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The method of compiling the Russian Philokalia and its relationship to the Greek original By offering to lovers of spiritual reading the well-known Philokalia in the Russian translation with additions to it, we consider it our duty to say a few words about what the Philokalia is. It contains an interpretation of the hidden life in the Lord Jesus Christ. Hidden in the Lord Jesus Christ, the truly Christian life begins, reveals itself and ascends to perfection in its own measure, according to the good will of God the Father, through the action of the grace of the Most Holy Spirit inherent in Christians, under the leadership of Christ the Lord Himself, who promised to be with us all our days inseparably. The grace of God calls everyone to such a life; and for everyone it is not only possible, but also obligatory, because it contains the essence of Christianity. Not all who are called and actual partakers of it are partakers of it; not everyone partakes of it to the same extent. The chosen ones enter deeply into it and ascend high in its degrees. Its manifestations, as well as the richness of the region in which it is revealed, are no less abundant and varied, like the phenomena of ordinary life. And if everything that happens there could be clearly understood and clearly depicted - enemy attacks and temptations, struggles and victories, falls and uprisings, the emergence and strengthening of various manifestations of spiritual life, the degree of general success and the characteristic state of mind and heart, the interaction of freedom and grace in everything, the feeling of the closeness and distance of God, the feeling of Providential omnipotence and the position of oneself - final and irrevocable - to the right hand the Lord, with the putting aside of all one’s methods of action, with constant intense action - if all this, and much more, inseparable from true life in the Lord, could be clearly and intelligibly depicted, it would present a picture that is as attractive as it is instructive - a picture similar to a worldwide journey. Travelers write travel notes about everything they encounter on their way that is worthy of attention. The chosen ones of God also wrote their notes in different directions, having traced all the paths of spiritual life, about everything that they encountered and experienced in this arduous journey, but the fate and meaning of those and other notes are not the same. Those who have no means of traveling can, without moving from their place, form quite approximate concepts and ideas about foreign countries by reading the travel notes of other travelers, because the forms of life of all creatures are more or less similar to one another, no matter in what countries they appear. This is not the case in relation to experiences of spiritual life. Only those who walk the path of this life can understand. For those who have not entered it, this is a completely unknown country. But even those who join it cannot suddenly understand everything. Their concepts and ideas become clearer as they march and deepen into the land of the spirit. As one’s own experiences of spiritual life increase, the indications of the experiences observed by St. become clear and understandable. fathers in their writings. With all this, however, the depiction of various manifestations of spiritual life given to us in the patristic writings is not a wasted gift for all Christians in general. It makes it clear to everyone that if he has not yet experienced what is said in this description, it means that the way of life established for him, despite the fact that his Christian conscience is reconciled with it, is not complete perfection, better than which there is nothing to wish for, and beyond which there is nowhere to go. By making this clear, it cannot help but irritate jealousy for success; it cannot help but move forward, pointing out something better than what he possesses. For those who have embarked on the path to the best and most perfect, it gives the necessary instructions in doubtful and perplexing cases, when there is no available experienced guidance, or when this itself encounters insolubilities that do not allow us to give final decisions that would eliminate any hesitation in the marcher. It is very important to know how and where to step in a certain case, so as not to make a mistake. And here some fatherly saying in a few words disperses the darkness, shining like a ray of lightning in the middle of the night. In general, this is a spiritual greenhouse, into which the believer, reading the instructions about the phenomena of spiritual life, enters with his consciousness and heart, and there, subject to the tangible influences of excited contemplations, he feels that he is hovering at this moment in some other atmosphere, luminous and life-giving. These are joyful moments, and in continuation of them, various offspring are usually born and mature on the tree of spiritual life. And therefore, it is not surprising that the one who has experienced this, as soon as he finds a free moment, hurries to experimental descriptions of spiritual life, just as someone who loves profit hurries to places that promise profit, and someone who loves pleasure to places of pleasure... At the same time, he longs to breathe in the revitalizing and encouraging spiritual air. And yet this is not idle amateurism. No, this is a matter of essential necessity for the success and well-being of our spirit. That is why among true Christians there has always been and is a need to have patristic writings on spiritual life at hand. But as much as the feeling of such a need is commendable, it is equally obligatory to satisfy it on behalf of those who have the duty to do so and the strength to do so. She was always satisfied with both the editions of these writings in their entirety - for example, St. Macarius, Isaac and Ephraim Syrian, Climacus and many others; so no less than the chosen ones from them. The well-known Philokalia, as the best of them, also belongs to the number of such chosen ones. It is clear now that there is a Philokalia. It gives us, as the title says, the words and chapters of sacred sobriety, i.e., complete discussions and brief sayings about the inner spiritual life with all its characteristic manifestations and activities. This is a book compiled to satisfy the spiritual needs of those who are zealous for spiritual success. Those who read it know what treasures of spiritual wisdom are hidden in it: they read it and enjoy it. But while enjoying and being edified by reading it, they do not hide their sorrowful regret that much in it remains incomprehensible not because of the height and depth of its content, but because of the outdatedness of the translation. Therefore, the need for a new translation of this book is obvious. This need has been recognized for a long time and was satisfied to a certain extent by the translations published in the “Christian Reading” from the first years of its publication, and by the publications of individual articles included in the Philokalia, such as St. Maxima (about love, it is in the Greek. Kindness), Hesychius, Peter of Damascus. The compiler of this collection initially had in mind only to check what had already been translated, which had not yet been translated, and to give readers the Philokalia in the Russian translation - complete, in the composition that it has in Greek. But then he came to the conviction that it is necessary for us to increase the Philokalia even against the volume that it has in Greek. Because, although the Greek Philokalia is more complete than the Slavic one; but still it does not contain everything that the saints gave us. fathers as a guide to spiritual life and how we would like to provide both benefit and consolation to those who love such reading. Hence the proposed collection, also the Philokalia, only enlarged. Our new collection follows in the footsteps of the previous Philokalia. But noticing that the father whose article is placed in it has other articles, he turns to them, and if he finds them consistent with his character, he takes them into himself. Also, noticing that between the father and the father from whom the articles were borrowed, there were other fathers who left us writings about spiritual life, he enriches himself with them. So at St. Anthony's former Philokalia included only his instructions in 170 chapters; the new collection includes other writings of St. Antonia. St. Macarius is omitted there (from him metaphrastic periphrases of instructions in 150 chapters are introduced: our 7 words). Here are his instructions presented in some systematic order in his own speech. From Isaiah the Hermit there are only 27 chapters - short sayings; here are all the known 29 chapters of it in a new translation from Latin. The same was done in relation to Evagrius and St. Mark to the ascetic. This will be the case in all subsequent elections of articles. This is the image of the composition of the new Philokalia. It will follow in the footsteps of the former, replenishing it. We do not predict what exactly will be included in it, but we will collect book by book, keeping one thing in mind - not to deprive the lovers of this reading of anything that will be found useful in guiding them to life according to God. Regarding the method of introducing articles, we consider it our duty to state that not all writings will be included in full. Many things are much more convenient to present in extracts. This will be done sometimes in some systematic order, and sometimes without it in the form of separate sayings. But the very instructions of the fathers will always be offered in their own words. The first book of the Philokalia is offered to readers in its new composition. It includes: 1) the writings of St. Antonia; 2) extracts from the conversations of St. Macaria; 3) the words of Isaiah the hermit; 4) writings of Evagrius the monk; 5) instructions of St. Ascetic stamp. The articles appear in this order in the Greek Philokalia. In ours only St. is included. Macarius, and St. Cassian, standing there between Evagrius and St. Mark, postponed in the new one until the next book. Against St. Anthony, in time and significance, is worth St. Pachomius, from whom we have the communal rules. This charter was transferred to the north of the eastern church of St. Basil the Great. He is also depicted in the writings of St. Cassiana. Having placed in the second book the statutes of St. Pachomius and Basil the Great, we considered it legitimate to postpone the charter of St. Cassiana. By affinity, the statute of St. will also be attached to them. Venedicta. And this will end the composition of the second book. Letter 1051. The needs of the Slavs and Arabs and the idea of ​​establishing a society to meet these needs God help you! Save yourself! I am very pleased with your letter. May the Lord reward you for your love and care for the Christians here. Lots of needs! I believe that there are many sympathizers in good Russia; but there is no voice that would speak to everyone and awaken dormant kindness. Let the speech go on for now at the head - St. Petersburg - from there it will move to the heart - Moscow and so on. This is preparation! We cannot do anything without communities. The government has many needs of its own. And here with the world on a thread, naked shirt. We need schools for boys and girls. Locally, Bulgarians have both: they need encouragement, assistance, patronage. Once you start it initially, they’ll see what’s good and start supporting it themselves. At present, it would be necessary to organize two institutions, which the zealous Bulgarians have already laid the foundation for. This is a boarding school - in Constantinople - and a silkworm school in Eski Zagra. Izvorsky takes care of the first one, and K. arranges for the second one. Both receive benefits from our government, but not enough for everything. Let's get these two establishments back on their feet! Then they will go on their own. As for the Arabs, both at the beginning and after, everything needs to be arranged and supported by the one who takes upon himself the work of caring for them with charity. Poor! There are almost no schools for boys, and for girls you can’t even hear of them, i.e. Orthodox. Meanwhile, aliens plant these institutions everywhere and, deserving gratitude, carry them away. How nice it would be to establish something good in Damascus. But where are the ways! And without them, what can we say. About everything that is and happens here, I write, according to accepted custom, to Konstantin Stepanovich, in the confidence that I am writing not for him alone, but for the entire Holy Synod. Hitherto it has already been sent by letter. Even though I want to take this opportunity to write to the Chief Prosecutor of the S. Synod, Count A.P., I find myself forced to refrain from doing so until the time comes. An answer has already been sent to the questions asked. There is no way to satisfy the main desire - to find teachers. It's scarce in Constantinople. There is one who is both kind and smart and wants to go. It is given to know about him. I will use your advice to write to Prokhorov. I met him once. But one, two and three - what will they do? We need to start a community - a team-up in favor of the Christians of the East. Mother Russia is broad and kind. Just explain it, and here’s a penny – 60 mil. A kopeck, and another a ruble – and another a ten, and capital. Then you can freely write plans. And now we are only interpreting, and this is necessary, and this is necessary. What is the use of what we know and interpret? We need money. Neither the Holy Synod nor the government will get them. They have an abyss of needs. We need to build many schools and seminaries. Is it to the east? Work hard and convene the community. This alone is the remedy. Preach this to everyone at least. If we already had a community - and with a strong foundation, how successful everything would be; and now we are like broke crayfish. Then, if it was necessary to start a school, they would find a person, give him money, go to Damascus and build it. To put it bluntly, a private philanthropist acts, no one cares about him, and he doesn’t care about anyone. Only patronage. Oh! how good that would be! But until we have this, there is nothing to interpret. We cannot do anything, and we will not succeed in anything. Bitter situation! They are stealing Orthodox Christians from under our noses, and how are they stealing them?! With the right to steal. And we just look, and gasp, and will continue to gasp. I wish you all the best from the Lord! Your devoted Ar. Feofan. June 2. Letter 1052. Greetings to the one who has returned from a trip to Russian shrines. About the upcoming anniversary. A curious project about candle collection God help you! Save yourself! N-lay V-vich! You responded forcefully. We don’t even know what we were coming up with... Well, thank you God, that you have finally reached your corner safely. “Rest now,” enjoying the memories of the shrines you have seen. – Do you see what kind of grace is there for the saint in Rus'?! - How is it possible for her to die?! - So the Lord reveals everything - little by little. “And there is hope that everything will finally fall into place.” God grant! – What Novgorod!! – Almost nothing is written about him. If anything opens up other than newspaper information, please share it with us. O Reverend Leontiy knows from him that he is with Vladyka in Novgorod. It is very strange that by 8 no order had been made anywhere, either on the spiritual or the secular side. We didn’t do anything and there was no trace of it. The merchants prepared something for the people and soldiers. But this had no effect. Because there was nothing to embellish in the word. “And you couldn’t do anything in the church.” Who knew, it was possible to assume that it would be cancelled. And there is no sympathy for this anniversary and especially for the bad monument. However, we will expect details from you. The princess is well; – coughs a little, but it’s not big. And Alyosha is healthy. Thank you for saying hello to him. Now he wants to become a monk. I don’t know what he wants tomorrow. – Everything else is fine with us. -Have you heard what trouble has come?! Someone made a project about collecting candles - it’s so curious. They printed it and sent it to us for discussion. Please find out and tell me how he was born? – Does the Holy Synod know about him? Do Vladyka and other bishops and clergy of St. Petersburg sympathize with him? - It cannot be approved. We need to cross it. But it would be awkward to contradict the Holy Synod. - And despite this, we must reject him. It’s true that some idiot, unfamiliar with the church and its affairs, messed it up. “It would be a pity if they brought him in.” So please find out and tell me. - While we are composing the answer, your notice will do. – What extremes are we in?! – Like a drowning man, we grab onto the first board we come across. Lord, send us a quicker, deeper and stronger head to arrange our affairs. And we need money. Everything becomes difficult and stagnant. – Both students and mentors barely live. What do you have? “It’s muddy and cold here.” - We've already drowned it twice. We wish you all the best from the Lord. – Pray to God for us. Bow to everyone you know. Your dear pilgrim Feofan E. Tambovsky. September 13. Letter 1053. About his work on revising and compiling new books. Review of German interpreters of holy books God's mercy be with you! You are always in trouble! And without rest, and without fatigue! - Well, what should we do? It’s true that God gave you such a mind—much-caring. Work for good. There is no point in looking at the works. And poor Vysha - everything fades into the background. - And this is how God will arrange it. When God willing you get there, then we’ll talk about something. “The patericon turns out to be quite serviceable, so sitting over it again is extra work. You'll see for yourself. Three of his articles were published in Tamb. statements in my time. - Not bad. – As for other things, you wrote something wrong. I don’t have what you remember. There is only an outline of Asceticism, which you need to go through and rewrite yourself: for no wise head can understand how it is written. And this is a job that won’t be finished. You start and you quit! - It’s true that the deadline hasn’t come. - There is nothing else besides this. - Now I have prepared a bunch of interpreters for myself - the most cool-headed - just Germans. And I’m starting to get better at interpretation. – I took Petrovo’s first message. - I'll tell you a secret. What a job this is!!! Sermon like hell. And then your eyes widen and widen, and you might see something. - Nemchurki are all crazy. - The way they interpret it is out of hand. Such wise men! I once took up the psalter. The Nemchurkas have distorted everything, but they rely on the Hebrew text. And it became necessary to take up Jewishness. Things went a little better. And it will be just to make out where they are bending - and where they need to be. - It's a small matter. There is no Jewish Bible. “And I don’t know where to turn.” It seems that you have a Bible Society agent and a shop in St. Petersburg. If there really is, then it is true that the Hebrew Bible is there. – Please buy it and send it. I'll send the money. Everything is fine with us. - And God sends health. Thank the Lord for everything! – I wish you all the best from the Lord. Your pilgrim E. Feofan. September 25. Letter 1054. We must trust in God and be content with the service that God sends Father N-lay V-vich! God bless you and have mercy! For the last time I say to you: Christ is risen! May the Lord bless your complacent patience and undoubted trust in His all-arranging providence. Wait, push, and it will open, otherwise God’s will be done. To whom does God send ministry? To another, gold-bearing; and to others honey-bearing. What to do?! God leaves the final settlement until the next century. No one will be blocked there anymore. Until that time, this is what is written: if all our hope is limited only to this age, then we are the most wretched of all people. What is it like?! There is a piece of bread - glory to You, Lord! There is an opportunity to give a glass of water to the poor - twice, glory to You, Lord. What next? And this prevails. I wish you peace. God bless you! Letter 1055. On the promotion of officials to priestly positions. The answer to someone wishing to become a monk God help you, N-lai V-vich! I was surprised at what Pr. offered you. Plato. They really don’t see where such things can lead. You are a known person - and come, I will make you an archpriest of the cathedral, where there is absolutely nothing to do. But that's it! “When such proceedings are made public, all the officials who have nothing to eat will go to hell.” What will the poor bishops do then, who already have nowhere to escape from the applicants for places? It’s amazing how eagerly we grab onto the new without first figuring out what to do with the old. Of course, there is nothing contrary to church decrees here; but still we must expect in advance what the Holy Synod will decide. The Bishop of Moscow has nothing to take as an example. There is a special spirit and a special power there. And we are like pygmies. Without refusing this offer very cleverly, you are not wisely looking into the forest. For you, the law is written by God - to live as you live. There is a service that is not bad, not ungodly, - a service that gives the servant a different soul and leads him to the right path. Why look at something else now? Here is a decree from Tambov, spirit. Consistories - to remain as they are until discretion. Only in this case is a necessary postscript: subject to strict supervision, and recommended monthly, or something else. Well, this thing can be left as impossible in relation to you. Just oblige them not to guess anything. When the time comes, the door will open on its own. Go then. What about a monk?! He who remains one with the Lord is a monk, and there is a monastery in his heart. That's what?! Set yourself up this way and it will be good. You can’t be in a monastery without obedience, but they will give you obedience, that’s the vanity of life. So it’s all the same, stay as you are. I’m not writing this jokingly. Your most humble Theophan, Bishop. Tambovsky. August 21. Letter 1056. Efforts to open the Diocesan Women's School in Tambov God help you! Save yourself! Kindest N-lay V-vich! I take up the pen to wish you good health - and together - and to show you the opportunity to do a very good deed. Exactly - I make a wish, and not just somehow; and it’s cool to start a school for girls of the clergy. An opportunity opens up to buy a house very profitably. We almost came to an agreement. Only for the sources of the invention of money is there a short stop. Maybe! Just a little, and that would be the end of the matter. For the Lord's sake, find out somewhere and from someone whether the Holy Synod will give us anything for the initial establishment, and whether it will continue to give us something, too. If someone says a word in our favor in advance, then when we think about enrolling, we will be able to scribble at home. Take the trouble to find out and let us know, for the Lord’s sake. Besides, I’m going to start a school, but I don’t know its charter. Kindly search, if possible, and not too difficult, for the Tsarskoe Selo charter and send it to me to draw up our charter, which, of course, in some points should be different from the local one. The general basics, however, should be the same. Please search and hurry. Don't wait until you come to us from Zadonsk. Then we will check together whether the charter has already been drawn up in a new suit - Tambov. Forgive me and pray to God for me! With the most sincere good wishes I come to you, Theophan, Bp. Tambovsky, your most humble. June 14. Letter 1057. Response to thoughts about the arrangement of one’s earthly destiny Christ is Risen! God help you, N-lai V-vich! Save yourself! You scared me. “So I’m trying to make sure that by delaying the answer we don’t forget about the answer, just as we forget the matter of salvation in general in the same way.” – God bless you and grant us peace! You are all wondering about how you will arrange yourself. - Stop thinking, just look at your feet and around you. The Lord's way is arranged quietly, not with discretion, as those who boast of prudence boast. He comes by himself. Once you enter it, you will only be amazed at how everything worked out. So decide. You prescribed the solution yourself - for the peace of mind of the parents you need to be here!!! - Everything is decided here. This is God's commandment. No one in the world has ever thought of pleasing God by violating a commandment. You can smell it. You want to remove this obstacle. Wait. It will disappear on its own. “Then be the will of God.” Until then, thinking and guessing is wasting time. – It’s good to live in a monastery for a while. Isn't it possible to build a monastery at home? A real monastery is at home. When you get used to living like a monastery at home, things will be fine in the monastery. – And now, may I ask, are you on a disastrous path?!! – What’s stopping you from saving yourself?! It is right to believe, to fulfill the commandments, and St. to be sanctified by the sacraments, to guard thoughts, to govern the feelings of the heart as it should be, and so on. and so on. God help you in everything! I am writing this to you jokingly. And there you yourself, as you know. Everyone will answer for themselves. With true respect and sincere well wishes, I have the honor to be your close prayer book, Theophan Bishop. Tambovsky. May 14. Letter 1058. The fight against spiritualists and materialism I was interested in Buchner. Now spiritualism occupies: opposites. But both are evil enemies of God, destroyers of blind humanity! I purposely copy out all the books of spiritualists in order to familiarize myself with them briefly. It's hard to judge from the reviews of others. Meanwhile, we are also fighting against materialism. So in general it doesn’t cost anything to decide, but when you touch on the details, it’s much more difficult. – There’s a lot to review! And there are some intricate points. Geology is on the road - and there is a big stone that will not be moved soon, especially since it is difficult to study it on its own. What can we, provincials, do? You should have started a whole society of apologists there. And write, and write. What can we do? Your pilgrim Feofan, Bishop. Tambovsky. June 16. Letter 1059. About his sermons I wish you peace! – I am very grateful to you for the sermons you delivered. I received it by post. It's like they've gotten better. It’s true that your zeal for printing gave them extra beauty. I even think that now you won’t be able to write like that. Even though they were all written in the evening before the service, or even in the morning before mass. “I haven’t preached sermons for a long time.” Relax Now I feel stronger, and it’s as if I started talking again. – Send it as soon as possible by transport. May be required. – Why don’t you write anything about the current situation? Sin. I need to know the truth. For there are many empty thoughts floating around, which it is my job to direct on the straight path. It seems you missed this. Letter 1060. Scientific care of the traveling cancer. About translating the Bible from Hebrew Thank you for your troubles. God help you in everything - in everything. I can see from everything that you are very busy - and busy with what drains your soul. This property is the mind. Once this slyness creeps into your head, it will pull out all your veins. Eating care of everyday life. But the scientist’s concern is that of the cancer itself. - That's true. Medicine doesn’t really think about this. They are telling you misunderstandings about the Hebrew text. It’s another thing for a scholar or translator to do it, and another thing to publish the entire text from Hebrew. It should not be created for the sake of several texts. The real translation has not yet been published, and the real one is already being printed. What is printed is read, what is read is learned. The Synod then publishes its own. There is no way for him to publish it from Hebrew - and it will make a difference. In books the difference is nothing, but in minds the difference is a great thing. “After all, there will be more and more splits.” Where are they looking? You are going to ride - good! It’s true that now it’s in Moscow. - Would you mind where to go next? To Sarov, Zadonsk. Come to Tambov! He will be very happy to see you. Your pilgrim Feofan, Bishop. Tambovsky. March 11. Letter 1061. The saint's studies in English language and literature. Revision of asceticism and the Patericon I received the drawings in perfect working order. Very grateful. Completely satisfactory. Now just draw guys. But the guys aren't there yet. God will send. Regarding letters about Christian life, he wrote to the princess and asked her to forward them as best she could. I believe that you were there on Maslyanaya, and everything is now settled. Another request. You are my English professor for providing me with a very thorough tutorial. Now you will be a professor of English literature. I feel an extreme need for English interpreters of Scripture and church historians. It seems that they are more sedate and more God-fearing than the Germans, and deeper than the French. Help me in acquiring this kind of writings. Find out what good interpretations of Scripture and good church histories there are in English - and what better theological journal there is - and tell me. I will order L. Isakov to be discharged. You should find out from Ivan Terentievich Osinin, an academic mentor, or whether there are any English priests there. It seems that there is a certain G. Michel in St. Petersburg, the secretary of the English embassy. Now isn't he a consul?! It seems like this was mentioned in the newspapers. He visited me in Vladimir - and from his speeches it was clear that he was not alien to theological concepts. Maybe he knows. Manage to scout out everything. May the Lord send you help in your labors and relief in troubles. But, after all, why would one know that a good deed is a good deed, if not by its opposites? Take heart! You will equalize. I am now sitting at an essay on asceticism. It has been lying with me for a long time without any attention. I already looked through one part; but it had already been reviewed and published in Tambovskie Vedomosti. I looked through it a little more and disposed of the correspondence. I started rewriting the second part myself, because a lot has to be re-cleaned and changed: it was written a long time ago. So exactly, right on white. Will something happen? Having finished my asceticism, I will begin to clean the Patericon. Uh! This is a passion - books! The back of your head starts to hurt as soon as you look. But there is nothing to do - I’ll take it; you need to finish before you take on anything new, although even that will be done sometimes. Tomorrow is Feofan’s birthday. The petition was rewritten and sent to the Holy Synod on this day. Glory to You, Lord! I invest 10 rubles. Perhaps it will come. I wish you all the best from the Lord. Your pilgrim E.F. March 11. Letter 1062. On the significance of monasteries. Assumption about the compilation of a paternal collection God's mercy be with you! N-lay V-vich! Now you have seen the monasteries - and you see that they still have the grace of the Lord. - Yes - we have many, many real monasteries where the children of God mature under good supervision. And how much fruit do they bring to the area?! - After all, all those who have not seen monks, only collectors and assemblers, are screaming, in St. Petersburg and Moscow. - With all this, however, we must admit that if they beat us monks, it is because we ourselves turn our backs. - It should be a little scary. “But there is also a Lord who rules everything.” Guilty! Regarding the Greek manuscript, I was told that it should return to me. And the translation is at your disposal. – That manuscript, along with my other books, should go to some seminary or academic library. “I don’t understand how poorly I explained this to you: I’m guilty.” Regarding the paternal or senile collection, we agree with you. – Choosing the saying of St. Antonia from Lat. old man, I came to the idea that it would be very useful to compile a collection of scattered sayings and legends, where everything would be included - both in that Greek manuscript, and moreover in Lavsaik and Limonar and in the history of the lovers of God. “But the order I wrote was not what you came up with.” – I find the alphabetical order very inappropriate to the point. This collection should be a guide book. Why is it necessary to arrange the saying and legend in the course of life. I have not yet lost faith that the plan of life that I built and invented in the issues about the path of salvation was far from reality. I wanted to base this collection on this plan. – If Diaghilev has not yet started the task, or is far from finished; then we could turn things around this way. When agreement is born, then I am ready to check my work, and together we will forge something. - If you agree, - in that case, send everything to me, - i.e. not only the Greek, but also the translated manuscript. There are all other books. I’ll sit down and separate everything out. A month or two will pass. - This is just an indication. I'll get the monks to make an extract on them. This will take more time. - But let's hurry. I would very much like this to be resolved. - All this will be handed over to you at your disposal upon completion. I am very glad to see Diaghilev at the Above. God grant that he fulfills his intention. Happy holiday from me, and congratulate others. Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. March 17. Letter 1063. About prayer. The Irrelevance of Imagination in the Matter of Prayer May the Lord send joy to your spirit and place it in you forever! Our archmadrite is going again to Moscow and St. Petersburg. I am writing with him, not knowing whether he will find you at home? You are asking about the prayer of the worst prayer book. How do I pray?! I try in every possible way during the hour of prayer to be in the conviction that God is omnipresent even here, where my consciousness is, and that He sees and hears not only the word - spoken or not - but also every movement of thought, and especially feeling. I avoid any image, no matter how difficult it is. When prayer comes with feeling, then there is no difficulty in keeping the ugliness in prayer; this makes it clear that the ugliness in prayer is a real thing - and that in order to achieve this one must strive to the point of heartfelt prayer - and it has begun to descend from the head into the heart. How to achieve this is spelled out in the letters regarding Speransky’s letters (I asked Askochensky to deliver to you. Did he deliver?). Also, you don’t need to imagine with your soul either the Mother of God, or saints, or angels. And they should pray in the same conviction that they hear. How do they hear? What to talk about this. They hear, and that’s all. Suppose there is such a difference that images are needed for mental work; they are in Scripture about God himself and all divine things. And imagination is a mental ability—a knowledgeable one. Imagination - the ability to form and retain images - is a laboring ability, the lowest! Therefore, it is not a good idea to allow him to appear with his images in the highest region, which is prayer. Contemplative activity is high, and spiritual activity manifested in prayer is even higher. Where can the imagination go? This is where it’s decent: friend, how did you get in?!! So, when you get angry, imagine, and when you pray, drive away all images. If you allow images, then there is a danger of starting to pray to a dream. Can you say that the image you hold in your mind expresses the truth? So you can’t, therefore, you have to get used to the ugliness, but there is only one way - heartfelt prayer. There can hardly be a mind without images. Compiling a book about prayer for the people is not bad, but this subject needs to be published. I think that when one of the people prays with feeling, he has no images. It’s better not to talk about this. God enlightens minds, and when someone approaches Him in prayer, He Himself will teach him how to keep his mind in prayer. I remember one thing said about the elder, who always figuratively represented God. When it was explained to him that this should not be the case, he said: you have taken God away from me. And it was not God that was taken away from him, but his dream. By the way, in “Soulful Reading” a patechnik is published, and it seems similar to ours. Check it out. Also: Troitsky wrote a good article about the sources of the history of Eastern monasticism. But it seems he hasn’t seen the Patericon you have. Would you show it to him? Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. April 16. Letter 1064. On the publication of Letters on spiritual life and various current affairs I reminded you in the letter before last about the publication of letters about spiritual life, about Speransky’s letters. And then Askochensky came up with his plans for the same thing. How do you now have other articles ready for publication; then I willingly agreed to Askochensky’s proposal. I hasten to inform you of this, so that you do not start anything on this subject, due to your tireless activity. Are you in so much trouble? May the Lord send you to finish your monastery - a monument worthy of respect for your zeal for the saints. Tikhon. May the Lord help you to finish everything else. Don't get bored because there is a lot to do. Thank God! You won't notice how time flies. What kind of boredom is it when nothing comes to mind and your hands don’t move?! Thank you for your decision to send the Greek manuscript. I will bind it and prepare it for transfer to some library. What am I doing?! I practice doing nothing in honor of my beloved laziness. Since childhood, she and I have been great friends; and in old age, friendship is even shorter. However, with her permission, I sat a little during Passion and Easter, and opened the key - an indicator of how anyone for himself can compose one consistent story from the 4 Gospels. Sent to Tamb. Ved. type. In my opinion, everything turned out so clearly that I would like the whole world to learn this technique. There will be prints; - and I’ll send it to you. I wish you all the best from the Lord. God help Diaghilev in his work. Vysha will be glad to see him if he decides to bother passing through. How much patience is needed. We are still flooded with water. But everything is easier. There were no trips for two weeks. Then the ice did not pass through, but was only being prepared; then he went, but did not pass. And we already asked: is the world worth it?! To the Great Iveron Elder, Father Archimandrite Lawrence († July 2, 1876), I bow to the ground. May I sigh to the Lord about my sinfulness. Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. 21 Apr Letter 1065. Efforts about the improvement of the saint after his retirement. Description of monastic order above. Advice about the abbess. A modest review about myself You found yourself at home by force. Congratulations on your safe trip. May the Lord help you to complete what you started well! Thank you for your troubles about putting me to rest. I need a pension. The monastery is not rich. They don’t beg, but they don’t have too much either. It's a strict dormitory here. There is not enough solid money. More than half is obtained by collecting. From this it is clear that management, to which one must also take care of the maintenance of the monastery, will cause a lot of trouble and sorrowful worries. For this reason, my intention has already matured to give up the management of the monastery, asking only that the apartment be as I now have, and that the monastery make adjustments and alterations to it - so that the monastery delivers what I need to the table (for I have almost no opportunity to do this myself - 25 versts from the city), so that they can serve me without hindrance when I want, that they give me horses. I was about to write, and I don’t know if I’ll wait for your answer. I am thinking of writing a private letter to the Metropolitan about this, asking that, on the basis of his decision, my petition to the Synod be followed. I feel very good here. The order here is truly monastic. Among the brethren there are fierce ascetics, the convert - an 80-year-old man - will never sit in church and grumbles at others for this. We will have services for 8–10 o’clock. Starts at 3 o'clock. The last one is at 7 o'clock. evenings. Sarov singing. If you take the time to see for yourself, then decide whether or not to end your days here. God bless you! I regret the disturbances in your monastery. Try, even here, to overcome the abbess with affection, compliance, asking for permission, but so that they do according to yours. I remember this in passing. You know better there. O. All honorable respects to Lavrenty. “I think he’ll grumble that he’s retired.” I said it a long time ago. Why should such a bishop stick around among real bishops? Got out! Glory to You, Lord! - Bow to him to the ground. Your late pilgrim B. Feofan. It doesn’t hurt to know your thoughts and yours others. Letter 1066. The saint’s refusal to manage the monastery. Worries about pensions and publication of sermons. Beginning of works on the Philokalia On the occasion of the Exaltation, I wrote a petition renouncing the management of the monastery and am sending it to the post office tomorrow. I immediately ask for a pension. Take the trouble to find out about the progress of this matter and inform them. No matter how little pension they give you, you will die of hunger. I’ll take a stick and walk along the windows, and I’ll come to you, you live high up, and you won’t hear. And it’s not for nothing that I had to write for the Exaltation. Surely I will erect a cross for myself. It’s no wonder to erect it, it’s hard to carry it. Please take the trouble to ask someone to quickly send me the 500 rubles assigned by the Holy Synod for my move. They don’t send, but there are needs. I'm thinking of preparing sermons for publication. Three books will be published. But there is no money. Will any merchant undertake to publish it and, if so, on what terms? Bad sales for sermons. Hardly anyone will agree! But it doesn’t hurt to try. Or publish it yourself - even with loans? What do you think? I feel good. Very good. He began translating the Philokalia from Greek. Your pilgrim E.F. September 14 '66 Letter 1067. Advice to the drafter of the charter for the nunnery Thanks for the news. Now I’m completely cut off: just to have fun. God bless your work. You undertake to write the charter. Good! Make sure it doesn't turn out too airy. Don’t forget that gentle beauties, like everyone else, wear plump flesh and are subject to the same illnesses. In the charter it is necessary to distinguish between spiritual and ascetic life and external communal orders. Only the latter fit the mold and are capable of being defined in detail and forever; first, impromptu is carried out, impromptu is guided, and it is not allowed to be put into a certain form. For her, the rule is reasonable piety, or spiritual life as it is inherent in the attempts of the tried and true. It occurs to me that before compiling it, you need to live somewhere in a hostel and become well accustomed to its rules. But again, here too – a men’s dormitory and a women’s dormitory are two very different things. We would run to the Borodino Monastery. There, tea, the order is good. For a consultation with the ancient statutes, the translations you took from me will suffice. From ours - find the Yuryevsky Charter - compiled by Photius (there is a printed one). Separate the headings more clearly. Church . Table and all contents. Kelly. Authorities. Not the authorities. Mutual relationship with each other and with others. Needlework. External monastic bearing (find Rev. Ignatius recently published a small book. Ask Hilarion of Suzdal). About the letters of Clement. They are not for virgins; but about virginity in general, both men and women, and contain general instructions that will not be included in the charter. It's right there in the Public Library - Ceillicy. Histoire des auteurs sacres, the history of these letters and their contents are described. In the latest edition of St. fathers - Migne Patrologia posted the most letters. You will find both in the Public Library or at the Academy. There are books (9 volumes) Vies des peres des deserts d'orient par, Michel-ange Marin. in 2 books. a few words are placed about the order of life in the Tavenisiot women's monasteries of St. Pachomius, and in 9 there is a note about the nuns from St. Vasily led. - and this book should be in the Public Library (ed. 1824). But it must be said that the experience itself is better than all the books. Regarding Rostislavov’s books, it’s true libel. “The best thing you can do is neither write nor say anything about her.” It's as if she doesn't exist. “They’ll steal a few copies, grumble under their breath, and that’s all.” To answer means to give a price. – If you’re feeling arrogant, write the opposite, reminding you of the book. All the best to you from the Lord. Your pilgrim Bishop Feofan. Letter 1068. Request for the magazine "L' Union chretienne". Worries about getting money allocated for moving and about pensions I tortured you. Here is another request, or most humbly, in every possible way, a fervent request. Magazine L'Union chretienne – St. The Synod writes out several copies and sends them out. Among others, a copy was sent and is available. – But it was sent as to the current bishop. Sloths, perhaps, are not supposed to send them. For this reason, perhaps they won’t send it to me, but I would like to receive it. How can I be here?! Please inquire, will they send it? - If they didn’t think about sending, can’t they send, based on the very statement itself, that this would not be bad. - If for this reason alone they cannot, will it be of any use if I ask the chief prosecutor about this? Having become aware of this, inform the Lord for the sake of it. – But for the current year, 31 issues have already been received. - If they don’t send the end, it’s a lost year for both me and Ave. Anthony, if they start sending the end to him. - Is it possible to send this end to them: this can be done without special orders. You wrote about money - (500 rubles), go to the consistory; and before I remember they wrote that you need to contact the treasury. And it seems that this is not the place for the consistory to interfere. And bishops’ money usually comes from the treasury. - But why should I go to the treasury? I need to have a document and know that the Tambov treasury already knows about this order. Do yourself a favor and force whoever should hurry up with this order. – Bo, – I’ll soon be without shoes! – When I get the piece of paper, then I’ll ask for Tamb myself. treasury, so that it makes an order to issue me money from the Shatsk treasury. It's nearby. “But still, I first need an order from above about all this, and so that I have a piece of paper on the basis of which I would write.” – The same should be done about pensions. God bless you! God bless you all. - Nowadays Kazanskaya - both for you and for us! - Having congratulated, I congratulate the crown prince on his bride; will be your queen. What a joyful face! Your pilgrim E. Feofan. 22 October 66 Letter 1069. Refusal to move to Sarov. On the compiled interpretation of Psalm 33 and on the revision of the book “Soul and Angel” You blame me for the fact that there is no news for a long time; I was just about to file a complaint about the same thing against you. Therefore, the penalties and evens were equal. May the Lord bless you to successfully complete the printing of our Bishop's Theology. We are fellow countrymen and matchmakers. Well, thank God that your litigation ended successfully. This monastery has tormented you. When the end is over - glory to God! Sarov is not my place. And Sarov residents are not interested. I don't think they even offered me one. There is nothing to pull from. They always have intercessors. What should I use? The move will cost three hundred rubles, or more, but I don’t even have 30. And there will be no such peace there as on Above. In spirit, this is little Sarov. What am I doing? I just finished notes on the 33rd Psalm and sent them to the Tambov Eparch. Vedomosti” to see what they would say, and whether it is good to write notes on the psalter this way, or whether the tone needs to be changed. This psalm - I will bless the Lord at all times, whether it goes well, but a lot has been written. I had just taken on one more task when an agreement came - to correct an article about the soul and angels. This is what I am doing now. I hear more than once that the article is not good. And no one says what. Is it true? In my opinion, the only drawback is that you cannot read this article without having refuted brochures at hand. But the fact that there is a lot of jokes and there is too much is nothing. Brunch in places. Yes, for such absurdities, you need to be punished by the hair and ground, and in time. However, now everything unnecessary is thrown away. Maybe they will add extracts from fathers, i.e. from other fathers, and not from these. Yes, add a little more considerations. Now I’m still almost at the beginning, and I don’t know where the word will go. How tiresome it is to look for a place. You dig and dig, sometimes all day - five lines. And the reader only sees: the article is not great and says: look how much I wrote. Tell me please, do you have time? “I’m asking this because I don’t have time.” Before you have time to turn around, it’s lunchtime, and then you’ll be asleep. Where does this misfortune come from - is it not a deception? And what temptation? - or death soon - that the separation and length of time will all seem to come to a point. - I think it’s not bad. Only those who mourn take a long time. - Glory to Thee, Lord, glory to Thee! I won’t go to Sarov. You should write to them that I refuse. Otherwise you’ll force them to figure out how to ward off such an attack. Bow to your friends, and even more so, pray to God. Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. November 12, 1868 Letter 1070. Among the works on the composition of the Patericon and Philokalia Quick response N-bark V-vich! The Patericon, which he commemorated, is in manuscript, like a large psalter. The translation contains one and a half hundred sheets of the same letter as the statutes. – Judge, will you reconsider everything soon? - And then will he write again soon? – Correspondence in the monastery is impossible. We must send it to Tambov. - Eh-heh!! “This doesn’t mean that I’m pulling everything back, but I’m just telling the matter as it is.” – Likewise, the writings of old people, how difficult are they? - The Latins found many writings of St. Anthony the Great, translated from Arabic. They are similar in appearance to those known to us. But the darkness of the translation is terrible. You dig, you dig. I've already put it off for a while. Antonia, rest. I translate the following according to the Greek Philokalia, Abba Isaiah. And this again has a whole book, in addition to what is contained in the Philokalia. And Cassian’s writings - his alone - will be from the Philokalia. And there is no end. This is where you feel - the spirit is vigorous, but the flesh is weak. – You sit and think; Well, I’ll wave all of Anthony the Great. Back and forth - just ten lines. And you’ve already exhausted yourself, and you’ll go walk around scratching the back of your head. Get out of your business as quickly as possible, and go to your cell, and let’s start together. Or we’ll come to an agreement with the Optina residents, and there will be a whole society. Then it will be more fun. One one line, the other another. Look, there is a book. - And you dig and dig alone. But what can I say!! It's easier to compose. “The speech flows like butter there.” - And here - in translation, every now and then there is a semicolon. I don’t want to paraphrase, but I want to start adjusting – I need time. - Thank you for your troubles with money. Now I'm sure I'll get it soon. Then I’ll ask the treasury for pension money to transfer it to Shatsk. – Don’t forget to tag news. While a person is alive, and in the desert he is curious about the world and its movements. “But I truly am paradise in the desert.” I wouldn’t jinx it, but if this happens, I see the abyss of God’s mercy; it is not according to my sins that I will be rewarded. - I received a decree about a pension and the abolition of the abbot. Very grateful to you and everyone. Lord save and have mercy! I offer due veneration to my beloved father, the great elder of Iveron, asking for prayers. Many-sinful Theophan Bp. November 14, 1868 Letter 1071. On the public defense of monasticism. About the new edition of “The Path to Salvation”, etc. O. archim. already returned. He didn’t wait for you, he says, it was impossible to stay in St. Petersburg any longer. You are all on the road, busy with books. A blissful life is a busy life. Neither get bored, nor yawn. About monasticism. Wouldn't it be better to remain silent? They don’t hear and they don’t get angry. Cover yourself a little, until anger continues to pass by. “And come out, and even with your fists, and everyone’s hands will rise on your shoulders, and because of you, on monasticism.” Let Mitrophania and similar failed nuns buzz. They buzz and go quiet. And when there is a book, it will cloud their eyes and irritate them. You will write about monasticism according to its significance, which is definitely high, and no one rejects it. The attackers attack us - real bad monks. You will speak because monasticism means this and that; then it must be honored, supported and disseminated. And they will say, as they say: since the monks are now no good, then get rid of them, - or: either get rid of them, or make them what they should be. You have nothing to say against this. There is nothing to say, just this: well, well; but let them live, maybe some half-monk will go crazy somewhere, and then thank God. – You can only stand against the closure of monasteries, because monasteries, in addition to the monks, bring great benefits for the sake of the people; I know this now from experience. And for the sake of the fact that there is nothing to clap about (that is, to close something) because, compared to Russia, all the monks and nuns are a drop, 20 thousand, is it worth shouting and raising a hubbub over such a small thing?! “For these reasons, our monasteries will last for centuries to come, and there is nothing to be afraid of.” – As for women, they have nowhere to go. There are 1 1 2 million of them. more men. Let them go to the monastery and take shelter. These are my thoughts! “But maybe it’s nothing—to say another word.” We are bad monks; We will be very glad when they write about us that we are saints and righteous. And we'll thank you. I don’t know anything about what to read to you. It seems in the “Christian Reading” under the rector Rev. Afanasia had something written and printed. – In “Home Conversation”, articles by Rev. Ignatius: they seem to be in his published works. But they are very far away. It seems there were brochures circulating somewhere. But I can’t point it out correctly. My health is good. I feel good. People sometimes ask me: the path to salvation that the Athos people published in editions. I have no. Will Korablev and Siryakov, for example, undertake to publish one book? He will give me copies - not money. Talk and tell. I have no desire to go to Moscow, but I can visit it this way. Your zealous pilgrim, Bishop Theophan. November 23, 1868 Letter 1072. About my illness. The thought of moving to places that are most convenient for receiving medical care I received your medications. Thank you. I started using it that same day. I don't know what will happen! Anything, since I use my usual methods of treatment for shortness of breath; then yours will go into the interval to which it arrived. May God grant you relief. I see him a little. But the seizures still remain. Especially this beating of arms and legs and their coldness with heaviness in the head - so frequent. Almost all of this day too. I use artificially prepared soda water instead of drinking. And on top of that, I wore a cold compress at night. “Now I’ll stop all this and see what comes of yours.” If it gets bad, I'll quit. Better yet, use it. I received the books: thank you. I re-read it. So what is there to fix? Tea is fine. In any case, I’ll review it even more carefully and correct whatever turns out to be necessary if I have enough sense. Do me a favor and find out what the result of my statement is? “My seat on the Highest will depend on him, or the hassle of moving to another monastery due to illness, even if empty, but requiring doctor’s supervision. I am not an ardent lover and seeker of the diocese. And if they say: sit; I won't be bored. But by winter I must definitely move to inhabited places from the desert. I wish you all the best from the Lord. Pray to God for me. Your zealous pilgrim, Bp. Feofan. May 12, 1870 Letter 1073. The saint’s indecision and hesitation when offered to re-enter the service Thank you very much for the news. I received your letter only two days ago, and I have not heard anything from Askochensky yet. I received it from him last night. From the first time, I rushed to Moscow; but then rumors and misunderstandings started going on in my head. - And I don’t know how to cope. More is drawn to Moscow, but there are compelling reasons holding it back. - I’m sitting and thinking. “Whatever I come up with, I’ll tell you right away.” But now I’m indecisive, I can’t say yes or no. I will try to settle in my thoughts as soon as possible and answer the Bishop. It inclines that we are already too deaf. Yes, in case of illness it’s scary. - But there is trouble and struggle. I wish you all the best from the Lord. Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. If they themselves decided to translate it this way, I would agree without any hesitation, and I would be glad. And then myself. I only decided one thing myself - retirement. “And tea,” he didn’t do it as it should. I don’t say this out of lack of peace. I have what I was looking for. But because there is already too much peace. This is true. Letter 1074. Response to the news about new offers of service to the saint. Hunter of paintings Well, I decided with the white stone. My beauty died. Well - and adieu! I wrote about this to the Bishop himself, assuring him that I was very well on Above, as I really am. He already said through Askochensky that he accepted my refusal as reasonable. And therefore this case should go into the archives. But he drags out his speech - about attracting my honor to sit in the judicial department of the Holy Synod. “I only refused this with my pen, and this with my hands and feet.” God save me from such a misfortune. If you happen to be with the bishop, please persuade him so that he not only does not make such a proposal himself, but also interrupts anyone who would think of starting a conversation about it. Please! The Lord thinks that I am bored above; but I love it so much here that I don’t know where it could be so good. What I declared at the diocese was not a desire, but a readiness to express submission to the Holy Synod, which I still do not refuse. But not at all according to the wishes of the diocese, but according to other calculations that remain secret. You know what a picture hunter I am. – A certain Behrens announces that he has a countless number of photographs from famous paintings. Pictures in the form of cards, and in large format, are called cabinet photographs. My eyes ran wide. - And it’s cheap!! – 100 selected office photographs 25 rub. – or else: 1000 cards 30 rubles. - So I would have bought everything. - But how are these advertisers cura melius, especially with our brother - provincials, or eye-catching buyers; then please run to him and see if these pictures are really worth spending a penny on them. – If it turns out that they are working; I'll send you some money then. And I’ll ask you to choose and order it to be sealed with you. Otherwise, you can’t rely on these fellows. I wish you all the best from God. Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. March 15, 1872 Letter 1075. Upon receipt of the book on spiritual judgment I received a book about the trial. Good. Much learned. May God grant that it will be useful. It’s a bit of a mess to read, and not everyone will be inspired. Work, work, don’t groan. – How can you say that you haven’t started yet?! What is this, what are you doing? All this is glory to God! - Just drive away conceit. Your eye shines with all goodness. - God bless you for your labors. The Solovetsky elders will find more readers. And it’s true that this book is warmer. God help you to finish. Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. May 31, 1873 Letter 1076. Inconvenience of publishing large books for the public. Regarding the projected reform of the spiritual court Although I haven’t finished your even larger book, it’s already clear that it’s very good. Who did this work?! Knowledgeable and solid! - God bless you! But that's it! - How many people will read it? And those who start reading, will they all make it to the end? Of course, you know the warehouse of Russian heads. That you don’t want to dig for a long time, but would rather get to the end as soon as possible. – Especially controversial points. In general, they are necessary for the matter and help a lot in understanding the matter. But why should unlearned people delve into them? and they won’t.” “It occurred to me that if we could make an extract and compile a small booklet - in which everything essential would be laid out clearly, clearly, and in such a way that it would be easy to read, then such a book would be very useful. Scientists would delve into that big one, and the superficial observers would run through the small one. Great research!! You write that there are objections to the project of the court. And somewhere in the newspapers it is printed that, on the contrary, we get reviews that agree with him. At the same time, the thought occurred to me that the prosecutor was fooling public opinion. And then he will select agreeable reviews, which of course will be found, and move them towards a solution. – After all, the main thing is necessary. Let them build the courts as they wish, but it is necessary that the bishop be the head of the court, and especially in that part that concerns purely spiritual and church matters. – The last limit is that the bishop should have the power to appoint to places and remove from them according to his conviction, and that no one’s court should interfere; so that he also has the power to order to do everything that he considers necessary for the building of the flock. - Otherwise it will turn out like the Prussians. The bishop there receives, and does not determine, shepherds. Thank you for the information you provided about my beauty. – But when we meet, don’t forget to remind us that you sent the documents? Otherwise they said they would send it, but they put off sending it. What did you think of sending from the notebooks, send it. – I’m finishing the first part, now I’ve only started correspondence. Then I will begin the charter little by little, from Pachomiev, to Basil the Great and Cassian. Meanwhile, the interpretation must also be prepared. I wish you all the best from the Lord. - Pray to God for me. Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. November 21, 1873 Letter 1077. New praise for the book and advice to the author. About your written works and taking care of materials for the Philokalia I finished reading the book. Miracle, how good. For it, the author must be given a doctor - with the inscription the first of the doctors, or, as the late Kiev ruler said about Innokenty, when he was in Kiev - the doctor of doctors. When would you listen to what is written? - get someone to write reviews, - and in this review the essence is to expose everything. This will introduce the community to the spirit. In a secular magazine or newspaper. Maybe the Citizen will take it! I'll finish the collection soon. While this first part is being printed, I will prepare the second, the Charter itself. My collection, if desired, is planned to contain many volumes, so that a monastic library will be compiled. Buy it and that's enough. Everything will be here. Why do you need to hide somewhere. Having acquired the skill for busy work, how will you sit anywhere? Keep playing your note. After all, this road leads to the same city. You just need to clean up your thoughts. But this is necessary not only for the leaders, but also for the sitters. There was nothing left to guess. They would say to the Bishop of Kostroma that for two years now, Askochensky has been taking short articles from sermons, and very little from letters. - These are old lines! Next year there will be a new one, Psalm 118, with a small argument for each verse. The merciful Lord will not say about these truly what he said about those. Because everything here is weak. O. Arseny - he’s definitely going to Athos, or this is just guesswork. It occurred to me to go to Mount Athos to enumerate the fatherland, to see if the writings of Abba Isaiah otsh., missing from Mark the Ascetic, Evagrius and others, would be found. Maybe tucked into a corner somewhere. Isaiah is a whole book - 29 words, it will go into the collection, but from the Latin translation, but ascetic terminology means a lot here, which is different for the Latins, and you may not get it. Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. December 12, 1873 Letter 1078. Concerns about the new court project. Feedback on moving to Athos. Encouragement to continue working life Happy holiday! I received the book. Thank you. I remember I was translating something. But that must have been in 1946. Manuscript - what?! – Tea translation of the charter of St. Pachomia. - No, it’s not necessary. I will translate again and make a compilation. – And Basil the Great’s arch or selection needs to be done again. - There’s no need to bother sending it. I'll pull it out little by little. It's really good for you to be in St. Petersburg. - Make some noise here and there. They say that reviews are printed as they are received, wouldn’t those who are interested in the introduction of this ungodly court project lie?! - What good! How about you on Athos? thought to come; But with my laziness, how can I do it? If you fell asleep here and woke up there, that’s fine. Now I would wave. - Oh, oh! y! y! - what a distance! – I’m not giving up, but someday a thought will ripen into desire, and desire into determination! You are wishing for peace in vain. Push while your soul remains in your body. You're not doing bad things, are you?! “You just need to cleanse your intentions, review them more often, and if some rubbish creeps in, drive them out, and through internal repentance return the value of the deeds that are ruined by them.” Peace will come by itself. The soul will sit down and not want to leave. Then of course there will be nothing to do. I'll have to listen to this lady. You just can’t get along on Athos. The order there is beyond the power of our weakness. – You don’t have to enter a monastery, but that’s still a long way off! Be healthy and cheerful. Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. December 26, 1873 Letter 1079. More about the new court project. Fear of possible divisions And I heard that it was not P-ky, but V-ky Vladyka who praised the project. - It became two. – You write, and I hear that all the reviews are not in favor of the project. But in what respect? - The Vladyka only emphasized the impracticality - that the district court is far away. If that's the case, then it's not a big inconvenience. And that's not the point. The answer to impracticality may be this: we’ll see; If it’s inconvenient, we’ll change it. And everything else will come into play. – And consistories may be more indicative of this. - It may even be that this stone was deliberately thrown, you are gnawing on it, and most importantly, they overlooked it. - God forbid! I have a question that I can't solve. - Well, if this form of court is approved. Will this be a legal basis for separation? The Synod that accepted it will move from its foundations. Consequently, he will lose the right to obey him. If he is so, then so are all the bishops and priests who agree with him. Those who do not agree with him will stand on their rightful ground - the Old Orthodox, and those innovators. “I don’t know how to decide this, that is, whether there is a basis for division.” You can scold the form of the court, and criticize it up and down, but not divide. – But what will you do if you want to show someone your strength and declare all innovators to have fallen away from the church? - After all, this is a possible thing. “I keep thinking and thinking, and then it turns out that there is no reason for it, then the thought comes to me: why are we going to let everything go?” Is it a great thing that, for example, Tsar Constantine sent one wife to a monastery and married another? St. Tarasius made noise, made noise, and fell silent, and Theodore the Studite stopped communicating with him (St. Tarasius). And it would seem that you can remain silent. The new queen was his niece. - That's how they stood! “I can’t figure out what we should do.” - And we need to solve this. For I sense that this short guy will stand his ground. Talk there on the sly, and say that you will take it away from the church magnates. What should you do on Athos?! – Go to Mount Athos to eat some sweets; but what you do is cabbage soup and porridge; you can’t live without porridge. Be healthy and cheerful. Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. February 26, 1874 Letter 1080. About the planned publication of the complete Patericon. There is no sin in getting treatment. Funny recipe. More about the desired project Thank you for your congratulations. I greet you as well. God bless your work! Diaghilev sent it. But what to do now? - Let's seduce Afonts so that he can print it. – The patericon that “Soulful Reading” published is much smaller than ours. What a difference! We have 142 articles, there are 35 in the first chapter. – In the second – we have 71 – there are 33; in the third we have 100 - there are 46, and so on. Only the headlines are the same, why is there such a difference? Because not everything is collected there. - This is a collection! – And the merits of the collection are complete. - So it needs to be published. – Or do you want to publish it yourself? “So I’ll sit down and revise it little by little and finally correct it.” This pile is great! but little by little you can overcome! That there is no sin in being treated, there should be no question about this. But the fact that many have not used this remedy, out of faith and patience, is not without value. Only then must you endure it complacently, so as not to fall into murmuring. Murmuring is a sin. Who does not feel the courage that we are all sinners; then it is better to resort to doctors, still expecting help from God: for He admonishes doctors. The cure for fornication is laughter! – After all, sexual movement depends on the formation of the seed. As long as the educational organs are intact, the seed will be collected; and while it is gathering, there will be that movement. But it is not a sin in itself. – Sin is in theft, and it is either from the will or from Satan. What does your prescription do? Of course not to the will, and even less to Satan. Therefore, the producers of prodigal sin are intact. And if they are intact, what is the medicine for? – If it acts to stop the formation of the seed; then it draws closer to the crowd; for this is the essence of the skopchestvo. – In the Lives we see that they acted to reduce the formation of semen - by fasting, cold, lying down, thirst, lack of sleep and any kind of overexertion, but they did not use any mechanical method. Therefore, I think that the medicine is not without sin. “So I think it’s better not to touch him, but to ask the Lord for help.” Of course, it’s a little difficult; but what to do? I picked up the tug, don’t say it’s not strong. The fact that the project is being criticized is very comforting. But there is a whole legion in those who would like to introduce it. Will they teach him how to get out?! “We’ll boast about our success when this project is completely archived.” My health is a glory to God. I will use the air from the balcony. After all, this is the same as walking in the forest! I wish you all the best from the Lord. Pray to God for me! Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. Why didn’t you tell me anything about the Iveron elder?! Letter 1081. Review of the desire of the Arabs, about Archimandrite. Antonina, Elder Joseph, Patriarch Joachim and the response to the invitation to Athos. Works on the Interpretation of Scripture My kindest N-lai V-vich! Welcome! Now you’ve seen the east, you know what it is, and I think you’ve had enough. Thank you for all the news. If Panteleimon's team wins the case, one cannot help but rejoice at this. Help them, Lord! I was surprised at the desire of the Arabs! They don’t need to want the same thing as the Bulgarians, but everything. Because there are no local Greeks there at all. There is only a hierarchy. Therefore, their desire is equal to the expulsion of the Greeks. That's why it's more difficult. Let them ask the Arab bishops in advance. Their priests are all Arabs, but there is nowhere to find Arab bishops. I mean the Jerusalem patriarchate. In Antioch there is: will they share? O. Archimandrite Antonin the Gentle is known to me as an excellent person, he is also a teacher. I finished the course first, not second - I was a bachelor at the Kiev Academy - very good. Have you listened to God's servant Joasaph, the Elder of Savvinsky, great Elder! If this is Patriarch Joachim, then we need to pray to God that he will sit on the throne longer - and correct the Greek church affairs. The salty Greeks piled up: go and unravel. I thank the Panteleimon team for their offer. But the saints must go there, and it is convenient to sin even on the Highest. So what is the need to move? Don't make plans to retire soon. While you have the strength, push and do it. If you are exhausted, then you can hide somewhere - near the monastery. Your path is different - active. The time will come for you to sit down. Who reads my wisdom - the Greeks or ours? The Greeks, I don’t think they approved much. And ours are our own brother. I sit and pore. Soon or not, I don’t know, I’ll grieve; but I hasten to finish the epistles of St. Paul, so that he could sit down later, straighten it and publish it. The question is how to do this? Although it’s too early to think: but maybe by the end of next year we can start. I'm in a hurry. Therefore, there is nothing to prepare in advance. One beauty hinted that she would give money for the publication of the first volume, even if it was up to 1000 rubles. Please start publishing it. The conditions are as follows: as long as this thousand is not increased, but saved; for I was ashamed to agree, and I agreed that having turned over this thousand and arranged a publication, I would then bring it to the Missionary Society. If there are profits, we will divide them in half. I don't need money at all. If only the publication were cheaper - and therefore more common, that is, so that it would be distributed more widely. I interpret the sixth letter - 1st Corinthians. This year, I think, there is a lot to interpret - maybe everything will be resolved. The matter is much shorter than the Galatian and Ephesian epistles. And more fatherly speech than mine. That's why he gave up everything. I don't read anything. I'll just take a quick look at the newspapers. My plan is great. Interpret the entire New Testament. And then the Psalter, and then parables, and die. The Duma is just around the corner, and death is behind us. My health is nothing. And the sins all go in their own order. When will you be saved? There’s really no time. I’m purposely typing what I’ll come up with to get dirty, in the thought that someone will read it, be pleased and a fan will put it down. Perhaps the merciful Lord will consider this bow to be a lazy person for me. It is better for saints to hide both their scriptures and their name. But as a sinner, it’s better for me this way. Here comes the holiday. I wish you a Merry Christmas, and I wish you new strength in the New Year. Be healthy and cheerful! Pray to God for me, a sinner. Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. December 22, 1874 Letter 1082. On the publication of interpretations. Proposal to compose a new great Patericon You made me so happy by giving me your word to work on publishing the interpretation. Well, now we just have to hurry up with the ending. Before the end of all, one cannot begin; for there are things that say that in previous interpretations something else needs to be corrected. However, I’ll strain myself, but I’ll write the interpretation as briefly as possible, so I’ll get to the end as soon as possible. Only a third of the work may be done. Maybe! Well, what's the problem?! I won’t have time this year, we’ll grab another one. We’ll talk about the profits later and what to do with them, if there are any. Publish a Patericon?! That's what came to my mind! After all, this Patericon is a collection: collected from Memorable Legends - from Gerondik, from Lavsaik and Limonar, the articles are arranged by subject - under 24 titles. O. Arseny sent me a collection - from the same sources - but there are already 200 titles. I had an idea - from all the fundamental fatherland books, such as: Memorable legends, Lavsaik, Limonar, the history of the Bogolyubtsev, conversations of Grigory Dvoeslov, - and our fatherland authors - Sarovsky, Solovetsky, Valaam, Kyiv - to compile my own collection according to my plan with a strict delimitation. Under each title, review the articles placed under it. I’ve had something like this in my head for a long time, but now it’s completely formed and awaits execution. It will take a year. This will be a year of rest after the interpretation of the messages is completed. God bless you only. I wish you all the best from the Lord. Be healthy and cheerful. That such great rulers approve of the interpretation is very approving. But then it will go shorter, and maybe they won’t praise you. However, we will do what we can. Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. January 22, 1875 Letter 1083. On the interpretation of the messages. Thoughts on a Better Way to Explain the Gospel. How to live like a monastery at home I obey - I obey! I will sing the song, but a little shorter - against the printed ones; because it’s too long. Life will not be enough to do everything like this. But the abbreviated interpretation given to the two epistles - to the Philippians, and especially to the first Corinthians, is also not suitable. I'll somehow keep the middle halfway. 2 to Corinth. started, two chapters finished. What will God give next? Let's weave along little by little. Perhaps this will end soon too. Everything you have written down can be carried out however you want. But I won’t open the house until I finish. If I die, so be it. Lord help me! It is not necessary to write interpretations of the Gospels, but reflections, so that every word and every movement of the Lord would be a solemn testimony of His Divinity. When God willing, let us begin this song of praise to the Lord, there will be no end to it. Oh, when will this matter even begin?! What kind of monastery do you like? If you please, toil in this order of life. When you are no longer able to trample mice, then the monastery will build itself by itself, whether you are within the monastery fence or not. Do you go to mass? And that's enough. Replace home prayer with bows instead of reading prayers; What word to use to address God, the soul will say. Say what you need. This is in place of Vespers, and in place of any other service. If the soul is lethargic and is not strong enough to rise to God on its own, read a prayer from memory, repeating each word several times in order to break the soul as if with a hammer. When the soul goes to the Lord on its own, do not read any memorized prayers, but direct your speech directly to the Lord - starting with thanksgiving for the mercies to yourself, then saying other things that need to be said. The Lord is near! He listens to the word from the heart. God bless you! As for activity, all concern must be paid to the purity of intentions - and immediately corrected if any bad ones sneak in. Then try to remember the Lord as often as possible. That's it. This is your monastery! Don't look for anything else! It's not built for you! Joasaph - died?! Thank you very much for telling me. He was a holy man! Sufferer for the monastery before Ibrahim Pasha. I'm healthy. Thank the Lord! May you also be healthy, and also cheerful. Fun comes on its own. Nothing can buy it. And the blessed are not far from us, but we have no bliss. Save yourself! And pray to God for us! Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. February 9, 1875 Letter 1084. More on the case of the planned new court. In defense of the translation of the LXX interpreters. Concern for the printing of interpretations. A note about the need to alternate mental work with handicrafts Is it good that an article is being written in reproach to St. Macarius?! After all, he has an excuse in that it is the Committee, not him. What will you do with everyone? He is not given the final decisive vote, but an equal one to others. He will say: what to do? Did I talk, interpret, shout, was I ready to fight? but everything was decided not my way. That's right. It is very comforting that the bishop’s reviews are so good. We must assume that they will be respected and will not face a stupid trial. But the wolf in the sheepfold is very cunning. He sits and flashes his teeth and looks to see how he can manage to put it on his own. Lord save us! Ave. Jacob Moore. sent me a review from Irkutsk - similar to the Agafangels, in terms of strength. And Mosk. Consistories – this one is very short. That times are difficult for Orthodoxy are like two and two. Readings at the Society of Spirit Lovers. Moscow Education published an article about the translation of 70 sense. - not at all Orthodox. The Church of God did not know any other word of God except the 70th interpretation, and when it said that Scripture was inspired by God, it meant Scripture in this translation. All rumors contrary to this are heretical. When you visit the Bishop of Moscow, report to him to teach the editors of the Readings a lesson, but don’t remember what I’m telling you. I regret that I decided to deliver the letter to Ephesians there. The First Epistle to the Corinthians is included in “Soulful Reading.” The second is also being interpreted and one part is already finished - 7 chapters. Instead of lying, it would print some magazine. The shortcomings and excesses are more visible in the press. Talk to me, does Grechulevich want to publish? No conditions: let him give only a hundred copies of reprints. And so that he doesn’t drag, but rather prints. Or do you think that it is better to stop publishing in magazines so that unpublished interpretations can be included in the general publication?! And this comes to my mind. But even that comes: now, tomorrow death. If you die, everything will be lost. Otherwise it will at least be published in magazines. As you order, we will do so. Be an elder in this matter. But I sit and hurry towards the end. I still think that I will have time to get all the messages done this year. I won’t have time, God forbid I live one more year to finish. I wish you all the best from the Lord. God bless you with every blessing! Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. March 4, 1875 Letter 1085. The fate of the interpretation prints. Fear of being accused of smuggling I hasten to ask you a question – again about typing. Galatians is coming to an end. A bunch of prints were made - from 700. The second to Thessalonians, I gave 500 prints to the Missionary Society, believing that they would slowly send some to the missionaries, some to the diocesan branches of the Missionary Society, with instructions to the bishops to send them to churches and collect money. I didn’t tell them that, but I assumed that they would figure it out on their own. How are they? They print advertisements and solicit buyers. Meanwhile, interpretation without synodal permission is contraband for sale. Just look, they'll give you a hard time. Tell me now, what should I do with the reprints of Galatians? I can't imagine. I’d be happy to give it back there again, but they’ll print the ad again. And I see how this could lead to immediate disaster. This is what comes to my mind?! Has the Bishop of Moscow spoken with the synodals? - These are smuggled prints, should we put them on sale? And maybe they said: well, let it go. So they print advertisements without fear. If this guess of mine is correct, then there is no need to worry. The Bishop can also make messages for the Galatians. So I would like to know whether the bishop did this for the epistle to Thessalonians, and whether he is ready to do the same for the epistle to the Galatians? If you haven’t done it, then you’re not ready to do so, because it might be difficult; then this is what - would he agree to spend the prints on the sly, send them to the bishops in the dioceses and ask them to send them to the churches and take the money, and so that they would do it more willingly, transfer a small part to the coffers of the diocesan societies. The deed will be accomplished soon, and quietly. Do me a favor - take the trouble to find out all this from the Bishop on the sly, so that he doesn’t get angry with me for my timidity. And tell me what you find out. If neither this nor this is inconvenient, then another thing is, won’t the Lord say that he will protect both me and the editor from all the arrows of Justice. It would be very desirable for me to give the prints back to the society; but fears stop me. Finally, if neither this nor that - what to do? I'll have to throw all the prints into the oven. Please find out all this and tell me. Printing of Galatians ends in April. I wish you all the best from the Lord! Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. March 17, 1875 Letter 1086. Dispelled fears. Author's fatigue and rest. The beginning of work on the compilation of the 2nd volume of the Philokalia Your two letters gave me complete answers to what I wanted to know. Thank you! I wrote to you because at this time all communication with the world ceases. If there is such a law about printing; then there is no need to worry, I missed this law. And he chickened out. Now I've calmed down. Father Vasily Nechaev knows him; for on the prints there are 2 pos. to Sol. he has already done as you say. I was alarmed by the Tambovites. There was some kind of printing inspector there, and he issued a note to the editors of Vedomosti that it could not make reprints of the interpretation: the Epistle to the Philippians was printed there, and reprints were made. The editors got scared and stopped; but now she changed her mind and began to print both the interpretation and reprints. What am I doing? I'm kicking my ass. That's why! Cummed through force 2 to Cor. Began to Rome. Such stupidity and heartlessness have set in that all interest has disappeared, thoughts are absent, and the pen does not move. I think this is because for a whole year or more everyone has been doing one thing. Sterlets and sterlets - and it became boring. Let's leave it for a while. And in the meantime I decided to prepare the second volume of the Russian Philokalia. The first one is already ready. There Anthony the leader, Macarius the leader, Mark the ascetic, Isaiah the hermit, Evagrius. All hermits. In the second there will be all the hostel officials. St. Pachomius, Basil the Great, Cassian, St. Benedict, and others here among them. A decent volume will be compiled. This is where I rest, even though the work here is not small. St. Pachomius needs to write the charter again according to the features that are in his life - and in the charter translated by Jerome. And from Basil the Great, we also need to write a charter again, according to the system - this is work! And St. Cassian to translate a great work; for his Latin is sophisticated - wisdom. St. Benedict tea is simpler. Only God help. It's a pleasant activity! One must assume that it will not be useless to know how monasticism began in the beginning. Be healthy and cheerful. I wish you all the best from the Lord. Pray to God for me. Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. April 17, 1875 Letter 1087. The enemy is primarily targeting the monks How did you manage to speak grandly with the great Lord? But if it’s a righteous cause, then why bother? Be the will of God! It is a pity that your monastery does not console you. And here you have to be patient. The enemy does not tempt the laity. The world stands up for him against them. And there is no one to tempt the world-deniers. Here he is as his own person. And of course it comes out according to the master and skill. What to do? we must endure and pray; and help the cause. If only everything was in order everywhere; Why show hard work? May the Lord comfort you! I wish you all the best from the Lord. Pray to God for me, a sinner. Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. May 7, 1875 Letter 1088. Thoughts on the application of ancient monastic rules. News on monastic affairs on Athos, the Caucasus and the Lycian Worlds. Progress of classes on drawing up interpretations I finished the charter of St. Pachomius, - I take up St. Basil the Great's charter, both of them are strict. Tell the prosecutor not to take up arms against the monasteries, but to insist only that the ancient statutes be strictly implemented. Half the monks will run away. But together I think that there will be five times more new zealots; for many do not come to the monastery because they are weak in them. When it becomes strict, life will be pleasant, and monks will come. The news from Athos is comforting. If the Russians are definitely separated; then what else would they want. But then, why the Caucasian terrain? To alarm the Greeks?! I think even now the news of the Russians’ intention to move to the Caucasus will greatly incline the Greek authorities to grant the Russians an independent life. God help them! Terrain in Myra-Lycian! Do they really want a monastery there? That would be nice. Who composes the biography of the saint. Nicholas? God bless! I am also sending copies of the Epistle to the Galatians. May God grant us to begin our printing. It should take place next year. I'll rest and take up Romans. Let's start with it. Then there is already a row, to Cor., both - and to Gal., to Eph., to Phil. Be healthy and cheerful. Ep. Feofan. July 2, 1875 Letter 1089. Woe of the zealot of the LXX translation. About the collection of ancient statutes I think that you have now returned, or will return soon. Now you've had a ride, cleared your head, and have fresh energy. God bless! Have you encountered grief anywhere on the occasion of the translation of the Hebrew Bible into Russian? I grieve and am annoyed, what did the elders invent? Great sin. I am now leafing through the times - the economics of the 70 interpreters. He victoriously defends this translation on all points. I thought about making an extract; but passion, after all - 4 huge books. Will you get through them soon? There is no need to even think about translating them. Do you think it will do any good if you make an extract?! Now you can't make it soon. Wait a little. I leave the collection to the people of Athos. But Arseny intervenes here with his own reasons, which I cannot listen to. Things wouldn't have stopped. Will it do any good if we publish it ourselves? This is something big. 10 books. Statutes of St. Pachomius and St. I chose Vasily. Yes, I translate the statute of St. Venedicta. All these articles are very useful. Add Cassian to them - and enough of that sort. Be healthy and cheerful! Your pilgrim E. Feofan. July 23, 1875 Letter 1090. More about translating the Bible from the Hebrew text. Proposal to form a society for the interpretation of the Bible according to the text of the LXX interpreters. On the history of the Russian Philokalia You seem to think very lightly about translating the Bible from Hebrew, and this is a matter of great importance, and not in a good way. The Church of God does not know the Hebrew Bible. She received the Bible in the 70th translation from the Apostles, and has been keeping it to this day. She was also called “God-inspired” wherever this was discussed. So it is at the cathedrals, so it is with all St. fathers. For us, a translation of the Hebrew Bible is given to the faithful by the ecclesiastical authority, in addition to the word of God that is in the church. This last cannot be avoided without condemning it. If the Russian translation gives the word genuine; that word that is in the church is not genuine. If it is not genuine, then the church has hitherto not fed us with the true word—bread and chaff. Through this, the reproach of the Bible by 70 interpreters will fall on the church. The translators spat on this Bible, and splashes of spitting fall on the face of the church. This is a wicked thing! Discord will come out within us. Will buy now. The Bible Society will distribute it quickly. The Orthodox will begin to read, and they will see one thing in the Russian Bible, another in the church. What from here?! All good things cannot be expected. Among the Greeks, in Athens, a movement began in favor of the Hebrew text. Ekonomos fought them in domestic disputes, and then wrote a book in defense of the translation 70, proving that the true word of God is only this. All the patriarchs sent him letters of approval. These books were printed in 40 years. Here we also had something in favor of the Hebrew Bible. But then the authorities found out - and suppressed everything, and there was no trace left. So here is a statement from the entire Orthodox Church. Now where does this misfortune come from! There will be discord with the Greeks too! So you see what! And why was it done? It's clearer, isn't it? Not at all. Even darker in many places. So it would be better, instead of this empty matter, to arrange an interpretation of the Slavic Bible, taking into account the times and Hebrew. text, and it would be a very useful thing. Otherwise they invented something that can bring nothing but harm. However, it’s better not to start a debate about this. A discord may flare up that cannot be extinguished. Here's what's possible. Instead of shouting against translation, prepare an interpretation of the entire Slavic, or even teaching and prophetic books and publish it cheaper so that it sells more widely. Here comes the opposition. Please think about it, how to arrange it. It takes 100 years for one person to explain everything. Society needs it. I will take the psalter, the proverbs; another prophet, and so on, and in one year we will prepare everything. Then you need to publish it. Again, together - they chipped in, some a ruble, some a half. And publish it cheaper. Who is the busybody and the producer of the whole affair? If you please come closer, I lay my hands on your head and proclaim: axios. First, gather interpreters. There is already one - Ep. Feofan. Please recruit others. In St. Petersburg, in Moscow, all over the universe. There is only one condition - to interpret according to 70 interpreters, i.e. the word of God which in the church - and also - to agree to a cheap publication, and to work either for nothing, or for an insignificant reward, which is given upon sale; when the recruited interpreters get down to business, you will begin to work to raise money for the publication. About ten interpreters is enough. Well, five. No, you need ten, and even more, to quickly interpret and publish. Have you figured out what's going on? I wrote about this to St. Plato. So he won’t take anything to interpret. We need it quickly. What did you ask about the Philokalia - what will be included there? Everything that is in the current Philokalia, with the addition of the missing patristic writings about asceticism. From those fathers who have been translated, make an extract - in the form of theories of asceticism; so take it from St. Ephraim, Isaac the Syrian, from Barsanuphius, from St. Chrysostom, from the Nile. Translate the ladder again with the addition of all the interpretations, Ask. the writings of Maximus the Confessor, Theodore the Studite, and Simeon the New Theologian. From all this I think there will be 10 volumes collected. One is already in use; another is ready - the statutes of St. Pachomius, St. Basil, St. Benedictus - already translated - Cassian's charter is translated. This will all make up a thick volume, or maybe two not thick ones. I told Arseny: print as you like, but now I’ll say that I won’t give up on my plan. Yes, let them print the first part. When they get to the second one, we’ll pin them down here. Craftiness!! But what can we do with the evil ones? Be healthy and cheerful! I am healthy and happy. Your pilgrim E. Feofan. August 11, 1875 Letter 1091. New conviction to begin interpreting the Bible according to the text of the LXX interpreters It was forcibly understood that translation from the Hebrew Bible is no small evil for Orthodoxy. Thank you for your willingness to act against it. But my plan is completely different from yours. You should not argue at all whether a translation is good or bad, nor expose its errors and inaccuracies. This will lead nowhere; and here's what needs to be done! Sit down and interpret the entire Bible of the Old Testament, or mainly teaching and prophetic books, according to 70 interpreters, i.e. according to the text contained in the Church. Explain as simply and easily as possible for general understanding. And then publish this interpretation as cheaply as possible. These two things must be done by the zealots of Orthodoxy. Do you notice what will come out of here? It turns out that, despite the existence of the Bible translated from Hebrew, everyone will know it, understand it and read it in 70s, because of this interpretation. For the translation from the Hebrew is also unclear in many places. And it requires interpretation. If we quickly offer an interpretation of the 70, then no one will read that translation, and everyone will rush to our interpreted Bible. In this way, the influence that the Bible in the Russian translation from the Hebrew may have will be prevented or suppressed. Here's my thought! Don’t say anything at all about translation from Hebrew, but work hard on interpreting the Bible as it is in the church. What is required to perform this proc? 1) Gather interpreters and 2) publish their interpretation cheaper. What are pennies for? And all these commissions are entrusted to N-lay V-vich. Let him invite the interpreters to interpret; let him find pockets with money and take this money, and then publish everything, and, amen, the Hebrew Bible. For this there is no need to rummage through the Synod archives: let the mice do all the work there. And sit down and quickly interpret the Bible. Economos, a most learned Greek, wrote in the 40s in defense of the translation of 70, and beat all the Germans. I have his work, 4 large volumes. You can publish them later. First you need to construct an interpretation - and publish it. Enter into these thoughts - and arrange the fulfillment of the next one according to them. Be healthy and cheerful. I wish you all the best from the Lord. God bless you with every blessing. Letter 1092. Among the concerns about restoring the authority of LXX. About the publication of an apologetic journal I'm still waiting for you to return to St. Petersburg; and you are truly waiting for me to answer your letters. So there was a pause. What has finally been invented about what we began to be so ardently jealous of? Let’s really get angry, let’s get angry, and that’s where we’ll sit. Where can you find workers? Vyshinets - carts, carts, and himself under the cart. Should I tell him: sit down and write, what’s all this fuss about? So no. He wants to rake in the heat with someone else's hands. I repent what to do. I got so lazy that I didn’t want to pick up a pen. You sit down as if to work; but if you turn the paper this way and that, you’ll throw it away. And he went wandering from corner to corner. But I read diligently. Perhaps, God willing, the desire to write will come. The Eminence Plato wanted to forward my papers to “Soulful Reading.” It would be good if they printed it. Maybe he thought of something else. Although only the tops are said there; but abbreviated is the whole point. The progressives will raise their voices. We'll be holed up behind the church. The translation of the Hebrew Bible brings criticism to the church. There is nothing to say against this. We will only stand there; Why did they bring someone else’s Bible into the church?! The Moscow priests will do something about the apologist. It would be nice if God would help me start this magazine. In the West, since the revival of pagan wisdom (pagan classics), many infidels of all kinds have appeared. They wrote against them. There is a whole library of these writings. Abbot Migne published them - in 20 books - in his usual format. The idea comes to us - to review these books, extracting everything that is useful for us. But what to do with the extraction? Our magazines are kind of tricky. Lord, have mercy on us! The thought comes to me: why do I care about all this?! Sit and pull your rosary. God will arrange things without you. That would be nice. Lie down and don’t lead with your ears! Bliss!!! Be healthy and cheerful. Your pilgrim E. Feofan. December 28, 1875 Letter 1093. Replies to the opinions of St. Agafangel. An article in defense of the LXX translation, indicating the harm that may result from the distribution of the published translation from the Hebrew Replies to the opinions of the Most Reverend Agathangel a) The late Metropolitan Philaret of Moscow, in the article you know about the use of translation 70, says that the current Jewish text cannot be trusted, due to its damage. The late Metropolitan of Kyiv is of a similar opinion. There is no doubt that the text is damaged. Where will the credibility of the Bible translation from this text come from? The fact that this translation was made with knowledge and good intentions does not revive confidence in it. The point is not about the dignity of the translation, as a translation, but about the dignity of the text from which the translation was made. b) This is the crux of the matter. If the Hebrew text gives us words as they came from the mouths of inspired men; then, no doubt, it should be preferred to any other. But the fact of the matter is that this text is no longer what it was originally. This is a new text, damaged and changed by the Masorets in the 5th–6th centuries, and further, after the Nativity of Christ, and in this damaged form it is offered to us. Text 70, Greek, although there is only a translation from the original verbs of the Spirit, but as the translation closest to them and faithful to them, made three centuries BC, according to a special providential dispensation of God, not by just anyone, but by men specially chosen for this purpose, it should be accepted with equal confidence, and in equal dignity, as the original Hebrew text, as it came from the hands of the prophets. - So it was accepted initially, following the translation, and then constantly was accepted by Jews, not only scattered throughout the Greek regions and speaking Greek, but also Palestinian. This lasted until the coming of the Lord and the spread of the Gospel by the Apostles. Both texts ran in parallel. Evidence - Josephus and Philemon: both of them accepted both texts with equal dignity. But after the destruction of Jerusalem and the scattering of the Jews, the Jewish text, for various reasons, began to deteriorate. From the second century it began to be read differently and understood differently. Everyone read it in their own way and understood it in their own way. Proof of this is the new translations from Hebrew into Greek made in the second century by Aquila, Symmachus and Theodotion, whose translations are different from each other. This means that they read and understood the Hebrew Bible differently. They also disagree with the current text in many ways: which means that the Hebrew text, which changed before them, continued to change after them. The further, the more the Jewish text is damaged, and its distance from the original Hebrew text, which was given by inspired men, has become very large. At this distance, the masorettes took him and secured him in him. The Greek text remained in its original full correspondence with the prophetic verbs. Now judge for yourself where the verbs of the Spirit are stored - in the Masoretic Hebrew Bible, or in the Greek 70 interpreters? The Greek Bible is preferred to the Hebrew one, not the one that was originally and which no longer exists, but the one that the masorets impose on us, the corrupted Bible. It’s obvious which side you should lean on. c) The Lord did not reproach the Jews for damaging the text, because it was not damaged then; It was not damaged even during the time of the Apostles. That’s why there was no mention of it. It started to deteriorate after that. But the Apostle Paul, walking through the Jewish synagogues in the Greek regions, everywhere read the Bible from the Greek translation. Since the words of the Apostles from the Old Testament are similar to the current Greek, this is a clear sign that he remained intact, and remains intact to this day. d) “The Orthodox Church, it is written, did not use the Hebrew Bible because it rejected its dignity.” Why would she do this; but since she did not use it, then we should not reach for it, even if it was not damaged, and even more so when it is damaged. If this non-use of one and the use of another Bible took place in the same century, it could be explained by some accident; But as this has been going on throughout the entire existence of the Church, who does not see in this the fundamental law of the Church, from which to depart means the same as to shake the foundations of Church life. As if the Greek Bible translation 70 became so common in the Church because of the predominant number of believers from the Greeks, this is not true. Many peoples entered the church. The main ones, besides the Greeks, are the Romans, Syrians, Egyptians, Armenians, etc. They all soon stocked up on Bibles of the Old Testament, but all from Greek 70, and not from Hebrew, the Romans translated it at the end of the first century (Itala), the Syrians - in the second (Peshito); behind them are other nations, and all from 70. Tell me: was it easier to translate from this language?! For the Romans it may be easier; but not for the Syrians and other eastern peoples whose languages ​​are similar to Hebrew. And from this it is clear that it was not because of the predominance of the Greeks that the use of the Bible 70 in the church was so generalized, but because of something else - because, I believe, that it was the true word of God, and that therefore the Lord was pleased to make it the vital element of His church, eliminating the Hebrew Bible. e) “The Lord and the Apostles used either the Hebrew text or the Greek.” Compare. Economos writes out 238 passages from the Old Testament, cited by the Apostles in the new. From this number of texts, the most zealous detractors of the text 70 could extract only 22 texts, given, in their opinion, from the Hebrew text. But Economos, having explained the matter, came to the conclusion that out of 22 texts, 11 seem only to be taken from the Hebrew text, but in fact they were taken from the Greek; 7 texts are questionable, i.e. you can argue and pull them either to the Hebrew or to the Greek Bible. And only four texts are undoubtedly taken from the Hebrew Bible. After this, is it worth remembering that the New Testament writers also used the Hebrew text? and can any conclusion be drawn from this in favor of this latter? Add to this the fact that in the writings of the Apostles, in addition to these 238 passages cited with the meaning: “It is so written,” there are a great many phrases and figures of speech that are obviously taken from the Old Testament writings, but without indicating that they were taken from the scriptures. All of them are not according to the Hebrew, but according to the Greek text. Economos selected up to a thousand such places. From this it is clear that the New Testament is entirely imbued with the Old, only not according to the Hebrew, but according to the Greek text. The Lord's words on the cross do not defend the Hebrew text. f) As if St. The church used the Hebrew Bible. Where is it and when? Some writers sometimes referred to this text - and then only in special cases. But writers are not the church. In cathedrals, the church acted and spoke; but did any of them understand the Hebrew Bible?! Take writers too, but as a whole, not in fragments. How much did St. write? Chrysostom? But in his writings there are 5-10 places in which he refers to the Hebrew Bible, and then not with a preference for its Greek Bible, but only for considerations. The same ratio of the use of passages from the Hebrew Bible is found in other writers. What conclusion can be drawn from this state of affairs in favor of the Hebrew Bible? None. Some writers of the Church referred to the Hebrew Bible; That’s why we can sometimes relate to it, not out of preference for its Greek, but for considerations. And that's all. Take everything together - 18 1 2 centuries and thousands of church writers. They all used the Bible of the 70s. Here and there someone else will buzz in Hebrew. Can this be used as a justification for translating the entire Bible from Hebrew in preference to Greek? Economos reviews all the fathers and finds that, starting with the Apostolic men, they all knew only the Greek Bible. St. Barnabas cites up to 70 passages from the Old Testament, and all according to the Greek text. Ignatius the God-Bearer does the same, as does Clement of Rome and St. Polycarp. St. Augustine (26) argues with a Jew, and all the texts are based on the Greek Bible. And so on throughout the history of the Church. From this list it directly follows that the Orthodox Church truly did not know the Hebrew Bible. Church writers are the intelligentsia of the Church. If she barely glanced sideways at this Bible, what can be said about the entire body of the Church? g) That the Church knew the Hebrew Bible is evidenced by the attempts of the Russian Church. But the Russian Church is not the whole Orthodox Church, but a part of it. It can deviate from the truth, and in this regard is subject to corrective suggestions from other churches. Was it the Russian Church that made these attempts? No, some people. Moreover, it is not true that our previous translators corrected the text of the Slavic Bible into Hebrew. Read the history of the publication of the Bible under Elizabeth (Orthodox Review, 1860). All care was taken to ensure that the Slavic translation was in exact accordance with the Greek Bible. This was indicated by the royal decrees, this was suggested by the Holy Synod, this was what the translators had in mind. They began to print the Bible after bringing its translation into full agreement with the Greek. Then, having printed this Bible, readings began to be printed in church books based on this new translation. A sign that he was recognized as completely agreeing with the text used in the Church - and this one was Greek. It is true that the translators translated several passages closer to the Hebrew text. But they did this because they found in the readings of the Greek text readings corresponding to it, and not out of respect for the Hebrew text. That Russians should honor the Greek Bible more than the Hebrew Bible, this is what Metropolitan instills in them. Filaret in the article you know. His main idea is: the main text, which must be adhered to, must be Slavic, fully consistent with Greek; but sometimes you can turn to the Hebrew Bible. You can contact - whoever argues. But to whom? Scientists, when resolving issues, interpreters when interpreting. Other Christians will use only the results of these studies. But I don’t know how to let the entire Bible into the masses of people translated from Hebrew. h) Slavic and Greek texts are in many ways incomprehensible. True, what to do when the original Hebrew text, which came out of the hands of the Prophets, was not entirely clear?! Would you like to re-compose it to make it clearer? The apostolic writings are also incomprehensible; but who will re-compose them. The Masorets began to clarify the original Bible, and composed a new one, which, although clearer, is not the real one. In the article by Bishop Philaret there is a phrase: what is the use of a clear lie? To eliminate ambiguity, there is an interpretation. It is expected, not translation. For the translation is still not the end and requires explanation. “No problem, it is further said that the Greek, and according to it the Slavic text, are used in the church.” Amazing speech! Can we say that there is no harm in the fact that everyone and everywhere always used it in church? Yes, this is the basis and salvation of the church. Only someone who has become completely delusional and numb can say this. A condescending gift is expressed to the Church of God, but it doesn’t matter that it uses Greek and Slavic text. It is assumed that it should be Jewish, but let, for the sake of your infancy, you, the Orthodox Church, use Greek and Slavic. Stupid Protestantism thinks of us that way. This matches her pride: why should we take abuse from her for ourselves? i) “The translation was not made for use in the Church.” What – the Church? Are the stone buildings and liturgical books dead, or the body of believers? Of course, the latter. Consequently, when a translation is released into the environment of Christianity, it is released into the Church. And what if this translation contains the poison of lies? Then it will mean that through him poison has been introduced into the healthy body of our Church. It would be nothing if, while reading the Slavic Bible and encountering darkness in it, someone turned to the Russian translation and found the darkness clarified there. But what will he think when in the Russian translation he encounters something completely different, not only different, but also contrary to what he reads in the Slavic? This cannot but shake faith. The Word of God cannot speak one way or another: it is one. Because - or the Hebrew Bible speaks right - and then it must be followed; or Greek - and then the Jewish one must be abandoned. When, leaving the readings on the Greek text in the church books, they give into the hands a Jewish one, different from that one; what is imposed on the mind through this? If it cannot be said that there is truth here and there, then wouldn’t it be more direct to say that it is neither there nor here? Those. throw away all the Bible, and turn away from all revelation. Anyone who, leaning toward translation, begins to think that there is no truth in the Church Bible cannot free himself from the temptation that the Church does not teach the truth, that this truth must be sought elsewhere, and will abandon the Church. And whoever is more decisive will abandon all faith. I cannot expect any benefit from translating the Bible. It causes great harm. Our law when understanding the word of God is to turn to St. fathers. The Holy Fathers interpreted the Scripture as it is in the translation of the 70. Consequently, the new translation deprives us of the ability to understand the word of God in the Orthodox way; for he gives a different text from the one used by St. fathers. Translation moves us off the ground. New thoughts, a new church, a new era: this is what the translation brings! i) This is the only benefit of translation. There is no point in reaching for foreign and heterodox Bibles now: we have our own. But the question is: who will read it more, the educated or the simple? It seems like the last ones. The latter will only notice the difference between this translation and the church Bible. If harm occurs from seeing this difference, then the latter will experience all of it. Weigh each one and see whether there is more harm or benefit from the new translation. j) With Pavsky’s translation and its lithographed edition, who will compare the new translation. But that's it! It is said about him that the translators looked at both the Bible - i.e. both Greek and Hebrew, and in translation they conformed to one or the other, choosing from there, then from here, which seemed more suitable to them. I haven't tested it in this regard; but if this is true, it means that in translation we are given neither the Greek nor the Hebrew Bible, but a mixture of both - a newly composed Bible. I think this is even worse. k) A judgment was made very hastily about Economos. Four volumes, each more than a thousand pages long, are very difficult to fill with little details. It is true that he analyzes the matter to the smallest detail; but that doesn't mean he's got all the little things. When the Greek kingdom was established, due to the heterodoxy of the king and queen, many infidels gathered there and began to attack the Greek Bible. The fashionable Greeks, the scientists, also got carried away. Ekonomos fought with them at home from the beginning and killed them all. Then he went to Europe, examined all the libraries, extracted everything related to the translation of the 70 and the Hebrew text, and then presented everything he had collected at length. As a result, he comes up with: the Hebrew text is worthless; The real word of God is stored only in the Greek Bible of the 70s. And the Orthodox should stick to only this last one, and let that one (Heb.) lie on the side as a help. His work is capital work. You can't take him lightly. All the patriarchs wrote letters to him and approved of his views. This is in the 40s. At the same time, the Jewish Bible was also persecuted from us. This is the expression of the voice of the entire Church! l) You can treat the new translation with gratitude; but it cannot be considered the most authentic. - Besides, couldn’t something better be done for the Church of God than this translation? – I think it would be better to publish a translation of the Bible from Greek, with comments under the line for understanding the unclear. If this were the church Bible, the Orthodox, listening to the word of God in church, and then, coming home, reading the same thing in the Russian translation, would rejoice. And now what a joy it is to hear one thing in church and read something else at home? “I believe that this should make your heart ache and bewilderment.” They decided to give the Orthodox word of God in Russian translation. Good deed! The New Testament has been translated. Where did you get the text? In the Church. It seems that when starting to translate the Old Testament, it was also necessary to take the text that is contained in the Orthodox Church. “And they didn’t know where they took him.” What is the reason? No matter how they interpret it, translators cannot avoid the reproach of contempt for the Bible existing in the Church. They walked around this bible; which gave the idea that, according to their convictions, this Bible is not worth the trouble of translating it. They humiliated and spat on her as if she was unfit for business. This is the same as it is impolite to turn your back on someone else. Can this be tolerated, and can it remain without harmful consequences? – Contempt for the Bible contained by the Church is contempt for the Church. What example is being set?! The translators cannot get away from this, that is, from the fact that they despised the Bible existing in the Church and spat on it. If they had translated first from Greek, and then published a translation from Hebrew, it would have had a completely different meaning. Then we could probably say that the translation from Hebrew was made as an aid to understanding the Greek or Slavic Bible and has interpretive value. Now the publication of this translation cannot but leave the impression that the Greek Bible of the 70s has been recognized as worthless. Letter 1094. When sending books. Various answers and messages Well, that's about it. Nechaev published the article. I am sending you the prints. Here is the interpretation of the letter to the Philippians. Give reprints of the heel article to Stepan Anisimovich Burachk, and three copies of the interpretation of the message: he now has three families. Give Askochensky one piece each - both the interpretation and the reprint. Sorry for causing trouble. If necessary, please pass it on somehow. Afonets Arseniy, - he keeps inventing different things. I finally write to him that I don’t want him to print - I’ll get ready myself somehow - and ask him to return the manuscript. When he returns, then we’ll think about how to arrange this matter. And if he doesn’t return it, promising to print what and how he was given, then he must be given the printing. I don’t know anything about the union, and I’m a very bad historian. Koyalovich, the academy inspector, knows this story well. You would talk to him if you don’t go against him. He also printed one part in front of me. Whether I continued to print, I don’t know. The Church has always been governed by a council. Councils wrote laws, and shepherds carried them out, and thus ruled the Church. To interpret the Psalter - maybe the hunt will come. And I’ll sit down to begin. Otherwise we’re just writing plans, but there’s no action. You can print in parts - 50 psalms. The interpretation is not broad. His Eminence Porfiry translated the Psalter from Greek and published it in the “Proceedings of the Kyiv Academy”. He's from Kostroma. If only he had thought of translating the entire Old Testament! I'm healthy. God bless. I wish you all the best from the Lord! Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. November 9, 1875 Letter 1095. More on the case regarding the defense of the LXX translation I looked through what was written by the Most Reverend Agafangel, and made my notes, which will go on hard - with an appendix and brochures of my article. I forgot to mention one thing: the prophecies are clearer. But they are generally clear even in 70 people. The Jews, however, distorted whatever prophecies they could, especially those cited by the Apostle. I remember one thing: do not let Your venerable one see corruption. Among the Jews: you will not allow your saints to see the tomb or the ditch. There are many such misinterpretations. You can take up the Psalter. Laziness overcomes everything; but perhaps. I'm preparing for debate by re-reading Economos. What a wonderful husband this Economos is! How does he sharpen the crafty Protestantism?! It’s not convenient for me to have a conversation with the Most Reverend Agathangel. He is outdated in his opinions on this subject, and it is difficult to talk him down. Be healthy and cheerful! I wish you all the best from the Lord! Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. Send a reprint of Zederholm's article. I do not have the 1874 “Soulful Reading.” Letter 1096. After reading the critical article by Prof. Gorsky on the question of the comparative merits of the texts of the Hebrew and LXX commentaries I received your two letters together. “Orthodox Review” came immediately. The first impression of her is very unpleasant. And I didn’t think to answer. He got everything mixed up. And he refutes his idea about the exceptional significance of the translation of the 70. But further analyzing my points, I made some bad turns of phrase. There is no trace of answering him based on his tone. I think, in addition to him, I should write some additions to my article, which will contain the answer. You cannot baptize children with Gorsky himself. But it is necessary to discourage the bad impression that his article may leave. This can be done soon, but it will hardly make it into the January “Readings” book. But I'll hurry. Gorsky’s speech is not worth a serious answer. Read more carefully and you will see. She fogs the first time. I am returning Lavrov’s letter. He is Orthodox. And there are many like that: but the whole teaching has almost become hypnotic. I'm healthy. The cold makes it difficult to go out onto the balcony. If you go, you will always catch a cold. And my catarrh will begin to torment me. So you’re not going to the yard. The trouble is not great. You'll feel a little saltier. There's a holiday in the yard. Congratulations. Congratulate those you know who come to hand. God bless you with every blessing! Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. December 16, 1875 Letter 1097. Decision not to respond to Gorsky’s article. Plans to protect the LXX translation I mustered up the strength to send you the money you spent on me. They will come in a special package. Thank you. I won’t write a response to Gorsky. I quit a long time ago. And I will add to the previous article a few lines similar to those written in response to His Eminence Agafangel. They will clear up the whole matter. It is inconvenient for Gorsky to answer because of his many turns of speech that cannot be missed, and if you touch him, you will enter into an argument similar to the abuse of merchant women. It occurred to me to sit down and translate the Bible 70 times from Greek, with comments justifying the Greek text and condemning the Hebrew. I don’t know whether this will work, but it’s stuck in my head and is spinning. I can hear that Mr. I-r is angry with me for the article. Why be angry? I wrote to him about everything from Tambov. There was no answer. And now, at first I thought about writing to him, but I changed my mind. You will only tie yourself down, but there will be no point. So I decided to call out to him in addition to him. If you heard something, don’t hide it. I will send my addition to “Soulful Reading” - in January. It will be published in the February book. In the January issue, he asked to print that there would be no answer to Gorsky, due to his great scholarship. God bless you and have mercy! Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. January 2, 1876 Letter 1098. On the same case and on different subjects I’ll write and write a few lines, in addition to the previous article. The first is an extract from the article of the deceased Bishop of Moscow. The second is from Economos: what kind of bible was in the hands of the Apostles? Which one did they pass on to the Church and which does the Church always use? Third - How do they look at Jewishness in the East today? These articles will be very sufficient to explain the matter. Write out the damage to the Masoretic Bible, - i.e. the current Jewish one - there is no need. This is a long song and controversial. You won't get to the end. One this way, the other another. Father Arseny is there with you?! And I wrote to him on Athos, through Odessa. Maybe the letter will reach him. But when it comes, please tell him that I am not at all averse to him publishing the collection. Therefore, to return the manuscript to me, let him wait until he receives that letter. There are conditions spelled out there that disagree with his ideas. That he sent money, what a loss. Use it wherever you want. I never hold back money, and I unwind everything. So keep them when they happen. Please send the service for the 25th that you wrote about. It is very advisable to see what the essence of the matter is. By the way, attach notes to it. Please inquire whether the Synod shops have the Greek Bible, published by the Synodal Printing House in 1820. This is the Alexandrian text. I have the Vatican one, and the Tischendorff one, but I don’t have this one. Please help me, I need to write her out. The Psalter was translated from Greek by Rev. Porfiry. Published in Proceedings. He is your fellow countryman. Order him to publish it separately. Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. January 15, 1876 Letter 1099. The saint's own selflessness. Request to send paints I warned you - in response to your proposal! Let them print. They give me two hundred copies, but they want to send me money, but they don’t want to. This is not included in my calculation. I yield to them this prayer for the sake of my many sins, and not for the sake of profit. So I wrote to Odessa to Fr. Arseny - but he wants the collection to be given over to the monastery forever. This cannot be resolved now. We need to finish it, then think about a concession. Write the preface you want. I forgot which one I wrote. I remember there was something promised there. Wouldn't it be better to throw it away? About the money sent to me. – When you have extra ones, you find something you need, buy it and send it. Currently I need a set of watercolor paints of the best quality - the smallest - with 6 colors, but the most well prepared. In a box, and with the necessary accessories. Let o. Arseny will give me such a treasure. I wish you all the best from the Lord. Bow to Fr. Arseny. I have not yet received the January book “Soulful Reading”; When I receive it, I will send my new lines. How not to irritate your St. Petersburg officials. Be healthy and cheerful. Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. January 26, 1876 Letter 1100. About changes in service on December 25. Postponement of writing a controversial article I received what was sent! Thank you. It is a pity that important lines are omitted from the service or the prayer itself, but this does not cause any harm. Omitted, excellently done for St. Petersburg, and for foreign missions. It is very awkward for the French and Germans who understand Russian to hear that they are boiy and beastly, and so on. - but I think that this could be expressed differently, but the main idea can be maintained: for it is very edifying. - But how it’s done; let it. Liturgical articles are not inspired writings. They can be changed without sinning - meaning only creation, and not destruction. The Bible that I asked you to inquire about is not this one that you sent, but a Greek one, published by some Greeks (I think the Lazarides) in Moscow - in the year 20 or so. Please search. It is from the Codex Alexandria. I have the Vatican one. There is also Tischendorf's - Sinai. But this one is not there, but it would be desirable to have it. What I promised to add to the previous article has not yet been written; and will not have time to be written even for the March book. It's almost over now. I won't rush. I will send the April one in March. With fasting, with a lean stomach, there is more rage - both strength and effect. There is no need to rush; We’ll still have time to get plenty of people together. Send the preface to the collection. The name of the collector should not be used. To mean only – a publication by the people of Athos. It will be more impressive. Arseny wrote and sent paints; but too much. All good things. Congratulations on your post. Be healthy and cheerful. I wish you all the best from the Lord. Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. February 17, 1876 Letter 1101. Timid defender. On the history of the Philokalia and interpretations I wrote a little and sent it to “Soulful Reading”; I don’t know if they would have time to print it, because we were held up by water and we were locked up for two or three weeks. Maybe they'll make it in time! – I don’t dare write: the Synod is here. He's very embarrassed right in the face. - But still. I looked through the entire service you sent, and apart from the release of some words in the prayer, there is no difference. Send what you have there. There is no need to write or remember about the compiler of the Philokalia. Let it go - like the work of the Athonite elders. It will be more impressive. The second issue - I thought of compiling from the statutes of Pachomius, Basil the Great, St. Benedictus and Cassian. Now I see that Cassian alone compiled a large book. Therefore, those three charters need to be printed separately. And they will make up the second issue, and Cassian will be the third. – We’ll see what’s next. I am writing to the Romans as soon as I finish, so I will publish it separately, not in magazines. – When you print to Romans, I’ll move on to both Corinthians, and so on. As it happens, money will be collected. Help us Lord! – don’t worry about working hard in this matter. I'm healthy! Glory to God! and a holiday is in the yard. Congratulations. May God grant you bright joys on bright days. Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. March 28, 1876 Letter 1102. On the artistic performance of the Jesus Prayer I hasten to tell you what you need. – In those articles that will be included in the first issue, there is nothing about smart doing. The conversation about the artistic performance of the Jesus Prayer began with Gregory of Sinaite in the 13th century and after. - It’s a long way from there. Then we’ll decide whether to publish about this! - However, I’ll say in advance that the thought has already occurred to me - to skip those articles that talk about this, and finish the collection with Simeon the Theologian. Saying the Jesus Prayer, as we all learn to do, is a good deed. In monasteries this is assigned as a duty. Would they really lay it on if it were dangerous?! The art that was invented and adapted to this prayer is dangerous. It plunges some into dreamy delusion, and others, it’s amazing to say, into a constant state of lust. “That’s why he needs to be advised against and prohibited.” – And the sweetest name of the Lord in simplicity of heart must be instilled in everyone, and everyone must be disposed to do so. I'm very glad that printing is underway. The second issue can also be published, without Cassian, who is in charge, and who meanwhile alone will make up a large book. In addition, the statutes of Pachomius, Basil the Great and Benedict in my manuscripts take about 200 sheets. Therefore, almost the same as the first issue. Happy Holidays. Bow to the elders on Mount Athos. I ask for their prayers. Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. April 1, 1876 Letter 1103. Upon receipt of a book with content hostile to monasteries I was late in replying to your last letter. I was waiting for a book that was moving lazily. So this is a treasure! – I haven’t re-read it yet. But I’ll tell you in advance that how should someone living in the outback answer this question? Where can I get numbers versus numbers? - Will a magpie on its tail bring it? – Let the local rulers order the abbots to write detailed articles about the property of the monasteries, and order them to be printed in the Diocesan Gazette. - That's all! Where is the Synod looking? Where is the prosecutor looking? Why don't the synodal people force him to do so? All concessions, yes concessions. Here the theaters are open during fasting: what did the synodal officials say against this?! If everyone gives in like this, then perhaps they will want to destroy monasticism. – Autocracy plays out when it does not meet opposition. It's everywhere! – And from the government itself. But what will happen if the monasteries are closed? Monasticism is not connected to monasteries, like the soul is to the body. In another way they will begin to monk. Like blueberries, like old cave dwellers or beekeepers. Workers will form houses - and live like monks - just as the Arzam community and the like were born. Maybe it will be better. Because there is nothing to be horrified here. - God's will be done. They did not honor the monasteries because they did not honor the monks; and they did not honor the monks because we, the monks, became worthless. I judge by myself. I should be kicked out of the monastery with a log. We need to lift our monastic spirit. - But how? – The great elders, the founders of the monasteries, foresaw this. There is nothing to do. The spirit of the world takes power! - Covers everyone. “And that’s where the root is.” – The Synod must oppose him. Lord have mercy on us. I wrote to “Soulful Reading”; it didn’t go into the April book; will be in May. He also wrote a few lines in the Church Bulletin. I don't know if this will be published. After reviewing the book, I’ll take a look, maybe and write something. Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. April 18, 1876 Letter 1104. Upon the publication of an article in defense of the translation of LXX. Various answers and reviews We finally got the article. I also received prints. I'll send you more. Give it to someone. Will it give birth to something? Which Gorsky will he call? The Church Messenger doesn't print something. Meanwhile, the matter is spelled out there, although not widely. Maybe it’s not easy for the editor to print it, since the head of the translation is in charge. So run to him sometime and take it. Where should she go? – I think you should send it there, to “Soulful Reading”. I am writing about this to Fr. Vasily. And afterwards I will always insist that the Church should listen, and its direction should not be changed. Koretskaya is ruining everything for you. What to do? Work hard. I don’t know a single beauties who would be fit to be an abbess. - This is a tricky thing! – However, don’t rush into changes. Slowly so that there is less noise. Is there a serviceable abbess somewhere? Then it is easier to change than to replace. Dissenters are stirring up trouble among our legislators. Let them guess what they guess. “And they want to give the Molokans something they don’t need.” The Molokans are not harmless, just like the Bezpopovtsy and the Stundists. Turkey will definitely be in trouble. But I'm afraid that my European friends will fight. They’ll start shouting: but for me, and for me, and chaos will ensue. God forbid. I'm healthy; I wish the same for you, with an addition of constant calm and cheerfulness. A lust was born - to see what the “Citizen” was - and sent money, a long, long time ago. There was a month-long ban on "Citizen", but it must have ended already. But they still don’t send Citizen. If you pass by this gentleman, give him a push in the side and say: what the heck! Letter 1105. Urges to travel. More to the case of the defense of the Greek text against the “Mazoretchina” Why are you silent?! You're probably walking around somewhere. What happiness it is for people to go for a walk! and I get spanked often. So he would have given up - then to Voronezh and Zadonsk, then to Kyiv, then to Athos, then even to Jerusalem. - This is the kind of restlessness that is instilled in someone who has retired. Is it on the right or on the left? Please take it apart. “Soulful Reading” printed what was sent. – Reprints were promised, but there are none yet. I'll send it when I receive it. I also wrote to the academy, to the Church Bulletin. I don’t know if they will print it? “If they don’t print it, I asked that the piece of paper be passed on to you, and I ask you to take it and take care of it, in case it’s useful somewhere.” And it can be found in “Soulful Reading”. I don't want to argue that much. The Masorettes are all torn apart from the effort. My St. Petersburg leaf is not talking about this - about that, i.e., that there is no need for them to pout and praise their masorets. The strength is not in the fact that there is less Jewish here and there, but in the kind of Bible the Church had in its hands. And they are all their own, letters and letters. Is the Philokalia making progress? – I wish him success. But don’t announce the collection. O. Arseny wrote that he begged the entire guardianship to accept you. God help you! I am healthy, and henceforth I trust in the Lord. The ruler of Kyiv has lost his spirit! “Before you know it, they’ll call you.” It is proper to do things before the day is over. Save you, Lord! Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. May 16, 1876 Letter 1106. When sending reprints of the defense article. Answer about mental prayer, schismatics and other subjects I am sending you reprints of the article in “Soulful Reading”. Give Stepan Onisimovich - 5 or 10 - to distribute, and distribute it yourself to whomever you know. – I also wrote more broadly about the same thing in the Church Bulletin. – When would they publish it! How has mental prayer been since the 9th century? - mental prayer from time immemorial. There is no other prayer than smart prayer. – We were not talking about mental prayer, but about the artistic production of the Jesus Prayer, which is unjustly called mental prayer. – When the mind talks with God in the heart, that’s mental prayer! “You shouldn’t mix any kind of art into this matter.” – And this article should be completely abandoned. Don't argue or mention her. The Philokalia proceeds very lazily. And this should put St. Petersburg to shame. – For me, however, it’s all the same. – It’s hot here, and I’m lazy. - However, I wrote some of the 118 ps. for the conversation, and now I’m adding little by little to the Romans. "Citizen" is sent. Yes, he is a good person. God bless him. He would have waved something - about the Bible. Or you will extract what comes to mind from the article in “Soul. Thu." and give it to him. “He mentioned something about it.” But neither this nor that. - He needs to speak Orthodox. About schismatics - or benefits for them! - Maybe for the better. There will be someone to act on them through. – We must allow them to start their own seminary and academy; - drops will come from these - and turn everything upside down, schismatic I mean. The split is maintained by extreme ignorance. – When the conditions of salvation are clear, it will also become clear that all schismatic dogmas are not dogmas, but wasteland! - And the end of the split. It is in vain that the Molokans and Stundists are included in the schism. - These are our Protestants! The inconveniences you encounter serve as proof that your deeds are not bad and salty for the enemy. He raises mountains of obstacles. Take heart and be strong! Be healthy and cheerful! - Why didn’t you tell me anything about the Greek Bible - the Alexandrian Bible, published here by the Lazarids - in 20 years! Where can I get it? - And how! It seems she was in the Synod shops. Look. Bless you, Lord, with Your all-generous blessing! Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. June 9, 1876 Letter 1107. Among the works on compiling the Philokalia and interpretations Now I have received two of your letters at once - one dated July 5, the other dated August 3. – Where was that in July? - And I really wanted to write an announcement about the missing person No. You are all about beauties! - Warm up. And now you don’t know where you are, in your homeland, or in St. Petersburg? I am writing to St. Petersburg. It is a pity that this Greek Bible was not found; but there is no need to look for it in Greece. - Let's be patient. Printed sheets of the Philokalia have been sent. – I don’t read quickly. Let me take a closer look, what is there on pages 210–211? About prayer - whatever is needed in the collection, everything will be included. What do you mean by mental prayer? - Please tell me so that I can see on occasion what articles may relate to this subject, and how to title them. – There is no need to compose or write an article about this for the collection; for the collection will be entirely from articles of the godly wise fathers, and not from our sinful wisdom. In the second volume of the collection, charters are proposed. They are already ready - St. Pachomius, St. Basil the Great, St. Venedicta. St. thought the same way. Cassiana. But his writings alone would fill a whole volume; Therefore, it is better to print it separately either as the 3rd volume, or as the second issue of the second volume. This is what the publisher wishes. I'm healthy. God bless! I’m moving a little further through the book of Romans. I will send either all or half of the Second Epistle to the Corinthians to “Soulful Reading.” They ask. Laziness has overcome me, and I’m unlikely to finish going to the Romans soon. It's very clever. I also sent a few more lines to “Soulful Reading.” This will be the end and I will no longer write theology. Oh yes, you are in your Sudislavl. I'll send it there. Letter 1108. On the history of the Saint’s author’s works Where did you go? I wrote to you in your famous Sudislavl. And this is a long time ago. It’s true they didn’t receive it, or they parted ways. What is Patericon? They said it would be out by October. And he will hardly make it by November. I have a few of his sheets. I think less than half. When you send all the sheets, I’ll review them, mark the chapters and return everything at once. The statutes are ready. And we missed it. There's St. Cassian has been translated and is already in print. A certain Bishop Peter translated and published it. But there is no need to grieve. This is better for our collection. In this case, I will select from him the essence of his teaching about asceticism and spiritual advancement. Both shorter and more useful. There are too broad arguments there that are not entirely necessary for us. The ambiguity you noticed depends on the omission of an entire line. I think it is not my copyist who is to blame, but the proofreader, and especially the last proofreader who held and wrote to me about this thing. Try to exact more strict penalties from him. My debates over the Bible are over. I lost all desire to fight. And I won’t write any more. I'm pulling out Romans. Goes wide. I think this is better. Because we Russians love to talk. And the interpretation must certainly correspond to this trait of our character. I wish you all the best from the Lord. Be healthy and cheerful. Tambovsky to Ryazan. To Tambov from St. Petersburg - also Palladia. What? Shout without hesitation. Letter 1109. About Archimandrite. Lavrentie You congratulate me on my name day. Thank you for your well wishes; but I have a birthday in Lent - in March. Let's count it forward. I know the least about Father Lawrence. I visited him often at the academy; but there was almost never any talk about his circumstances. Usually, the way you saw him is how he always is. The main thing about it is freedom from anger. An image of meekness. I have never seen him angry. Sometimes he will seem to speak angrily; but the tone of speech always betrayed him, and showed that he was pouting to get angry, but did not know how. I didn’t find him in the seminary anymore, or I was in literature, as was the case at that time, and I didn’t raise my attention to theologians. At the academy he lived very secludedly and hardly went anywhere. All houses and houses. When there is a holiday of fellowship, he will say: I will come, I will come, and the next day he will apologize; I was just about to get ready, but they interrupted me. Frakov couldn’t stand it, he kept scolding them, and he made up a shameful story about them. He was more fasting, and his face seemed full, but his body was almost non-existent. There’s no stomach,” he burst in. When he puts on a tailcoat, he comes out like a board, a sergeant. The cassock and cassock brightened everything up. And he became full. The first and last weeks - I only had lunch once on Wednesday during the first. And on Holy Day - on Wednesday and Thursday - the food was generally meager, even though they had a common table. I was planning on getting married. The bride chose two teas. No, it didn't work. The late Bishop Filaret used to return from St. Petersburg and upon meeting him would say: well, Makarov, I came to tonsure you. Just kidding! And he did cut it. We often went to the Lavra. On Sundays and holidays. The professors all treated him with respect. He was a man of advice and consolation. I can't say anything more. Wonderful husband! About mental prayer. It would be good to write; Yes, I don’t have enough strength. The husband who prays needs to do this. Here the Right Reverend Ignatius wrote: Let them be content with this. And Macarius of Optina, in one letter, was very unfavorable towards those who cling to this matter with pretentious methods. Start telling the truth, we need to blaspheme these methods. But then they will be cursed and die from the world. It's better to remain silent. Who is the Optinets you are waiting for? Isn't it Zederholm? What's his name? And why did he not once remember the great sinner Vyshinets? God help you finish this collection. It's time! It's time! - What about Arseny? – Lost trust, or is it needed there?! What's not going? Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. October 24, 1876 Letter 1110. When sending a new preface for a spiritual collection. About my written works. Request for the “Russian Archive” The previous preface is no good. Somehow I scraped together a new one, and although it’s not pretty either, it’s still better than the old one, at least more humble. I forward it, and humbly ask you to print it instead of the previous one, which is under the bench. I think it wouldn’t be a bad idea to add the following at the end: “We accompany our collection with a sincere desire that lovers of spiritual reading will find in it what the compiler wanted to put into it for them” (one must certainly add). It seems that something needs to be added: otherwise the speech is left there as if without end. – As for the originator’s signature, it should not be there under any circumstances. – This was part of the conditions for transferring the publication to the people of Athos. Your proposal to compile an alphabetical index of instructions is a good deed. But I think that this should be done at the end of the entire publication; here it will be scarce for now. And the work is not small. After all, this is Egyptian work. “In the end, if I’m lazy, we’ll find someone.” Anything is necessary then, not now. Also missing from the list of sheets sent is 15:16, 17:18 – from pages 224 to 289. Please send it as soon as possible. I’ll postpone the review until then so that I can review everything in one breath. One book is coming to an end. If this goes well, we need to hurry with the publication of the second one: which is all ready. Charter of St. Cassian was already published in Tambovskie Vedomosti. I thought of publishing it as a special book, but it is already being published. – Why is the statute printed in a series of statutes, but we will extract from the rest and place it in the third or further book. What interests me most is to bring into the system memorable legends, Lavsaik, Limonar, the history of the God-lovers. Patericon of the edition of “Soulful Reading” - and mine from St. Savva. It will be, I imagine, something very complete. A complete picture of ascetic life. “But this is work, maybe for a whole year, or maybe more than one.” - The sayings are all edifying; but when they are arranged, they appear like a pile of sand. It will be good to unite them or combine them like cement, with some plan. Everything will fall into place. In the present, 1 Corinthians is over. I sent the second one. For he goes to the Romans lazily, stopping at the 7th chapter. Here again it will go at a snail's pace. I’m thinking of starting a full edition when I’ve finished all the messages. Then we will devote all our diligence to correcting them. And death is behind us. - Lord have mercy! - Well, what should we do? Then someone will finish the unfinished work. Do me a favor and help me. Here's the thing. It would be desirable for me to have the “Russian Archive” in its entirety, since 1971 I have subscribed from the publisher, and from the first years - the publisher sends me to receive it from someone in St. Petersburg, in Apraksin Dvor, from the bookseller Vaganov - but does not prescribe the conditions, at what price, and how to send it. Run by this gentleman in passing, inquire and tell me. Is it possible to get other publications from the “Archive” there, which were former, separate from the “Archive”, 18th century. From previous years up to 71, I only have 67 and 68. Congratulations on your post. Be healthy and cheerful. I wish you all the best from the Lord. And I forgot: - In the titles there is no need to mention something new, but simply: “Philokalia”, in the Russian translation, with additions to it. Price – 3 rubles. expensive. Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. November 22, 1876 Letter 1111. The Saint’s concern upon hearing about a German article about the Holy Trinity published in a spiritual journal N-lay V-vich! Let competent people take up the article about the Holy Trinity. There came out the protocols of the St. Petersburg department of lovers of spiritual enlightenment with some additions of German articles about the Holy Trinity... Send it to me as soon as possible. There is definitely something unclean there... Bring others to this book so that they will pay attention. The Germans cannot reason according to Orthodoxy. Everyone lies. It’s true that Lange, who was placed there, is lying. They have everything... God is developing. The developing God is not God: for such at every moment becomes not what he was. And the true God is always what is... Letter 1112. About the same thing. God cannot be called evolving N-lay V-vich! Why are you sending me “Christian Reading”? I asked you to send not this, but a collection of protocols of St. Petersburg zealots of spiritual enlightenment, to which is attached a translated article by the German theologian Lange on the difference between the Orthodox teaching about the Holy Trinity and German wisdom. – I assume that in this part of that collection there is a kind of wisdom similar to that in the article in “Christian Reading”. So send me this. This book is sold by Korablev. Instruct him to send it as soon as possible. And “Christian. Thu." I'll return it to you. As for the article in “Christian Reading,” it does not require a strict refutation, but only a reminder that God cannot be called developing. The whole article is based on this. Whatever the line, God is evolving. – The God of the developing is not God. And if the Holy Trinity is explained from the concept of the development of the essence of the deity, then we must assume that first the Son manifested itself, then the Holy Spirit. And a moment of time will enter into the relationship of the persons of the Holy Trinity, which will degrade Orthodox teaching. For according to this teaching, God is always Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Neither the Son nor the Spirit began to be, but their essence is co-originating with the Father, just as in the church it is sung: “The Word co-originating with the Father and the Spirit,” and so on. I wish you all the best from the Lord! Be healthy and good-natured! Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. March 3, 1877 Letter 1113. Feedback regarding the outbreak of war with Turkey. Blessing "Citizen" Thank you for your prayer on the occasion of the war. All glory to God! Let's pray. The mail will bring us something tomorrow. You are so happy. All your news becomes known immediately upon birth. We only know that the Emperor is going to go to Moldova. God bless his path! They waited forcibly. For this means that the road for the army is located beyond the Danube. March! March! God help you! - our other soldiers! The Meshchersky prince skates well - in “Citizen”. If you see him or anyone known to him and you, give him the blessing of the Highest for firm health regarding everything that concerns us Orthodox. Say that all Orthodox Christians are with him for one thing. The dirty trickster (England) agrees to the independence of Romania, intending to place it under the general guarantee of the powers, like Belgium. Its goal is to completely isolate Russia from Turkey - and it would not be able to move forward as freely to Turkey as it is now - with one mutual agreement with Romania. It is necessary to continue the song that Romania will receive absolute independence without guarantees, so that now and at any time it can enter into an agreement with whomever it wants. We need to take control of the entrance to the Bosphorus from the Black Sea. Otherwise all sorts of rubbish, little or little disagreement, rushes in with their ships and gnaws at our outskirts. God bless you and have mercy! Pray to God for me, a sinner! Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. May 27, 1877 Letter 1114. Feelings regarding the ongoing war with Turkey. Stundist propaganda of P. Chicherin and a request for its suppression God bless your housework! Our war is going on, but how slowly?! There is not enough patience to wait. I wish they would push the Turk as soon as possible, and he’d be gone. – But there – in Asia – something is wrong. – If not cunning, then... Help me, Lord, bring some sense to the military leaders, inspire the soldiers. There is a certain uneasiness in my soul. If you can, help not me, but the cause. The point is this; – We’ve heard about a certain Vasily Chicherin, once an adviser to the French embassy. “He was a praying mantis, and he came across some kind of sect there, got carried away, and even became something like their priest.” He was invited to stay there, but he refused, saying: I have a native Russia; she needs to be enlightened, and now, having left the service, he is now jealous of his sect in Russia. You can’t figure out what his beliefs are, but apparently they are not Orthodox. He doesn’t go to church, doesn’t take communion, turns his nose up at icons, and the like. All with the gospel or new testament. Stundist - real. But that's not the point. Let him do what he wants. Here's the thing! He went to war - not to fight, but to seduce the Orthodox. He will wander around the infirmaries. And since there most of all one can meet souls who are willing to listen about the salvation of the soul, he hopes to seed his sect through this. Abaza, the chief manager of the hospital department, was the vice-governor in Tambov, and a friend of the Chicherin family. Sister of Vasily Chicherin for Emmanuel Naryshkin. This Emmanuel and his wife went at their own expense (very rich) to take care of the sick and themselves in Chisinau (introduced themselves to the empress). So you see - Abaza and his wife, and Naryshkin and his wife - the most influential people in the hospitals. Under their patronage, Vasily Chicherin will seduce the Orthodox, seducing them into his sect, will dive into hospitals with the gospel, abusing it to the destruction of souls. He is of a quiet disposition and talks all about the Savior. This is not bad - but what he deduces from this is bad - neither the church, nor the sacraments, nor the saints, and don’t remember the monks. Now to you, b.b. It is obvious that there is a danger for Orthodox souls - and there is something to worry about. What to do? It is necessary to arrange for Vasily Chicherin to be escorted out of there, despite the fact that he holds the Gospel in his hands - without any reservations. If you know people through whom you can act, then tell them that, whether they want to inquire about Chicherin or directly order the deportation, they act in addition to Abaza and Naryshkin, and without even turning to them on this matter: for although they hardly, due to indifferentism, adhere to the thoughts of this Chicherin, they will not give him up, even though they know his guilt. Here's your task! Please resolve it in the most satisfactory manner. There is nothing more to write about. God bless you! Save yourself! Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. July 8, 1877 Letter 1115. More about Chicherin and his minions. Feedback and thoughts on the progress of military operations with Turkey Did you properly punish Ave. Pavel to conduct the business secretly from Naryshkin and Abaza? Naryshkina was already with him, she lured money from him, first 100 rubles, and then another 200. She used it for business, but it will go under her own name, although she will not say so to anyone. But just as she won’t tell anyone that St. Paul donated so much, and meanwhile will spend his own, then these too will go under her own. She is so insinuating, and so knows how to lead by the nose, that in Tambov they don’t call her anything other than sly. That’s why I’m painting this side! If you gave even the slightest hint to St. Paul that he wrote to you, then the evil one will certainly deceive him and he will tell her this. Then how can I fight back?! But, maybe, this won’t happen. Probably the heretic Vasily himself visited him (at St. Paul’s) and spoke sweetly; and m.b. and he wasn’t, because he considers us all to be either superstitious or bad believers, not understanding the matter. You remember the year 12. Chicherin is younger than that time - and gained wisdom during some walk in Belgium or the Netherlands - this is not wonderful. And the war is on. I wish it went better; but it’s true that we had enough intelligence for that. Our army is brave. May God grant our leader a managerial mind. Yesterday I heard rumors that Plevna had finally been taken and that 30 thousand Turks had been killed. Although this is generally about those who are out of action, it is still a very comforting thing. If this army is upset, then there will be no stopping anywhere. Another day and Sofia is ours, and there along the road is Philippopolis - and Adrianople, where the Turks are gathering, where ours will surely be drawn in greater numbers - through Shipka. God bless. Or maybe ours will go to Rushchuk and Shumla in order to destroy the troops here, or drive him into the fortress. - Have mercy on us, Lord, and bring us to understanding! Letter 1116. Regarding rumors about the recognition of illegal marital cohabitation Write something about marriage, God bless you. I can't help you. There you have all the sources of wisdom, both earthly and unearthly. Scoop it up. And this subject has always been foreign to me. The sacrament of marriage must be urgently accepted by all Christians as Christians. But who will forbid the government from recognizing lawless cohabitation as legal not for the sake of these lawless people, but for the sake of their children, who are in no way guilty of the iniquities of their parents. To ensure them, some kind of regulations are needed: for their lawlessness is growing and expanding. The Church has only a request to the government - not to make innovations, and then recognize those who enter into cohabitation outside of church knowledge as lawless, and subject them to appropriate penances, demanding that they separate. If they don’t listen, then all that remains is to recognize them as pagans and tax collectors. May God grant the patience and courage of the church authorities to find out with firmness that then half of St. Petersburg and Moscow will have to be like pagans and tax collectors. But the war will make the Emperor even more Orthodox, and he will not allow such innovations. I am amazed at the opinion given in favor of innovation! These heads?! There is no one to wash them! Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. September 12, 1877 Letter 1117. Disease about the Athonites. On the course of military operations with Turkey God's mercy be with you. God have mercy on Afontsev! It would be a pity if the rogue Greeks took everything into their own hands and ruined everything. As a result of the war, it is necessary to take half of Athos for the Russians and half for the Bulgarians. And let the Greeks watch from under their hands. Do you see how our people distinguished themselves in Asia? The Transdanubian people are envious and are scheming to first catch Osman alive, and then subject Suleiman to a similar fate. God help them! Our army must winter in the Maritsa Valley, in front of Adrianople or even Constantinople. Amen! Amen! Amen! Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. October 23, 1877 Letter 1118. On the history of the book “What is Spiritual Life” This is what I have - recently made. Letters about what spiritual life is and how to get better at it. Numbering 80, on 19 or so six-sheet notebooks. Much has been interpreted, but not everything yet. Two more such packs are expected. Question: How to print them. I was thinking of sending it to “Soulful Reading”; this part alone will last for a year and a half. I thought about “Home Conversation”. And there too. I have to print it specially. How? By yourself? Or offer it to the people of Athos? I am writing to Arseny. As he pleases. Do you know why Arseny began to resist? I once wrote - to seduce the people of Athos - I don’t remember what to print. He thinks that when they offer him to print, they are seducing him. And he becomes alienated. These letters, I think, are not without interest. Written to a young beauty. The publication must be untitled. So we came across a beauty. This is a small part of the letters actually written. Most of it has been compiled again. The next part will all be composed again, but this one will be written after 2 hours of the Philokalia. To Rev. Don’t write to Pavel anymore. He and Naryshkina get along well. Therefore there is nothing to write. They left the understanding of the truth to the will of God by Orthodox soldiers. Someone else will frighten this apostle so much that he won’t even get his teeth together. Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. November 25, 1877 Letter 1119. Cases of a good death. Regarding rumors about making peace with the Turks The death of Kazansky is very instructive. It was his guardian angel who inspired him to arrange it this way. Recently in Arzamas one merchant also died. Walking prepared for death; confessed, received communion (and received unction with oil, I don’t remember) and gave orders to everything. Everyone didn’t believe that death was approaching, even though he had a cold, but when he got everything right, he began to cramp, cramp inside, until he fell into oblivion, and after three days he passed away. Why have you become such a fidget? - In old age, people are still, but you flutter like a bird. Peace - thank God! I don't know the points. There is a rumor that Thessaloniki and Athos will fall to the Bulgarians. Ours is a joy, but the Greeks, don’t be afraid, are sharpening their teeth. How will the management be?! After all, Athos is similar to the patriarchal stauropegia? – Or they’ll settle it again! – I have already congratulated Arseny and all the Athos residents in his person. Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. March 6, 1878 Letter 1120. Political considerations regarding the results of the war with Turkey. On the issue of cases being considered in the Synod Where is politics going?! – It seems that there will be no conference. Which I'm very happy about. Nobody wants to say: I agree with what Russia has done, but fighting for it is not in the order of things. Silently and they will let you through. – And time will approve and legitimize what has been done. It seems that this will be the outcome. And the outcome is the best, given the current state of affairs. But think of a way to hurt England?! I just want to bite her and make her squeal with unwholesome obscenities. She is the most unscrupulous s-na! To what is being discussed in secret at the Synod, I wish you a smart and useful solution for the Church. “But who knows—wouldn’t it be more useful to recognize the schismatic hierarchy?” – What about marriages?! – The problem is marriages. We are completely shaken. - May God arrange everything for the best. Save yourself, and pray to God for us! Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. March 25, 1878 Letter 1121. Where does evil come from in the world. Were the fallen angels free? Where are souls before birth? About dreams. Patriotic impulses Grant you, Lord, to taste the joy of the resurrection? the Lord, and partake of His strength. Why did you drag out some kind of philosophical talk and pile up such questions that you can’t even imagine. 1) Where does evil come from in the world? - Not from God; but God allowed it; because the goal for which the world was created can be achieved with evil as well as without evil. The source of evil is in freedom, which did not want to submit to the will of God. 2) Was the fallen angel free? - Of course. - In Scripture, where it speaks of angels, it is spoken everywhere in such a way that one cannot help but see that the one speaking about them recognizes them as free. It is also said that God did not spare the angels who sinned. If he did not spare him, he arbitrarily declared them sinners. - They are called the disobedient. Consequently, they had the freedom to submit. - Angels who have observed their rank are free to fall; but they will not want this because of the abundance of blessings they have tasted out of obedience to the will of God. The fallen are called those who did not observe their rank, those who did not submit. Consequently, the definite will of God and a definite indication of deeds were clearly told to them; like Adam in paradise. And what it is is not visible anywhere. 3) Where are souls before birth?! – Souls do not pre-exist. But I don’t know how they begin to be. – I distinguish between spirit and soul in a person. - The soul is the same as that of animals, and is obtained naturally from parents, like the souls of all animals - from the earth, from a certain world soul, first, and then naturally. However, the soul does not become material through this. – The spirit is inhaled by God, as in the beginning. – For the continuation of creatures is a repetition of their beginning. Everything that is in a person, who directs him from the earth to grief, belongs to the spirit. About this - the printed letters are interpreted - about the meaning, i.e. spirit, and not about origin. - There is a better solution: the soul is born, like the whole person, as God knows. I don’t remember what fathers talk about dreams. They don't favor them. Look at Barsanuphius and John; at Climacus. Isaac Syrian seems to have one. It is very nice to hear that such issues occupy society. But isn’t there a desire here to undermine faith by exposing insoluble contradictions? Faith is not omniscience, but only correct knowledge and possession of what is necessary for salvation. Faith saves and makes us wise only in the matter of salvation. Whether other wisdom exists with it or not is a matter of indifference. Are you going to fight or make peace?! I'm in a militant mood! – The English should be beaten up and the Austrians too. I regret that I am not Bova Korolevich. “If only I could get an invisibility hat and an airplane carpet.” - I wish I could take a walk among the English. The first Beaconsfield would be grabbed by the hair and dragged over London. Then he would have thundered: the same will happen to all of you for hostility towards Russia. Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. April 29, 1878 Letter 1122. On modern politics Political affairs are unpleasant. But there seems to be hope that everything will finally work out well. - Grant, Lord! The military, you see, will roll up their hands. “You have to fight and fight when need forces you.” “I am in awe of the actions of our government in the entire course of the matter. Bless it, Lord, with success, as it wisely and patiently conducts its business. Be healthy and cheerful. I wish you all the best from the Lord. Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. June 5, 1878 Letter 1123. On the interpretation of the Epistle to the Romans. Sorrows over the results of the Berlin Congress I sprinkle the book of Romans little by little. The dogmatic part ends. And that field. – The idea comes to try to print this message yourself, without giving it to the magazine. Passion is a great thing: a whole foot will come out in manuscript. There are already 47 notebooks. During the cleaning, maybe he will get smaller, and maybe he will get sick. I will send the second to the Corinthians when you notify. I read what Congress came up with. - It’s hard, extremely hard! - This is for us; and what about the Sovereign!? May the Lord comfort him! But it is true that it cannot be otherwise; It’s true that, not without reason, they were afraid of a coalition - against us. Start a new fight and everything could be lost. And now at least some of it has been retained. Congress, apparently, was not concerned about the benefits of the liberated peoples; and directed everything towards humiliating Russia. And on all points, without any need, he made cuts. What was the need to cut down what was spoken for Montenegro and Serbia, or what we had said in Asia? - None. But the division of Bulgaria was for no reason other than to serve as a pretext for war. But the Lord knows what he is building! - Surely it’s better this way, and blessed be His will. Save yourself and pray to God for us! Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. July 14, 1878 Letter 1124. Concerning the publication of an interpretation of the Epistle to the Romans. The assumption of compiling a dogmatic collection I kept waiting for you to come back to St. Petersburg and let me know, as you promised, but I’m already bored, not having news from you for so long. You express a desire to publish the Epistle to the Romans. Thank you. And I will not refuse to bother you with this in due time. But I have money. Only now there is no need to publish it. It is necessary to first finish all the messages, then begin a complete publication - in one format, in one font, and most importantly, after a thorough revision. Now, for now, the interpretation is in the dark. And then - linen. – Why do I decide to again hand over the printing of the Epistle to the Romans to “Soulful Reading”. By the time it finishes printing, I may have time to interpret all the other messages. And then I’ll sit down to strictly revise, correct, make a thread, and so on. and so on. And publish it. It's decided. – But I will send the Epistle to the Romans to “Soulful Reading” after I finish it all. Now it comes to the end of Chapter XIII. Three more to go. I write only in the morning, and you rarely write more than one poem. And three, once in a while, is it really going to take too much enthusiasm? After all, that's all laziness. Otherwise we should make a dogmatic collection. They began to speculate among us about the Most Holy Trinity and the incarnation of God the Word, and they began to speculate on absurdities. It is necessary to collect more patristic articles about these sacraments in order to teach everyone how to express themselves when speaking about them. I've already thought about how to do this. Write a history of the church’s struggle with Arianism, Nestorianism, Monophysites and Monothelites. Here these sacraments will be comprehensively and diversely explained, proven and defended. I would like to sit down and collect. - But mother does not order laziness. What will you do? “However, maybe I’ll gather my courage and drive this one away... She tormented me.” You now live in the countryside and enjoy life, but the city, especially the capital, is worthless. God bless you and have mercy! Be healthy and cheerful. Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. September 3, 1878 Letter 1125. On the history of the saint’s written works and their printing. The dam broke Where are you? Where are you? “I kept waiting for you to step into the throne and give me news, as you promised.” Not a sound, not a breath. Last year, under such circumstances, I wrote to St. Petersburg, and I was wrong. Now I am writing to Sudislav, hoping not to make a mistake. I began to prepare a dogmatic collection; but he demanded too much attention and began to discourage interpretation of the messages. Wanting to finally get this over with, I abandoned the collection. The book of Romans is over. I am going to publish it myself. The labor agent will be Alyosha. The printing will be supervised by the editor of “Soulful Reading”. - God save him! And the distribution is already God bless. Now I sit and re-read the rewritten interpretation of the book of Romans. – Rewritten in Tambov – behind the scenes, and there are some amendments. Meanwhile, half of the Epistle to the Colossians has been interpreted and sent to “Soulful Reading.” There will be one and a half thousand of these prints, i.e. a complete edition, so that you don’t have to worry about it later. Let's see which edition is happier?! That dishonesty is spreading, the government has heard enough of this. But it seems the dam has broken: you can’t take it over. What you wrote about publishing the issue in reprints, the execution above is inconvenient. And cooperation is also not suitable for such an enterprise. Vysha was now completely immersed in the interpretation of the messages. “Well, let her wander here like in a dream.” When she wakes up, then she will decide what else to impose on her - the Psalter, or the Gospel story? Bless you, Lord, with every blessing! Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. November 24, 1878 Letter 1126. News about modern bishops. The works of the saint and infirmities. Concern for the publication of Chrysostom's works My beloved N-lay V-vich! Glory to God! The merciful Lord still gives us time to repent! Are you going to Kazan? God help you! The ruler of that one is a great ruler. And from me show him deep respect. - The sooner the better. Settle the necessary and march. A rumor came from someone - not from Moscow - that the Moscow ruler was declining to retire. Choose. Who should take his place? The person who wrote that news also made a choice, but at the wrong time. – To Moscow – Kyiv; and to Kyiv - Kazan. - It will be the best thing. You are urging on the dogmatic collection and the Psalter. These are distant mysteries. Now on the shoulders is the interpretation of the messages of St. Apostle Paul. Finish, clean, and prepare for printing. Then move on to other things. And here - laziness. I wish for this and that; and the demon of laziness sits on his shoulders and bares his teeth: talk, talk! It will not be as you wish, but as I want. “And there’s no way I can overpower him.” When you visit the Bishop, start talking about this. St. Chrysostom was published for free - partly from the Synod, partly from the editors of Christian Reading, something from private individuals. And now if anyone wanted to buy it, he wouldn’t find it. - So the bishop would have arranged for the publication - either from the synodal printing house - or by forcing the editors of Christian Reading. – The translations all require revision. Color it in. Speak both on your own behalf and on behalf of many, many who wish to have all of St. Chrysostom. - This would be a deed worthy of a ruler! - Take the trouble. Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. January 8, 1879 Letter 1127. Upon receipt of the marriage brochure. The first signs of the disease of the Saint's right eye I received a brochure and books. Psalter with comments on it by Fr. Mikhail. I offer my gratitude. The marriage brochure is good. But I think that, without putting it on sale, it would be good to send it to members of the State Council in order to influence their decision. My right eye is closing. At first I didn't pay attention to it, but now I'm starting to get shy. The eye is half as weak as the left. Behold, as I write, everything is clear. But if you leave your left eye in the same position with your left eye squinted, then your right eye cannot read what is written. You need to bring him halfway to the paper, then he can make it out, but what is written is still not so clear. What is this? There is no pain, and no burden. It's true that cataracts are growing. God bless you with every blessing. If you visit the Burachkovs, give them your regards. Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. March 12, 1879 Letter 1128. About the results of the meeting with the eye doctor. The tares of Redstock. Refusal of proposed service in Japan You are probably in St. Petersburg now, and I am writing, and most importantly about the eye. The eye does not have any pain, but is only weakened and sees worse half towards the left. There is one doctor in Tambov - a local celebrity - who studied with the Germans. I'm going there. The celebrity examined the eye in two steps - both in daylight and under a lamp with some pieces of glass. And I found that a cataract had started in my eye. The result of the trip: sit and wait until the right eye goes blind. Then trim the cataract, and your vision may return, perhaps to its former strength, or perhaps not to its former strength. Then it’s as if the left one will begin to go blind, and the same story should happen to him. At present there is nothing left to do but sit by the sea and wait for the weather. For the operation you will need to go to Moscow. The beauty you saw on the road, I think, is Naryshkina - before Chicherina. She wrote how rapidly Redstock's seduction was growing - and all among the highest. Those who listened to him completely fell away from the Church. Bring this to the attention of the Bishop. If you like, I will deliver extracts from her letters. Your Bishop writes to Tambov that Fr. Nikolai the Japanese asks to suggest to Vyshinsky if he would agree to work in Japan. Vyshinsky wrote to Tambovsky that he didn’t want to: his lower back was gnawing. Where should a blind person go? And then he wrote the same to St. Petersburg. Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. April 24, 1879 Letter 1129. Efforts to suppress Redstock propaganda. In the case of recognition of the schismatic hierarchy. Religious readings from home They responded forcefully. And I thought that you didn’t even know where you had flown to. Well, now, if you please, fight at home. Extract about redstockists - behold! You will see that she says a lot and something that is extremely necessary for the ruler. I think it’s much better to tell everything to the bishop so that he knows everything; just ask him not to tell anyone decisively, neither who wrote, nor who conveyed what was written. Knowing everything, he will act more carefully. I took the names about which it was written out of the lines and placed them separately. “The question remains, why didn’t I write to Vladyka?” “You say: I’m sure that he knows much more about everything, but he wrote to you in such a friendly way.” “And you are passing it on to the Bishop because you consider the information very important.” Although the ruler knows everything, he will update the knowledge and make sure that it is generally known: - If you decide to say it, then there is no need to rewrite it; and if you change your mind, you need to rewrite the entire statement. The names must be torn off, and the torn ones must be handed over. You see, all the trouble is in the silent priests! – We need to hire guides and drag them all for their axios. Moskovsky cannot be a heretic. But he has his own views on certain things. The point is not to give the schismatics a hierarchy, but to recognize their existing one. This is not recognized by the Synod, but by the government. For the Synod, their hierarchy will still remain lay ranks. The government is asking not whether the Synod will recognize it, which is not possible, but whether this will not be harmful for the Orthodox. This is the crux of the matter. You can answer yes and no without violating Orthodoxy. It's an external matter. There may be harm from this, and there may be benefit. The government will help schismatic bishops to take schismatic laymen into their hands. Because now they don’t have much power. And then he will convert the bishops to Orthodoxy. Then the bishops and laity will become Orthodox. Now the effect on the split is going to pieces. - That's good! And there will be harm. At first, all the semi-schismatics will pester them. Perhaps some of the schismatic sectarians will turn to them. When this is immediately revealed, it can be terrifying. But then the opposite effect may occur. – I’m joking as I write this. My opinion is counter-schismatic hierarchy. That’s why I don’t belong to the Makaryev party. What you say about the decline of the Christian spirit both in the priesthood and in the laity - this is happening with your own eyes. “And we are sleeping so that the anti-Christian spirit will reign as quickly as possible.” It’s clear from Naryshkina’s letters that religious readings should be held at home. - Come on, get started! Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. May 28, 1879 Letter 1130. First Appendix. Conditions favorable to the spread of Redstock's influence “Is this huge Protestant influence on our society good? You will say no. But the fact is that empty people have developed a strong Christian spirit. This influence of Redstock changed the entire structure of their lives. If it weren’t for him, then they too would have been sleeping until now, immersed in the emptiness of the world. The clergy, as an influence, does not exist here. The other day Count Bobrinsky said: “I was an unbeliever until I was 48; Only now have I come to believe, thanks to this Redstock.” – But how do you look at these impromptu prayers read by secular people in meetings? Does our church allow this? Is it good to sing Protestant chants and pray according to them, with your nose buried in a chair? These cants are beginning to be translated for the people. Even the other day, one cab driver improvised. Just think that if it weren’t for Redstock, then this whole circle, which is growing very much, would have been mired in emptiness to this day. The best and highest families joined him. The religious movement is large. Although they don't say it openly; but this society appears in the form of a sect, and outside the Orthodox Church. Many want to join them, but they are still afraid that this is not condemned by our church. There is no one to oppose this. Those who speak in the spirit are hidden among us. Nobody reads books. And who will the book convert? We do not have a living spiritual word; but there is a need - to group around someone strong, to borrow strength. Poor Russia! The alien Redstock must look for spiritual food. Nearby there is a large stream of complete disbelief. Isn't it possible that someone's voice will rise in the Orthodox Church?! – Forms without spirit, which have long been exhibited by our spiritual ones, no longer have any effect, and the spiritual ones themselves have no authority. And the newfangled priests are no longer worth anything. – All this is worth thinking about. It is not the books of scientists that are needed, but the living word of a person who would stop this flow, who would raise his voice in order to keep the best forces of our society in Orthodoxy.” There is something written about this. But Redstock's wisdom is unknown; then there were only commonplaces. It is advised to contact the bishop. Letter 1131. Second note. Details about the St. Petersburg sect of Redstockists “Your letter cannot be greatly curbed. I showed it only to Countess Bludova. Dogmatic sayings that the Orthodox faith is real and that the British have no spirit will not stop anyone. We need a living word, but where can we get it from our clergy? Everyone respects the ruler here, but no one wants to visit him. And these ladies - who have already evaded, although they do not realize it - are they really connected to the ruler, and drag them there with the gendarmes?! - That's what you need! Someone would come to these meetings and sober everyone there with a burning word. “But believe me, our clergy don’t care.” I can’t explain it, but my heart ached all the time there. But I cannot help but admit that this circle has more Christian feelings than our Lenten, pious ladies. And I myself would have joined them, but the Protestant forms and prayers without the cross, it seemed to me that I was definitely changing my church. And spiritual conversations, and readings along with interpretations - all this has great charm; and therefore many joined them. – We don’t have such an Orthodox center anywhere. Their teaching does not say anything new. They read the Gospel and interpret it; also the Apostle. Of course, there is no mention of the saints, and they are also silent about the Mother of God. The psalms are translated from English and sung. All together there is something very good Christian, but not in our Orthodox spirit. “But maybe it doesn’t matter, as long as they know Christ and work for Him.” “One smart priest or bishop, if his heart were on fire, would begin to go to these meetings, where the people had already begun to appear, and quietly, without judging anyone, he would direct this entire crowd to the right path. Pushchiny - which are at the head, Pashkov and Korf, are not even very smart; but the women there are all aces. My Vasily Chicherin, although in some respects he has changed for the better, he joined there with all his soul. I argue with him often. He assures that forms are nothing, and that it doesn’t matter which church you belong to, as long as there is living faith. – I don’t know if our redstock ladies fast and how they do it. They didn’t like me very much because I told them that they had formed a sect and that it was not good to deviate from the customs of the church. Whether they are aware of their deviation, I don’t know; perhaps they are not aware of it; this is done unconsciously. Redstock himself is not in St. Petersburg, but his missionaries are captivating the entire beau monde.” Letter 1132. Proposal for the publication of instructions on prayer and sobriety. The new wolf from Redstock’s party - Pashkov and measures to suppress the false teaching he sows Beloved in the Lord N-lai V-vich! About prayer and sobriety - not for sale. These are reprints from “Tambov Eparchs. Vedomosti" and everyone has already dispersed. I think I’ll add an extract about prayer from St. Chrysostom - and remake the interpretation of the Lord's Prayer into letters. And publish two books. - But when? - When my laziness allows me. Pashkov ate my soul. This is what I learn from the most reliable sources, or lips. 1) Pashkov with his sister and daughter travel everywhere and preach, even getting into the slums. They go home by invitation. In the prince's house Gagarina hosts meetings, and the common people also come. 2) Books with their malice have been printed, which are distributed no worse than St. Isaac's pulpit. In Moscow about. Arseny showed me a little book with the title (I think): “Christ the Savior,” and in it the phrase: “The priest will not forgive you your sins in confession, he does not have such power” (thought, but forgot the words). In the middle, perhaps, there will be other things that are bad. - The book has been approved by censorship. 