Поучение 3. О разлучении души от тела, и о том, что слезное умилостивление будет тогда великою помощию.

My most honest children and brothers! Again I open my mouth and offer you the word of instruction that was handed to me, the unworthy one. But you are perfect and full of grace and do not require many words, because you can be edified from yourself, and have the means to learn by yourself; for the mind of God was revealed in you, the enlightenment of his fear from Divine reading, Gospel teaching and spiritual instructions shone and shone in your thoughts. But I am still not worthy to be considered one of these, because I have become darkened by deeds and words; however, I don’t lag behind you in zeal; I get up and walk after you, showing you the smooth paths, that is, virtues, and the rapids leading to destruction, that is, the evil of passions. Hearing this, do not be burdened, and do not be lazy in serving God, do not look at the present difficulty, so as not to deprive you of future pleasure; but endure everything generously; both deeds and words, condescending to each other out of the love of God; and helping one another in difficult matters. If you spend a hundred years in exploits, it cannot be compared with one hour, in relation to the infinite number of centuries of that immortal age: this is bliss and a great gain. Be patient a little, as if in a dream, so that you can enjoy endless life. In the feat of abstinence, we will not be lenient towards our body, which our enemy eats, because pleasing him hinders spiritual life. A little more and we will depart from this life; This is shown to us by everyday examples, as the brethren, one by one, go to the grave. The day before yesterday, ten people died together, drowned in the water; and recently before that two died on the same day; and we are left with only the memory of them and their love, but we ourselves are no longer there. And we, brothers, will we really stay here? No way. Woe, woe, brothers! How terrible is the mystery of death! How, therefore, we must always be attentive to ourselves, pure and reasonable, thinking about the fact that today we can die, and how the soul will be separated from the body; Angels of God will come, I do not say that demons will also appear, because these too come to those who are carried away by passions. When you see their terrible images and hear: “go, soul, come out!” think what the suffering will be then, and how painful the separation will be. Then good deeds and a clear conscience are a great help, consolation and joy for people separated from their body. At that time obedience has great boldness, and humility has much consolation; Tears give help, good deeds drive away demons, and patience makes every work possible; and the opponents will return with nothing, and the souls will go along with the Angels in great joy to the Savior. On the contrary, great fear will then seize the soul, which is accustomed to passions and will appear defeated by sin, because the demons then gain the upper hand over it, and bring this accursed soul with them into the underworld of hell, into darkness and tartarus of torment. And what will this soul be left with then? Therefore, here again let us purify ourselves, my most honest brothers; Let us shed our blood in deeds and let nothing separate us from the commandments of God, neither labor, nor illness, nor food and drink, nor joy, nor life in contentment. If we need to die every day, we will endure it with joy and live, leaving behind all worldly cares. And let us not fear anything else except the Terrible God alone, neither man, nor beast, nor fire, nor the sea, nor anything else that seems terrible; because man, created in the image of God, is ruler over all. We must return again to the place from which we were expelled and be equal to the angels. I have good hope for you, but not for myself, looking at my careless life, the unworthiness of my leadership and the passionate state of my soul; however, I speak, teach, raise up and motivate you, go with you, help you, and show the insignificant power that I have. As much as I can, I proclaim to you the joy and enjoyment of future blessings that awaits you, if only you are patient, courageous, persistent, and if you completely cut off your will; for under such a dispensation you do not live, even though you eat, you do not eat; and while you are in the world, you are not in the world. I am unworthy, I pray that in this way you will save yourself, through the prayers of my holy father. Help me too with your fervent prayer. I beg you, be God’s chosen ones, the most skillful disciples, and immutable novices, living like our former Holy Fathers, so that you can rejoice with Dositheus, be glorified with Akakios, rejoice with Zechariah, and in short with all those whose path you walk and whose life you live. For I believe that they will receive you into their abodes as fellow citizens and equals in Christ Jesus our Lord. To him be glory and power with the Father and the Holy One. Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. You might be interested in: