Послание 13. О служении умершим без призрения

Since man was created in the image and likeness of God, it is necessary for human nature, as an image, to carry within itself, as far as possible, the features of the prototype. Since the Divine actually extends the Providence of His goodness to everything He has created, it would be fair for people to imitate, if possible, the providential action of ineffable wisdom. Therefore, we, humble and most insignificant, reverently turning our gaze to the Divine and nourishing a feeling of love for our fellow tribesmen, join this pious society, since it was established to care for the receptacles of souls left without care, i.e. about the dead who, due to poverty or because of travel, remain without removal and burial in this reigning city 18. So, following the Divine example and annually making a feasible contribution from the gifts sent from God for the purchase of funeral items needed for the burial of others, we determine the following in the Lord: when a deceased person is found on the way by any of those included in the brotherhood, then he, with appropriate funeral accessories, should be carried out and placed in the sacred tombs assigned to you, and annually at the beginning of the indictment 19 and repeatedly on the days of Pentecost, we will perform a common commemoration of all those buried, arranging at the same time a fundraiser and a supper of bodily consolation. However, do not exceed the established limits of a sufficient meal, so that by drinking or eating too much we do not dishonor the commemoration being performed, but reverently offer praise to God, who has deigned you to celebrate such a sacred holiday. And thus begin to eat the meal while reading a book, so that even during the meal you pursue what is pleasing to the Lord, giving excess to the poor and not using idle words, jokes, and even more so ridicule during the meal, since reason forbids any Christian to do this. If it becomes necessary to speak, then about what is proper for Christians, namely, that we should abstain from swearing, have love among ourselves, speak the truth with our lips, avoid deception and envy, do good works whenever possible, visit those in prison and the sick, be attentive to the readings and to the leaders of the church, show honor to each other, especially the priests of God and monks, receive strangers, completely abstain from fornication and drunkenness, protect Orthodox faith, avoid communication with heretics. For conversation and concern about such matters can be a source of many benefits for us. Approving and sympathizing with such divine institutions, we join this society as to the Lord, for He says: “He who did it to one of the least of My brothers, did it to Me” (Matthew 25:40), without rejecting or neglecting anything that was decreed. So, if any of the brothers is noticed that he either did not pay attention to the lying dead man and did not inform the leader in the fraternity, or during the meal he said what was not allowed and did something obscene, thus angering God, the abbot will impose penance on him - deprivation of wine for three days and the payment of one piece of silver, and for the future he is required to correct. In addition, you must observe the following: when one of the brothers dies an ordinary death, then everyone gather together and carry out his removal and burial so that through this your beautiful community receives praise for the glory and honor of our Generous God. So, joining this brotherhood with faith and fear, we sign our names with a donation attached, expecting reward for this small zeal of ours in the next century from the Rewarder, the Righteous Judge of all, Jesus Christ, our Lord and God. At the beginning of the Church New Year (September 1). You might be interested in: