Поучение 92 106 . В неделю шестую. О ссорящихся и гневающихся, и о мере кротости и девстве.

Brothers and Fathers! Neither I should be satisfied with saving teaching, nor you, brothers, should be satisfied with the desire to hear and benefit, like those who are thirsty to drink water. And this is a sign of prosperity and is the reason for salvation. For words pave the way to deeds, good words to good deeds, and bad words to bad ones. So, we, who desire a good life, must adhere to good words and edifying conversations, so as not to sin in what is due, just as the Apostle Paul says that the word is stinking and rotten and let it not come out of your mouth - “but if it is good for the creation and production of fruit and benefit, let it give grace to those who hear. And do not offend the Holy Spirit of God” (Eph. 4:29-30). And he also says: “Let all grief, and rage, and anger, and cry, and blasphemy be taken away from you, along with all malice. Be kind and kind to one another, be merciful, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph. 4:31, 32). Do you see what he commands? What is the severity of the commandment? And who is he talking about? Not only for monks, but for all laity. The following applies to monks alone: ​​“And they who are like Christ have crucified the flesh with passions and lusts” (Gal. 5:24), so that we might be as if dead and ineffective in committing sin. If this is so, then let those who quarrel and reproach now take heed: what condemnation they deserve, who not only quarreled, but also raised their hands against each other. If a monk raises his hand to hit another monk, he is no longer a monk or a hermit, but is still in a worldly dispensation. And you, being a monk, dare to take a rod and beat your half-brother? No, you are not a monk, but a fighter, not an ascetic, but a robber, and not a son of the world, but a son of wrath. Didn’t reproaches lead to wounds, and after wounds and beatings didn’t murder follow? So, those who have done this must be subject to the strictest penance, so that they do not do this again. But you, beloved, as disciples of the Lord who is meek and peace-giver, live meekly and peacefully, “have peace and holiness with everyone, for whom no one else will see the Lord” (Heb. 12:14). Let us be ashamed of the body and blood of the Lord, whom we have been honored to partake of. The soul that receives the most pure Gifts should not indulge in confusion, frenzy and impure desires; lips that have received the immortal Source should not spew out stinking words and shameful speeches; eyes, cleansed by the honest blood of Christ, should not look fiercely and brutally, and be carried away by prodigal and satanic spectacles; the hand touching the holy thing should not touch shameful members: but let us keep all our members, as members of Christ, pure and undefiled. All virtues are great, and their acquisition is highly desirable, but not one of them is equal to virginity. Virginity is the first virtue to shine in paradise, before the serpent deceived the first parents. Virginity became the Matter of Christ. Virginity transforms people into Angels. Marriage begins with corruption and ends with corruption; and virginity elevates the world to immortality. How can you acquire it? Not in any other way than through great feats, labors and sweat. For where there is great correction, there is a need for much care and effort. Just as a sharp sword cuts off enemies, so the soul, by the fear of God, as if forged by some kind of fire, must cut off and capture demonic thoughts. And if it becomes dull, then let it sharpen again, and then it will cut off many demons, not only in thousands, but also “by the tenths,” like David (1 Samuel 29:5). “Like many fighting us from on high... all day long” (Ps. 55: 2, 3), and the darkness of wicked demons fights against us, which we, as warriors of Christ and true and invincible crown-bearers, must resist to death. May God, in His mercy, grant to good ascetics great zeal, so that with even greater zeal they may fulfill every commandment of God, and receive the Kingdom of Heaven in Christ Jesus our Lord, to whom belongs glory and power with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. See Patrolology, vol. 99, p. 571. You might be interested in: