which the almshouses are evicted are only summer ones, and therefore it will be difficult to accommodate them for the winter? It seems to me that these questions require attention: but I only know how to ask, but I don’t know how to answer. For the sake of Saints Cyril and Mary, I ask you to patiently examine the difficulties that present themselves and find a way out of them. You would do me a favor if you wrote to me about this soon, so that by reducing the difficulties I would give strength to my admonitions to the abbess to continue her position. It also occurs to me whether it would be useful to reinforce her with an assistant. But I don’t see a capable person, and the abbess does not indicate such a person among her sisters. Moreover, it is necessary that the assistant be of the same mind as the boss, otherwise new difficulties may arise. I expect and hope your help for my weakness. Much peace to the Father Viceroy. Then the brothers. Thank you very much for the letter of the 24th day. It calms me down in relation to the Khotkovsky Monastery. The abbess will take your proposed supervision of the correction of the almshouse building as a benefit, and I as a favor to me; because it puts an end to a difficulty that I could not solve. May the Lord ensure that it is not hard for you, who bear the burdens of the weak. I told the abbess that, due to my duty, I did not consider it convenient to dismiss her from her position. I put off the thought of an assistant until discretion. The right hand of the boss can be a completely like-minded assistant: if this is lacking, she can be a burden. I am writing this tired and pressed for time. On Saturday, in the rain, I drove to the Savvin Monastery. Yesterday, the feast of the consecration of the church there, thanks to God, was completed safely. Not having time to leave from there in the evening, I now came from there for the liturgy, and, moreover, had the need to attend an exam at the Educational House; and after that he was besieged by people until the evening, and things were still waiting. I don’t hope to be at the Lavra this week. I wrote to the Bishop of Novgorod about the consecration ceremony of St. Isaac's Cathedral. He is pleased with my opinion, and he himself has already acted towards correction - with difficulty. The Reverend Khotkovsky is taken to St. Petersburg. Thanks to St. Sergius for returning the ancient property to his monastery. May he help us preserve and use for good. Thank you for watching with your own eyes the work of acceptance. We must try to deal with those who used the meadows in such a way that they do not grieve too much about the deprivation, so that it would be more convenient to have them as peaceful neighbors. St. Sergius did not care about receiving guests, even high-ranking ones, you say. Is it true. He was not like us; and the guests were differently disposed; and these were not customs that could not be completely neglected. We will take care, as best we can, to be kind to our kind guests. As for silence, I hope that you are not deprived of it either, and that external rumor does not penetrate much into the inner cage. To bear the burdens of the brethren is a matter of patience: and in patience, I think, there is a grain of silence. Not everything was explained regarding the great guests. 13 days The Empress will probably deign to listen to the liturgy: but should we wait for the Sovereign Emperor before the liturgy, or after? “I wrote about this to the minister so that they would not forget to resolve this in a timely manner.” – There is no request from Bryzgalov. Shouldn't they be fired without asking, so that hospitals aren't in a state of flux at this time? – There is a lot of money in the St. Petersburg courtyard. You must either take it or deposit it into the Treasury. I remember that during the festive all-night vigil at the Eminence Gregory’s house, the treasury was cleaned out. – Malyshev wants to take the icon and go tomorrow. In this case, I will send with him a box of tea, which you give from me for the consolation of the monastery brethren. – Grand Duke Michael and his wife were in cathedrals yesterday, and today at the blessing of waters. The Grand Duchess prays attentively. – This was written before the all-night vigil. And after the all-night vigil, the painter came and said that he wanted to stay in Moscow, because there was not much work left; and therefore, I did not find a suitable tarantass. Note: The letter does not indicate the time when it was written; preserved with the mark of Fr. to us: “June 1st, 1858.” Peace to the viceroy father and brethren, and gratitude for my peaceful stay with you. God will bless Dean Meletius to accept him for confession. The untitled letter about the Nativity priest did not say who wrote it. But it was not ignored because I heard about his drunkenness before, by the way, and from you. It was written against him that he fell from drunkenness: he testified that he drank two glasses of vodka and fell, but not from drunkenness. I hasten to send this in order to call the future Bishop of Dmitrov to ordination 25. God's blessing and peace from above to the vicar father and the brethren of the monasteries. With thanksgiving to God's mercy and the protection of St. Sergius, I look from Moscow back to the Lavra and the monastery. I remember with gratitude your care for me and the peaceful brotherhood that contributed to my peace. – My path in the balmy air of the morning was pleasant. I thought that I would rest for the day in Moscow, and in the morning I would go to the seminary: but soon the Archimandrite of Znamensky came and reminded that tomorrow, the 12th day, there should be a bishop’s service in his monastery in memory of the Tsar and Imperial family, then the notification came that the Nikita Abbess had died that morning: and so it turned out that it was necessary to be in service on Saturday in Znamensky, on Sunday on burial, yesterday at the test in the Seminary; and now I have not gone to the second part of the test, and I am resting at home - over petitions and deeds. Now we need to elect an abbess. Khotkovskaya more than once complained to me about the difficulty of her service in poor health, and I was already told here to transfer her. But it seems to me that this would not be useful for Khotkov, for whom it is more difficult to find a boss appropriate to the circumstances than for Nikitsky. Tell me your opinion. I was secretly notified that in the middle of August 26 there will be a route from Klin through Dmitrov to the Lavra. Only said. But, without a doubt, the Empress Maria Alexandrovna will be with him, and maybe other members of the Royal Family. Heed this and get ready. I don't know what I should do. If I wait at the Lavra, I might be late and then meet Them in Moscow. In 1823, the Sovereign Emperor was traveling from Yaroslavl to Moscow. I first asked to report to him that if I meet him in the Lavra, I will not have time to precede him in Moscow. He told me to wait in Moscow; and did not go through the Lavra, but came to Moscow along the Stromynskaya road. Now one will travel not through the Lavra, but to the Lavra itself. May St. Sergius arrange something useful. May the Lord help you to found a church, and may the Most Holy Lady Theotokos despise it. Professor of the St. Petersburg Seminary Savvaitov will come to the Lavra. I wrote a comment on the book he published; and he is not angry with me. Please accept it with attention, and also offer it to the Academy from me. Thank God that the door to the Word of God has been opened into the Russian word. But we still need to pray and work so that the Lord will manage the matter, which is now going to the four Academies, and God knows how to return to unity. Of course, I won’t see this thing happen. May the Lord guide those who are to come. Is it good that you want to fire a doctor without asking him to do so? And those who are dismissed from service for disorderly conduct are dismissed upon request, except in cases of special importance. It seems he would like to continue serving with us until the Lepeshkins untie themselves from their current doctor and open a place for him, Bryzgalov, with them. For us, this is of course no better: but it would be nice to part with him without insult. Answer me. Until the answer I will refrain from solving the matter. Your discussions about the transfer of icons do not resolve the matter of the icon, which is needed for the procession of the cross on August 1st, then on August 19th, then on August 27th, then twice in October, and in August for the Sunday meeting of the Highest Persons. However, let's look for time: but there is no free time nearby. Allow me, Father Viceroy, to express my bewilderment about Hieromonk Polycarp from Kharkov. His track record speaks of him: he has mediocre behavior and is unconscientious in his obediences. Is he suitable for the Lavra? and why might evidence of a service record be disrespected? – Thank you for the book: a warning. The teaching in it is good: but other denunciations are vague and unsubstantiated guesses are made to no avail, such as, for example, that Satan, after thousands of years of bonds, was released at the end of the fifteenth and at the beginning of the sixteenth century. Am I telling the truth? – I am sending you several copies of sermons and several copies of the image of Saint Isaac the Syrian, remarkable for its antiquity and the peculiarities of its schema and clothing. I am negotiating to send you an altar icon for the period from August 2 to August 14. That’s what I thought, Father Governor, that in the case of tickets there was a misunderstanding in the word: submit. But I showed in the resolution how this word should be understood, and it is always understood. I am concerned that this is a capricious matter. A smaller or larger loss of interest may depend on the careful or careless expression regarding the assignment of amounts. Do not send this matter to Moscow: because I intend to be with you on Friday, if God pleases. Regarding Bryzgalov and the successor, I allowed both reports. It is not commendable if Archimandrite Arseny blasphemes Polycarp for leaving. The book: a warning, as if of a good spirit, but not for that, but not for the purpose of interpreting the millennia of Satan’s bonds. You point to the time of Arianism as the time of Satan not yet bound, and to the events from the 16th century as the time of Satan already unleashed. But during the imaginary millennium of the cruelty of Mohammedanism, iconoclasm, disorder and, in some times, the shameful deeds of the papacy, does this mean the time of the bound Satan? – I wanted to ask you about that part of the schema that you call weavers. On the head of the Venerable Isaac the Syrian, it seems to me there is a bandage with the word: ..., i.e. holy, holy, holy. Lord. In the vestments of the Old Testament high priest there was a bandage with the words: holy to the Lord. There is a legend that St. The Evangelist John wore such a bandage, if I am not mistaken by his name, or the Apostle James. Did it not pass on to some ancient bishops? – I had a heartbeat for a short time yesterday; and it happened again around midnight, and, having gotten up in the first hour, I had a heavy feeling in my chest and partly in my head: but by morning I fell asleep, and then I served only almost without a voice. You will talk about this with me, how to understand it, and what caution it teaches. The vicegerent father rejoices in the Lord. My journey ended successfully. I’ve been in Moscow for about 24 hours now: And thank God, apart from fatigue, I don’t notice the consequences of the journey. I know, Father Viceroy, that in caring for me, who was sick, you did a work of love; that you don't need anything; that your work is above any reward. But I think I am allowed to wish that you have something that reminds you of your beneficial work for me, and of my gratitude to you. This can happen if, in front of me and after me, you use Panagia, which was often seen on me. From a grateful heart I invoke God's blessing upon you. In Moscow. August 22nd 1858. Note: The letter still bears a note from Fr. Governor: “A letter was received on the evening of August 23rd and Panagia was sent by courier. On the 24th I responded to His Eminence and the Panagia, blessed by the Bishop, was used in the liturgy.” By the grace of God, the days that are both troubling and at the same time comforting for me end happily. On the 26th day I met Their Majesties in the Assumption Cathedral, and preceded them to Chudov. He hesitated whether to refuse dinner: however, he attended it, and was consoled by the gracious conversation of Their Majesties. Yesterday I was only at a prayer service in the Assumption Cathedral: and then in the court church I congratulated the Sovereign Emperor, and went to see the Sovereign Tsarevich and other Grand Dukes who deigned to visit me the previous day. Today, in the presence of Their Majesties and Their Highnesses, I performed a prayer service at the foundation stone of the newly built house of the Romanov boyars. Here the Sovereign Emperor said goodbye to me. His departure is scheduled for tomorrow evening, and for the Empress tomorrow morning. For me, offer my all-humble, grateful homage to our venerable father Sergius, for I was not punished with anger, but was pardoned by mercy. – Thank you for your continued care for me. I received your advice not to meet the religious procession in Sretenskoye on the 27th day yesterday, the 30th. However, I did as you advised; and could not do otherwise. The lack of strength continued, and a certain feeling of burden, which gave rise to fear: this was especially significant on the third day: but, despite this, I had to receive several necessary visits. Yesterday I went into Chudov from the Assumption Cathedral in anticipation of the court liturgy, and found the cells so cold that I immediately felt a cold; but finally he thought of putting on a fur coat. Now there was a short wait before the service, and I was very tired and could barely speak. Now I'm resting. Thank God for everything. – The question of whether to go to Kolomna is before me. I still don’t know how I’ll resolve it. – It has been more than a year since I said that I needed, instead of the carved painted Crucifixion of the Lord, in the hall, or in the old way in the chamber of the cross. Of course you forgot; and I didn't bother. Would you now give me what was left after the sacristan, in memory of him and my painful graft with him, so I remember the latter. Moscow. August 31st 1858. Thank you, Father Viceroy, for the prayer about my unworthiness, as well as for the advice on conserving my diminishing strength. I refused one call to consecrate the church, namely in Kupavna. As for the trip to Kolomna, I admit I’m still perplexed. So they were very hopeful, and they delayed the consecration for me: consequently, I will be guilty both for the fact that I offered the delay and for the fact that I did not fulfill the promise. Moreover, I am weaker at home than outside of work. On the 31st day of last month I was very tired in the Znamensky Monastery: but it turned out that the next day I felt stronger and better than on all the previous days since my return from the Lavra. The Bishop of Kyiv will be in the Lavra. I invited him to stay in my cells. Receive him, comfort him, treat him, and present the icon to him from the monastery and the abbot. Offer if he would like to serve. What the comet says, the Wisdom of God knows. More than one comet says something unpleasant. Our sins especially make us fear the rod of punishment. Read the story of the announced Hume in the sheet of statements sent. They say that answers using the alphabet were given in Russia too. He is allowed to marry a Russian subject. Then he announced that the spirits had retreated from him, as had happened before, and that he could do nothing. Didn't the wife come with a prayer and the spirits didn't like it? – I sent you the request I received for the hotel. This is not in order to redo what has been done: but so that the refusal is done correctly. Take care of your health, Father Viceroy, and be healthy. Here is a test of my health: the day before and yesterday I served in two monasteries, and yesterday from 9 o’clock in the morning until half past ten in the evening I had only 10 minutes to rest, and after that I was now able to talk for about 3 hours with the Bishop of Kyiv. Therefore, I do not despair of being in the Blachernae hostel. I think I’ll be at the Lavra on Thursday, and it would be good if you ordered to inquire about the road by then, because by that time I would inquire about the road, because by that time Gabriel Pavlovich wanted to send to the Lavra for a decision. Count Alexander Petrovich gives me a lot of work, and, in terms of the subjects and his favor, I cannot refuse. Therefore, I don’t know how I will get out of diocesan affairs by the time of the journey. Mikhailo Nikolaevich 27 visited me and proposes a third monastery on appanage land. This is not an easy new question. Today I sent a builder to him with some information. Thank you, Father Viceroy, for promoting the peace of my stay and wanderings in the Lavra. - I thank the brethren for order. - I reached Moscow safely. As soon as I arrived at my place: they brought a letter from Mikhail Nikolaevich. I open it, but for some reason I can’t start reading it, and I open other packages and read it. Finally, I forced myself to read it and what did I find? “We, he says, agreed with Parthenius to build one monastery, not in the places designated before, but on Moshevo: 150 dessiatines of forest will be given, and for the first time, insignificant monetary assistance. He believes the key to success is the person I choose. Thus the most convenient places are abandoned; the people invited will be upset; 20 females will be completely deceived; 20 males, it is unknown whether they will want a new, less convenient place; The fight against schism here is more difficult, because here it is especially necessary to fight not only false thoughts, but also the corruption of morals and life, and the habit of having schism as a source of self-interest. And if you please, build a monastery with the diligence of one person with an insignificant monetary allowance. Give me advice on what to answer; write about this as soon as possible. This is not without fear that those in whom zeal and hope for the protection of the government were aroused will be disappointed by the unexpected decision of the case, will see in the very first experience the infidelity of hope for the government, and this will deal a strong blow to their zeal and zeal. The Ekaterininsky builder says that Sergius Ch. got drunk. - Where? - In the Lavra. - Without your knowledge? - So. He says that he wrote to the treasurer and asked for a ticket; The treasurer received the letter, but they didn’t ask me for a ticket. - Why do you think he did this? “I think because it was embarrassing to show up; because he drank away the clothes given to him, and drank away the money given by someone. Judge from this whether Ch. is suitable for the Lavra. Peace be with you, father governor and brothers. Return the returned description of the consecration to Professor Kazansky. I don’t interfere with the publication of it and the conversation. Gabriel Pavlovich’s letter is so regrettable that I stopped without finishing reading it. If it had come to me before consecration, I would hardly have forced myself to go to consecration. After this letter, what can be done based on your report about the transformation of the hostel into a monastery? – The relationship between the founder and the abbess is incomprehensible to me. Many times I inspired peace and patience for the infirmities of our neighbors on both sides. Both sides complain about each other: and do not admit what they complain about. In part, I know that there is an exaggeration in the founder’s complaints: whether this is also on the part of the abbess, it is less convenient to find out. I’ll finish reading the letter and think about what to do. – I thought about the proposal about crosses—forgive me. Now is no longer the time of coronation, when people conveniently agreed with me, as the late Bishop of Novgorod set as an example, adapting to the circumstances, and, perhaps, being pleased with my respect for his primacy. Now they will make an ordinary calculation according to proportion; if 50 percent of the hieromonks of the Lavra and the monastery suddenly have three crosses, then for the 800 priests of the Moscow diocese there should be 40 or 50, which is too unrealistic. One can imagine one of the three: but it is difficult to decide which. Obadiah is a worthy person, but a recent one. Wouldn’t it be a shame to assign a distinction to a monastery builder in front of the elders there? Lord remember the builders Samuel and Maxim, who did not want to have a legguard, so as not to arouse in the other hieromonks of the cenobitic monastery thoughts of external difference. Gerasim, for success in the courtyard, isn’t that a greater distinction, by the way, before the eyes of St. Petersburg? – In the case of the alleged monasteries, this is what has been revealed. The minister put Parthenius in conference with some of his subordinates. They spent six thousand rubles on the construction of the monastery. Parthenius said: not enough. - How much? - twenty-five thousand, and give it into our hands, we will manage it economically. From everything they suspected him of selfishness, and these thoughts were reported to the minister. After this it will be difficult to use Parthenius in this matter. He was with me and went with the intention of inspecting the place proposed by the minister together with Vasily Ivanovich and Florishchinsky hieromonk Jerome. Do you know enough about this, and is it possible to have plans for it? – The blessing of the Lord and peace to the vicar father and brethren. I definitely did not order about insuring the farmstead, but I suggested and propose the question, is it necessary? You think you can calm down with the help of the police. Its success in maintaining security in Moscow is not great. I had a guest sitting with me; and before leaving, not too late, he asked for a carriage, because it was dangerous on foot. As proof, he told what happened to a university student who, on Sadovaya Street at night, had a long conversation with a swindler, but when releasing him, for safety from the attackers, he ordered him to say: I know Nikolashka, that is, the leader of the gang. – I received a decree from the Holy Synod, which ordered the assistance of two Bulgarian monks who were going to study spiritual painting and engraving. Shouldn't we take someone to the Lavra who wants to study icon painting? - Answer me, and I will stop with an order until your answer, so that I know if there is another way. The matter of the supposed monastery continues to confuse me. Mikhail Nikolaevich demands that I not abandon this matter. But the benefits promised are insignificant. His trust in Fr. Parthenia is shaken, if not destroyed. He expressed doubt to O. Parthenius whether it would be good to form a monastery of only newcomers from the world. Meanwhile, Fr. Parthenius found a place that he recognized as suitable, and even put an end to it. I am sending him to you for a meeting; and for your consideration I am sending the whole matter. Help me not for my sake, but for the sake of the souls sitting in darkness, in whom Parthenius sees some hope of bringing them to the light. He is disposed to take on the construction of the monastery and to collect benefits for this, so that the Berlyukov Hermitage can be transferred to another abbot, in order to have one concern, and so that those invited to charity can see more clearly that their donations will go to the newly built monastery, and not to another. Elder Fr. Jerome recommends as his assistant the monk Theophan, known from the Florishcheva Hermitage, now the skete hieromonk. What do you think about this? They give timber and land, and from a special place they promise to build timber for buildings. But by what means to produce the structure? – What can you ask from a minister who promised a small allowance? Or decide to build with alms? But is this reliable? Wouldn't it be even less reliable to maintain a monastery? But wouldn’t the precariousness of existence be an obstacle to joining a monastery? Based on the discovered mistrust of Fr. Parthenius, isn’t it necessary to form a construction commission, without shy forms, but with clear reporting? There will be more questions. Having called upon St. Sergius for help, take the trouble to examine the matter from different angles, and suggest to me more clearly what to do and what to write to the Holy Synod and to the Minister. – Meanwhile, I ask you to take care of your health: for I heard that you were unwell again. At the same time, a letter from the minister and a report from the builder. Other parts of the case are special. May the Lord grant you, Father Viceroy, health and peace, and may He make you wise to help my perplexity. What a time of darkness and gloom! You want to get out of an unclear situation, and you find yourself in a darker one. – I met Vasily Ivanovich at my place, returning from the Synodal office; and could only speak to him briefly. But I’m in a hurry to write: because I have other things to do in the evening. I am surprised that Parthenius, who had instructions from me first of all to go to him, did not delve into the circumstances he revealed. And, without making a satisfactory inquiry, Parthenius was so reckless that he decisively spoke to the peasants about the future monastery, and put up a cross at the chosen place. Due to emerging circumstances, it is not convenient for the monastery to be in this place. Although it seems to me that Vasily Ivanovich is inclined to submit if he were asked to come here too. We can insist on our previous opinion about choosing a place for a monastery. The reasons are valid. But this opens up new difficulties. Mikhail Nikolaevich will not look so kindly on a matter in which his idea is not fulfilled. If you use Parthenium: difficulties may arise; because they look at him with distrust. If you do not use it, the success of collecting benefits, about which there is hope through Parthenius, is doubtful. If, by not using Parthenius, the authorities distrust him, then those who are disposed towards him will either grumble about it as an injustice, or cool off towards him; and he will lose encouragement and power to act on schismatics. The perplexities about the economic state of affairs, which I wrote about before, not only remain in this new state of affairs, but hardly become stronger. And the difficulty is that we need to talk about this sixty miles away. I’m thinking of suggesting to Vasily Ivanovich that he go to you with this letter: and I stop there, waiting for him. It is very strange that the person who discovered the inconveniences of the place you described was with Parthenius on the spot, and of course told him about them: but Parthenius did not say a word to me about this. Make friends to discuss the matter with Vasily Ivanovich, and write what confirms in your thoughts. I throw myself at the feet of St. Sergius. Yesterday I sent you a letter with Vasil Ivanovich. I continue to think about how to open the way to a complicated matter, and still do not come to light. Shouldn’t Parthenius be entrusted with the collection of benefits and the construction of the monastery: and then, when it is necessary to bring in the brethren, give them another primate? To whom? Jerome, it seems, could enter into it as a confessor, and he would agree to this with Parthenius, with whom he became close; but if Paphrenius is eliminated, perhaps he will not agree. Let the Monk Sergius direct your deliberations. Thank you, Father Viceroy, for your work and help. Not all the desired conveniences are a reality: but one must choose this path; because on the other path there is even more darkness and difficulties. It seems like I haven’t written to you for a long time; I don’t remember since when. Weaknesses and deeds overcome. After the religious procession on the 12th day, my teeth and gums still hurt: and it took a lot of time. It was said about the Assumption Cathedral that heating would be installed without any changes to it. But suddenly we see that the underground pipe has passed to the altar and is divided into five semicircles. For what? – To make five breaks in the foundation, insert pipes into all parts. In the main altar, near the high place, there should be a pipe, which along the broken part of the wall should rise above the height of a person, and breathe in heat, and near it in the floor there should be a pipe that draws out air. These details, in all likelihood, were not known to the authorities reviewing the project. On the 9th day I wrote to the Governor-General and to St. Petersburg, and from there until the 20th day I did not receive any news, running the risk of being accused of stopping work against the contract. Not everyone there found the matter worthy of attention; some said: what does he care about? Who doesn’t know that there is garbage during work and inside buildings? “Finally, the commission, having been prompted from there, turned to me with an explanation from the engineer, and I managed to agree with him to at least leave the main altar without damage. Again, it was necessary to write a lot about this: I don’t know how the matter will end. – His Grace Evgeniy is already Simbirsk 28: and only continues to help me in private. – You will be unhappy with the demand for several communications about the benefactor Sukhanov. But what to do? If presented without fulfilling these formalities, the case would be returned without consideration. Thank you for drawing up a new (or applying an old) project about the monastery. I sent him to the minister and to the Holy Synod. Order books about the schism with the mark of Bishop Plato to look for in the Academic Library: and, if found, copy them and deliver the mark to me. – I agreed to Iliodor’s departure. Relocating the greenhouse seems dubious to me. In the Pafnutev Garden she is in the eyes. It is convenient to monitor order and safety here. It is also not unnecessary that you can sometimes come here to breathe the air of plants when there is no such thing in the outside air. The new place does not offer these amenities. Moreover, in a new location, a greenhouse with some part of the land will not need to be surrounded by a fence, which will add up to a new cost. To eliminate the ravine from the draft wind, would it be dissatisfying to move the greenhouse closer to the Pyatnitskaya Tower? But this is hardly suitable in another respect: there was a pond here, and there is unclean drainage from under the fence. Be that as it may, consider my doubts and tell me your thoughts before I write anything on the report. Glory to the wondrous God in His Saints! In my opinion, the covering sent to the one who received healing should be included in the main inventory of the sacristy, and an extract from the letter should be written against this article. – It seems to me that it would be better if both the Lavra and the Academy had one doctor whom both would trust. If not, it is advisable that the choice of another was not made for luck. – I will try to write about Vladyka Diveyevo: for this matter is understandable. But the Ufa case is unclear. Apparently, I didn’t write to you that it reached me. I received a letter from the abbess that Agrippina had arrived, that the bishop wanted to place her in a monastery, but the abbess did not want this, that the bishop was going to see Agrippina, and she was riding in his carriage; that the bishop sent a priest to the monastery and ordered all the sisters to be interrogated under oath; that the sisters did not want this; then another priest was sent, who demanded that the sisters testify against the abbess, threatening otherwise with a curse, because they confessed to him in spirit what they now did not want to say; that then the Right Reverend ordered the sisters to choose a new abbess, and when they responded satisfied with the current one, he dismissed the treasurer and again demanded a choice; that finally some sisters chose an abbess, and the keys were taken away from the current one, without surrendering the monastery; that for this reason about 50 sisters sent a complaint against the Eminence to the Holy Synod, of which a copy was enclosed with the letter. The complaint contains the same information as the letter. The abbess adds in the letter that before that there was a northern light, in which a cross, a fiery eagle and a burning lamp were visible. You see that the abbess described the wrong actions of the Right Reverend: but what she is accused of, and why she is right, there are no words about that. Since the abbess has been traveling to St. Petersburg, one can see in her an extraneous admixture with the monastic trend. And even under the Right Reverend Joannikia 29 she had a quarrel with the treasurer, her own sister; the abbess was threatened with dismissal; and she came out of it by going somewhere due to illness for several months. Two or three days after the abbess’s letter, I received a letter from the Reverend Anthony. He says that his predecessor started the matter, that the abbess is keeping up to 50 people without passports, that she married off her niece from the monastery; that the groom went to the bride’s monastery and the feasts with music continued past midnight, and the groom spent the night in the monastery; that the dowry was made for the benefit of the monastery; that the brother of the abbess lives near the monastery and uses much of the monastery. The Eminence adds that he ordered the sisters to be asked under oath; that the allegations were confirmed; that he is silent about even worse accusations; that the abbess had fallen out of obedience, and that he reported this matter to the Holy Synod; and attached a copy of the report with the letter. He doesn't say a word about Agrippina. The matter does not look clear and good on either side. Both sides of the matter are already before the eyes of the Holy Synod. What is needed and possible here? – I wrote to the Eminence that the affairs of his diocese did not concern me: but that as he acted frankly with me, I also fraternally frankly told him that he should pay attention to whether his orders were in the exact legal order, and that he should look at his relations with Agrippina with an eye of caution. I couldn’t write much about this: because he had not written to me before, and at this time he wrote, it seems, not as a proxy, but out of fear. Based on the news about the beekeeper, I expected a strange, but not so terrible ending. I heard that beekeepers placed holy gifts in the beekeeper, as a blessing to the bees. But to raise a fight against Christ, for success in beekeeping, is scary; and it is difficult to imagine the possibility of success. It seems to me that eating honey from such a beekeeper is dangerous if you do not pay attention to protect yourself and what you are eating with the sign of the cross. An unfortunate student would certainly benefit from penance to ease his conscience. But glory to the Lord who enlightened the unfortunate disciple. – I feel sorry for Abbess Stepanova. Is there someone who can give her advice to be more peaceful and patient, and not to fast with a weak body, if it is no longer possible to give advice that is closest to her condition? – A priest who decided to intensify the interrogation through secret confession is, of course, subject to severe punishment. However, only the abbess wrote about this in a letter, and in the complaint to the Holy Synod, I remember this was not mentioned. It is a pity that for some time those who are on the path to the bishopric have been looking for guidance not from the bishops, but from the spiritual and educational administration. – They give me the rector of Kostroma as vicar. I always presented two candidates, and decided to introduce Fr. Leonidas and him, and hesitated which one would be the first. In this sense, I spoke with gr. A.P. When a vacancy opened up: the next day I wrote to the Bishop and the Count. We always waited for such a letter before. But now they didn’t wait, and based on what they heard from the count, they hastened to resolve the matter. Someone 30 reproached me for offending Leonid: but the Kostroma rector is older not only than he, but also the Reverend Eugene. They also say: has it ever happened that someone came from someone else’s diocese? With me there were four vicars from other dioceses, including the Kyiv Metropolitan. – I am missing enamel icons. This is not because I give a lot, but because everyone asks. Send it to me as before. – I had a doctor, Strakhov, who wanted to go to the Academy; but I could not see him, and turned him to the Academic authorities. Peace be with the father governor and the brethren of the monasteries. Thank you very much for your thoughts about the good arrangement in the Assumption Cathedral. I delayed returning Neklyudov’s article because I forgot about it. Having received it at a time when it was inconvenient to read, I put it in such a place that it was inaccessible to other people’s eyes, I also hid it from my memory. What should I do? It seems that it would be good if they dismissed me: but I doubt asking this, lest it be an escape. Often, when I am talking in a room with one person, and I know that another is waiting in another room, after finishing the conversation with the first, I forget about the second. Some tasks are very slow because they would require days longer than 24 hours to be completed on time. G. Neklyudova writes well-intentioned. It is true that the Greek clergy, out of necessity, collects money as a defensive weapon against the Turks, but it is also true that much collected for the church goes into the hands of relatives of the rulers. The examples are obvious and numerous. There is no need to blame: but sometimes you need to give modest advice and give money with caution. What G. Neklyudova says, that the formation of the Arab and Slovenian clergy under the command of the Greek patriarchs would be a state within a state, cannot be considered fair. It was possible to have educated Arab priests and Slovenian bishops, capable of instructing fellow tribesmen, but also obedient to the patriarch. It is true that establishing independent ecclesiastical places and institutions for us in Palestine may be harmful to harmony with the Greek hierarchy. And whether to send a bishop to Jerusalem and not an archimandrite is questionable whether the former is better than the latter. The archimandrite would prick the eyes of those there less, and the trouble done to the archimandrite would be less serious for us than the trouble done to the bishop. And a good archimandrite could have a useful influence no less than a bishop. Sending the archimandrite would have given less opportunity for foreigners to shout and upset the Turks by shouting that this is our propaganda, and that we are looking to strengthen ourselves religiously in Turkey, to strengthen ourselves politically, and to destroy Mohammedanism and the Turkish state together. In what ways the Greek burial is similar to the schismatic one and differs from the Orthodox one, I don’t know. It is true that Palmer did a lot of evil by awakening the dormant question of baptism. This is not without concerns. Mr. Neklyudov rightly objects to the dream of our exemplary diocese in the East, and our presence in the Patriarchal Synod. The main idea of ​​the article is correct, and it is a pity that our government did not think this way earlier. – Thank you very much for the icons and for the speedy delivery. Now I have no difficulty for quite some time. I don’t hear anything about the future vicar, but it’s already time. I congratulate the father governor and the brethren on the holiday. May Saint Nikon and his Great Teacher guide you openly and secretly as his true disciples, from whom may my unworthiness not be excluded, for this I ask for your prayers. Thank you, Father Viceroy, for brotherly paying attention to my chronology, and then relying on written evidence that I did not know existed. The Lord is long-suffering. Many years: but won’t this many years condemn my laziness even more? I ask for your prayers again. Forgive me for not agreeing to the idea of ​​the Fontansky economist. I hope you find the resolution fair. Perhaps Vladyka of Novgorod would not have refused: but perhaps at the same time he would have thought: why do strangers want to exhibit themselves here? - It's better to be careful about this. I am constrained and entangled by affairs. From September 21st to now I have been to eight church consecrations, and three more are coming, except for four outside Moscow, which I refused. My future vicar did not introduce himself to me, and suddenly appeared at the all-night vigil yesterday, after I, not knowing the time of his arrival, gave my word to be at the consecrations of churches on both Friday and Sunday. If you keep your word, the former and future vicar will have to wait two weeks. So, we must break this word. The Sovereign Emperor approved this in order to leave the main altar of the Assumption Cathedral without damage. But a new difficulty arose. When they broke through the wall in the altar area of ​​the altar, there was a hole under the stone altar, extending further than the altar. The engineer finds this discovery beneficial: because the altar and the floor could collapse disastrously during a crowded pre-altary. Tomorrow there will be an examination; I don’t know what’s next. I rejoice at the good news about Khotkovo and the reassurance of the poor. From the Ufa abbess I also had a letter of 142 pages, full of eloquence that did not explain the matter. At the end, a legend was saved, with which she apparently hoped to set me against the high priest. She dined with Agrippina. During lunch, Agrippina received a letter from the Reverend with the news of my death. The abbess went to her room and sang a requiem with all the brethren. A few days later, the Right Reverend received news that I was alive, and said: I started the work early (and it started after my death), but I will finish it. An archimandrite and an official were sent there from the Holy Synod. It was written secretly to the Eminence to remove Agrippina. The point seems to be that the abbess is to blame, and the bishop acted harshly and aroused slander against himself. Unfortunately, private errors turn into a general temptation and a criticism of the title. Save us, Lord, and may the saint not become poor. Without giving Gabriel Pavlovich’s letter to the abbess, I wrote her questions, from the answers to which one could see from her side what was written in the letter. She wrote the answers. I am sending you all these papers so that you can look and tell me your opinion on how to achieve peace in the hostel, so that with the hope of peace it can be turned into a monastery. Yesterday there was one more bishop; and the Right Reverend Nikonor, Bishop of Montenegro, who was ordained on the 8th day of this month in St. Petersburg, was with us. I think he will be in the Lavra. Receive him with brotherly love; show him the Shrines, the Divine Office, the antiquities, if he wishes, and the Academy; treat him and bless him with an icon from the abbot and the monastery. He, as usual with our co-religionists abroad, talks about the benefits of the local church; and the Minister of Foreign Affairs writes to me about this. But they didn’t give him a compiled book; and they ordered, as the Minister writes, to announce this in the gazettes of both capitals. He says that clergy vestments and utensils are needed: but it is inconvenient to transport them through Austria; and it must be sent through the ministry, but even this way very large parcels are hardly convenient. Think about how we could serve the Montenegrin Church and tell me. I don’t know what to tell you about Vladyka Chernogorsk. The Minister of Foreign Affairs sent me both a telegraphic dispatch and a letter about him: but the Chief Prosecutor said nothing. The minister writes that a collection of money needs to be made for him, and that an announcement about this has been sent in the bulletin; but this is not yet visible in the bulletin; he was not given the team book; and someone writes to me that it is better to promise him the money and send it through the Asian Department. Meanwhile, he is almost in need: because when the cabbies asked for 30 rubles. for the trip to the Lavra, he hardly postponed it; and, I ordered him to pay from me, told him to tell him that he did not need to worry about hiring, and that it was arranged. Tell him that we offer 800 rubles, and if he pleases, give it; and add that we will come to a better understanding, and perhaps we will find it possible to forward it to him through the ministry. His church noticeably requires a lot of feat for its improvement: but he, it seems, did not have the convenience to prepare sufficiently for this. During the liturgy, at the dedication of the vicar, he was in the Annunciation altar, and did not bother to pay attention to the order of service: and on Sunday, when he celebrated the liturgy, it turned out that he had not yet acquired knowledge of the details of the service. I wanted him to drop it into the Lavra and listen to the liturgy there: but it seems that even this will not come true. May the Lord instruct and guide him. God's blessing and peace in every way to the vicar father and the brethren of the monasteries. With reverence I received Her holy image from the house of the Most Holy Trinity. I sincerely thank you for sending me this blessing. I also thank you for wishing me health: but I ask more than anything for your prayers, until I am instructed to use the small remainder of my strength, according to the will of God, to fulfill my duty to the holy church, always, and now especially, which requires many feats from us who serve it. I accept the word about the mercy of the righteous Philaret as a reminder that excites my laziness to do good; and for this I also thank you. Father confessor Anatoly I offer the kiss of peace in the name of the Lord. If he goes, may the mercy of the Lord lead him to a place of light. – In the antechamber of the Assumption Cathedral, the altar and floor were removed. It turned out that under the cast-iron gap made of lime, a tightly fused continuous slab about a quarter of an arshin thick, then another stone floor, but there was no arch under it. The masons had difficulty breaking it, and they said that it would have stood for hundreds of years. However, in the absence of a vault, the floor could fall into a hole, and this could happen mainly during the filling of the altar with clergy before the religious procession. God has pardoned us from trouble, close or not. Now they are making the vault. – His Eminence of Montenegro left yesterday evening, and then an hour or two later I received a decree from the Holy Synod, with a written determination to issue him a collection book. Where will he get it? And what will it serve? Why not give it to him when leaving for Moscow? Something could be done for him with her, but without her nothing was done. At the vicar’s ordination dinner, I introduced him to some people: but here it was inconvenient to talk about money, which is always difficult for me to talk about. Then, I didn’t see anyone except for Divine services. I gave him new vestments, 500 rubles. from me, and the same amount from the department, and 1,000 rubles. promised to send it to the proposed capital. Thus, with the Lavrim ones, he received 1,500 rubles on his way. In Chudov he was satisfied with everything he needed. It seems due has been done. He spoke to me about the affairs of his church, but little, so I said something else without being asked. I advised him, without depriving him of his name, to keep the illegally ordained priests from priestly service and to employ them in the choir position, which they still perform due to their large numbers. He showed me the bitter reason for many sudden ordinations: they have a custom that the one being ordained pays a certain amount. I advised him to replace the inappropriate blessing of oil with the blessing of water, so that the mere cessation of the wrong would not create a void in the people's pious feeling, and so that the wrong taken away would be replenished with the right. – But here's the everyday thing. Why do you want to buy firewood instead of taking it from your forest? – I am returning the letter from Berlyuk’s builder. I did not expect that he could give so much vent to anger and tongue: and I grieve seeing this. However, Barnabas is also wrong, leaving himself unknown where he is. I'll take the case and see what I should do. Thank God that the cross was found. But I don’t think there was a mistake here by the steward Afanasy, who at the same time he gave it, wrote down who he gave it to. It is more likely that Gerasim, fearing reproach for the loss, did not want to say that he either took it and gave it away, or forgot, but said decisively that he did not take it. The sick Agrippina decided to write to me. But I have nothing to do here. From St. Petersburg they have already written to the Eminence to release her from his diocese: and this order is in accordance with the circumstances. – Tell about. to the treasurer to send 15 rubles from me. With. Pavel Migalov in Arzamas. Thank you, Father Viceroy, for the holy blessing from the holiday and from the monastery. You write that it would be good to send a project about the bishop of the same faith and the Chief Prosecutor. Consequently, you doubt whether Vladyka of Novgorod is enough to pay attention to him. And you were right. The Bishop writes to me that it is possible to create a bishop of the same faith, and the people of the same faith will be happy; but that it will be harmful to the church, and that schismatics will not accept it. At the same time, he returned to me my official attitude about this, which had not been shown to anyone else, although it seemed to me that at least the first part of it could attract attention, in which the harm of civil priests to the unity of faith is outlined, and evidence of this is given from new events. Here's another unexpected thing. The Bishop writes to me that the Minister of Appanages, like others, says that it is necessary to somehow give priests to the schismatics, and that then everything will go well. There seems to be no other Minister of Appanages other than the Minister of State Property. But here’s what Andrei Nikolaevich writes on the same day: the brother said that if the clergy firmly says that they cannot break the rules and traditions; then no hand will be raised: and if it begins to hesitate and bargain about concessions, it will lose a lot. How can these two pieces of information be reconciled? One nobleman came to me and suggested that I tell the government about the inconvenience of the measures being taken regarding the peasants; because the nobles are perplexed and do nothing. I replied that this was outside the scope of my duties; and that this could be proposed to the English bishop, legally sitting in the highest state office. Does this seem like I should have responded? – The first issue of the journal Spiritual Conversation contains the conversation of the Bishop of Novgorod on the Epiphany of the Lord. I am enclosing an extract from it. It seems to me that the Christian expression 31 is difficult for the ear: I. X. he wasn’t some kind of self-loving man of the world, and they give the matter a completely alien appearance. He was baptized not because he was not a self-lover, but for a reason immeasurably higher than this. I have repeatedly made comments to Vladyka about such harshness: but he thinks that this simplicity has power. I wish I could be wrong about this: but I think that it was possible, and it would be better, to avoid such expressions. Sorry. Pray for us all, and for me. Blessings from the Lord to the viceroy father and brethren. The letter will be late. May the Guardian Angel tell you that I ask you from the Lord for forgiveness and joy in communicating with Him; And I ask for forgiveness from all of you, and prayers, and also in peace of conscience, I will receive the Lord’s Table with my home Council. Do good to the monastery, and give me good help if you talk to Blachernae for peace. Only in order to understand them correctly, it is necessary to bring their testimony to accuracy. For example. Gabriel Pavlovich complains that the abbess forbids speaking with him. I'm surprised; I find this incredible; I ask the abbess. She says: he comes during a church service, publicly makes comments to those reading or singing: for this case, they were ordered not to say anything to him. – The western part of the hole in the Assumption Altar is filled with solid material, and in the eastern part a vault was made under the floor. The wall is strong and no dampness was noticed. The origin of the basement, it seems to me, can be explained by prayers similar to the tomb of St. Demetrius. This is a log house with a ceiling. The log house has decayed, and there remains emptiness. Now they demand from the Cathedral 720 fathoms of firewood for a year: but there is nowhere to put it. I don’t see a vacancy for Victor; and it’s a pity that he thinks about this. He's feeling pretty good. I wrote to Bishop of Novgorod about Diveevo. I don't know how much attention there will be. Thank God there is peace in Khotkovo. Here is another example of current affairs. I sent the project for the monastery at the same time to the Holy Synod and to the minister, and mentioned that it would be good if the resolution was speeded up, so as not to miss the time to prepare the forest for construction in the early spring. I hear nothing from the Holy Synod. Andrei Nikolaevich wrote that the minister was pleased with the project and would report soon. What then? – The Ministry requires from the specific office a plan for the church land, which we give to the monastery from the spiritual department to the spiritual department. What is there to doubt? The specific commander writes to the builder. The letter takes sixteen days. The builder cannot answer; for it is none of his business. He comes to me with a question. I told the Consistory to send the plan. I don't know what will happen next. – In order not to forget, I am writing early: order on the 26th day to distribute 150 rubles from me to the ministers and the poor. and especially poor people 50 rubles. Another thing that is difficult to deal with. They sent me the charter of the society for the restoration of Orthodoxy in the Caucasus, compiled by the Prince Viceroy of the Caucasus. A badge of distinction is established for members, a cross of the first degree for those who will pay 1000 rubles annually. pp., second degree - 500 rubles, third degree - 300, fourth - 20 rubles. I want to write that spiritual work primarily requires the blessing of God, which is acquired through pure motives; and here the collateral is the gratification of vanity. It will be unpleasant; and probably won't be respected. But it’s hard for me to stop myself from saying. Stop me before my opinion goes, if you need to stop. Peace and help from the Lord to the viceroy father. It is not advisable to be obstinate: but is it possible to innocently get rid of a case for which one is accused of obstinacy? I don’t notice a strong movement of will in this matter in myself: but it’s difficult for me to refuse what seems fair and proper. It seems to me that by sending my comments I will be fulfilling my duty and getting into trouble; and by not sending, I will remove troubles from myself, but will not fulfill my duty. I read my note to one of the local sensible brethren, asking whether it should be sent: he answered yes. If we remain silent about the insignia, then we will have to remain silent about the chairman and vice-chairman: for for objecting to this they will also be accused of obstinacy, and also of ambition. And in this case, there is nothing to talk about other comments, and remains silent. But is it really necessary to watch indifferently how the dignity of the Exarch is trampled upon when he is appointed vice-president, they say, do small things with the council, record them as income and expenses, and present important decisions to the president, who has the power to approve or destroy them? The governors will take this example and also put the bishops under their feet. Tell me, there are bishops who are vice-presidents of a secular president in a prison society: but the subject is more related to secular governance, and there the president is only the name of unity in society, and has no power over the vice-president. It was the same with the Bible Society: but there was a reason that it was more convenient for a secular person to communicate with the English Bible Society than for a bishop. Moreover, Prince Golitsin, of course, collected members and offerings more conveniently than the Metropolitan would have done. I'm sending you a note. Hold the message until you can read it and write me your opinion, and then return it with the same message and write me your opinion. The case will be considered in the Synod. If only my thoughts could be held here, without a doubt, they could be communicated; but of course I can’t resist. I repeat that it seems to me that it is not easier to send, but to send more fairly. The viceroy father and the brethren rejoice in the Lord. With His grace, may He grant you in pure joy, close to your hearts, worship His saving birth for us, and with the Angels glorify and praise Him. - Put me before the mercy of St. Sergius. I'm exhausted. On Friday I was in the Assumption Cathedral and the monastery, I was tired and had a cold in my feet; and on Saturday I could not have complete rest due to the exam at the Seminary. On Sunday, I felt itching and pain in places on my right side, but now the pain has become worse and deeper. He'll hardly let me into church. What does it mean that Photius was in six monasteries, including Lavra, Makhra and Bethany, and again asks to go to Bethany? Why did he come out? And is it useful to accept someone who is not established in place? Allow me this. His Grace Innocent, through his archpriest, asks for various church service items. I give some to him here. Shouldn't I give him the silver and gilded dikirii and trikirii? We could make others, of which I have a good example in my yard. They will have two new bishops. If, after talking with the archpriest, you find it convenient to give them something else, tell me. To the viceroy father and brethren, about the Lord who descended to earth for our salvation. After difficult nights on days 24 and 25, on both days, by the grace of God, I was not deprived of church service. But returning yesterday from the liturgy, he shut himself up in his cell, and after a night, also difficult, he now called for a doctor. He found pimples on my side with damaged tops, probably from moving in bed, and attributed all the pain to this; but I assured him that I felt another pain, which was deeper and changed from time to time. He agreed to give me a small dose of magnesia, and after the small effect, I now only have superficial pain. But judging by what I feel now in the evening, the other one will probably return at night. I was tired not so much of the external services, which once strengthened me, but more of the domestic work, regarding the St. Petersburg tasks. I sent thoughts about one instead of two societies for the propagation of Christianity. Now they write that they will ask me about the Missionary Seminary. They will not judge that salvation lies in many councils, and that there are many there, but I am alone, and that six hundred miles away it is less convenient to understand each other than face to face. God bless your, Father Viceroy, concern for our common affairs. The truth should be written about the book about the rural clergy. And I thought about writing something: but I’m drowning in business and can’t swim out. I have quite a few things to do that are awaiting an answer in St. Petersburg: but I still can’t keep up. Writing something about school life in its true form may not be useless. But it is better that this is done not by order of the authorities, but as if by itself. Convey your thoughts about this. to the rector of the Academy, so that it reaches those who could properly implement it, and tell him that I find this worthy of attention. Don't be angry at S.'s journey. He is traveling at the invitation of Count Putyatin, with the same count, as a mentor to his son, and by the way, he accepted this invitation because he hopes through this to have relief for his health: because due to ill health, which forced him to leave his educational service, he was assigned to the post of Synod Secretary, in the department of affairs, which was very neglected, and he had to spend nights without sleep preparing things for the report, with a lack of good assistants. The assignment to him to study the schools was given by the way. In Kolomna, I was one of the students who, in the last decade of the last century, had ink frozen in their hands in their inkwells in class. In the Lavra, already in the present century, in the auditorium, which now forms part of the library, Bishop Plato came to us for a Theological lecture in a fur coat and a cap of Crimean sheepskins; and after sitting for a while, he heated the hall for us, saying: And in my teaching a fire will burn. You say that estimates for educational institutions have been in place for ten years. You can add more. In 1825, while inspecting the Vladimir Seminary, I reported that the lack of buildings was unbearable even for classes in terms of the number of students; but there is no common residence. The seminary is still not satisfied - 43 years. I received strange and even regrettable news about His Eminence of Chernigorsk. In the statements he was named archbishop. I didn't believe this. Then he himself signed the archbishop’s oath as an archbishop: was it possible to suspect? Noah also ordered the Chudovsky governor to ask him: when was he promoted to archbishop? He answered: on the next, or on the third day after ordination. But it is now certain that it was never produced. Did he take the statements for a document? From Ioannina they write that he is the son of a Uniate; that he is an Austrian subject; that Austria introduced him to Montenegro as an archimandrite; and cast doubt on both his way of thinking and his way of life. Based on the timing of this information, it must be assumed that the Holy Synod had them in mind before the ordination. And it is not clear that the Right Reverend Montenegrin came to Moscow with the intention of going to Kiev: but he went straight to Warsaw. We have sinned a lot: everything goes astray. At the beginning of this month, I was sent two notes about transformations in the Patriarchate of Constantinople. Now part of these transformations is already visible in the reports - the election of the patriarch, in addition to the church, by the people. Need my opinion soon. But several days passed, for example 6 or 7, during which I could not get down to business at all. And so I hastily finished the 11th and sent the 12th day. The situation of the Eastern Church is difficult, and, apparently, hopeless, unless He who promised to overcome His church through the gates of hell extends His strong hand. I don’t think that what I wrote was satisfactory: I only wish that what I said turned out to be said in fulfillment, and not in violation of duty. Out of humanity, I subscribed to this publication from the publisher of the school of icon painting and instructed the economist to send you the sheets to see if anything in them would be suitable for your school. May the Lord receive the soul of his servant John in peace. Thank God that he left with Christian parting words. Write about Sukhanov as soon as possible. – Note. The letter, without indicating the time of year when it was written, was preserved between the letters of 1858. Peace to the viceroy father and brethren. Happy new summer, may your new man grow to salvation. I ask for your prayers, so that I don’t become obsolete and die. I didn’t complain about church wine to you, I just said that you forgot what I said, and I forgot to remind you. I demanded not for my services, but for those in which many participate. However, thank you for sending it. – My illness continues. Starting from the holiday prayer service until now, I accept only those who need to be accepted, and whom I can soon remove. The rash on the right side ends: but the surface of the side, not only on the back side where the rash is, but also on the front, hurts, and at times a burden is felt inside. On Friday evening, when I walked around the room, listening to the reading, I felt lightness, and a kind of rest from fatigue in my side and shoulders: but when I then sat down to write, before I had written a page, the pain renewed. I don’t know how I’ll spend the eve of the holiday and the holiday. The only thing that can be better is that I will serve in a house church. To the viceroy father and brethren, blessings from the Lord and peace. Thank you for taking care of my disrepair. The rash on the side is over: a little itching remains. – Do you mean soda water made from powders, or the one that you gave me from a bottle at the Lavra? “I asked the local doctor if soda water would be useful for me: he answered: it’s not necessary.” If I were in the Lavra, it would be more convenient for me to use your medical advice, which has always been useful to me. – I want to use the bathhouse that I haven’t used for several weeks. – The structure of the Guslitsky Monastery was approved by the Highest. There are complex economic decisions ahead, for which I lack both taste and intelligence. I am calling Parthenius, and it is almost necessary to send him to you. – Read the attached letters about the Christian life, and when returning, tell me your opinion. The teaching in them is Orthodox and paternal; and there are convincing instructions. But are the composition and presentation of thoughts in everything such as one should desire? It seems to me, virgin, Christian truth can receive both the splendid clothing of thought and lofty words, and the modest clothing of simple words; but her dignity does not correspond to the clothes that are patchy and with dirty spots, the words are low and careless, as in places in this book. It seems to me that the book would be more useful if it had a more sedate appearance and greater precision in expression. Consider my thought, which comes to me also with other books of spiritual content, dotted with the ignoble language of the latest common literature. Take the trouble, Father Viceroy, to outline the path for the construction of the monastery. A list is being sent to you from the attitude of Mr. Minister, and those points of the regulations on the monastery that you now need to keep in mind. Not everything was written off due to haste. The church being moved must be warm. For this purpose, cut down its façade; or, keeping it outside, cut it inside the ceiling at the height needed for warmth? – For 5000 rub. Do the sovereigns need a special income and expense book in case of reporting? – During the transfer of the church, where to store the utensils, especially icons, which were enviable in antiquity for sectarians? – The builder means two wooden churches, Paraskevievskaya near the Berezovka River, in the local diocese, and somewhere else in Vladimirskaya. Should you consider purchasing and moving one of these? – I have thoughts of inviting some citizens to my place and offering a subscription to the establishment of a monastery. Should I do this? If the appointees form a committee: who will manage the records and receipts books so that the business runs correctly and unquestionably? – The builder is thinking of erecting another wooden church as needed for a while, and saving the main site of the monastery for building a stone one. Is that so, or should we just build a wooden church and not think into the distance? – Will you determine how much the committee can make expenses without my approval? – For significant matters, should contracts be made correctly, or should they simply be dealt with as circumstances dictate? The builder decides to take 120 ancient icons from Sorokin. Should this be allowed, and how will it be used in the best possible way? And will this be combined with the proposal to collect lists of miraculous icons for the monastery? – Analyze these questions, and any others that arise to you, and give prudent permission to them. I am returning Manuel’s letter. Show the extract made from it and the accompanying extract to Fr. to the rector, would you like to publish it? They want to establish a Missionary Academy in the village of Count Arakcheev, Georgia, and Archimandrite Leonid is appointed rector. Thank you very much, Father Viceroy, for your thoughts about translating the Holy Books. I am writing down the words of the rector that you sent: “The Greek text is faithful to Slavensk; but other expressions do not correspond to the thought of the Gospel.” The first half of these words is not entirely fair; but I don’t understand the other. I remember an example: the Greek text says: it has been given to you to understand the mystery of the kingdom of God. In Slavonic: it has been given to you to understand the mysteries of the kingdom of God. I suggested following Slavonic here; and the employees accepted this. The Slovenian reading is preferred, among other things, because the Evangelist Luke puts it in the same saying: secrets. What kind of expressions do not correspond to the thought of the Gospel? How can there be such expressions in the Gospel? How can we know the thought of the Gospel, if not from the expressions of the Gospel? “I don’t understand, and therefore I can’t answer anything.” You ask why there are deviations from the Slovenian in the new translation? – I don’t remember if the chapters contain St. Mark, until now translated. If they had indicated the places: then I would have given the answer. But weren’t the corrections read in translation before? For example, the committee put it: the Gospel begins. I proposed not to deviate from the Greek and Slovenian and put: the beginning of the Gospel. And so it was done. You ask: why are there deviations from the previous Russian translation? I answer: because the previous translation, during the revision of which the clergy members of the committee were in a fight with the secular ones, in some places is not quite close to the original and to the Slovenian: the current translation is closer and more accurate. I would like to see the places of translation that made a grave impression on you indicated, so that I could explore them further. Some people think that the secular want to delay the matter of translation: they do not admit this: the Lord knows the truth. If the Moscow Academy were entrusted with the translation of the entire Gospel, and one could expect the firmness of this task: then of course it would be good to draw up a council for this not only from people of knowledge, but also people of pious feeling: but now, when an experiment is being made that can be put upside down, it was not convenient to do more than what has been done. As for me, I did not put a single word into translation according to my decision, I offered my opinions to the committee, and repeatedly suggested that I give them up for free discussion. – It is truly remarkable that the Kiev Academy was kidnapped on the very day on which it was supposed to attend a prayer service in memory of its benefactor; but dozed off! Alas! The infection of secular schools is almost spreading into spiritual ones. I hear from a reliable source that there is secret correspondence between students of the St. Petersburg and Kyiv Academy. Tell this about. to the rector, so that he alone knows this, and so that he watches over the flock entrusted to him. – G. Sevostyanov, about whom you know from the reports, was with me and I stood for two hours in front of his ghostly photographs of the icons and frescoes of Mount Athos. The faces of the oldest of these images, dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries, with the simplicity of the design, represent a lot of thought and feeling, especially one image of the Mother of God. Other parts of the images are mostly incorrect. There are features: for example, St. Archdeacon Stephen is presented in a surplice with a censer, but without an orarion, but with a wide cloth on his shoulder. G. Sevostyanov wants to make an exhibition. Would you send an icon painter to remove the copy of at least the image of the Mother of God? He wants to take reduced photographs: they are unlikely to preserve what is in the current photographs. The Empress Maria Alexandrovna looked at these images for three hours, then the Sovereign Emperor and members of the Imperial family looked. Peace and salvation to you and your brothers. The side still hurts on the surface. I think that tomorrow I will remain in the cell. I am sending to you, father governor, private Onufriy Krainev 33. From the attached papers, see the matter that is happening about him and the purpose for which he is being sent. Observe him and test his spiritual state. Since it is his custom to partake of the holy mysteries every six weeks, you can invite him to do this in the Lavra. After holding it for a week, write to me what happens at this time, and your opinion, and return the papers through the right means; but leave him until I write about his return, and he must be returned not alone, but with an accompanying person who would constantly have him in mind and would not allow him to be an object of curiosity, although he himself, however, seems modest. Whatever you write to me about Krainev, write it in such a way that there are no extraneous foreshadowings in the letter, and so that the letter can be attached to other papers of this case. There are many ambiguities in the case. Krainev calls Theodore metropolitan; sonodik by bishop; I hope no title is written on the stone for him. The testimony of the synodik is new and seems conjectural. The reference to the dead synodik is unconvincing. In the history of the hierarchy, the name of Theodore is not included in the list of all Krutitsa bishops. The priest tells local legends about apparitions in which one bishop and two monastics are visible. - But it is clear why the saint of God would clothe his appearance in the image of buying milk, and in such a way that it was difficult to expect consequences from him. It is also unclear why the integrity of the pole in the river with which the revealed icon was overthrown is pointed out, while the icon itself is left without attention. Doesn't this mean that the visions are mixed? – Meanwhile, publicity is increasing. In St. Petersburg, significant people look at the matter favorably. The question arises: should we inspect the crypt under the Peter and Paul Church? But it seems that this will increase publicity and will not lead to a satisfactory resolution of the case. The Holy Church recognizes the saints of God not by the incorruption of the body alone, but mainly by their grace-filled beneficial actions. But these are currently not visible. May St. Sergius help you to see the truth in the subject. I am sending several copies of the two conversations. I would like to know something about Krainev. At Krutitsy the crowd of people and rumors are multiplying. It is advisable not to prolong the case. It is printed in Russian antiquity that under Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich they sent schismatics, including Deacon Theodore, to the Krutitsky bishop’s house to admonish them. Fellow believers say that now the schismatics want to appropriate Theodore and his glory for themselves. Bishop Tula told me a letter to him from the Khotkovo nun Magdalene, who lived in Kashira with an expired passport. She writes that Thomaida told her: now there is a stench, bad, disgusting. And this speaks for the fact that Magdalena went after the sick Natalya; and this was given a very bad interpretation. By the way, she says that when they wanted to unction Natalya with oil, Natalya announced that the Mother of God appeared to her in a dream and said: there is no need for unction; I bless Magdalene to anoint your sore spot with oil. Magdalene did just that. “I told both Magdalene and the abbess that I do not advise accepting Natalya, who is asking to go to Khotkov. Please note what will happen. – More than once I’ve been thinking about writing to you, why don’t you present two monks for ordination as hierodeacons, which you told me about at the Lavra, but which did not happen due to the acceleration of my departure? – Do not be angry that you have not received a complete list of the regulations on the monastery. I ordered the Consistory to give it to Parthenius, who would take it with him to you. But they accidentally sent him to the desert when Parthenius was in Moscow. But this, I hope, will not complicate your current discussions. The internal structure of the monastery is the same as in the previous project. – Our icon painters showed me photographs from the Athos icons. They say that they were filmed correctly; but some seemed to me not as pleasant as those I saw at Mr. Sevostyanov’s. – I don’t hear anything about the St. Petersburg Academy celebrating its fiftieth anniversary. Who do you call its founder? – Its charter was originally written by Speransky and His Eminence Theophylact. I came to the Academy a year after its opening; and already in 1814 or 1815, while being the rector, he presented a draft for amending the charter of d. schools, strengthening the power of the bishop over the rector. – My health, by the grace of God, is improving. And on the third day I went to Saint Alexy, to the Office and to Prince Sergius Mikhailovich. – His tumor is growing; and the action of concepts and thinking power is not to the same degree. It's sad to see this. God bless the noble class. The sedate boyar is becoming impoverished. – Whatever you write about Christian letters, everything is blessed. But I don’t see any resemblance to the letters of the recluse George. These are simple and modest. These are usually the instructions of the elders. The writer of new letters throws out words with some courage and carelessness. Peace be with you. Do not neglect the care and relief required by your health. Yesterday I wrote to you, Father Governor, about Krainev’s case by mail: now I find it necessary to send a special one. The Governor-General from St. Petersburg is asked about the gathering of people at Krutitsy; and he reports today. We must hurry to obtain possible information from me. Send me with this messenger the papers sent to you about Krainev. Along with this, write to me what you have discovered about him and his work so far. Keep him in the Lavra until further demand; and continue monitoring him. – By the will of the Empress Maria Alexandrovna, I received four months of the original, images of daily saints and holidays; and they require my opinion about them in about four days. This is impossible. But it doesn’t take long to answer: I too find it difficult. Some images are good; and some are unsatisfactory. Saint John of Novgorod is presented in a robe so that his legs are not visible at all. The image of the burial of St. Sergius depicts the stone Trinity Cathedral, built thirty years after his burial. The Jerusalem Temple is presented in the form of small rooms, without any resemblance to the Jerusalem or Christian church. The righteous Zechariah is wearing a horned miter, as one cannot assume from the books of Moses; and, it seems, from the myrtle of the Latin bishops. Is it on ancient icons? I dare to send you one month. Take a look and tell me your opinion. If possible, return the book through this same messenger. In my room in the Lavra, in a closet drawer, there is a lithographed life of St. Sergius with paintings in sheets. Send it to me. The matter of Theodore, who rests on Krutitsy, occupied me quite a bit. Finally I finished the note about him; and when he told the clerk to hurry up with the copying, he answered: ten sheets. It was necessary to analyze Krainev’s testimony, take information from the archive and from books, and ask some eyewitnesses. On Monday I hope to send a note to the Holy Synod and to the Chief Prosecutor. Keep Kraynevo under close surveillance so that he does not make any disclosures. And if anything new opens up: write to me. Until the decision of the Holy Synod, he needs to stay in the Lavra, and may St. Sergius enlighten him: But I think it is inconvenient for him to stay here for a long time. G. Snegirev published in Russian Antiquity: the inscription on Krutitsy means the schismatic deacon Theodore. I asked him: what is this based on? He answered: on the legend, and on the fact that the schismatics want the glorification of Theodore at Krutitsy. Thanks to one fellow believer who pointed out to me the addition to the historical acts, where it turned out that Deacon Theodore was sent to the Ugreshsky and Pokrovsky monasteries for admonition, and for escape and for blasphemy he was brought to a secular court, and this one cut out his tongue and sent him to a distant prison. – I demanded, and the Council presented me with lists of manuscripts taken to the Historical Society. Is this list sent accurately? Are there any of our manuscripts in the Archaeographical and Archaeological Societies? – Give the attached note from Privalov about the contribution of one hundred rubles to the church building to the builder; and so as not to send the money, tell the treasurer to give it from mine. But here's the problem. I remember he presented me with a note of names for commemoration in the monastery: but I can’t find it. Let the builder notify him of receipt of the money; and will ask to renew the lost note of names. Privalov lives in the parish of the Nativity Church in Pautinki. – I told the Krutitsky priest about the commemoration of the servant of God Theodore. However, he was remembered a lot, and funeral services were held for him, and due to this restriction on Krutitsy, you can hear that many funeral services are sung in Novospasskoye. – From the missionary’s letter that you sent to me, I made an extract to send it to you for proposal for consideration by the Academy’s editorial committee. I don’t remember if I did this; but I don’t see the letter. Resolve my doubt. Pray for Prince Sergei Mikhailovich. Today I hear that his pain is getting worse. But I couldn’t be with him these days; because during the consecration of the church on Sunday, the cold again penetrated into my legs, and from there further. On January 31st, a memorial note was found and is attached here. Consequently, the builder only needs to notify about the receipt of a contribution for the church building. Peace to the Father Superior and the brethren of the monasteries. Thank God that Krainev is beginning to know himself better. May our Reverend Father Sergius arrange what is beneficial for him and his cause. It is also good that I received this news before I sent a report to the Holy Synod. I wrote that since the Lavra is often visited, and this gives an opportunity for publicity, it is necessary to speed up the capture of Krainev from the Lavra. But now I have destroyed it. Maybe St. Sergius will grant the final solution. And you will take care of Krainev’s soul as much as possible. And I heard that Krainev was introduced to the Empress: but I thought that it was Maria Alexandrovna. Tatyana Borisovna asks me for news about Krainev, apparently expecting better news than can now be given. I think I will not write in detail and moderately, and perhaps I will say that if they want new joy with the saints, they would pay attention to what the late Right Reverend Anthony wrote about St. Tikhon. I wrote about the original to Nikolai Alekseevich Mukhanov 34 . Since I am not a master of the matter about which they forced me to discuss, I would like you to read what I wrote before sending it. I hasten to send it: because they demanded a quick answer, and I have already delayed quite a bit. However, I would like to know your opinion about what I wrote. Please read the enclosure and return it. – You say that the Council presented me with the manuscripts. So, he presented about the manuscripts taken by the historical society, but he doubted and asked if there were any other manuscripts in the Archaeological Society and in the Archaeographic Commission. Is it really not? I am returning both copies of the lithographed life of St. Sergius. I remember the unbound one was granted to me. If this is so: then take the trouble to order it to be bound, and pay my money. I think it’s better to do this here, because you’ve already done something similar, and therefore adapted. – About Prince Sergius Mikhailovich, they told me last night that on the third day he received the Holy Mysteries, and settled down on the eve of the current holiday to listen to the all-night vigil in his room. This day, after the service in Chudov, I wanted to visit him: but I was tired, and as the day went on I did not hear anything from him. Read the attached letter from Kyiv. It is not my business to defend the writer. But just in case, I would like to know what you know about him. It seems to me that an Optina student could go to a deserted dormitory in peace and live there to justify himself against criticism. I also received a letter defending him from someone living in the Kiev convent. This is not at all helpful. Peace to the viceroy father and brothers. About Krutitsy, the late Prince Alexander Nikolaevich proposed the idea of ​​taking all the buildings into the spiritual department. Emperor Alexander was the first to order to communicate with the commander-in-chief in Moscow, Tormosov. Sey refused; and the matter was over. Now it is more difficult to take up this matter. I'll think about it. – I visited Prince Sergius Mikhailovich on the third day of this month. In the front, when asked about him, they said: he is suffering. His first word to me was: I am suffering. I found him sitting in an armchair, leaning on the back, with half-closed eyes, with a face expressing suffering. There is no tumor in the face; but strong in the hands. I began to speak little by little, thinking that inaction was easier for him than straining attention. But after a few minutes he began to enter into the conversation; the eyes opened completely; the face perked up; and I talked with him for about an hour. I was afraid that he would be tired after me: but then I heard that he was relieved all day. But yesterday I heard that he is in difficult condition, and his memory is failing him. May the Lord save him. - Lord save the rank of nobles: as the Bolyarin is becoming scarce. – It’s a pity that Krainev again stubbornly returns to his opinions. In a few days, write to me about his condition so that there are no other items in the letter. – It seems to me that it is very brave that Leonty undertakes to tonsure the hair of young women, and even in St. Petersburg. With such an extraordinary tonsure, he takes more responsibility for himself than with an ordinary official one. How can he watch the tonsure in St. Petersburg from Kyiv? – Yesterday I received a letter from Ufa from a priest unknown to me, who was at a convent. The Eminence suggested to him that he sell his house to the ill Agrippina. The priest did not agree. The Right Reverend transferred him to a distant parish, and, moreover, one in which another priest was placed opposite the abbess and against him. He writes very modestly. Without interfering with the matter, I thought, however, to send a letter to Count A.P. in case the Eminence presents something against this priest to the Holy Synod. – Now the steward has come and says that the owner of our farmstead has come with a complaint against the tax farmers. The tax farmers offered such difficult conditions to the hotel keepers that they agreed among themselves to close the hotels. Then the tax farmer arrived and made easier terms with them. But then he left; and the clerk again imposed such difficult conditions that, they say, it is difficult to continue the business. The Governor General says it is none of his business. The chief police officer says that we need to ask the minister. For us to enter into any kind of petition regarding this matter, I see neither the decency nor the way. – In the Assumption Cathedral the temperature is up to 11 degrees and the air is good, only the work in the altars has not been completed. I speak from the words of those who were in the cathedral; but I wasn’t there because I had a cold again, especially my head. The prologue begins to be read in the cathedral, but only on holidays. Look at what I wrote about this Synadal office, and destroy the piece of paper that I don’t need. He presented the clothing to the Holy Synod: but the rest was accepted. I have trouble with my poor memory. Yesterday morning I wanted to write to you: but only in the evening I remembered that I had missed a day. Organize a fourty-day commemoration for Prince Sergius Mikhailovich. On Saturday, before the Liturgy, the clergy invited him to partake of the Holy Mysteries: he put it off until Sunday. But when the priest went to church and began the proskomedia: the prince demanded it, and partook of the Holy Mysteries. Then Prince Trubetskoy invited him to bless his relatives with icons; and he did this, ordering Prince Trubetskoy to pronounce their names, and he himself reminded him of one unproposed name of the baby. In the evening, during the all-night vigil, they told me about the death of Prince Sergius. I'm still sick. The cough and runny nose either stop or return. The good doctor fast is coming; brings the medicine of repentance. I wish that he would find in our brethren only minor and treatable illnesses; and so that, healed and revived by the Divine food of the body and blood of the Lord, with full souls you will meet the bright day of the Resurrection of the Lord. I ask your forgiveness and prayers, so that I may not be deprived, at least in part, of what I wish for you in perfection. I received the plans from you this morning; Now it’s too late, and I couldn’t look at them yet. I invited and treated several local citizens to a meal, told them about the enterprise of creating the Transfiguration Guslitsky Monastery, and finally offered a book. I signed 1,500 rubles from myself, and 3,500 rubles from the Cathedral and attached monasteries. Then, my ex-people, it seems 11 people, signed 26,000 rubles. The next day, citizens' subscription reached 30,000 rubles. Then the builder hurried to his place. – About 1,500 people live on Krutitsy. Is it possible to hope that the government will decide to incur great costs to move them? In order to restore the church there, the Governor-General was instructed to find money. They say that the government wants to make a loan of one hundred million rubles. The bankers propose to issue eighty-two and write down one hundred. Under such circumstances, how can you demand generosity from the government? I want to do something not on Krutitsy. But things fall like rain on me, and do not allow me to take a step in the free air, and often those that require at the same time difficult processing and speed. Of course, you heard that I was invited to the anniversary of the St. Petersburg Academy. When I came home from the burial of Prince Sergius Mikhailovich, I found the caller, the inspector of the Academy, at the front. It was on Friday; and on Monday I was supposed to be in St. Petersburg; because the anniversary is on Tuesday. Consequently, I had to get ready on Saturday and rush to the railway on Sunday. Even if I were healthy, it would not be very convenient. I'm glad I couldn't go. And the thought of an anniversary is not attractive to me. For the Jews, the jubilee was an important law both in relation to the church and in relation to the civil order. He freed those who fell into slavery and returned the mortgaged lands. Popes in the Middle Ages introduced it into the Roman Church in order to receive income from those visiting Rome, and from indulgences. Why and why did the anniversary come to the Theological Academy? And the example of one Academy will probably lead another along the same path. I am sending you several copies of Avva Orsisius. Note. A letter without indicating the time when it was written. Placed here because the burial of K.S.M. G. committed on February 13, 1859. May it be good for the viceroy father and the brethren, by the grace of God. Thank you for the useful reminder on the matter of the Guslitsky Monastery. And I'm afraid of confusion. The builder has already contracted to cut down 2,000 trees: and it is not clear whether he thought about consulting about this in the Committee. Please take the trouble to follow the supplied paper. I looked at the plans. Seems not quite economical. The church seems to be very huge to be built of wood. It seems to me that it would be better to bring the hospital closer to the small wooden church and connect it with a passage. There are too many monastic cells. In Starogolutvino, the rector of the cell has slightly more fraternal cells. And there are special rooms for receiving visitors, to which he comes only with visitors. There are 8 fraternal cells per building. Many meetings in the hallway. If there were four: the walls would be the same: and there would be more privacy. Write to Feofan so that he, as a member of the Committee, gives the builder the necessary thoughts, presenting to him the need that he, Feofan, will be responsible for the work as a member of the Committee. I will be very grateful to you, Father Viceroy, if you manage to go to the site of the monastery being built; and make orders so that things will proceed in the desired order. The route should lie through the Berlyukovskaya hermitage and Bogorodsk, or directly through Bogorodsk. In Bogorodsk, the archpriest can tell whether it is necessary to go through Guslitsy to the site of the monastery, or whether there is a more convenient road more direct. But I would like you to travel through Moscow on your first or return journey. It will be a little further: but the road will be more convenient. And I would like to talk to you about another difficult matter, or matters. It’s better for Guslitsky’s business if you were with me on the way back: but for me it would be better as soon as possible. However, talk about this freely. Parfeniy wanted to be in Moscow during the second week of Lent. Does it make any difference to you to be with him or without him? “It seems to me better to be in front of him, to give him instructions personally.” If you started your journey through Moscow, you would find Parthenius here, and he would be your natural guide. But if you go straight, won’t you send him ahead of time so that he doesn’t go to Moscow? I wrote some comments on the plans before this. I am sending them here. By the way, I am sending a picture of our church near Wiesbaden. She goes to the monastery in my cell. May the Lord preserve your strength to alleviate my weakness. Thank you, Father Viceroy, for your work and for your visit. There would be more to talk about with you: but I didn’t remember something else, and there wasn’t enough time for something else. You wrote that in the Assumption Cathedral there should be priests at the shrine, not clerics. This has been done a long time ago: but there are sensations in performance, sometimes without much guilt. Andrei Nikolaevich told me that he did not find the hieromonk with the relics of Saint Jonah. The hieromonk said that at the end of the service, when the people left, but the cathedral was not yet locked, he hurried to leave because of a need that had arisen. The protopresbyter also said that it is unacceptable for a hieromonk to visit the relics. I saw Archimandrite Hilarion, and Andrei Nikolaevich praised him to me: but I did not like the fact that when he was appointed abbot to the Archangel Monastery, in St. Petersburg the ladies sought the archimandrite position for him, and when the Holy Synod refused, they forced the vicar to do the opposite of this determination and promote him to archimandrite. Moreover, they are unlikely to agree to convert him from the High Monastery in his place. It is wonderful that the Reverend Kostroma is looking for a legislator for schools; it is not clear what this quality would promise in him. Bishop of Novgorod wrote a note about what needs to be changed in the schools. I wrote my note on it, partly agreeing with him, partly presenting the inconvenience, and offering my thoughts. For example, he wanted upper-class students to wear half-kaftan, half-duckwet and kamilavkas. I wrote that it is inconvenient to give a kamilavka: because at the first degree of monasticism it is given in church with a blessing. Moreover, it is good to give church clothes to students if there is hope of making them permanent; and if they are hypocrites and dress in secular clothes outside of schools, then there will be no benefit. The main change was supposed to be the elimination of medicine and agronomy: but, they say, the government does not agree to this. And at the same time, there is still room for other educational corrections. It seems to me that the shortcoming is not only in the charter of the schools, but in the performers. Rectors have little regard for teaching and behavior, and bishops are dissatisfied and zealous, of which I am the first. Some even consider schools alien to themselves, as for example the Right Reverend Nizhny Novgorod, justifying himself for not taking care of preparing the Seminary for the arrival of the Sovereign Emperor, wrote: they have their own authorities. It seems to me that it is more necessary to encourage and instruct people than to rewrite statutes. The rector of the St. Petersburg Academy writes to me, asking me, on the occasion of the anniversary, to give money to create some kind of capital, and collect money from others. For the Jews, debts were forgiven on the anniversary; but with us, on the anniversary, taxes were imposed. I sinned. Sorry. Peace to you and the brethren of the monasteries. I told the schemamonk abbot whether it was in vain that he was leaving a place that was quieter than the one he was going to. He says that it is closer to receiving medical care here: the excuse is not strong; but holding it tightly would not seem to be of any use. Maybe, having experienced what he wanted, he will turn to the best one left behind. You find power in the letter about Magdalene. I did not think to see this. The demand for an answer could be made in order to give an answer to the requester. But to great sorrow, what appeared to you when reading the letter appears in church affairs. What I wrote about the Ural case 35 was approved, but was not used in action. A note was drawn up, with some of my thoughts, more extensive, scholarly not for scholars, and which aroused objections, born from a light glance at the subject. I don’t know how the Lord will resolve this. The draft message was also not used. May the one who rests in the cave be pleasing to the Lord, and there will be a blessing at the place of his deed. I also heard the story about the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God here, which is consistent with what you heard from the guardian of this icon. It is clear that she acted with a simple heart and intention. I was told that the first one to receive healing was a virgin who was lying relaxed and stood up when the lamp was lit in front of the icon. Glory to God, who seeks us with His mercy. It is strange that the Isaac priests did not think of lighting a lamp with oil in front of the icon themselves. Forgive me: the sudden idea of ​​the church does not make me happy, but rather difficult. We have quite a few churches. A new building is a new burden for the future to support. Even if the brethren were cramped in the upper church, it is also convenient to stand and listen to the Divine service during the meal. The building, now complete, will cease to be so due to the addition, which is usually imperfectly connected with the previous structure. The extension will overlook the courtyard, where there are other extensions of unpleasant content. Money is only in words: and, perhaps, once the business starts, you will need your own. Answer me to these objections. – Gorek becomes the builder Paufenius. To run away willfully from a useful business that you yourself started is very unexpected and unfavorable. It seems that his impatience was especially aroused by the contract, which he presented to me in a too insufficient form, showing only prices, without explaining the matter, so that it is impossible to judge the correctness of the prices and nothing under the contract can be demanded from the contractor. I used the secretary to convince Parthenius of the impossibility of approving such a contract: I returned the contract to Parthenius, and ordered Arkady to be sent with a detailed statement of the cases for which the prices were set in the contract. Arkady was here the other day; presented a new draft of the contract, which still needed to be corrected, and which, after correction, was approved and sent with Arkady. At the same time, I wrote a letter to Parthenius and the brethren, starting with the thought that they were probably not as pleased as they would have been in the established monastery, and asking them to be complacent. Then he said that, probably, the worries of writing were also unpleasant for them; and that I myself would like to be content with relying on their good conscience: but one must obey the law; it is necessary to clearly show the Sovereign Emperor and investors that we have carefully used what was given; and finally, we need legal order because maybe I won’t be there, and the new boss, who doesn’t know them, will stand up for order all the more strictly. Arkady was told to present the necessary reminders to the builder, as quietly as possible. I didn’t really like the fact that Arkady, when talking about his employees, does not smile much, which does not express respect for them. God's blessing to the viceroy father and the brethren of the monasteries. The Lord will grant you the tender communion of Divine suffering, so that the joy of the resurrection may be complete. Earlier I wanted to write to you, father governor: why did you take possession of the trikirium and dikirium? I use them in services on holidays, and in general more willingly than others due to their convenience. I don’t understand the plan of the church: it doesn’t even show which floor is the top and which is the bottom: you have to guess. It is not visible where the entrance to the church will be from. If for those coming from the lower corridor: then is it really right there for the brethren? It seems to me that there is now a sacristy at the western end of the church: this is not visible on the plan. Don't you have to break out the wall underneath it and make spans in another wall? If so: then not good for the top wall. The plan of the iconostasis is too similar to the one above. It's monotonous. Wouldn't it be better if the bottom one had less colorful forms? The twisted columns for the most part appear more or less crude. If you look from the lower church: you see a crucifix above the upper iconostasis, and another below: this duality is unpleasant. What seems convincing to me is what Vladimir Andreevich says 36, retelling the words of the monastery brethren: it’s unpleasant that during the liturgy the table is set upstairs and downstairs, and the smell of food rises into the church. But at the same time he said that the investors would more desire a special church: and I desire this even less than the dispensation according to the plan made. According to the proposed arrangement, heating the church will not be without difficulty. If there is enough heat for the lower church, then, due to the high altitude, it should already be hot in the upper one. As for the burial place: would you like to cook for yourself here? I don’t want any more new worries for me. May the Lord protect me from surviving the Assumption Church. If the fate of God comes to the ambassador, so that over my ashes there will be only ashes: I don’t deserve anything better. Whoever has compassion will pray for me: he can do this, where to remember. But as the matter has passed far past me, it’s difficult to stop. May the Lord instruct you to fulfill the will of good people for the benefit of the monastery. Truly Christ is risen. – In this word I extend a kiss of joy to the viceroy father and the brethren. Thank you for the conversation of spiritual reasoning and love you extended to me. May the grace of the Risen Lord pour joy and peace into your hearts, and may the joy of the Lord be your strength to do good and please Him. My weakness asks for your prayers. Look, father governor, what the Guslitskys are doing, how they destroyed the money. What will we do next? It is difficult to expect a large subscription. I had previously thought about building a little for the first time: but I lost this thought when I was challenged not to build large cells for the builder. Tell me your thoughts. Peace and health to the Father Viceroy. The same goes for the brethren. You wrote that you needed to stay in your cell for a few days to improve your health. We didn't stay long; but they didn’t tell me whether you are completely healthy now. I ask you to take care of your necessary health. Hear a word that should not go further than you, and help my perplexity. There is a rumor from St. Petersburg that they are calling to the Holy Synod of Kiev, Kamchatka, Odessa, and temporarily Moscow. I really wish the latter were unfair. But what if it turns out to be fair? So, I served on Easter day, and the next day I was no longer able to leave the house; On the 17th day he served and was at a ceremonial dinner, and as a result, on the 18th day he could barely finish the service, and was forced to interrupt rather than finish the distribution of artos. What if I am locked in a shaking railroad carriage for 22 hours? In all likelihood, after this, you will need to go to bed for several days, if not for a long time. And how can I fulfill the various duties there, when I’m here, after sitting for two hours in the evening with a guest, and I’m tired for the whole day tomorrow. I think that refusing is not a sin, but a necessity. – The builder Parthenius came and said that their church had been consecrated, and that on all the days of Easter there were many Orthodox and non-Orthodox people. That is why he, and, as he says, his brothers, think that it is necessary to arrange for the admission of women into the church in the choirs; and for this purpose, place the church not in the southeastern corner of the monastery, but on the northern side near the fence, and make a small gallery and entrance to the choir from the fence, so that this path does not have communication with other parts of the monastery for those coming. What do you think about this? The builder says that schismatics are attracted by the monastic services, and they say that in the schism women delay them a lot. Therefore, allowing women to hear monastic services could not attract them to the Orthodox Church? – Read the attached letter from Ekaterina Pavlovna Golovina, which I do not really understand; and tell her what to answer. She had a blow; and she retained enough mental strength, but little physical strength. This will be delivered to you by the future vicar 37. Through him I would like to receive an answer. The report of the Holy Synod on the vicar was approved by the Highest for 4 days: and I received a decree about this only today. On Friday I dined at a ceremonial dinner with the Governor-General, Count Arseny Andreevich; He said, among other things, that he thought of visiting the distant villages of his wife, but he was advised against asking permission for this; and on Saturday I received from him that he was dismissed on Thursday 16 days, and on Friday 17 days Count Stroganov was appointed to his place. Thus the image of this world suddenly passes away. Thank you, Father Viceroy, for your thoughts on the Guslitsky Monastery. They reduce my worries. But I don’t want debt. If necessary, you can get help from the Pererven Monastery. I doubt whether it is convenient to release Parfeniy now, or soon, and entrust the work to Gryaznov, who of course has his own business. Why didn’t you remind me about the arrangement of guilt before? Now where to start? What if God tells me to be at the consecration of the church and the renovation of the monastery? This can be ordered in advance. - However, I’ll talk to the builder about what’s allowed now. Then it will be clear what to do. Things are so pressing on me that last night I went to bed at two o'clock in the morning. That may be why now, when it was time to go to the Synodal Office, I got a headache; I stayed at home: - and thus I find time to write to you. Odessa and Vyatsk are called to St. Petersburg, and, after Dormition Day, Kiev. They don’t talk about anything else that was written. I did not expect the prince to take it into his head to play with the servants of God. May the Lord save Count Alexander Petrovich. He, respecting the Metropolitan, yields to his opinion when he has his own. So now those desired by the Metropolitan are called, while in the place of some the Count would propose others. So that you can see what kind of things you have to deal with, I’m sending you one paper, which after reading, return it, and if it gives you any idea, tell me, although, by the way, it’s too late to write about it yet. In mid-April they sent a decree, and set a deadline on behalf of the Sovereign on May 1. The new control set the stage: there should be one cash register in the state. That’s why they want to drag our contributions into the abyss. The contract has been rewritten for order and accuracy. I hope this does not make it difficult. Death of Archimandrite Arsenia will probably cause trouble. Is it not because the deprivation of the archimandrite was sent because it had too strong an effect in acquiring that diocese of the bishop at will? There is sad news about this, if true. There is a decree about our benefactor Sukhanov. Don't be angry. I have in mind a similar case where they asked for the Stanislav Cross, but were given a medal on the Annin Ribbon. Should I write to him from me? Send me a draft letter. – I now have a lot of information from the east, and most of it is sad and difficult. They called for the Patriarch of Jerusalem for a long time, and they could not get through from Constantinople to Jerusalem. Suddenly he stood up and announced: I am going to moderate the Russian bishop. In the reports of Ave. Melitopolsky there are expressions: the anger of the patriarch. There is a war with the consul at Melitopol Ave. The Arabs received His Eminence Kirill very well and sent a complaint against the patriarch. But who can correct the patriarchs? – When the builder invited me to invite you to the consecration of the church: I told him that this was hardly convenient; and gave it up to your will. And now I willingly agree that you stay in the Lavra, where your stay is much more necessary than the proposed journey. It’s been a long time since you wrote to me anything about Krainev. Write to me officially about it, how you see it, and how you should proceed with it. This is required by the decree received. I am sending you, Father Viceroy, a letter from the Right Reverend of Nizhny Novgorod to Andrei Nikolaevich about the Diveevskys. Read it and say that it would be possible to answer truthfully for the sake of benefit. Andrei Nikolaevich leaves with me the plan of the Myra Church opened from the ground to show you. Therefore I am sending him too. Leave it to me if God brings me to the Lavra. Ask me from St. Sergius, out of mercy and patience, for a blessing on the way to the Guslitsky Monastery, so that my mercy may not be completely exhausted. Visit me now around four or four in the afternoon. The builder Parthenius arrived: and when asked if everything was all right, he answered: thank God, and nothing more. Since yesterday evening I have had stubborn pain in my teeth, jaw and ear. Would you like to visit me between Liturgy and Vespers? Illness requires reasoning. After lunch there was no movement in the air. The pain was not great; but before Vespers and during Vespers she became so hardened that it was difficult to endure. Then dry heat throughout the body. Then a little sweat and pain relief. Then again severe pain. During sleep, it seemed to me that the left half of the mouth was dry inside, and upon awakening, a severe pain appeared that spread to the ear and church. The fight against this pain lasts six hours. Now the pain is decreasing: but for how long I don’t know. By the way, would you need magnesium? – June 11th 1859. Six o'clock in the morning. Yesterday, while talking a lot in the air, did I catch a cold again on the sore side of my mouth? – Again, thank you, Father Viceroy, for taking care of my weakness. I wrote my consent to the idea of ​​Morozov, so as not to delay any longer. But it is not clear to me what is the benefit of making a deduction from the deposit now. The deposit is in our hands, and the deduction can be made later, if necessary. You can go to Mahra whenever you find it convenient. Moscow was overcome by fires. When I said upon arrival that it was necessary to look for intruders, the authorities did not quite believe this. Now the arson is clear. May God bring justice to some, to frighten and bring into inaction other attackers. Thank you for the icon. He who has worked, as I said, be rewarded from me. The Kherson abbot asks not to take money for two icons he ordered from the Lavra. Satisfy him in this; and pay the money from me. About the Bethany Church, the thought comes to me: if we build it again, why is it also cramped, and then of little use? Wouldn't it be better to make it more spacious? Thanks for the reminder about the fires. In some places there were prayers, private, and from some churches collectively. And it’s good that it’s at the people’s own request. Whether to undertake something in common, one must look closely to see whether common zeal can be expected. The danger seems to be subsiding since a few miscreants have been caught and authorities have initiated action against them. Today, in the procession of the cross and in the church of the holy prophet Elijah, there were quite a few people praying, and I am not deprived of serving among them. Let our reverend father Sergius not abandon his contempt for the Lavra and Moscow. Through the intercession of our reverend father Sergius, the protection of the Lord is over you, vicar father, and over the brethren of the monasteries, and over our humble brethren of the earth. I am glad that you have found good order in Mahra. Thank the builder for me too. Of course, the distressed tenant needs relief. I think it’s also good that he wants to build a factory. If he could not do this, then it would be difficult to expect even a mill. I received correct information about the news that will make you think about it. At an extraordinary meeting of the State Council, it was determined and approved by the Highest: The preserved treasuries in Moscow and St. Petersburg and in the Orders of public charity should be destroyed and the capital transferred to the general State treasury. Tickets for arbitrary deposit and withdrawal will be two percent, and tickets for a thirty-year loan will be five percent. I asked: what will happen to the continuously profitable four percent tickets? They answered me: unknown; and they will probably turn into tickets for a five percent loan. Will the change of tickets be continued now? – There is no visible basis on which the answer could be approved. It is difficult to expect that the Ministry of Finance could regularly conduct a huge, complex operation, pulled together into one place from different institutions in the state. And it’s hard not to believe those who predict bad consequences. - Lord, send Your light and Your truth to our Most Pious King! The presenter of the letter will tell you what the Lykeevo ascetic says. He advises reading prayers over a sick mother. To the objection that this will not be allowed, he says: read while she sleeps. That this will not be allowed in the waking state can be considered true. But how will one decide on what is proposed? In ancient times, exorcists were on the same level as readers and singers: however, the cathedral requires the blessing of the bishop for them, as well as for the readers. But, I remember, I told you that one elderly presbyter, due to the weakness of his strength, blessed Abbess Esther for this; and she prayed, and the Lord showed His help. But the order of the breviary requires a priest. Shouldn't I write out the Canon and some prayers and use it as the ascetic advises? Think about this; and I want to know your reasoning. I also wish you health, Father Viceroy, and care for your health. I hear that you are not very healthy. – You judged prayers over the sick better and more carefully than I did. Would you write a note about what the priest should do so that the princess gives it to him, or retells it exactly? I am sending a contribution to the monastery of Prince Dmitry Nikolaevich Urusov, part of the robe of the Lord and St. relics of various Saints. From the sick Ekaterina Pavlovna Golovina, a veil was first given to the future church of Philaret the Merciful: and now she is sending his icon, painted, it seems, at random, and not according to legend. By the 22nd day the Sovereign Emperor is expected to renovate the Romanov House. Pray that I will not be powerless at this time. Having served on the 26th and 27th of the past month, on the 28th he could no longer be in the Novodevichy Convent: but on the third day he served the liturgy and consecration of water, and yesterday he served the liturgy with St. Basil the Blessed without much difficulty. They are already calling me to the Borodino monastery: and I would like to see the church. I am tired of revising the translation of the Gospel of Matthew and am constrained by other matters. – They say you had a hailstorm and 400 windows were broken in the Academy. What's in the Lavra? Here on the 28th day in the evening and at night only lightning moved from the west to the north to the east. Do not be angry that the matter of the ministers is becoming troublesome. If you demand one hundred people, without an exact distribution by service, no doubt a lot will be cut off from the number. It is not superfluous to write an introduction in the presentation of the Council, in which to show the number of churches in the Lavra, how many brethren, what special institutions and then separately show how many are needed, for example, working in prosphora production, – working in candle production, servants at the rector's cells, – at the governor’s cells, – cooks for the brotherly meal, coachmen for the travel of the governor, treasurer, Some appointments seem best to be skipped. They can give a reason to cross out: and when they start crossing out, they cross out a lot. Try to organize this matter more clearly so that it is more reliable. Congratulations on the holiday. If you are healthy, I wish you to celebrate in peace; and if you are kept in your cell, I wish you to be in peace and soon receive health. May the holy, grateful, life-giving help of the Lord, the Physician of souls and bodies, come to you, Father Viceroy; and may He grant you healing. I wish your soul to be at peace; and thus healed the body. But I don’t have a very peaceful view of your treatment. The doctor, I think, doesn’t know you well yet. You took care of me a lot in my illnesses: let me take care of you at least a little. Vladimir Ivanovich Rakhmanov, a knowledgeable and kind doctor, and, moreover, a prayerful doctor who always provides me with faithful medical care, when I turned to him, at my invitation, he agreed to visit you. Accept his visit as a matter of love. May the Lord enlighten him to tell you something beneficial to your health. I'm sorry if my actions seem bothersome to you. From your letter I see that your abscess is developing slowly and deeply. It seems to me that this requires careful healing. Vladimir Ivanovich recently brought someone seriously ill with abscesses out of trouble safely. Most of all, may St. Sergius remember your faith in him, and the service of his monastery: and may he extend his invisibly beneficial right hand to you. Thank God for the relief of your illness, Father Viceroy: may the Lord grant you a speedy and complete restoration of health. But why did you write to me yourself? It was necessary to order the treasurer. You still need peace. This day Vladimir Ivanovich came to tell me G. Bashkirov’s information about you: and I read to him what you write about the progress of your treatment. He finds that you got out of bed early; and advises to be at rest so as not to disturb the sore spot. For my part, I ask you to slow down doing things that arouse concern and stress of thoughts, which is unfavorable in weakness of strength. Take patience to stay in your cell until you are strong enough and freed from illness. It would not be a correct calculation if you went to work prematurely, destroyed the remnants of your illness, and were forced to remain locked in a cell. Save yourself for the Lavra; and, if this is worth attention, protect my peace of mind with your peace of mind. The Sovereign Emperor will arrive in Moscow on the 16th day alone, that is, without the Empress, and, in addition to the renovation of the Romanov House, it seems that he will be mainly occupied with military reviews. It does not seem likely that he visited the Lavra. Peace and health to the Father Viceroy. What you write about the course of your illness, I read to Vladimir Ivanovich: and what he said, I asked him to write, so that it would be conveyed more accurately. I am sending them what I wrote. You scared me, Father Viceroy, when you wrote that you were going to a monastery festival. I looked only to St. Sergius for peace and hope. Glory to God that His mercy has appeared. But even now I ask you to take care until the wound is completely healed. An excess of caution is better than an excess of courage. Do not send the manuscript of Abba Isaiah to me; because I won’t be able to deal with it soon: give it to the censor. I resume the question: should I go between September 1 and 8 to the Borodino Monastery to consecrate the church. Sometimes I find myself unreliable, sometimes not hopeless. On the third day of Saturday, from a quarter past twelve to three quarters past three, I was at the renovation of the Romanovsky house. The blessing of water took place in the open air, and then sprinkling inside the house. At 20 minutes past five I went to the Emperor, and returned at seven o'clock. In the interim, there were few rest homes. But yesterday, Sunday, I had to attend the consecration of the church. In the morning I felt thirsty, and during the service my mouth was dry and finally bitter. As a result, even this morning there is thirst, pain in the back of the left shoulder, noise and at times itching in the ears, slight irritation in the left eye, very slight pain in the teeth and in the upper part of the left leg. One can therefore hope that I will endure a four-day journey, which will not be better than Guslitsky, in which I had three days at the unhindered disposal of my cell, although at first it was cold. Give me some good advice. Troubles are multiplying. In Constantinople they wanted to overthrow the patriarch; but it failed. 6 senior members of the Synod were expelled from Constantinople; and they wrote a bitter and unjust protest, which is repeated in the journals of Athens and France. Establish, Lord, the church. There is also a decree, which I have not yet read, requiring information about church estates. Isn’t a second theft being prepared for church property? I calm down when I hear about your good health, Father Viceroy. Thank you for the cautionary advice against traveling. Already before receiving your letter, the thought occurred to me that it would be better to send a vicar who, in addition to consecrating the church, would visit Mozhaisk and Vereya and rural churches, for which I would be absolutely insufficient. Having received your advice, I decide to do this with great peace of conscience, confident that the decision will be out of duty, and not out of laziness. What is the use of postponing the consecration of the Church of the Savior Borodinsk until spring? How can I say: I will put it off and die until spring? – Help the Most Reverend Innocent with icons, as you write. It is better not to rush, but to do the job reliably. F.. did not act carefully, if G. Opochinina writes the truth. I want to know from him how it was, because it is indecent for me not to know when they ask me here. An archpriest from Tiflis who was in the Lavra and in the monastery complains that he was received rudely at the monastery. Why not treat anyone quietly? – August 29, 1859. Look, Father Governor, at the case of the Guslitsky contractor, whom the Consistory finds fair to refuse, and tell me your opinion, based on your knowledge of the circumstances. I don’t want to miss an opportunity without saying a word to you. O. asked the treasurer about his illness. Judging by the way he talks about how he feels, he seems to need treatment. But depending on the illness and when it is time for hydrotherapy, the doctor should know. G.S. ... it seems to me, not without good intentions. And this is now a common disease that everyone finds others sick and wants to treat. It is true that there are cases of this. For example, he told me that while looking at a financial matter, he found an issue for the office of the Committee for the publication of edifying books. On this occasion, I found out that this Committee has existed since 1851, receives a salary for the office, and has not published anything until now. Is it surprising that with this comes the desire to correct others? – Turning to the clergy the question of state estates seemed almost a mistake. But unfortunately, there was an article in the code of laws according to which the lands allocated to bishops' houses and monasteries are called state lands, although they are for the use of the clergy. By selling state-owned estates, won't fingers be cut instead of fingernails? These estates are provision, or remain state property. I have not yet decided the case at the request of the Guslitsky contractor. The refusal has been officially determined. It is inconvenient to dispose arbitrarily. I instructed the builder to ask Vasily Petrovich, the guarantor, what he thought. A nameless denunciation was sent to the Guslitsky treasurer from Yegoryevsk that he went with the Icon Not Made by Hands to a schismatic chapel. And it turned out to be fair that he was with the icon in the chapel; the schismatics served an all-night vigil; and he stood right there. I have a lot of worries with the Guslitskys. Pretty good for a fairly late evening. – My fingers hurt from the cold outside, and that’s why I write worse than usual. God's blessing to the viceroy father and brethren, and from my humility gratitude for promoting the peace of my stay in the Lavra and in the monastery. We reached Moscow safely. The snow did not accompany us for long; then the sky became lighter, and the sun appeared for a while. Fatigue goes away. I ask you to strengthen my weakness with your prayers. Peace be with you, father governor, and brothers. I am far from David Gareji; and my removal, of course, did not leave any emptiness, and so that the grace of St. Sergius does not leave me with help and protection, I pray and ask for this. On the 11th day I could only walk half the way in the procession; and, ducking into the Church of St. Nicholas in Streletsk, he exposed himself. – I remember telling you about the lower church at Filaret’s, and here in Moscow I told the church builder to draw and show me the internal layout of the proposed church, in order to send permission, especially since there is a meal here. – The Reverend Kirill’s note was read to me by the Reverend Vicar. Both things and people are wonderful today. Eminence Kirill was given very secret instructions, the use of which in any careless manner is harmful. He copies out an article from this instruction and gives it to the princess to spread throughout Russia in his justification: or perhaps, even before reaching Russia, she reported his note to someone, which is even worse. And here, as before in official terms, he attributes malice to the partyarch. He finds that it is dangerous to fight with the partyarch by means of meekness and humility, and he contemplates the middle path, between a quarrel with one side, and between the means of meekness and humility on the other side. Read the rest of the note for yourself; I don’t know if he will convince you; but it doesn’t convince me. Levison's note contains remarkable information: but it is clearly biased. For example, the bishop often serves and speaks sermons; consequently he is not proud. Can't a proud person serve and preach? – One more thing: members of the mission are unable to be either advisers or confessors. - Not true. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Forgive my verbosity. May the Lord correct and save us all. Peace to the Father Viceroy. The same goes for the brethren. Hieromonk V. came to me with a petition and peacefully spoke to me about his circumstances. But when he said that he needed to return clothes and things from his mother that he had sent to her while awaiting his death; and when I asked why he expected his death: then he, louder and with body movements, said that he had released twenty pounds of blood, that when the bloodletting instrument did not work, he ordered his body to be cut with a knife; that he has felt better since August 30; but that even now he needs to move his limbs or shout in order to arouse warmth in himself; otherwise he feels cold inside, and then pain, as from a red-hot iron. Therefore, and based on the report I received from the builder about I.V.’s three absences due to his drunkenness, I doubted letting him go to his mother; and ordered to ask him about the contents of the abbot’s report in order to better understand his condition. Money matters are getting darker. The bulletin contains an article about thirty-seven-year tickets, lengthy but incomprehensible. The removal of Stieglitz, an agent of the Russian Ministry of Finance, abroad, leaving a sealed announcement that he was ceasing business in St. Petersburg is a new bad sign. – Read the article about an imaginary miracle, and see if everything in it is correct, for example, that prayers are always given after completion, and always money. If this is not always the case, then this should be deleted from the article. Don’t talk about its origin: but consider whether it should be printed in the statements. If you decide, then you can, after copying it, sign under it the dean hieromonk Ilarius, who has been undergoing various obediences in the Lavra for 75 years. For this you can send an article for publication, either from him, or from the Council; and if necessary, the Council can submit to me that I demand printing. They say that against the article: Trinity Road, Mr. Maslov writes in the Russian newspaper: but will he fight well, which was quite strongly repulsed on the Rybinskaya embankment? – It’s not yet clear, I don’t know how much is true, there is news: the Minister of Finance is asking for resignation. But it is not possible to meet someone capable of this task on every street. We must also learn this word: The Lord is given, the Lord is taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord forever. The list of lands of the Lavra shows the lands: in the Moscow district? - It needs to be corrected; and besides, I want to handle the matter differently. The testimony of the Korbukhovskaya dacha does not mention the monastery. Therefore, if they order to transfer the dacha, then the monastery must be sold. We need to fix this too. I am sending you, Father Viceroy, a plan of the church. God will bless you to arrange and consecrate it on the appointed day. The procession tires me: but the movement brings me some benefit. To be among praying people is somewhat therapeutic for the soul. May the Lord, who makes rich and poor, be merciful to our poor Fatherland, as you hope, and not reward us for our sins. Thank you for the effort of rewriting two notes. But I doubt making any use out of them for anyone other than me. Be at peace in the Lord, Father Viceroy, and so do the brethren. Guslitsky Monastery - a serious illness. Will the Lord give you the means to heal? – The plan at the very beginning seemed great to me: I argued somewhat; but, not knowing how to deal with matters of this kind, he gave in to your opinion, and thereby secured himself. Now I’m surprised that I didn’t demand an estimate that would have somehow prevented the current difficulties. After the carpentry contractor was overpaid above the contract, he demanded another 1,500 rubles. According to the explanation of the construction commission, the Consistory decided to refuse for solid reasons, although not all the details of the case were documented clearly, both on the part of the petitioner and on the part of the commission. You say: we need to add more. V.I. Gryaznov, whom I asked to join in this business, said that it was necessary to add 500 rubles - it seems that you said the same thing. But in the case, there is no reason: and the matter will someday come to control, and even worse if after me. But this was not difficult to resolve: I ordered to give my 500 rubles. I ask the builder: how much do I owe? – He hesitates and answers: 10,000 rubles; and asks for a loan from the Lavra, after a loan has already been made from Pererva. Asks to go to St. Petersburg to collect money. – But to whom will you leave the monastery? – There is no satisfactory answer; and it cannot be. – Why is your treasurer powerless, and you don’t support him so that everyone listens to him? – The builder presents various excuses against this. He says that when he left for Nizhny, he instructed the treasurer in writing to look after the church deanery, Arkady with the accounts, and the novice Semyon to look after the workers; but that he is afraid to deal strictly with Arkady, lest he do harm in the accounts. Then he shows the collection book given to him, and in it the Guchkovs’ contribution of 1,000 rubles was transferred to 2,000. Arkady, he says, took the book for a few hours, and did it; and adds that it is not difficult to ask the Guchkovs what they gave. Another adventure. The builder leaves the monastery for Moscow in the evening; Having driven a few miles, he notices that he forgot his galoshes, and returns to the monastery to spend the night and go in the morning. As he approaches the monastery, a troika leaves the monastery: it is Arkady who goes to visit, and then returns after midnight. The builder asks to close the commission, or remove Arkady. I answer: whoever did the deed must give an account. The builder should look for benefits in St. Petersburg. But at the same time I remember that when he demanded 25,000 rubles from Mikhail Nikolaevich to build a monastery: this was accepted with suspicion that they wanted to rob the money. What will they say if they hear how much was actually spent on building the monastery? – Should a builder go to St. Petersburg? How to strengthen the rule of the monastery? I ask the father of the dean of the Guslitsky monastery to more thoroughly interrogate the builder, and to work hard to find means to reduce the difficulties. What is your situation regarding depositing money into the Treasury Treasury for an indefinite period? – Prince N.I. Trubetskoy advises buying the so-called series. But, it seems to me, their price is unlikely to be constant; and if you suddenly need money, the series will have to be sold at a loss. They want to put the Right Reverend Anatoly of Mogilev in our courtyard in St. Petersburg 38 . They say he will only occupy Andrei Nikolaevich’s apartment; everything else will remain as it is. Let me know what you think about this. I am returning the sheets of the Russian newspaper so as not to take possession of them. I got myself others by subscription, in case of need. They promised to publish the dean’s article in the Russian newspaper. I think I’ll publish it later in Moskovskiye Vedomosti. It is also necessary to write against the article about the Trinity Road. – The senior members of the Synod of Constantinople (geronts) wrote to the Holy Synod rather unhumbly, in magnificent expressions, without explaining the matter at all. A case is opened that is difficult to give the right direction to a good end. I would like to know your thoughts regarding the Trinity courtyard in St. Petersburg 39. Be at peace in the Lord, Father Vicar and brethren. The consecrated antimension in the church of the Venerable Matrona is ordered to be given out. Question about the nobleman Pavlov, I’m surprised that it was proposed by the builder. Having lived in a monastery, and having shown inconstancy, going out into the world, for this alone it was doubtful to be accepted again. But whoever gets married and receives someone from his wife - what hope is there? What's the order here? What example? If a builder is seduced by a contribution: this is also sinful and imprudent. It would be an unblessed investment. Please hurry to remove Pavlov if he is in the monastery. Yesterday Prince Sergei Nikolaevich Urusov wanted to come to you; and asked to be given a droshky from the Lavra so that he would not walk through the mud. I answered that you will reassure him in this regard, as soon as he says. I don’t suspect that they are proposing to place the Right Reverend Anatoly in our courtyard. They had thought about taking him to St. Petersburg much earlier: but in the meantime they took many bishops to St. Petersburg and filled the ordinary courtyards. Andrei Nikolaevich is coming to see you. It’s not a bad idea to rush to sign a new contract with him. But if there is a condition in it to clean the apartment, it will be necessary; that is to say: precisely: it will be needed for the arrival of the Metropolitan of Moscow. What does it mean that you say that perpetual tickets may be a problem? Haven’t all perpetual tickets been changed to permanently profitable ones? The Servant of God Matrona many times asks that the church be in the name of Saints Matrona and Capitolina. This duality is unusual, and it would be difficult if it spread. But the church in question is quite hidden in the forest and in the ground so as not to be used as an example. During the consecration of the saints, you remember Matrona and Capitolina. They can celebrate like that. I can’t find a plan for the Church of St. Nicholas in Myra: and Andrei Nikolaevich writes that the Empress demands it. Tell me to search more diligently in my cells in the Lavra and in the monastery; By the way, in the Lavra, in the drawers of cabinets and writing materials. Note. A letter without indicating the time when it was written and without a signature; preserved between letters 1859; relies here in connection with the letter to A.N.M.... dated November 17, 1859. Peace of the Lord to the viceroy father and brethren. The dove will not find rest for your feet, - the soul of Fr. Elijah. I told him that in the Ugreshsky Monastery he would not find either the same silence or the same spiritual communication as in the monastery. If he wants, let us accept him again in the hope that the experience of hesitation, which turned out to be unhelpful, will serve to strengthen him. – I don’t know about permission to establish a nunnery. The minister wrote to me asking whether it was time to begin this: and I replied that there was still quite a bit of work left to improve the Guslitsky monastery, materially and spiritually. It’s not good that Parfeniy leaves me in the dark about his information. – Thank God there is still a church. It is pleasant to see the multiplication of churches: but not without concern one can think whether they will be conveniently and diligently supported, given the multitude. Send the hierodeacon and monk from the monastery for ordination at one time, and the monk of the monastery at another, and on the day before the holiday, so that they do not have to wait long. God bless your journey. And I will be glad to see you. I again had to read a lot of what was sent from St. Petersburg, and among other things, illegible letters in French, and then write quite a bit. The eyes are unhappy. The Metropolitan Geronts wrote a letter to the Holy Synod. They complain cruelly, without explaining why or to whom. Meanwhile, in response to the protest, their patriarch and the people's assembly published a refutation. Someone is thinking of standing up for the Geronts and winning over the Sovereign Emperor. But this would mean rebelling against church rules, against history, against the patriarch and the national assembly. I don’t know what the Lord will arrange or allow. Let's pray to the Lord! I would not like to offend your eyes by reading the letter received from the Sergeevskaya post office. But maybe it is necessary. In a heap of untruths, sometimes there are several untruths buried. Perhaps it is worth paying attention to whether the Lavra bread is being preserved. Perhaps it is also worth paying attention to whether it is possible to recognize a tongue that is scorched and scorching with rage, in order to beware of it. – Hello, I was not in the cathedral today, but only in my church. May the viceroy father and brethren be healthy and at peace in the Lord. Is this not the first time the telegraph has been used for something soul-searching? - This day, at one o'clock at midnight, I received from Kharkov, from no one knows who, a telegraphic dispatch in which they ask to sing a prayer service to the Mother of God of Iveron and St. Sergius, for the health and salvation of Andrei, Alexandra and Olga. Just as this could have been done in Kharkov: then, of course, the point is that the prayer service was held directly before the Miracle-Working Icon and at the relics of St. Sergius. So, instruct the prayer service to be performed according to what was written, and tell the treasurer to put three rubles in my mug. – The director of the Gymnasium visited me and asked me to allow the students of the school being removed to study icon painting and wood carving in the Lavra. I said that I could not give a decisive answer. We already have a fairly large population: the multiplication of people, and the addition of strangers can cause difficulty and disorder. It may be possible to admit a few if there is no such fear. There is an unpleasant similar experience in the Moscow Seminary, where students studying at a secular architectural school learn self-will there, and bring it to the seminary house. It seems to me that it would be better if strangers did not come to us at all. If this is not too late, then tomorrow give me one and a half hundred rubles to the servants, the poor and the poor. And if he is late, then do this on December 26th. The blessing of our venerable fathers Sergius and Nikon, in the sign of their holy icons, which you gave me, I accepted with reverence; and your good word on my Angel’s day with gratitude. Hasn’t the time already passed for me to ask for strength? I ask for your prayers, so that in my weakness the Lord will bring so much strength so that I will not be excluded from the service entrusted to me. I wish you peace in faith and joy in hope. You remember, Father Viceroy, that Pompey Nikolaevich Batyushkov delivered to me two lists of churches of the Vitebsk and Mogilev dioceses, which need to be supplied with various accessories. To supply the Vitebsk family, those willing were found in St. Petersburg, starting from the persons of the Highest family; And the job is done. You remember that according to the list of Mogilev churches, according to which they want benefits from Moscow, I stopped acting, finding the requirement for all the utensils too vague and incomprehensible. The question was raised: does the church now exist without all its utensils? I wanted to ask for an explanation from the Most Reverend Mogilevsky: but due to frequent ill health and burdensome activities that were more necessary, I still haven’t done anything. Now Pompey Nikolaevich resolved the doubt by saying that churches are being built, and there will be iconostases in them: but other utensils are required. Due to my illness, he did not see me soon: and after his visit on the third day and yesterday I had feverish attacks and needed rest in my cell. That day he insisted that something be done in front of him, and suggested that he go to the Lavra on my orders. A complete list of churches is needed here: I am sending you an extract about the needs of five churches. Discuss with the Council and tell them what can be done, and send without delay what you put in place. It would be good if this happened to Pompey Nikolaevich in Moscow. – I am also sending a letter to Princess Kochubey, who demands permission to open the windows onto the courtyard of the Trinity courtyard. Should I refuse according to the law? But is it true that this refusal can be defended? In Moscow this is not true. Or should we agree that the windows should be open only on the top floor, preserving the right to return to the legal position if there is an inconvenience? - Reason. Death of Fr. Hierotheus has too much. It is desirable that a good successor to his prayer activities be found. And o. D... whether it was necessary to persuade, I doubt it. Will he give up his smoky habit? - And if he follows it, although secretly, the secrecy will not be impenetrable, and it will not be good. I wish him to win victory over the worthless grass and smoke. You want, Father Governor, to demand an explanation from Mogilev about the utensils. No need. I remember I wrote to you that all the utensils are required for the new churches that the government is building. Consequently, without asking a question, you can know what needs to be prepared for the consecration of the church. Moreover, the question may raise more demands. They will probably require lamps, candlesticks and bells. And when there is no direct demand: you can give the wrong thing. The church, which I took over because it was first on the list, also requires three bells. It’s a strange time in which both good people and good deeds are done insincerely. It is known that St. Petersburg is more populous and richer than Moscow. Consequently, they should have offered a statement according to which more was required: but they did the opposite, doing what was easier at home, and boasting, and throwing the heavy burden on Moscow. In the list proposed to St. Petersburg, there are 150 churches with several, and in the proposed Moscow there are more than 200. In that one, certain things are required: and in this one, all the utensils are required for 30 churches. The Metropolitan of St. Petersburg took 15 churches, not in order of the registry, but with a choice of which was more convenient to implement. If two churches, which require all the utensils, seem heavy to you, you can take one of them and put the other aside. But if you can satisfy both with a meager hand, then it’s better. Princess Kochubey's letter was sent to the Cathedral by mail. The reason for the refusal that you write about is especially strong: it’s a pity that it cannot be mentioned in the answer. After a severe feverish attack, I called a doctor. He examined the pulse and tongue: and prescribed only a cup of dry strawberries. The crisis that sufficiently resolved the illness occurred on Sunday, after the service, in which I managed to be dressed warmly, but without fever. I am sending you, Father Viceroy, a letter to Fr. Macarius and the manuscript: looking for warnings, I ask you to tell me your thoughts. It seems to me that this is a necessary thing. But is everything here accurate and sufficient? The fathers also give instructions in case the leader’s authority is not obtained. And I think there are many such cases nowadays. Didn't the place have a warning about this? – The vicar father and the brethren of the monasteries rejoice in Christ the Lord, who was born on earth for our salvation: and let His peace overshadow your hearts and minds. As we enter the new summer, let us pray for each other and for everyone, that the Lord’s summer may be granted to us pleasantly; and let not the evil days trouble him. – Don’t be angry, Father Viceroy, that I haven’t written for a long time. I just can’t master time and things. Before the holiday, quite a lot had to be written on several special subjects; and it got to the point where I had to sit with my sick eyes closed. – I thank you for what is being done for the Mogilev churches, and I will look forward to its fulfillment. Moscow church elders promise to help. – I visited G.P...., upon returning from the Lavra. He says about his wife that she is rejected from him. It is noticeable that there is a lack of harmony between them, and this renews the unrest in her, partly calmed by beneficial means. – Forgive me; G. always seemed to me a man of worldly calculation, and not of monastic simplicity: and I, overcoming myself, agreed to send him to St. Petersburg. He was a success: but on the other hand, I don’t know if he always represents the Lavra well. Before the 1st day of December, he wrote that the Bishop of Kiev wanted to serve in the church of the metochion on this day. It seemed to me that there was too much attention; but it is also strange to refuse the benefits of prayer. I wrote that if the Bishop wishes, we will be grateful. Then G. wrote to me that there was a dinner, and there were several socialites at it, and that Count Alexander Petrovich and Count Sheremetyev promised, but then refused. This means that he called them: but I would not have agreed to this if I had known in advance. I see the division of the income of the brethren of the farmstead before my very eyes. There is always one number, while many say that church visits have increased since the bringing of St. relics. I would like to know what will happen next in the letter. What you write about the translation of the book of Jesus son of Sirach, I completely agree with. Read the attached letter, my letter to the Most Reverend Agathangel; and return it. If you find that I sin when I reprove without being called: reprimand me and forgive me. A strange time, in which fog falls on the minds that have the light of reason, just as the darkness of night recently fell on London during the day! I also had G.Sh…. I am glad that I could not only reassure him by forgiving the cause of ignorance, but also justify him. The big difference is that they baptized not one, but two babies, one each. Therefore, their relationship constitutes a fourth degree, which is not prohibited by the rule of the Ecumenical Council, but only two are prohibited. I remember you read my opinion on the letter and protest of the Geronts: and remember that one of the reasons for my opinion is respect for the Ecumenical Patriarch and the desire to maintain peace with his church. Now the Athenian envoy complains bitterly that I am hostile to the great church. And this is because I am not for the Gerontians; and the Athenians are for the Gerontians, because sticking to one system maintains the dominance of the Greek nationality over others, and subjugates the others, and, if possible, Greekizes them, and therefore, as far as possible, does not give them Divine services in their natural language, and gives them Greek schools. As you noted about bile, I was unable to talk to the doctor or take medicine. But yesterday an accidental permitting crisis showed me the truth of your remark. With consolation and desire I look at the image of our elders living in the desert. May the Lord strengthen and increase. But people and deeds hit me like waves, and not only against my weak physical nature. From St. Petersburg they give me a lot of business; and then sometimes, as is noticeable, they are dissatisfied not only with my work, but also with me. Because some people force others to look with their biased eyes. It is desirable to be in unity with good people: and of course it is bitter when this does not happen with them. I'm late. - It's time for the all-night vigil. - I ask for prayers. If the former good agreement with good people is questioned: you will agree that this is a case worthy of regret. This is keeping me busy now. Raise the question of removing the priesthood in order to facilitate this: and to counter this, an opinion is presented that this should not happen at all; and in support of this opinion, an extract from the laws was compiled, begun by the strong rebuke of the Holy Synod. On this occasion, the attached letter and note were written. In support of the same opinion, a dictum was assigned to the Holy Synod that in the Roman Church the priesthood is inviolable. A note has also been written about this and is attached. Some signs give reason to think that this is not accepted in peace. Read the letter and notes; and tell me your thought, whether I can remain in peace, or should I condemn what has been done. – Yesterday, a newly ordained bishop who arrived from St. Petersburg told me that in the highest presence, the Field Marshal and the Assembly of Ministers, in which Vladyka of Kiev and Count A.P. participated, but to which Vladyka of Novgorod was not invited, heard and approved the charter of the Caucasian Missionary Society, no doubt in the form in which it was drawn up in the Caucasus. May God grant that the absence of a leading member of the Holy Synod will have no significance or consequences. Return my papers to me in a short time the right way. Oh, if it were possible to say today’s or yesterday’s word without condemnation: now you release your servant, Master! – The viceroy father and the brethren of the monastery rejoice in the Lord and be at peace. It was conveyed to me from Count Alexander Petrovich that the Russian envoy to China, Mr. Ignatiev, demands small icons of the Savior and the Mother of God, but not enamel, but painted in oil. And this demand, unclear and indefinite, is addressed to us. What do you say to this? – Thank you for the edifying story. When sending you two notes, I forgot to attach a letter that is necessary for the judgment of the first. I'm sending it now. Read it, return it, and say your thoughts, as I wrote before. Thank you, Father Viceroy, for your word of consolation. But I think that I grieve little in consideration of what is seen and presented as threatening. About the famous note, I was concerned about whether I had expressed myself too strongly, and thus myself gave the reason for my unpeaceful view of it. But I thought that if I expressed myself lightly, they would not feel the importance and harm of the wrong done; and that the letter which you now have will soften the effect of the note. But there are signs that the letter did not help this. The matter of defrocking causes a lot of concern because everyone else is against the opinion of the leading member, and it is inconvenient to defend his opinion; and the opposite opinion is harmful. In this form, the matter should come to the Sovereign. For some time now he has been in the habit of proposing dubious matters to the Committee of Ministers. In this Committee there is now no person like the late Prince Alexander Nikolayevich Golitsyn, who would separate in the matter what is strictly ecclesiastical and not subject to secular judgment. So it may happen that the Committee will judge the whole matter in its own way: and thus stand over the head of the S. Synod. An unlucky example can give birth to an unkind custom. I conveyed my thoughts to Vladyka Novgorod 40 and, grateful to his truthfulness and selflessness, he peacefully accepted my thoughts, gave a different direction to the matter, and promised to try to achieve a better solution to the matter in a home meeting. However, in relation to the count I act as before. On the third day I sent to him (also to the Bishop) my final opinion on the matter of defrocking. Tomorrow I hope to send a review of the project of the Missionary Society for the conversion of Jews. The project was compiled by a newly baptized Protestant Jew. The drafter presents information about Jews that is strange and shameful for the government. He believes that the number registered is greater than the number recorded in the audit. In the prayer that is said in synagogues for the prosperity of the Sovereign, in the same prayer they ask for the destruction of all non-Jewish kingdoms and the subjugation of all nations to the throne of David. The drafter proposes, among other things, various civil and financial measures, the adoption of which is difficult to hope for, as well as their correct implementation. So questions arise from everywhere: but no solutions come. What is happening in Constantinople: I have not had any information from the Count for a long time. In the case of the Geronts, a draft attitude towards the patriarch was drawn up from the leading member of the Holy Synod, demanding a change in many things done by the church-people's assembly, even with an imperious expression: we wish. This promises nothing but an insulting response. For example, they say to the Patriarch, for the strength of the Synod, it is necessary for several members to be permanent. To this they may say: our Synod is even stronger than yours. We have 12 bishops, you have 4 or 5. We are supposed to call bishops to the Synod for four years, and you have for 1 year. I wrote about this and sent my project, which probably will not be accepted. This is part of the reason for grief. You can't tell everything. I need enamel icons of the Savior, the Mother of God, St. Alexei and St. Sergius, medium and small. Please take the trouble to write with my money. On the eve of the days of purification, I ask you and all the brethren for forgiveness of many of my debts before God and His commandments, and before my duties to you. May the Lord forgive you all who forgive me for whatever you require forgiveness for; and may He make us worthy to worship His suffering with tenderness and His resurrection with joy. If my letter is too compliant, this does not bother me, but calms me down. I was afraid of being guilty of what was strongly said in the note. If I have not given a fair reason for the reduction of the world: we can accept the reduction of the world with peace. - The will of the Lord be done. – Since the note, the silence has continued. – Forgive me for delaying the matter of the land for a long time, wanting to process it, but I just don’t have time. Review the statement. The land is shown mostly in the Moscow district: maybe it was like that in the old days; but now it's not like that. For some dachas, where there is a meadow and a forest, it is only said that the Lavra uses a small part of the haymaking; but nothing is said about the forest. Just in case, you need to give as satisfactory a report as possible. Hierodeacon S. asks to go to Danilov, citing a leg disease. Is this the real reason? - His voice would not be superfluous for the Lavra: but he himself is not much needed. I think it's better not to hold it. Peace in the Lord to the viceroy father and brethren. Father Rector told you about an insignificant part of my illness, and not about the one that has been preventing me from writing for so long. Thank you for the medicine: but I admit, I haven’t used onago yet. Just in case, I’ll tell you the story of my illness. 5 Gervar, after drinking holy water in church, in the heat, I felt a pain in the left side of my throat. I served in the house church for 6 days: but then I developed a cold with cough and chills; and I remained at home without leaving until February 9th. I was afraid of an abscess in my throat: but God had mercy. Even before the illness, phlegm came to the left side of the throat, but did not resolve; and this took away my voice. The illness brought the benefit that the sputum finally began to separate, and I began to use my voice more freely. On January 9, I went out to venerate Saint Alexei. On the 11th day I attended a prayer service and read the akathist without difficulty: but at the end I immediately felt such weakness and lightheadedness that I could barely stand on my feet. After sitting for a while, he came back to strength, and, at the end of the prayer service, without difficulty, he walked for a long time among the people filling the church. He served on the 12th and 14th, and on this last day, at Vespers, he said a long farewell to the people, who were more than the capacity of the house church. On Monday, at Compline, I read the canon in Chudov, but with such fatigue that I abandoned the following days. I served with difficulty on Wednesday and Saturday; and even more so on Sunday 21 days in the Assumption Cathedral, where there was a lot of wind. From that day on, the cold began with a runny nose, water flowing from the eyes and chills in the afternoon. As a reminder, I was given a spoonful of magnesia, and when I said that this was not enough, it is permissible to take another in the evening if the first does not have an effect. And so it was done. As a result, the next day was easier for me: but it seemed to me that the medicine and its effect were not enough. On Saturday I again asked for magnesia; and it is difficult to take a spoon without lemon. Anticipating unsatisfactory results, I did not accept. But on Sunday it turned out to be necessary to allow another reception on the same basis. Again relief, and again, in my opinion, insufficient, while it seemed to the doctor that the medicine was taken in excess. I still have a bad taste in my mouth in the morning, unclean tongue, decreased appetite, and sometimes incorrect taste when eating and drinking. The taste of bread, fish soup and semolina porridge boiled with an apple is correct, as is simple tea: but a sip of tea, in which a teaspoon of Madeira is placed, tastes something similar to cow butter, which I usually and healthy do not like. I take bitter drops, it seems not without benefit. Yesterday and now the eyes are better; A runny nose doesn't bother me. Yesterday the chills were followed by a stomach ache. Now, at 9 o’clock in the evening, the chill is not a concern: but maybe because I’m wearing a sheepskin coat; and the temperature in the room reached 20 degrees Celsius. Would you say something that would benefit my old age? Lord bless; forgive insolence and guide us to Your truth. You blindly ask about flowers when you ask me about what happened on February 20th. However, I will say what I think, based on the teachings and experiences of others; and you repeat it with your experiments. A person who seeks to please the Lord by entering into spiritual work naturally desires success; For this purpose, he tries to recognize and notice certain signs of success and signs of God’s mercy. This is partly what is necessary so that the worker does not have difficulty doubting whether he is on the right path: and the Lord gives a sign of His mercy in order to attract a person to Himself and grow him in spiritual life. Having gained experience in this, a person feels the need for it all the more. Entering into the service of God, especially the secret service, he feels a special need to prepare himself well, and to be convinced of this by the manifestation of God’s mercy. By striving for this, a person in some way stops in his striving for God and focuses on himself. The Lord accepts this too: but wants to lead man to perfect devotion. Questions: Is it now adequately prepared? Do I find grace-filled consolation? - must be cast at the feet of the Lord without permission. - “I am nothing; but You, Lord, call me to serve You: lead me after You; create from my insignificance what pleases You!” – There is no doubt that the more perfect a person surrenders to the Lord, the more abundantly the Lord grants him His communication. Marvelous is the mercy of the Lord, Who, on the path of the innermost life, where there is no elder observer and pointer, Himself indicates when what is not good enough, because the best is required; and speaks His word: leave yourself and serve the Lord. Whether the Angel of the Lord, according to the will of the Lord, forms a word in the heart, or another hidden action of the grace of God, let this remain in His omniscience. But we can be sure that the word is good: let us use it carefully. It seems to me that you can continue your spiritual exercises without changing what you have devoted and learned: you just need to beware of voluntarily and self-strenuously seeking the desired arrangement and consolation, and sacrifice all your work to the Lord as a sacrifice of perfect devotion, with forgetfulness of your own beings, even spiritual ones. Someone 42 said: the soul, which has gone out of itself with love for God, returns to itself, loving love, and thus does not rush towards God with all its strength. I don’t know what to tell you, Father Viceroy, and the elders. Not for the first time, what was assumed for silence turned out to be not far from rumor. And it is true that the fortress of silence is the church: but one almost needs to be wary that it does not happen to the detriment of silence. And how much word of mouth there is during construction! However, better than me, a man who lives in rumors, the sons of silence themselves should judge what is useful and convenient for them. If they desire to have a temple of the Holy Spirit: may the All-Good Comforter grant them this, as a consolation and strengthening: and may His angels be protected by silence. It is appropriate to maintain silence if the church is small. And in order for the work to have a shorter word of mouth, and less trouble to maintain, for this it is necessary that it should not have many decorations. A strong fence is useful and necessary: ​​but are stone cells necessary? – Say: for strength. – I won’t argue much. Hurry up to introduce the builder Anatoly and the housekeeper Avdija so as not to miss time. – The Bethany sacristan has 43 books in the correct form. My signature would be superfluous. To please the sacristan, I signed my name under my contribution. It is not convenient to intensify much in this matter also because this matter is not absolutely necessary. Less could have been done if there were not enough ways to do it. Shouldn’t we prepare 20 or 30 vershok icons for China, four in size, and send them for testing? – Nikolai Alekseevich Mukhanov writes to me that Prince Alexander Mikhailovich Gorchakov, Minister of Foreign Affairs, who was ill, received relief, but, due to an unexpected cold, fell ill again, and has remained in bed for several days, asks for prayers for himself. Thank God that the nobleman resorts not only to doctors, but also to prayer. I ask that a prayer service be sung for his health at the relics of St. Sergius, at which, I hope, you will also pray. I think it would not be superfluous for a small icon to be consecrated on the relics of St. Sergius and delivered to me to be conveyed to the prince. I think that the prince is a significant servant of the Tsarev. His word on behalf of Russia to other kingdoms comes with reason, dignity and caution. It was previously inconvenient to untie the Berlyukovskaya Hermitage from the Guslitsky Monastery, but now is the time. After the unpleasant information about the Guslitsky monastery during the absence of the abbot, I just want to see a little whether it will be calm now. I... proves myself to be well-intentioned. But hurry up to do it. He wants to sell the land, which in its location should be of significant value and bring in 140 rubles a year, for 6,000. The consistory says that it is safer for the monastery to preserve the land and, in time, build something commercial on it. The capital of the late archimandrite is hardly as great as you write; and I don’t remember whether he has already been released from the dispute between the heirs. I. doesn’t tell me about this. And that’s why I’m still perplexed. The Minister of State Property is forcing me to start building a nunnery: but I think that it would be too unreliable to decide on this. There are 44 such donations as for the Guslitsky Monastery. To date, Parfeniy has acquired little from private hands in St. Petersburg. Meanwhile, at the Guslitsky Monastery, Arkady counts 20,000 rubles. debt, or more. God's blessing and peace to the vicar father and brethren. The Queen will accept the merchant with love. I think I know him. Thank you for your medical advice. But I still don’t know how I’ll use it. Previously, I took similar medications according to my own reasoning: but this has not happened for a long time, and for some reason I do not decide freely. Meanwhile, nature partly helped itself with some critical separations. For three days I told the doctor my instinctive desire to eat cabbage soup: only yesterday he finally allowed me, with the restriction, not to eat the cabbage itself. After eating them, my taste became cleaner. As soon as the feverish fits and runny nose ended: that day I suggested to the doctor to stop visiting. Therefore, tomorrow, without having anyone to argue, I will debate whether to use the medicine. Here is a letter from St. Petersburg, unpleasant, and, I remember, already different. The first one is sent to you; and I don’t know the consequences. Forgive me: I believe some of these. And the numbers do not speak in favor of the accused. Ask the treasurer if he has signed up for me this year to receive a publication of the Works of the Holy Fathers, on the same basis as before: and if he has not signed, then order this to be done. To add to the concern, my housekeeper is very sick. Thanks to your powers of observation for noticing in good time the dilapidation in the iconostasis, which could have been dangerous. I hope that you can safely replace the old with the new. By the way, is it necessary to find out whether the lower parts of the iconostasis are solid? – From Kyiv they sent me books from the local printing house, which, I think, will be better used by you than by me; and that is why I am sending them to you. Only one of them, the Canons and Akathists, should be placed in my cell in the Lavra. Thank you for the icon for the sick prince 45. I am again tormented by St. Petersburg questions, and because of my eye disease I was slow to answer written ones, Count Putyatin came with verbal ones. They want to do a lot when there is nothing to see. Sauerkraut soup turned out to be a real cure for me. But the housekeeper worries me about his illness, it seems dangerous. To the viceroy father and the brethren of the monasteries, peace from the Lord. My health has improved a little, but meanwhile various questions are falling on me like snow. Some of them seem like riddles to me: nevertheless, it is necessary to answer. This is the question of a missionary institution. My note about this has already been sent: however, I want to know your opinion. Read and return. – A matter of even greater importance seems to be gaining momentum - about St. Tikhon. Read the accompanying legend about miracles and the testimony of the sacristan. I have read the first legends, dating back to quite a long time ago: they, in my opinion, can be valid in practice. But the last extensive legend (to which the late Bishop Anthony attributed great power in his report, saying that he acted according to Divine inspiration) is subject to bewilderment. Many phenomena, many healings; but the decisive one is not visible. It is difficult to understand the vision of Saint Mitrofan serving a prayer service to Saint Tikhon. Read it, return it and tell us what you think. – More about the construction of a convent. Accounts are presented for Guslitsky. It costs one hundred thousand rubles; he still has a debt of twenty-three thousand rubles. After this, it seems, you can not consider me incredulous when I find it difficult to begin building a nunnery. However, there are also incentives to take action. The minister wishes and thinks that this will please the Empress. Parfeniy presents how to cut costs. Gryaznov says that some will come and build cells on their own. The difficult question is who should be a builder. Parfeniy will be mistaken again. Gryaznov says that it is possible to find a merchant: but in this case, the matter will again need to be carried out by luck. And how to entrust the royal money to a private person. There is no hope for private offerings. Think about this too, and tell me your thoughts. I have approved the plan of the desert church: therefore, my doubts will not cause you any difficulty. The windows in the altar are set high and small. Won't it be dark? Shouldn't they be increased a little? Or make them longer, whatever their height allows. The real church will be illuminated by one high window on the western wall. Will there be enough light? Especially for those reading on the choir? The iconostases, apparently newly painted in the Lavra, are colorful and heavy. In terms of location, wouldn’t it be better if they had a simpler and calmer look? The western facade presents a very sedentary appearance, and this appearance is enhanced by the lower shelf disproportionate to the height of the wide one. There is no need for them to be wide. Wouldn't the view be better if these windows were already there? I ask, and you reason, and give the answer not to me, but to the case. I write to you as soon as time permits. At 9 o'clock he should be in the walled room. Do not be angry for the resolution about E. The same person who wrote a complaint against E. can write a complaint to the Synod against us, and the Synod will condemn us if the matter is not in accordance with the law. Filaret asked several times to ask me to send him to St. Petersburg to purchase benefits for his church. I put off answering, but in my thoughts I have to disagree. Parthenius was in St. Petersburg: and the nobles provided him with some help, because he was known to the court, but the merchants did not. And it seems inopportune for Filaret to appear in St. Petersburg. And what is it that the church, which was created for spiritual consolation and peace, now turns to worldly worries? - Consider this idea. Thank you, Father Viceroy, for your lengthy letter and useful discussions. – Elizabeth's hope can be used to organize the monastery's hostel; but it is hardly possible to take 12 sisters from Blachernae into it without this disorder, and without a quarrel with the builder of the hostel. It is not convenient to entrust her with the entire construction of the monastery. There will be royal money, which must be used in compliance with legal forms. Is it possible to find one of the monastics capable of taking the lead on the construction commission? – The Guslitsky Monastery is more bitter to me than anything else. The builder makes excuses for everything. So it is in the case when I say to support Feofan and use him. Arkady can soon be recalled. – At the Missionary Institution I tried to reduce learning. In St. Petersburg they decided to call it the Academy, which implied more scholarship. Didn't the honorary trustees suggest the idea of ​​vain glory? I reluctantly put them down. In St. Petersburg they decided to appoint a bishop as the head of the institution; and make Count Putyatin an honorary trustee. Then the count would be above the bishop's head. To avoid this, I appointed the metropolitan as the initial and actual trustee, and allowed secular trustees who would be an addition, and not the top of the institution. From the growing custom of receiving Holy Communion infrequently, it would hardly be convenient to suddenly switch to weekly communion. And in the Latin Seminaries communion is not so often required, although there the laity receive communion more often than here. It is true that we and Orthodox Christians need missionary action. 46 But that is not what they asked me about. – The sacristan's report about Saint Tikhon has already been sent to the Holy Synod, or to the Chief Prosecutor; the legends are in the hands of the Chief Prosecutor, and in all likelihood will be presented to the Holy Synod. How can we eliminate the last legend now? What should we conduct an investigation about, which, according to previous examples, should provide evidence for the glorification of the Saint in the Church? – May the Lord give reason to the Holy Synod. – For Mr. Bykov to make a stove for me for free, I cannot accept this. If he had not offered a price, and had offered to do the deed free of charge out of zeal for the Mother of God, the patroness of the monastery, and for the Monk Serigius: it would have been useful for his soul, and an incentive for the monastery to pray for him in gratitude. What good is it for him to lose 2500 rubles to flatter me? Is this why he himself was afraid of his unpaid position? – There are also bewilderments about the Bykov stove. At the beginning of this winter, or with increasing frosts, there was little heat in the Assumption Cathedral, there was frost, dampness and leakage on the vaults. They didn't know what it was or what to do. They finally found Bykov; and he found that in the summer, when they cleaned the soot from the stove, they did not raked it all out, but raked some of it to the walls, and thereby reduced the heat path. What if a similar accident occurs in our country, and Bykov is not there? – The heat in the oven is such that Russian brick cannot withstand it: they order English brick. Only Bykov and his foremen know the structure of the furnace: what if the furnace goes bad and Bykov is no longer there? – But here again is the bright side of things. In the Church of Satisfaction of Sorrows and in the refectory in Luzhniki, Bykov stoves were made: and the priests speak with admiration of how the buildings are drained and how sufficiently warmed the buildings are. In the first church, Bykov was given 2,300 rubles. other expenses 2000 rub. In the second, Bykov was given 2500 rubles. His foreman watched over the case: he himself visited five times, and consequently received 500 rubles for each time. I don’t see any convenience or hope in offering Mr. Bykov a price reduction. He will say: I agree for free, and will force you to return to the price he wants. There is a convenient way to reduce the price if you decide to make a Bykov stove. Take a thousand rubles from me. I agree to this with pleasure. To the viceroy father and the brethren of the monasteries, in the name of the Lord who has risen from my peacefulness, a kiss of peace, joy, and love. Thank you for the kissing you taught me. May the peace and joy spoken by the risen Lord, no doubt accepted by our souls, be established and dwell, may your service to the Lord be sweet, and may your deeds be accomplished for the sake of your salvation. Help my weakness and poverty with your prayers. God's blessing and peace to the viceroy father. Grand Duchess Alexandra Petrovna should be received in the same way as Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna was received. I don’t see any possibility of taking a trip to the Lavra. When I reach the Assumption Cathedral I get rheumatic pain, and even at home the same thing happens if I sit in a forced position for a long time. I soon get tired, and to the extreme: last Saturday I could barely finish distributing artos, feeling close to fainting. The fatigue of the 17th day will respond, as I know from experience, on the 18th day: and this new obstacle will set off. Report to the Grand Duchess, who may not even be seen in Moscow, that I am very sorry that I cannot meet her at the Lavra. I hope that you will arrange everything that is proper and pleasing for Her Highness. I could not tell the Governor-General about the road in good time: for I had not seen him until now on the holiday. On Sunday he came to me, but due to fatigue, I did not attend the liturgy, gathering strength for Vespers: on Monday I was with him, and did not find him. I spent the last half of the week at home, partly due to ill health, partly due to work. – The Trinity Railway Company is not praised. They say the shares are doing poorly. The company asked for guarantees from the government: refused. For this reason, perhaps, the Sovereign Emperor and His associates took several shares to express patronage, encouragement and reliability. The thing, they say, will happen: the undistributed shares of the founder will be divided among themselves. But the fact that they don’t take shares doesn’t mean that they don’t foresee any benefits? The management of the shipping company and the main railway company were suspected of infidelity. Shareholders demand a general meeting and careful consideration of the reports. They are refused. The Trinity Railway Society, according to its founders, promises honest action: but people are not eternal, and tomorrow the same ones who operate in the two above-mentioned societies may come. But here's another question. Wouldn't taking shares mean that we are giving away money for growth, and we will take this growth through intermediary hands, from the hands of pilgrims who will pay labor contributions to the railway? Doesn’t the church rule speak against this? - Apostle. Right 44. First everyone personal Ave. 17. I would like to have an answer to these doubts from you before I decide on anything. You're busy: but here's something else to do. Give it to Andrei Nikolaevich where it is. It’s my illness and my illness that I didn’t pay attention to the question about the Grand Duchess at the table, and that’s why it’s difficult for both her and you. I am used to providing myself with your attentiveness in such cases. From the list of travelers one could notice that there were no tools for the table. But the kind Guest will forgive us slow-witted hosts. – Is it necessary to suddenly change so many people in St. Petersburg? Isn’t it enough to change Nathanael and someone else, so that with the new one the rest of the old ones will come into proper harmony? – I. D... it was not necessary to run from one end of the world to the other from debts, and bring with you the care of the new authorities. Has he abandoned his Western habit of bad grass? Will this not be shown in St. Petersburg, subjecting the name of the Lavra monks to criticism? – However, if necessary, I will agree to everything you propose. – My illness has partially eased; however, even now, out of necessity, I am a homebody. Thank you, Father Viceroy, for arranging a good reception for the Grand Duchess. I hear that she was pleased. I am glad that I prayed diligently. And I couldn’t be with her on the way back; and on the day of sexual intercourse he remained in his cell. Today, for the first time since my illness, I served in my church to consecrate the antimensions. Meanwhile, the Right Reverend Vicar became very ill. And I need to take care of him. Andrei Nikolaevich truly mercilessly rebels against the translation of the Gospel, partly because he does not take into account the original, partly due to the demand for such purity of language, to which hardly any whitewasher can whiten a word. Some of his comments are difficult to understand. He finds the word that in some places indecent and dirty. However, some parts of the translation might have been smoother if revision had not been so difficult. In addition to the need for haste, it was difficult to explain from afar; and it was difficult for me to stir up much controversy against what was approved in the meeting of members of the Holy Synod. I noticed what was especially needed. However, the translation is better than the previous one, both in language and in proximity to the original: and thank God. I thank God that my small contribution of labor was not rejected. – The thought of a chapel at the railway in St. Petersburg does not appeal to me. Let us assume that they begin with diligence. But look, we too will be drawn not only into worries, but also into expenses, at a very lean time. It will also be necessary to have people behind the eyes, and to care whether they will adequately represent the Lavra. The matter is not free from the thought of income: does God want this goal to be included in the structure of the shrine? Looking at the case of the Guslitsky chapel, I am even amazed that the St. Petersburg diocesan authorities allow a new construction for someone else’s diocese. If there are those who are purely zealous to bring to travelers the call to prayer and the blessing of St. Sergius: let them act. And St. Sergius will bless the work with success: he will accept it with gratitude. But I admit, I don’t feel the urge to intercede and strengthen myself. – You can take an icon from the Ascension Monastery to the Lavra with caution: but this must be done after the local church holiday of the Ascension of the Lord. The head of the province says that the society of Sergievsky Posad demands that a tax be imposed on the Lavra hotel, just like on taverns: because the owner of the table has an income. I said that we could have a cook, and the needs of the table, and receive from the diners for food, for the cook, for the area: instead of this, the landlady pays us for the area, and for food, other needs of the table, and takes for the cook herself. We can take matters into our own hands: and then society will lose any reason to claim, it will only increase our labors. I added that although he admonished the townspeople, who, by the grace of St. Sergius, live, and often oppress his monastery. Tell me what you hear about it and what you think. – The last few days I had my assistant F... with two sons, one of whom is sick. To the question: with what? “He answers: there is another person in me, he speaks, shouts, and at times puts me in a very painful position. One hieromonk read prayers over the pym several times, but without the desired success. I advised him to more carefully resort to the benefits of faith, and among other things, to resort to the help of St. Sergius; and open up in my condition to you. Help him to find mercy and gracious help. – Doctor Oker visited me, not at my call, but on a special occasion: but I took advantage of this meeting to ask him whether it was necessary to take advantage of the spring for some kind of treatment. He suggested sarsaparilla decoction, saying among other things that this treatment would also help my feet, which catch colds almost every day. I objected that this pore-dissolving treatment was hardly convenient for me, because some days I had to spend not according to the rule of treatment, but according to the requirements of my duties. Then he suggested drinking juices for three weeks, and then milk for the same period of time. I want your advice. I have just been informed that Count Alexander Petrovich will arrive in Moscow in a few days and will live and receive treatment in Sokolniki. I had two of the founders of the Trinity Railway, expressing a desire that next Sunday the beginning of the business would be consecrated with prayer at the place of the road closest to the Lavra; and that the prayer service be performed by you. It’s good that they start things with prayer. I hope you'll work hard. I looked at the brethren who had returned from St. Petersburg. They seem like decent people. Only one, in response to my words: I hear that not everything was peaceful with you, several greyhounds answered: I have nothing on my conscience; I knew the church and the cell. – I want to go to the Lavra, but I don’t know how I’ll get there. If, after being tired on Friday, I become tired from the journey on Saturday, it is doubtful whether I will be fit for the holiday. Ask me more mercy from St. Sergius, who has shown me many mercy. The Bishop of Kyiv has been staying here for the third day; and, it seems, is leaving for Voronezh tomorrow. Trouble in the East. The national assembly ended badly, and I don’t know how it ended. In the Bulgarian Church of Constantinople on Easter, the Bulgarians shouted to Bishop Hilarion to commemorate the Sultan instead of the Ecumenical Patriarch. And the Tsaregrad messenger says that this was fulfilled. One of the main instigators of this is journalist Tsankov, who was set on fire by Latin leaders. I want to purchase an image from your icon painters to bless the church builder. Select, Father Viceroy, a decent one and show it to me, and arrange for his delivery to the church. June 14th Greet the Eminence from me, and position yourself as you write. This is necessary because I spent the night with difficulty; and it will be more convenient for me to receive the Eminence if I spend the forenoon hours more calmly. Note: This inscription was made on a letter from Fr. Well, with the news of the arrival of the Most Reverend in the Lavra. Paul, according to the memoirs, Archbishop. Chernigovsky, at that time living in retirement in Pereslav. Troitsk Mr. Reverend Anthony, on this day of his and yours, may he, Father Vicar, ask you for a new blessing from the Lord, so that your days may continue in spiritual peace, and in the strength of your strength, for the benefit of the monastery and the brethren. – My journey was completed safely, but without subsequent fatigue. In Rakhmanovo, the priest told me: today he buried three people who died of cholera. In Bratovshchina, 9 local residents and 30 strangers died from it within 25 days. Things have gotten better since the day of St. Sergius. In Moscow they talk about the disease, but not with much attention. Today Count Dmitry Nikolaevich Bludov visited me. He intends to be in the Lavra soon. Once again I thank you and the brethren of the monasteries for the peace of my stay with you. Much peace to the viceroy father and brethren. I would like to know if your health is better now. God will bless you to bring good brethren into the new cells. I am glad that the younger ones will have an older one. I want to know who he will be: because it is good to know good people, even if only by name. We had heat and drought. But yesterday the Lord gave abundant rain. Just now I received a letter from the Bishop of Novgorod. He leaves Kiv on the 26th day, through Moscow: and intends to be in the Lavra of St. Sergius. Is Bethan rye still alive? – May the medicine you take be completely medical for you. Thanks for the photographic images. The cross was especially clearly depicted. I am sending you a contribution to the monastery, and the names of those asking for prayer. Elena Ivanovna Miller sent me a cup made of coconut wood with royal portraits. I have no use for it. I am sending you to see if you can find a place for him on the cathedral tables of the Lavra. Tomorrow I think I will go to the Ugreshsky Monastery to consecrate the hospital church. Ask me for the blessing of Saint Sergius. To the viceroy father and brethren, peace of soul, peace of thoughts, peace of conscience, and over these the overshadowing peace of God, surpasses all minds. May the Lord forgive you all who require forgiveness for anything, and all of you forgive me, who needs mercy and forgiveness more than anyone else: so much will be demanded of me, but I will not live up to what is sought from me. I ask for the help of your prayers. – The lack of rain continues here too. On the 17th day there was a prayer in Moscow for rain, and on the 18th day there was happy rain, and then once or twice more light rain. On the 27th day in Chudov, I said to the clergy who was visiting me after a prayer service: shouldn’t we pray again for rain. Some confirmed it: while others said that after Peter’s Day, rain is not really needed. I said that there should be a prayer: but when I returned home, and looking at my green garden, I thought that I had done what I should. In the evening I received your letter saying that prayer is needed. Since then it has continued: but apparently the severity of our sins does not allow it to be taken up to the heavenly altar. But in your area, the drought is apparently even worse than here. The local gardener is green. I thank you for allowing the peasants to graze their cattle in our dacha, and for not taking money from them for it. Reverend Sergius will bless this. – I am still looking for information about those who fell into schism in the Volokolamsk district, but I am not receiving it. There is no help in matters of this kind. They caught a false priest in vestments, and they found in him a genuine letter signed and sealed by the false archbishop. The civilian authorities did nothing about this. I presented the letter to the Holy Synod; and pointed to laws that condemn those who falsely assume someone else's title or rank. The Holy Synod returned the letter to me, and said in the decree that the Minister of Internal Affairs ordered the false priest to have supervision, but not a word about the false archbishop and the laws indicated. – The former Kiev and now Novgorod ruler, by the will of the Sovereign Emperor, was asked by telegraph when he would arrive in St. Petersburg: he answered on August 11, the day on which the Sovereign leaves St. Petersburg. I wanted to advise the bishop to hurry up: but it was too late to write; my letter would not have found him in Kyiv. According to news, he spends 4 days of this month in Serpukhov, 5 days he has lunch in the village of Molody; and will arrive in Moscow by evening. Consequently, it will probably be 7 days in the Lavra. Receive him as you received Vladyka Nikanor. For several days I was occupied with the thought of Syrian Christians, thousands of whom, after being killed, are left without food, clothing and housing: and today I gathered the brethren and offered a subscription in their favor. I signed 700 rubles from myself, 100 from Chudov, 200 from the Nikoloperervensky Monastery. Moreover, I said that I did not demand much; and that a contribution from diligence is also good. However, some signed a lot. The Pokrovsky archimandrite signed 500 from the monastery. Will the Lavra decide to sign 300 rubles, or what will it decide? I told the local abbots what can be said about this and the brethren, with the explanation that not much is required, that if someone signs 50 k. and that’s good. In England, many thousands are collected for a penny 47. I thank you for having ordered me to grind new rye for this, in order to half-explore whether the difference between fresh bread and the one that had been sitting for a long time would be noticeable. But I am ashamed that this luxury is only for me: it would be easier if, as was the case under Vladyka Plato, you baked one new loaf to bless it in Bethany on the day of the Transfiguration, and another for me. May the Lord not deprive us of the daily bread for our souls. It is good for the sacristan to entrust some of the brethren as a confessor and mentor. But being a confessor to strangers—wouldn’t that be entertainment for him? - However, if you find some maturity in him for this, God bless him. I'm sending 50 rubles. Contribution to the monastery of Elder Maria Arbuzova. For the Syrian Christians, the Holy Synod gave 5,000 rubles from its sums: and the Sovereign Emperor accepted this with favor. – The clouds are moving. The sun is closed. But there is no rain. August 4th, 6 am. By subscription in favor of needy Syrian Christians 5000 rubles. I sent it to Prince Urusov. He expresses hope that “such a timely offering will console the heart of the Emperor, who has already deigned to express the hope that Orthodox Russia will not refuse to provide some means to alleviate the lot of the sufferers.” He adds that as a result of this, an order was made from the Holy Synod, which I “warned.” The Holy Synod donated 5,000 rubles. Therefore, fulfill what you have proposed, either now or upon receipt of the decree. Decrees are in no hurry these days. It’s already been another month since the appointment of the Metropolitan of Novgorod: but there is still no decree about this. Let me know how he was in the Lavra. He thanked me: but I didn’t ask for details. The Sovereign Emperor deigns to listen to the liturgy in the Assumption Cathedral on the feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God. Pray for me to have strength. On days 5 and 6 I was very tired, especially on day 6, after spending the whole day with the Bishop of Novgorod after the service. Last night I felt pain in the regione plexus solaris, and then in the stomach, in which the unpleasant sensation continues now. Yesterday the doctor wanted to cure me with charcoal, but it didn’t help. However, I'm on my feet. Appetite and taste are intact. Place me before the faithful physician Reverend Sergei. Peace to the viceroy father and brethren. Rejoice in the Lord and in the most glorified Mother of the Lord. The Empress Maria Alexandrovna desired that the towel accompanying this be placed on the relics of St. Sergius and returned to Her for use known to Her Majesty. You can, I hope, assign it to three o’clock tomorrow, which is also the time of the liturgy, and immediately return it to me, so that I can return it without missing a chance. I hope that you will decide to sing a prayer service for the health of Her Majesty. Reverend Father Sergius! Look with mercy on the most pious soul of the most pious, and grant her gracious help. Peace to the viceroy father and brethren. Rejoice in the Lord and in the glorified Mother of the Lord. Thank you, Father Viceroy, for the successful execution of the will of the Empress. Yesterday's holiday in Moscow was beautiful. The Sovereign Emperor listened to the liturgy in the Assumption Cathedral, leaving the palace amid the exclamations of numerous people, and also during the liturgy in Chudov to St. Alexy. I wrote a letter to you hastily, because the time to go to the Emperor was approaching. He received me in his office, and then seated me at the table between himself and the Sovereign Heir. The Sovereign Heir has grown physically and mentally. This day, as expected, I expected him at eleven o’clock, but he arrived by chance at ten; and I did not have time to receive him in the church, as in a similar case with his parent, however, when he left me he was in the church. I lived yesterday not without difficulty, but with pleasure. Thank God for everything. Now the Sovereign Heir does not have time to visit the Lavra, but puts it off until another time. Thank you for the blessing from the feast of the Mother of God of the skete. I once told you about Filaret’s idea of ​​going to St. Petersburg, and I don’t remember what you answered me. Today he came to me again with this thought. I advised him to cut off this thought. Then he asked to go to Tver; And I didn’t advise this, but I didn’t forbid it... To the viceroy father and the brethren of the monasteries, much peace from the Lord. I thank Abbess Emilia for her instructive story about relations with the spiritual world. I had it. She spoke in detail about the foreshadowing of her brother’s sudden death and about his appearances after death. She didn’t say everything about the Eminence Innokentia that you said, and with a change. For example, she told me in general terms her question: what sins will be punished more severely? She did not retell the words: pray for me on the day of the second coming of the Lord. And I do not understand the indication for this day, on which the blessed souls, although they will appear to the Lord with the desire for His mercy to all, will hardly find it convenient to pay attention to one or the other in particular, reverently awaiting the decision of each of their fates. The word: liveria, she said while talking to me, differently, with some letters changed, but now I don’t remember exactly how. And what kind of intercessory power is this? Is this, when applied to the expression: heavenly powers, some kind of angelic spirit? “But she interpreted this unknown word to me as meaning a certain part of the heavenly spirits, next for the offering of prayers from people without boldness. If she has notes, then it’s not useless, I think it would be better to ask for them. By the grace of God, I do not leave the memory of His Eminence Innocent at the bloodless sacrifice, with others, no matter how weak my memory is. – About magnetism, when they asked me whether to use it, I answered that Christians have been given the highest and truest powers, faith and prayer; and that, consequently, venturing into the lowest, gropingly laid out by human self-thinking, is decline. But to attribute the effect of magnetism to one body alone would not explain the phenomena. How the body can point to arsenic as a medicine. – Read the attached manuscript, extracted from the papers of Tikhon Smirnov. Would his simple instructions not be suitable for some if they were made known? – I somehow found a long-forgotten letter about the remembrance of the dead, and with it money, a hundred rubles. Give it to the monastery, along with my request, so that they cover my sin of delay, pray for the departed, and include their names in the synodik. These days, the Right Reverend Warsaw 48, a well-intentioned, meek and modest man, stayed with us. One might think that he would have a beneficial influence on the Russian flock. On the contrary, it is difficult to guess what he can do in Warsaw. He does not look at his appointment cheerfully: and it is a pity to see this. Sorry for Khotkov. But did the farmstead really cost that much? What does the remaining hospice mean? Is it also for pilgrims? – You wrote that you want to exchange money for so-called series. Is this good? Their price is now higher than the legal price: therefore, when purchasing them, you have to pay interest. When money is needed soon: the series may need to be sold at a loss. It seems that the Safe Treasury accepts money at two percent: isn’t this more convenient, although meager? You also write that you don’t want to pay money by mail. But why is there a lot of money lying idly on the St. Petersburg courtyard? I submit this to your consideration. It’s a pity to let the Ladyzhenskys leave the monastery. Is it possible to calm them down there? – Optina lost Fr. Macaria. I think there are good spiritual heirs left from him: but is there anyone who could support them in unity of spirit and lead them? – I suggest that the Lavra and the monastery bring prayers to the Lord God for God’s gracious help to the ill Empress Alexandra Feodorovna. I told you that it would be better for the Ladyzhenskys to be in Khotkovo. You made no objection to this. But now they are asking again, not to Khotkov, but to a charity house. Therefore, I ask for your opinion on what is better. Their objection that they cannot contribute to Khotkov is not important. Can be accepted without deposit. And I think they can be found in the buildings made there. There is a common meal there. But if not to Khotkov, but to a charity home: will they continue to be registered in the Blachernae hostel, at least until discretion? Or they should finally be fired from there. Where and in what position will they live in the house of contempt? I want to know this clearly. Forgive me, Father Viceroy, for being slow to answer. There are so many things to do every day that I barely have time to give solutions to those who are waiting, some of whom have come from afar. If the Lord calls the princess, you can come to the funeral of the benefactor of the poor. – If Andrei Nikolaevich expresses displeasure, we will listen calmly when what is rightfully done has been done. The late Economos was more of an orator than a scientist, and his opinions were not always impartial. He wrote to the Catechism about the permissibility of the oath, and when they demanded it from him in court, he began to prove its impermissibility. Heresies subsided before four hundred years: and incomprehensible language in Divine services is not a cure against heresies. Economos approaches the Latin teaching. On the contrary, one might think that if the Bulgarians had their own literacy in the church and in schools, they would understand Orthodoxy better, would hold on to it more firmly, and would not rush, as they do now, to the West, to adopt unbelief and rebellion there. In the Greek hierarchy there is a disease no easier than heresies. Recently, during the election of the patriarch, in the meeting of the patriarch's locum tenens, members of the Synod and the national assembly, according to the exact words of the news, the bishop took the bishop by the collar, the bishops struck the bishops, the cry attracted outsiders. Reported to the Turkish government; and the next day a military detachment was sent in case of need - to stop the war of the patriarch's voters. Forgive me for expressing this bitter news, and do not pass it on to others. – His Eminence Nizhny Novgorod 49 promises good things. There is a custom, and the justification is obligatory: do not disturb. So they don’t bother with light blows, and finally they inflict heavy blows. This happened to me on the day of the Archangel Michael, directly according to the Liturgy. Andrei Nikolaevich explained to me at length his complaint about the stairs and the housekeeper, and many other unpleasant things that he had noticed at the Fontanny courtyard for several years, expressing his readiness to write a formal petition. I rejected this last one: but, still not quite understanding the matter of the stairs, although he drew plans for me, I suggested writing him a note explaining exactly why the stairs were not tolerable. Instead, he wrote me a long letter, with abundant details, and with the attachment of the contract, your letter and the letter of his servant. The circumstances that the staircase blocks half the door to the rooms, that the movement of military officers and soldiers along this staircase from the upper rooms, in the absence of a back staircase, is not conducive to neatness, that guarding the entrance with different owners is also associated with inconvenience, convinced me that the complaint requires attention. Therefore, I ordered that what was closest to the matter be taken out of the letter, and I wrote an order, which you will receive. At the request of the petitioner, the staircase itself has already been signed by the housekeeper. Andrei Nikolaevich brought me so much unpleasant information about the steward that it was impossible to ignore it, among other things, so that an unattended complaint would not serve to spread it in the capital. You see what speeches the steward makes in the minister’s letter. It is difficult to bring these and other cases into clarity: but they cannot be neglected either. In your letter I read your agreement that a long period of economy in St. Petersburg is harmful. Andrei Nikolaevich adds that you also named G.’s successor: A. These are the reasons on which the last part of my prescription is based. Don’t complain that you have to work hard to elect a new steward; take the trouble to choose carefully so that you can worthily represent the Lavra away from it. Andrei Nikolaevich tells a lot of different and unexpected things. During the first week of Lent and Holy Week, when the church charter focuses attention on the repentance and suffering of Christ, and eliminates extraneous services, the housekeeper performs Akathists in the church. Displeasure of the philanthropist A.N. explains that the benefactor promised 7,000 rubles, and the housekeeper spent 22,000 rubles. Is it hard to imagine the difference being so great? – Where could the housekeeper get the money to cover such an overexposure? – I have now been informed that Prince Albert of Prussia will visit the Lavra next Monday. He will probably leave Moscow at 9 am and arrive at the Lavra at 2 pm. When Prince Gorchakov asked where he would have room, I said that there would be decent room in the hotel. But he objected: is it decent? - Prepare a room for him in the Lavra, and if there is no other convenient one, assign my cells. He will probably stay for two hours to see some remarkable things. Can any of the brethren speak German or French? If not: invite from the Academy, by agreement with Fr. rector. Tell him that the prince will probably visit the Academy. Peace be with you, Father Viceroy, guarded by patience and not disturbed by embarrassment. I don’t argue against the fact that I was in a hurry: but I was so burdened with heavy information that I found it necessary to look for a quick outcome. Now you present information contrary to what I received: but it is a pity that you did not add, as you would have thought, to correct what was done, without great disrespect. I didn’t know that the cells above were built with your permission. And the fact that the stairs were built without your permission remains true. I would need to know in due time what is allowed and what is being done. Now it turns out that this was necessary. Arkady Nikolaevich’s testimony that the staircase does not obstruct the entrance is important. It’s a pity that I didn’t know this earlier, or maybe I heard it from you, but didn’t remember it, since I didn’t remember what was said about reclaiming the plan. The depletion of strength often exposes me to difficulties and makes me wonder if the limit has come. – However, if we lived without upper cells last winter, why not live through this one too? Special rooms for those coming to church are not really needed: they can wait in the church if they come early. It is a pity that you also did not say whether my order was sent to the Council. If it is not given: then it would be possible to return it to me. The first part, for which the steward has already been prescribed, is too late to change: and about the recall of the steward, an addition could be made that would allow for the postponement of this measure. For this purpose, return my order to me. I return again to the stairs. If Andrei Nikolaevich described it correctly, namely, that with her only half the door to the rooms can be opened: then he has the right to consider this a violation of the contract, although the violation is not intolerable. There is also the inconvenience of guards and maintaining cleanliness. – As for the abbess, in the Moscow diocese there was one on staff, in the Ugreshsky monastery: but it no longer exists. And I admit that it is difficult for me to agree to appoint G. as the abbot of the monastery. He allows himself imperiousness that is too rude and indecent. And in economic matters he does one thing and shows another. You say that what was missing from Sukhanov the housekeeper supplemented with part of the income of the farmstead. Was permission sought for this? How much was used? Where is it recorded? One housekeeper knows all this. By the way: I ask you to write to the housekeeper so that on my Angel’s day there will be no invitations or demonstrations. The local bishop may not like this. Moreover, Andrei Nikolaevich said that for last year’s lunch on December 1, 17 rubles were deducted from the brethren. It is difficult to imagine that this news was not true. In a word: I didn’t want to bother you, Andrei Nikolaevich justified himself when, within about an hour, he told me everything bad that he had accumulated in five years. And I spoke about him at the beginning of my letter. You talked about requiring a plan. So did you demand? Perhaps the plan would provide a reason to have a new judgment on the matter. May the Lord keep peace for you and for us. Thank you, Father Viceroy, for your good advice and for facilitating the outcome of a complicated matter. And before, I had experiences that showed that the most probable complaint should not be believed without an inquiry. I have a new conviction in this, which I should not forget. The housekeeper sent a report that changes the nature of the matter and is in his favor. I am sending this report here. I believe that it should be in practice, since it includes both the fulfillment of what is prescribed and justification; and that in this case the comments I wrote are not superfluous, indicating a newly opening view of the matter. – The Ekaterininsky builder walks, speaks slowly, but with reasoning, and comes to my business. But on the 6th day of this month I was not at the consecration of the church; the treasurer said that he had a rash on his body, which, given the lack of time, decided me not to go to the monastery, so that the sick abbot would not come out and thereby harm himself. In these circumstances, I am afraid to touch him, lest it disturb him and ruin his health. However, I am convinced to follow not so much my view as your view of the steward G., whom you may know better than I, and who, by strictly fulfilling the difficult instructions, showed good obedience. If you think that G. can adapt to a cenobitic monastery, I will agree to entrust him with the Catherine Hermitage, if the time comes. Now we need to tell him that he is responding because the time has come, and that respect for his work and merits will be maintained. – Thank you for welcoming Prince. He visited me and thanked me. – The children's hospital case has been resolved and has been sent to you before your reminder. – It is a pity that the Khotkovskaya abbess is changing the direction given to the monastery. I’ll try not to forget to talk to her about this. Count Alexander Petrovich asks who is Anfim who is asking to go to the Academy, why to the Academy, why to St. Petersburg, and what can be expected from him. Help me give an answer. Is this the one that was in Athens? – Intending to use the next week to clear my conscience, I ask for forgiveness, as I have a great need for forgiveness. Count Aleksandr Petrovich demands that I write about my election as abbot of cenobitic monasteries from among my own. On the other hand, they tell me that the late Fr. Macarius of Optina, before his death, ordered the same thought to be conveyed to me. In my opinion, it is difficult to resolve this issue. Sometimes the election of the brethren may not be correct. If you entrust the election to the elder brethren: how to determine its composition? The matter can fall into a few hands and into private arbitrariness. When elected by all the brethren, votes that have little weight will be counted along with those worthy of respect. Read the attached note and tell me what you think is better and more reliable. First of all, I will say the news I have now received that Grand Duchess Olga Nikolaevna and her husband will arrive in Moscow on the evening of the 29th. You need to know this, by the way, because they are also talking about her journey to the Lavra. Thank you for your help in discussing cenobitic monasteries. A new discussion of classes is inconvenient to make, and probably will not be accepted: because there would be confusion in relation to classes that already exist. Most of the cenobitic monasteries are run-of-the-mill: but Valaam, by decree of Emperor Alexander the First, is first-class, with an abbot, and not an arzimandrite. I had the idea of ​​​​applying the rules drawn up not to all cenobitic monasteries, which is inconvenient, but only to the more comfortable and abundant brethren. With this, I am enclosing a hastily compiled list. Make comments on it, or add to it, and return it. At your discretion, you can extend these rules to other monasteries, according to their ability. To create a description of local pious institutions and protect them, this can be added to the rules. But is it necessary to talk about buildings? It is true that there is a lot of arbitrariness in this: but I think that the abbots are building only with the permission of the bishop. – Some people told me about the iconostasis of the Bethany House Church: will it really be destroyed? I said it can be used within limits. I thought that the middle iconostasis could be made high; and put the existing one in the limit in memory of Bishop Plato, and make an iconostasis in the other limit, not the same, but not high, so that the diversity does not completely destroy the symmetry. There would also be savings in this when construction methods are acquired with difficulty. If they take the existing iconostasis into the desert, won’t others, not seeing it, complain? – That’s what I thought: but if you don’t find it convenient to keep it in the new church, then take it to the desert. – I need your answer about Anfima. I asked you for small enamel icons: repeating this request, I ask for medium ones too. Write it out with my money: and before that, send a few. Do not be angry, Father Viceroy. You wrote instructions to the steward according to the spiritual law, and I corrected them according to the law of grammar. I think some changes and additions to the content of the manual would not be unnecessary. During Holy and Bright Week, the charter and the property of time eliminate additional services to the Saints. It is a blessing to put aside the akathists in these days. I expressed myself about the reading of kathismas in such a way that it would not be very decisive to weaken what is defined by the charter. I haven’t changed the rules about the all-night vigil, but I have some doubts. Previously, Vespers, Matins in due time, and the Liturgy were performed: G. introduced a daily all-night vigil in the evening; but there are no Vespers and Matins. Consequently, instead of three times a day, the brethren go to church only twice. But the worldly probably come more often at the All-Night Vigil than at Vespers and Matins. If so, then it is not useless to maintain this order in order to turn a secular evening into a church evening for the worldly, although it would be better for the brethren to be in church more often. Think about this by asking those who were in St. Petersburg whether the increase in pilgrims is significant in comparison with Matins. The peace of the Lord be with you and the brothers of the monasteries. Receive the rector, former Kiev, current St. Petersburg Academy 50. God will bless Hieromonk Agapit to accept him for confession. I doubt I will accept your additional list of cenobitic monasteries, except for a few; and I’m thinking of cutting down mine; but to say that other monasteries should be brought under the proposed rules, at the discretion of what they can fulfill. For example, you named David’s hermitage: there are no brethren so thoroughly educated in it that one could probably promise a good abbot from among his own. In the Spaso-Borodinsky Monastery, some nuns made a good start, and could have been trained for the position of abbess: but the most reliable of them from the current abbess went to other monasteries, no matter how much I warned the abbess about this. Odigitrievsky Monastery, I think, can withstand the proposed rules. – The petition of the housekeeper G. must be attached to the Council in the case of his dismissal. Let the matter be such that he is recalled in accordance with his wishes, and not against his wishes. I thought before that the brethren of the Fontannago metochion, although they lived before without upper cells, would now have difficulty in this; because there are more of them now: and I wanted to write to you so that the new economist would take this into account. Andrei Nikolaevich's complaint turned out to be exaggerated. Enough has been done to pacify his anger. I am thinking of writing to him so that he will allow the upper residents, under the care of the new steward, so that they observe neatness and safety in every possible way. I will return the letter from the Eminence of Chernigov later. I feel sorry for him that I haven’t written for a long time. That the schismatics took the paper from the Synod is nothing to be surprised at. Everything that is done that concerns them in the highest authorities is the most secret; they usually know before everyone else. But I didn’t notice that they would ever find out anything from my office. Perhaps they added this in order to attribute to themselves more power and space of action. And that I had the paper before, they learned from the Synod papers. And in fact, now there are no barriers to the arbitrariness and machinations of schismatics. We are left with little to do, less to accomplish, and much to endure. Establishment of those who hope in Thee, establish, O Lord, the church. November 30. Tomorrow order 200 rubles. give my money to ministers, the poor and the poor. The Lord's blessing to the viceroy father and the brethren of the monasteries, for peaceful stay and spiritual salvation. With consolation and gratitude I accepted the word of your participation in me on the day of my Angel, and especially the word of your prayer for the strengthening of my strength and the continuation of my ministry. Whether I dare ask myself for this gift, I don’t know. Having been greatly pardoned by the long-suffering of the Lord, I pray to Him that neither insufficient activity nor idle rest condemn me; but, covered by His mercy, may I complete my path according to His will, and at the end I will find mercy and forgiveness. May your prayers of love not leave me with their help. God bless your, Father Viceroy, participation in caring for general peace. The idea that the rules about peasants, before the general announcement, should be communicated to the priests, in order to prepare parishioners to understand them, does not seem to me easy to implement and capable of achieving good consequences. Firstly, they will probably not agree to this. Secondly, the rules are such and so complex that many priests themselves will not suddenly understand them correctly, and therefore will not be good interpreters. For example, the rules stipulate that peasants should be given self-government. Will the priest understand this with precision? And if, although not exactly, he understands: will the peasant understand this? Thirdly, the priest, having become a mediator between the authorities and the peasants, will be in danger from both sides. The ill-intentioned, of whom there will be no shortage, will subject him to suspicion among the peasants. It has already happened in the western region that parishioners tortured priests, allegedly for the decree they were hiding. If there is disorder among the peasants, then the officials will immediately justify themselves, saying that the priest interpreted it badly and set the peasants in a bad mood. This is already the beginning: the Chairman of the Committee has already written that the clerks will spread false rumors regarding the meaning of the new decrees. Read the attached note, which I have already sent to S.O.P. 51; and without delaying much, return it to me; and, moreover, tell me what will be useful to you. – If I include a few cenobitic monasteries in my note, it will not be limited to these, but in order to supplement it at the discretion of those who are able to withstand the proposed rules. You point to the Spasoborodinsky Monastery: but if it soon needs an abbess, then it is more reliable to look for her not there, but in the most reliable students of Abbess Maria, who have moved to other monasteries. – We will appoint G. to the council: but it is better when we receive a report on the surrender of the compound. – The Grand Duchess more than once expressed regret that she could not be in the Lavra. But she says that she came to Moscow to pray. On Thursday I listened to a memorial service for my mother in Chudov, and on Friday I attended the liturgy. There was no ceremonial meeting at the Assumption Cathedral. Yesterday evening I hurried to St. Petersburg to dine with the Emperor in the Winter Palace, to which He is moving from Tsarskoye Selo today. The Grand Duchess invited me to her place immediately after the funeral service, and then another time for lunch; and on Friday she and her husband visited me. Her conversation is focused on good subjects and is entertaining. Through the prayers of the saints, may our father, the Merciful Lord, not allow meager understanding and weak words to deviate from what is true and trustworthy. When at the beginning of your letter I saw the acceptable conversion of the Diveyevo community to the monastery, it seemed doubtful to me whether it was necessary and whether it was better. But when I came to the proposal to transform the Arzamas Alekseevskaya community into a monastery: then, not yet having read your opinion, I thought that this was very doubtful and could hardly be useful. This institution, begun spiritually and humbly, is marked by the blessing of God in God-pleasing leaders, and in the fact that, through invisible means, it has grown, expanded, and, despite the large population, retains the qualities of simplicity, obedience, brotherly love, and unity. And if secret tonsure is also given to those who strive well, then what will happen to the name of the monastery, will they really appear as human beings? But the law of Christ does not command us to seek this. In the search for a new external advantage, would such a disposition not creep in, as if they were not satisfied with the ancient spiritual blessing and did not hold fast to it? – It seems to me that the Alekseevsky hostel, like many now, can say: hold it, imash, so that no one will receive your crown. Apoc. III, 11. I think so. However, you and the sisters of the monastery reason. May the Lord send you His light and His truth to guide you. Christ is born; praise! Let this be said to the viceroy father and the brethren early, because I don’t know whether I will have the opportunity to say it at the right time. Arseny is returned to you as hieromonk, and Maxim as hierodeacon. O. I respect Hilaria; The housekeeper Afanasy deserves a distinction for his honest actions: but in St. Petersburg won’t they say that we ask too often for the Lavra? – Imagine and say that Ilarius rendered an important service to the Lavra by drawing up a clear inventory of the library. Both priest Alexy and G. Mazurina, offering you an iconostasis, are disposing of someone else’s property. The iconostasis belongs to the church; and the parishioners and investors who recently organized it, among whom, it seems, G. Mazurina is not a member, should have a say about it. And will it benefit you if you could get it? It is designed in relation to ancient icons, and therefore does not have correctness. It is necessary to enter into this inquiry. I forced the novice you sent to read the psalter. He looks at each word separately and pronounces it separately; and if the word is long, or under a title, he pronounces it at random. For example, instead of: good - blessed. This is exactly what he read in the psalm: if the God of Israel is good. Therefore, I was forced to look for a reader in Chudov. They sent a youth from there, not yet identified, and this day, during my service, he read without a surplice, which it was not convenient to give him. It is not convenient to leave the former novice. The housekeeper complained about his disobedience: and I gave peaceful advice. Then they began to complain that he was quarreling with those who came to church. For one such incident, I ordered him through the steward to bow down: he did not listen, justifying himself by saying that the pilgrim herself scolded him. I was forced to call him and tell him that even if she was to blame, he was nevertheless to blame for responding with abuse, and another time he was to blame for not listening. Therefore I doubled my bows to him. Next, he put firewood in the church stove for the night: the steward forbade it and threw it away; but finally the wood in the closed stove caught fire: the church was filled with smoke so that it passed through the sacristy to my dining room, and the smell of fire smoke continued in the church for more than three days. It is not too late, and more than once I think, late with a word I greet you, Father Vicar, and the brethren with the joy of the Nativity of Christ our Savior. May His joy be with you, and may your days and years be renewed by His grace, especially the inner man. Ask for this last thing through your prayer and my old age. – Thank you for the information about the life and death of the nun Magdalene. Now, it is clear that what was written about her from Kashira, in addition to the sinful trust in the imaginary visions of the novice, was slander. It is desirable that a fair concept about it remain in Khotkovo, for the edification of others. – Before the establishment of the Council on the stairs, I wrote to Andrei Nikolaevich so that he would again allow the brethren to live in the upper cells. He answered that they had been living for a long time, expressed surprise that I didn’t know about this; and burst into expressions of intense indignation at the fact that i. G. in St. Petersburg complained about him, even to the Highest Court, that he was made a cathedral, that he was not put on trial for the incident with Hieromonk N. told by Andrei Nikolaevich, and finally, that G. dined with me. He threatens to turn from a defender of the church into Belustin and write against us. Therefore, one may fear that the question of three steps will be no less difficult than the Italian or Syrian question. Let us ask St. Sergius to bless us with peace. I spoke to Simeon. When spiritually thinking about leaving Athos, he only hesitated, but when he discovered a related need to go to Russia, he decided. But be that as it may, I agreed to accept him into the Lavra. Perhaps this will have the benefit you expect. – In order not to prolong the widowhood of the diocese, which was for the most part unfavorable for business, I was prompted not to postpone the ordination of the bishop 52, and with difficulty I decided to set a day for this in the new year: however, by the grace of God the deed was completed. To the viceroy father and the brethren of the monasteries, much peace from the Lord. I know about the illness of the housekeeper Agapit: I know that Paraskeva Alekseevna Mukhanova sent him her doctor, with whose help he received relief, and probably significant, because he asked the doctor whether he could bless water on the day of Epiphany. The doctor answered that it was necessary to stay in the cell for another two weeks. Thank you very much for the reminder regarding comforting the needy and guarding against the unwise. But I am like the Jews in Egypt who worked all day to make the required number of bricks, and who were told to take time from the same day to collect the chaff. I'll take care as much as I can. Since New Year I have been sitting at home, except for the eve of Epiphany, and still cannot get rid of the cold. A cold hand prevents you from writing, when it is most needed. This day at noon the Right Reverend Poltava 53 came to me, and I did not receive him, apologizing for my ill health. But in the evening I accepted him, and he took me three hours. I ask for prayers for my old age. This day I had a certain G.L. with my son, a student at the Gymnasium, often sick with vomiting, who often sees St. Sergius in his dreams, who finally announced to him that he would be healthy only if he became a monk, predicting the resumption of the illness for this day, which began to come true. S gave advice to the mother to pray for three days so that the Lord would arrange what is pleasing to him, and if in these three days the illness does not stop, then go to the Lavra, reveal what has happened to you and ask for advice. If the illness that has begun again does not stop at this time, then, I think, we can take this as an indication of God’s providence, so that he can stay with the Monk Sergius, in order to consider what’s next. I am sending an offering to the monastery from those named on the envelope, who are the bride and groom. It was nice to see parents and children humbly and with tears asking for prayerful blessings on their future union. This is how Christians should always approach marriage, and not as they write in the tales of the passion. I compared the prayer of the great consecration of water with the Greek original. I don’t know why the new edition is not similar to the older one: but the truth is not in one of them, but in both. The Lord is more philanthropic: - this is true in the old days. By it, that is, by water: - also true in the old. Let's take the look of a slave: - literally true in the old way. But reading: slave i th, in the new, is not an error, but it was translated in the old way due to the nature of our language. I am merciful for the sake of, - the goodness of I am for the sake of, - two translations from what was inconvenient to literally translate from Greek: for the sake of the womb. Our natures are genus: (or genus, not clearly printed in Greek) - this is closer to the Greek. Virgin - maiden: is there really a difference in these words? Compare the Greek words and their translation: Katholiki - catholic. Partheniki – girlish. Do you see how similar they are? There is no special Greek word for the word: virgin. And does the word: virgin actually indicate ever-virginity? If this were so, then it would be enough to say in the kontakion: indwelling the virgin womb. But added: ever-virgin. And what is in the word: virgin, there is nothing reprehensible, another kontakion testifies to this: the womb of the maiden was sanctified by Your birth. The prayer does not always say: ever-virgin. It is said simply: the Blessed Virgin, without violating Orthodox thought. In the old translation there is an error in the words: and by your power. Here: and, unnecessary, and spoils the correct composition of the speech. The new translation contains errors in punctuation marks, which are also harmful to the composition of the speech. Therefore - forgive me - it seems you can read without embarrassment, with patience for shortcomings. However, the Holy Synod ordered the text of the festive Menaion to be repeated. Until now, it seems, there is no need to do anything about this prayer, more than correct it on the book, or read it better. I am returning the statement of differences received from you. This day they told me that Philaret of the monastery, half-shod, went to the blessing of water on the day of Epiphany, and was lying sick with his feet. Being in this position, he sent me a request through people. He hears that his youngest son may be nominated for tonsure, and he is afraid that this will cause despondency for his elder. Moreover, he says that this man and his wife in the Odigitrievsky Monastery are worthy of monasticism. There is probably no vacancy in Odigitrievsky: but a vacancy can be given from another monastery. And so, don’t you consider communicating with the abbess: and if both turn out to be worthy, introduce both to monasticism. Trouble is in Guslitsky again. The treasurer complains to the builder, the builder to the treasurer. The treasurer stayed in Moscow for fifteen days for himself, and not for the monastery; brought tea and two loaves of sugar to the monastery, also for himself, and not for the monastery. And it was as if he didn’t advise giving anything to the monastery. In the monastery in the evenings he treats some of the brethren. He reproached the abbot to his face for not hosting special dinners for the older brethren. It seems difficult for them to stay together. I think I should send a builder to you to discuss this matter, according to your title of dean. Work hard for me too. Truly I am missed. What a pity that you didn’t take care of your cells before winter! How can you live in only ten degrees of heat? Would you like to heat my cells and go into them during the cold season? Meanwhile, yours should be heated so that it is convenient to return when the cold decreases. Take care of your health, which is no longer as strong as before. – The new rector 54 asks me to put you on good terms with him. I hope so, even if I didn’t remind you. His position is not without difficulties. There may be cases in which your frank answer will be useful to him. When I told the Guslitsky builder to come to you: it turned out that he had already agreed with Sorokin to go to the monastery for a detailed description of the ancient icons there, so he promised to write to you and come later. ACCORDING to the information taken, it is fair that Filaret’s desire for children remains unfulfilled until the best discretion. And I would advise him to teach obedience and self-sacrifice, and not self-indulgence. Hierodeacon Mitrofan accidentally came to the death of Prince Vladimir Golitsyn, who had previously said more than once that Mitrofan should be at his funeral. Therefore, I allowed this to Mitrofan. The prince died with good Christian preparation, under the care of his good daughter. Tell the treasurer to have my father subscribe for the publication of the Works of the Saints for this year, exactly as he did last year. Here is another offering to the monastery, asking for prayer for the written names. I didn’t calculate and don’t know what’s under the seal. I saw the plan of the Sarov forests, and in a strange way I felt pain about the devastation caused by the fires. I gave the Hierodeacon of Sarov a letter to Count Alexander Petrovich, explaining the matter as far as possible, and adding that the considerations presented may require attention not only for the Sorov monastery; and that the lease of forests to a rural church made in the Tula diocese is an exceptional case, and not capable of turning into a general rule. Housekeeper Agapit's question is not very easy to resolve. You want to have a basis for allowing it in the fact that Macarius the Great even prayed for a pagan who died. It is not convenient to turn the wonderworker’s boldness into a general rule. Gregory the Dvoeslov also prayed for Trajan: and received notification that his prayer was not fruitless, but that he would not bring such bold prayers in the future. It is sacred about the husband, we will return the wife who is unfaithful - it is said about cohabitation and childbirth, and not about the rights of a pagan in the Church of Christ. In St. Petersburg, one widow, a boyar, undertook the construction of a church so that her husband, a Lutheran, and she would be buried under it. They asked Bishop Seraphim about this. Good people convinced me to say a word to the Bishop to achieve leniency: and I imagined that the church had not yet been consecrated, and that my husband was a Lutheran and was admitted to the consecrated church for priestly service at the time of marriage. The Lord did not deign; my petition was made public; and those who were zealous for Orthodoxy condemned me quite a bit. To do a thing not according to the rule, to the consolation of one, but without temptation for many, I think it would not be blessed. You can sing a prayer service for a living Lutheran and ask for God’s grace to draw him into the unity of the true Church; but for a deceased person it is a different matter. We do not condemn him: but it was his will to remain until the end outside the Orthodox Church. Knowing some Lutherans who had respect and faith in the Orthodox Church, but died without union with it: for the consolation of the faithful, I allowed prayer for them, not open in the Church, with which they were not openly united in life, but commemoration at proskomedia, and requiem services in the house. The Synodal rule allows for one church action for such people - for the Orthodox priest to escort the deceased non-Orthodox to the grave in vestments, singing: Holy God. I can’t say more about the housekeeper’s question. Thank you for Father Seraphim’s instructive discussion about the cell. But he stayed in his cell as if in a fortress, because he was called from it to battle: my cell would not fight with you. However, so be it, whatever you think best: just take care of your health. A certain wanderer, who, according to her, was in Jerusalem and in Bar, came to a certain person in St. Petersburg, said that I was sending my respects, and that I had given her five hundred rubles for the release of her son, but that for this there was still a significant amount missing, and that I had sent her to the said Petersburg person with the hope of receiving an addition from her. They believed her and gave her 175 rubles. Then they learned that this was not the first time this wanderer had done this; and the incident was brought to my attention, and, moreover, a letter received from this wanderer was delivered to her from her son, Ivan Vasilyev, who lives in the Lavra and is engaged in painting. I am telling you this, and I am sending a letter, which I have not read, so that you pay attention to your son, whether he is involved in the affairs of his mother. I am forced to read and write a lot, except for the affairs of the Diocese. In Constantinople, relations between Greeks and Bulgarians take on a destructive form. Some Bulgarians, including the archimandrite, priest and hieromonk from Athos, accepted the Latin Union; The Armenian Latin patriarch gave them a church in which they served, and proclaimed the Bulgarian Patriarch Hilarion. The Patriarch issued a letter of condemnation against the Bulgarians, and the Bulgarians against him. Until now, neither side has accepted the Soviets. Pray for peace in the Orthodox Church. God's blessing and peace to the viceroy father. The same goes for the brethren of the monasteries. Now I have received from St. Petersburg, from good souls, via telegraph, a request that immediately, with the relics of St. Sergius, a prayer service be performed for God's protection and help to the Most Pious Sovereign and the Fatherland. Take the trouble to sing a prayer service to the Most Holy Trinity and St. Sergius with an akathist. Why this is happening at this time, I don’t know. Perhaps difficult discussions about the peasant transformation prompt us to especially seek God's help. Perhaps there are difficult discussions about Syria, where, in their opinion, it is dangerous for Christians, but in the opinion of the Turks it is very good. Quietly tell the skete elders to increase prayers for the Orthodox Church, for the Orthodox Tsar and the Fatherland. Thank you for the prayer and for the prosphora. Lord, save the King and spare us all. They notice that the people’s expectations are strongly focused on the 19th day: but it is unlikely to bring what is expected. About two years before this, it was written in the foreign newspaper Nord that the treasures of churches and monasteries would be used to ransom the peasants from the landowners. Now they are writing from St. Petersburg about fears, and by the way, that “the first blow will fall on the higher clergy, monasteries and churches.” And this is not written by some easy dispenser of authorities. We have sinned, let us fall into the hand of the Lord: but have mercy, O Lord, Thy Church! We'll talk about the chapel later; now I am very burdened. Is there anything better for the builder Savva? We should take him to the Lavra, closer to the doctor. I am sending you your report about A., not so that it will be in the Council, but so that you know from which side you can still look at his affairs. The case of the Khotkovsky priest may work out, although a person with great merits could be found for Khotkov. But we must not aggravate the patient’s situation. A.K.K., suffering from hypochondria, asked me if he should use magnetism. I advised against it. Then he asked that a prayer service be held for his health at the relics of St. Sergius. I ask you to fulfill this request. In the name of the Lord, blessing and peace to the vicar father and the brethren of the monasteries. The threshold of fasting is opening. Forgive me and pray that I may enter the field of repentance and purification not too flatteringly and not fruitlessly. Whether to build a building on top of the shops, judge carefully whether it will be beneficial. However, I don’t interfere. With sorrow I read Diveev’s letter, and received information about the same matter from Diveev’s venerable neighbor, and from novices returning from St. Petersburg. The “Royal Skete” is of no small importance in this matter. According to information from the above sources, at some distance from the Diveyevo monastery there is a place to which Joasaph assigned a monument, in some relation to Fr. Seraphim. A relative of Joasaph and his wife lived in the monastery built here. The abbess learned that this place was subject to abuse and was harmful to the monastery, and therefore, after the removal of the power of Joasaph, she destroyed the monastery. Now, apparently, this place has been glorified before the royal people, and they want to restore the monastery under the name of Tsarskago, and the monastery wants to absorb the construction of the church that has begun in the monastery. When royal benevolent attention has been acquired for this matter, it is difficult to correct this matter, even if it required correction. It is clear that the Right Reverend Nektarios is also greatly fascinated by these circumstances, and perhaps also by the image of eldership in Joasaph, whom, they say, he chose as his confessor. Now the former abbess of Ufa Philareta is in Moscow. She wishes to go to Jerusalem; and at the same time she is invited to restore some monastery, which was already discussed in the Holy Synod, but stopped due to insufficient methods, which they now want to replenish if Philaret is for the cause. When I noticed that if she wants to decide on the latter, then she must hurry to take advantage of benefactors while they are in mind: to this she gave me a kind answer that she wanted to go to Jerusalem for her soul, and in another matter she would find external worries and, perhaps, former sorrows. Therefore, I did not resist my desire to go to Jerusalem. But later I found out that she wanted to go to St. Petersburg, and this was on call, because they were planning to make her the head of the Diveyevo hostel. To this I said that if the abbess had asked me about this, I would not have advised her to go to a crowded society unknown to her, which was in difficult circumstances. I think they will tell her this. At the same time, I also learned of a proposal to transfer the Sarov hermitage to the Nizhny Novgorod diocese, and make Joasaph abbot there. Regarding this last enterprise, I think I will not be wrong if I write to St. Petersburg my opinion that this violence should not be done to order and justice. The Diveyevo novices say that Shubina, a supporter of Joasaph, was exposed to the Metropolitan of Novgorod by Princess Lukomskaya: but this can hardly have significant consequences. It seems that one only needs to ask God to grant His Eminence Nektarios a true view of matters and the firmness to follow the truth. By the will of the Empress, an icon of the Mother of God was painted in the Lavra. The matter went through me: therefore there must be an answer from me. And I don’t see the end of this matter. Notify me. – For several weeks now the steward has told me that we have run out of Lavra wine for the liturgy. I said not to bother you before fasting. But send us a few along with the post. Your wine is more convenient for the communicants, and especially for babies. The instructions I wrote for the clergy in the event of a solution to the case of the peasants should be taken literally; only some articles are missing. And it turned out that the clerk, having heard unfavorable rumors, was obliged to inform the priest, but the priest was not told what to do. They say that in G.S. 55 there was a majority of votes in favor of a small allotment of land to the peasants; but the opinion of the minority was confirmed - in favor of a larger allotment. Getting ready for the announcement. Impoverishment, for a long time or not for a long time, seems inevitable. May the Lord save you from great disorder. Now I have received your letter dated 24 days. The grace of the Lord is with you, with the brothers, healing infirmities and sins, cleansing from passions, strengthening in deeds, animating deeds of virtue and perfection. Forgive me and bless me. You say that only red eyes will look greedily at the church property. It's these eyes that you need to be wary of. They peek through. – Have you heard about student self-government at Moscow University? They said: we want to organize Sunday schools: the authorities certainly obeyed this. But then it was discovered that some of them were teaching bad things, and supervision was supposed to be established. The students said: we don’t want supervision; and if they want supervision, we leave the matter. The authorities did not disobey this either. G. Rozonova, a merchant, instructed me to deliver money, it seems, 150 rubles. to the monastery; and asks for prayers; and he says there are names in the monastery. Yesterday I wrote to you about church wine: and then I found out that it had been received. Thank you. Read the attached letter about icons. Is it possible to do this in the Lavra? If possible, then before starting the work, write to me to what extent you intend to make the icons, and whether they will make a frame for you, and whether it can be decent, judging by the money. And if you refuse: return the letter without delay. It is advisable to satisfy the Major General. He joined the Orthodox Church from Rome, while still an officer, out of pure zeal; and then his marriage to the daughter and heiress of Count Sumarokov made him a count. Money 250 rub. I don't send anymore. If you accept the case, you will receive the money on the spot from mine. It seems that today marks 30 years since you have been at the Lavra. Thanks be to God. Gratitude to you from me and from Lavra. May the Lord continue to bless your ministry. I am concerned, hearing from Fr. rector about your illness. I ask you to give yourself peace and space for healing, and not to force yourself in spite of the illness. The rector says that your new doctors are reliable. However, would you like someone from Moscow? I wish you to answer this directly, out of concern for your health, eliminating the useless word: I don’t want to bother you. I’ll write about the burial cinnamon later. Wouldn't the establishment of a cemetery at the Bogolyubskaya Church be displeasing to Philaret and the church-builder? “The path to this cemetery near the monastery is long, and in winter it’s hardly convenient: and I wouldn’t want to open the nearest path through the water.” Until I receive an answer to this, I am refraining from allowing the Council’s presentation. Arrange the icons for Tiflis as you write. Preferably not for a long time. The military loves speed. I remember that Count Elston also asks me for an icon of the Holy Trinity: it must be arranged at my expense, with a good salary. This should be a little larger than the ordinary ones used for blessing, so that it would be visible if placed on the wall, and not very large, for the position of analogies. Send me Count Elston's letter to write an answer. The dignity, benefit and convenience of the provision on peasants is difficult to determine when reading. This will become clearer in practice. May God grant that the peasants will be able to take advantage of what is given to them, and the landowners will be able to use what they have left. It is a pity that Princess Ts. leaves her guard and is looking for another path, on which she will find as much peace and as much opportunity for good. Before, when she came to St. Petersburg, she visited me; but for some time now she has not been, and I remember that she was not in the Lavra last summer. By the way, it has turned out that Ekaterina Ladyzhenskaya is now close, and may be the caretaker of the house of contempt. Rev. Sergius bless this. Follow the attached note relating to the monastery. The icon is very good. I will send Hieromonk Simeon tomorrow: because yesterday, after the service at the holiday, other activities did not leave me time to look at the icon and write about it. – Should the Ladyzhenskys be expelled from the dormitory? Their position at the Lavra is more pleasant than official. Are they from the nobility? - If so; then they can be expelled from there, without the obligation to look for another specific position. Meanwhile, Princess Ts. was with me yesterday: and her words still weigh on me like a burden... An extraordinary disposition to discover something dark in everything. Her presence was unpleasant: but even from her absence something unpleasant could happen to the Lavra. I am returning the letter from the Right Reverend Alexander. He does not write to me: and if he does write, I have neither the disposition nor the right to encourage Ladyzhenskaya to go to his diocese. Peace to the father governor and brethren. I cannot help but repeat: take care of your health; do not be inattentive to the treatment of the disease; don't tease her. I agreed with the ideas about the monastery of the dead and the house of charity. Sorry for not writing more. Things are hampered. To the Father Vicar, God's blessing and good participation in the great joy now announced to the world. Look at the attached note received from Count Alexander Petrovich. It seems to me that it is possible to give the princess a certificate from the established Council that for so many years she had charge of a charity home, and now she left this position of her own free will and led an honest life. If there is no doubt about this, please do this and send me a certificate to forward to the count. It would have been better to write about the iconostasis first rather than send a treasurer. You can't do things verbally. And the fact that Bibikov’s first wife was buried in the Lavra does not correspond to the rules that existed under Bishop Plato. The same should be said about the deceased Bibikov. But if you decide to give in to the insistence, I will give in too. Your health and strength will further benefit the Lavra. To the vicar and brethren, peace and grace-filled participation in the reverently remembered sufferings of Christ and in the joy of the resurrection of Christ. It is allowed to give the iconostasis, without icons, to Bethany. The Consistory will notify the Council of this. Grand Duke Mikhail Nikolaevich was in Moscow. I was with him and he was with me. He told me that Their Imperial Majesties would visit Moscow, and with children, in May, but I don’t know on what dates. They will probably visit the Lavra, especially the Empress. It is joyful to meet good souls: but concern for my weakness. Last week I could not finish reading the great canon, and handed over the reading to the hieromonk, 7 songs at a time. I wrote about the proposals for tonsure to Solomon. – It is incomprehensible that the Right Reverend Innocent’s reasoning is that one who has not reached 30 years of age can serve as a priest, but cannot teach. The Lord ordered my unworthiness to live out until a strange time. Strange judgments are becoming more frequent in the world: but to surprise and sorrow, also in our brethren. The Bishop of Kiev, in his word to the clergy (Diocesan Ved. No. 3), completely follows the rules of the current accusatory literature, sharply condemning the malfunctions in the Divine service, and not paying attention to the fact that there is good, and exposes the advantage of schismatics and Molokans. Archimandrite Antonin proposed to the Ecumenical Patriarch to organize a Bulgarian church, like the Greek one among the British in Malta, where four bishops each rule over the hierarchy, for which there is no example except Caiaphas, the bishop of the previous year. Our Parisian archpriest proposed to the Holy Synod to write an exhortation to the pope so that he renounces secular power. I feel sorry for Manuel...56 and their neighbors. But, it seems, he could teach, baptize, and then tell the Eminence that he became guilty for their salvation. What I hear about Siberian foreigners gives me the idea that the Lord is preparing a radiance there when the burned harvest comes to the west: but when I see what we bring to Siberia; I feel sorry for the foreigners, and I’m scared for us. A priest from Persia was with me, and I gave him a letter to Andrei Nikolaevich; and Vladyka of Novgorod knew about his business even before. But we can hardly fulfill the priest’s desire. There is a lack of people and knowledge of oriental languages. But it is strange that there was no place or food for him in the Nevsky Lavra. Andrei Nikolaevich wrote to me asking him to stay in the courtyard until May next year, so that he would pay 200 rubles for the upper cells, and the brethren would be taken to the outbuilding to live with the residents. I answered that it was not about money, but about convenience and the brethren. In the far wing with the residents of the brethren it is hardly comfortable and decent. I cannot solve the matter behind the eyes, having had difficulties with this before. And then I will submit the matter for consideration by the established Council. I suffered a lot from his letters behind the stairs: now, probably, strong displeasure will be expressed again. I told you before that the elderly and sick widow of Golovin asked for space in a hospice house. I remember you agreed to place it in a new building. Noah conceived; and it remained unfulfilled. She settled in the Conception Monastery, but they forced her to leave. She was meek before illness; but in illness, when the body became weaker, the will turned out to be stronger. They say that, due to illness, she lives in an untidy manner. Now she is asking for accommodation in the Lavra hotel: I don’t think it’s convenient. But is it possible to place it in the buildings of a charity home? It is desirable for philanthropy: but judge whether it is convenient. Read the attached letter. Read the attached letter from Andrei Nikolaevich, and tell me your opinion whether it is possible to agree to continue the terms with him until May 1861, with the proposed details. And give me an answer as soon as possible. Finally, there is some recognition that his staircase can be used, but the staircase near the church is not decent. Preferably 57, a long good relationship has not turned bad forever. Truly Christ is risen! With joy and love I respond to yours, Father Vicar and brethren, word of joy about the risen Lord. May this joy of faith and hope inspire and strengthen you in serving the Lord and in fulfilling His holy will. You give me wings; and my weakness gravitates towards the earth. Blessed is your good eye, which desires to see good in everything. May your prayers support my weakness, may the rest of my journey be undefiled. Thinking about the Most High visit to the Lavra, I propose to myself the following questions: should I take an archdeacon there? – I think it’s better to take it; because for Ambrose the case will be new; and my memory sometimes requires reminders. Should we take singers? I doubt this. They would enhance your choir; but it is not very convenient to harmonize two choirs of different teachings. Tell me your thought. I still had unpleasant correspondence with Andrei Nikolaevich. I wrote that it's not about the money; and another time he offers money. Don't you believe it, said. “Another time he wrote about burglary, for which civil laws punish, expressing displeasure that I did not bring G to justice. I thought: would he feel that anger was preventing him from understanding the laws; and wrote to him that the law condemns burglary; but they didn’t want to steal anything from him. Failed. To this he wrote just before his confession: “I don’t want to be a hypocrite; I am trained." As if he would be a hypocrite if he endured it and kept silent. I do not despair, however, that there will be some peace when he comes to Moscow 58 . Peace from above descending upon the vicar and brethren. Thank you for the bread that nourishes you with the gracious memory of the resurrection of Christ. I thank you and the brethren for your philanthropic feat of protecting the settlement from fire. What a pity that the people show coldness at the sight of the misfortune of their neighbors, and even a disposition to take advantage of the misfortune of others. For so long the Lord has taught us that we are little worthy of His mercy, but we do not come to our senses. It's sad and scary. I instructed Joasaph to tell you about the news that Their Majesties with Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich and Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna are leaving for Moscow on the 11th day. May God bless agriculture and the farming brethren. Spring is quite late, but the current rain is not light and not cold, it seems that it will be useful. Now in the evening before my windows it is much greener than it was in the morning. It is strange and unfortunate that the townspeople, living by the mercy of St. Sergius, do not cease to rebel against his monastery, even despite the decisions taken about this. Remind me of the claims that arise again if God tells me to be in the Lavra. I’m thinking of going to the Feast of St. Nicholas at the Perervinsky Monastery, by the way, to test whether I’m capable of traveling to the Lavra. From the Lord peace to the viceroy father. The same goes for the brethren of the monasteries. Count Evfimy Vasilyevich Putyatin goes to St. Sergius. He is asked to enter into a new ministry 59, which he finds difficult, which is fair. Pray for him in the monastery, so that through the prayers of St. Sergius the Lord will confirm his determination to accept the feat, and that he will instruct and strengthen him in continuing the feat, to good success and to the benefit of the fatherland. With this, I am sending a note to the monastery about prayer for the departed. Instead of sending the money, tell the treasurer to give it from mine. We expect great guests on the 17th day in Moscow, and on the 18th day in the Assumption Cathedral. We met the Emperor safely. On the day of St. Alexy, He and the Empress and the Birthday Boy listened to the liturgy in the church of St. Alexy. Yesterday both of them deigned to tell me that they wanted to visit the Lavra, but the time had not yet been set. I asked and received a promise that I would be given two days' notice. When I receive this information, I will notify you. Today I was informed that from the Imperial Majesty (no doubt, and Their Highnesses) they will visit the Lavra on the 5th day of the next month, and will spend the night and the next morning there. The Lord bless Their path; and gives us the consolation of communication in prayer. Sofya Petrovna, without a doubt, told you about Princess Ts. that in order for her to be settled in Smolny, she needs a more complete certificate than what was given. Complete as shown on the returned certificate, or as you find best and fair. Here are some more distinguished guests. Make sure, Father Governor, that it is convenient for them to vaccinate. It is a good deed that you call upon God’s blessing on the earth and its birth. May the Lord hear the prayers of the poor for the sake of his people. It was raining here; and my apple trees are blooming strongly, the color of which, I thought, would die from the cold. Writing to you about Princess Ts., I forgot one circumstance - that several poor girls studied at the charity home under her leadership and that this should be included in her certificate, if this is true. This morning I wrote to you, and in three hours I must write again. When I read the name of the manager of the choristers in the list of the retinue of the Sovereign Emperor, I doubted whether he would agree with the Lavra choristers. However, I thought to remain with the same assumption. But now he has come; said: The Sovereign Emperor, while in the Lavra, during my illness, was dissatisfied with the Lavra singing; and therefore demands that 16 of my local singers, whom he will first prepare here, be taken to the Lavra. This requirement must be fulfilled so that trouble does not arise from a small matter. I’ll tell you about this. If you find that my stay was quiet: then I thank you and the brethren for not giving cause for any disturbance. May the Lord keep our world kind and mutual. My path to Pushkin along the rain-watered road was not difficult; serving in Pushkin drained my strength; and now I still don’t feel free from fatigue, even though the heat is now being reduced by the wind. Joasaph arrived and delivered the message. Thank you for the icons for the Caucasus. For the icon of the Holy Trinity, pay the artists from me. In the monastery, in the closet where the books are kept, there is a small handwritten quarter-page book containing a description of healings from St. Tikhon. I need her soon; and therefore I ask you to send it by the next post. Send me the manuscript of the life of St. Tikhon, which was shown to me. After reading it, I'll return it. In Moscow July 11th 1861. Peace be with the Father Viceroy and the brethren. Yesterday, having sent you a letter, I remembered something I didn’t remember at the time of writing. Congratulations on your belated Angel Day. May the Lord continue the summer and your service, which is of great benefit to the Lavra and brings relief to me. Here's something else forgotten. 150 rub. Give my money to the ministers and almshouses at Lavra and Bethany. For some reason my fatigue has dropped significantly this day. He communicated, but could not serve in the Znamensky Monastery. In the letter received today, Andrei Nikolaevich congratulates you on Angel Day. There is a handwritten service to St. Tikhon, written, as they say, by the late Right Reverend Anthony of Voronezh. Didn't it reach you? I need to see her. Read two troparions to Saint Tikhon. The first one was sent from St. Petersburg. The second one is written here. The latter is long: but the troparion, by the force of this name itself, should depict, if possible, the character of the saint. When you return it, tell me what you think. Thank you for delivering the manuscripts. Thank you for the beer, although it’s a shame. It occurred to me to ask you for a little, because it seemed to me to suit my taste and the requirement of nature; but I was ashamed to add whim to my many whims. Now I will use it as if it was received with a blessing. I told Pavel Alekseevich about the robberies. He asked about the road. I answered that the jugs were taken away on the Pereslavl road, but I don’t know about the robbery of a woman and a peasant. He requires additional information and the name of the landowner. Would you please write what is known and deliver it to me? The heat here continues and makes me tired. There has been no rain since I arrived. Great and Tall travelers are expected here. Place me before our venerable father Sergius. Peace of the Lord to the Father Viceroy. The same goes for the brethren. This will be presented to you by Mr. Kublitskaya, whom Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna wishes to have as the head of her sisters of mercy, and who is hesitant in accepting this position. Ask her about the composition and state of the institution, and tell her, and write to me your thoughts. It seems to me that the institution is very complex. Ms. Kublitskaya’s idea to introduce monastic obedience in him is good: but it is not easy to fulfill it. The separation of penitents, as the Grand Duchess said, seems unpleasant to others. And no wonder. I think this should be a separate institution. I can’t say more; because now I have just received the charter of this institution, and have not yet read it. She knows the statute and can tell you about it. From the Lord blessing, mercy and peace to the vicar father and the brethren of the monasteries. On behalf of Mr. Elagin, I am sending you ten copies of the service to St. Tikhon. Here his first celebration was scheduled yesterday, because I had reasons not to postpone further: but I could only sing a prayer service for him in my home church; but he could not be in the cathedral service, just like on Elijah’s day and on Mary’s day. After serving in the heat and draft wind in Pushkin and at St. Tryphon (the latter in damp weather), my soreness overcame me and forced me to seek the help of a doctor. Now I have relief, but not complete. I am returning the manuscript about the life of St. Tikhon. I found the same one, only in a slightly modified version. It was in vain that you approached the letter on behalf of the Sovereign to the Pope with trust and approval. Sovereigns do not write in the same tone as the letter says. The story about the Tsar's illness is false. Such excessive frankness between Sovereigns is also impossible, especially in relation to the Pope, whose honest modesty certainly cannot be relied upon. The intention of the letter is bad. An Orthodox person will read it and be tempted by the Sovereign’s attitude towards the Pope. An Austrian, a Prussian, a Swede will read it, and will hate our Sovereign. Napoleon is praised biasedly. In my opinion, this is a harmful trick of a Pole or a Frenchman. I don’t have time to write anymore. May the Lord's peace be upon the vicar father and the batia of the monasteries. May the light-giver Christ our God visit your soul with the light of Tabor on the upcoming celebration. I don’t know whether I’ll be there for the holiday. It seems that I am reaping the benefits of many fatigues and colds during the heat. Since returning to Moscow, my health has been unsatisfactory. Last Sunday, after the service, I spent the day with Bishop Novgorodsky and part of the next morning. I felt worse; and in the second hour I continued to feel chills. Today, thanks be to God, I celebrated the liturgy, thanking God’s mercy for one of the days that you also remembered for me and edifyingly marked for me in the icon. Vladimir Andreevich asked me for a son in Zadonsk. I told him that it would be better not during crowded times. The saint is always merciful; and silence is always better than rumor, especially for one who has decided to learn silence. He objected that the archimandrite would receive him: and I stopped arguing. But you will discuss this with the elders, if it is not too late. Another time I wrote to the count about the appointment of an official for the Diveyevo case. Finally appointed. Meanwhile, on the third day, the Diveyevo treasurer came to me, not very old, with a bold manner, in elegant clothes, in a kamilavka under a thin veil. -Where are you from? - From St. Petersburg. -What were they there for? - For the boss. -Who is your boss? - Newly elected. - Until now they say that only a few have been elected? – No, already 250; I have the registry in my pocket. - She went into her pocket: but I said that I didn’t need to see the register; it is my duty to wish for the improvement of their monastery. “With this I ended the intercourse: because I felt unwell; and meanwhile the archimandrites were waiting for me on business. The Holy Synod ordered that the former abbess be left behind; and the tonsure should be postponed until discretion: it seems that the Right Reverend Nektarios ordered it contrary to the decree. Let us invoke the prayers of Father Seraphim, so that what is most worthy of preservation will emerge from the trial intact. Celebrate, Father Vicar, in grace and peace with the brethren and reverent people the holy Dormition and glorification of the Mother of God. Remember me too, who is weak, in the prayers of your faith. But I feel that even if I came to the monastery, I would not be able to endure a long service in the heat of the crowd. In Novospassky I celebrated: but I begged the archimandrite not to give a sermon, so that I would have enough strength for the prayer service. Tomorrow we need to ordain a priest to the church, which has been waiting for a long time, and place a blessing on the foundation of the church in the Nikitsky Monastery. I am disposed to this not without concern. The vicar fell ill. About the monastery holiday they told me that the day before there was a lot of crowding at the gates. They propose to open the entrance to everyone on the 16th day with the beginning of the liturgy, so that the people, with plenty of time, enter the monastery and church with less constraint. I leave this for your consideration. You can see more closely what is needed and convenient. Investigators went to Diveevo. But here's what's strange. His Eminence Nektary did not fulfill the decree of the Holy Synod, he reported that he had ordered an investigation on his own behalf, and asked whether it was necessary to carry out the decree. The Holy Synod confirmed to carry out the decree, leave the previous boss, and stop the investigation that was inappropriately started when the Holy Synod appointed an investigation on its own. They assured me, including the count, that they would immediately send me a decree about this, which the investigators needed as a guide: but over the course of a week I did not receive it. The investigators will find G. to be the boss. I also told them that they must act on the basis of the definition of the Holy Synod, and consequently recognize the former boss, and not G. Will G. start a war with the investigators? – This is how things are done, or rather, things get confused. Rejoice, God-gracious one. Grant your incorruptible joy through the faith of those who glorify your ascension to heaven and flow to you with faith. – I am sending a portrait of the Right Reverend Metropolitan Gregory in a coffin. Place it, Father Viceroy, in the monastery in my cell. Thank you for the blessing from the skete holiday. In the Vladimir diocese, St. Sylvester, a disciple of St. Sergius, is now glorified by miracles, as it is written in the diocesan bulletins. Is his name among the disciples of St. Sergius known in the Lavra? They delayed the Diveyevo case for a long time in St. Petersburg, as if giving time to the Most Reverend Nektary to ruin it, which he managed to do quite well. He presented part of the investigation, apparently in a hurry not to be late, and intends to continue it. Here is part of it: he is looking for untimely visits to U.’s cell, and demands further investigation of her suspicious relations 1) with the Sorovsky builder, 2) with Hieromonk Jacob, 3) with the farmer, 4) with the clerk, 5) with the village head: and does not want to see that the absurdity of the suspicions itself refutes them. A bad testimony is given by Vassa, a former cell attendant of U. The word: former probably means dismissed for something bad. And she is taken as a witness. The matter is complicated, and it will be a lot of work to unravel it. – Vladyka of Novgorod told me that an archimandrite was needed to improve the monastery in Irkutsk where Saint Innocent rests, which was destroyed by the administration of the rectors. And after this he praised G., the former housekeeper of the Trinity courtyard. At the same time, I said that he could improve this monastery: but he wished that he had not talked about this with G. in Zadonsk. What do you think? What would G. think when he heard this? The bishop’s story about the discovery of the relics of St. Tikhon was comforting. When the shrine was opened at the all-night vigil before the majesty, in the church overflowing with people there was such a silence of reverence that one could hear a fly flying. There were many healings. – May the Saint pray for the healing of Russia. Here is the Hieromonk formerly of Athos, now of Kiev, approved by Andrei Nikolaevich Muravyov, who knew him back on Athos, who wants to be in the brotherhood of the Gethsemane monastery. I am pointing it out to you, not imposing it on you. Look and judge. You wanted information from me about the Zadonsk holiday: but now you have two eyewitnesses. It didn’t happen much to talk about this with Vladyka Novgovodsk: because on one meeting that we had, there was a lot to talk about regarding service matters. He said that there were those who received sight, even those blind from birth, who received the word. One, crouched so that his legs were brought to the back of his head, when they applied him to the holy relics, he straightened up and stood on his feet. During the carrying of St. the relics near the monastery were not allowed near the people, so as not to hinder the procession: but they stood around and on all the hills with burning candles in silence, and threw them on the path of the saint. relics: canvases, scarves, money, etc. In such a multitude that the thick layer of things on the way made it difficult for those carrying them to walk. Someone, seeing others bringing their gifts to the Saint in this way, and not being prepared for this, took off his sash and threw it on the path of the holy relics. The Metropolitan told me this; and others also said that after the transfer of the relics, he took this sash that hurt his stomach, girded himself and was healed. The Metropolitan said that he himself asked one healed woman; and when he finished the conversation and let him go, she asked: where should I go? In prison or what? - For what? “They say everyone who is asked is sent to prison.” - They say that this is the effect of ill-intentioned disclosures about the police: why many healed people were in a hurry to hide and leave. So the enemy comes everywhere with tares into the Lord’s pasture! – There is no time to write more. I’m writing at five o’clock in the afternoon by the fire, and I can’t see clearly. The sky is dark, or so are my eyes. Two church builders invite me to Kolomna for the consecration of the cathedral and monastery churches: and I would like to go to the grave of my parent. But the attack of abdominal pain that happened this day, after a good night, which lasted an hour and a half, puts me in fear. And we don’t know what we want. Pray for me to our Reverend Father Sergius. Much peace to the viceroy father and brethren. How instructive is the old woman’s tale about the appearance of the Right Reverend Anthony! – I wrote to the Eminence of Kazan about the Blagovestnik. I can’t vouch for success: but I did what I could. Now in the Lavra there is Abbess Apolinaria. She came into great excitement at the Vladychny Monastery when, not without excitement, the monastery was handed over to the new abbess; and doesn't want to stay there. I haven't seen her. But they asked me if I would agree to move her to the Khotkov Monastery. I replied that I did not contradict, but that she should consult with you and seek the consent of the abbess. I consider it necessary to tell you this so that my review is not taken as a decision. I will not be dissatisfied if Mother Superior Khotkovskaya does not express sympathy: and perhaps this will be an unnecessary precaution. They tell me that the secretary of the Historical Society praises the inventory of the Lavra Library and wants to have a copy of it for publication, noting that at least this should be done by me, an inactive member of this society. I would like to know your opinion. Nestor's illness makes it difficult for me. In Chudov there is no one capable of leading the diaconate. And you need to take the Arkhangelsk protodeacon to the house church. Is it possible to take someone from the Lavra without difficulty? “I felt very calm with Nestor. Ivan Yakovlevich died in the almshouse. Two weeks before his death, he said to his confessor who was near him: I see Father Leonty; in what light is he? – Leonty, on the advice of Ivan Yakovlevich, entered the Intercession Monastery, was a hieromonk there, and his confessor. They sent me two copies of the new edition of the complete Prayer Book. I'm sending one to you. Check out the images. There is a fair amount of imitation of antiquity, but not always with reason. I wish you for the holiday in Lavra; and I don’t despair. Refused Kolomna; and I do not repent, not feeling able. But I hope to get to the Lavra. It was difficult to hear that the Sovereign Emperor would be in Moscow on the 25th or 26th day: but, according to the latest information, they expect him later. Only by October 1st is it foreseen that I will need to be in Moscow. – The Lord visits us with sad weather. They say a lot of grain rots in the field, and that excessive dampness is unsafe for crops. It’s a clear day here now: but won’t the blue frost be harmful to gardeners? Having read the information about the Blachernae hostel, I need some additional information regarding the questions attached. Is there really not a single sister in the Blachernae dormitory who, judging by her age and dignity, is ready to take monastic vows? Has the hostel been cleared of the deceased founder's sisters? Has their claim to certain things in the church sacristy been terminated? The priest of the village of Vozdvizhensky should be released for the holiday. If he is preparing to serve in Bethany tomorrow, is it not possible to arrange it so that, after listening to Matins there, he goes to Vozdvizhenskoye to perform the Liturgy? - If possible, arrange it this way. I thank God that I stayed with you peacefully and returned safely. Thank you also for your peace, which contributes to my peace. The Diveesvkoye case seems to be taking a better path. I wrote to the Eminence Nectarius, as I thought, with little hope, which, after sending the letter, diminished even more. I learned that the Eminence views the lot cast by him as the will of God, and therefore puts his own cause above the decision of the Holy Synod. Not knowing this opinion, I wrote against it; but spoke only against illegality and disobedience. In St. Petersburg, there was a reluctance to use strict measures. Then I, who had previously provided only information, without a decisive opinion, decided to propose, and proposed a more modest measure, namely: to withdraw the Diveevo monastery from the department of the Right Reverend Nektarios, pending discretion, and entrust it to the department of a neighboring bishop, in order to thus put the matter in order, and to give admonition and admonition to the Right Reverend Nekratius through the leading member of the Synod. I don't know if this will be accepted. Don't pass this on to anyone's curiosity. Moscow, October 7th 1861. In the name of the Lord, blessing to the vicar father and the brethren of the monasteries. You suggested, Father Viceroy, a trip to the Odigitrievsky Monastery. It would be in accordance with some special need if you left on Sunday evening and were with me on Monday morning. Or better yet, you can arrange yours like mine; and you can visit me on Sunday evening. Pray for Russia and Moscow. Moscow University was recently less restless than St. Petersburg University: but now it is difficult to say which is further from the world. – The Diveesky monastery was taken from the department of His Eminence of Nizhny Novgorod and entrusted for a while to the Tambov monastery. – The Emperor is expected in Moscow for the 16th day, but hardly for a long time. – The rumor about the Empress's trip to Jerusalem turns out to be false. Pray for my weakness too. The fact that you are postponing the trip is true not only due to the circumstances of the monastery that you are about to visit, but also because your bruised leg needs to be given enough rest so that the trip does not cause further harm to it. – What I wanted to see you for is more significant than visiting a monastery. But, apparently, this must be so, so that what I thought about would not come true. – Here is the question that was proposed to me: If a person, jealous of the good of the Tsar and the Fatherland, suggests to another that he, for the same purpose, decide to act outside the scope of his duties and give advice that is not required; if this second person sees that he can only indicate what is unsatisfactory, but does not find the means to determine what would be satisfactory; if he foresees that the advice, if any could be given, will either not be fulfilled, or for execution it will fall into such hands that the unsatisfactory will become more unsatisfactory: will he act justly if his jealousy does not carry him beyond the bounds of his duties? If someone acting within the limits of his duties sees the dissatisfaction of his work, he can calm his conscience by the fact that he acted according to his duties, as best he could. But if the consequence of an action outside the circle of duties turns out to be harm, then the actor will suffer in his conscience a double reproach, that he became the cause of harm, and that he acted when he was not obliged to act. I would like to hear your reasoning about such a coincidence of circumstances. But the word about this is only between you and me, and no further. The authorities were told quite early on the matter of university students that it was necessary to look at it more deeply and look for its foundations in the ground. I don’t know whether they didn’t believe this opinion, or didn’t get into the matter. Today I heard that among them there is a Committee, which, through threats and violent measures, keeps them in obedience out of fear. Officials don't seem to know what word knows. The sad thing is what we see; and the sad thing is that those who see do not see. – Do not betray us to the end, God of the Fathers! Peace and salvation to the father governor and the brethren of the monasteries. We truly demand repentance before God and propitiation of His justice. Thanks for the reminder. Read the two letters attached and return them to me. What is noted in pencil in the second is literally turned by the Holy Synod into a resolution of its decree. But the strange fate of the Diveyevo Monastery! Yesterday I sent this decree to the investigators: and today I received news from them that they had finished the case and were returning. Consequently, everything was done under the authority of the new illegal boss. May the prayers of Father Seraphim make the monastery useful. I did not see the Emperor and Empress upon their arrival. Only the Empress sent me the word of her memoirs. There are bitter news not only from the Polish region, but also from St. Petersburg. But it is inconvenient to say a word about this. – The Diveyevo investigators returned. The truth was revealed enough, despite the fact that the illegal boss made it difficult for the investigators, and placed her confidant with them so as not to allow the sisters to see them, and to persuade those called upon. But this is what requires precautions against new troubles. About the treasurer, who was under the boss Elizabeth, both in the case and outside the case, there is evidence that casts doubt on her moral dignity; and yet Elizabeth is strongly disposed towards her, which some sisters are surprised at. If possible, it would not be useless to warn Elizabeth not to take the former treasurer (it seems G.) again as treasurer, and not to take her into special closeness. The current treasurer, appointed together with G., they say, was previously alienated from parties, and already in her new position she clung to G. Perhaps she would not have made any difficulties if she had remained in office under Elizabeth. Or let them elect as treasurer neither the former nor the current one, but a completely new one, enjoying a good opinion in society. The Eminence Nektarios, they say, partially admits that he has sinned, but partially continues to affirm the Divinity of his lot. According to the two attached papers, tell the treasurer to give me ten rubles each. To the viceroy father peace from the Lord. The same goes for the brethren of the monasteries. It’s my fault for holding the Lavra sign. I took this notebook to the Lavra to talk about it with you there, but I forgot there; and then I didn’t find it for a long time, having forgotten where it was placed. Now I'm sending. I don't have time to look. Do what you want. I suggest a shorter title than what you wrote. The news from Warsaw is sad, but the news from home is no better. The ill-intentioned are cunning, bold, mutually united: the defenders of order are slow-witted, timid, divided. Rebellious Poland is apparently connected with Hungary, Hungary with Italy: a rebellion recently broke out in Spain in favor of Garibaldi and Mazzini: but how far do the underground roots of these branches extend, who can see? Europe continues its obsession with the word: freedom, not noticing how in America freedom sheds blood, betrays and barbarizes. The Prussian king, with his coronation and words, raised the idea of ​​​​a monarchy: and it turned out to be necessary for him and the ministers to make a reservation and justify this to the liberal party. Everyone cares about the world; and everyone is waiting for war, and they are arming themselves more than ever. Truly, this is like the approach of a time of temptation that wants to come to the whole universe. – The Most Reverend Nektarios, after my letters, after the discussions provided to him about the lot, after the remark in the decree of the Holy Synod about the incorrectness of the lot he used, after the discoveries made by the investigators, - in spite of everything, writes to me so that I assist in the approval of the orders he made. I cannot understand how he finds this demand correct. – Is it possible to know when you will be with us? – Your journey is postponed for fair reasons. – But let me complain what my fate is, that both our own and others impose their deeds on me and force me to do them! - You are making me a detective of the fugitive M.: but a detective does not start a case as he pleases, but when he is ordered. The monastery builder had to report to the Cathedral; and the Council would be presented to me. And the Consistory is not obliged to look for a monk outside its department. I will be a detective at your will; and I will prescribe it to the Consistory. But in another similar case, pay attention to the order of my powerlessness. From the Lord grace and peace to the vicar father and the brethren of the monasteries. I have received and am sending the response from the Minister of Internal Affairs about the doctor. Will you be satisfied? – I wrote to the Eminence of Kazan about the interpretation of Blessed Theophylact; and I am sending his answer with the documents. I don’t know whether to write about this to St. Petersburg. Half of the book was published in Kazan in Sobesednik; and the other was given to the Holy Synod to print in its printing house. It would be better if they printed it at the Synodal Printing House and attached it to the Interlocutor. I am sending another letter from Pereslavl about the affairs of the Trinity courtyard in St. Petersburg. I wouldn’t like to disturb A.: but I need to write to him. And I want to know about what happens next. Yesterday, on the day of St. Nikon, who saw and endured God’s rebuke of our country, and then restored what had been destroyed by troubles, we began to use at church services the additional petition that is attached to this. It is not borrowed from the book of prayer songs; and from the Litiya at Vespers, where it is spoken more fully, why it is clearer that it was borrowed rather than composed. I had Filaret. I noticed to him that why he was going to Moscow. He answered: we need to get bread; because the builder takes income from his church; but he doesn’t give him bread from the monastery. Is this true? And is this how it needs to be? – Is it possible to somehow stop these misunderstandings, which are not the first time they have opened up? The petition supplementary to the litany is truly long; and I saw it: but the first part was needed so that it was not invented, but taken from the church rite, and the second so that it would excite the feelings of those praying. – Peace to the soul of Father Archimandrite Sergius. Always meek, he received a meek death. – If a student finds peace in a monastery, then it is better for him to leave the Academy completely, and look at one path without having fun. – I still haven’t heard anything about M. I’ll ask the Consistory now. Doesn’t the monastery know where his refuge is? The Count Minister of Education was here the other day. It's difficult for him. The Emperor is attentive to him. But there are many who oppose; and there are few contributors. Pray for him. In Diveyevo they hardly know who the boss is anymore. G., of course, having learned the decision of the Holy Synod, left: but the decree of the Holy Synod was not announced, because the person sent from me did not find the investigators on the spot; and why His Eminence Theophan is not in a hurry is unknown. – Be at peace in the Lord and pray for me. On December 1, divide from me 175 or 200 rubles to the ministers, the Lavra and Bethany almshouses and the beggars. To the Father Superior, the Council and the entire brethren of the monasteries, God's blessing, peace and salvation. With reverence I accepted the blessing of the Most Holy Trinity from your hands; and with consolation the word of your good wishes for me. Pointing to the long path of my life as a monk, you remind me that an equally great account will be required of me. Help me with your prayers, so that I may appear unprepared on the day of the Exodus. I have sent you, Father Viceroy, and to the libraries of the monasteries, newly published words and speeches. I hope you got it. Tired of serving on the renovation of the church, I nevertheless forced myself to visit the Postal Director: and I learned that M.’s letter had been sent to the Director of the Postal Department, and it was written that M., in all likelihood, was mentally damaged. In his parcel, by the way, about 15 portraits of various persons were found, unannounced by the post office, which will therefore be sold. I also glorify with you, Father Vicar and brethren, Christ the Lord, who was born on earth for our salvation. Let His glory be your joy; Let His peace rule and cover your souls; May your faith and life always gain His favor. Sorry it's late. Two Diveyevo files, one on 240, and the other on 140 sheets, gave me a lot of business. These days I sent two reports with them, one of which is on 14 sheets, and the other is smaller. The conclusion was that G.’s election was not correct; I. is harmful spiritually and economically; the boss Elizabeth and the builder Seraphim are respectable people and have been slandered unkindly. How the Holy Synod looks at this, he knows. Regarding the Governor General (No. 666), a question was sent to me: is the rumor true that in Moscow churches a recently compiled prayer is being read for deliverance from the unfavorable circumstances in which Russia allegedly finds itself. It’s as if he thought he wrote it. I wrote that the prayer is not new, and not a special prayer, but one prayer request taken from the Sunday and holiday litia; and that we need to pray diligently is because anti-religious, anti-moral and anti-government opinions and teachings are spreading greatly, and are infecting many. – I looked at this calmly. But here’s what brought me deep sorrow: the assumption of a loan for the Lavra. When I took over the management of the Lavra, it owed the Academy 10,000 rubles in banknotes; and I did not praise my predecessors for putting the Lavra into debt in order to disfigure the western corps of cells. However, they could say that this was out of necessity for the brethren. Will my lot really fall to leave the successor in the Lavra ten times the debt for construction, which could have been done without, and which will hardly bring any benefit at a time when everything is heading towards poverty. And for this I will be clearly to blame for the fact that, due to the excess of power of attorney, I allowed large constructions without estimates and without consideration of methods. You would have spared my last days if you had found a way to do without debt. Is it possible to make the building smaller? It's hard to imagine that there was a mistake of 30,000 rubles. silver Has the case against the original assumption been increased; and is it possible to reduce it again? Here's another slowness. I wrote late yesterday; I didn’t have time to print it and give it away; but I forgot this morning. – I told the chief police officer about M. and wrote to him: but the consequences are not visible. I don’t know what M. wrote in the letter, I only know that he signed: Patriarch Jesus. This was sent to St. Petersburg: there he was declared crazy, and his other letter was not presented. I found Feofan’s testimony; and now I was thinking of sending for the hieromonk. But as you say that the need is not urgent: then I stop and want to know whether you require me to call the hieromonk to me and ask me? – Perhaps I did not speak quite firmly about the prayer request. But, it seems, I have said everything, pointing out the infection that is anti-religious, anti-moral and anti-scientific. And that the prayer request was introduced not as a prescription, but as an example, this could serve as proof that I am not the only one who feels the need for it. It seemed to me that it was enough to express the truth in such a way that it could not irritate or disturb. However, I apologize for self-justification. – It hurts to hear about P. that there is truth behind the slander. Before the ordination he says that he is afraid: but he ignores what he should be afraid of. Lord, forgive us our iniquities. – Gratitude to the Reverend Eugene. He conducts his affairs, both spiritual and external, with good judgment. If in just one year you take all the bad things from their secular magazines and combine them: then there will be such a stench against which it is difficult to find enough incense to drown it out. It is necessary to take what is unhealthy piece by piece and offer medicine. I speak about this to my brethren: but the language of the innovators moves more quickly than the language of the guardians. Newspaper: Day, proposes to the nobility to commit a great act of self-destruction. Isn't it true that this is a very new kind of greatness? – I am sending five copies of letters to Fr. Macarius for you and for the monastery libraries. There is something edifying: but, it seems, it would be better to omit other personal and material things, which I spoke about before publication. Peace of the Lord to the vicar father and the brethren of the monasteries. This afternoon I received your letter about your proposed trip. For several days I heard about this; and considered it decided; and I'm waiting for you. I don’t remember what you wrote about this before. Maybe I took what was written as news, and did not consider it necessary to answer; or having read your letter, and not having time to answer soon, then forgot. God bless your path. I look forward to an interview with you; whereas it is not possible to write much. It seems that I spoke before about the poverty of my memory, and about the need to remind me of what I am procrastinating about, and now I ask. O. Philaret I wish God's help. His sons, if you approve of their behavior, can be ordained; but it would be good to strengthen their adaptation to church services. First, for a while, ordain one as a hierodeacon, so that later it would be more reliable to ordain the hieromonk, and at the same time the other as a hierodeacon. You made it easier for me, Father Viceroy, with a letter dated the 5th day of this January. We must take care of the protection of capital, but not in such a way as to tie new difficult knots. – I don’t remember about Diveyevo, whether I wrote to you what Bishop Theophan wrote. Elisabeth was restored to command only on November 17th. I didn’t find a penny of money in the monastery. The Sarov builder wanted to refuse Diveev any help: but thanks to His Eminence Theophan; he ordered help. Some sisters are not in the monastery; The commanders do not first name where they were released. From St. Petersburg I hear that G.’s party is making progress; and the investigators are slandered. Save us, Lord. – I didn’t think that the slander of the Guslitsky hieromonk could cause much embarrassment. There is the same slander against the Guslitsky builder: but he continues his work; and the slander has now been refuted by the inquiry. – I separated F.’s testimony from your letter, to official matters: but now I can’t find it. It is, without a doubt, between them in a modest place: but, having forgotten the place, I will not find it soon; write it another time and send it. I will take modest measures against slander. – About M. I was informed that he wants to go to St. Petersburg; and I wrote to the Governor-General to find him: but it turns out that he is already in St. Petersburg. - How is he not mentally damaged when he signs: Patriarch Jesus? – That he, while in St. Petersburg, sends letters from Sergievsky Posad, this is probably so that they were not on his behalf. - The St. Petersburg Consistory will probably not send him for supervision: and having received a ticket, he will be in the same position as before with an expired passport. But if it is taken, then something has already been done. We'll see. – Hierodeacon R. moved many times from monastery to monastery, and so that the transition was like exile, for example, from Tikhvin to Dymsky. I'm stopping the case, waiting for you to tell me whether it's definitely suitable. – Read the enclosed paper completely as written in ink, and not as cut in pencil; and return it to me. A complete list has been sent to St. Petersburg. I don’t know how much attention. But it seems to me that in this case it should have shown what needs to be seen, and what is not seen enough. I’ll ask the Guslitsky hieromonk. – I. says that he sent the book to the builder. “It’s a pity that, despite the fact that we are monks, we are not sincere to our superiors.” – In letters to Fr. Macarius is not to the monks: because letters to the monks are collected in a special book. I am afraid that they will print in it everything that falls into their hands, and not just what is necessary and useful. M. was sent from the St. Petersburg Consistory: and I ordered him to be sent to David’s hermitage, under supervision for a period of time, to see how he would show himself. He is in some kind of foggy state. In the St. Petersburg Consistory he said that I allowed him to go to St. Petersburg without a passport; in the Moscow Consistory he changed this testimony, and does not admit either his lies or his guilt. Therefore, I found it inconvenient to ask him about the letters. – Strange things continue in Diveevo. A decree was received from the Nizhegorod Consistory in the name of Abbess G., whose name is written according to the cleared one. Peace to the Father Superior and the brethren of the monasteries. The hieromonk, who went from the Paraclete Hermitage to Optina, was with me, and did not say about his intention to decisively cross. And I hear that he has left completely and is moving to the Optina monastery, or somewhere. It’s good to come into the Paraclete Hermitage, but it’s not so good to go out. It seems that they should not be allowed in there hastily, and not too many people. Send me the priest who was used to admonish schismatics, so that I can recognize him and think about whether to give him an assignment. May you not know that M. was sent from the St. Petersburg Consistory to the Moscow Consistory, and was sent to David’s Hermitage. I also became aware of the contents of his two letters, sent unsealed. He wrote to the Sovereign Emperor and the Highest Family, and sent a pound of tea for each, and for one 17, and for another 25 rubles. Signed: Patriarch Jesus. Will you still maintain that he is of sound mind? – But here’s another thing: how strange things are going with us. One good citizen comes to me; and by the way he says that the Bethany hieromonk S. Printed in the statements about the shortage, it seems 40 thousand rubles. for the construction of the church in Bethany; that he asked the rector of the Moscow Seminary, my relative, to petition me for a loan from the Perervinsky Monastery, and that the rector promised. Perhaps the rector changed his mind, or did not promise: for he did not tell me about this. But why does S. think that it is better to come to me along the roundabout path of kinship rather than the direct path of official relations? – This upset me, but it gave me an idea that can be taken into account. Shouldn’t we really give a loan in Bethany for the church, but not as much as S. thinks? It would be a pity to finish the construction of the church in rough form without stopping: and then you can be patient. I spoke with the priest. He seems well-intentioned and reasonable. But his information is not fully ready for the purpose for which I wanted to use it. To communicate with schismatics, one must be quite willing to resolve various issues and objections, pointing to evidence that they cannot refuse. Not giving an answer and postponing it until information is obtained means, in their opinion, showing off to the weak. Therefore, I do not dare now to give instructions to the priest; and I return it. I received a decree about G. It would be good if he showed up on Sunday for production. And K. who’s calling? Is there any attitude from the Consistory in the Council? – The skete hieromonk is no longer going to Optina Pustyn; and asks to go to the Nikolougreshsky Monastery. The local archimandrite wants to have him as his abbot: but his path does not sufficiently confirm that he has reached this age. Save, Lord, every Abba and every novice. Tell the treasurer that, following the example of past years, Father should subscribe to the publication of the Works of the Saints, deposit my money, and notify me by letter. With this, I send an inquiry and report to Hieromonk I. He seemed to me to be a difficult and insincere person, and I tried in vain to win him over to give clear and firm testimony. It is a pity that the builder accepts such people who should be run away. Show the builder Anatoly this case and the solution. Whether it is necessary to show it to any of the brethren, you will judge. The builder Parthenius says that I. and F. both give a lot of free rein to their tongues. – But here’s another strange thing: Parthenius says that F., through F., is asking to come back to him at the Guslitsky Monastery. And Parthenius is disposed to accept it; because he enjoyed respect and trust as a confessor. It would not be a bad thing to give him F. This would not be a loss for the monastery, but a gain. I didn't like the facade of the chapel. Burdened with decorations that are expensive to make and expensive to maintain. Three chapters for a chapel are too much. But I said my thought and did not argue. A strong objection came from Ivan Trifonovich, who finds that the place chosen for the chapel is not close to the multi-passage path, and this will make the chapel of little use in comparison with the place he indicates. They obeyed; They made a new plan for the new place, which in my opinion is better. The article from the newspaper is bad, blasphemous: but is it the same? They print even worse things. And it’s difficult, there are no means to resist. I wrote about Afanasyev’s legends, full of blasphemy and immorality, to the Holy Synod; reported to the Minister; he replied that the censor who missed this book had already been dismissed: and then the Archaeological Society awarded Afanasyev an award for this book. You did not answer me how it happened that K. was going to the Kostroma diocese. But it was not done well, it was insulting to the Lavra and me. The Lavra has the right to demand monks from other monasteries: what right does the Bishop of Kostroma have to demand monks from the Lavra? It would be a different matter if K. had submitted a petition: but K. says that he is only giving in to the demand. And K., if he respects the monastic rules, had to ask for a blessing from his superiors in order to request a move to the Kostroma diocese. Say this to K. and I am not against this being said to His Eminence of Kostroma. It’s enough that I didn’t denounce the wrong action in the resolution. Let them know the truth and learn to respect the rights of others. We and the established Council are not very skilled in matters of command. If you wanted to force me to judge the case, then you had to send me all the papers that the investigator wrote for the first time, and that the Council wrote to him. The investigator says the truth that when there is a deputy; then he must protect the face of his department. As soon as the investigator makes a decision on a general search: the deputy must file a protest with him that this should not be done, because G. is inviolable to the case, but a witness; for he found the murder had already been committed and could not do anything against the commission of the crime, but had only to try to detain the murderer, for which he was looking for helpers. And the deputy had to convey to the Council what the investigator required, and which deputy he gave his vote. If even after that the investigator had gone to the Council, demanding that the monks be questioned: the Council could have responded that it did not recognize the requirement for a general search as correct; however, leaving this to the responsibility of the investigator, he allows a general search so that the monks, according to the propriety of their rank, are not required from the monastery, but that the investigator arrives at the representative cell of the established Council, or to another decent one, and here takes testimony from whomever is required. With such an action, the investigator might have become wary and stopped. And even if he hadn’t stopped, the protest in the case would have protected G. It is absolutely not entirely convenient to reject a general search: because they can find fault with this and draw suspicion from this. The senseless general search does not shame either Lavra or G. Act on this now, if it’s not too late. I forgot to answer you about the loan. If 4,000 or 5,000 rubles are needed to urgently complete the building of the Bethany Church, the Bethany Monastery can ask: but not without a refund. I would like to know how the investigation ended. The investigator could be stopped by demanding that the grave be opened, which is usually done with my permission. And during this stop you could talk to me about another question. I say this to pay attention to cases of communication with lawyers that may arise. For this age, it is not enough to act justly: we must be careful not to arm ourselves with the letter of the law and the form against the truth. The deputy should demand copies of the investigation to be presented to the Council. It would be good if the investigator applied the Council’s attitude to the case. The deputy had to observe this, and otherwise file a protest in the same sense as the Council wrote to the defense of G. - The Reverend A. 60 is definitely not a master of the work he has taken on. Apparently he still has a passion for denunciations indirectly. The nameless denunciation of the lithographed translation of the prophetic books, which he talks about, is his business; and it was the beginning of the troubles that arose from this. If he had reported only to his superiors, the matter would have been handled differently. By his mercy, His Eminence Philotheus, who was then an inspector of the St. Petersburg Academy, suffered innocently. And now is not the time to look for a new acquisition for the church authorities: may God help preserve what has not yet been stolen or destroyed. You say: won’t they stop censorship? “They want to give her even more freedom.” And even now, they don’t even know how to put the spiritual censorship of St. Petersburg in order. She endorsed the article: What can we expect from the clergy? – After this, the secular authorities doubted and asked the Holy Synod whether the article was fairly approved? There was a committee on rural schools; and believed that they were secular. One of its members, Prince Urusov, expressed the opinion that this should be entrusted to the clergy. They say that his opinion was brought to the attention of the Tsar and approved. But a new Minister of Education came: and, they say, it has already been decided that rural schools should be secular, and a million rubles have been assigned to them. We have been shown one favor: it is not forbidden for priests to maintain their schools, without any help. – Where does it come from that they write from Rome about propaganda? Is it fake news? On the eve of Lent, I ask forgiveness from everyone, and I call upon everyone complacency in the feat of Lent, purity of repentance, the comfort of forgiveness and the holy joy of communion with the Lord our Savior. Not without participation, you, Father Viceroy, will learn that the prayers of Father Seraphim have won. The Holy Synod determined that Abbess Elizabeth of Diveyevo should be tonsured and promoted to abbess. G. and some of the troubled ones should be removed to another monastery, the old woman, exiled to Ardatov, should be returned to the Deveyevsky monastery, the monastery should not be built, I. should be obliged to subscribe so that he would not have relations with the Diveyevoskys, and an account of some money would be demanded from him. May the Diveyevo people accept and preserve the peace given with dignity, so that the victory will not be shaken; because the vanquished will probably not abandon the weapons of cunning and slander that they have used until now. Archimandrite Danilovsky, having arrived in Diveevo without warm clothes, and feeling the need for them, bought a sheepskin coat in Sarov. From this they made up a fairy tale that the people of Sarov bribed him by giving him two cassocks. – I don’t quite understand the plan of the chapel in the church of the St. Petersburg Trinity Metochion: and as far as I understand, I find it a little convenient and a little decent. It seems that the wall of the aisle is supposed to be attached to the wall of the neighboring house. This is inconvenient in many ways. There is supposed to be a staircase from the east leading to the mountainous place, and a road will go from the eastern and northern sides of the altar. Not convenient and not decent. Two thrones, and therefore two liturgies, will require an increase in the brethren. And this will increase worries. Is it Andrei Nikolaevich who is renewing the war against long funeral litanies, which he began 25 years ago? But even then it turned out to be inconvenient to achieve complete victory. Wouldn't it be better to eliminate the proposal made? Order to fulfill the attached note about the money in the monastery. I rejoice that there are many in the monastery who flock to the Lord and to mystical communion with him. I fired F.: but I won’t say it was with pleasure. You are not happy that I do not dare to build a chapel at the St. Petersburg Trinity Compound: but you did not give an answer to my objections and questions. Give me a better understanding of the matter and its decency. I'm having a hard time with the matter of church property. Do I need to see the staffing position on the Lavra in all its parts? I don't find it here. Would you please write it down and send it to me immediately? Andrei Nikolaevich asks for an apartment for another year. I don’t see any obstacles: but I want to make sure on your part. Some other clergy also received letters from Berlin with strange addresses. I want to talk about this with my superiors, but I don’t have time yet. I had an abbess from Kashin, using the guidance of Fr. Peter Uglitsky. He sent her two girls so that she would go with them to Rybinsk and demand the establishment of a monastery. She obeyed and came to the unknown merchant; announced to him about her strange embassy; he began to cry; gave money, and the monastery was established. How to understand this? Before she told me this, she asked me if it was good for her to build a skete of sisters for seven in the forest 12 miles from the monastery. I answered that, in my opinion, it was not safe and inconvenient to have a church and clergy near him. Then she said that Fr. Peter approves of this enterprise. Should I condemn my opinion? – The Zadonsk archimandrite sent me a small icon of the Saint. The icon is written on part of the deck of his first tomb. You need to make a light silver outline around it, and a ring at the top so you can hang it. Here I did not want to give it into unknown hands: order this to be done at your place, and the icon will be guarded as it should. I am returning business papers. The new Chief Prosecutor gives good hope that he will care about the good of the church in its contact with the state. I gave him a detailed note about church property in relation to the present requirements. – You wrote to me about the chapel in the courtyard another time: but you did not answer my questions and did not resolve my objections. The terrain is narrow and irregular. – It seems that the wall will be attached to the Beloselsky wall. Is it convenient? – Behind the altar there is a staircase, and past the altar there is a road. Is this decent? – The plan of the iconostasis is expensive, heavy and tasteless. I am returning the case with a plan for you to send to me with answers to my objections. I am returning the manuscript to Pr. A. 62 Before departure, I started to read it again: but I didn’t have enough time or desire. For the fact that the images of the 12 Apostles and St. are not placed on the walls in the Holy Synod. Fathers, he not only condemns the Holy Synod, but also mocks it. He also mocks him for the fact that he does not differ from secular public places, having a mirror on the table; otherwise he forgets that at the upper end of the Synodal table there is a Gospel and a cross, and at the lower end there is a mirror, which seems quite significant and distinctive from secular presences. He probably knows what he is writing about. It was almost better that the first intention was for this to reach the hands of the Sovereign Emperor; this would not have come to light. And the intention to spread this among people will only increase censure against the clergy. – I wrote to the Right Reverend Tverskoy about the case of the Kashin abbess, setting out the need, submitting convenience to his judgment, and assuring him that the matter could be resolved by his authority, without going too far. – I wrote to Andrei Nikolaevich that it would not be superfluous to write a condition in case of shielding the battle from my successor. If you like, write to the economist too. – Andrei Nikolaevich's works do not truly spoil him as before. The taste of many readers is damaged by secular literature; and they are greatly entertained by its abundance. – You have heard or read in news reports about Pavlov’s indecent speeches in the assembly, and about the punishment to which he is subject. As a result of this, about 300 people signed an address to those giving public lectures, of whom there were up to 20 people, that, since the government does not want free speech, they would stop the lectures. And they stopped, except for one Kostomarov: but when he just wanted to give a lecture, they insulted him, shouted: hurray for Pavlov, and even worse than that. They also say that students in St. Petersburg (where churches are unlocked all day) came to one church, entered the altar, took a sacred vessel, and drank champagne from it. You see what we are up to. When it is said, to some who can not only hear, but also act: why are the guardians not unanimous and not active: they only answer that it is true. Lord, save the Tsar and the Fatherland! – You continue to demand a loan for a long period of time. But even before this time, my successor will probably have to decide this matter. We need to be a little careful for you and me. I agreed to build the Guslitsky Monastery without an estimate: and sad consequences occurred. He agreed to build a church in Bethany without an estimate; and the matter continues, and, they say, the collectors are grumbling. He agreed without an estimate for the building that is now being discussed, and now a debt is required. What if we take money without an estimate and need another debt? - Forgive me, and pay attention to this. Please read the attached note and return it to me. She has already been sent to the Bishop of Novgorod and to the Synodal Chief Prosecutor. But it is advisable for me to be trusted by someone else’s eye, whether what should be said, and whether what should be said. It has been a week since the new Synodal Chief Prosecutor has been in St. Petersburg, upon returning from Moscow: but there is still no sign of him taking office. It is confirmed that the schoolchildren committed acts of outrage in the altar of the Gymnasium Church. What happened in France after the overthrow of the legitimate government: we have it under the legitimate government. Forgive me. It seems to me that you are in vain to look so strictly at the reduction of memories in the Prayers of the reigning house and at the relief in the celebration of the Royal days. In the ancient Greek editions, the great litany only says: about our most pious and God-protected kings. It is not even prescribed to pronounce the name of the king. But there is not even a hint about the royal family. In ancient Russian printed editions of the liturgy there is no complete named list of the modern Reigning House. This was not introduced in ancient times, when the royal family was meager, and it was necessary to pray that it would not cross paths, and that everyone would have an heir to the throne in their thoughts. When the royal family is multiplying, it is obviously inconvenient to name everyone at litanies and celebrate two days for each, birth and namesake. The Apostle instructs to pray for the king, and points to the royal family. The king's brothers and sisters and nephews are not excluded from celebrating their days with the Angels; and they can be in communion with them, like all Orthodox Christians, listening in these days to the Divine service with the remembrance of their Angels, and the singing of prayers to them. The Holy Church does not cease to remember the entire reigning house by name at the proskomedia, at the great litany, at the Cherubic Song, and in secret prayer at the consecration of gifts. – The note you read was presented to the Emperor by Count Alexander Petrovich. I don’t know what happened to her next: but the Highest Resolution ordered further discussion about this matter in the State Council to be stopped so that the previous order remained in force. So there is the mercy of the Lord towards his church. Oh, if only we would try more zealously to acquire this mercy. – Believe it or not, the only truth is that I have not yet been given the report on money to read. In the morning I promised to write this letter: and only at 11 o’clock in the evening I write. You probably heard a rumor about an insult to a shrine in one of the St. Petersburg gymnasiums. What was done in France to destroy the legitimate government: what was done in Russia under the legitimate government. God, grant Thy judgment to the prince! I find out that the housekeeper is still here; and I remember the right word. The commander of a frigate, sent on a voyage around the world, with a scientific purpose, finding that in St. Petersburg they provide satisfactory hieromonks for the fleet, is looking here for an educated and edifying one. I said that this problem is difficult to solve. And if possible: it would be useful. Is there a capable hieromonk or priest in the Lavra? – It is necessary that a person not only has a good life, but also knowledge; because he will be in the company of scientists. Peace and health to you, Father Viceroy. If you are exhausted: give yourself the necessary amount of rest so as not to increase exhaustion, and to prepare strength for great days. May the prayer of our venerable father Sergius be our strength. What do you want me to do with me? Really, isn’t it time to be in a cramped cell? I can’t do anything else; I don’t remember anything else; and from that difficulty. Having received the Gorbunos petition, I don’t remember whether I saw that it had the signature of the church builders. Maybe I saw it, but I forgot. When the matter consisted of several petitions and certificates: the Right Reverend Vicar, presenting it to me, did not remind me that there is an election of a deacon by the church builders; and the Consistory omitted to indicate this in the certificate, so I appointed the Sofrinsky deacon according to seniority. Now it turned out that it was necessary to redo what had been done, and he would remain in an unpleasant position; and it will be necessary to look for a place to satisfy it. I am sending a list of resolutions; transfer to Gorbunovo for reassurance. Forgive my stubbornness. The service book of St. Sergius did not change my thoughts. I looked at four editions of the service book of patriarchal times: in all of them on the great litany: about our king the name of the rivers, and only in two editions on the special litany it was added: about our queen the name of the rivers. Therefore, one can think that due to the special attitude of St. Sergius towards the family of the Grand Duke, the family of the Grand Duke is also mentioned in the service book written for St. Sergius. – I still have sorrow and difficulty: the Reverend vicar is ill and cannot replace me these days; but I don’t know what I can do. Call upon me the mercy of St. Sergius. Prince Governor visited me and said that the matter of our guest house was decided by the provincial government against us, because there is no law in our favor. I said that there is no law against us either; that different things are mixed under the name of the hotel, and that we seem to have explained this sufficiently; and therefore he can exercise his right to decide the case according to his conviction. He also admits that there is a moral conviction in our favor. He was somewhat inclined to do this: but I don’t know whether he will decide. To the vicar father, coupled with the saving communion of the Lord's sorrow, the Lord's gracious consolation. I remember that at the monastery I left a sheet-sized package containing papers related to the preparation of the service to St. Tikhon. There should be my letter to the Bishop of Novgorod or a note about akathists. I need her now. Open the package; and if this note is found in it, do not hesitate to send it to me. The Right Reverend Smolensky composed an akathist to St. Cyril and Methodius, presented it to the Holy Synod, and the question was born: shouldn’t it be read on the day of the millennium in all the churches of Russia? I have sinned; It seems to me that this was more invented than arising from deep zeal and gratitude to God. We do not know how to perform the generally obligatory Divine service in full, without haste and abbreviations: but we invent extended services, rich in words rather than in force. It is doubtful to argue: for my part, I would suggest drawing up only a canon, as edifying as possible, and ordering a prayer service to be sung so that the canon could be read more clearly. Or is this just my lazy wisdom? It occurs to me that the prayer of gratitude for 1000 years should be combined with the prayer of repentance for many, especially in recent years. A kiss of common joy in the Lord to the Father Superior and the brethren of the monasteries. Thank you for the blessing of Easter artos. He received the image of St. Tikhon, converted into a panagia. For some reason the canvas stuck to the face of the image. I separated it with some difficulty. But it happened well that he separated soon. The image was found damp. If it dried, the canvas would dry out and it would be more difficult to separate. Half of the stone or glass on the pendant fell off. The image is still wet. What does it mean? Was yours varnished and not yet dry? – The chain does not seem to be new, and probably from the Lavra. I didn't want this. Free me from debt for both material and work with my money. However, thank you for the arrangement. The plan and façade of the chapel are decent. But the estimate is high. Where will the money come from? Think carefully so as not to fall into difficulty. I didn’t answer you for a long time about the Luzhetsky Archimandrite. It is impossible to take him to Moscow. Some worthy people would be offended by this. Moreover, there are already many archimandrites in Moscow who cannot deliver a sermon in the cathedral on the king’s day; and this drawback cannot be neglected. -How gentle people are these days! They said the word to the man: you should not act this way: and he already sees himself humiliated, and wants to run away, and demands reward. He has been appointed a member of the spiritual board: it seems that this does not mean that the authorities are humiliating him. They don't let me finish my letters. Sorry. Father Viceroy, I wish you not only peace, but also patience when you read the matter sent today regarding the construction of shops, expanded by the assumption of a hotel. I can’t overcome my doubts, especially nowadays. I see large houses built in Moscow, only partly occupied, and partly empty. Recently I was told that one merchant built a huge house on Tverskaya Street in the hope of big income: but the house has been empty for two years. Much land remains uncultivated. The trading class is suffering. The nobles suffered great losses. They say that more than one hundred families from St. Petersburg moved abroad. The rumors are not encouraging, but frightening. On Easter week, near the Kremlin cathedrals, where people used to gather to argue about Orthodoxy, preachers now appear who reinterpret the manifesto about the peasants, express compassion to the people about their poverty, point out the abundance of silver and jewelry in the churches, and promise to use them to bring wealth to the people, advising not to listen to the clergy and not consider it necessary to go to church. Is this the time to make bold ventures in the hope of profit? Consider this with patience and attention. – I return the Athonite letter about two schema-monks. I. must be recognized by what he carried away, and not by what he stole on Athos. Where is T. now? Is it on Athos? Doesn't the name of our monastery wander around Russia? It would be necessary to advise the good elders of Athonite not to rely on words, and to aliens who wished to be tonsured, at least a one-year trial was prescribed, instead of our three-year one. – I am glad that the people of Kashin are comforted. – Of course, you had a St. Petersburg pilgrim going abroad. She said about her project to take the antimension, the folding altar, our housekeeper A. and another monk, and serve the liturgy somewhere in the German’s apartment? He says that the idea of ​​a throne and antimension was favorably accepted by some rulers in St. Petersburg. I said that the judgment about the camp church belongs to the Bishop of Novgorod: and A. cannot be excommunicated from his current place. From the Lord grace, and peace, and salvation to you, Father Viceroy. I read your letter of the 20th day, of course, with no less sorrow than with which it was written. You are testified by your conscience that you have always done something useful for the Lavra. I never doubted this. But we are not infallible. Circumstances are changeable. They undertook a construction in the hope of fulfilling it using the Lavra’s methods: but it turned out that they were not sufficient. And I, due to changed circumstances, doubted whether the expected benefits would be achieved, and asked whether it was possible to reduce costs. There is nothing offensive to your dignity in this. – Say that I refused the requested loan amount of 13 tr. I quote the exact words of my resolution: “It is highly undesirable to subject the Lavra to debt.” And further: “I propose that the Council consider whether it is possible to limit itself to what has been built, without enlarging the building, not to build a third floor, and to finish the matter with less benefit, but with greater precaution against difficulties.” This is not a refusal, but a request for additional information. If the answer to the proposed question is: you can limit yourself; I'll be pleased. If the answer is: impossible: I can decide on what is “not desirable.” I do not hope that you will not dispute the fact that I am fulfilling my duty, and I am not offending anyone when I want to examine a difficult matter from all sides as possible in order to pronounce a decision that is as reliable as possible. If in my resolution you find a reason to ask for dismissal from service: then in your letter there is a stronger reason for me to also ask for dismissal from service. It will be necessary to send both petitions together to the Holy Synod. But if they fire me, I don’t want you to be fired. Say you are 70 years old. More to me. Consider generously whether it is philanthropic to throw upon me a difficult task, which I allowed only out of trust in you? – I urge you to tell me, from the Council, or from you, that it is impossible to reduce the structure, if you really think so: and I will decide on the debt. If difficulties arise; if they condemn me for this, just as I did not praise my predecessor, who left me a debt in the Lavra: I will internally calm myself with the thought that I allowed this to preserve peace, and to preserve you for the Lavra. I asked our common patron Saint Sergius to call you to the Lavra: and now I ask his mercy so that he does not recall you. In my haste to send the matter about the chapel to the church in the courtyard, I did not finish writing the resolution. Now I am sending an addition. Tell the steward urgently to undertake the business only if you are sure that there is money, and he will get it; and arranged the business according to the money. The previous iconostasis would have required a lot of money unnecessarily. Less carvings and patterns: less money; and the view is better. I don’t have enough enamel icons; Would like to get some soon. They strongly call me to Kolomna to consecrate the congregation of the church, which I refused last year, and sent the Right Reverend Vicar in my place: but despite this, they left the main altar until this summer, demanding me. Out of gratitude I should go to the church builders: but I am afraid that I will not have enough strength, and the cold, which becomes more noticeable every time I leave the house, has not overcome me at all. Glory to God, who reveals the grace of healing in our Venerable Father Sergius. This age requires reinforcement of faith with such signs. Dream about Fr. Macarius and Fr. Leonida truly encourages the belief that there is truth in him. There is also an indication of their characters. Fr. Leonid acted with some freedom and authority: and Fr. Macarius with deep modesty and humility. I definitely advised Vladimir Andreevich to accept confirmation: and thank God that this happened. Hegumen Perervinsky forced the housekeeper to come for money, not wanting to pay by mail: but now it occurs to me that the housekeeper’s trip may not be cheaper. Don't be angry. The housekeeper wanted to go with the money in the evening and spend the night on the road: I advised it was better to go early in the morning and complete the journey during the day. 1862. May 21. Father Viceroy! Look at this life and return it to the Lavra. May our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of life and healing, pour out a new stream of life into your bodily composition, may the body beneficially serve the spirit, and the spirit and body of the Lord. – Give yourself as much peace as you need, and wherever you find it better. An illness that is not given the day of rest it needs can take revenge with many difficult days. – Serigy came late and early. It’s late because I didn’t make it in time for yesterday’s service at the Znamensky Monastery, early because I have to wait two days until Sunday. The Reverend Vicar makes it difficult for me. On Tuesday he did not attend the prayer service, for which I praised him: but in the evening he was with me on business, and then he got a fever again. But His Eminence Anthony does not want to live in Moscow, and therefore, to help in ministries. – The gloomy views continue and are renewed. People from St. Petersburg are warning me so that what happened there does not happen again in Moscow. Underground people in St. Isaac's Cathedral served a memorial service for the bolyars Ivan, Peter and Fyodor; and they sent a letter to the metropolitan, notifying who served, and explaining that the boyars were executed, and expressing their intention to continue such memorial services in other cities: I modestly said to the local priests and I am telling you: if unknown people come to serve a memorial service for unknown people, then say: we do not know whether these people lived and died Christianly, therefore we doubt to remember them; commemorate them where they are known. They have already told me twice that in the house of the Perm bishop a printing house of proclamations was found, and printed proclamations laid out in one room to dry. You know a similar case in Kyiv. Tell the rector of the Academy about this. Underground people make their nests among the clergy, probably both because they are less likely to suspect here, and partly because, if discovered, they can denigrate the clergy, the destruction of which is one of the goals of their action. – The Chief Prosecutor of the Holy Synod intends to leave St. Petersburg these days, and on the way to Yarovlavl, of course, he will be at the Lavra and the Academy. – What should I do with my finger? I continue the same as in the Lavra. Neither better nor worse. When I open it during services, it is colder than others, and pain is felt not only in the upper, but sometimes in the middle composition. Doctor Rokhmanov says that this method of relief makes him more sensitive to the action of air, and less able to endure winter. He advises leaving the water on and lightening your finger first with lint and linen, and then with just the linen, in order to gradually teach it to tolerate the action of air. Should I obey this or not? – Yesterday I saw quite a bit of rye lying on the ground. Isn't it time to ask the Lord for a bucket? – I had a sore throat from yesterday's trip, and now I stayed at home. It's better now. I say this so that you do not think of visiting me in this unfavorable weather. Peace and health to the father governor. And peace to the brothers. About the icon of St. Alexey Petrovich reminded me of Vyacheslav. If possible, it is advisable that it be written in a short time. It is hardly possible to obtain useful information from Warsaw. This is the Prince of Czech. Remember the icon of the Holy Trinity, which must be sent to Vesyegonsk. Better earlier than later. Alexey Petrovich goes through his service with a good feat; and in some cases God gives him remarkable success. When I told him about my difficulties in my service, he offered me another vicar. But I don’t want anything to be done for me, and not according to the general structure and order. On the advice of the doctor, I allowed the right reverend vicar to travel around the diocese. It will be ok for the service: I don’t know if it will be good for his health. He does not talk about retiring to the monastery: and it would be a pity to lose him in the service, which is actually a bishop’s service. – I am hesitant to stop hydrotherapy: and yet the tied finger interferes with me, both when writing and in other cases, such as, for example, it is inconvenient to wash well and often, and because of this my eyes, which are usually not entirely healthy, suffer and are supported by frequent washing. Tell me if your health is better. On instructions, I am sending one hundred rubles and twenty-five rubles with notes about those asking for prayer to the brethren of the monastery. This will be given to you by General Arbenev, whom I told you about, in order to give him shelter for a while, with his family. His family is no longer with him. Take care of him and give him the hope of refuge with his family. If he needs money, give me mine. Tell about. Archimandrite that I will instruct the Right Reverend Vicar to find premises for him. Rev. Anthony from the Kiev Lavra bless your circle of days, Father Vicar, in the Trinity Lavra. Alexey Petrovich writes to me that the Empress ordered that you should be told her desire to have an image of St. Vyacheslav, in the Byzantine style. Of course this is for the newborn Grand Duke; and therefore such a measure as there are icons given as a blessing. They don't give me the freedom to write more. Icon of St. I received Vyacheslav. Good. Thank you. Now I am sending it through Prince Urusov; because the will of the Empress was announced to me by the Chief Prosecutor, and he is now absent. Alexei Petrovich's advice may have to be accepted. The Reverend Anthony says, not to me, why don’t I take him as another vicar? He can work for ten people; and meanwhile, after sitting in the Office, he leaves for his monastery and does not help us in our service. Last week I had four services, and then the third day and yesterday. And it seems to me that it is not harmful, but beneficial to health. Only for business damage. After 54 days of captivity, my finger was given freedom, with some protection, which was mentioned. When I asked the local doctor a question about further treatment, he answered me in modest terms almost what the late Kamenetsky said to old people who demanded full health: you need to know the honor. Now the treated finger is in the same position as the one corresponding to it on the left hand. And thank God if it doesn’t get worse. You were talking about hay. Is rye healthy? One of my sins is that I am lazy to read contracts in business. Yes, and they would take a lot of time. But it happens that you need to repent of not reading. In the contracts of the Established Council with Talanov there is an illegal clause about his preference for another contract term, through which the contract extends beyond the legal 12-year period. But there is absolutely no necessary article in the contract with Talanov, in which case the Council should not destroy the contract itself, but report this to the Deanery; and there, if Talanov asks the clerks, they may say that it is impossible to destroy the contract ahead of schedule, because the Council did not grant itself this right, but only granted itself the right to collect a penalty for late payment of the rental amount. And in this case, it will be necessary to waste time and labor to challenge the orders. I approved the report, not to mention the Deanery Council. Maybe Talanov won’t argue. May Svetodavtsev grant you, with your Eminence and a joyful heart, to celebrate the light and glory of Tabor. The Emperor is expected in Moscow on the 19th day. And the creators of the railway say that he expressed his will to travel along it to the Lavra. Let this be known to you. I don't know what I'll do. Thank you for the monastery blessing. – Yesterday we met the Emperor with consolation. He entered the Assumption Cathedral at one o'clock in the afternoon, as he had appointed in advance, but, based on unsatisfactory information, I happened to wait for him for an hour and a half. Thank God for giving me strength. Then I was in the Tsar’s office and at the table, during which He, speaking about the Lavra and the monastery, asked about your health. I said: healthy for service, but sick in my leg. I didn’t dare ask the Emperor about the trip to the Lavra. Those around them say that they don’t know anything, and they think that there is no time for this. There is unpleasant news about the Diveyevo Monastery, in terms of morality. Hearing this, I said that this probably refers to G.’s party, but they answered me: no. They add that M. is a dubious personality; but he is close to the monastery, and seems to be reading sermons in the church there. It would not be useless to know whether there is any truth in this latest testimony. Meanwhile, G. lives with his brother and secretary of the Right Reverend Nizhny Novgorod with several sisters, and at the fair they collect benefits for those expelled, adding in their justification that the current boss herself wants G. to return to rule. On the third day I blessed the water on the railway, with the application and application of prayer for those traveling, and sprinkled many carriages with holy water. I would like to know whether the train that followed was safe and crowded and how you met it. The Emperor, having learned that I was at the renovation of the railway, expressed a desire that I travel along it. I said I was concerned about adverse health effects and provided examples. Now the question is: should I decide to go to the feast of St. Sergius by rail? – I refuse the Guslitskys premises in our courtyard in St. Petersburg. Let the economist know about this. Tomorrow, Wednesday, at one o'clock in the afternoon, the Chief Prosecutor of the Holy Synod, Alexey Petrovich, leaves for the Lavra by rail. Consequently, he will arrive at Troitskaya station at three, or three and a half hours in the afternoon. Prepare a crew for him at the station. Prepare room for him both in the Lavra and in the hotel where he wishes. It would be closer in the Lavra. Are the rooms in which Andrei Nikolaevich and the secretary stayed unsuitable? Or designate other convenient ones. I think Alexei Petrovich needs warmth: because he has a cough. The treasurer can meet him at the station and offer him a choice of premises. Treat Alexei Petrovich by inviting the elders from the Academy. And upon departure, bless me with the icon from the Lavra and my humility. Preface Fr. rector, so that they hurry to be with Alexei Petrovich, or meet him at the station. I see his cough with concern. He does not want to take time off from work for treatment: and with intense occupation with his affairs, the illness may intensify. Doctors have different understandings of his illness, or do not understand them at all. Call our great physician, Venerable Sergius, to give him help and to instruct you to understand his illness and advise him what is useful. Thank you for the news about the visitor. He is very pleased with Lavra and you. The Emperor asked me about the railway, and when I said that I was at its renovation with prayer, He added: I wish you to travel along it. Apparently it is necessary to fulfill the king's word. I approved the idea of ​​the Stryapchesky Courtyard immediately upon receipt. Trades are often not in favor. Tenant reliability is worth more than a high price. Indeed, monasticism is greatly entangled in worldly ties, and not always through captivity. That’s why they want to free us from everything, and free the world from us. This is being said again in St. Petersburg. The fires did not give everyone better thoughts than before. I can’t write much: because I’m overwhelmed with work. And tomorrow they convinced me to go to Savvin to consecrate the church. When and how will we renew the Blachernae Monastery? Give the attached manuscript to Fr. Rector of the Academy. The railway organizers offered me a special train for my journey to the Lavra: and I decide to take advantage of their favor. I plan to leave on Thursday at three o'clock in the afternoon at normal speed. According to their calculations, I need to arrive at 5 hours and 20 minutes. Send a carriage to the station in which I can come to the Lavra, and a couple of horses to bring my traveling carriage. Don’t worry yourself or others about waiting and meeting. – Ask for the blessing of St. Sergius on my path. If necessary, you can take the icons from the Maximova Chapel to Ilinskaya. But now two ancient icons with particles of St. relics that the builder wants to place in the Ilyinskaya Chapel. – We won’t mourn N. much. Who will take precedence on the left choir in the Trinity Cathedral? – You are talking about finding Shalashnikov’s body. It seems that the mother had a premonition that they hoped to find him alive, and that even after searching through Abel she still hoped for this. How did it end? – I am given a second vicar. On the day of St. Sergius I wrote about this to the Holy Synod; and it’s already been a week since the report of the Holy Synod was approved by the Highest: but only yesterday I received the decree. A dowry is usually required for the bishop of a newly established see. Are there no bishop's vestments in the Lavra sacristy, without the epitrachelion hanging on the sakkos? And is there an extra staff, but not a wooden one, like the one I use, and with which the new ruler may not be happy? – A contribution of 500 rubles was given for the Elias Chapel. I wrote about this to the Cathedral: and ordered the money to be given to the builder 63. Peace of the Lord to the vicar father and the brethren of the monastery. Grand Duke Mikhail Nikolaevich intends to be in Lavra 27 on Tuesday, planning to leave at 8 o'clock in the morning, and arrive at half past ten o'clock, for the liturgy. He will be accompanied by the Grand Duchess, his wife. I don’t know to what extent this purpose of time will be fulfilled correctly: if there is no great retreat; then it would be good, according to the gospel, to perform the proskomedia and the hours at the usual time (if the wait lasts, offer the inter-hour, and the ninth hour) and, upon meeting, begin the liturgy. I know about this appointment of time personally from the Grand Duke. But while I was with him, A.F., who was with him in the position of chamberlain, came to see me and did not find me. Grotto, who, perhaps, would have said something else, for example, whether their Highnesses would need carriages from the station to the Lavra. Now I don’t know this, and there’s no need to prepare it just in case. – The health of the Empress has improved: and the trip of Their Majesties to the Lavra is expected at the end of this week; but the day has not yet been set. The Empress deigned to say that a one-day trip would be too hasty; and that it is better to come during the day and stay overnight. She deigned to check on you. At the intercession of our venerable father Sergius, may the Lord overshadow their prayer with His grace, for peace and all good through Them and through Them 64 . I. was ordained: but he wants to walk around Moscow for another day or two. It would be better for a desert dweller to hurry to the desert. Your holiday in the monastery does not require forgiveness: because it is necessary and correct. Give rest to the working body: and thereby save its strength to continue its work. The arrival of the Sovereign Emperor in Moscow is announced at the beginning of next month. The soot in my room can hardly be explained by the action of candles. I was wearing a white cross belt, with long ends hanging from it. The belt near the body and the part of the ends closest to it remained white, but the lower part turned black. The soot from the candles came from above, and would most likely fall on the upper parts of the belt. I argue about the reason so that you can more accurately stop the action. They say something unpleasant happened on the railway; and trains stopped. What do you know about this? Take the trouble to tell Mr. General Arbenev the following. The prosecutor of the Synodal Office receives a salary of 857 rubles. and canteens 285. There are no apartments, no rent money. I ask him to immediately notify me whether he will accept this place with such content. The matter requires a quick solution. Peace of the Lord to the viceroy father and the brethren of the monasteries. The provision regarding ministers is dark, I think, because the permission to leave those who wish to remain at the monasteries was made accidentally, as a concession, at the request of the Holy Synod, without careful consideration of the consequences. If you pose the question: do they need to fit in with the peasants, in all likelihood they will say: they need to; and the dubious permission will be completely destroyed. But if the minister expresses a desire to stay, then you can write down what was said about this in the act of the authorities, and make a conclusion: leave and notify the government fee. If she remains silent, the job is done. If she presents to her superiors a question or a strong opinion about including them in the salary: at least we will not ruin the matter. But now the treasurer has revealed to me a special side of your question: namely, whether the children of ministers can remain in this rank upon reaching adulthood. This is of course impossible. And it’s strange that ministers can remain in their rank - destroyed. How can their children re-enter the rank that was destroyed? – God's blessing and peace to the vicar father and the brethren of the monasteries. I am sending you a sheet from which you will find out which of the Highest Family will be with the Sovereign Emperor in Moscow. Do not think that I am stingy in giving the vicar some of my vestments. I am ready to give, and I will give: but probably not much can be given, because others cannot be given, either due to their special arrangement, or because they do not correspond to the vicar’s height, or because the investors are still looking to see if they are used. Until I take a closer look, I don’t demand it from you. Peace of the Lord to the vicar father and the brethren of the monasteries Isidore and I have a thought. May God protect him. If the monasteries need to be presented for ordination: let them be presented. But the elders are in a hurry to refuse service: and they force them to rush into the elevation of the young to the priesthood. Distinguished guests will probably visit the Lavra: but there is no definite news. Such news is often missing. Now they say that the Sovereign Emperor will come to the cathedral, according to custom, from the red porch; and the Empress will arrive: but how will the two paths be agreed upon? The Governor-General and the Chief Chamberlain believe that the Emperor will come, according to custom, to the southern doors: and the chief of the court singers announces that to the western ones. The time has been announced when the Sovereign Emperor will go to the court church for the liturgy; and when to the Assumption Cathedral has not been announced. Pray to St. Sergius that everything will be in good order and in peace, and that the Great Ones will find consolation in the church 65. The second vicar, by the grace of God, was ordained yesterday. He does not need vestments from the Lavra. I gave him three of my vestments, and among them was the one in which I was ordained. About the rector of the Academy, together with his appointment, I intended what you write about: but suddenly it was inconvenient to fulfill. I will not delay any longer as necessary. The theft of the brush in the Assumption Cathedral has been sufficiently explained so as not to blame our people for negligence. If the railway, the invention of human impatience, turns out to be conducive to the path to God and His Saints: let this be a blessing to the organizers. But the change in train times seems to be less favorable to pilgrims than before. And why the change? Freight trains do not need to be in time for the Divine Service. The Minister of the Court visited me and said that nothing is known about the Highest Journey to the Lavra, but it will probably happen. I spoke to one of the railroad builders about the unfavorable timing for pilgrims. I'll talk more if I find time. Winter is not good for me. During the meeting of the Sovereign Emperor, I was dressed warmly, and did not go from the Assumption Cathedral to the Chudov Monastery, because Their Majesties did not go there, but drove: however, the effect of winter turned out to be especially strong in my hands. Countess A.D. Bludova wishes to bow to St. Sergius. And when she arrives, give her a carriage for the journey from the hotel to the Lavra. Tomorrow the 15th day, His Eminence of Kiev leaves for the Lavra by rail at one o’clock before noon. Prepare a carriage for him to travel from the railway to Lavra. Receive him appropriately, calm him down, treat him, and present him with the icon as a blessing from St. Sergius, and as a reminder of our humility. I have now received your letter. I don’t remember whether I spoke with Andrei Nikolaevich about the place that he occupies in the church of the courtyard, and if I did and agreed that he should occupy this place when there was no obstacle to that, it could not have such a meaning as if I gave him the place as exclusive possession, which does not happen in the church and should not happen. Now the need arose to show attention to the benefactor of the church; and if we had not done this, Andrei Nikolaevich, judging impartially, would not have praised us, showing ourselves to be ungrateful and inattentive to the benefactor. The chagrin of the benefactor would be the stronger, the more obvious to him the work of his charity in the church. Andrei Nikolaevich, with his high spirit, may have a more elevated and generous view of this case. I wish him to be satisfied with your order in peace. You can let the economist know that I am now writing. It would be good if Andrei Nikolaevich entered into similar discussions and took the trouble to write to me about this matter. – If Mr. General Arbenev is with you: inform him that the Highest command has been issued for him to be the prosecutor of the Synodal Office, with the renaming of actual state councilors. There was care to fully fulfill his desire: but God wanted him to partly receive help, partly to continue the feat of patience. The Ministry of Finance received information that in the monasteries of the Moscow and Tver dioceses large reserves of wine were made, and even warehouses of wine were allowed to unauthorized persons in order to avoid excise taxes. This may be followed by searches and seizures. I hope that there is nothing similar in the Lavra; nevertheless, I find it necessary to receive from you, Fr. governor, written certificate, for delivery where needed. Note. On the letter by Fr. The governor is marked: "November 1862" Thank you for the reception of the Bishop of Kiev, which was pleasant to him. It’s nice for me to note that you are happy with it too. But of course you were tired of waiting. It's not my fault. He wanted to leave at one o'clock in the afternoon: but he arrived at the station after the train had already left, and therefore was forced to stay until the evening. – The sketes were ordained today. – Thank you for the photographic icon of St. Sergius. Clear image. A gentle look. Touching. – There is still uncertainty about the highest journey to the Lavra. I am very chilly and catch a cold, not even further than the house church. Previously, a deerskin sweatshirt protected me from the penetration of air; but now it seems very cold to me. I remember you said that deerskin with a little hair was sent from Arkhangelsk. If it is not used and not given away, will they make me a sweatshirt out of it? – Maybe it will come due to the state of my body. Thank you for the comfortable reception of the Grand Duke, and for the news about this. I don’t hear anything about Their Majesties’ trip to the Lavra. Silence continues about the highest journey to the Lavra. Before, Their Majesties deigned to talk to me about this: but then neither on Saturday afternoon, nor on Monday, when they deigned to visit me, nor on Tuesday, when I was with Them with gratitude, did they talk about the trip to the Lavra. They probably remain undecided due to the cold. – On the 1st day of December, order, father governor, to distribute 150 rubles from me according to custom. God's blessing and peace from above to the vicar father and the brethren of the monasteries. I sincerely thank you for remembering the day, which was memorable and instructive for me, and for the brotherly prayer for me, which was of great benefit to me. Your good eye desires to foresee for me the hope of God's grace for many years to come. Many years have already been covered by the long-suffering and ineffable mercy of God. Thank God for everything. The will of the Lord be done in everything. Most of all, help me with your prayer, so that I will not be abandoned by the grace of God as I pass into a flightless age. On the first day of December, I received from Their Imperial Majesties the Gospel and the Cross in my home church, which They deigned to visit a few days before. – Lord, save your anointed and show mercy to them and their seed. The Highest visit to the Lavra is not yet definitely known: but it will probably be by Sunday, perhaps even closer, because the return to St. Petersburg is not believed to be far away. – Alexey Petrovich, Chief Prosecutor of the Holy Synod, arrived after an illness, not yet quite strengthened. Perhaps he will not be in the Lavra, but in case he arrives, prepare a small warm and comfortable room for him in the Lavra. He takes good care of the affairs of the spiritual department. – Thanks to the Mother of God and St. Sergius for the gift of water. Last summer and autumn, from something more ancient, I felt the unsatisfactory quality of the water in the Lavra and the monastery. In winter, the water in the ponds spoils, and out of negligence I think about the ice holes. If you regularly keep two or three ice holes open in different places on the pond; the pond will breathe and the water will not suffocate. Conducting water to the Lavra using a steam engine will not only be expensive at the beginning, but will not be easy in the long run. Firewood, workers heating the machines, continuous supervision of them so that they do not damage the machines. - A lot of costs and worries. And if they damage the car, there will be an incorrigible problem, because the Lavra blacksmith will not fix it. – The water reservoir in the red tower, especially if water is drawn from it and spilled here, can harm the building by dampness. The supply of water to the kitchen can be arranged and inspected reliably; and holding water in the cell is a temptation. This was done in the Ugreshsky Monastery; and everywhere I saw under the taps a damp, and therefore rotting, floor. If God brings me these days to the Lavra, let’s talk about this in more detail. The highest visit should be expected on Tuesday evening; and on Wednesday their Majesties are supposed to listen to the Divine Liturgy. I’m thinking of coming to the Lavra on Monday: but I still can’t determine the time. I ask you not to gather the brethren to church for this purpose, except for the gravemaster and the sexton; and don't tell strangers. It is advisable for me to spend the night in my cells and listen to the liturgy in the house church; and then move to the sacristan. I am somewhat perplexed about this journey: but I find it difficult to force myself to refuse. From our venerable father Sergius, who has had much mercy on me, ask me for mercy, leniency and help. On Friday, announcing to you the Imperial visit to the Lavra next Tuesday, I did not lose hope of meeting Their Imperial Majesties there. But from Friday to Saturday there was such an unfavorable change in my health that yesterday I remained indecisive, expecting an improvement; and today, remaining sick and lacking in strength, I am forced to abandon the journey. The will of the Lord be done! I grieve: but I console myself by obeying necessity. May our Reverend Father Sergius bless you and the brethren, through your common prayer and good service to promote the prayer and peace of the Most Pious. Their Imperial Majesties will arrive directly to the Church. It seems that I will immediately listen to a full prayer service, without an akathist. But maybe I’ll find out more about this tomorrow, and I’ll let you know what I find out. With you in vestments will be the rector of the Academy, and then the hieromonks of the Lavra. When Their Majesties venerate the relics of St. Sergius and accept the icons: introduce them to the rector of the Academy. Celebrate the Liturgy with the rector of the Academy and three hieromonks. I find it necessary to use, as before, the Archangel protodeacon, as he is familiar with such ministries. The teacher of the court singers, by the Highest will, demanded my singers; and they will. In this case, you will have to hold the left face. Crews will be sent for Their Majesties. You prepare carriages at the railway for the Synodal Chief Prosecutor and other members of the retinue. If my aching head did not remember something: may St. Sergius and your discretion instruct you in this. To the viceroy father and the brethren of the monasteries, blessing from the Lord, and peace, and the light of spiritual joy from the Lord who is born for our salvation. Glory to God, and thanks to the intercession of St. Sergius, that the Sovereigns in the world brought their prayer, and consoled the humble with their benevolence. – There is another question about water: is the source on Lavra land? – If not on the Lavra, then the townspeople will demand payment for use. I wish for permission for this. To the viceroy father and brethren, peace and joy of the Lord. This will be presented to you by the Kiev co-collector and interlocutor of Andrei Nikolaevich Muravyov, who wants to hold a holiday in the Lavra. Receive him and help him spend his time in the Lavra with consolation and edification. Rejoice at the Father Superior and the brethren of the monasteries. I receive you as messengers of the glory of our born Savior. Let His glory shine upon you; May His joy be with you; and let His peace guard your hearts and minds. – Let Priest Peter come to us to serve. I. is unable to leave his cell; and wants to come to you. Maybe you can still get some relief; for his nature was strong until now. We were very peaceful with him: he serves with attention; and behaves peacefully and meekly. – In the presence of their majesties in the Lavra, I intended to take part in monastic singing: but the teacher of the court singers also said (not only to me) that when the Sovereign Emperor was in the Lavra, and I fell ill and the brethren sang during your service, it was as if the Sovereign was dissatisfied with the singing and its continuation. Their Majesties are good: and around Them they are wise. – However, thank God for everything. – I approved the idea of ​​the water supply system. But I also ask you to look around carefully. I sent to the Sukharev Tower to look at the reservoir there. There is dampness in the corners of the room; and in spring and autumn, they say, all the walls are covered with water. The Red Tower is not as thick with walls as Sukharev: wouldn't there be more cheese? and won't it freeze and the water in it will freeze? – May our Great Abba enlighten us and guide us! – Read the attached letter from the novice. I think there is no need to have intercourse with him. – Tell the treasurer to send 15 or 20 rubles from me to Migalov. – I came across two copies of the calendar for next year. I'm sending you one. You can’t agree on everything with the note about the candle project. She recognizes trading in the candlestick project; and says that he is not contrary to church rules. We resolutely deny it, and I have already sent a report about this to the Synod. I would like to tell you my additional considerations to the Commission’s draft: but I wrote them out of haste so that you will not read them; and I’m already tortured with correspondence. – Do I need to return the evil Polish word to you? If it weren’t necessary, I would have sent it to St. Petersburg just in case. The priest acts with both his right and left hands. Either he flatters the archbishop in order to attract him to the side of the rebellion, or he reproaches him in order to discourage him on the legal path and push him to the side of the rebellion. Of course, evil words are being spread: will there be an exposer of deceit and slander against the government? – How far away do you think: “through the centuries”! Don't we see how days destroy what has been created over centuries? How much more days will absorb the generation of minutes. The report and letter, if you like, will go to the Lavra in the original, following previous examples. Tell them to remind you of this when someone from the Lavra is here who can take it. God's blessing and peace and health to the viceroy father. The same goes for the brethren of the monasteries. Spare the sick body. If it receives the day of rest it needs, it will reward it with many days of health. And being denied the necessary day of rest can increase the number of painful days. I am sending the letters you wrote about, in the original, to others like you. Only those sent now should be read carefully: but there is no need to copy them. I am also sending the Greek charter with attachments. She now says: how quickly the image of this world comes. You can submit the Bethanyites for ordination next week, or already in the second post. Thank God that S. was granted a peaceful death. Before, her health was strange. – You wrote that it is inconvenient for the establishment of sisters of mercy to be at the Ascension Monastery, but it would be more convenient to combine this with the proposed establishment of Princess G.; and you wanted me to propose this to the founding ladies of the sisters of mercy. I proposed this through the Right Reverend Leonid; and then I had Princess Shch. and G.S. But she objected to me that you are of the opinion that the founded institution should be in the Ascension Monastery; but she did not explain how and when industries would join it. Princess Shch. believes that those elected as sisters of mercy should live for a year in the Ascension Monastery and look after sick nuns: and then move to her institution, and from there go to hospitals: but at the same time she admits that her boss is unsatisfactory, although the institution has existed for 18 years. How to understand and figure all this out? – G.S. wants me to write to you about this. So I’m writing and waiting for an answer. – From the St. Petersburg courtyard, or better yet, about the courtyard, there is news that the priestly service is taking place in a well-organized manner, that some are burdened by the long commemoration of the dead, while others are pleased that this is being carried out carefully; that some people want there to be teachings at the liturgy on holidays, but that the steward does not dare to do this without permission. You can entrust him with short readings from the teachings of the Holy Fathers, which he would choose according to the needs and understanding of the listeners. You had two eminences. I didn't have time to introduce you to them. I would like to know how these visits were and so on. About the service to Saints Cyril and Methodius, I heard that the Right Reverends Eugene and Philotheus were thinking about how to incorporate my draft troparions into a printed canon, but were not thinking about compiling a new one. They want to translate the psalter into Russian before other Old Testament books. I said that the Bible Society did this for special reasons which no longer exist; that the psalter is used separately for prayers and teaching children, and that for this we need the Slavic one, not the Russian one; that it is natural to begin the translation from the first book of Genesis; that historical books are easier to translate, and by continuing to translate them one can better prepare for the more difficult task of translating the psalter. They didn’t deign to heed this. Bless me on the path of fasting and repentance: the Lord bless you. May the grace of the Lord grant you complete purification of souls: ask for this good and my spiritual poverty. – The celebration of the accession of the Sovereign Emperor to the throne should be celebrated on its day, the 19th, Tuesday; and church service according to the rules of the Feast of the Annunciation. – It is comforting to see the soul of the Empress, constantly turning to God and to the church, and wanting to serve her. And She continues to provide for the supply of Western churches with urgency. The establishment of sisters of mercy in the Ascension Monastery, with various branches outside it, does not present a clear and reliable appearance to me. Your previous idea of ​​​​combining this with the establishment of Princess G. seems to me more clear and reliable, because, by the way, the princess seems to me capable of giving this matter good direction and animation. May the Lord manage the work of philanthropy. I approved the expulsion of the novice from the monastery. But there is something unclear here. He came to the hospital. Are you really going to send the sick person out? – Also, in the Council’s resolution it is not mentioned to notify the department from which he came and to which he must return. He wouldn’t have become a tramp, and they wouldn’t blame us for this. The brethren of Bethany accepted the ordination to which they were presented. Continue to lead them in serving and pleasing the Lord. – If true, the Polish news is bitter. And they hardly see everything correctly from St. Petersburg. May the Lord of hosts hear the humble souls crying out to him. – About the former ministers, what will be the answer of the House, do not hesitate to let me know. This may be needed for other places. They begin to use their freedom. In the Chudov Monastery, in the first week of Lent, the minister came to office at the wrong time, and was drunk, and there were two thefts. I instructed the Consistory to examine and determine how to get rid of such people as quickly as possible. Vasily and the coachman serve me in such a way that it is desirable to keep them, but they ask for 300 rubles each. salaries, if you stop what is given to them in kind. I would like to know what your assumptions are about this. – For three days now I’ve been planning to write to you on an unexpected matter: and I’m having a hard time finally making up my mind, because I can’t avoid it. Ivan Trifonovich came to me in agitation of spirit, even to the point of tears, although he said that he was not worried, and gave me the attached letter, which he had received from Sergievsky Posad. He said that the Frenchman V. was a student of the Moscow vocational school, an unscrupulous person, who was convicted of this in his affairs with his brother and with the city of Savvina, to whom he caused great difficulties and damage. Have we already made a contract with him? Ivan Trifonovich added that the treasurer and the monastery builder were told about the unreliability of this Frenchman early on so that they would bring this to your attention. Consider all this: and tell me what should be done. The letter could be slander, and one could despise it: but what worries me is that Ivan Trifonovich knows the Frenchman from experience as an unscrupulous and dangerous person; and at the same time the letter takes on meaning. – Write that Malyshev should be paid 45 rubles. for the image, that is, for iconography. And for the tree, for the frame, for the frame or the ark? – Thank you for the icon prepared for the soldiers. 45 rubles for the artist give it away from me. Migalov asks for benefits. I think I wrote to send it to him. Or it was already a long time ago! Tell me to send 15 or 20 rubles. First of all, I was given pitiful information about the doctor Nikolaev; and I spoke about him to the Governor General. Now I still couldn’t talk in favor of ours: because I don’t leave the house with a sore leg. Only last Sunday I forced myself to serve in Chudov. I'll try, if it's not too late. – May God grant that your view of the Frenchman continues to be correct. It is likely that Sergei Trifonovich was dissatisfied with him, being himself to blame, and did not thoroughly rebel his brother against him. It’s hard to come up with better thoughts for this. – I don’t think it is possible to compare novices with nuns regarding property and inheritance. And what was done before this regarding the abbots was not done without negotiation and dispute with the legislative power of the State. They will say: how will they appropriate the property of those who have not made a vow? Yes, that’s what I’m inclined to say. A novice comes to the monastery with a decent inheritance: if they take it and spend it, and then she wants to leave; what to do then? They will say: they have robbed and are throwing out the beggar. I don’t think it’s possible to take advantage of the Blachernae opportunity. Allow me a question: is it correct in some women's monasteries for the so-called apostles to wear the novices? The Serpukhov abbess wants to use this, thinking that this type of clothing is more modest. – Thanks be to God who sent punishment in the slightest, if the instructions for caution are clearer. It is especially needed in relation to fire, in a monastery where there is a lot of wood. The skits came to me, complaining about the deprivation of shelter. But what to do? The Antioch courtyard is foreign; and have a reason to take care of your premises. Our monasteries are burdened with Greek and Bulgarian immigrants. In Chudovo alone there are five or six of them. However, today I am calling the hermits to find out where they are being vaccinated, and, if necessary and possible, to look for housing for them. – Do not be angry at the question attached to this. I often receive letters like this, and I shouldn’t ignore them. I have never allowed the Chrysostom Liturgy to be celebrated for commemoration or a holiday during Lent, except for the day of St. Alexis; but now we have moved this from Monday to Sunday. I allowed the Chrysostom liturgy during Lent only in house churches, for two extreme needs: for the ordination of a priest, so that the parish church would not remain empty for a long time at such a time, and for the communion of numerous cadets, whom it would suddenly be impossible to confess on Saturday and to commune on Saturday. – Under the patronage of the Empress, at the end of his last stay in Moscow, a concert was given by court singers, a small number of whom were asked to supplement mine. I agreed. Having seen this example, the society for the publication of useful books asked me for singers for a similar concert. What prompted me to agree was that the flow of bad books needs to be countered by at least a small dam with good books. I only did not allow the singing of what is sung in the liturgy; but allowed it to be sung in services and in homes. The anonymous letters complained about this and presented to me the incongruity that in the first concert they sat while singing the Lord’s Prayer, but stood up for the song: God Save the Tsar. Then I learned about the second concert that there was applause. After this, I already refused four or five requests for a concert. But some, even spiritual ones, say that spiritual concerts are better than secular or live paintings. Sort out my thoughts, am I right now, and was I very guilty before? – God will bless the care for the cleanliness of His church. The celebration of the Chrysostom Liturgy on fast days is not, in essence, an important change in order. In ancient times this was not viewed in some places in the same way as today in general in the Orthodox Church. But we must spare the true zealots who, without delving deeply into the spiritual, are easily seduced by the visible. Those who wish to commemorate the deceased can do this on Saturday. Abbess M., even before her abbess, I don’t know whether it was with someone else’s blessing that she took her hair away so as not to have to worry about it; and having become abbess, she offered this without blessing to some sisters, and they say they agreed. She acts with good intentions, but not without enterprise. – Now she is starting a business that seems very useful to her, but very dubious to me. A landowner of the Tula province, there, 28 versts from the Vladychnya monastery, gives this monastery enough land and buildings so that there will be a branch of the Vladychnya monastery for those who want to live in silence. For this they want to take away the church from the parishioners, and in return give them something close to them. It seems to me that this is inconvenient for management and supervision; and trespassing the boundaries of the diocese is frowned upon. Tell me your thought. The Perervinsky monastery says that the Vifansky monastery has already missed the deadline for paying the agreed part of the debt. May the vicar father and brethren be granted to be in the communion of the passion of Christ through faith and love, with tenderness and consolation. – Give, Father Viceroy, accommodation to an archpriest investigator who is uncomfortable visiting someone in a society that is preoccupied with the investigation. You say that there is no untruth in the adventure of the Kokuevsky priest: but there is a little lack of truth in him, and in the one who held the shroud during communion. They had to see that the shrine was not only accepted, but also consumed, before the communicant departed from the veil. This is also necessary because some people intentionally hold a particle of the Holy Spirit in their mouth. gifts. Tell the priest on my behalf to read the akathist to the Lord Jesus, and the akathist to the Mother of God, and, condemning his thoughts for inattention, pray for forgiveness and preservation. Hereby it is permitted; and he doesn’t need to come to me anymore. Let him bow down to the one holding the shroud to purify inattention. The fear of investigation is in vain. Such cases are not investigated, unless under some special circumstances. It is better to take out part of the floor, for example the stone on which the shrine fell, completely and put it in the river, where no foot will trample on it. To the Father Superior and the brethren of the holy monasteries, we extend a mutual voice from the heart to the common voice of faith and joy. Truly Christ is risen! By His life-giving grace, may the Lord grant to all of us that our faith will be justified and strengthened, and that our spiritual joy will be protected by a life true to faith. – My word to you was slow: because it failed. – I was privileged to celebrate this great day with the great Church. I've been sick ever since. Help me with your prayers on the path of relief or patience. Brethren, let us take heed to this time, so as to awaken ourselves from neglect and slumber. The tongues are reeling. People learn vain lessons. From Christian societies come men who say depravity. Reckless blasphemies are proclaimed as wisdom. Temptation and lawlessness open wide paths for themselves. In such circumstances, living sacrifices are especially required - for themselves and for others, struggling in repentance, prayers and correction. This requirement applies to our title more than others. In relation to your award, the money specified by law must be sent to the Consistory, and then I must give an answer to the G.S.O.P. 66. Or do this according to the Council, having dealt with the law, and present me with a draft answer; or return the attitude so that I can fulfill what is due through the Consistory. When F. was appointed to Makhra, and did not want to go: then leaving him in the Lavra meant giving victory to the guilty over the authorities; and nothing good could be expected. Condescension could be given by the fact that if he does not want to go to Makhra, at the same time he asks to go to another monastery. I’ll also say: they’re all cunning. Encourage the Council and officials to use official caution in their affairs. When I wanted to say something in response to the Chief Prosecutor to justify the Lavra, I thought, among other things, to point out that F. had been tonsured a long time ago and was not worthy of the hierodeaconry: I would order the secretary to look for his name in the full record of the Lavra brethren: but his name was not in it! I order you to look in the folded list: his name is in it; no time for tonsure; and the evidence of conduct is one with many. Why not write about this: it needs correction; or: requires special supervision? This is what I could write O.P. 67 as proof that Lavra knew him in advance and did not tolerate him without attention. Now the Council presented the dean’s report, and in it there is testimony from different persons: but they were written by the dean. If F. were interrogated on this basis, he could plausibly object that this is not true testimony; because he could take the true ones from each person with his signature; which means that those named did not want to give the kind of testimony that the dean wanted, and he himself wrote on their behalf the testimony that he wanted. When you have fulfilled what I have set for F.: present a project for an additional relationship with G.O.P. 68. Which hierodeacon N. would you like to represent as a hieromonk? – I remember one who was in disarray of mental strength. It is not without concern that one can look at the future after suffering from such an illness. – Is it possible that someone will be carried away by N.? “I don’t know what Vladyka Vladimir is doing either.” He himself submitted his resignation to the Synod, and is attracting people to his ranks. It seems that it would be better to present the purpose of people to the one who will be called to manage them. – You wrote about the stove for the Trinity Cathedral. It seems less convenient to arrange it under the northern porch than under the southern corner of the meal, where it seems to be now. There is a ready place and an entrance. Maybe you just need to go deeper into the ground. You protest against the disposition to hide behind a lie, as if someone had expressed such suspicion. In the resolution, I removed any criticism from the assistant dean. I only wrote that a cunning defendant, from the irregularity of the form of the case, can take an opportunity to cast doubt on the fidelity of the case. I demanded caution; but I have no doubt about loyalty. – What a pity what happened at the railway station. Yesterday this face seemed ambiguous to me, and it could be understood from his actions in the east, the irregularity of which I explained. They say they are plausible. – Tell the Khotkovskaya abbess that, with the help of God, victory will not be ceded to cunning. – For quite a long time I had been thinking about making the Khotkovo deacon a third priest for the convenience of serving: but the archpriest gave me some information about him that left me perplexed. The gaiter was placed on Hieromonk I., but not by me: because from the first day of Easter until now I have not been able to get rid of the cold I received that day; and tomorrow he is forced to stay in his cell. Now the severity of the cold decreases: but the weak state of the insides and imperfection of taste that it produces remains. Lavra did not even look for him after his eastern service: he was crowded out. The question is whether the clergy should not express to the Sovereign Emperor the feelings aroused in the hearts of their loyal subjects by the present circumstances of the fatherland: but illness did not allow me to do this in good time. And I think that this would be a very dubious step. This is not visible from the side of the clergy in states in which it is closer to politics, and where the addresses of the people or classes have long been common. It is difficult for a church word to enter the political sphere without leaving the spiritual field. But having once entered this path, there will be some need to continue walking along it, and may even lead you where it is inconvenient to follow. During the war of 1806 or 1807, the Holy Synod, thinking to strongly support the government, called Napoleon the Antichrist: and then made peace with the Antichrist. The address of the Holy Synod would be out of the ordinary: because both the State Council and the Senate do not write addresses. As for me, I have said my little word; when the Sovereign Emperor and the Empress deigned to greet me via telegram, and I responded with a most humble letter. I am sending a telegram and a letter. After reading them, place them between my papers in my monastery cell. Object to me if you find my thoughts unsatisfactory. 69 Intention o. F. to go to Optina Pustyn was known to me before your letter, and my advice to him was written with the thought that he would not apply it to this intention. O.F. came to me and announced that he had already taken the passport. I showed him my view of the matter. I was not inclined, in front of many churches in the monastery, to allow the construction of a church: at the insistence of F. and I. I decided to do this, in the hope that they would justify the matter with the consequences. And this should have confirmed F. in place. If the idea came to him to wander, and even to cross over, then it was necessary to open it quietly to you and me, and discuss it modestly before starting the matter. To decide without this and agree with the Optina ones means to put your thought above obedience to your superiors. To submit a request for travel, under which another intention is hidden, is a lack of sincerity and simplicity befitting a schema-monk. When advice is given and the matter is not decided: it should have been said in writing or verbally whether the advice was accepted or not, and if not accepted, then why. Then a decision would follow. Not saying anything to the advice and taking a passport without permission is a disregard for both the person advising and order. This cannot be approved; and what cannot be approved cannot be blessed. But when he has already made up his mind, I do not hold him back, and let him go in peace, remaining disposed to accept him again with love, if his thoughts take such a direction. – O.F. believes the reason for his removal is that Fr. I., defending his primacy in the eldership, gives F.’s students advice that upsets them. As an example, he presented P., to whom I., beyond his measure, gave an intense direction to seek the gift of tears. P. thought that he had acquired this gift; F. suspected there was charm in this; and this opinion is proven by unpleasant consequences. Finally, F. told me that it was now inconvenient for him to return to the Paraclete Skete; because both his position and his cell are already occupied by someone else; and therefore we must expect that time will tell. If I. has the disposition to give advice to other people’s disciples, secretly from their elder: will this lead to a good dispensation? It would be better if he told his elder about what was useful for the student, so as not to lead one down two roads. – Prayer is really needed. But now the Holy Synod, I think, will find it difficult to prescribe a special prayer. They will not dare to do this without the consent of the Sovereign Emperor, and obtaining consent is now doubtful. The state of affairs has not yet been determined. People close to the supreme government say that there will be no war this year. However, you need to think about this carefully. – A sinner, a lawless one. Have mercy on us, Lord! – I am inquiring about the days of the order, but have not yet received information. It is difficult to imagine a mistake in relation to the Chief Prosecutor. Isn't this a new provision? The holiday dates this year are difficult for me. On the 19th day, on the feast of the Holy Trinity, I need to be in the Lavra, and on the 20th, on the feast of St. Alexis, in Moscow. If this year were like last year for me: I would hasten to the Lavra. But my illness, which began on the second day of Easter, has not ended even now. I have difficulty performing liturgy in my home church; and, at least so far, I see no hope of strengthening myself so that I can perform the Trinity service and read the prayers of this day. If it becomes necessary to stay in the house church, then rather in Moscow than in the Lavra. This is my position. The will of the Lord be done, and, according to it, the will of St. Sergius. By the way, a small disease, a corn, is causing me a lot of difficulty. The local doctor said that drops alone would not get rid of it, and suggested ointment. I obeyed. And because of this, the legs came into an abnormal position; and this had an unfavorable effect on the insides. I gave up the ointment. I had to walk most of the time in pain, which is why I don’t walk much, and because of this I feel heaviness and weakness in all my legs. I try to have fairly wide shoes, but with little success. Now they are making shoes that are wide and soft: I don’t know how much better it will be. I agreed to take money from the St. Petersburg courtyard. I would agree to postpone the church schedule altogether. A lot of money will be required, and, given the current fragile art, not for long. It’s a different matter if there is a God-loving contributor: here it is pleasant to see a good deed from the source of the heart. – We are running low on money. And it would be proper to prepare for donations. I had the Bishop of Kyiv. He promises one and a half million rubles from his diocese, and hopes the same from others. - How will you do this? – I have one and a half million souls in my diocese; Therefore, you need to take a ruble each. Others will not give so much; but I will be the first to sign more; so do others; and there will be one and a half million. – I don’t think it’s easy to do. Did you take samples of the vessels for St. peace and oil, in order to find out where you can order these and at what price. You need to have an answer to this. – F. said that P., in a state of mind, undertook an unreasonable feat, in cold clothes, walked in the air on a cold night; caught a cold and died. – It could be that one person looked at one thing one way and the other another. But here’s what upset me: F. said to the secular person: it’s good that the Metropolitan didn’t ask me; but I would be forced to say something serious. Whether he knew anything or dreamed, he did not tell his superiors: but he gave strangers a bad opinion about people and about a place that especially should have enjoyed a good opinion. This day Paphnutius of Maloyaroslav visited me. He is not cheerful and weak, as if after a light blow. He said that F. was with him; and admits himself to temptation. – You want me to be in the Lavra on the Holiday. But what if I am forced to stay in the house church? Difficulty for both you and me. In this case, it’s better for me to be at the Sukharevsky courtyard. Wide shoes make me feel lighter. The legs are generally better: but the left foot is swollen, and when standing, even not for long, pain begins to be felt. – The permissive effect of saliva is beyond doubt, but the adaptation of this remedy is inconvenient. Health and strength to you. Celebrate, Father Vicar, with your brethren, the great day of the Most Holy Trinity with peace coming from above and spiritual joy. Remember my humility before the throne of the Most Holy Trinity, and at the feet of St. Sergius. – Now I must say decisively that I must stay in Moscow for the holiday. Leg swelling continues; and while standing, the pain begins so quickly that I do not find myself fit for prolonged priestly service. – I want to fulfill the petition for Borisoglebsky, but I don’t know how I can; I’m afraid to leave so that my sore leg doesn’t get worse. – Andrei Nikolaevich is coming to see you on Friday. Prepare an abode and a meal for him; and may your conversation be peaceful and pleasant. He didn't complain to me about anything. However, on Friday A.N. 70 wants to go not in the morning, but in the afternoon. God vouchsafed me to serve on the day of the Holy Trinity in the Assumption Cathedral, and on the day of St. Alexis in his monastery, although with difficulty, especially on the first day. I could read only one section of the prayers at Vespers; I left the rest to the vicar, and for the last of these prayers I did not have the strength to kneel, and I was forced to sit down. – I really wish you to go to the Lavra: it is difficult to free yourself from the bonds of affairs. There is barely enough time for the daily ones: and there is a lot that needs to be sorted out that came before. – Another traveler from the Paraclete Desert. It would be desirable for those who have chosen silence to hold tighter to what they have chosen. I rejoice that the memory of Saint Plato is honored with reverence and gratitude. That the Bethany treasurers were cathedral treasurers, I did not forget this: but I asked if there were any in the Lavra who, when performing special positions, outweighed the dignity of the Bethany treasurer. But now the deed is already done. – Sometimes monastics’ proposals for ordination are hasty, and are not justified by the consequences. Someone in the Praclitus Hermitage, a young man, was ordained a hierodeacon; and soon left for Optina Pustyn. They didn't want to accept him; because it represented an example contrary to the rules there: but they finally accepted it, at the insistence of G.S., and also, it seems, out of the false idea that rejection would be unpleasant for me, whereas it would be useful for the monk, and therefore pleasant for me. I am telling you this so that submissions for ordination should be done with caution and possible inquiries into trustworthiness. It might not be a bad idea to take and make known to those nominated for ordination the rule that one who has been awarded ordination must not arbitrarily seek relocation from the monastery in which he received ordination for at least three years. Imagine by assumption, not suddenly. My health is not serving me well. Last Sunday, in light vestments, due to the mistake of the hierodeacon, I walked around the church being consecrated. During the day it seemed that it passed comfortably: but then I suffered to this day. Health and salvation to you. I ask for prayers for my salvation. God's blessing, peace and health to the viceroy father. The same goes for the brethren of the monasteries. I grieve over your illness; but I don’t believe the news about your laziness. It is not laziness, but intense work, and illness from it, that requires rest from you. Give yourself peace and don't exhaust your strength by trying too hard. – Finally I hope to escape from the Moscow bonds; and I decide to go not by rail, but by earthen road. As if on purpose, yesterday the judgment of an experienced doctor came to my attention about the unfavorable effect of trembling movement on the railway. I still have a tumor in my leg; and it is not advisable to strengthen it. So that they don’t decide to greet me ceremoniously, I first ask you not to do this. I don't have enough strength for this. And don’t let people notice the expectations. I expect to arrive in the evening. There is a special need to talk with you. Can you visit me today at four o'clock, or at four? They ask me for icons here. Bring me some enamel, medium measure. Excuse me, Father Viceroy; I can’t write what you wrote about. I'll tell you the reason later. Thank you for encouraging my inactivity, which stems either from laziness or from ignorance that I can do something useful. I sent the image and letter through the postal director, which I think is more convenient than express. – I wish you success in agricultural affairs. And here the sun is now shining: but the barometer shows nothing more than variable weather. – A. I asked about the commandments of God. He said that it was ten: but when asked which commandment he sins against, who swears or swears falsely, after a long silence, he read the ninth commandment. The question is: how do you hope to be saved? I did not get him to mention Christ the Savior. It is difficult to decide to ordain. Tell A. to teach the younger ones to understand why they are Christians. Note: This letter is followed by a piece of paper signed by Fr. Governor "July 20th day", containing the following two prayers: Most Holy Virgin Mary, who loved God above the seraphim's love, and was beloved by God above every creation, and for this sake was chosen by God the Father, and overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, to be Theotokos of the Only Begotten Son of God, from You who received flesh for our salvation! Combining your immeasurable love for God with extreme love for mankind, pray to Christ our God, who was born of You, so that our hearts, deadened by sin, may be revived by His Divine love, and our lives may be well-ordered by doing our commandments, and may be preserved from all care, and wickedness, and the slander of enemies visible and invisible, and will save our souls, as He is merciful. Most blessed Mother of God, God-loving Virgin, and Lady of humanity, imitating the ineffable love for mankind of Your Son and our God, who sent your miraculous image to the sick Abgar, and thereby healed him and brought him to the true faith, and you have appeared in Your diverse and honest image to the Christian race, and you have given grace-filled help and faith you approve. In the same way, look upon the Russian people, before Your honest image, praying to Your very God-blessed face, and, raising Your God-bearing hand, bring down to us from the Lord the highest peace and blessing, and ask for everything that is useful and saving for us, and let us call You: Rejoice, gracious giver of good things. The coronation book will come to you. Just give me time to watch it in order. I propose for your consideration a matter of philanthropy, but a dubious one. Please see the attached letter. Elder Golovina has reached great poverty; deceived by the hope of being placed in a widow's house; and asks for accommodation in the Lavra Hotel or in a charity house. I don't think the hotel is comfortable. Is it possible to place it in a charity home, and where? Despite the pain, her will is quite spontaneous; and this can be difficult. She lived for some time in a monastery, and, they say, due to illness, she was not tidy. Judge, not by my request, but only by your love for humanity, whether you can accept and bear this burden. May the Lord help Father F. mentally and physically. I don’t know what to say about his children. Judge for yourself whether, with a peaceful conscience, you can present them for ordination, especially as a hieromonk. What will happen if the hieromonk, while performing the Divine Liturgy, instead of deepening into the power of the secret prayers, disassembles the letters, gets confused in them, and loses the mind of the sacred words? Or, what will happen if the hieromonk, reading the Gospel in church, stops over the letters, changes poorly understood words, clouds the understanding of the holy words, and those present, instead of reverently listening, condemn and murmur? If o. F., resting in his church, after his death, will hear this: will this not touch the peace of his soul? And won’t he regret that he begged for something useless and did not betray his children to the will of God? Both they and others will pray for him; and the Lord accepts the prayers not only of those who stand near His altar, but also of those who humbly stand further. If the children o. F. they will be ordained later than as he wishes, but with better preparation to serve without embarrassment for themselves and for others: isn’t this better? However, I do not decisively refuse: judge for yourself, depending on how much time the hierodeacon has had in performing the service. - I feel sorry for the Mesopotamian boy; and it’s a pity that the Reverend does this. – The Empress will begin her journey tomorrow; The Emperor accompanies her to Nizhnyago; Moscow will be passed; but the Emperor will be in it on his return journey. For a long time I had no answer about the icon and the letter. For 22 days the Empress did not receive, and did not attend the liturgy; 27 days gave a good answer. I was in Novodevichy for 28 days working; and today I remain in the cell. Is the hay healthy? Will the new month be better than the previous one? And the former justified the ancient prediction about which I spoke, and which is based not on superstition, but on nature. I congratulate you on the past feast of the Most Holy Lady and our patroness, the Ever-Virgin Mother of God. I want to know if you celebrated safely. – We celebrated, by the grace of God, in peace; and the rulers of the city participated with us in conciliar prayers. Read the monastic letters sent here. Do you think that it is possible to print them, or lithograph them, not for sale? Shouldn't others be excluded? Letters about Father S. It seemed inconvenient for me to place them, because in them there is a lot of confusion of signs with the true, and therefore they are capable of arousing bewilderment instead of edification. Were the fields damaged by the former hail? And how wide was his path? An eye in a hailstone is a wonderful thing. I would like to ask, what does this mean? – Thank you for the holiday blessing. You are writing an explanation for a letter about novice S., who ministered to the sick. Is it because you referred to him my remark about the adventures of the youth S.? But this did not apply to him; and to the young S., who lived in his father’s cell, was first subject to insurance, and then had visions, sometimes worthy of faith, sometimes dubious and deceptive. Therefore, of the many letters about him, not a single one was included in the monastery letters. The “grandmother’s” visions, however, are marked by features of personal and mixed views. I thought that the reader would understand this: however, it is not without benefit that he can see that on the path of salvation there may be difficult trials, and that enduring them with faith can confirm a person on this path. – Thank you for your spiritual care of the Bronnitsky merchant. Upon returning from the Lavra, he was in a better than previous position with me: but his wife seems somehow closed and bottled up. About four hours before this I wrote to you; and now I am writing after receiving your letter. Do not be indignant at the arsonist: but thank God for blocking the path of evil; and think in peace about keeping the monastery safe. – Isn’t this the work of a man similar to the student of icon painting who was in the Lavra, and then came in a Garibaldian shirt? – And again - peace and health to you. And if, in order to maintain health, you need to stay in a cell, let this be in peace. August 25th 1863, nine o'clock in the evening. I read again the story about my grandmother’s illness, and became convinced that it could be used to discuss how such a complexity of phenomena could have come about, and what their merit was, and not for the edification of those reading in general. Some images can be interpreted correctly, such as, for example, under the image of a ring, for which it is necessary to melt an earthly ring, one can represent pure heavenly love, which the soul only contemplates and only temporarily accepts in sensation, remaining in the hope of assimilating it completely. The image of the ring is in the vision of the Great Martyr Catherine. The image of the three paths could have come from some books in the patient’s imagination, but it was posed vaguely and mixed; It is especially difficult to find consistency in the fact that after the patient, as it says, had completed the paths of purification and the path of Christ, she was beaten and broken by dark forces. And so I excluded this legend from the Monastic Letters. I am sending them to you to submit to the censor. Then the questions will be in what form and in what number to print in not very small letters, in the 12th part of the sheet. I don’t know how many copies there are. Is there any explanation for the incident on the 22nd day? Isn't it just some kind of mistake at home? – About the pond of the Pisarev Garden (which is now academic), I think I told you something with which what has now been revealed is consistent. The water in it suffocated in winter, from neglect of the ice holes, but in summer it was clean and did not bloom, which gave the idea of ​​a living spring. Therefore, when the reconstruction of the eastern building was undertaken, I advised to bail out the water for the work without filling up the pond, depending on whether it would open, or to preserve the pond, or at least to make a well in its place that would collect the water so that it would not spread through the ground to the buildings. But they didn’t listen to me, and the pond with water was covered with rubble, as has now been revealed. I think that if in a few years they had listened to me and opened the pond, albeit on a small scale, the Assumption Cathedral would have started to dry up, as it was before when the pond existed. Is it possible now to install a pipe that would lead water to the Assumption Well, preventing it from overflowing towards the cathedral? – It would be desirable to destroy as much water as possible from another thin pond. – What a great job the prosphorians, and then the candle makers, produce. May the Lord remember their obedience for the good of their souls. First of all, may your concern for raising the resources of the monastery to increase the deeds of charity be blessed. May the grace of the Lord, through the intercession of St. Sergius, strengthen and protect you. From the Lord peace and salvation to the viceroy father and brethren. I feel sorry for Andrei’s father, Avvakum. He was a meek husband. I remember that it was not for obedience, but at his request, that he was transferred from the monastery to the Lavra. If I had stayed there, I would have passed through a door other than the one I have now into eternity. However, it was not his soul that the villain damaged, but his own. Thin people, it is noticeable, become angry and daring. Are they not encouraged by news of the inhumanities of the Polish rebels? – May the attention of the brethren be aroused in order to more vigilantly guard the property of St. Sergius, their own, and themselves and each other. Let Saint Sergius not abandon his mercy from us, and let him beg the all-merciful Lord not to expose us with his rage, but to punish us with his anger. Yesterday I served at the Feast Day in the Petrovsky Monastery, and I felt so bad that I could not serve at my place that day. But we need to think about the path to the Lavra. If the Lord wills it, I think again along the earthen road, and not by rail. To the vicegerent father, in patience, comfort and peace from the Lord. To sorrow, sorrow. It’s hard to see someone killed near you, and it’s harder to see a murderer. There is, however, relief in the fact that this is not a member of the monastery, but a tradesman accepted for testing, and that he did not hide for long, and that he was brought to confession by his superiors. The fall is hard: but the conscience is awakened. I have always looked with doubt at the acceptance of Pupils from the orphanage into the monastery. It has long been noted that little good comes out of them. Under one of my predecessors, a student was admitted to the Lavra; went out the gate; got drunk drunk; returned to the locked gate, and then died. Lord, deliver us from evil. Glory to the Holy Trinity. Thanks to Her representative, Reverend Sergius. Thanksgiving for the visit, both for the punishing and for the merciful. I sincerely thank you, Father Viceroy, for caring for me, who is weak. – Under and through the snow, the six-hour journey, from the Lavra to Moscow, was completed safely. In Brotherhood, when I entered the priest’s house, I felt very tired, weak and hungry. I didn’t want to touch the prosphora; because it's cold. However, I decided to drink a small share, and a small share of wine. And that hour I felt lighter and stronger than before, and completed the other half of the journey without difficulty. It seems to me that the journey was even therapeutic: because the forces were aroused. I still remain in my cell, but I don’t feel any painful difficulty. Moscow, September 28th 1863. It is an error in my memory that you have been ordered to conduct an inquest at the Guslitsky Monastery. I thought that Pokrovsky was the dean of Guslitsky. It is inconvenient for you to travel, both for your health and because you are about to consecrate the church in Bethany. Write me a report that you find inconvenient and ask permission to postpone or make another order. I will appoint another 71. I am sending the Gospel and the cross in the church of the holy martyrs Plato and Roman. If there was more time, it could have been done differently. Now I took what seemed best from the finished one. Celebrate sanctification in the world, and remember my humility. Moscow, November 6th 1863. The Empress, upon her arrival yesterday, bowed to the Mother of God in the Iverskaya Chapel, and then said that in the morning at eight o'clock she would visit the Assumption Cathedral in solitude without any solemnity. Prince Nikolai Ivanovich, who gradually provided me with information about Her Majesty’s journey, did not report this last thing; also protoprosbyter; and the sacellar told me about this already at eight o’clock, not realizing that I too could have come to the cathedral in solitude if I had received information in time. Eternal memory to the Most Reverend Smaragd. I'm sending a vicar to his burial. I accepted the blessing sent from you as a sign of the image of the Lord with reverence and consolation; And I sincerely thank you for your prayer for me, and I humbly ask for its continuation, as alms to those who are lacking, and as parting words on the path in which only those clothed with earthly things and strengthened with heavenly things can safely walk. My strength is little strengthened. Their deficiency does not allow the use of air, and non-use of air does not contribute to their strengthening. Therefore, last Sunday, the ordination of hierodeacon should have been granted to the Eminence; but only accepted the ordination of hieromonk. Hieromonk Aaron received a blessing. Let God sing in the spirit. – There was an accident with the Bethany monk. I went to the confessor, and lost the file, and in it was the testimony of the confessor, and this happened just before the all-night vigil... I stopped and thought a little. – I am sending two notes asking for prayer from the hermits. With them 30 rubles. Forgive the slowness, from work, from weakness, and maybe from laziness. The monk, who had lost his business, cried. I called my confessor and asked if I noticed anything special during confession: he said no. And I decided to allow the ordination. I’m holding back the case about the dean, wanting to have information: why was the person nominated to the dean, hired as an assistant confessor, and soon dismissed? Is the assistant to the former dean not represented because he is dissatisfied with having seniority, or for another reason? I allowed the idea of ​​the dean. Now, it seems, it would be better not to define him who was fired. For the edification of the brethren, it is necessary that the dean’s face should not have a stain, although not very dark. Encourage the dean to be vigilant. The negative age also applies to the brethren of the Lavra. There is a very unpleasant rumor that seems to have come from the murderer of Habakkuk. Where is he now? – The difficulties with running water are unfortunate. Continue to care. That’s why it seemed to me that a barrel at dissolutions was better than a car and pipes. L's infidelity was unexpected. He was honest. In the spring, check that the pipes are intact so that water from the lights does not spread dampness in the ground, to the detriment of buildings. – Knowing my bewilderment to do what is right at the right time, I greet you and the brethren early with the joy of the Lord, who became incarnate and humbled himself, so that he may turn us from flesh to spirit and lift us up to salvation. Rejoice in the Lord, and prayerfully remember my humility. Moscow, December 21st 1863. From the Lord there is mercy for you, Father Viceroy, and much deliverance from all sorrow. May He who renews summer renew the strength of your spirit and body, so that you may, without exhaustion, continue serving Him and the brethren, and still bear my share of the burden for my consolation and tranquility. It was unfortunate for me to read the depiction of your pain: for I know that this did not come out until after much patience. But do not intensify the feat beyond your strength. Strength is exercised in moderation, with relief, and is maintained, if not increased. And tension through force can deplete it. Take care of yourself as you take care of me when necessary. Before this, my throat pain intensified, so I began to be afraid and speak. However, yesterday, by the grace of God, I could perform the consecration of water and liturgy in the house church, not to burden, but to relief. Yesterday evening, Eminence Voronezh visited me, and I also led him around the room, like Eminence Evgeniy. Doctors refused to restore his vision. He bears it meekly. I remember Ilaria. He hasn't been strong for a long time. May it be good for his soul, if not for his body. I don’t see Priest Zolotarev or the file about him. We have no right to send S. to the Tver diocese when he is decisively accepted by us and expelled from the Tver diocese. This is what the St. Petersburg Consistory wanted to do with one monk: but I did not accept; I wrote about this to the Metropolitan, and he fell silent. The Tver Eminence also has the right to send us back S. I also return to the case of monk S. Having reviewed it, I find that the report of the Council is not based either on the dean’s report or on anything else. In the current age of formalities and mistrust, it is inconvenient for authorities to act this way, although I am sure that the Council acts with justice. The guilty person can complain and blame us for the wrong action; and the guilty will remain the winner. You want to show mercy to someone who has sinned. Good deed. But justice is also needed. There is a judgment of God, said the pious King Jehoshaphat. That is: judgment is a matter that God entrusts to man in order to serve God’s justice. Do not be offended that I did not approve the salary, and I will arrange the matter in such a way that it can be defended against the sneak. January 7th 1864. 11 pm. I have a need for enamel icons, especially smaller ones. Pray for the bewitched Grand Duke Peter Nikolaevich, for whom we prayed in the house church yesterday by telegram. – Hieromonk P. asks to go to holy places for two years. Give me information about him and provide me with his service record. The law orders us to consider whether such petitioners are trustworthy. If you wanted to wander, let him wander in peace. In a monastery, especially in the Lavra, people who serve are needed, and not the names of those who are absent. – I found and read in a corrected translation three chapters from the Greek book of Nicodemus. Now they presented themselves to me in a better way than before. It seems that Western scholarship did not come to his aid in expounding the teachings of the Eastern fathers. He says that “we were given imagination and memory after the Fall.” How did the non-sinful Adam, having no memory, remember the names he named the animals, and the very name of Eve? But did he think that before the Fall, the mind, memory and imagination began to imagine what the mind would not want? – You told me about this book. I send unambiguous articles; After reading, tell me your opinion. – In the Optina Desert, at the church, the border of the Venerable Macarius of Egypt was established. I was offered a church icon from me. With this, a note about what they want. The food has been prepared and will be delivered to you. The icon will be needed, it seems, no earlier than Augustus. Order it from our icon painters, and ask them to paint with good skill, and set an appropriate, reasonable price. – The case about monk S. has already been sent to the Council. But there seems to be nothing unpleasant for the Council in the resolution. Only what the official order requires is shown. His case is bad. Perhaps the dean's assistant wrote a modest report about him that, having returned from obedience from the forest, S. made an unauthorized absence, appeared at the monastery untimely at the locked gates, and falsely testified that the delay occurred during obedience. Then it would be possible to determine either punishment or transfer to another monastery. I admit that, based on past experiences, I am not very happy with the latter. From V. you will hear what the hierodeacon who was expelled from the Lavra did. It seems to me that, given the current corruption of people, the rule of removing a person who has defamed himself without punishment does not achieve the goal that philanthropy wants. Those prone to weakness conclude from this: what harm will it do if I turn out to be guilty? I’ll just move to another monastery to a new place, where it might be freer. Moderate penance, soon after a misdemeanor, speaks more clearly to the intruders: beware! Or does this not help? I'm sorry. I don’t think at all of imposing obedience on you, reading the chapters of Nicodemus, when you see from several pages that there is nothing to expect. It seems to me that he did not think of preaching all-theism, or anything like that, but having studied in Western schools, he decided to explain the Eastern teaching about spiritual prayer and bring it into a system, but, not having enough strength, he became confused in concepts and forms. Give me back my notebooks. Meanwhile, I remember in the monastery one of the brethren has the book of Nicodemus, and of course for guidance. Doesn't this require your attention? – I wrote and am still writing that I have a need for enamel icons of a smaller size. By the way, we need icons of the Savior and the Mother of God. Take the trouble, Father Viceroy, to review my papers in the monastery cell; are there any papers? 2) About parish guardianship. If you find it, don’t hesitate to send it. Moscow, January 18th 1864. Perhaps you, Father Viceroy, are already asking what it means that I have not written for so long? Nothing, except that I don’t know how to master time. The day is mostly taken up by people; in fire, the eyes do not serve the purpose well; and if I do it until late at night, I can’t get out of bed in the morning for a long time. Beyond ordinary affairs, new ones are often born. What has been decided for several centuries, a question is raised, as for example, recently, about marriage in the fourth degree of kinship, many arguments and examples were presented to the Holy Synod in order to weaken the universal and holy rule. Vasily Velikago. And we must fight all this, so that if one thing is left silent, the innovators do not proclaim their victory. – On the third day, the wife of General Potapov delivered to me from Countess Lambert a silver lamp with precious stones for the relics of St. Sergius. I instructed the steward to convey her to you the right way. Arrange the lamp in place, notify the countess, and say that at the representation of our venerable father Sergius, we, humble ones, ask her from the Lord for spiritual consolation in depriving her of a share of maternal consolation. E.P.Z. first she donated an icon of the Mother of God with a lamp to the skete chapel in Moscow, and then 300 rubles. for oil. I still have the money. I will give them to the hieromonk of the chapel so that they know that they have reached their destination. You and the builder will discuss them further. – The sadness that Moscow honored the death of Pavel Alekseevich is honorable for him and for her. Soon after his arrival in Moscow, his successor was with me, and then I was with him. This seems to be a good acquisition for Moscow, although, according to many, it is unexpected. – Peace to the soul o. Archimandrite Gerasim. I saw him upon his return from St. Petersburg, and seemed healthy and in good spirits. I spoke to Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich about the increase in drunkenness, and added that if he happened to bring what I said to the ears of the Sovereign Emperor, this would not be against my desire. Now, they say, a measure has been adopted against this, but a weak one, a slight increase in the excise tax, which should increase the price of wine. – Thank you for the icons. - Icon of St. Macarius, I wish it was from me; and therefore, so that the workers receive a reward from me. – If true, it is surprising that on Athos, although only a few, accept the doctrine of mental communion only, which deviates from the Divine Sacrament established by Christ the Savior. The loss is obvious: did Nicodemus determine and provide for the mental gain? – They ask me whether Bishop Plato actually instituted a religious procession in the Lavra on January 12, or was it earlier? – Would you like me to look in the archives? – February 9th 1864. Twelfth o'clock in the evening. Have me send Migalov 15 rubles. for his needs, and 10 rubles. for savings until Easter; and then he will declare to himself that he will use this money too. Upon entering the field of fasting and repentance, having fallen prayerfully at the feet of our venerable father Sergius, long-suffering and merciful to my unworthiness, I turn to you, vicar father, and to the brethren of the united monasteries, and ask forgiveness for my insufficiency in serving your well-being and the help of your prayers to my exhaustion. May the Lord grant you zeal for the feat, strength in the feat, peace and spiritual joy in the accomplishment of the feat. – You, Father Viceroy, are thinking of pushing me closer to the confessors. - Far. “You are sufficient, if we preach God’s mercy with the tax collectors.” Glory to the grace of God, which appears through Saint Plato. It's comforting to hear about this. Today I painfully hear that you, Father Viceroy, are hurting your leg again. I can’t help but think that this is due to the exertion of strength beyond its measure in the first week of fasting. Be kind to your health, I don’t say merciful, but be fair: don’t demand too much from him, and by being merciless to him at the same time, don’t take away much of his time and from yourself. I would like to write more: but now I don’t want to complicate you, as well as myself; because I am weak and tired. May our reverend father Sergius extend his healing right to you. Another time today I am writing to you, having read a letter received through S. What are the charter letters with former regular employees? - Lavra is not a landowner; but they are not peasants, and do not have the right to demand land allocation from the Lavra. And if they belong to peasant villages; then they must ask for land from them. It is not clear to me what the Lavra wants regarding the civil service land in the settlement. Houses that are inside the border of Lavra Square must be demolished; or, if their owners want to live in the same place for some time, they must take the land under them from the Lavra under a lease contract for a period. - It was in vain that they were allowed. – As for the land allocated from the settlement for the houses of ministers: it is doubtful whether the Lavra can retain even the part of it that is not occupied by the houses of former ministers. And where they live: they can ask for data from the village themselves. As for the Bethany people: how they live on monastery land, to which they now have no right; then they must clear it within a reasonable period of time. This is already being done in some monasteries. Six months were given for relocation. They should be prohibited from building and repairing houses now. – I ask you again from the Lord for peace and health. I often marvel at the present time, in which people, with apparently increasing education, are not as prudent in their actions as in former times; and even the same people, with increasing experience, are less thorough than after several years. This is noticeable in both small and great. I didn't think that Fr. A., occupying an honorable and calm position in the Lavra, having the convenience of being in communication with some good visitors to the Lavra, respectful for him, spiritually beneficial for them, with already weak strength, will want to change this position to a new place and burden. I didn't expect Fr. P., who, with his obedient and simple-minded action, seemed to have already brought one foot into heaven - so that he decided to raise this foot to the difficult level of abbotship. May the Lord arrange what is beneficial for them and through them. Just tell them that they will sin before St. Sergius if they decide to lure and steal people from the Lavra. Let them use what they find in the place they have chosen. – That cheap wine has a detrimental effect on the people, I wrote these very words in a report to the diocesan Holy Synod, and included the evidence. I wrote the same about immoral spectacles and about faithless, immoral literature; and in conclusion he said: regarding protective action through legislative and administrative measures, hopefully, the Holy Synod will raise an intervening and pleading voice to the sovereign Defender of the Church. But duty prompted me to write this, and not the hope of success. As for the tax on wine in favor of the church, there were talks about this, it seems, in the press; but there were also speeches against this, that it was not decent to assign such dirty income to the benefit of the church. And this truly resembles the price of a pesiah, which was forbidden to be brought into the house of God. Moreover, the state itself is so in need that it is already beginning to live at the expense of the church, as the tax on church houses and lands shows. Let it increase the price of drunkenness for itself. I remember I spoke about this to the late Pavel Alekseevich in passing: but in passing it was heard. I remember in the Lavra estimate I saw that, among other things, belts and rings were sold in the Lavra. It seems that the belts could be provided to Khotkov: but what about the rings? – I don’t know or don’t remember Hierodeacan A. It’s unpleasant that he will walk for two years, no one knows where, and the Lavra, which so needs people, will have an empty place. Should we take care of it? Shouldn't I say to move to another monastery, less in need of people, and wander from there? Or lay off for a year? I would like to know your opinion. If the former staff members of Bethany are a burden: why can’t you imagine their resettlement from Bethany land? – Next Wednesday, Priest Yong is expected to be in the Lavra of the American Church, having been commissioned by his bishops to look for ways to communicate with the Russian Church. They promise to use the Nicene Symbol without the Latin addition: and from the Son. They have translated the Russian Orthodox catechism, and some use it for raising children. It’s a difficult matter: but those who seek peace, of course, must be received in peace. Receive your guest with attention. – I spoke against the tax on wine in favor of the clergy in the sense that this appointment had been announced along with the definition of the tax. What comes out of the treasury, there is no need to find out how it was collected. If those dismissed abroad for a long time are not supposed to be accepted into the Lavra, then it would be better to tell them now to move to another monastery and not carry the name of the Lavra with them, it is not known whether it will be praised. And if they are released from the Lavra, then, returning from vacation, they will demand a place in the Lavra, and there will be no legal right to expel them. However, I agreed with the Council’s proposal: but I say this for similar cases in the future. The matter of leasing buildings was delayed for me because I wanted to instruct the secretary to review the conditions (which are often improvident, and thus cause difficulties in the future), without having the time for this myself. But I forgot. Make it a rule that if my business is slow, do not wait long, but remind me. To the vicar father and brethren, peace of the Lord, but also the communion of the passion of the Lord in faith and love, and the light of the resurrection will shine abundantly on your souls. The celebration of the birthday of the Sovereign Emperor should be on Easter Monday, and we do not violate the Easter rite. The Great Supper always happens at its own time; there is no all-night vigil in the evening; and on Monday there is matins and a prayer service according to the liturgy. – I feel sorry for the one talking to the deceased. Did he himself tell you about this, and did he receive admonition from you? – What I previously wrote against fortune telling, and what has become very well known, also goes against spiritualism. A lot is required of me: but I lack both strength and time. You need to fight for both the big and the small. The schismatics exaggerate their demands, but they demand all concessions from us. A theater was opened in St. Petersburg on Easter; they demand the same in Moscow: we need to argue. A circus performance was published in the bulletin on Easter day: yesterday I wrote a dispute, and I still don’t have an answer. The concert was published; and it was necessary: ​​to eat with dignity, and: the first kiss, etc., during the intervals of singing, to show shrouds, banners, etc. I wrote to the Governor-General in good time, and did not receive an answer. – Pray that the Lord will awaken my laziness and strengthen my weakness. Peace of the Lord to the viceroy father and brethren. The Grand Duchess 72 deigned to visit me today: but I do not feel able to go to thank her, and still less can I precede her to the Lavra. She deigned to tell G.A. that he should be there during her visit to the Lavra. He invited me to come there first to deliver information about her orders and about her companions, so that you could prepare. For this purpose, I admonish him to you with these lines. The Grand Duchess intends to arrive at the Lavra on Wednesday at 2 o'clock in the afternoon, listen to prayer singing, visit the Academy, eat tea, and return to Moscow. May the Reverend Father Sergius arrange this for her peace, creation and consolation. Christ is Risen! In His name, I kiss my humility to the viceroy father and the brethren of the monasteries, to each and every one. May the peace of faith and the joy of God's love dwell in your souls. – Sorry for the late greetings. From Sunday noon I was imprisoned in my cell by illness. – Let it be known to you, Father Viceroy, that Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna is planning to be in the Lavra. Arrange for her to be accepted without me. And here I couldn’t meet her either in the cathedral, and I didn’t visit her. I commend myself to the mercy of our venerable father Sergius, with the assistance of your prayers. I thank you that the reception of the distinguished visitor was arranged worthy of the Lavra and to its pleasure. Curiosity was always present in her: but what does it mean that it is unusually strongly directed towards a split? 73 – Welcome to Moscow, and not with the decisive intention of returning the same day. Part of the evening, perhaps not without benefit, could be given to me by the patient. Someone in the monastery acquired a small, round, wood-carved, under glass, icon of the Iveron Mother of God; and lost; and asks me for a new one; if this does not exist, then the resurrection of Christ. Is there any? – Andrei Nikolaevich asks for his apartment for another year. I don't think I can argue. – His brother Mikhail Nikolaevich came to St. Petersburg sick, with guards officers, with exclamations: hurray, carried out of the carriage on a chair, contrary to the prohibition of the Petersburg Governor General, who also forbade merchants to bring bread and salt, and sent city servants to Mikhail Nikolaevich’s house so that people would not gather to meet him. Would you say: not probable? – This is what Andrei Nikolaevich writes. - May the Lord grant the princes and bolyars unanimity and blessings. – The Synodal Printing House sent me many copies of the psalter. I want to send some to you. I think they are suitable for the brethren and for the school. Thank you for the icon. I hope that people in the desert will be happy. But I said that it must be an offering from me. Therefore, determine what should be given to the artist, as if on an outside order, and give it from me. There are books for Siberia. I'll give them to the local steward. And you decide where and how to send them. The Bishop of Kiev, who injured his leg when leaving St. Petersburg, is now in Chudov, and cannot yet step on it. This may lead me to bewilderment at the thought of sending me to the Lavra. And I still don’t know how much time it will take to get out of the pile of things to leave freely. Pray to our Reverend Father Sergius, may he bring me under his roof, although I imagine being here under his roof. On Friday evening I arranged for myself a trip to the Lavra on Saturday at three o'clock; On Saturday morning I thought that I would go, but before the appointed time I had to refuse due to illness, which was similar to what happened last year at the Lavra. Pray to St. Sergius, and ask the Lord for forgiveness of sins for me, and may the hedgehog be mercifully arranged for me. The doctor does not find the matter important: but it has not improved so far. According to the attached papers, tell me to give you 20 rubles. or, if you think about it, even more. Has the pacification of the Caucasus been accomplished, although it has been announced? After the announcement of this, there was news of a collision and those killed on our side. There are still questions: will those who promised to move to the indicated places within our borders fulfill this? Those who have gone abroad in large numbers, will they not muster the strength to return? We can hardly secure the border from invasion. I will talk about this with A.P. Akhvatov, who is now here. One should also give thanks for unfinished good deeds. And such gratitude, I think, is a particularly strong and pure prayer for completion. – Arouse us, Lord, and bring us to understanding. My illness is getting better, but the outcome is not yet in sight. I have no hope of being in the Lavra soon. Similar to last year, as if on purpose during my illness 74 A.P. Akhmatov; Over the course of three days, we had to talk five times. Besides all this, I encountered a difficult task that could not be postponed. The doctor is not happy that I’m not quite lazy. Let no sudden death deprive a novice of future blessings. Prohibiting swimming is inconvenient. But for those who don’t know how to swim, is it possible to determine a well-known, not very deep, and therefore safe place for swimming? – Send me a copy of the contract with Morozov about the Novotroitsk monastery tract soon. They are finding fault, on the occasion of the new law, so that there are no drinking establishments on church lands. – On the holiday, God granted me only the liturgy: I didn’t have enough strength for Vespers. I am thinking about you, but not yet without bewilderment. Correspondence about the courtyard was sent to the Cathedral. You see what I said in defense. There was no more to be said. The law contains an article prohibiting drinking houses and taverns on church land. The Ministry of Finance wanted to consider it destroyed by new legislation. The Holy Synod was asked. He, of course, was afraid of indecency in churches, and the establishment of drinking houses against the will of the spiritual authorities, as happened during tax farming: and, having found that the said article was not in the list of articles canceled, he insisted that it remain in force. The ministry yielded: but presented a new question - could the monastery lands be considered non-church lands and drinking houses be built on them? It was necessary to answer that these were the same church lands. When an article in the code of laws on church lands became controversial: it was an opportunity to revise the laws, but this was not done; and, to tell the truth, it was not safe to decide on this, because the matter of changing the law would go to the State Council, and would be done according to their discretion, and not at ours. I tested my strength for the journey. On Wednesday evening I went to pray to St. Alexy and say goodbye to the Kyiv Metropolitan, and on Thursday morning to the Governor-General: and this affected me so unfavorably that I needed advice from a doctor. No matter how much I would like to be at the monastery for the next week, I don’t know if it will be possible even half the week. The will of the Lord, with the intercession of St. Sergius. I am sending a memorial and tickets to the monastery. The Feast of the Holy Apostles is approaching: but I’m still not in the Lavra. It is true that I am sad: but thank God for the fact that he humbles me and does not punish me with rage, allowing me to suffer not severely. Last Saturday I served with short forces, but painlessly, and had the hope of taking the path to the Lavra. But on Monday he had to resort to healing again; and now only the first day I have no need for medicine. Tomorrow it’s too early to decide on the path. I doubt whether I will dare to travel by rail. On the regular one, it seems to me that I am freer. Let us pray to our venerable father Sergius, that he may grant me the honor to celebrate his day at his feet. Andrey Nikolaevich thanks you for the icons of Saints Anthony and Sergius, which are now in the Khreshchatyk chapel. If the Lord had arranged my path to the Lavra, it would be desirable that there would be no preliminary news about this among the people; as well as meetings. It's easier for my weakness. To the vicar father and the brethren of the monasteries, God's blessing and peace. I wish you, Father Viceroy, to spiritually and joyfully celebrate the Transfiguration of the Lord. May the Light of Tabor enlighten your soul. Thank you for taking care of me, sick and powerless. I completed the journey safely: but the weakness and lack of strength continues. On the third day I was at the small consecration of the church; and at the same time I tested myself that I could on the day of the Dormition of the Mother of God, on which the Sovereign Emperor deigned to listen to the liturgy in the Assumption Cathedral: - and I remain in bewilderment, and almost in hopelessness. Pray to our Reverend Father Sergius, that he will arrange for me either the unabashed fulfillment of my duty in service, or also the unabashed dismissal, in obedience and humility. I did not destroy the famous letters on the assumption that they might be needed. This is what happened. N.G. 76 was with me, delivered me a new letter, a new person, with new demands. Therefore, I found it not superfluous to once again turn to the first letter and literally indicate why I do not consider these messages to be correct, and again I advise you not to continue them. He did not contradict my remarks: but it seems that he does not want to part with what is remarkable and pleasant for him in the letters. FOR ism letters were destroyed. – You can nominate those named for ordination. Congratulations to the father governor on the holiday. – Read the attached letter. You see how active an entrepreneur is. He demands and hurries. But it seems that only will acts, and not need. Tell me your thought. Seeking relief from my weakness on a difficult day, I send Benjamin so that you send with him the vestments in which I served on the day of St. Sergius, and, in addition, one sakkos from the Sheremetyesky crimson velvet vestment. From the Lord, at the intercession of the most blessed Mother of God, peace and consolation in Her sacred celebration, to the vicar father and brethren. Thanks be to God, we celebrated the feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God in peace. And I met the Sovereign Emperor, and celebrated the liturgy, and conducted him to St. Alexis, amid the exclamations of the people. But even if he were invited to a prayer service at the Izmailovo military almshouse, he did not find himself able to accept it. I didn’t agree to let E. go to the fair because he doesn’t have the right to become a detective, and by entering into this matter without legal right, he could expose himself to trouble; and also because, as they say, the fair has turned into a swamp of all sorts of vicious sewage. But I wrote about the impostor collectors both in St. Petersburg and to the Reverend Nizhny Novgorod. Thank you for the blessing from the feast days of the Mother of God. His Eminence Dmitrovsky, of course, notified you that the Sovereign Emperor visited you and sent you his greetings. He was at the Izmailovsky festival instead of me; very well received by the Emperor; and I am pleased that I could put him in this position. You suggested to send some books to Asia. I appointed several, gave them to the steward, and wrote to you asking you to tell me how and where to send them. The housekeeper says that he did not receive information about this from you. I asked about snuff boxes with inappropriate and indecent images made by priests in Novospassky. They say it was brought by a foreigner, and they don’t know where he lives. From the attached decree you will see that I have already reported this to the Holy Synod. Now I’m thinking of writing to the Governor-General: but it will probably be of no use when there is no trace of the seller. Read the Code of Laws, Volume XIV, Art. 131 and 132. Do we have anyone to blame for the bottles with images of the Mother of God and St. Sergius, and won’t this make an objection against us when we protest against others? – Hello to you. Everything about me is doubtful. The Day of the Dormition of the Mother of God was exceptional, especially easy, by the grace of St. Sergius, and of course your prayers. One of the Lavra vestments greatly contributed to my relief. I hesitate to return them because it may take 26 and 30 days. Peace and health to the viceroy father and brethren. The same goes for the brethren. I am sending you another letter from Andrei Nikolaevich about the icon. Is it not possible to truly paint it by the now appointed time, with the elimination of what increases the work, not belonging to the essence of the icon, but only to decoration? – Remind me about the producer of affairs S., if the Lord bless me to be in the Lavra. It won't be too late. Young bishops rush to reward the young, and thereby tempt the more worthy. The Holy Synod would have to weigh merit and merit with careful attention. – Guide us, O Lord, with Your righteousness. Arrange it, oh. Viceroy, acceptance of the Sovereign Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich and his son, as befits. I am not writing details, partly because I don’t know, for example, about the number of retinue, partly because your management and foresight does not require instructions. It would be desirable for me to be in the Lavra now, since the holiday is close, but I am not able to. On the very day of the Grand Duke’s arrival in Moscow, having performed the liturgy, I was about to go to him, but I was exhausted and stayed at home. To add to the new difficulty, there are matters that require a lot of hasty work. Call upon me the mercy of St. Sergius, so that I may come and fall before him. From the Lord blessing and peace to the viceroy father and brethren. Glory to the Merciful Lord, Blessed is the invisible cover of the Mother of God. Thanks to the intercession of St. Sergius. I was not deprived of comforting prayer communications, and returned to Moscow, although not in a satisfactory, but more reliable state of health than before the trip to the Lavra. – Thanks also to your care for me. It has brought me my share of good. – I talked about the proposed Vilna Monastery with two nuns. They seem to be kind: but both find the enterprise beyond their strength and health; and both characters are more passive than active. One, if decisively sent, will go with sorrow and fear, but with obedience: however, I find it difficult to decide on this, not seeing in her enough active force to gather the sisters and manage them in a place where it is difficult to expect help and guidance. It occurs to me that I could contact the Diveyevo Monastery. G. Karamzina is pleased with the people there who serve at her hospital. Out of 400, the choice of 16 is more reliable than anywhere else. If a capable person is elected as a boss, she can easily find female employees, and it will be more convenient to go with a known one. But if we do this: who will lead the matter? Will His Eminence Tambovsky and the Diveyevo Mother Superior take an active and trustworthy part in it? – I wish to have your opinion immediately. They also point me to the Odigitrievskaya treasurer. She has an active character: but the sick abbess needs her. And won’t it seem uneducated where people are even thinking about school? You know her better than me: say a word about her too. I think I should either point to the Diveyevo Monastery or abandon the enterprise. May Saint Sergius give you a good thought, and a strong one, which I lack. Thank you for the bread along the way. Due to my health, I doubt eating food on the road, but I tasted it so that your labors would not be in vain. The idea of ​​Fr. A. you put me in difficulty. The Holy Synod previously prescribed in similar cases: to make him an archimandrite and send him. In the decree on Fr. A. this is not said: and perhaps it was so arranged that Vladimir, who loved Vladimir more than the Lavra, received honor from Vladimir, and the Lavra brethren were not presented with a sight that arouses thoughts of ambition. I would like to hear the resolution of these doubts. You say that the Simbirsk abbess is before my eyes. Didn't she tell you that she was already before my eyes? She came to me at a time when I was dealing with the affairs of the proposed Vilna monastery, and I told her: you are the abbess and have sisters. Is this not an indication of providence? - But she did not show any attention to this, and answered negatively. However, I invited her to visit me again, and, upon her return from the Lavra, wanting to use a word more convincing than mine, I entrusted this to the Reverend Dmitrovsky: but also without success. For this reason, it was not in accordance with the circumstances to use the lot: and also, based on consideration of another person. G. is surrounded by sisters, whose qualities, discovered in the work being carried out, do not give a good promise. Things have worked out in such a way that I am sending two nuns from the Alekseevsky Monastery to Vilna to inspect the place and collect information. They give hope. – The abbess of Blachernae asks for the consecration of the church, and I entrusted the Right Reverend Dmitrovsky with both the consecration of the church and the renovation of the monastery: but the abbess wants to postpone the latter and leave the consecration of the church to you. I agreed to this. Work hard; and may the eyes of the Lord be on this church and on those who flow into it, to have mercy and save. Much peace to the father governor and the brethren of the monasteries. If you wish, reprint the monastic letters, and add new ones, which I am returning with my comments 77. The authentic ones must be kept. Notes on Healing Letters. First a letter from the father, and then to the daughter 79. The husband’s letter is not needed for printing, since it does not add anything to the two preceding ones. Should names be printed in full or just the initial letters? – The latter is more humble; The first requires the consent of the writers. Are affectionate expressions necessary in letters? Reason. “They weren’t in the previous letters.” Notes on amendments to this letter 80th. If it says: skete: then there is no need to say, I went to the Lavra. The place from which they are writing is inscribed. "One of the older brothers." – Elder, destroyed; for by this it would be convenient to recognize the face; and at the same time the criticism would fall on the older brethren, who should be more reasonable than the younger ones. It seems strange that the sight of suffering patients has such a strong effect on the hieromonk. Monk N., by his order and on the demand of obedience, can be promoted to hieromonk, without delay to the degree of deacon. One of the visitors to the Trinity Solicitor's Court told me that in the rooms where they drink tea and dine, you cannot sit close to the window without fear of catching a cold, because due to the dilapidation of the frames, it blows, and that everything wooden is dilapidated and needs to be quickly replaced with new ones. We need to think about this. And the fact that we did not enter the sights of Mr. P. is, it seems, a blessing: because the Novgorod courtyard is being rebuilt, they say, in an unenviable manner. It seems that concern for the Solicitor's Court has come to you through me, according to what I heard from a trustworthy citizen. But Mr. P. says that the wall collapsed by itself, that he did not seize our land, that in another wall he opened a temporary breach and passage with the consent of the owner of the farmstead, and that this one does not complain about anything. I asked the local steward about this; and he does not refute P.’s words. Why does the Lavra economist say otherwise? – About the windows in the courtyard of our courtyard, P. says that these are not windows, but arches, made according to special rules of architecture, and that they will be laid in the spring. Therefore, it seems that we need to stop in this matter; But in the spring we’ll think about what will happen next. Monk Nikon did something pleasant for us and useful for his soul by returning to the Lavra, to the righteous order of obedience. – Andrei Nikolaevich praises the icon of St. Sergius given to the Kiev Church, and gives thanks for it. On Saturday he wants to live in the Lavra, and he wants you to be informed about this. You did not refuse either the bad road because of the mud, or the bad one because of the cold and lack of snow, and you did not postpone your journey to the Blachernae monastery. Wouldn't it be better to delay it and save your health? - I ask for this frugality. – Don’t send N. for ordination, is it because you are waiting for my word? I have already agreed. Judge Mr. P. strictly, and perhaps hastily. I know of circumstances that make it possible to judge better. He bought several thousand short hammerwords to distribute to the people either for an insignificant price or for nothing. He visited a homeless apartment building, and, finding, in the cramped conditions, a mixture of sexes and ages and temptations, he tried to arrange an apartment building in which the sexes and ages would be separated, and there would be supervision. – Housekeeper A. from August knew what was now revealed in the courtyard, and did not tell either me or you. He says he didn't think it was important. The fallen wall, they say, is the property of the Novogorod courtyard. But even at this, when she threatened to fall, P. called the steward and showed that she was not undermined; and the weak soil could not withstand the proximity of the dug ditch. P. is wrong that he travels across our land without the owners’ permission: but here’s how it happened. The Trinity Compound has few cellars, and the owner hires the cellars of the Novogorod Compound for 500 rubles. per year. P. said that you can take 3,000 rubles from Morozov. But the first, threatening the latter, left behind him the cellars again for 500 rubles. Therefore, Morozov served P. by allowing him through the yard. If the quarrel with Lavra intensifies: P. will either aggravate the price of the cellars, or completely refuse them; and this could harm not only Morozov, but also the Lavra. It is easy to start a legal dispute: but it can become unpleasant to continue. At the Synodal Singing Houses there is a courtyard through which the neighbor had to drive, and he paid money for this for many years. But Bubnov started an argument: the matter lasted; reached the Senate; the yard was called a street, and our claim was denied. This example does not encourage entering into legal disputes. Therefore, I still refrain from approving the presentation of the established Council; and would like to end the matter through peace. Do not be burdened to consider whether a more convenient way to resolve the matter may present itself to you. N. returns as a hieromonk. Apparently he didn't read in church. I am not familiar with the order of saying the prokimna. – I accept the reminder of the great answer with gratitude. I need it for my laziness. I have much to blame before our landlord, the Monk Sergius. And he is patient with me a lot. But I think Mr. P.’s case is not one of those for which I am subject to heavy responsibility, or better yet, irresponsibility. I have no reason to act biased towards him: and you can notice this from the fact that I turned down his proposal regarding our farmstead. But it is permissible to want to bring a poorly started business to a peaceful end. And it is even more permissible, and even caution is necessary, so as not to begin official business without the confidence that it is indisputable. P. refers to the plan of the Novorodsk courtyard, that the disputed wall is on his land, and it belongs to him. Do we have a plan, and will it prove otherwise? Resolving the dispute will likely require measuring the land. If we have a plan, is it possible to first make sure that he will refute P., and that we will not find ourselves starting an unfair lawsuit? – I pray to St. Sergius that he will incite you to look at unpleasant things with patience, and calmly work to free the matter, and me, from doubts. It is noteworthy that the skete chapel ended up on land that was once Lavra. We pretend to be in charge of the business: and it is managed by the Monk Sergius. The city mayor, they say, is not very inclined to give space for cells: they should tell him not to interfere with the Monk Sergius to establish a small settlement on the Venerable’s own land. – May the Lord rest in peace with the souls of Prince Andrei and nun Alexandra. Apparently out of zeal they brought a gift to St. Sergius, which has been preserved to this day amid extensive plunder. P. and Morozov presented notes. The latter does not complain, and considers himself favored. The first justifies himself, citing documents, and in the end makes an unpleasant allusion to the steward, and discusses how the spiritual authorities should act. I told him that this ending was alien to the matter and inappropriate: and he agreed to rewrite the note. The plan sent from you seemed to me convincing in our favor: for it shows how the end of someone else’s wall comes out from the line of our wall. But, they say, in reality the wall is not double. P., even before, said that in the place where the economist believes our land is built up, the land is not built up, and the newly built wall has been moved back onto its own land. Now he adds that the architect, by digging, was convinced that the foundation of our wall lay outside the newly built wall. Therefore, I think, when I receive another, I will send you a note to consider whether it is worth the trouble to start a formal case, which will probably go from the police to the court; and whether he will not be satisfied with restoring the border to its previous form, which is what P. promises. This is boring: but let’s think that it will be more boring if the case drags on in court, especially like ours. On the 1st day of December, divide from me, according to custom, 150 rubles, or several or more if you find it necessary, for I do not see the need in need. This week I have been suffering from a complex cold, especially in my head. Yesterday I sat for an hour and a half with the Bishop of Kiev, and today I feel heavy. From the Lord peace and mercy to the father governor and the brethren of the monasteries. From the house of the Most Holy Trinity, ruled by our venerable father Sergius, the holy icon, as a sign of blessing, called upon and taught to me by your prayers, on the day of my Angel, I received with reverent gratitude. Continue your prayers for me, depleted in strength and activity, may my days not disappear in vanity, but may the preparation for the days of heaven be found in them, although in the last corner of the last of the inhabitants there. Works and infirmities overcame me. I don’t have time to do what I need, and that’s why I procrastinate in many ways. One of the most important things was to create an all-Old Believer church with a full hierarchy and councils from fellow believers, priests and non-priests. In many places they were seduced by this project; They also deceived the Moscow co-religionists: but these, by the grace of God, remained faithful and rebelled, with their co-religionist project, against the schismatic, and their deputies were graciously received by the Sovereign Emperor. – These and similar matters were the reason that the matter of the farmstead lay with me for a long time. Now it is being sent. Where did you get the information that I was deceived by cunning and verbally agreed to travel? “This didn’t happen at all, and I found out about what happened late.” In your letter dated December 2, you demand that I transfer this matter to the established Council. From the case you will see that I had already decided on this, but I was undecided whether to say more definitely what the Council needed to pay attention to. The resolution was left without amendment, so that the Council could act more freely, not limited by my thoughts. What else should you write in your letter on December 2: I wish to remain in sad silence about this, not grieving for anyone but myself. I silently prostrate myself before the merciful peacemaker, our Reverend Father Sergius. In everything that I have offended you or violated your peace, forgive me, who is preparing for confession, and pray that pure repentance and correction will be granted to me. Is it possible to accept as fair what was said in Morozov’s note that he has the right to open the passage? In the pacification of consciences, through the power of the sacrament of repentance, may the life and joy of the Lord be poured out abundantly into your souls, in the communion of the Divine body of the Lord and the blood of the Lord. I asked you, Father Viceroy, for two icons for two churches, which in the usual way rely on analogies; and you promised. Do our artists have any ready ones? “In that case, take it from them, satisfying them with my money, and send it.” I also need enamel icons of medium and small size, and by the way, icons of the Savior and the Mother of God, which I receive less in comparison with others. Please also purchase it from the Lavra’s reserves and deliver it to me. The disease has not left me yet. I return the Council’s proposal on the matter of the courtyard to execution. I suggest for your consideration whether everything written in it should be written to the tenants, or otherwise reduced, so that the dispute does not continue impatiently. For example, you mention the Lavra garden land: this is nothing more than a case for objection; because this property was lost a long time ago. – Have you read an article in Soulful Reading about the Jesus Prayer? – I would like to know your opinion. – Much has been written: but much is mixed in with what is useful, in my opinion, out of order, and not into correct instruction. Different states and degrees are mixed, what is needed for simple believers, and what is needed for those who strive according to the rule under guidance. What is said about Varlaam and Akindina is not intended to clarify the matter. – What does it mean that Balabino's body was buried around evening? Didn’t they even sing the liturgy with a prayer for him? – Greeting you in the name of the Lord, wrapped in shrouds, I instruct you to deliver the image of the Lord, wrapped in shrouds - two lithographs of ancient shrouds, the last of which was found by Mikhail Nikolaevich Muravyov, and delivered to the Novodevichy Convent. – When answering you about the enamel icons received, I did not look at them; and after looking, I saw that the little ones that I had before, and that are needed now, were not there. Fulfill this need for me too. In the new summer, a new blessing from God to the vicar father and the brethren of the monasteries, for the renewal of grace-filled and natural life, for the success of the new man. It will seem strange to you that I am writing this so late: but if you saw how my days pass, perhaps you would regret me more than condemn me. Recently, Prince Suvorov wrote that I have not answered him on a necessary matter for four months; but I still don’t answer, pressed by other matters that are more necessary, and daily exceeding the strength and measure of the day. May the Lord grant you health and strength. Tell your bones that it is not yet their turn to hurt greatly when my bones are still moving and have not completely laid down. After I wrote to you about the Jesus Prayer, I met a man who received instruction about its art from a secular person, and felt success, but was also subjected to the temptations that mentors warn against, and did not know what to do next. From this a thought arose in me, would you write a short instruction about this, applied to general use, and to people who lack a close mentor? The death of the hierodeacon in Posad prompted me to think. It’s good to say to a brother who does not accept instructions: go to another place in peace, and lay there the beginning of a better life, being less embarrassed by your past where they don’t know about it... But is this at all convenient? And especially in our time? The faulty one goes around and insults the name of the monastery to which he belongs (like the late hierodeacon); and the weak ones who remain think: there is no need to worry too much: it will no longer happen, as they are told to walk in other places and look for another place. Isn’t it therefore sometimes necessary to do the unpleasant work of justice according to the law? – I wish you not only good health, but also to protect your health from excessive strain, so that it lasts longer. Zemstvo institutions are beginning to be enforced in the local province. For every 200 acres of land owned by clergy, an authorized representative is required. There is another question about monasteries: but the spirit of the law leads to the same decision as the clergy. What does Lavra think about this? – They knew how to involve the clergy in this matter. They said, for example, that zemstvo institutions are concerned about the establishment of churches: this matter obviously requires the participation of the clergy, although, in all likelihood, zemstvo institutions will not do it. God's blessing and peace to the vicar father and the brethren of the monasteries. Thank you for the beautiful icons. But here’s the problem: I remember where the icons of the Holy Trinity were assigned; but I don’t remember where the icon of the saints equal to the apostles is. When I asked to write it: I probably told you for whom. If you remember: remind me. The thoughts you wrote about prayer are instructive and protective: but some are not accessible to everyone. My idea was that it should be written in a way that is generally understandable and easy to use, and could be made known by printing. But I don’t have time to write anymore. Hegumen Varlaam introduced himself and left a place, which turns out to be difficult to occupy. The brethren elected a treasurer: but others cast their votes only in order not to say to his face: we do not want you. I thought that Igumen I., the treasurer of the Serpukhov monastery, could be appointed here, but noticeably, the Davidic brethren do not want him, and I do not know him enough to be convinced of the groundlessness of this reluctance. Don’t you know him, and from what side do you know him? Or would you mind pointing out a trustworthy one? I’m thinking of turning to the monastery: but I’m also thinking about whether to weaken the spiritual society there, and not to arouse thoughts of covetousness there. At the same time, a similar difficulty is encountered in the Catherine Hermitage, where a treasurer, apparently reliable, was unanimously elected as rector; but after that, such doubts arose that it was necessary to think whether a more reliable one would open up. Help my problem. - Meanwhile, I am comforted by the news from the Boris and Gleb Convent. Typhus spread there so much that the abbess lost heart. She resorted to singing prayers to the Mother of God; and, returning from church, she found a sick sister lying in her cell in tears, who told her that she was with all the sisters in the church, saw that from the icon of the Mother of God a bright appearance overshadowed the praying sisters, and expressed hope for God’s mercy. The patients then for the most part recovered, but some died an edifying death. It was regrettable for me to learn about the indecency of the hierodeacon and monk in St. Petersburg, but much more regrettable about the insincerity of Hieromonk A. I previously thought whether an immodest thought was hidden in his penchant for writing: but I also thought that a good occupation could be useful. I wish that his act was an accidental, passing mistake, and that it was smoothed over. – But without a doubt I am thinking about removing him from St. Petersburg. – I received good reviews about him from St. Petersburg, and about the establishment of the brethren's farmstead and ministry under him. Will the receiver support it? But wouldn’t the capture of the Lavra seem unfavorable to him, even though it is explained by the rule of time? And won’t this give rise to a temptation to follow the paths of his predecessor in the courtyard? – I say this not to refute the assumption: but to examine the matter from different angles. – I wish I had answers to the following questions: What is the largest number of pilgrims dining at the Lavra on one day? What is the smallest number per day? Approximately how many days are there on which there are more than a hundred of them? The question of the relationship of monasteries to zemstvo institutions calls for special consideration. I have already written something, and I am thinking of writing something else. I read the sad story about Isaiah. May the Lord consider his death as martyrdom. – Often, believing in safety, we do not think about caution. Trouble comes to teach. “The villain, of course, did not decide on his business until he was sure that everyone was asleep and no one would meet him in the monastery. How did he enter the monastery? How did you get out? How did you make yourself safe from meeting the watchman? From considering these questions, is it possible to derive a rule of caution? About Davydovsky's treasurer, the thought has not yet come to a decision. The open votes are all in his favor: but at the same time, several elders sent me sealed notes that they wished for an abbot from another monastery. The treasurer is considered capable of economic affairs, but insufficient for management and spiritual leadership. Based on your previous information, is it possible to think better in this last respect? – I want to write about hotels: but my problem is that I still have to write down the laws and present the case. And since I don’t see any hotels close by, I can’t express myself accurately about them. Peace of the Lord to the vicar father and the brethren of the monasteries. May the Lord bless your entry into the field of fasting, and your passage through it, with complacency towards the feat of prayer and fasting, so that later with purified consciences and hearts you may come into the communion of the saving sufferings of Christ the Savior and into the holy joy of His resurrection. Grant me forgiveness in all respects, who am greatly lacking both in service and in life, and help me with your prayers; I will not be hampered in worrying about things that will burn out, and I will not be without deeds that are useful on the day of testing. The Bethany adventure is sad: however, it is not such that it should be the cause of despondency, from which, however, God will always save; and man, trusting in God, must protect himself. Isaiah did not suffer from vice; the case is such that it was impossible to foresee and prevent it. Suspicion of a beggar is likely. The monk was merciful to the beggar, but the beggar became a robber. Why is it brought to shame to the monastery and monasticism? - True, the world often, without examining the matter, points to a dark line and pokes it into the eyes, which especially happens with the clergy. The prudent know this; and they are not in a hurry to condemn, but will judge the matter. And people of the present century are ready to condemn virtue, along with vice. If it were permissible to indulge in despondency, then what deep despondency one would have to fall into when looking at not just one incident, but at everything, or at least at many things, that are around us! Let us grieve, let us be sad, may the Lord accept this as a sacrifice of repentance, but may he save us from despondency, and may he not deprive us of our hope in our humility. – The disciple of the prophet Jeremiah, Baruch, grieved over his personal misfortunes. The Lord commanded Jeremiah to say to Baruch: Behold, I have planted, I will destroy; and have you sought the great? Don't look. Now Jerusalem is threatened with destruction, the people of God are threatened with captivity: grieve for what was promised, and in front of this do not consider your personal misfortunes great. – About G.Z.’s clothes I'm a little perplexed. If he stands reverently in church in secular clothes, it pleases the brethren. And if he goes to the Academy in novice clothes, another young mind may look at him in a secular way. It would not be good for him to wear secular clothes: and when he wears them out, then he will put on spiritual clothes. However, if you want, you can allow him this now: and in this case you can give him a cassock. – And peace be with your spirit. – I thought about the report on the division of income at the St. Petersburg courtyard. There is untruth now: but will it be destroyed? Not everyone serves purely to fulfill their duty: others are more willing to serve with the thought that this will add something to them. Could it happen that less income will be shown than what needs to be distributed according to schedule? – The dignity of A’s book-writing has always seemed dubious to me. So it turned out that he wrote books, but did not fulfill his duties. It is regrettable to think that less can be expected from him than it seemed before. – Yesterday the head of the province told me that the investigator of the Bethany incident is placing suspicion on the novice Alexander and the treasury coachman. I know nothing about the latter; and about the first he told him why suspicion cannot be considered grounded. But he says that Alexander was seen opening the door of the deceased Isaiah. Is there a deputy from the Lavra during the investigation? He must know all the details of the investigation; and point out the circumstances by which unfounded testimony is refuted. – I always thank you for the reminder: but I’m still thinking about what to do in this case. Tell about. to the treasurer to send Migalov 15 rubles of my money. I praise your concern for cleanliness and orderliness in the church, and the timely action of this care. This is the opposite, it reminds me how much I miss and am late in my affairs. Pray that I will do them more successfully, or that they will move on to more action. – A. comes back to you. He is becoming incomprehensible to me. He says he didn’t make an inventory because they didn’t demand it, and because he accepted it without an inventory, due to inexperience. I tell him: how can one not know what belongs to the general, ordinary order? How can one not reason that if a denunciation was made against you for concealing certain things that you had accepted, and for evading the preparation of an inventory, you would not have a way to justify yourself, and the absence of an inventory would favor suspicion? – he does not answer satisfactorily. About income, he says that he showed everything about income for prayer services in the church; and the income received for services in houses was always provided to the workers. Isn’t it necessary to find out this in more detail in order to more reliably approve the presented order? – But here’s a new, thoughtful question. They officially write to me that the Holy Synod intends to appoint A. as head of the Orsha school and abbot of the second-class monastery there, and they ask for my opinion whether he is capable. I don’t know what degree this school is; and I don’t think he was incapable. But this is a temptation for the elders in the Lavra to be ambitious and to take indirect paths. Agreeing is not useful: but will one who is stopped on the already open path to exaltation be complacent and useful? – You wrote to me how much was borrowed from the Lavra for the abbots, as well as for the missionaries. I saved the letter; but I won’t find it soon; resume this list for me. Should the Lavra be a training regiment, always training people, and always weaken itself by losing those trained? – I would like to know your thoughts on this matter. – The water healer, with a verbal proposal, without certain conditions, without a deadline, without reward, wants to occupy the land and use the water, which costs us dearly. It is easy to receive such a guest: but then it may be difficult to get rid of him. Vladyka Platon, at the request of the townspeople, gave them land for shops: but then the Lavra was forced to completely abandon this land, and with difficulty retain the part and area, through the Sovereign and the State Council. Isn't it better to refuse a guest who will bring with him many guests, it is not known what? – I did not advise the Arzamaz young man to rush to the monastery, pointing him to the example of St. Sergius, who was in no hurry to fulfill a good desire, obeying the will of his parents. – Yesterday, I wrote to you, but your letter of the 13th day did not come to my attention. Of the monastics living at the Church of the Mother of God in the cemetery, you can imagine those capable of being ordained as hieromonk and hierodeacon. And if this is to be the case, then there is no need to hesitate to make the Divine service convenient for the holiday. To the Viceroy Father and brethren: from the soul and heart: Christ is Risen! May His joy be fulfilled in you. – But according to the prophecy with us: a holiday in mourning. A telegram from Nice invites us to pray for the health of the Sovereign Heir. It is doubtful to openly prescribe this without the highest permission. In a word, invite the brethren in the monasteries of St. Sergius and in their churches to this. Sorry for not writing for a long time. I'm powerless. And the sad unknown weighs no less than the sad event. The Empress especially wanted people to pray for the Sovereign Heir in the Lavra. This demand was received after I wrote to you about this. Then she wanted me to pray on the 7th day at 7 o’clock in the morning, so that I would fulfill it exactly, not knowing the reason for setting the time. I couldn’t let you know about this, because the dispatch was previously received at 11 o’clock in the evening. Then she wanted the prayer service to be to the Mother of God. I performed this at home: and yesterday in the cathedral on the Kremlin square. I received the last news from 9 o'clock yesterday evening at 6 o'clock in the morning. The sick man received the Holy Mysteries yesterday. The danger is increasing. Only a miracle can save you. It seems that both the Emperor and Empress are now communing with the Holy Mysteries. (This is not quite clear in the dispatch.) The bride is almost ill. – Let us pray again and again to the Lord, for the sick and for the mourning. It is comforting that they resort to God. Lord, save the Tsar and Russia, isn’t it sick? – To the Father Viceroy, peace and consolation in sorrow; so are the brethren. I now think very sadly about the Sovereign Emperor and the Sovereign Empress, and about Russia as well. What deprivation, and with what extraordinary circumstances! The Sovereign Tsarevich received the Holy Mysteries for the last time in the presence of the whole family, it seems, at the hour when there was a prayer service on Sunday in the Kremlin. On Monday, about noon, the Governor-General brought me news of his death. I found it necessary to find out how they would be located in St. Petersburg. The answer was received late. Before midnight I made an order for commemoration in Moscow on Tuesday. My thought, stricken with sadness, was not quite mobile: and I did not think of hastening to send a special one to the Lavra. The abbreviated ascension of the Highest names is determined in St. Petersburg, in anticipation of the Highest announcement of the Heir. I am sending the order to the established Council with the Economist. I can’t leave the house and I don’t foresee that I will soon be able to serve: and therefore I don’t leave the housekeeper. It is strange that, having had the cross for a long time, he was not presented with the gaiter for a long time. If there were reasons for this, did they stop? - The time is not far when, if the Lord grants, I will be in the Lavra. However, you can send an economist by the 25th day. Grand Duke Alexander Alexandrovich is named Heir and Tsarevich. – According to the need and dignity, you can present those from the Paraclete desert for ordination. The steward returns with a new sign of church blessing, and the other two with a new participation in the grace of the priesthood. – I thought a little about the idea of ​​​​building a new building. Will two thousand rubles be enough according to calculations? And the main material is from Lavra. The future maintenance of the building will also fall on us, while we find ourselves poorer than before. Previously, one could calmly look at the monthly statements, in which several thousand, and sometimes tens of thousands of rubles were visible in cash. And in the statement for the past month there are only 275 rubles. Help me get out of my confusion. A letter from Nice was read to me, sad and consoling, about the last time the Sovereign Tsarevich introduced himself. On the morning of the last day, he was in perfect memory, lovingly talking with his Parents and the Bride; joyfully accepted the offer to partake of the Holy Mysteries; took communion with tenderness and peacefully said goodbye to his family. After this, his clarity of consciousness began to decrease; the suffering before death was prolonged; His most pious Parents and Bride were with him until his death. Piety and kindred love illuminated the dark hours. Peace to His soul! Their comfort comes from the Lord! Peace of the Lord to the viceroy father, and likewise to the brethren. If your previous letter is intact, will you read it another time? – It seems I didn’t write that the income in the Lavra had decreased; but he wrote that we had become poorer than before, and this was indicated not by a decrease in income, but by the fact that 275 rubles remained in cash from the past month. In the past month, it was necessary to spend more than 10,000 rubles; and this was helped by the extraordinary amount of 9,000 rubles that arrived. If the same amount is required for expenses next month, but the extraordinary amount does not come, then how will the expense be covered? - This is the bewilderment that I wanted to resolve in order to decide on an enterprise that would increase expenses. But, giving in to the mercy of the Mother of God and St. Sergius, I allowed the performance. I ask for your prayers for the Lavra and for me, the poor abbot 81. Peace of the Lord to the viceroy father. The same goes for the brethren of the monasteries. I listened to Mr. K.’s stories and remained perplexed. And then someone who was in Jerusalem told me that her stories are not always accurate. They ask for the blessing of the Holy Synod: and then it will be necessary to make material benefits, while we are not rich, and to fight in clashes, while we are not strong. The relations of the Holy Synod with the Patriarch of Jerusalem are now difficult... I doubt that I will take part in the enterprises of Mr. K. Moreover, in St. Petersburg the road is open to all members of the Holy Synod. – I sent the boy to you so that you could test whether there could be hope in him. When not: why take on a burden that is useless and unbearable? – I am perplexed about my path to the Lavra. Even if I could reach the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity, I do not have the strength to perform a lengthy service with lengthy prayers. And being in the Lavra and not celebrating with the church would be harder than not being there at all. Otherwise, may my soul obey God. I ask for your prayers. I greet you, Father Viceroy, on yesterday’s and today’s holiday. Rejoice in the Lord, peace and hello. – The task ahead is of a special kind, not without difficulties. Take the trouble to help accomplish this. The imaginary hierarchy of schismatic members: Onuphry Bishop Brailovsky, governor of the Belokrynnitsa metropolis, Paphnutius, Bishop of Kolomna, Hieromonk of the Belokrynnitsky Monastery Joasaph, Archdeacon Filaret expressed a desire to join the Orthodox Church, without offering any conditions. Since their current situation is not legal, it was necessary to ask for the Highest permission and forgiveness in order to provide them with what was legal and safety from punishment. It is given. Now they live withdrawing and hiding from schismatics. It is necessary to place them and arrange their future life. I would suggest placing them in the Gethsemane monastery for a while, so that you could instruct them and confirm them through spiritual conversation, and together with their joining the Holy Church, confirm them in monasticism, either by recognition, or by new tonsure, and the monastic elders who have gone through a similar path could be their successors. Then it will be necessary to place and arrange them so that, if the Lord grants, they can lead others to Orthodoxy. This way it will be possible to ordain them. I ask you to accept Godly work in this matter. So that you can see the trustworthiness, I am sending one of them an explanatory note about myself. Their position is such that it is necessary to accept them, according to the Apostle, as a milkmaid warms her child. They need a room so that they do not seem neglected. Perhaps some of the brethren will need to be encouraged to push themselves aside for a while, which will be a donation for the benefit of Orthodoxy. It is not superfluous to examine the question: should they be tonsured, or should they be recognized as tonsured? What do former examples say? In ancient times, Abbas and non-clergy were accepted into monasticism. Once again I will speak about this matter in the words of the Apostles: to her, brother, may I receive this from you in the Lord. If possible, do not hesitate to respond. They've been waiting for a long time. Yesterday I celebrated the Liturgy in the house church, but I couldn’t do Vespers. Thank God for that too. Thank you for your kindness in assisting those who are turning from error. These days I will forward them to you. I am delayed by a long-lasting cold pain in my head and teeth. – The treasurer does the business of the farmstead, it seems with the mind of a mason; but he himself understands it with displeasure. Shows me a plan signed by the architect, but it can hardly have legal merit. The treasurer also does not give correct information about the merits of the plan presented to the architectural authorities. Is there anyone in the Lavra who could understand the matter well and act carefully? – The matter turned out not to be as P. initially understood it: therefore, one must look with caution at the terms of reconciliation he proposed. He wants to take possession of part of our land and offers in return to give a strip of land to form an alley: but the land does not belong to him, but to the Novgorod bishop's house. And will the buildings that look down the six-yard alley be well used? Consider carefully this matter, for which I am not capable and for which I have no time. – Peace of the Lord to the Father Viceroy. You have the right to complain to me that I have bothered you with those seeking to join the Holy Church; and then I’m silent for a long time. They wrote to me that they wanted to join, without offering any conditions: but when I announced to them what I was planning to do, two urgently asked to join the same faith, so that this would be visible to the schismatics: therefore, they hope to attract others to this path more conveniently. To divide them into two paths would be to weaken them. Therefore, other orders turned out to be necessary, more difficult, but necessary. – These days the priest Vladimir, who still continues to be called Abbot Goethe, will be in the Lavra. Take it seriously. My health, it seems, could allow me to go to the Lavra: but keep the bonds of business. The last dose of medication has been taken. In the state of illness, no change is visible so that medicine is considered unnecessary. June 11th 1865. 7 o'clock in the morning. Now Alexey Petrovich should arrive at the Lavra. Receive him instead of me and treat him. Ask when he wants to be with me; and preface me. The journey ends before it begins. Legs are lighter. My teeth still hurt. Don't come to me in this weather. There is information that Count Ober-Prosecutor leaves for Moscow and the Lavra on the 29th or 30th day. If yesterday: then it may happen that by this evening he will be here. Prepare a room for him, and instruct the treasurer to meet him at the station with the crew. For him I need an icon, a description of the Lavra and the life of St. Sergius. I thank the father governor for his abundant care about my health, unworthy of care. Along with a small handwritten book: the service book of St. Sergius, on the same round table lie two books: the works of the Right Reverend Ignatius. Their titles seem to be: ascetic experiences. If the builder of the same faith is still here and decides to be with me, I would receive him tomorrow after the local liturgy. My illness has become so bitter that it is inconvenient for me to receive people. As if on purpose, at this time Privy Councilor P. arrived from the Synodal Chief Prosecutor with business, and he was probably destined to stay here for several days. Give him a good room in a hotel, and receive him with attention. July 8th 1865. One o'clock in the afternoon. The condition of the disease is difficult. Can't you visit me before the liturgy? – You can’t call Vladimir Ivanovich 83: his son is dangerously ill with typhus. I remembered that in the state I am in now, he gave me powder from a head of grain grains, perhaps with something else. Would you send him someone with a note to give him the recipe? The telegram informs that Count Dmitry Andreevich Tolstoy, Chief Prosecutor of the Holy Synod, is leaving from Moscow to the Lavra this day on the second train, and intends to stay here until the 5th day. Order to accept it. Shouldn't you prepare lunch for him upon arrival? Or tomorrow? - Judge better than me. If he decides to be with me today, would it be okay at seven o’clock? And you will preface me. And if tomorrow: then at eleven in the morning. Help and health come from the Lord, Father Viceroy. The news about fellow believers is bitter: I did not expect from Sorokin what he said. The vicar wrote to me about the monks that they sometimes go to the early liturgy, and that before the holiday they partook of the Holy Mysteries. St. Sergius had some of them before joining the Church. – I turned to doctor's milk. Tomorrow I think I will stay in my cell. If God wills, by Thursday, we must prepare for conciliar prayer. Read, Father Viceroy, the marked lines in the attached letter, and return it to me. To make a decisive order, one must wait for more reliable and decisive news. But you need to take precautions so that it does not cause difficulties if it does not come quite early. I am unable to meet the Grand Duchess and perform the liturgy, and therefore I must remain in the monastery. To commemorate the blessed memory of the Tsarevich, it will be necessary to organize a special cathedral service in the refectory church. Distinguished visitors will receive icons of the relics of St. Sergius. But if I have them, I will need icons either for everyone, or at least for my sons. The meeting should also take place, depending on the weather, in the vestibule of the church. I hope everything else will be arranged by you, with the blessing of St. Sergius. Do not send anyone to serve me. I don’t find it convenient to celebrate the liturgy. May the God-blessed Householder forgive. Here is new confidential news (not in the envelope sent to you, but previously received), which, apparently, should be fulfilled. Their Majesties will depart from Moscow to the Lavra on the 20th in the morning (the hour is unknown), and will return to Moscow in the evening. In the name of the Lord, blessing and peace to the vicar father and the brethren of the monasteries. Glory to God's mercy. Thanks to the prayers and intercession and patronage of our venerable father Sergius. My journey was completed safely; and ended in an incomparably better state of health than it began. – Thank you, Father Viceroy, for your continuous care for me. Forgive me that this has caused you a lot of work and fatigue. – The train was very calm. I did not notice that the speed was more than shown in the schedule proposed to me, and I was pleasantly deceived when, contrary to the appointment to arrive in Moscow at 26 minutes past three, I arrived at two o’clock. Express my gratitude to the railway authorities. – Thank God that I did not decide to travel along the dirt road. I could not endure for so long the painful feeling in which I began the journey, and I would not have the means to alleviate it. Opposite that in the mobile railway house, I put aside my warm clothes, stood up, and remained in this position almost the entire way, gradually feeling relief. – Regarding F.’s case, the Council’s report and the certificate say nothing: 1) about the robe from the icon of St. Sergius in St. Petersburg. 2) about 25 tr. in A.'s divan and 3) about gardens and a greenhouse. You noted well about the latter when talking to me that it was established under Vladika Plato. But our words will not be heard in St. Petersburg; and noticing our silence, they can say: it looks like things are not going well when they couldn’t say anything. Write an additional report from the Council. In the back room of the monastery there was a bundle containing a picture of the Belokrinitsky Monastery. Order the front side to be replaced with paper so as not to spoil it, and after sealing it, send it to me without delay. It must be returned so as not to pay money for it. But it is useless to hold her: the schismatics have already photographed her. Sorry. I write badly when there is fire; I didn’t notice that the sheet was not whole. Peace and health from the Lord to the viceroy father. I am saddened to learn that your leg disease is getting worse. As much as I can, I call upon you the help of the Physician of souls and bodies, with the representation of St. Sergius. I ask you to give yourself the necessary peace. A day of excessive effort can aggravate the illness for many days. And a few days of rest can bring many days of relief. – Last Friday I was planning to celebrate the liturgy: but within an hour I felt so bad that I was forced to refuse. Now, thanks be to God, I have done it. – Andrei Nikolaevich heralds his arrival at the Lavra on Friday. The Kiev ruler foreshadowed his journey to the Gethsemane monastery: but perhaps he will postpone it, finding me in Moscow. Come to Moscow to bless the princely hospitality. – The appointment of rector to the Berlyukov Hermitage had already been announced to my appointee when I received your proposal about N. I know him little. I do not distribute icons generously, but for the most part only to those who ask: but even with this, not little is required. Now I need several medium-sized enamel, more small ones; By the way, we need icons of Christ the Savior and the Mother of God. Buy this for me. – Members of the diocesan guardianship diligently invite me to the consecration of the church at the newly built school house: I am indecisive between the possibility and impossibility of this, for my small and fickle strength. Throw me at the feet of our venerable father Sergius. Now I have given a resolution on the matter of novice S. It seems to me that it would not be superfluous to register it in relation to the Mogilev Consistory. But if this seems harsh to you, then do not register, but simply notify of dismissal. I want to know whether you will choose one or the other. – I could only visit Grand Duke Sergius Alexandrovich, who visited me shortly after my arrival from the Lavra, because the path to him is no longer far. He is in the Kremlin small palace. He showed me his whole home. Where he rests, in the heads, on the wall there are several small icons, and between them a cross, with part of the relics of St. Sergius, which I gave him as a blessing upon his arrival from the Lavra. On the other wall, where he prays, there are several icons of ordinary size, and between them is the icon of St. Sergius, which he received in the Lavra on his first visit. Under these icons on the table lies the Gospel, in which on the first page are written three edifying Gospel sayings for him, the first from the Emperor, and the other two by the hand of the Empress. – Lord, save the Tsar and Queen! Lord, give Your Gospel truth to the Son of the Sovereign! – On the first day of December, order me to distribute what was given to whom in such cases. I have received your blessing in a good word and in a sacred sign; and with gratitude I mutually call upon you from the Lord the blessing of peace and prosperity. Thank you for pointing out to me the virtues of the righteous Philaret, encouraging me to do the same. It’s a long way from this: but let me not go away completely idle, you excite me with your hastening prayers. It is good, according to the apostle, to understand each other in encouraging love and good deeds. Grand Duchess Alexandra Petrovna invited Abbess M. to her place, received her attentively, showed her her Intercession community of sisters of charity for infants and the sick, and wished to give this community a more spiritual direction; For this purpose, I invited her to make comments on the draft charter of this community, and wrote to me about this. This is a project, but it has already been approved by the Highest. I suggested a few changes. The head of the community changes: and the Grand Duchess calls the abbess to give direction to the new head: and through the abbess she expresses to me her desire that a hieromonk be placed from the Lavra in the Trinity courtyard, who would be the confessor and rector of the community. I told the abbess that this was not convenient, and among other things pointed to an example. Hieromonk A., who received good instruction in the Lavra, was entertained in St. Petersburg by the honor of good people, and was drawn away from a field in which he would be useful, and it would be useful for him. However, I declare to you the desire of the Grand Duchess, and what answer you would like to give to it, please write to me. Based on preliminary information, I believe that yesterday the brethren of the Lavra, in a great general council, with mysteriously cleansed consciences, partook of the life-giving Table of the Lord. I rejoice and pray to Him who has visited your souls, that He may always have His abode in them, pleasing to Him. – Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich departed, visiting me again and accepting my visit. You once gave me a collection of photographic Lavra icons: I showed them to him, with some explanations about them; and introduced it to him. He seemed to accept with pleasure; and the thing was put to good use. I hear that you have been unwell. Do not irritate the disease by using excessive and exhausting strength. The Serpukhov abbess pleasantly writes to me about the Christian spirit in the family of Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich. The Grand Duchess regrets that we do not find it convenient to provide a confessor to her community. But here’s what’s sad: on behalf of the Grand Duchess, the abbess visited the Bishop of Novgorod, asking for a confessor; and he answered that neither in the Lavra nor in the city was there a merciful confessor for the sisters of mercy. Now, not according to her direction, but by hunch, they want to look for a confessor in the Sergius Desert. – An icon of the Mother of God, bequeathed to the monastery by a certain Nikandr, will be sent to you. I think it can be placed in the above-cave church. Good people who gave me milk during the past meat-eating, ask: is it necessary for the future? - What will your medical mind say to this? “I think that the milk was useful to me, although it advanced me a little towards recovery, which may no longer be possible.” Peace and joy of the Lord to you, Father Viceroy, and to the brethren of the monasteries. On the occasion of the holiday, I greet you: but I pray to Our Lord, Who was born on earth for our salvation, for His joy and peace in your souls does not cease, but remains preserved in faith and love of God. I am writing late because since the second day of the holiday I have been overcome by illness, I can do little, and I am withdrawing from people. – Information about old weapons has been received and sent to the Cathedral. But what will we do with it if so many useless dilapidations have come? A few copies of each item would be enough to remember the past. But if you think about it: it probably won’t be pleasant. Is it possible to imagine that the reason for the reduction is that the Armory Chamber no longer exists? - This is doubtful. – I spoke about Elder Popova in detail with whom I should, and I will speak again as soon as I am able to leave the house. May God bless you as you enter a new summer. Pray that it will be a pleasant summer for the Lord, and not a hard summer for men. Read the attached report and return it to me. Of course, this is cunning and a schismatic lie: but according to their concepts, it is beneficial for schismatics to spread it. What do you think about the conclusion of the report? – If you undertake what is proposed, it may not be successful; and yet this will seem to be confirmation that they are really looking for the kidnapped person. – You returned to me the music book of the ancient singing of the liturgy: but you did not say whether you had experimented with singing, and what your opinion was about it. – About ancient weapons, if you haven’t sent it yet, send the information you received, without any comments or assumptions. – Read and return to me the attached letter from an unknown person, which has been lying with me for two years without action. Isn’t it time to start implementing what is recommended? I lose a lot of time in rest; on a cloudy day and when there is fire, I can’t read much, or I read with difficulty, and I also write. Meanwhile, the restless age multiplies affairs; slowness occurs, and sometimes the time favorable for success in business, and irrevocable for this, may sometimes be missed. Sometimes the things we do are hard, but even harder are the things we wait for and reproach for slowness. Unfortunately, time demands more work than it promises fruit. From our venerable father Sergius, ask me for admonition and stimulation from dangerous laziness to spiritual jealousy. I agree with pleasure that the tithe from the sale of hay be given to the poor peasant children of our school, so that the share of the Lavra will be blessed by alms. My illness, by the grace of God, is decreasing. But there is so much to do that even a healthy person can get tired and ill. Bring me before St. Sergius, asking for his mercy and help. Peace be with you, Father Viceroy; and pray that I may not be deprived of peace. – Housekeeper Afanasy fell ill, recovered, and fell ill again. This morning I found out that he ran out of his cell at night, but was restrained (and they did not have the prudence to tell me then), and in the morning he did not unlock the cell. I ordered to call the doctor and open the door. It turned out that he was no longer alive. Send without delay someone capable of accepting the position of housekeeper, at least temporarily: for now, it’s better to look around. To the viceroy father and the brethren of the monasteries there is a blessing from the Lord, and to those who need anything, grace-filled forgiveness. May Holy Lent be beneficial to you in the purification of your souls and in your entry into the pure and perfect joy of the resurrection of Christ. I ask for forgiveness and prayerful help for my unworthiness. I knew little of your late cell: but I noticed his dignity. Peace to his soul; peace to your memory of him. – I can't write much. I’m sick like I was in the monastery. In addition, along with the frost, there was dryness and pain in the ends of the fingers. The matter of the church warden stopped due to bewilderment. The law does not appoint churchwardens for house churches. The position of churchwarden is public. In my strict judgment, I do not have the right to approve a churchwarden in someone else’s diocese. The headman will collect money well: but he will want to manage it. He will not approve of sending them to the Lavra, but will invent costs for the church of the metochion. I asked the Moscow church elders to more accurately give back the candle money they were illegally holding in the churches: but they argued with the deans and gave in little. Then it may happen that the elder wants a reward: but for service at the house church they will hardly give it, or they will give it in order to give the candle money to the authorities. All this requires careful consideration. When presenting the headman for a reward, he will have to show how much money he collected: but now the authorities, wherever they see money, try to seize it. The income of the churches of the Yaroslavl and Tver metochions in St. Petersburg has already been taken away from both the diocesan bishops and those who live in the metochions. There is no need to give an opportunity to reach out to our courtyard. There was already an experience: when Metropolitan Eugene of Kiev lived in our courtyard: he benefited from the income of our church. I console myself with your souls, in purity and peace of conscience, united with the Lord in the Divine Sacrament. May His grace preserve you in the inviolability of this holy union. – My sins left me no strength for sacred rites. Both on Saturday and Sunday I was only a communicant. And for this, glory to the great mercy of the Lord. – I sent a report to the Cathedral about the inquiries after the late steward. Look carefully and determine what you need. It seems that it is necessary to correct the inventory of the farmstead and introduce annual surveys on it. – Can you choose the day on which you would visit me? The need to rebuild the Iveron Chapel emerges. I see difficulties; and the methods of resolving them that are presented to me do not seem convenient to me. I would like to show you these difficulties and discuss with you the method of resolution. – I have a need for enamel icons of medium and small size. – Monasteries that are overly venerable will begin to open their hand. Iosifov gives benefits to the newly opened school in Volokolamsk. Alekseevsky recently forgave five thousand rubles of debt to the Ascension and Nikitsky monasteries. You can ask Pokrovsky; but at Pesnoshskago it was barely. – Write about benefits to the sick hieromonk A.: but you don’t say how much is needed: but I can’t determine. Give me from 50 to 100 rubles - With the deceased and... Hilary and for me passed the family that I found in the Lavra, becoming its abbot. The mercy of the Lord to the new generation, and let us also pray for the past and the transitory. The request of the Khotkovsky archpriest for a new division of income was left without action, - There is still speculation about the Iverskaya Chapel, and still bewilderment. That raising it to a height will make it difficult for pilgrims, this can be seen from the example of another chapel, the entrance to which is lowered and closer to those passing by, and the number of pilgrims turned out to be incomparably more numerous than before. If you demolish the building with the Iverskaya Chapel and the wallpaper on its sides with gates: then one of the two gate arches can be moved to the side, and between the two gates, which are not as massive as the current ones, it will be possible to build a chapel that is more spacious and convenient for entry. I remember; and it is doubtful whether the Government will allow the present building to be demolished. And late is a big deal for me. I find it difficult to decide on a preference for one of the three assumptions. To the viceroy father and brethren, peace and joy of the risen Lord. May it fill your souls with the power of faith and love, and may no one and nothing take it from you. Ask St. Sergius for gracious intercession for my unworthiness. My illness has intensified these days, so I have little hope of fully celebrating with my home church. Give from me to the servants of the Lavra and the alms of Lavra and Bethany and the poor from 150 to 200 rubles. Don't forget, as before, Migalov, if he is alive. On the Saturday before the holiday, I greeted you, father governor, and the brethren, and only on Saturday do I greet you during the celebration of the holiday. May the joy of the Lord risen in you extend beyond the boundaries of the holiday; and, by His grace, in your faith and love, may the Apostolic word be fulfilled: rejoice in the Lord, rejoice always. – Having received from you the sad news about the theater in the suburb, I wanted to gather my strength and personally communicate with the civil governor about this: but I could not: since during the whole week I could only sometimes receive only a few people, and I was not with anyone. Now I have written to the civil governor and demanded notification of what follows. If I don’t receive a satisfactory answer, I’m thinking of writing to St. Petersburg. I am sending what I wrote to the civil governor. If you have the opportunity, tell Elder Alexandra Popova my wish for God’s blessing and peace after sorrows. I asked the senator to pay attention to her case, giving a meeting about her. They told me later that the matter was decided in her favor. Thank you for the blessed artos. The blessing of St. Sergius brought me some health. Now I have been honored to celebrate the liturgy. On the occasion of the Sovereign Emperor’s deliverance from danger, we are thinking of sending a most humble letter from the clergy. Can you accept to be a deputy to represent him, are you alone or accompanied by another deputy, an archpriest? - Answer me immediately upon receipt of this by telegraph - in one of two words: I can, or I can’t. And if you can, then come, either this evening, or tomorrow morning. To the viceroy father and brethren, peace and salvation in the Lord. Present Hierodeacon Varlaam and Monk Anthony for ordination. May God's visit to the monastery through illness encourage the brethren to intensify their prayerful feat, and may the Physician have mercy on all of them, souls and bodies. I rejoice in brotherly loving service to the sick. May the Lord bless them and keep them. – Along with this, you will receive a decree on the procession of the cross on April 4th. Read the attached letter; and when you return, tell me your thoughts, whether I should regret that it was written, and make a stricter rule for myself not to write what is not asked. For many demand that I write, which they do not ask, and blame me for not writing more than is required by my position. – Here they were waiting for the arrival of the Sovereign Emperor from day to day: but it seems that this will not follow soon. The monastery wants to rent a fish lake from the Nativity Monastery 20 miles away. Shouldn’t we be afraid that the monastery will pay money, and the neighbors of the lake will use the fish? - Allow me this question. I need enamel icons, and even smaller ones. – Those ordained come back to you. – The former snow, one hopes, will not harm the plants, except perhaps the seedlings. The trees did not bloom before the snow, but after it they bloom. About 70 years ago there was snow later than now; and the harvest was good. Bad weather does not hinder my journey to the Lavra for the holiday. I would be useless in the Lavra: because I cannot perform a long service, and I cannot read the Pentecost prayers. Moreover, there is a fortune-telling, which cannot yet be spoken about out loud, that at the end of this month there may be a Highest presence in Moscow. Leaving Moscow a few days before would be an escape: although, by the way, remaining in Moscow, I would be ineffective. Prayers on the occasion of the Emperor’s deliverance from danger were stopped. Some of them were out of pure zeal: and some, perhaps, out of imitation. It was difficult to distinguish between them and soon became uncomfortable. Having learned about the unseemly treats of the people, I allowed prayers with the condition that they would not take place. A certain St. Petersburg newspaper finds it strange that in Moscow they did not allow secular music to be played after prayers. – May God bless your celebration with the light of joy. Tomorrow we are waiting for the Bishop of Kiev to arrive in Moscow. They say he is thinking of going to the Lavra on Saturday and serving like that on Sunday. – His Serene Highness Prince Suvorov, as I heard, wanted to be in the Lavra. Was there? “He was in Moscow at both schismatic cemeteries, and kissed one schismatic trustee. This is how he thought to reward the schismatics because, in his opinion, they were being persecuted 84. Andrei Nikolaevich ordered to inform you that he will be in the Lavra not on Friday, but on Sunday. My celebration was in the house church: I could only perform the Liturgy, and left Vespers to the hieromonk. On Friday I forced myself somewhat, receiving and visiting the Bishop of Kiev in Chudov, thinking that it was useful to be in the air: but it was not beneficial. On Sunday, the day of Pentecost, in the morning I did not know what to do with myself, and only half an hour before the liturgy I decided to tell the concelebrants that I would serve. Therefore, I don’t know what I will do if next Monday there is a church meeting of the Sovereign Emperor. It will probably be in vain that I now want to demand: but let there be some readiness in case of opportunity. Send me one of the light vestments, and, I think, white brocade is better than blue, because it looks less festive. The Bishop of Kiev is pleased with the holiday and has already left. If I had in mind the expectation of the Highest visit to the Lavra: I would have notified you immediately. I don't know anything. The Sovereign Emperor and the Sovereign Empress visited me, but they didn’t say anything about it. This was on Friday: and on the same day in the evening they left for Ilyinskoye. I’m thinking about going to the Lavra: but I still don’t know how I’ll gather my strength and how I’ll break out of paper shackles. Ask me for the blessing of St. Sergius to come and fall at his holy feet. To the viceroy father and brethren, peace and joy in the Lord in gracious communion with Him. There is a rumor that tomorrow Their Majesties will be in Moscow, and after tomorrow in the Lavra. But it’s difficult to vouch for this. Last Saturday there was a rumor that they would be at Savvina Monastery on Sunday: but this did not happen. As for me, I don’t hope to be in the Lavra at this time. And even if there was: it would be inactive. Let St. Sergius graciously receive the most pious Guests: and let your service be according to their hearts. I’m trying hard to get ready for the Lavra, but I still don’t have time. I had to stay until four: I don’t know what next. I proposed to the Council questions about the Vologda student. It is clear from the deeds that there is great moral disorder among the students there, even to the point of suspicion of a state crime. Use special inquiry into the trustworthiness of those wishing to join the Lavra. Count Dmitry Andreevich is planning to be at the Lavra on Saturday for the Academic Exam. Offer him a meal in my cells, which I could not do in Moscow due to ill health. Also bless him with the icon. I am sending you a telegram. However, I will adhere to your news, which is declared to be more correct. There was no need for you to be there when I left. At the end of my conversation with His Eminence Irinarch, having learned that that day he would remain in the Lavra, thinking of coming for this purpose. But some compulsion that I imposed on myself yesterday, and perhaps the change in the weather, make me unable to carry out what was proposed. Explain this to His Eminence, treat him to a meal in my place and tell him that I remain grateful for his visit and interview, in which I found not only pleasure, but also benefit. 1866. September 3rd, 6 a.m. Count Dmitry Andreevich is expected. Send to tell me when it arrives; prepare a room for him and treat him: for I cannot come to the Lavra. If he wishes to be with me: tell me what time. Glory to the all-merciful God and thanks to the merciful intercession of St. Sergius! - My journey was completed safely. Thank you, Father Viceroy, for your work of love and care, to my relief and peace. I have just received your letter. But more about this later. Thank you for your word of protection. Coming out of the all-night vigil, and having met your letter, I was mentally concerned: if something unexpected had happened. Thank God no. It is not clear to me why you are not satisfied that you provided useful and protective information. You have done a good deed. It would not be good if your word were used carelessly. By the grace of God, I think you had no reason to fear this. It seems to me that the abbess herself could do the same as you to protect her neighbor. By the grace of God, if I am judged unfavorably, I believe that I deserve it, and I do not change my favor towards the unfavorable judge. I usually do not save letters, but consign them to the fire, except for those that are needed for some ongoing business, or that can form a useful memory that will not offend anyone. And the ones you care about don't exist. – I'm sorry for starting the letter without examining the paper and starting without a beginning. I worry about tomorrow morning. – You did not put crowns on the new icon. What to do with them? If you put it: then it would be necessary before consecration; but it doesn’t seem convenient to send with them? What to do? – I sincerely invoke God's blessing and peace on your soul. We celebrated the betrothal of the Sovereign Heir Tsarevich with a prayer service by telegram only in Moscow. We are waiting for a decree with a manifesto 85 for other places. May it be good for the soul of Abbess Antonia and the rest of her life on earth. I'm wondering about her successor. She was the eldest treasurer when I, bypassing her, chose Antonia. I don’t remember clearly, but I know that I saw something in the treasurer that prompted me to go around her. – The housekeeper of the Fontannago farmstead served little in this position. Will any of the Lavrskys be left out of his award? – The photographic icon of the Mother of God, quenching sorrow, is good, and, in my opinion, better in ancient simplicity than with decorations. – About the attempt to seduce the Patriarch of Constantinople, what was written in the Moscow Gazette last Saturday is worthy of belief. It is obvious that someone who does not know the matter wrote a newspaper article, ill-intentioned, with the goal of disturbing the minds of the East, in favor of the West’s political tricks. May the Lord keep you, father governor, in peace, and may he give you health. And you, for your part, preserve it by moderation of work and the medicine of necessary rest. – The Khotkovo abbess nominates nun Evgenia to the position of treasurer. Do you know? And do you approve of the choice? – The expression sacred rite, instead of the name sacrament, could not help but be noticed by many attentive to Orthodox teaching, and of course, with sorrow; but the word flew by and could not be returned. I’m thinking of writing about this to St. Petersburg: but they will receive it with displeasure, and hardly with attention for future cases. – Those returning from St. Petersburg say that much is not done there with such harmony as before. And I was in a quandary; Before the anointing of the Grand Duchess, in the decree of the Holy Synod it was written that the prayer service in Moscow would be on the same day as the sacrament, and that the Chief Prosecutor was instructed to send me a telegram about the time of the celebration. But there was no such telegram. It turned out well that I had not previously hoped for a telegram, and decided on the hour of the prayer service on a whim. Otherwise, the clergy and people would have stood all day in the Assumption Cathedral, waiting for a telegram, and would not have known whether the sacrament had been performed or whether there would be a prayer service. The same thing happened on the day of the wedding, on which a telegram was received from the Sovereign Emperor himself, and received at eleven o’clock in the evening. May the Lord grant the Sovereign Emperor prudent and careful executors of His will. I am comforted by the news of God’s good deed through Saint Plato. Glory to Him who glorifies His saints. – Please satisfy Hieromonk S., who painted the icon of the Mother of God, with fair retribution, as a stranger would do. I am sending the original rescript of the Sovereign Heir Tsarevich for safekeeping, with similar ones. I rejoice in the spiritual joy of the brethren of the Most Holy Paraclete. Day by day, setting the ascent in their hearts, let them ascend into close communion with the Lord, into complete joy in the Lord. Let Alexei and Jacob be presented for ordination. – Tell me, Father Viceroy, to give me 100 to 150 rubles tomorrow. according to previous examples. The viceroy father and the brethren of the monasteries rejoice in the Lord. I accepted the blessing of the Most Holy Trinity and St. Sergius, called upon by your prayers and marked by the holy icon, with reverence. I rejoice with fear in the long-suffering kindness toward me from the Lord. It is with consolation that I find myself on the day of my Angel in brotherly and prayerful communication with you. May your prayers for my reinforcement not become scanty, so that I may not approach the end with such weak feet of spirit as the feet of my body are now weak, and may my affairs not be found unfinished before God. Peace be with you from the Divine Chief of the world. I bring back the ordained. It seems that laziness is not the reason that this was not done by me, but my uncertainty in performing the intended service. Recently, on two days nearby, it happened that I was preparing for the service in the evening, but in the morning I did not have enough strength to decide on this, and limited myself to listening to the Liturgy, and by the grace of God, I partook of the Holy Mysteries. For those preparing to be ordained, it would be unpleasant to suddenly be stopped. That it is not useful to give monasteries to bishops instead of renting them, I used to say this to both those who take and those who give. I also said that it is necessary to multiply vicars with consideration, where necessary and where it is safe to do so. Now they give a vicar to any bishop who indicates a monastery to give to the vicar as food. They multiply vicars when it is difficult to find candidates for the bishopric. However, we do not know all the considerations that guide those in charge. May the Lord arrange what is beneficial for His Church. If gifts from the mercy of the Mother of God and from national piety are so mercilessly, as they say, attracted to some outside benefit: this threatens with many unpleasant consequences. The people will see this and limit their generosity, and may cool off in their feelings when they see the servants of self-interest and theft in the expected Godly prayer books. – The effort to support the educated monastic clergy is truly lacking. The white clergy seeks power for itself: secular power is cold towards monasticism, partly because it does not understand it, partly because it encounters unfortunate examples that it generalizes. What to do in the face of this age? - Happy is he who can have the boldness to say with the Apostle: I wish to be resolved and to be with Christ. But he did not insist on this desire. Be patient with the Lord, says the prophet. Archpriest D.G. send 80 rubles from me. Mr. Motovilov came to me and said that he had something very important to tell me. Doesn't this apply to the Diveyevo Monastery? “Under the present circumstances, it is more likely to harm them than to benefit them.” - I couldn't see him. – Yesterday late in the evening I received your letter, father governor, dated 26 days, and from it I learned about your illness: because I received the letter dated 20 days today. I heartily sympathize with your suffering: and I pray to the all-merciful Physician of souls and bodies, through the intercession and mediation of our Reverend Father Sergius, to grant you relief, tranquility, strengthening and perfect health. But won’t this imbalance be unfavorable to the body, when one leg is treated with cold water and the other with warm water? Don't you need to trust your method of treatment with the advice of one of the experienced Moscow doctors? - May the Lord give you a useful thought. They tell me and me about the benefit to the Kandyans, but do not write from the same source as they do to you. This makes it difficult for me: but now there is no time to explain this. I'll try to write later. Imagine the tonsure of those worthy. I need enamel icons of medium size in a smaller number, and small ones in a larger number - icons of the Savior, the Mother of God and St. Sergius and the appearance of the Mother of God to him. From the first hours of the holiday, my thoughts stretch to communicate with you in joy, about our Lord Jesus Christ, born on earth for our salvation. Sorry for the delay in speaking. May the joy and peace of the Lord dwell in you, that is, in your souls and in your mutual relationships. Holy icons were received in abundance. Thank you. – Charity for the needy in the east was conveyed to me verbally. But, knowing that political considerations would arise here, I addressed my question to St. Petersburg: but they did not give me an answer. In St. Petersburg, a holiday is being prepared in a theater building for a charitable purpose, but they do not dare say for what purpose. I think that I will decide to do as before during the disasters of the Syrians. Share with me the sorrow for the house of God. Read the article in the attached sheets: Removal of Patriarch Sophronius from the throne of Constantinople. At first, several members of the Synod rebelled against the patriarch because he did not want to ordain a bishop who bore features incompatible with his rank; moreover, the entire Synod and the mixed Council accused him before the Turkish government, and no one was found to defend him. But his farewell speech is in the church spirit; and shows a person who should be preserved for the Church, even if he made some mistakes in his management. And in what a hopeless form the hierarchy of patriarchy is shown in general! From other, non-printed news, I hear that there is a metropolitan who is trustworthy for the patriarchal throne; but there is very little hope of being chosen. But the discord with the Bulgarians does not subside. And Western propaganda enhances the effect of flattery. A word burst out from me to Patriarch Sophrony: but I did not dare to send it: partly because through this I would go somewhat beyond my limits, partly because it could be made public and arouse indignation in passionate people, instead of impartially judging an impartial word. Read this letter and return it, along with the printed sheets. I had someone, Princess Shalikova; She called herself a brother of the church Covenant brotherhood, asked for hieromonks there for priestly vacancies, and specifically, Hierodeacon D. of the Zaikonospassky monastery. This said that he was invited by Hieromonk I., who was going to become a missionary at the Lavra, who also wanted to invite the sacristan and someone else from the monastery. Protect your brethren from such tempters. – Is it true that priest L., expelled from the Lavra for disorderly conduct in the hospital, was clothed in a ryassophore before being appointed to the Lavra: if this is true; it is in vain to deviate from order. Although this is an external order, it is legalized; and deviation from it leads to difficulties. Why now is the ryassophore outside the monastery? This priest entered the Holy Synod with a complaint about the expulsion from the Lavra for slander of a doctor who treats poorly, and he killed two people in the eyes of the priest. To this petition the priest attached his portrait with two daughters, his other portrait in a cassock, and among them the Apostle Peter, as if weeping, of course for the priest L. The Holy Synod returned the petition with an inscription only for the fact that it was not on stamped paper, without saying anything about the absurdities with which it was filled. The priest must now transfer his absurdities onto stamped paper and send them a second time to the Holy Synod. This hour I opened your letter about the Apocalypse of Mr. Bukharov 86 . I have no right to present my opinion to the Holy Synod, except for the affairs of my department; and in matters of outsiders I give my opinion when asked. There may be even less right to ask for consideration of the interpretation of the Apocalypse not just by the Censorship Committee, but with the extraordinary addition of other persons to it. Such a request can only be made by the interpreter himself, if the judgment of the ordinary Committee is considered insufficient. Rather, he will decide to write to one of the members of the Holy Synod: but how to intercede for the unknown? Have you read the interpretation? I only knew some of the features of interpretation when the interpreter was still in the Lavra: even then I did not advise continuing the work. Note: Letter without time indication; but with the hand of The governor is marked on it: “12th January.” You are thinking of denouncing me without warning me in your letters about the proposed representations. This is not always convenient. If you don’t agree for a reason: it’s better to say this in a letter than in a formal presentation. The Alexandria incident is bitter not only for Andrei Nikolaevich, but also for us, our government and the Church. I don’t remember whether I made the circumstances of the case known to you. His Eminence Nikanor's voters for patriarch demanded that he sign constraining and humiliating conditions. When the Right Reverend Nikanor turned to me with questions on this matter: I wrote him a draft response letter in the sense that he finds the church’s choice untrustworthy, on conditions; and only if the choice is based solely on spiritual principles, will he recognize the will of God in this. If this had been sent, the matter would have ended with the beginning. But Andrei Nikolaevich, referring to the Chief Prosecutor, rejected this: and demanded that the future patriarch be dressed as soon as possible and sent to St. Petersburg. – On the 18th day of January it happened that I was unable to serve, and I fell ill as usual: but I encountered another illness, a more difficult one. Walking across the room, I fell on my left side and used a lot of effort to get up. It turned out that some muscles were stretched, and after several difficult days, they now hinder me less, but they also hinder me with a feeling of weakness on the left side of the body, and more with some movements. I don’t know whether the Lord grants us to approach the natural position, and what could contribute to this. Cast me at the feet of our reverend father Sergius, may he ask me for relief from sorrow, and patience in sorrow, and may the sorrow of the flesh be turned to the benefit of the soul. The Academic Library has liturgical books in Greek. Ask about. rector to order the troparion of St. to be copied. Andrew the First-Called, and would have sent it to me. The Lord commanded me: do not give me over to death. Glory to his mercy. And His punishment will teach me. – Send me 100 rubles to Mr. Bukharev. Isn’t it necessary to say that this is from me, so that he knows that we are looking at him peacefully, and does not have unpeaceful thoughts against us? According to the accepted procedure, I must leave his request without action; because I am limited by the affairs and boundaries of the diocese entrusted to me. But he does not live in the Moscow diocese, but is asking on a non-diocesan matter. The right of member of the Holy Synod is exercised by those who are actually present in it, and by those who are absent when asked. In Mr. Bukharev’s petition there is a hidden complaint against the decision of the Holy Synod and a change is required. I read, or rather, reviewed the part of the book that talks about the Apocalypse. And just as I saw the beginning of Mr. Bukharev’s work when he was still at the Academy, I did not advise him to continue this work: so now I do not receive the conviction to intercede in this matter. However, I will ask the Right Reverend Vicar to read the book, and if he finds reasons, he will convince me in its favor. From the Lord a blessing to the father governor and the brethren of the monasteries. Read the attached sheets of paper, and using these examples of Interpretations of the Apocalypse, judge whether it is possible to apply for Mr. Bukharev’s book. If it were a matter of not prosecuting this book, which had been passed by the censors, it would not be difficult to allow it. But when it is stopped by the Holy Synod: it is difficult to demand a change of decision. And if this had succeeded, then she would have already received a form of approval from the Church. But can the Orthodox Church take this upon itself and its responsibility? I received an explanation about the order of the Eminence of Kaluga. He did not prohibit ministry in churches that give little money; but invited the Consistory to consider whether they should not be assigned to other churches. And this is harmful if done: but not so sharply against the rules. – What the book advertisement says about absurd fairy tales in the common people's previous editions is a thin hint. But the writer can defend himself; because in Moscow there really was a very low and rude literature for the people, consisting of absurd fairy tales and stories. But current folk literature is worse: because it sows false and harmful teachings. Now these books have been examined in Moscow; and many thin ones have already been discovered. Only there is no experience yet of how St. Petersburg will look at this. – Send me to consider a matter in which the Governor-General requires an answer. Read the attached telegram about the election of the former Patriarch Gregory as Patriarch of Constantinople again. This is a special sign of God’s providence for the Orthodox Church. Patriarch Sophrony was overthrown not by the right, but by the strong complicity of the Synod and the mixed (spiritual-secular) Assembly. There were few reliable candidates in sight; and there was no hope that any of these would be chosen; and some of these previously refused election, including Gregory. He deservedly enjoys general respect; but has not yet enjoyed the favor of the Porte; and by law she has the right to remove from the list of candidates those she does not like. But despite all this, Gregory was elected. The promised response regarding details has not yet been received. – If you want to send Mr. Bukharev a copy of the note: tell him to copy it and send it; and return my copy to me again. My office consists of one scribe; the secretary makes himself another scribe. I suffer for them, watching their tireless work. I celebrated this day only in my church, and only in the altar. Upon entering the field of repentance wisely arranged by the Holy Church, I ask from all of you forgiveness for my unworthiness and insufficiency: and to each of you, insofar as anyone has a need, I invite grace-filled forgiveness from the Lord, and heavenly consolation in communion with Him. – The last, it seems, of the remaining experienced military leaders, Count Dmitry Erofeevich Saken, wrote to me that he was ordering icons from the Lavra icon painters for the iconostasis of the church he was building, and had already received the church image: tell me, Father Viceroy, what the situation is with this matter, and how I could contribute to this. – I am returning the case about the house with an amended draft contract. It is inconvenient to mention years beyond the term; this means tying yourself up, and opening the way to breaking the law on a twelve-year sentence. – I am returning the bachelor's letter. To please the Eminence... 87 he was appointed to the St. Petersburg Academy: but the Eminence took him and left himself. I told my father, the rector of our Academy, to look for an opportunity to transfer the bachelor to the local Academy, and in the meantime write to him so that he would not waver in his determination. To the Father Vicar, by the grace of God, peace and health. May the Lord bless your thirty-seventh summer in the Lavra of St. Sergius; and may he bring many more in peace for you and for the prosperity of the Lavra. I learned about your illness late. I pray to God that it will end completely and leave no consequences. But I complain to you that you did not hasten to move away from the harmful effects of the wind, and that, having barely received relief from your illness, you hastened to leave the cell. Lavra demands, and my humility asks, that you take care of your health. – I have only skimmed the defense of Mr. Bukharev’s interpretation, but have not yet read it completely: and I find in it only confirmation that the interpretation is not convincing. It’s hard for me to take him on a long journey, but I don’t foresee any benefit for him. I don’t have time to talk much with him about the Apocalypse; and I do not hope that we will reach an agreement in our thoughts. The Diveyevo abbess, who was not accepted by me on the way to St. Petersburg due to illness, was now with me on the way back. I ask: have you been to the Most Reverend Nektarios? – Answer: I didn’t dare. I expressed that I would rather not dare not be. No matter how someone is disposed towards us, we must show goodwill to our neighbor and respect to our boss. If the Right Reverend Nectarius had not accepted, or had not accepted favorably, he should have accepted this with peace and patience. It's a pity for this error, which can be harmful. The recognition of the Kostroma freethinker is one of the very sad signs of the times. Admitting to unconscious hostility is humiliating. However, this did not stop him from confessing such hostility towards religious institutions. The enemy of human salvation is already boldly showing his successes. – It is our custom that the society for the care of wounded soldiers wishes to have the Empress as Patron. The strongest reason for this is that the beginning of this business is attributed not only to General Totleben, but also to the Empress herself. On Her behalf, Baron Kusov was sent to me on this matter: but due to illness, I did not enter into communication with him, and also because the matter seemed dark. Then General Totleben came with this matter, and with the draft charter of the society. The matter required attention: but the charter pushed me away from it. Meanwhile, active participation was found necessary in order to try to give society the appearance of private activity. I made several comments on the charter: they were taken into account. But it’s not my business to change the charter; and it was doubtful to demand many changes, because he was received by a significant assembly in St. Petersburg. So I entered into the essence of the matter by will, and not by will into the form of the matter. Read the initial acts of the case attached herewith, and return them to me; and tell me your thoughts. You are invited to be one of the so-called founders. I'm interrupting because the post office hour is approaching. I am returning the letter from Hieromonk P. This is an instructive incident. But I doubt whether it is convenient to include it in monastic letters. Could it happen that well-disposed people will look at this with doubt? And in this case, the announcement will not achieve its goal. However, if you wish: show me what you take from the letter. – Would you consider sending the attached note to Mr. Bukharev? There is little hope that he will listen. But on our part, we’ll do what we can, maybe the latter. – They ask the sick man for a shroud from the head of St. Sergius. May he bless you to send me for this purpose. – They ask me a lot for small enamel icons; and little remains of what was previously received. Can you give me a few? – May the voice of the Archangel and the voice of the Blessed Ever-Virgin announce and fill your souls with joy. Peace to the soul o. Nikon. It is regrettable to be deprived of those who are good and useful: but if a good one departs in good hope; then we will say to him: go and pray for us. P., I think, is capable of taking care of the hospital, and this service may be useful to him, so that in the simple matter of philanthropy his attention will be drawn, and the excited mental movement will calm down. May St. Sergius mercifully guide souls and affairs. – Those who came from you with a request to join the Church, a schismatic, turned out to have a long-expired passport, and two members of the race without a passport at all. The first says that his father will prevent him from being issued a passport; and therefore I must arrange it as I know. Then it was revealed from his companions that he was draining them of money, and having taken the watch from them, he later announced that it had been stolen from him; and according to other information, even in Prusia he did not enjoy the trust of the schismatics there, and was a burden to them. The schismatics expressed a desire to join the Edinoverie church; and when asked why they were located in the Lavra differently, they answered that having been graciously received by you, they did not want to contradict. It was necessary to agree to the desire they expressed also because they had nowhere else to go, if not to the Edinoverchesky Monastery. They are seen as well-intentioned; and about one, at her request, I am taking care of, in order to put her in a legal position; and the other left. Discussions with Mr. Bukharev about the Apocalypse must be stopped. May the Lord reveal the pure truth to him, and also through him, if he is called to it. I was reassured by the news that tomorrow you would not go further than the monastery for prayer. I hope you won't be standing in the snow. Of course, it was more necessary to talk about the liturgy than about the ringing. As the daily ringing is commanded: I found it appropriate that the liturgy should be St. Chrysostom. Lord, save the Tsar! The sale of Russian possessions in America seems to have finally been completed. Andrei Nikolaevich exclaims: what a heavy answer lies on the guards of Israel! – Maybe we are dormant guards: but what could be done? I heard a long time ago that they were selling; it was hard to believe; suddenly they say that the job is done. Was it possible for the guards of Israel to break into state administration and change a state decision that had been taken and executed? – Lord, save the King, and grant Him advisers and servants of His will who are wise and faithful! – In the name of the risen Lord, a kiss of joy and love from my humility to the viceroy father and the brethren of the monasteries. I greet you late, because from the end of the Liturgy of Bright Day until now I have been sick. Do you think, Father Viceroy, that the Tsarevich and the Empress Tsesarevna might visit the Lavra, although there is still no information about this. Thanks be to God and the intervening Venerable Sergius that the visit and reception of the Sovereign Emperor took place safely. Then thanksgiving to St. Sergius for giving the Sovereign Emperor a good thought; and thanks to the Emperor for correcting us. And it was unpleasant for me to see that the altar iconostasis was leaning against the wall of the room 88. But I kept silent, not seeing a way to correct this. It’s very good that the remedy is now available. But to make the sacristy only an altar, and to make the hall a church and a hall together, is also unsatisfactory for a shrine. Behind the door of the hall there was formerly a church, and then an iconostasis. It's a pity that you didn't show the dimensions of the sacristy. I think that there are seven or eight arshins in it from the eastern side to the western side. At this length you can position yourself like this: From the eastern wall to the throne there are 12 vershok. The throne is 14 inches wide, and an arshin can be 6 inches wide. (In the New Town St. Sophia Cathedral, the throne from north to south is longer than from east to west, corresponding to the shroud.) From the throne to the royal doors arshin is 10 vershok. Only 3 arshins and 1 quarter. From the iconostasis to the arch there are probably four arshins. This is a church. The arch should be wider than the previous door, and it should have a glass door and curtain as before. If this can be done, then it will be more satisfactory than turning the entire sacristy into an altar. – Read the enclosed letter asking for a priest of the almshouse to serve in the house. I don't like it. For order in the church and in the almshouse, it may be unfavorable for the priest to be diverted to a foreign house. – I will be waiting for you in Moscow. In the Church of the All-Merciful Savior, where will the church image be placed? Is it possible to arrange the icons as indicated by the numbers on the plan? – 2) St. Alexander Nevsky. 4) St. Equal. Vladimir. The southern side of the altar is separated by the same curtain as on the front It is fitting for a church icon to be larger than others. Others may be slightly larger than those in the pre-altar iconostasis, and can be arranged in the same transparent iconostasis. In this way, the interior of the church would receive unity and harmony, covering up the asymmetry of the area. A lot of the western wall needs to be broken down. Shouldn't the break be reduced, as indicated in pencil on the plan? – Or would an oblique break complicate the construction of the arch? – I ask: you and the architect answer as you know and execute. Note: Without indicating the time when it was written; but obviously has a connection with the previous one, where, as here, it speaks of the renewed house church of Met. Plato in Bethany. For a long time about. Abel gave me a prayer to forefather Abel to correct it. Having finally fulfilled my obedience, I send the corrected one, or the corrupted one, you decide. I cannot return the original; it is too striated when corrected. But Fr. Abel, of course, has a copy of the prayer, besides the one given to me. The arrangement of the church you describe promises to be satisfactory. It would be good not to omit the favorable time of year for fulfillment. The elder, the builder of the Golutvinsky monastery, on the week of the Vaiy, reading a prayer over the Vaiyi, became exhausted, was taken to his cell, and died. The choice of the new abbot fell partly on the treasurer, partly on another hieromanach, from among the younger ones, and some voters expressed the opinion to elect an abbot from another monastery; and therefore do not recognize the above candidates as satisfactory. I don’t see anything that I could dwell on with confidence. Would you mind pointing it out? – I just don’t argue against the transfer of the skete sacristan to the Academy, but I won’t say that he would be happy with it. Blessed are the elders of the monastery, who, having chosen the feat, remain in it constantly, by the grace of God, gaining success for themselves and setting a good example for others. The younger ones leaving the monastery are unlikely to acquire anything useful for themselves, and meanwhile they can instill the thought of impermanence in others who are not established. It seems that Andrei Nikolaevich is going to the Lavra tomorrow. Andrei Nikolaevich is going to the Lavra tomorrow at one o'clock in the afternoon. Prepare for him how to get from the railway to Lavra. And offer him a meal. In the Lavra brotherhood there was Kalubakin; and then moved to the Solovetsky Monastery and died there. His brother wants to know why he left the Lavra? – I don’t know, or I don’t remember, I ask you for an answer. On the 25th day of this May, on Thursday, 80 Slavs will visit the Lavra. Among them are three or four Orthodox clergy, the same number seem to be of other confessions, and others are secular, most of whom did not belong to the Orthodox Church. Just then the city leader visited me and suggested that the Lavra offer them a treat. I answer: the Americans were not treated. But he says: these are brothers. I also point out the obstacle that there is no convenient terrain. He says: is it not possible to receive them at a meal with the brethren? I answer: a meal in church; and most of the guests are non-Orthodox. He continues: is it possible to accept them at the Academy? I answer: there is no convenience there either; Moreover, they came not for theology or any spiritual or church purpose, but for an ethnographic exhibition. What kind of communication with the Academy? - In St. Petersburg, the Bishop of Novgorod had only spiritual Slavs; Whether they were in the Alexander Nevsky Lavra is not clear. The city mayor, for the sake of persuasion, retold the Tsar’s saying to the Slavs: you are pleased with the reception here, I hope you will be even more pleased with Moscow. I would like to know whether you will join my opinion, or whether you will find something else possible and necessary. It is advisable that the answer be given immediately through the person sent: because the city mayor intends to once again demand an answer from me soon. It's a warm day here, cloudy and overcast. Now there is strong thunder: but there is no rain. Those presented for ordination are ordained. – I instructed him to tell the city mayor that the Lavra did not find it convenient to offer refreshments to the Slavs, and, moreover, to ask him to consider whether the day of the Ascension of the Lord was conveniently chosen for them to visit the Lavra. Most of them are non-Orthodox: will they want to listen to the liturgy celebrated for a long time? And if during the liturgy they examine the Lavra: it will be disgraceful for the holiday. – The idea of novice A is puzzling to me. How to determine the time for treatment? Is it good for him to be outside the Lavra for a year, with the name belonging to the Lavra?.. Is he such that this can be considered harmless for him and for the name of the Lavra? I need to have an answer to this before I decide the matter. Peace to the viceroy father and brethren. It seems that one could have acted differently, namely, not to hide from him, but to tell him that the patient was impatient with the slowness of treatment. Reduce the weakness of the sick person, and admit the pharmacist; then we'll see what to do. – This seems to be accepted by Ya. Then, when I asked for leave: you could contact me with this. Maybe I would say something to calm him down. If I have returned: would you please tell him from me that I am his patient, I fully recognize his art, and, grateful to him, I can testify that an unexpected incident, to please the patient, does not constitute the slightest sign of distrust of him. - However, may St. Sergius arrange something useful. – I am thinking about you, even before Pentecost: but I am also at a loss. Because I don’t hope to be in the Lavra in service; and in that case it’s better for me not to be there. We pray for the safe journey of the Sovereign Emperor. Blessed is this to be in the Lavra. Thank you for your kind reception of the Slavs. Some visited me and spoke respectfully about the Lavra. I hope that you collectively brought thanks to the Lord God for the wondrous preservation of the Sovereign Emperor from danger. I acted thoughtlessly in this regard. He arranged this in Moscow, and soon expected a general order from the Holy Synod: but it did not exist, and it will not be seen. Someone who came from St. Petersburg told me that there were no prayers for the Emperor’s safe journey, and that this had always happened before. – Who will give me kril, and I will fly, and rest in the Lavra and in the monastery? “But things are very confusing to me.” Call upon the blessing and help of St. Sergius for my resolution. – A widow who joined the Orthodox Church from Protestantism, spiritual daughter of I.S. wants to join the children to Orthodoxy in the Lavra. If it is predicted: you will arrange this so that it will be given to me to know about this, and through me to the Consistory. I have now received news that Count Dmitry Andreevich will arrive at the Lavra on the last train today. Prepare a carriage for him at the railway station, and everything he needs. If he asks when it is more convenient to be with me: I would ask for an hour 89; because now the all-night vigil will continue for a long time; and you know that tomorrow it is desirable and necessary for me to listen to the liturgy, if possible, with a silent removal from everything extraneous. June 29th 1867. 4 o'clock in the afternoon. However, if the count found it necessary to be with me today: I submit to necessity, although with difficulty 90. I am writing this so that you do not bother to come to me now. My strength is so meager that in the monastery tomorrow is not enough. Glory to the Lord, who has now made me worthy to partake of the Divine meal. Peace and hello. A cough, a sore throat, and weakness of strength do not allow me to be in Bethany and serve. Make your arrangements as you please and let Bethany know. Of course you will stay in the Lavra. Don’t bother later to be with me now, in such unfavorable weather. By remaining sweaty, I hope to get relief. July 29th 1867. 4 o'clock in the morning. A bath can weaken your strength, make your body more susceptible to colds, and thus prevent you from traveling. I think it’s better to give it up. Glory to the All-Merciful Lord God. Thanks to the merciful Saint Sergius. Peace of the Lord to the father governor and the brethren of the monasteries. My journey was completed comfortably, although not without difficulty. For two miles, or so, I traveled along the railway on foot, that is, walking and standing in the carriage. The fatigue was great: but it seemed harmless. On Monday I was in the Kremlin and visited the Prince Governor-General, who met me at the railway on Saturday. Now I think I'm getting sick. He was forced to listen to petitions while lying down. – The ruler of Kiev travels to the Lavra. Receive it with the usual respect and diligence. F. came to see me and said that he was leaving cinnamon because he had no forest and they were not providing firewood. Wants to be in Simonovo. I don't think this is useful. It’s a pity that I didn’t learn about this at the Lavra so I could look at it with you. It’s a pity for F., and it’s a pity that a lot of trust was placed in him. And I told him more than once not to accept indiscriminately and not to multiply people and to remove the holy fool, unnecessary, and having his place where he was before. The response was to seek an excuse rather than to obey. What to do with this crowd that he has collected? “We need to quickly dismantle it and leave only those who can be had with hope and rightly.” What to do with those who gave him money if this is true? - We need to make this clear while he is in mind. It’s not good for him to be in Simonovo, and I’ve already told the rector that I don’t advise him to even read about it. He won't argue. – Today I sent you a note that the Prince, Uncle of the Sovereign Tsesarevna, will visit the Lavra for 23 days. Receive him respectfully, and send him to meet him at the station with a crew for him, and who will be with him. The case of Schemamonk F., after the troubles that have emerged, is threatened by others. It’s a pity that he was allowed too much, out of excess of condescension. I feel sorry for what is being given to Fr. Alexander will have an activity that will relieve his silence. Does he accept this assignment peacefully? The peace of the Lord is with him both in silence and in the work of obedience and brotherly love. – Now, on the 25th day, at 12 o’clock in the morning, when this was written, Schemamonk F came to me. He says that he did not come to you, but sent his son, due to his illness. He says that neither he nor his son refused to commemorate L. Thus, his explanation contradicts what the Council writes: and from the case it is not clear who told the Council about the disrespect and non-service of his son, in writing or verbally. More than once I have said that at the present time it is impossible to neglect clerical order; but the manager of affairs does not care about this, and does not remind. An instruction was given to Gideon: but there was no response to this report. It was ordered to verify the church inventory and describe the property: but what they did for this is not visible both in the report of the Council and in the case. By the way, Philip, not at my call, but on his own behalf, said that he wanted to remain in the cinnamon alone, so that management, administration and maintenance would be entrusted to anyone by the authorities. Thus, he proposes the same thing that the Council presented: and the only question remains is whether he should stay here, although this is not very reliable; because he imagines everything in his own way: however, it is inconvenient to refuse him this. I told him to put his desire on paper. I don't know what will happen. Meanwhile, I am sending the matter with the resolution, which was already written before. For God's sake, Father Viceroy, look at F's case with peace and patience. We allowed a lot of its imaginary simplicity; riots grew; it is difficult to tighten them; and you have to press carefully. If he had gone to some monastery in the Tula diocese, that would have been a good ending to the matter. The legal order does not allow it to be removed without purpose; and this would give him the opportunity to wander around Moscow, dispel slander and create rumors and temptation. One may fear that he will rush down this path even if he is appointed to Mahru. Then it will be necessary to look for him through the police, and return him to us, if he does not want to go to another diocese. Take this into consideration first, so that if you can give the matter a solution, you will have less fear of difficulties later on. If it were possible to make the experience of leaving him in the cinnamonium, under the proper and undiminished restrictions of his position; he probably would not have been satisfied, and perhaps would have gone to another diocese, without word of mouth, or with less word of mouth. If you don’t find this convenient: put it in order to transfer it to Mahra. Is the farm safe? - Lord, have mercy on every creature. So that you do not complain at me for insisting on the order, I will show you an example. You know the former housekeeper F., who now lives in Zlatoust, and his desire to be known as a miracle worker. There was a general of the Imperial retinue who presented a plausible note about him, with a plausible conclusion about the construction of a church at his cell in memory of the Sovereign’s deliverance from danger. The Highest permission could easily have followed immediately. It is good that the note was sent to me, and that with an extract from the affairs of the Consistory it was possible to expose the absurdity of the alleged miracle worker and reject his glorification. There may be similar intercessors for F. The builder now reported his refusal to commemorate: it would have been better if in due time in 1866, and if at the same time he had begun to tame F. The council says that he cannot be interrogated because he is in Moscow. But if he has an unlimited ticket, then he has a pretext for acquittal. I’ll look for him, tell him to leave us in peace, and look for another place. Elder Shaposhnikov says that he is entering the monastery. I told him to judge whether life there was within his capabilities, and to present this to your consideration. Will he, for example, be happy with the table there? - And diversity is not desirable. – There was a bishop's vestment, which, according to your word, I agreed to leave in the Bogolyubskaya Church. It seems it is not in the inventory. – It would be better to ask O. Alexander about the leadership of the Cenobium in advance, so as not to write definitions about this in vain. His refusal can be accepted even after the definition: but it would be better not to show an example that one can refuse to obey the Council’s definition. When I told F. that it would be better for him to seek peace in another place, he seemed to answer with pleasure: then go to Kiev: and then asked to be allowed to serve Lazarus. It seems to me that it’s good if things just end completely with a person with whom it’s right to do any business, there’s no hope. Looking at the disorder in the kenobia, which is becoming more and more evident, I involuntarily come across the thought: are we also right, who for so long left the kenobia to the arbitrariness of F.? – May God grant that the real end to him will be final. You gave a fair answer about debts: but it may happen that lenders will bother us. – A novice who is finally accepted into the Lavra, the Lavra does not have the right to return to his former monastery. The Synodal office exercised this right: but the Holy Synod, having learned, began to cross it. – I agree and approve of the rules for the improvement of monastic brotherhoods in Moscow, and the abbreviated rules of monastic life. In the Moscow rules, among the books for the brethren, the book of Abba Dorotheus is omitted. I wrote it on the copy sent from you and returned. And what does what you said about the abbreviated rules mean: translated into Russian? In the presented printed copy they are written in half-Russian and half-Slavic dialects. But they are understandable; translation into Russian, a purer dialect, others can be spoiled if translated not very carefully. Let those who are beneficial and worthy be presented to the priesthood. – Is it necessary to print the service to righteous Philaret? – Costs will be incurred; and the publication will remain there. Isn’t it better to write to the Abbess of Spasoborodino, buy several copies from her, and the need will be satisfied. I defer resolution of the submission until I receive a response to this. I had Ya-n. The location has not been determined. Through tears, he asks to be given a salary for the last full month, which he served for less than a full month. If by the end of this month his successor has not yet entered; and therefore the salary does not need to be doubled: then shouldn’t I fulfill Ya-na’s request? If it is impossible to satisfy him in this way, then give him 50 rubles from me. The portrait, as I said before, with an excess of decorations, seems proud to me. How can I thank the photographer? – Another icon in the church of Righteous Philaret 91. The attached letter announces this. I said that it would be good to preserve the icon that reached my grandmother for the children: they answer that they have already decisively doomed it to this church. It will be delivered to you. – Archbishop of Riga, now Metropolitan of Kyiv Former head of the Altai spiritual mission. Those. Sergius Hermitage by Archimandrite Ignatius (Brianchaninov) Theophilus. Since 1857, January 13. We are probably talking about a conversation, from the text of Luke. 9;62, spoken July 5d. 1857 Rector of Bethany Seminary, deceased. September 2, 1857 Was there and had a conversation, September 8, 1857, see chronological. Index of words and speeches by M. Filaret. Joannikia, retired in 1857. October 30th to the Nizhinsky Monastery. Anthony, from Arkhangelsk, appointed Nizhny Novgorod in 1857. July 20; died in the rank of Archbishop of Vladimir. Sergius Academy from October 4, 1857 to 1861, now Archbishop of Chisinau Ignatius Brianchaninov. Bishop of the Caucasus since November 13, 1857 From January 14, 1858 Print. in Readings in general. love spirit. enlightenment December 1877 Materials. Page 178–180. Without a doubt, this is a conversation in memory of St. Alexy. Print in Add. to Creation St. Ot. For 1858, pp. 1–7. Conversation on February 19th. 1858 Print in Add. to Creation. St. Ot. for that year, pp. 8–13. Nick. Alex. Sergievsky, now Trustee of the Vilna educational district. Slich. letters to him 349 and 350. Slich. letters from M.F. to A.N.M. ..., page 532. There was a conversation on birthday. Sovereign Emperor from the text: “righteous speech is pleasing to the king, but the Lord loves a right word” (proverbs 16, 13). Probably Amphitheaters, from March 30, 1858. Vik.Chigirinsky. Slich. above note. to paragraph 1219 A letter - without indicating time - when it is written; preserved with the mark of Fr. let's say "July 13th 1858". Here, obviously, the words Sovereign Emperor are missing. From October 13, 1858; before this, for a year, Vicar Dmitrovsky. Ioannikiy of Orenburg and Ufa from November 16, 1835 to November 20, 1849. A.N. Muravyov. Slich. letter to him, page 543. Slich. letter from M. F. to M. Gr., on Thursday. In general love spirit. enlightenment for 1878. Part III. Mater., p. 180. The year is not indicated; preserved between letters from this year. Slich. letters to A.N.M...., p. 546. A copy of this relationship dated February 2, 1859 was printed. on Thursday to Moscow total love spirit. enlightenment, book. 8, 1869. Proceedings, pp. 101–105 What was written on the Ural case, together with the draft message mentioned later in the letter, was published on Thursday. in volume love spirit. enlightenment September 1881. Proceedings, pp. 1–16. Sapelkin, whose diligence was used to collect money from investors, with whose support a church was built in the Gethsemane monastery, which forms the main subject of the letter. A few words to explain There is a letter about this in print, but, noticeably, not in full form. See Thu. In general love spirit. enlightenment 1878, part III, p. 185, i.62 This letter, like the ones that followed it, was preserved with the note: “Received on March 4, 1860. L.N. Ar. Anthony." In the memorial book of M. F., mentioned more than once in this edition, the words are given under the name of Francis de Sales: “we return to ourselves, loving love, instead of loving the All-Loving One,” with a reference to the book: Expl. d. max. d. Sain. Hieromonk Seraphim, who collected funds for the construction of a two-story stone cathedral church in the Bethany Monastery, which was founded in 1860. There is obviously a gap here; but so in the original. In a letter to M. Gregory dated April 1, 1860, M. F-t wrote: “it is true that we need some kind of missionaries for the Orthodox people. But it’s difficult to arrange this,” etc. Thurs. In general love spirit. enlightenment 1878. Part III. materials p. 186. Later, Vladyka F-t wrote to A.N.M. from September 18: “The brethren of the Moscow Church consoled me with their love for the Christians in need in Syria. Within a month from the opening of the subscription, 18,000 rubles were collected and forwarded.” See letter to him page 584 Ioannikios, newly appointed. Nektary, Nizhny Novgorod since 1860 September 22nd. Now Metropolitan of Moscow Kursk Sergius, who until then was the rector of Moscow. D. Ak., now Archbishop of Kishinev. Moscow Academy - Savva, now bishop. Tversky. Omission of a word in the original. It is interesting to compare with this letter the letter to A.N.M... dated April 22, 1861. As Minister of Public Education And here the reduction is genuine. A letter without a signature or time indication; it is marked with the hand of Fr. n-ka: “September 1862.” A letter without a signature or time stamp, with marks from the hands of Fr. n-ka: “September 1862.” Letter - without indicating the time when it was written; but it is marked on it by the hand of Fr. n-ka: “October 1862.” Letter - no time indication; it is marked with the hand of Fr. n-ka: “received. April 30th 1863." The letter is marked by the hand of Fr. Viceroy: “Paul. October 20th day." E.I.V. Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna. Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna, when visiting the Academy, asked Professor Subbotin about the current state of the schism and, in order to obtain more detailed information on this subject, invited him to accompany Her Highness to Moscow, where she deigned to receive him in a special audience. The letters were published in the same year, 1864. This and the next letter, both unsigned, written on the same day as the previous one, have a direct connection with it. See Monast. Letters, pp. 130–134. We are talking about letter XXX (Mon. writing pp. 103–108). Letter without year designation. From this to 1,602 No. the letters were written from the Gethsemane monastery. Rakhmanov, Vladyka’s house doctor. The year and date are not shown on the letter. Former Archimandrite Theodore. We are talking about the church at the cells of Metropolitan Plato, in Bethany, abolished during the construction of the monastery cathedral and then restored at the request of the Sovereign Emperor. The letter was written, obviously, from a monastery, like the next three. Arranged in the Lavra, in memory of the fiftieth anniversary of the Bishop's episcopal service, in which, a few days after this, the body of the deceased Archpastor was laid: it is known that all the icons presented to him on the day of the anniversary were placed in the church.