3) Pashkov says (or shows) that he has written permission - from the Sovereign and the Metropolitan, with seals attached - to preach the Gospel. This lie strongly favors him. 4) Not far from me (says who writes) lives a poor bookbinder. Pashkov goes to him and teaches, people gather. Fascinating. And I was. Some policeman came to take a look, listened, and fell to his knees and, well, pray, the same thing happened with the bailiff. 5) My washerwoman and cook (written by the same person) go to listen to him almost every day, and are carried away. – To reject them, I started my own readings. They listened and said: that’s good, but it’s better there. My priest found out that I was collecting for reading (for I did it more than once and do it), and made me a humble remark that this should not be done, it is dangerous, and something else. 6) Pashkov demands that those who are carried away pronounce the words of faith publicly before him - and this he calls confession. It seems (it is not written very clearly) that he writes down such confessors in his catalogue. I’m making a guess: he will gather some thousand and demand permission to form a special agreement (skop) with his own people and freely believe as they believe. Take the trouble to report this to the ruler. Do not say what I wrote under any circumstances, but just say that this is information about St. Petersburg origins from a reliable eyewitness. I think that the bishop could call the priests and say: 1) Teach in church silently about the dispensation of salvation. Pashkov is a liar because he doesn’t say everything. He talks about repentance and faith, and about grace and the sacraments, about the church, about communion with saints, about Christian duty, and so on. does not say: with him everything is done by faith, and remission of sins without confession, and grace without sacraments. And let the priests tell everything in full. 2) Let the priests start readings - in the evenings and collect them both from themselves and from other listeners, both simple and poor. – For reading, choose everything that relates to the general structure of faith. 3) It would be necessary to compile a book about the path of salvation, simply written, and scatter it around the city for free, or for a penny. But the matter should not be left unattended. There is danger. Please do all this in the name of the Lord. But nothing is said about me. Save yourself! Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. January 7, 1880 Letter 1133. More on the Pashkovtsy case. The beginning of letters to different persons. About the church economy among the Greeks I cannot say who wrote to me about Pashkov’s tricks, but I will write so that that person himself will somehow give you the opportunity to explain. But this is unlikely to happen: for it really wants to hide. Why do you need a whole note? Rewrite those points and give them to the Metropolitan for your information. After all, it’s not a consequence to produce. But it is certain that if Pashkov is left free to act, he will form a sect - German Molokanism. I began to write letters to various people, which are published in Soulful Reading. One has already been printed. Now I’m writing a letter, supposedly to the St. Petersburg merchant, about Pashkov’s tricks, and I’m explaining everything I know. I’ll hasten to send it off so that it can be published in the March book. You’ll see, and if it’s good, you can then print it specially and scatter it around St. Petersburg. The Moscow elders are wrong - according to our civil laws, as it was laid down about candles by Emperor Alexander Pavlovich. But the practice of the Eastern Church - among the Greeks - is for them. There, the maintenance of the church is the responsibility of the parishioners, and neither the bishop nor the priest have any part in it. In Constantinople - and all the priests are paid by the parishioners. Every year the parishioners gather and choose an epitropy of 3 persons, and the economy of the church is entrusted to it. And a commission is appointed to verify last year’s epitropy. If everything turns out to be good, thanks to the epitropes. They do the pooling right there. Among the schismatics it seems like this. But ours is different. The law needs to be changed. Will they? As they know. I wish you all the best from the Lord! Bless you, Lord, with every blessing! Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. January 28, 1880 Letter 1134. On the history of the Saint’s printed works. Review of the Vostok article on the Bulgarian issue. More about Pashkov’s tricks Thank you very much for your efforts in arranging the publication of the letters! Tell Tuzov that if he wants to sell my other books, he would communicate with Alexei Gavrilov’s son Govorov, the bailiff - Yakim. Part 4 sq. d. Orlova. I propose to Gorbunov (Konyushennaya, 5) to publish thoughts for each day of the year based on the daily readings - from “Home Conversation” in favor of Askochenskaya with children. Conditions: 50 copies for me and Askochenskaya - 15 rubles each. per sheet if there is one plant, and 20 each if there are two, so a book of 10 sheets will give her 150 or 200 rubles; and in 20 sheets - twice as much. Is the condition good? I prescribed this for her, not for him. If he does this publication well, then I think I’ll entrust him with the publication of the leading articles of 1872 and 1873, extracted by the late Askochensky from my sermons and other books. Also in favor of Askochenskaya. "Russia". Someone wrote to me about her, and I answered. But I don’t see the program, and there was no announcement. May God grant you success! “East” does not understand the affairs of the Bulgarian church. He blames the Bulgarians. But in reality they are not to blame. They themselves could not lag behind patriarchy - and they did not lag behind, but asked. But when they asked, the patriarchy had to let them go. Didn't you let go? They arranged their dismissal through a different route. How did we unhook ourselves from patriarchy?! They didn’t send it, and that was the end. So they did. Patriarchy is to blame. Their council, which condemned the Bulgarians, is the height of disgrace. The Hellenic géno_s reigned there. Please blow this “East” by the hair. I am receiving new information about Pashkov’s tricks. Again it is mentioned that he has written permission from the sovereign and metropolitan. After all, this is a trick. And N-lai V-vich is sitting, getting ready to draw up the form, waiting for documents, etc. Report to him that in the next world his mercy will receive two incomplete for this. We need to convey those points to the Metropolitan - and that’s it. If he needs business formality, let him get it himself. And he must be brought to the point of control. Here it’s under a church, and there it’s digging under the sovereign. Woe! God bless you! Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. February 14, 1880 Letter 1135. Grief over the unreceived letter. The zeal of the saint in opposing the false teacher Pashkov I sit and think: why has N-lai V-vich not written for so long? and I was about to ask about this when I received your letter, which, in congratulations, contains an indication of what was written. I thank you for your congratulations and good wishes, and at the same time I express my deep sorrow that your letter was not received, and this sorrow is all the more sorrowful and deeper because that letter contained information about the new heretic, which I thirsted for, like someone thirsting for water. And now I am sending, following you as you run home, a most humble request - repeat everything written down, and especially if you know what words it is expressed in. And I will write and write. There is nothing to write about Protestant nonsense at all. And this will be beyond the goal. There will be no fruit. And writing, based on the words of a heretic, will be right in the eye. Everything that is written in my letter to him was taken from letters to me about him; but that is very little. There are also two phrases; but I put off writing about them in order to wait for other phrases and write about them all at once. So please sit down and write as you wrote, and even more broadly. I know that it’s boring to write about the same thing a second time; but get over yourself and push yourself. I ordered reprints of that letter to be made, and instructed Alyosha to send you a dozen. If you want, I’ll send you more, at least fifty. There are a hundred of them. If you find it necessary, print more, and then other articles that need to be written, and scatter them around St. Petersburg, especially in infested places. I am sending a letter to you in Sudislavl so that I can receive an answer as soon as possible. Don't put it off until St. Petersburg. Save yourself! God bless you in every possible way! Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. March 20, 1880 Letter 1136. Upon receipt of sources clarifying Pashkov’s false teaching. About the distribution of the saint's pamphlets against Pashkov. About the change of Chief Prosecutor Everyone received the catechism and newspaper articles. Thank you. The matter is being clarified. I will answer the catechism point by point, whatever God sends. You can also pick up some things from newspapers. I am sending you 40 brochures, I think. If anyone decides to print it, let him; if only not for profit, but for distribution. If possible, collect the books published by the Pashkovites, and the Holy Scriptures with handwritings and notes. Of these, it is more likely that you can scratch this soul molester. There is nothing else to say. It was noted in the newspapers that the Chief Prosecutor was being replaced. In place of Tolstoy P. What do you know about this, tell me. And what is the reason for the change? Letter 1137. About the same subjects Let the priests print as much as they want, just not for profit. Printing something else is fine. I would be ready, but now laziness has taken over, and it seems that I have caught a little cold. The sent catechism pleased me at first, but when I began to look closely, it turned out that it suffered from great uncertainty. Start to refute, and you will fight with windmills. The priests of God would have instructed someone more skilled to listen and define the points more precisely. However, maybe I’m being so grouchy because the relaxation is temporary and accidental. It seems time is running out. One cannot help but rejoice at the change in prosecutor. May God grant the new one more energy and Orthodox spirit. Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. May 6, 1880 Letter 1138. About the new Chief Prosecutor. To the history of the saint's activities in the field of struggle against Pashkov. Apt nicknames for this sect It is very comforting that God sent such a chief prosecutor. At least to some extent it will heal the wounds inflicted by that bashi-bazouk. If only he would have brought the newfangled Bible to the point of being burned on St. Isaac's Square. And those who translated and published - make them walk around with pokers and not let a single book bounce off and get rid of the burning. I begin to pore over the points sent. Maybe one letter will be enough, or maybe two will be concocted. Olga St. Burachek, according to Fr. Alexey Kolokolov, also sent several points. And it will be especially against them. Send more points. Any books you send are welcome. Get their prayer book, which is mentioned in the article “Russia” (“They send me Russia”). It occurs to me to choose church songs against them, so that it can be seen more clearly, how crazy it is that, leaving such beautiful and inspiring songs, they chose such rubbish. By the way, they blaspheme church rules, but look what theirs are like? When they gather for prayer, they sit on chairs, and their main leader reads something to them. When he comes to his senses, he shouts: pray. And everyone jumps off their chairs, kneels down, leans their elbows on the seat of the chair, and hides their face in their palms. This means that they are lost in thought and praying. See - absurdity! We stand in prayer, make the sign of the cross - the instrument of our salvation, and bow down. And they s...... leave. In this regard, they should be called w......... You can pass it on to one person or another, and it will go and reach the people. And this will avert most of all reasoning. They should be called mouth-watering, because they want to receive grace without the sacraments, open your mouth and enough; crazy - they moo about preaching and lie about who knows what; couch potatoes - no need to do anything. All these bright names must be put into use. Then come up with a caricature picture and put it on there too. Did you print the brochure?! Good. Give some to the Burachkas, or Olga St. Also o. Alexey Kolokolov. They know many of them and will give them to read. I no longer have brochures. And they ask. Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. May 18, 1880 Letter 1139. Continuation of work against the Pashkovites The book was concocted. God bless your work. Maybe the book will lead the chief prosecutor to do something good in favor of the Church. What do I do in the summer? As if he did, but there is nothing to indicate. The book about prayer is a collection that was published in Tambovskie Vedomosti - revised and expanded. Printed in a new form. I wrote three more letters against the Pashkovites. I only took ten prints. And now there is nothing to send you. I sent two to the Metropolitan. Prot. I.V. Vasiliev asked if they could be printed for distribution. I agreed. Take it from him, or from the priests there. The letters against Pashkov are not over. I sent two more. It is inevitable to add one or two more to them. And then, if there is a desire - and there is much more - to sort through all Protestantism on this subject. But laziness completely ate me up. A new edition of Galatians is coming out soon. Everything is old. But I'll send it to you. I will also send book cutters of my work. Or did you already send it? I don't remember. I haven’t read Gorchakov’s book about marriage, and I don’t see an advertisement about it. If I see it, I’ll buy it and read it. Do you know T.? Who is this?! He is not very Orthodox. If you meet him, grab him by the hair and drag him through the thorniest thorns, so that at the end of the drag there are only bones left. Then cover it with medical plasters so that new flesh grows, and a new T. appears - Orthodox, well wiped. The Metropolitan wrote once. I have written more than once. I sent him all my books and book cutters. I would send it to the prosecutor, but he is completely unknown to me. And I’m afraid to show that I’m waiting for something. Letter 1140. New Year's greetings. On the Rules of Theodore the Studite. More on the matter of the Pashkovites. Bad news about the academy. Demon Society Worker of God, N-lai V-vich! Thank you for your holiday greetings and well wishes. I send you both in return. Here's to the New Year! I wish you all the best from the Lord this year! Let us wish together for the Church of God that the Sun of truth shines upon it, not obscured by any superstition. I wish you a successful completion of the printing of your book and then success for it, and good fruit from it. I know nothing about the rules of Theodore the Studite except what was printed in the works of the fathers. There are two catechisms; one large one - conversations published in translation by Optina residents; the other is small - 130 short words. These are not in the publication of the Fathers of Min. I brought them from the Savvaitsky Monastery - Elder Joasaph gave them - and donated them to the library in St. Petersburg. Academy, on parchment. Both have charter features. I wish success to the student writing about this. Isn't it old news about Pashkov? They assured that he had completely moved to England. This news that he is advocating requires verification. Check it out, tell me. How absurdly our spiritual power acted against him, out of hand. He has been blowing the trumpet for 5 years, but nothing to him. I began to wonder if the Metropolitan had somehow expressed consent to his preaching, having been deceived by Pashkov’s flattering speeches about the meaning of embodied economy. And the Moscow Academy is different. L. - trampled the first four ecumenical councils into the mud, and having carried out in his reasoning the idea that St. The Church did not have the truth, but sought it, and found it through the struggle of schools of scientists or parties. Destructive thoughts. Recently there was a master's debate there. The matter concerned the 5th Council. The magistrate concluded in his reasoning that the 5th Ecumenical Council rightly condemned 3 chapters. But in his speech he deigned to proclaim: do not think that I am deciding this out of respect for the council. No, that’s what science demands. The cathedral comes out - an unimportant authority. The main thing is science, i.e. reason and its considerations. It turns out that non-Orthodox principles are being introduced. Where are the authorities looking? The Word of God was replaced and composed, not according to the principles of Orthodoxy, but also according to science. Science demanded it. So they remain silent when..... this science is put forward instead of the principles of Orthodoxy. Don’t be ashamed to trumpet this where it’s appropriate. The newspapers published that some fellows were asking for permission to exist for a certain idealistic society. Do you know what it is? This is a spiritualist society. And horse breeders are notorious spiritualists. Spiritualism is demonism. Consequently, this society is demonic, or non-worshipping. There is nothing scientific in this society and there cannot be anything. This is a religious gathering, organized according to the instructions of flattering spirits. When spiritualists gather, something religious happens among them. This is how someone depicted me, who was invited to this meeting in order to connect with him. On this occasion I will tell you something else. There is some kind of apostolic community in St. Petersburg. A certain person, being asked about Pashkov and his company, answered: I haven’t been to Pashkov, and I don’t know what he’s talking about; but I was in the chapel of the apostolic community, and this is what I heard. In this chapel the head is an English apostle. He said: Redstock is ours and has the same spirit and teaching with us; and Pashkov retreated from us, precisely because we recognize the sacraments, but he does not recognize them, and something else. However, it is clear that Pashkov became infected from Redstock and only then retreated from him. I heard that Redstock was ordered and supported by Pashkov. Let's move on. Redstock and the apostolic community are one mess. The Apostolic Community is Irvingianism. Irvingism, judging by its education (recent - after the 30s), is a trick of spiritualist spirits. They showed something wonderful there. And those who wanted the miracle were convinced that the church was being restored among them in the apostolic spirit - and with the apostolic gifts. Based on this assurance, a community was formed and operates. So, Irvingianism is of spiritualist origin. Redstock with the St. Petersburg Apostolic Community - of the same cut. Pashkov, who learned heresies from them, also originates from spirits. Although he separated from the community, through this he could not separate from the spirits. The spirits themselves could teach him and separate. For this gives more temptation: which is what they are bothering about. Let's move on. Pashkov says that Christ appeared to him, that Christ speaks in him. And among spiritualists, spirits sometimes speak in the air, sometimes they whisper in the ears, sometimes they take a hand and spit, sometimes they appear in various forms. I am beginning to believe that someone like Christ actually appeared to Pashkov, but not Christ the Lord, but a flattering spirit. And then, he took possession of it, and acts through it. Pashkov medium. And his teaching is spiritualistic demonism. Please tell everyone that this is what it is. It would be good if you handed all this over to the chief prosecutor. To the Chief Prosecutor - I'll think about it. Now there is no solution. Thank you for the draft letter. I haven't received any sheets yet. Thank you. Save yourself! God bless you! Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. December 30, 1880 Letter 1141. About the received book. Reminder about Pashkov. More about Mr. L’s article. About his current activities. A little scientist I received the book and read it. Good. God grant that those who have the power to correct the matter take up the work of correcting church and religious debauchery. So the heart shrinks. What is this Pashkov? The Metropolitan wrote that he had left, others wrote that he had been expelled and would not return. The Lord truly does not know that he only began to act more secretly. They would run to him and tell him about Pashkov. I have the honor to report to the lover of notes that it is inconvenient to write one about L.’s reasoning. You need to read the whole argument, and from all of it it will come out that he does not recognize that the church is the pillar and foundation of the truth, the position underlying Orthodoxy. This reasoning was published in the “Readings of the Moscow Society of Lovers of Spiritual Enlightenment.” “Orthodox Review” writes scientific criticism of him - in great detail, takes it apart thread by thread, and leaves not a single one alive. Make the effort to run through both. What is Vysha doing? Baklushi hits. Letters to St. Petersburg. 5th, 6th and 7th – I wrote and went to bed. Only translation of St. Simeon doesn't have much to do and that's enough. The last words of Simeon (10 left) are the height of spiritual perfection and understanding. The scientist doesn't understand any of this at all. She has become impoverished in her understanding of spiritual things, having rested her entire German nature on the letter. But the uneducated Orthodox Christian reached what understanding with one bow?! Why is it printed in the book: edited by Elagin? Wasn't he the one who made it up? If yes, tell me in your ear – who? And if he did, then why did he do it? Perhaps, so that it would be easier to bear the great praise that will shower from those for whom reading is sweet. Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. January 21, 1881 Letter 1142. Advice to an author who has been subjected to magazine criticism. On the defense of church truth. Bad talk about the church abroad and at home. Response to a request about G. Kulzhinsky. The saint's good deed for Mrs. Askochenskaya Congratulations on your book release. Congratulations on the start of the bombing. Take heart and don't blink. I think it’s better not to answer you right away; and wait until everyone blurts out their eulogies to you or your book. Of course there will be contradictions. After the assessment, you can answer - adding something in terms of explaining the matter. That they shout is not bad, but good, and that they scold, too. Because it means it hurts. About the publication of the magazine: defense of church truth - and I thought it was needed - and there is nothing to interpret. But I settled on the fact that this work should be done by Ts.V. For it was proclaimed an organ of the Holy Synod. He should, according to his conscience, if he has one, defend the cause of faith and the church. I believe that the chief prosecutor could insist on this. Ts.V. now prints everything that is read in secular newspapers. But he doesn’t make comments on everything. To this end, he is obliged to make comments on everything, and not only about articles in secular magazines and newspapers, but also in spiritual ones. But if you find this inconvenient, then of course you need to start a special journal. God bless! They write to me from Rome that they have read in the newspapers or somewhere else - bad speeches about the church, but they don’t know where to find a refutation. They ask what to write down in order to find a refutation there. There's nothing to say. - So I’m at a dead end. I thought about recommending Ts.V., but this will not bring reassurance, but cause great concern. Because all the rubbish is reprinted there. This magazine became a disseminator of bad thoughts about the church and church affairs. Some people, living in the outback, would never have heard other bad things, but now Ts.V. is serving him. and presents all sorts of rubbish. I almost broke up with the Naryshkins, and we no longer write to each other. Therefore, writing to him about Kulzhinsky is worse than not writing. In addition, it is not heard that the director of public schools changes. How does he depend on Naryshkin?! He has a school of folk teachers in Tambov. Does that director want to leave? I’ll think about whether it’s possible to indicate Kulzhinsky through someone in this case. Tuzov wrote to me. Those thoughts were conceded to Askochenskaya - and she already found a publisher, under the following condition: 15 rubles. per printed sheet, if one plant is printed, and if two - 20 rubles; format and font – letters about spiritual life regarding Speransky’s letters. In addition, I have 50 copies and Askochenskaya – 25. Some of the money is paid at the beginning, the last part after 4 months, or six months, upon the release of the book. Beli wants and can publish, under these conditions, the leading articles of Home Conversation for 1871 and 1872. They also belong to Askochenskaya. The chief prosecutor's book cutter is good. But the spirit is disgusting to send books – good or bad, I can’t tell. Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. February 10, 1881 Letter 1143. Sorrowful time in Rus'. Long post. More on the history of opposition to Pashkov But you have to put on sackcloth and cover your head with ashes. Alas and ah! How far have we come?! God punishes for allowing blasphemy against the truth of God. If we don’t repent, something worse might happen. Be merciful, Lord, to us sinners! You mentioned that I should already have received a letter from the chief prosecutor about the printing of letters against Pashkov. But I didn't receive it. It's the 7th now. Your letter was received on the 3rd. Written on February 24. Surely they are waiting for an answer and frown. So I’m writing to you, in case, tell me that you haven’t received it yet. I believe that he was sent to Tambov. If so, then you have to wait another week, and if it is numbered, then two; for the Shatsk post office will first send an announcement, and then issue a letter. We send once a week. If the letter only requires consent to print, then certify them with my very willing consent, so that there is no stop. I’ll send you my answer as soon as I receive it. If another post or two passes without receiving this letter, then I will notify you, and you will tell who should. Wouldn't it be lost? Remember how our newspaper or not Pashkov points disappeared. You are at war. God bless. Fight, fight! But maybe the new sovereign will handle things differently and they will shut up. The press laws have not been repealed. They will remind you, and that’s all. You can write a lot against Pashkov. When the hunt comes, I’ll write more. What is written embraces only the general. We need to get down to specifics. But where to start? Let's wait for a push from him, or inspiration. Try there what these renegades mean when they say: we have set the goal of ridding the people of superstition and idolatry. This is how Bobrinsky put it. Can you find someone who could explain to you what they mean by these words? Idolatry, probably the veneration of icons and saints. What about superstition? But for both, their words would be needed. May God grant the sovereign the idea to imprison Pashkov, and perhaps Bobrinsky, in the Suzdal fortress. Thank you for the news about the American store. When I need something, then I will bother you. Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. March 8, 1881 Letter 1144. General trouble and its cause. Measures to protect faith and morality among the people Thank you for your efforts regarding my needs. God bless you! There, and everywhere, there is oohing and aahing. Trouble! trouble! and the trouble is visible. But it doesn’t occur to anyone to block and cover up the source of trouble. How did the French Revolution go? First, materialistic views spread. They shook both Christian and general religious beliefs. There is widespread disbelief: there is no God; a man is a lump of dirt; there is nothing to expect beyond the grave. Despite the fact that the lump of dirt could have been trampled by everyone, they came out with: don’t bother! don't touch it! give me freedom! And they gave it! The demands began - some reasonable, some half-smart, some crazy. And everything went upside down. What do we have?! In our country, materialist views are gaining more and more weight and are being generalized. They haven’t taken the strength yet, but they are taking it. Unbelief and immorality are also expanding. The demand for freedom and self-government is expressed freely. It turns out that we are also on the path to revolution. How can this be? It is necessary to stop the freedom of ideas - to muzzle journalists and newspapermen. To declare unbelief a state crime, to prohibit material views under the death penalty. Material views are spreading through schools. Laplace's theory of self-education of the world with an addition of Darwinian nonsense is taught in lessons. After school and in writing, she entered, and everywhere she bears the fruit of unbelief. Who is to blame for this? Government. It allowed. Therefore, who should stop all this? To the government. He will order and everything will be fixed. It comes to mind that someone would actually describe how the French Revolution came about. It would be edifying for us. Talk to someone. God bless all your efforts and labors. Save yourself! Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. May 3, 1881 Letter 1145. View of “The Life of Christ the Savior” by Archpriest. Matveevsky and the assumption of the compilation of the Gospel history. Letters denouncing sectarians. The Source of Modern Unbelief Two letters, one after the other. I hasten to answer what is required. I will read the Life of Christ the Savior with patience. I promised this about. Arseny. And I’ve already re-read several sheets. Your review of your speech pattern is correct: but what can you do about it? Shouldn't you redo it? All that remains is to correct the mistakes. There is no need to send your manuscript to Mount Athos. Who is there to deal with her, or will they smell what’s in her?! This publication will take about 5 years. Let’s decide the matter ourselves. I’m planning to write something similar. Namely, the Gospel story. This will be the life of Christ the Savior, and the interpretation of the Gospel, and conversations on them and everything you want. But I have become so weak in mental energy that I cannot attract myself to anything. Thank you for your troubles in delivering me copies of the letters. After all, I had a big plan: to gradually dismantle all Protestantism. Yes, all the writer's fervor has disappeared. When he comes again, I’ll scribble something else about icon veneration. Molokans and Stundists and Pashkov - they seduce a lot, misinterpreting their worship. Are you going to the village? God bless. You need to rest and stock up on some fresh air after your rotten St. Petersburg. Tell me, if you know, who took the initiative to print letters? Vasiliev asked, without mentioning who he was asking from, but saying in a dull voice: the hierarchs want it. They came to their senses and began to write about keeping the faith. But they don’t want to block the source of disbelief. This source is the spread of the doctrine of the self-education of the world, according to which there is no need for God, and there is no soul - all atoms, and all chemistry, nothing more. This is preached in pulpits and in literature. Anyone who breathes in this child inevitably becomes confused, loses meaning and faith. Until these books are destroyed - professors and writers are forced not only not to hold this theory, but also to destroy it - until then - unbelief will grow and grow, and with it self-will and the destruction of the present government. This is how the French Revolution went. Inspire this to whomever it is appropriate, and who can give force to this statement. Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. May 14, 1881 Letter 1146. Indication of the necessary corrections in the book. O. Matveevsky. About my works. A look at the case of arbitrariness between peasants and Jews I have just finished reading your notebooks. And I undertake to say something necessary. (The notebooks arrived at my house on the evening of the 23rd). The first article contains awkward phrases. I have indicated. Ask the author, the Venerable Fr. Matveeva, correct. The second article is much better. But it brings some confusion into the head due to the lack of general overviews that would indicate what the matter will be about. It would be nice in these reviews to indicate under headings (a, b) the special subjects that are being discussed. This gives great lightness to the scripture. The third article is great. In it - only about the headings, it was noted there in the margins, it needs to be corrected. The fourth article is also very good. – But it also lacks headings. And most importantly: he said that there were prototypes - in persons, events and rituals - and did not fulfill this in the presentation. Educative persons and rituals are shown, and events - some - are brought together with persons. - We must insist that it be remade. Having extracted events from educational figures and supplemented them with missing ones, a special article will be published - impressionable. It occurred to me that I should add here - an explanation of the perplexities aroused by the passages of Scripture about the Lord Jesus Christ - in His derogatory state. Many are tempted. There is one page on this here. This is not enough. See notebook 2 – fourth note on the back. – In the cursus theologiae and, it seems, St. Macarius has a rich article on this. Essential take and good. – Now I’ll look in cursus and give you another note. What – I mean, I still wanted to say. Ah, that's it! – Notes should not be printed behind. You need to look at something else, go rummage around. It is imperative to print on the same page. Whoever hides them at the end is obviously afraid to appear in public with them, and does not want anyone to look into them. You notice that there is little feeling. Is it true. But here it is not noticeable; for all objects are such that they require reasoning rather than feelings. If everything goes like this, then we can hope that the biography will come out good. Oh! And I completely forgot. – All these articles that are not yet finished, and those that follow, should be titled introduction. And ahead of the introduction is a preface, in which it is necessary to indicate the motivation for such an introduction and its plan, i.e. what and why is supposed to be placed in it. When the actual biography begins, tell the author to give less space to descriptions of localities. It is necessary, but still there is a side issue. - For the presentation of the events themselves, let him get - Catena partum or Chaine d'or - on the Gospels of Thomas Aquinas. There are collected under each text interpretations of St. fathers. This will make his work much, much easier. What was written was written once upon a time. “I just have to send the notebooks.” Which is what I do. You surprised me by mentioning the work that was about to begin. This is a distant song. You still have to finish the Epistle to the Hebrews, but you can’t get to it. - I'll cum, then. Until then we will only guess. I don’t have anything else to attribute. Now I don't do anything. I am treated with milk. I received copies of the printed letters. Thank you for your troubles. - But these are not the last four, but the first. – The latter have either not yet been published, or will not be printed at all. As their Lordships please. At parties I reviewed something about icon veneration and the history of iconoclasm. I don’t want to write anything. – I’m sybaritizing. Someone printed a whole book against your book - reprimands. It is clear from the title that not everything fell under his critical eye, Nowadays everyone is for the Jews. The Moscow ruler blurted out the sermon. It was so unpleasant to read it. The Jews in those areas where they were beaten suck the blood from the people without any pity. “Seeing that the government did not stand up for them, they decided to settle accounts with the offenders themselves. They interpret that the people did something bad; but they won’t pay attention to the fact that the people were offended. Here they found the guilty, but the Jews are holy. – These should have been punished, i.e. the peasants, and the Jews should be subjected to strict supervision, and hanged for any mischief. Then maybe they would become more peaceful. Save yourself! Grant you, Lord, to take a walk until you are full. Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. June 9, 1881 Letter 1147. About the distribution of letters from the saint against the Pashkovites. The outcome of concern for the protection of icon veneration. About your health I waited with difficulty for the letters from Fr. Vasilyeva. I also received it from Nikitin a long time ago. But that's not all - just the first four, and these will do. But now what they send (there are still bundles at the post office) are all letters, and a lot of them. I received two bales - up to 200. There are 3 more bales at the post office. So there will be 400–500 of them all. Thank you. Now I will generously send them in different directions. Tambov residents, you can hear, read diligently. If you wish, I will send it; I’m sending 10 - it’s better than waiting, but don’t give it to the priests. For you - not a couple of copies, but at least a couple of dozen. There you can distribute it for reading, and so on. There is not much wisdom in them. But it is brought together under one review and placed in its place - which does not have a bad effect on the soul. At first I thought I was talking about nothing; and now it occurred to me that it was not a trifle. It will be useful to someone. I was going to write about icon veneration. But the missus came and tied her hands. The other day I received a letter from Fr. Archpriest of Orlovsky Ostromyslensky, - where he informs that he has compiled an article on icon veneration, and publishes it in Orel. He was in Moscow and someone there egged him on. So I am at peace. I really began to like doing nothing. And I don’t do anything, even if I’m a little annoyed with myself. My eye almost closed. But the other one is cheerful. Other health is good. What will he write about? Matveevsky, - ready to re-read. But when he signs, he will write smoothly and efficiently. I wish you to take a walk in the village and take in the refreshing elements. Save yourself! Letter 1148. Various answers. Instructions and advice to the compiler of a book about the life of the Savior continue The letters have already been sent out! If you have any other places to send, tell me. I'll send at least fifty. I haven’t read Gorchakov’s dissertation. Your white clergy cannot pass without benefit. If you have anything else to write in the same vein, write without hesitation. Athos! God bless if there is a hunt. I have no desire to visit it at all. Troublesome. And the sun is there, the sun! And you will lose your healthy eyes. O. Matveevsky finished the introduction. Offer to handle the matter itself. We need to agree on a plan in advance. Because this is very important. Ask him what order he will follow. The creaking will rise if he doesn’t handle things our way. In my opinion, one should adhere to the plan that Metropolitan Philaret has for church and biblical history, with only small deviations. Remember my little brochure: “Instructions on how to put together one consistent story from the 4 Gospels.” It is all proof that Metropolitan Philaret’s plan is the best. If o. Matveevsky wants to follow this plan, then I will send you this brochure for him, with the changes that need to be made. I'm sitting on this now. Of the available stories, Bogoslovsky’s is the closest to Metropolitan Philaret. The Grechulevich vault deviates from it in many ways – illegally. Kyiv. prof. Horde is close to him, Farrara is rubbish in every way. Having agreed on the plan, the image of the presentation must be provided to the writer. But less descriptions of localities and other extraneous things, and more paternal meaning in the events. I think you said there would be 300 paintings. Be good. But we need to check these pictures. Report to the people of Athos that the Vyshinsky ruler is ready to do this. We would make sketches in pencil. I would do the notes. If for every event there was a picture, where would it be good? Although not as big, but like Grechulevich’s, only a little bigger. Instead of 12 per sheet, you can have 6 or even 4. We will be ashamed if we miss something that is not foldable. Fathers rely on us. God bless you! Save yourself! I wish you health and peace of mind. Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. August 24, 1881 Letter 1149. About the state of your strength and health. Advice and praise to the authors. About the fate of his letters against Pashkov Guilty! I was guilty. You ask: are you really sick? Completely broken, I don’t want to move my arms, legs, eyes, or tongue, real paralysis - from the blows of laziness. At first I missed two emails, it seems reasonable. Then it’s October, when you were supposed to be in St. Petersburg. I thought: I’ll write everything to St. Petersburg, and I was waiting for a letter from there. Lo and behold, it’s from Sudislav. In your first letter you are going to write something about the relationship of the church to the state. In Kazan, someone pressed the doctor, talking about how it went in Byzantium; judging by the doctoral student’s speech, his direction is good. On your way to Moscow, you can pick up his book: “The relationship between the Church and the royal power in Byzantium.” The letter you sent was large, from someone unknown to you - I read it. He stands up for the cause. Find him and pat him on the head. The letter then arrived in St. Petersburg, along with copies of letters to St. Petersburg. Where are these letters and where are they sent? There are none in Vladimir, there are none in Perm, there are none in Kyiv, and there are none in Orel. And everyone is asking for more. The Tambovskys ask permission to print it for distribution. I sent them enough, but they still want more. It turns out they were not sent out. Isn’t the definition of “dispatch” abolished? Of course, their dignity is not who knows what. Or are those who are entrusted wobbling? How else would the one who wrote them not get it? The book under the parcel post has not yet arrived. I will try to read and say the appropriate thing. All my writing energy has been washed away. Yes and eyes. But the main thing is: at least the grass doesn’t grow. It seems like we can still work. God knows what years. Here you go! I drink milk repeatedly for three weeks, and then I’m done. According to the doctor, this is a conclusion of treatment for Bright's disease. My health is good. Sometimes anxiety comes over the left eye, and calls to run away somewhere. But laziness weakens your legs. Don't be afraid, you will be amazed when you hear: laziness! laziness! God save every Tatar from this disease. However, sometimes I give this lady a very impolite slap on the head. But she is cunning and knows how to sneak up again. Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. November 4, 1881 Letter 1150. About Ushinsky’s letters and works against the Stundists. About mental prayer and emotional prayer. Taking care of your eye treatment I think that you are now in St. Petersburg. and I write there. I waited and waited for the book sent under the parcel post. And he didn’t wait. I heard that this package is unreliable. I am sending you letters to St. Petersburg. and the letter you sent. Muscovites also ask for letters from Kaluga. So they are nowhere to be found. They probably changed their mind about sending them out. Let them send it to me, and I will send it out. I don’t have much left – maybe a hundred or two. Ushinsky, having read the letters in St. Petersburg, sent me his notebooks - against the Stundists, with whom he personally met - and found out all their nonsense. He writes very efficiently. And I asked him to continue. He also asked me to send the teaching points of the Stundists. Maybe, the laziness will go away, and I’ll write something. You ask about prayer. I read from the fathers that when praying one must expel all images from one’s head. I try to do just that, straining to stand in the conviction that God is everywhere, is here, where I am, where my thought and my feeling are. – I have not succeeded in completely freeing myself from images, but they are evaporating more and more. It’s true that there is a term for when they completely disappear. In ready-made prayers there are many images of representing God; - judging therefore, we must assume that, having such ideas, we are not making a mistake. But it is better to strain yourself to think about God, closer to how He is. When the prayer of feeling appears, then the images disappear, and only one feeling is strong. Mental prayer has difficulty detaching itself from images and pictures. But work can overcome everything. With the fact that my head is heavy from prayer with feeling, I don’t know what to do. Prayer of feeling is refreshing, and this is something special for you. It will pass. But the prayer of feeling is real prayer. God has a heart, according to His command: Son, give Me a heart! The Lord provides everything we need. Pray to Him for guidance on how to deal with this or that. And He delivers. God bless you! Save yourself! I’m running to Tambov to show my eyes. One is almost closed. But I’ll ask, is it possible to have an operation and, if so, is it time? Another, so that they can see if he has the same weakness! Your pilgrim E. Feofan. December 4, 1881 Letter 1151. About the religion of the Stundists. The result of a meeting with a Tambov doctor about eyes. About sending letters against sectarians. The darkness of Slavic church books and the need for their clarification I received both of your letters upon my return from Tambov, and although it was not yesterday and not yesterday; but there was no need to rush to answer. Ushinsky sent the confessions of the Stundists - two varieties - of which one is similar to Reformation, and the other is Doukhobor - Quaker. I wrote them off. On the first, I made some notes, as Ushinsky asked (for him), but on the second, you can’t make out anything: the water is dark. And I just got rid of this almost empty work. However, the confession of Reformed Stundists is not an empty matter. No one has it except Ushinsky, and also Senator Polovtsev, who sent Ushinsky to the Stundists, and this one brought him a full report of everything found, heard and seen. The result of my trip to Tambov, on the one hand, is sad, on the other, not much comforting. The sad thing is that the second eye has begun to cloud, the comforting thing is that you can have surgery. In Moscow they said it was impossible: the eye would disappear. But the Tambov doctor said it was possible; but that operations for cataracts such as mine are more often unsuccessful than others. That's why I say it's not much of a consolation. The operation itself, of course, must be done in Moscow or St. Petersburg. But it’s still a year or two away. The right eye was still only half cloudy; but it needs to be completely filled with turbidity, and then it will be a mature cataract. I went to Tambov only for information about the position of the eyes. That the left one was also beginning to become cloudy, I myself suspected due to some accidents. Concerning the distribution of books or letters. Let them send it to me. Only one thousand is enough; and let others send them out. The Tambov Bishop wrote to the Economic Administration asking that they send him a thousand. It hasn’t been sent to me yet, and now I can’t hear it. So let them send it. Crimean Rev. Gury - he himself published one plant, but in that country even 5 times as many - they will find a place. Where the Molokans are, these letters are suitable everywhere. Ushinsky writes that among the motivations for falling away into the shtunda, those who have gone astray cite, among other things, the fact that in our church you can’t understand anything that they read and sing. And this is not due to poor execution, but because what is being read is dark. He writes that he was stumped when some troparion or stichera was read to him and he was asked to say a thought. I couldn’t say anything: it was very dark. Two ladies wrote to me from St. Petersburg - the same thing about this, with Pashkov everything is clear, with us - nothing. Nothing - a lot; and that there is a lot of incomprehensibility is fair. The powers that be should take care of this and clarify the liturgical books, leaving, however, the Slavic language - and readings from the Old Testament at Vespers, translations from 70 interpreters. Start a conversation about it. Liturgical books, according to their purpose, must be changeable. Our hierarchs are not bored by the ambiguity, because they do not hear while sitting in the altar. Make them read the services, even for Epiphany!!! Happy holidays and happy new year. Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. January 13, 1882 Letter 1152. More about his letters and about Ushinsky’s note about the Stunda. About the Latin text of the works of Abba Isaiah Rejoice in your silence in the Lord! Why are you silent? Is there nothing to write?! Yes, there you have it - if you write one foot at a time every day, you won’t be able to rewrite everything. Or are you counting the line after me? No. I wrote to you for the last time soon. And even though there’s nothing to write from here, I keep thinking: I’ll write, and then I’ll think: just wait, maybe they’ll bring a letter from the post office. You see what movements there are, but you don’t even follow them with your ears. They sent me letters - a bunch, 1000. And I attach a little of them - here and there - to the parcels. I confess that I am often burdened by the thought: why are you bothering with your worthless letters, are you tired of everyone?! That's right! But the other day, His Eminence Jacob accidentally brought me consolation by writing that some school director was writing to him about these letters, saying that millions of copies should be printed and sent to all schools. Isn’t this a misconception of my writing?! Nothing is being written. If you start writing, it’s just rubbish, rubbish, but nothing moves, and you quit. I was going to write against the stunda. And I’m not giving up collecting fees yet. But I’ll wait to see what comes out of Ushinsky. Ushinsky sent me his note to Senator Polovtsev about the Stunda. I copied it, it gives complete information. “It came to my mind that it would be nice for Mr. Chief Prosecutor to read it.” “But I think that maybe Polovtsev told him.” And I guess that this is so, due to the fact that the Chief Prosecutor collected information about which priests practice treating the sick. – Are they thinking about restoring medicine in the seminary to the way it was? – When reading that note, I thought that it would be good if they restored it. A German pastor, a Stunda breeder, recruits many of our people by treating them. I am sending you the latest issue of Saint Simeon, - and thoughts for every day, - and 5 chapters, - and letters to St. Petersburg. some. Look, what an opportunity? – When they were collecting 1 volume of the Philokalia and it was necessary to translate Abba Isaiah, they asked the Athos people to look for it in Greek, because I only had it in Latin. at Minya, they didn’t find it then. But now they have found it and copied it for the library of their monastery. The other day they sent it to me. I started checking, and alas! I see that a new translation needs to be made. The Latin either took liberties, or read it differently, quite a dissimilarity, although it is not too large, but the whole style of speech will be new. I’ve told you so many stories, but you remain silent!!! Well - that's it now. All that remains is to congratulate you on the successful completion of Pentecost - and express good wishes on the occasion of the upcoming holiday of Holy Easter. This is what I do. God bless you with every blessing! The Kazan Academy deigned to honor me with the title of honorary member of the academy. Tell me please, what kind of face is this? – I don’t have a new charter and I don’t know what it is, does it oblige me to anything? Letter 1153. Need for a new translation of liturgical books, Prologue and teachings. The promiscuity of literature. Pashkov's propaganda in Riga. About my works and assumptions. Draft response to the pope's call for unity The liturgical books need to be translated again so that everything is clear. - Pashkovites shout: everything in your church is unclear; Stundists too, and quite a few of ours too. Anyone who begins to read or listen attentively will certainly end with the exclamation: what is this? Bishops and priests do not all hear what is read and sung while sitting in the altar. That’s why they don’t know how dark the books are, and this is for no other reason than because of an outdated translation. And we need to understand the translation. Only readings - Proverbs - are by no means in Russian. bib. understand, but 70 each. Now there is a split. And I'll go first. How do you judge the prologue?! The beauty of the book is for its intended purpose: short (and sometimes complete) lives of the saints of the day, and a few teachings and edifying incidents. And in terms of language, they are worthless - even under the bench. As the fathers put it together, so it is. - And unreadable. - It must be translated and published in Russian, or in Slavic-Russian, in the style of St. Demetrius, as well as liturgical books. There is a book of short teachings, a collection of holy fathers. The Holy Fathers have already been translated into Russian. But the Synod keeps printing them according to the old, incomprehensible translation. It is necessary to collect them in Russian, changing here and there and adding to them (or compile a completely new collection according to that model. It’s all dogmatics and all moral teaching). Both of these books are prologues and short teachings that are edifying. And they are read in church (at least here). Often you won't understand anything. This is me – everything is about the beloved, and, of course, you won’t miss the essential things. - The Synod dissolved the academy and seminary, - spiritual literature. There is no control: secular people lie, spiritual people lie, but he has no grief - he doesn’t even blink an eye. – There is no power in the church; whoever wants, acts and teaches as he pleases. - Priests sleep everywhere. There are only one or two sleepless people, and that’s it. Well, of course you see all this and the like, and don’t miss it. The other day at Mosk. Ved." it is written that Pashkov and some other Goedekker (who? Isn’t it the head of the apostolic community?!) came to Riga to preach. Then Pashkov handed out a book, the path to salvation, in which his nonsense is outlined. “It occurred to me: take this very book and put it on an Orthodox footing, and put it to use, printing a warning at the end: look, Orthodox, you will come across a book with the same title, but with a stamp, do not pick it up. It’s not a path, but a crossroads, or something else. - I throw myself into the pile of books you sent, I can’t find the hope of finding Pashkov’s path to salvation. So the question is: what is needed? Not for our church, as your title says, but for Vysha. We must ask N-lay V-vich to forget Pashkov’s path to salvation and, without following it, send him to Vysha! Please! What is Vysha doing? He sleeps soundly. – He moves a little, translating again Isaiah the hermit. A long speech comes out, but the thoughts are different. Their translation is untenable. There are a lot of unfinished things to do, and laziness ties your hands. Here you go! Progress! I plan to take up the pole; and under her title - for her parents and the whole family (Protestants). But I’ll wait to see what Ushinsky writes and what Fr. publishes. prot. Ostromyslensky. What did dad answer? It should be like this: we are very glad to receive you, and we pray earnestly that the Lord will lead you to unity with us. Of course, you know the conditions: delete from your beliefs the infallibility of your Holiness, Filioque, the sinlessness of the Mother of God in birth, the complete renunciation of secular dominion, the return to the ancient rite in the performance of certain sacraments, and something else. Or left unanswered... No, you need to answer - and also in an open letter. Congratulations on your housewarming. May the Lord comfort your sister. The letter and book were received at the end by Fomina. We are busy at this time. God bless you! Save yourself. Your pilgrim E. Feofan. April 18, 1882 Letter 1154. About the book of Ivan Buyan and the path to Emin’s salvation. About St. Petersburg sects. About your eye and so on. Got the books. Thank you. I met Ivan Buyan a long, long time ago. He was thinner then, but now, look how fat he has become. I ran through it quickly. – There is one sectarian page in his text. More explanations. But in general this is unnoticed - and may not be noticeable, without special suggestions from the outside. – Therefore, one cannot expect great trouble from this book. The very content of the book seemed to me inconsistent with the title. The path to heavenly Jerusalem is not entirely correctly depicted. While reading the book, it occurred to me to correct it and publish it under the title: Ivan Buyan converted to Orthodoxy. - But when I finished reading, laziness took over - and don’t move! Emina's Path to Salvation seems to contain nothing sectarian and the translation is ancient. I read it a long, long time ago. – I’ll read it again. And I think I’ll still read Buyan, maybe I’ll see his virtues and vices more accurately. Pashkov, - Pashkov?!! Help, Lord, the ruler to shut his mouth! There you also have an apostolic sect. Our neighbor, the landowner, was there recently - his son visited, and sent me two issues of “Voices”, which describe the sessions of these crazy people, and then the history of their sect. The writer himself saw the sessions, but heard the story from some bishop or evangelist. – Nos. “Voices” – 74 and 84. That’s not all. There is no end. – If it’s convenient for you, send the end. Prugavin writes in a feuilleton. – These should be written against. My eye has not yet matured. Another year will pass. I can also distinguish objects and colors, but when the cataract matures, then it distinguishes only light and shadow. “When the time comes, we’ll discuss how to arrange the operation.” I have a lot of money. Thanks for the offer. Regarding the life of Christ the Savior, my opinion is this: leave the work of the compiler, telling only him what it is desirable to see in the book. He is a master of the matter. And he is aware of questions that require clarification. I have not yet received the brochures for Ave. Ambrose. He did good. Let him speak again - to awaken conscience. “We all fell asleep and are living carelessly.” - The one who writes this is an example of this kind. Your mantis Ep. Feofan. 1882 June. Letter 1155. More about the revision of the book “The Life of the Savior.” New sectarian. About my classes In the village! Lovely! May God grant you to be renewed by the fresh elements of the countryside. You advise me to rest. I remembered the saying of the late Fr. Mikhail (Monastyreva): you sleep and sleep, there’s no time to rest. This applies very much to me. And also the word: rest. I revised the manuscript. All is well. - The note is there on the sheet - in the bale. What needed to be corrected has been corrected. Namely: The Meeting must be placed before the adoration of the Magi. After the Magi worshiped, they immediately fled to Egypt, from Bethlehem. And in the manuscript, the Holy Family returned to Nazareth. And there he received orders to flee to Egypt, because Herod wants to beat him up, there is danger in Bethlehem - and flight from Nazareth!!! Very non-sticky. - And it's been fixed. – Should not be sent to the author again; and if you decide to, then insist that you don’t grumble about the amendments made. - And go ahead, advise him - to stick not to Grechuevich, but to Bogoslovsky. - Or better yet - I will write down - the order of the following events, and you hand it over to him for execution (formidable!). Otherwise I will fight with him (even more menacingly). However, the casus belli can only occur when it comes to the event of the return of Christ the Savior after the first Easter through Samaria. Until then, the order cannot be confused. I think you shouldn’t send the manuscript to anyone else, for fear that this child of 7 nannies might be left without an eye. You understand about the new sect, and Prugavin’s horse breeders are among them. This Prugavin in the “Voice” wrote disapprovingly against the apostolic community - Irvingians. “I thought he was Orthodox.” And that's who he is! - Say an extra word about him, if the governor told you, then of course he had the means to know well what kind of sect it was. Please ask, what is this? Our sects are like worms in a carrion. What is Vysha doing? - Everyone is asleep. And she has no urine from sleep. I'm tired! – However, I’m checking the new translation of Abba Isaiah with the translation of Paisius Velichkovsky, which the good Optina elders sent me. But the heat is so hot that it seems like it’s not a sin to be lazy. Be healthy and cheerful. I wish you to walk around and get healthy - up to your throat, even above your beard and mustache. Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. June 21, 1882 Letter 1156. Mutual expectations. About your activities and health What happened?! We talked and talked, so that if anyone on the outside was listening, he would have screamed: his ears were buzzing. And then, for no apparent reason, there was silence. You won’t be able to tell who is to blame. I expect something from you, and you surely also expect something from me. How did you spend your time in the village - or are you still spending it?! Is it healthy? – Have your eyes been strengthened by the influence of greenery?! This is the last time you complained about them. I kept walking and wasting my time. I just revised the interpretation of the pastoral epistles, the printing of which ended, and letters to various persons, some of which ended in printing. They will probably leave the normal procedure soon. We should be interpreting the Epistle to the Hebrews, or collecting the second volume of the Philokalia, or something else, but nothing is being done. Laziness has finally taken over. Do you remember - or did they know Paisius of Sarov - now hegumen somewhere in the Kazan diocese? He published the story of a wanderer who was looking for the Jesus Prayer. (Maybe I already told you about this? I forgot). And he sent it to me. “I corrected this book, added it, and sent it for the second edition. Now they have proposed a review of Ushinsky’s conversations with the Stundists. You'll have to dig around here. – But who knows if I’ll dig in? – For my dear laziness is dearer than anything else. - Work whoever wants. The business wouldn't come to our minds. - Love! Ushinsky calls to Kyiv for the operation. It’s as if there is an ophthalmologist there - the first in the whole world. I haven't decided anything yet. Time endures. The cataract has not yet matured. Do you know what comes to mind? do not have surgery; and stay that way. After all, the Moscow ophthalmologist said that operations should not be performed. Part of what worries me is fear. I wish you all the best from the Lord! Save yourself! Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. October 26, 1882 Letter 1157. The meaning of the book of life of St. Varlaam and Joasaph prince for knowledge of the Christian faith and life Kindest N-lay V-vich! Happy holiday! I hasten to answer you, sending a letter to your village, although I am not sure that it will find you there. At random! Ushinsky's address is here. Malaya Vladimirskaya, own. house, no. 7. Remember, I started to cook up an Orthodox Buyan? - There is no real need. There is something to replace it - and in the best possible way. Back in Jerusalem, in the monastery of St. Savva I saw a large handwritten book. The life of Barlaam the Elder and Joasaph the Prince. And I was going to read everything, but I didn’t get around to it. At home, since I discharged St. fathers - and met between the writings of St. This book of Damascus is in print, I also kept looking at it to read it and didn’t read it. – The other day, having a need on the occasion of Ushinsky’s conversation about the veneration of an icon, look at the words of St. about this. Damascene, his eyes fell on this book again, and he decided to read it. - So what? There is no better book for understanding the Christian faith and life in general, and there can hardly be one. – Why is the translation being undertaken, or what is meant by the publication with pictures? This will be better than all catechisms! You, protecting my eyes, write - do not bother them. No, I'm not bothering. Little by little, I dig into it, into rust. May God bless you to make good your property. May your path to St. Petersburg be smoothened. I wish you health and the most cheerful mood. Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. November 21, 1882 Letter 1158. About Ushinsky and viewing his works against the Stundists. Assumptions about your works and advice to the compiler of the book “The Life of the Savior” I congratulate you on yesterday’s Nativity of Christ and on tomorrow’s New Year. May the Lord grant you all good and comforting things. I hasten to show you Ushinsky’s place of residence. But I exclaim in advance: is it possible not to know this?! Go out into the yard on a full moon and look at the moon. The lightest points are K, followed by I, then E and at the end B. Here is your place of residence. Is it possible not to see this?! “But I thought that I wrote before that he lives there.” I definitely thought of translating only Varlaam’s conversations with Tsarevich Joasaph, as an antidote to Ivan Buyan. But then he returned to the old way: to depict a picture of the course of the life of a true Christian from the beginning to the height of perfection, in pictures that will include designated conversations - and the likeness of Hermas, and the vision of Ezra, Daniel, other prophets, the Apocalypse, and many saints from the fourteenth. Someday you have to sit down for a year or more and sort everything out. – Will it be? I think it would be better to describe the earthly life of the Savior without a certain Louis. All Westerners write a lot of trifles, but they touch on the matter at the top. There is no point in spending money on them and making your eyes dirty with them. - More from St. Fathers will be better. On holidays I read St. Gregory the Theologian - deep and lofty. But the sacrament of the Most Holy Trinity remains a sacrament - unapproachable. Ushinsky writes against the Stundists, having obtained points of confession of their faith. He writes and sends it to me for revision. Although it’s not complete, everything is going well. Without fish and cancer, fish. I thought about replenishing it first. But laziness cried out and convinced me to stroke something. - And be content with that. It’s as if he’s ashamed, but what can you do about laziness? For her, the law is not written. – Maybe I’ll decide to write it myself. A whole book could be written about the icons alone. And not a book, but a little book. Icons are a great aid to the misinterpretations of the Germans; they should be punched in the nose. I will wait for news about transformative movements. I am sending you books that have recently been published, it seems that this is a conclusion - it should be interpreted by the book of Hebrews. – But according to a certain saying, there’s a lot in the head, but it doesn’t get out. God bless you. Save yourself! Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. December 29, 1882 Letter 1159. Continuation of work on correcting the book. "The Life of the Savior." Review of the author and advice to him. The denouement with Ushinsky's manuscript. Fear of eye surgery Congratulations on your safe return. I wish you to live in good health until you leave again. But - straight to the point. I revised the manuscript, added some things, corrected some things, and rearranged some events here, as required by the very nature of the events and the stories about them. How everything was done, and what was desired, is listed on special sheets there with the manuscripts. – Corrections made in pencil. I propose to correct it in ink to you, as the author of the amendment. – The rearrangement of events makes the rewriting of two notebooks inevitable, as you will see. But I will have to repeat all this to you later. Because even though the manuscript is packed, it will not go to the post office. The water rose; and they don’t go to the post office, but walk. No wonder the guy took a swim. And with everything that I accepted. And I don’t send manuscripts. It will lie down for another two or three weeks. I thought of sending on the third; but you did not set a deadline, and I was afraid that in your absence some inconvenience might happen to the manuscript. Meanwhile, there is no hurry. Send others, then I’ll send them right away. How glad I am that I untied myself from tying myself up using Ushinsky’s manuscript. I redid everything, and it seems I redid two articles, but laziness set in - terrible. I didn’t want to take up the pen. - At that time, someone egged Ushinsky on - let me print it as it is. He writes, asking to send the manuscript as it is, and setting forth the reason that the opportunity must not be missed. I grabbed the manuscript with both hands, quickly packing it up, lest he change his mind. And he sent it away. I only made notes on what to fix, what to release, and in what order. Everything that seemed necessary was noticed. But I left the execution of it in his hands. I don’t know whether he will be allowed to print. But when they print it, know that there is not a single line of mine there. - It’s appropriate to know this. So I became free. But I still don’t want to write. I took up the Philokalia, about which the people of Athos are constantly pestering me. And St. Cassian has already prepared, that is, an extract from it. – He himself requires a new translation. But this must be done for subsequent generations. I remember your questions - about various things desired in that life. The main thing is: it is written well, and the Christian feeling will rest and be consoled by reading it. Other than that, you can’t ask for much from a biography. There is a different kind of scripture for that. – I didn’t expand the reader’s horizons, but limited myself to one thing: if everything written hits the heart, then it’s good. - Another thing: when you were instructed to write, it means you trusted that he would do good, what was desirable should have been indicated in advance - or now indicate along the flow of the writing while it is still being written. O. Matvey writes kindly. But I find his desire for a raise to be unreasonable. Hired - sold. And the amount given is sufficient. If it comes out to 100 liters. large print, then each sheet is 30 rubles. - This is twice as much as our magazines give at the highest price. The work of writing is not very puzzling and not very dirty. - I'm still about. He wrote to Arseny to recommend that the writer find Thomas Aquinas - Catenae patrum for all the Gospels. Below each text are extracts from St. fathers, who had interpretations about this, and that’s it. He adds nothing of his own. So tell Fr. who writes that having this book at hand, he will not have the need to tear here and there. - Maybe she is in the academician. library. Otherwise, let him run in public. You ask: eyes - eyes! – Do you see how I write? Track. there is something to watch. And when is there something to bother about? – The right eye seems to have matured. But even the last line of ripening can take several months, when the entire ripening period lasted 5–6 years, if not more. As soon as I think about surgery, my hair stands on end. Therefore, it is not surprising that I will not have surgery. One doctor already decided that it was impossible. I'm very happy about this. But how long do you have to live? - A day or two and it’ll be over. Why will I tyrannize myself? – This always stops me from cutting myself. However, let's wait to see what else the present time will show. Please tell me: at the end of the letter someone wrote to me: about Pashkov next. letter. - And no gu-gu, - did he do it well?! For that, God bless you! Save yourself! Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. March 28, 1883 Letter 1160. Details of corrections in the book being viewed, “Life of the Savior.” Works on the Philokalia I received both of your last letters on Easter. I forestalled your desire - not to rush to send the manuscript - and sent it off. Will she find you in St. Petersburg?! – Someday it will come to your hands. There was no letter with that parcel. I am writing now. – Everything is spelled out there, how things should be done, and why. We need to move the events a little: what is indicated. Everything is written in pencil. You can clean it if you don’t like it; but Vysha will not refuse to frown. What will cause a solar eclipse? Let the guilty be afraid. What notes were there, I forgot everything. And the bale is sewn up. I won't add anything. The legends about the healing of the leper have already passed. And he stands in his place - i.e. before healing the paralytic. Visit to Nazareth – two – welcome! – But the first thing that Ev. Luke should be placed not where it was placed, but a little later, not before the entry into Capernaum, but during the first walk through Galilee - before the healing of the leper. And during this walk there will be two events, a visit to Nazareth, and the healing of a leper. – This is shown in the notes sent. It would also be necessary, instead of one, to see two events. This is about calling the Apostles - from a catch. They are characteristically different. And it is impossible to lump them into one event without stretching it. And make two legends: one like Ev. Matvey, another like Ev. Luke. Where should I put them? – One right after moving into Capernaum, like Eve. Matt. and Mr., - and the other after returning from the first walk through Galilee, - before the healing of the paralytic, it is assumed: they returned, not immediately the healing? - I need to rest. And they rest. The Savior is special, in solitude. And the Apostles went to fish. After all, it's just to get out of the city. Here it is. The Savior also came out. And it was that in Ev. Luke. This is the final call. - The Latins already stage or place these legends this way. And this is even in the universal church. stories, of which I have two at hand. I will wait for the promised delivery of new notebooks. I am now sitting over the second volume of the Philokalia. “And I feel that now this is being done with difficulty, whereas the first one was done quickly.” Saint Cassian, etc. Hesychius - finished. Flowing Rev. Neil is wise. Before St. Cassian should place extracts from St. Ephraim. He is the beginning. The end - Isaac the Syrian. And all those between them, all at least a little, will be included in this volume. I wish you a happy and healthy trip. May God's blessing be upon you. Your pilgrim, Bishop. Feofan. April 25, 1883 Letter 1161. Progress of work on the preparation of the Gospel History by the saint. Good aids to anatomy. About your eyes. Sign of prophetic dreams From the very moment I received your letter, which was written from the heights of the Valdai Mountains, I kept wanting to write to you, and quickly. And that’s how I sped it up!! When the passionate one came, when all the Gospels were being read, it occurred to me to finally fulfill the desire that had not given up on me to compose the Gospel story in the words of the Evangelists. “I’ve made up my mind,” and sat down, thinking to myself: how long? I'll finish by the end of the week. But the end of the week has come, and the end is still far away. Well, by the end of Easter, of course, I’ll have everything sorted out. And I sulk. But the end of Easter left the matter far from over. If so, then Fomina will solve everything. I haven’t decided; Mironositskaya did not decide, and further, and the Samaritan woman rescued her. - I glued everything together. Then comes the sitting down to find out the reasons why events should be given this order and not another. This is at the end, before the last days. Then there is not much to re-read, and, what is most difficult, to rewrite. - And there will be a book, 15 leaves, its title: Gospel story, in the words of St. The Evangelists are presented in sequential order, showing the reasons why the events of the Gospel should be given this and not another order. This is the temptation that caused all the letters to be postponed until another time. In your last letter you remember that in your previous letter to him you wrote about studying the human body, which I did not receive before. If you remember, try to repeat it. I have anatomy, very detailed and intelligent, as I wrote. Now there are three atlases - drawings of visible and invisible parts of the human body. The last atlas, the French one, which I ordered Alyosha to buy, will be the best of all: because its drawings are superimposed on one another, folded in. The abdomen, for example, - you see the skin in the picture, - bend it back, - you will see that under the skin there are muscles representing the peritoneum, - bend it again - the wombs, also the large intestine, kidneys, ureter - and the back wall. I haven't reviewed the text yet. But by appearance I judge that this is good and should satisfy enough, if not completely. I'll solve the questions. I won’t undertake it until the aforementioned temptation ends. – But it seems the questioner will not do without penance. Let him get ready. I take care of my eyes. They don't hurt; That's why there are no medicines for them. They die, and they will die forever. - Alas! Dreams are from God. Such people usually have a certificate about themselves. “The enemy is faking it here too, just like he is pretending to be an angel of light.” How can this be? - See for yourself. Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. May 18, 1884 Letter 1162. The end of the work of compiling the Gospel History. An explanation of the order of some of the events in this story. I wrote to you in St. Petersburg. Letter M.B. will leave you. I wrote to you that I am compiling the Four Gospels or Gospel history in the words of St. Evangelists. It's all over now. All that remains is correspondence. In this story, I hold two suppers for the Lord - one 6 days before Easter, and the other two. So show it to the father who is writing. By the way, I’ll mention the renunciation of St. Peter, - and about the visit to the Holy Sepulcher of St. myrrh-bearers. There are three legends about Peter’s denial, different from one another: 1) St. Matt. and Brand are similar; 2) St. Luke and 3) St. John. Each has three renunciations. If we begin to make one first out of the first three, one second out of the second three, and one third out of the three thirds, then we won’t get the job done. Therefore, I decided this: to consider it as renunciation is not the same as St. Peter said: “I don’t know the man,” but the attack of the questioners. A maid approached, followed by another, then someone else. St. Peter says to one, and the other, and the third: no, no, no - I don’t know. They fell silent, and this is one renunciation. A little later they attack again, St. Peter again calmed them down with three negatives. And this is the second one. So is the third. There were three attacks, three renunciations, although each consisted of three, but the renunciation reached fullness only after the third renunciation. First, according to Ev. John – 18:17:18, 25–27. Second, according to Matt. 26:58:69–74, and Mark 14:54:66–72. Third, according to Ev. Onion. 22:55–62. These renunciations should not be inserted into the tales of the trial of the Lord at night and thus tear it apart; and write all the renunciations at the end of the trial, and the Lord is brought out of the Sanhedrin into the courtyard. They think that the houses of Annas and Caiaphas were in different places. The high priest's house was one, with different wings: for Annas, Caiaphas and for the Sanhedrin. Since his arrival, the Lord stayed with Anna for a while, only until they gathered in the Sanhedrin. Maybe He came there too. In this case, I only had to go through the yard. According to John, renunciation began at the entrance gate and ended at the fire. According to Matthew and Mark, it began at the fire, was repeated when leaving the white courtyard to the black courtyard, and ended in the black courtyard or in the gatehouse. The third renunciation was all around the fire. The Lord, upon leaving the Sanhedrin, was immediately somewhere in the courtyard. And he looked at Peter. And the walk of the wives to the grave on the day of resurrection cannot be described harmoniously if we assume that they all walked in a group - and at one time. We must recognize three parishes - and three legends about them. Please look at the letters to various persons from Bp. Feofana, letter 23. The wives agreed on Saturday evening, on the morning of the first day of the week, to go to Golgotha and anoint the Lord with ointment. But to go there, do not gather in the city, but go to Calvary as best you can, and wait there until everyone gathers. They did not have an apartment in the same house, but in different ones. That is why it turned out that they did not all leave the city and come to Golgotha ​​at once, but in parts. But whoever came there, seeing that the Lord was not there, and receiving the notification that He had risen, no longer had the need to wait, but came and left. First of all, Mary Magdalene came, according to Ev. John. When she ran from the tomb to the Apostles, Joanna, the wife of Chuza, came with some others, according to Ev. Luke, then Mary came to Jacob and Salome, also probably with some, according to Ev. Matt. and Ev. Onion. Having received a command from the Lord and the Angels to go tell the Apostles about the resurrection of the Lord, they finally all gathered with the Apostles, according to Ev. John 24:10. The fruit of all their meetings was only that St. Peter also went to see the coffin. Further stories about the appearances of the Lord follow their own course and do not require explanation. Here's something else. The death of Judas is placed after the Lord's taking to Pilate. - Since he brought his silver to the high priests, and the high priests went at that time to Pilate, it must be assumed that this case of Judas took place later, when the church authorities were free. This is also from the legend of Ev. Matt. visible. For here it is said that they held a council and decided to buy a potter’s field. When was this done? Therefore, I already believe this at the end of events, on Friday, after the placement of the Lord in the tomb. It’s good to do the same there. I am presented with correspondence, which I take upon myself, in the thought that there may still be something that will have to be cleaned up; not in Ev herself. history, because here the text is entirely sacred, and in the explanations why events are turned out this way. Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. June 4, 1884 Letter 1163. Correspondence of the Gospel History. Book competition. About dreams. Blessing. More to the point about the Gospel story Exhausted. Over what? Above laziness. I'm rewriting. But this is a great temptation. There is no one to trust. They will rewrite it in such a way that it is worse than drafts. There’s nothing I can do, I’ll just drag it out. It will only last a long time. It is written very slowly, because it needs to be legible, but when you write soon you won’t be able to write legibly. - We'll manage somehow. You say: Give it to the people of Athos. Why on earth? – They have their own life. - I’ll publish it myself. I will ask the editor of Soulful Reading to find a more intelligent proofreader and oversee the printing. It is necessary that there are no errors. – Pictures and I thought, and then changed my mind. The people of Athos wouldn’t think that my book would undermine their publication? - It won't be fair. My book is of a completely different caliber with their biographies. They were undermined by some Moscow bookseller, who had already published the life of Christ the Savior, and with many pictures, good ones, if all of them were the same as those printed at the announcement. If Matveevsky had not hesitated, the Athos people would have been released long ago. This is what they can present to Matveevsky if he decides to ask for an increase. I have nothing to say about dreams. Historically, it has been confirmed that there are dreams from God, some from one’s own, and some from the enemy. “I can’t imagine how to find out.” - Peephole. The only thing we can say decisively is that dreams that are contrary to Orthodox Christianity must be rejected. Also: there is no sin in not following dreams when you lack confidence. God's dreams, which must be fulfilled, were sent repeatedly. May the Lord preserve your beauty in the right faith, with the good life that she leads. Let your salvation work out with the fear of God. In devotion to God, let him cry out to Him from the depths of his soul to preserve it in the Orthodox truth, without which there is no salvation. You wrote to change the title. No. He's pissing - pissing; “according to the Evangelists:” does not express the case. And Matveevsky writes according to this legend. The difference in my story is that it does not contain my words. Except for the titles. The justification for order is all in the word to the readers, which will be a third or a quarter of the book, and stands especially in front. If God extends the century, reflections on the events of St. stories, or conversations, will follow. This book solves nothing except: why was this order of events chosen? Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. July 18, 1884 Letter 1164. On the censorship of the Gospel story. Fear of non-permission to print My most merciful N-lai V-vich! I am very grateful for the message about the censorship procedure that my Gospel Story will be subjected to. I was a little embarrassed at the thought of the possibility of the Holy Synod not allowing it to be printed. And then he humbled himself a little, saying to himself: God’s will be done. Since it is supposed not to allow this kind of writing, then there is nothing to do: hands at the seams and: I’m listening, sir! I immediately thought of writing to the Great Bishop and the Chief Prosecutor. And again I changed my mind. It is better to leave everything to the will of God. It’s all the same who should be assigned to review it. I don’t think any of the Synodal members will be unfriendly to my cause. Our relationship with Tambovsky is good. But I think it’s better not to give any hints here either. When the manuscript is completed, you can say something on occasion, in passing, to anyone who is talking about it. However, act as God tells you to do. For me, the main thing is not the Gospel story itself, but the order of events. The Gospel story is an appendage. If such a story, told in the words of the Evangelists, is not allowed, then you can then state the same thing in your own words. I compiled it in the words of the Evangelists, so that I could then examine it from all sides in the same order. The text of the compiled history would only then serve as a starting point - and everything would be in order. Let them allow or prohibit it as soon as possible. Maybe after that I will immediately sit down to write, of course, if I feel like it: for my laziness takes on great strength. Or maybe the synods will be merciful. On the merits of the matter, although it won’t be a big deal if they don’t allow it. But I almost muttered to the whole world that a miracle was being prepared. The Gospel story is like this and like this. And then suddenly. Ole – defeats! - And it would be desirable that it be allowed. Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. October 20, 1884 Letter 1165. About the book “The Life of the Savior of the World” by Putsykovich Received the life of Savior Putsykovich. - And reconsidered. It is also entirely composed in the words of the Gospel. But the order of events is unfortunate. Everything is excited. The pictures are bearable. Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. November 5, 1884 Letter 1166. More about the censorship of the Gospel History. Compilation of the life of St. Great. Panteleimon and about his other works. About the results of the Kyiv Council. The need for clarification of church books What is happening to my Gospel story?! It probably didn’t start at the right time, or finish, or send it to the censor. Either the censor ate it out of his sight, or some other similar parable happened, that everything stands still and does not move. – And why is censorship sleeping there?! Doesn't send. I would take a stick and blow everyone away. Anyway, someday this matter will come to an end. Let's wait. We are not at the height of progress. In the outback. Did I write to you or not about the desires of the Athos people? - I did it and sent it. These are two words of praise from St. Panteleimon; - and his life according to Metaphrast. – Now I’m translating Vikenty Lirinsky, as I remembered tea. I'll finish soon. I will add a considerable preface about the same thing, and also an extract from similar writings by the writers who preceded Vincent and those who followed, in order to present this matter more fully. I think this is not untimely. Did you find out anything about Pr. Jeremiah. Tell me quickly. May the Lord protect him. What have our gathering aces done for the church? - The Kyiv Cathedral revealed a fruit - a letter. There may be something else that will happen. They drank, ate, traveled, talked, fussed, and parted. It will be very boring if that's the case. Church books need to be cleared up and cleaned out. The Greeks are constantly updating their liturgical books. I compare octothem. The Greeks have a lot, a lot of new things. And they are great at this. – Our other services are such that you can’t understand anything. Also: The prologue, in terms of content, is delightful, but in terms of style, it’s worthless, but everything is in use. Also: There is a Book of Brief Teachings from St. fathers are also lovely. - All St. the fathers from which the articles were taken have now been translated into Russian. And in church - everything is read in the old Slavic translation. What is it worth to correct and update both of these books?! Save yourself! God bless you! Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. December 14, 1884 Letter 1167. More about the Gospel Story. On the matter of 2 volumes of the Philokalia. About the “invisible warfare”. 70 year old worker Thank you for your troubles. Although not too much, I was still worried about the fate of the manuscript. Now I see hope for non-interdiction. How to print, I wrote everything down. The font is large, like the Philokalia, and the format is the same. The border has been chosen - throughout the book. And asked Fr. Nechaev - find a proofreader. Dad... so that there are no mistakes. God grant that it be published well. The second volume of the Philokalia is being printed. Half were sent for review. Again a lot of mistakes. I'm waiting for the end. A little book will come out: it’s all about the fight against passions. And from Athos the elders sent “invisible abuse” of Nicodemus Agiorite, offering to translate. Ran. It's coming. Can be translated. I think I wrote to you that it wouldn’t be a bad idea to translate Vikenty Lirinsky’s memorial note again. I translated it. It became clearer. Now it is necessary to select in addition to how this was judged before. Which is what is done - starting from him - back to the Apostles. Then the general conclusion - and amen. My head became weak and I almost completely lost the ability to write. Surely the time has come. On January 8th I turned 70 years old. “You can lie down and sleep soundly.” But you can’t resist; – I still want to dig. And how many mysteries!! P.S. About the “Invisible Warfare” - don’t you remember there was a book that was passed around from hand to hand a long, long time ago - with such an inscription, a book translated from Latin. - I would like to take a look at her. Nikodim m.b. remade it. His inscription says: compiled by a certain wise man, now, and so on. Letter 1168. Start of printing of the Gospel. Stories. Works on the translation of invisible warfare. News and congratulations I have done a great deal to you. Guilty. Silence, although very suitable for Lenten time, could still be done without this feat of laziness. However, I have something as an apology, although you can hide under it as well as under a harrow from the rain - namely, I was waiting for news from Moscow about the start of printing. And what happened?! I became angry with impatience at my nephew and scolded him. He answered: it was only three or four days since he received the manuscript. And together he added: oh. prot. Nechaev pointed out the ace - the proofreader, and began to look through the latest proofreading himself, which, of course, will not be without sins (and the Gospel is now being printed with sins); but still I am calm. They sent a sample, which was rejected by the Higher, because it unnecessarily deviated from my original order. I sent it back with instructions to do it as specified. That's all there is to it. It started; Of course, it will come to the end. – You took 10 tons too broadly. I ordered two factories. The first edition of my books has not yet been distributed to one plant. It’s scary to encounter the same thing here. If it goes well, we'll print it again. The invisible abuse is translated, albeit very sedately. – I see that this is exactly the book that I knew back in Kyiv. acad. and then in St. Petersburg. – This is a translation from Latin, in the days of Golitsyn. She's very good. Many of its provisions were included in my descriptions in the first forties, and even in Acad. student articles, such as the fight against sin. - I don’t translate it, but I freely rearrange it - in my own speech, adding and subtracting and changing it from the original. In Modern Greek it belongs to Nicodemus Agiorite. - Where did he get it from? – From the original Latin? - Hardly. I believe it’s from a Russian translation, but I can’t decide how. Having finished the translation, I will send it to the elders - and invite them to select the sayings of the ascetic elders for every article in this book - from the Limonar, from the Patericon and Gerondice. If they had arranged this, it would have been amazingly good. Now I received news that Moskov. and Kyiv. The bishops will leave for the dioceses by March 18. What does this mean? Did something similar happen there, what happened to their predecessors? Congratulations on finishing your post. I wish to have compassion on the Lord on Passion Day. May God grant that we rejoice with heaven and earth on the Holy Day! Save yourself! Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. March 11, 1885 Letter 1169. About the publication of the journal. Apologist. About Leo Tolstoy and his book “What is my faith” I remember having the Apologist's plan in my head. But what I was wearing - I forgot everything. You can't even imagine how weak my memory is. And now she’s no good at all. Well, it’s a good thing to publish an Apologist. But an editor must be chosen who is quick-eyed, taciturn, but with a word that hits like an arrow. The other day, a Ryazan landowner, acquainted only in writing, a great uch, temporarily lives in St. Petersburg, sent me the manuscript of Leo Tolstoy's bashi-bazuk. The enemy of God and the servant of the devil. Title: What is my faith? - 35 years old, he says, I was an atheist. Now I accepted the teachings of Christ. But his Christ is not ours, and the teaching is not our Christ God. He wants to make humanity happy. Here is a blueprint for a happy life: 1) do not resist evil, let them beat, cut, rob - be patient, but be silent, do not defend yourself. 2) Courts are not needed, nor the police, nor the army. 3) The oath is criminal; 4) It is ungodly to fight. 5) Divorce should not be done, even if the spouses commit adultery. He proves by crookedly interpreting the words of the Lord in the conversation on the mount - Matt. 5:21–48, with great stretch. In the tone of his speech, blasphemy is constantly spewed against the church, which he calls nothing other than a perverter of the teachings of Christ. Before this article (5 sheets of neat letter without margins), he says, I wrote a criticism of dogmas, and the Gospel, the Gospel code. teachings. Ushinsky sent me a copy of his Gospel. Between the true texts, distorted translations of some places are inserted, and in others they are inserted completely their own, the content is such that, after reading it, I had to decide: this is white fever nonsense. And in this manuscript his wisdom is visible. He does not believe in the Holy Trinity, rejects the incarnate economy, the sacraments, the church, and the future life. His Christ is not Christ the Lord, but some kind of summary of the most perfect humanity, or something like that. The article may have a harmful influence, and the one who sent it to me wrote that in St. Petersburg many are tempted, especially from the highest circle of ladies. He lithographs his articles abroad, smuggles them, and distributes them secretly. My manuscript is a list. And Ushinsky sent his list. Evil is spreading in secret. Go on purpose to the Chief Prosecutor and report this. I’m thinking of sending him 2 volumes of the Philokalia one of these days and also remembering him. We need to do something against it. Evil is destructive. It is curious what kind of criticism of dogma this is. You need to know this. I am sending you the second volume of the Philokalia. Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. May 14, 1885 Letter 1170. Lion from the abyss, disturbing the peace of the Saint What is going on with you and me?! – You went to the Chief Prosecutor of the Holy Synod and settled there. Where are you now, God knows. I kept trying to write, but the time for mail will come, I’ll think: they’ll bring a letter, but it’s still not there. “You see how skillfully the blame is shifted from a sick head to a healthy one.” Well, did you manage to report to His Excellency what you wanted? – And if you succeeded, what did you hear? “I was going to write it myself, but I couldn’t force myself to do it.” They will say: “he’s interfering in someone else’s business.” Go to rest and sit still." - But I can’t sit still. They wrote from Moscow, as if the writings of this Leo - from the abyss - were being read in great demand. How many godless absurdities he has - every line of it, judge how much evil he does. - And all in secret. “Moreover, they say, he opened his house and gives everyone access to him, and enlightens everyone.” - And no one leads with their ears. I don't remember if I wrote to you about his articles. I now have three: 1) what is my faith? – 2) New Gospel; and 3) confession. The latter tells how he got to his present position. All fanfare. In these articles he mentions 4) his criticism of church dogma. Someone else informed me that he had also published an article: 5) what should we do now? I can't get the last two. And it is very desirable, especially criticism. – In the articles that I have, it is clear that he rejects all dogmas; but there is no evidence. They, he says, are in the aforementioned criticism. No matter how many times I pick up the pen, I can’t write. So, should we leave it like that? The Moscow ruler read the gospel, and should have done something. They have a lot of scientists in Moscow. I think they'll figure it out bit by bit. But I lack a lot to write meaningfully. We have to rummage. And here is my madam with her presentations. It would be better for me not to know anything about this. I think that zealousness takes you too. Well, let's share. But still you have to sit on the same thing. You bury yourself in the household and forget the whole world. Blissful state. God bless all your work! Save yourself! Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. August 7, 1885 Letter 1171. More about Leo Tolstoy. A modest review about myself Beloved N-lai V-vich! I practice doing nothing. The bashi bazooka Leo Tolstoy smashed my head. He blabbed a lot of nonsense, but he had nothing to take on. Everything is almost unproven. And besides, he deigned to state that he was still correcting his thoughts. This is a loophole in which he can calmly say: this is not a decisive thought for me yet. Finally, I received little hope of having a criticism of our dogmas. Leo. One beauty declared herself to be his acquaintance. I asked her to ask Lev for a while - that criticism. He replied: I only have my copy, which I need. If you want, I’ll tell you to write it off, but please pay the money. The money has been sent (he appointed) and the rewritten criticism is awaiting. Something will come of this. Getting into arguments is so disgusting! In addition, anger takes over, and there is a temptation to make a big speech. When I receive this criticism, then I will decide what I can do. Should I write it myself, or hand it over to stronger minds? The Moscow clergy must fight. I wrote to the editor of “Shower. Th.”, so that he would push this one in the side. He fights for himself and for others. And it falls on me. They won't succeed. I'm healthy. Are you healthy? Or, really, asking this means disgracing the village air, which can reasonably arm itself against me, not on its own, but by persuading the Vysha air. Vysha is waiting for her new eminence, just about there. Let's see what he's like. If you're like me, then at least give it up. There has never been a worse bishop than me in the whole world and at all times. His predecessors and my successors were all great guys. The best of all was Palladium. He has something in common with Fr. Lavrentiy, of blessed memory. Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. September 22, 1885 Letter 1172. Ostroumov’s criticism of the confession of Leo from the herd of Antichrist. About your current affairs. Athos in his house I read Ostroumov's articles. Nothing excellent is yet to be seen, even though things are being said. Yes, here Ostroumov has nothing to disagree about. He looks through the confession of the roaring Lion. There is almost nothing in this confession that touches the Orthodox truth. Only at the end there won’t be much where he will say why he abandoned Orthodoxy. Lvov’s confession was already published in the analysis of the afterbirth. novel by Lvov (Karenina, I think) Gromeka. Only the tip has been added here. The general conclusion can be divided: he was an atheist, and remained one. A lion from the herd of Antichrist. God bless your book. I wish it to spread quickly and especially that it be read and taken into account. The gospel story should have come out long ago. I don’t know why Alyosha is dawdling there. I’ve been re-reading everything for about a month now, and I noticed typos - 6 and corrected and added a few things. I'm waiting for it to be sent to me in the next few days. And then I’ll send it to you right away and send it out. One more time to translate the heads of the heels and the “Invisible Warfare” will end. She herself doesn’t know what Vysha will do next. There is one more thing worth printing. Maybe I'll take it up. Otherwise, it’s not surprising that I’ll start fighting with Leo. I have Lvov: “Confession”, “Gospel”. “What is my faith” letter to someone in St. Petersburg. Only in the article “What is my faith” there is something dangerous, not in the solidity of the reasoning, but in the cry against the Church, often repeated, that it has distorted the teachings of Christ. Maybe Ostroumov will get to everything, in order. You are getting ready, or sometimes the thought comes - to give up on Athos. Make yourself an Athos from your hut. Who is your decree? You are your own boss, you can walk on your head and hit the floor with your head, making bows. You can hide from the world, but where can you hide from yourself and from the enemy? Only into the bosom of God. And it is available everywhere. Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. December 8, 1885 Letter 1173. When sending Evang. Stories. End of translation of Invisible Warfare. More about Ostroumov I waited with great effort for my “Gospel Story.” I am sending you three copies along with this. Give one to Mr. Sabler if you find it suitable. Now I am sending both the Chief Prosecutor and Metropolitan Isidore, 6 copies each, it seems. I was stingy to send 10, as you prescribed. I’m thinking of sending three books each to the other two metropolitans, and two to the others who participated in the decision, and Leonty – also 5, or plus. There's no need to rush. Maybe I'll come up with something else. But you can’t even imagine how lazy I was! Even though the grass doesn't grow, as the proverb goes. Translation of “The Invisible Warfare” – finished. It will be a useful book. We already had this book translated from a foreign language. Elder Nicodemus corrected her in many ways, and Vyshinsky was a troublemaker, and even more so. Many chapters had to be re-written. Now I have undertaken to translate another similar book. Will I cum?! Ask where I'm going? Into darkness and darkness. For even the last eye will hardly last the next year. I wish you all the joys! Save yourself! P.S. Ostroumov moves forward, and the further he goes, the more boldly he rises. Especially now readable - in the second November book. Fine. God help him! Letter 1174. Feedback on notes by Fr. Matveevsky on Gospel History You mentioned Matveevsky’s notes. Ask him to sketch out what and why he sees inaccuracies. In my word to the readers, I explain why I am bringing it to the end - I am talking about Judas. It was always unpleasant to meet this face here, when all attention was absorbed by the Lord. But you can also philosophize. The verdict of the Sanhedrin is not a condemnation. Pilate condemned. Then, what is told in the Gospel about Judas allows us to relate the story about him not only to Friday evening, but also to Friday and Saturday, and this is not a great matter. The Lord said the Lord’s Prayer as a teaching not just twice, but I think many times. About the renunciation of St. Peter also says that I am condensing the story about this into one, so as not to cloud my attention and not tear it away from the Lord. Maybe he doesn’t think it’s right that I have 2 recantations if the argument is to be conducted like a lawyer. But it says why that is. Pilate asked the Lord twice - where is my wrong? Let him write everything, at least quickly. I'll explain it to him. This is the same story as for the people of Athos! All these perplexities are minor. I'm expecting more serious opponents. Establishing the order of a story is a great matter. But only those who have seriously dealt with it themselves see it this way. The Verkhoglyads cannot say anything useful here. The late Grechulevich could have done this. Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. February 16, 1886 Letter 1175. Who should be interested in the Gospel History. More about the denunciation of Leo Tolstoy. Trashy criticism Thank you for your speeches about the “Gospel History”, both yours and those heard. This book cannot be of interest to those who have not developed a need to see the Gospel stories presented in order. And those who have already had these questions, and especially those who have puzzled over this at least a little, will not be surprised if they say thank you. Currently I am wondering whether to write against Tolstoy. They’re already writing, so it’s become possible not to write. But they write in a very drawn-out manner, and it resembles Krylov’s fable: “The Cat and the Cook.” It occurs to me: to choose Tolstoy’s fabrications - that’s all, and then put the confession of faith of St. against them. Church, and put it into action. This will be a brief overview of the enemy camp and the Orthodox army. As a warning, otherwise evil is slowly spreading, but the cry: beware, cannot be heard. The whole problem is laziness. She has so enchanted me that I don’t even want to lift a finger. God send zealous activists! P.S. Finally, they delivered to me a criticism of the dogma of the Rev. Macarius - Tolstoy's products. Rubbish is rubbish. And sure enough, they read it with relish. March 30 – April 3, 1886 Letter 1176. Angry reviewer of the Gospel History. About the 3rd volume of the Philokalia. On invisible warfare and other similar books translated by the saint Someone published a review of “The Gospel History” in Moscow Readings. total love spirit. enlightenment I didn't even notice. Varshavsky already said. I read it. I'm still going to grab the reviewer by the hair and hit the ground. He screamed like crazy - he got everything mixed up, and you couldn’t figure out what he wanted. Something needs to be said. For if this scribbler, and the society listening behind him, did not understand the matter, then, I think, there will be a lot of crooked-eyed talkers everywhere. I wanted to ask Nechaev who wrote it. But I thought: isn’t it him? - and put it aside. I’ll get ready to write, but in the most peaceful spirit. I'm pouring 3 tons of kindness. “I think I’ll finish soon.” I wanted a special book from St. Maxim the confessor was released, but changed his mind. That's what I'm translating. In the Philokalia - from it - 4 hundred about love, 2 hundred. about Theology, - 5 hundred about virtue. and vices, and interpretation of the Lord's Prayer, - 1100 sayings or chapters. There are wise ones. But there are some that are unclear. Here you inevitably resort to tricks. - As soon as I finish it, the volume will be compiled, again thick. I’m unlikely to finish the Philokalia. The eye is fading. Noticeable. But I still don’t let the spoon pass my mouth. Over “The Invisible Warfare,” the old women I knew became deeply emotional. I also have a similar book. And it started with translation. But I got lazy and quit. The ancient method of healing this disease should be used. But thanks to progress, you won’t find such doctors. There is no hostility: just lie down, lazy! I wish you all well-being, both physical and mental, temporary and eternal. Save yourself! Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. October 30, 1886 Letter 1177. Intention to use medical assistance bar. Vrevsky I'm bothering you again, and this is a matter of the first importance. My eye and the other one are apparently weakening. That’s why I grab onto everything, of course, that’s not usually medicinal. sense: for these have already refused in the person of one of their midst. But you have a doctor there who is out of the ordinary, not an allopath, not a homeopath, but a special doctor of his own kind. And the ace – by rank – is precisely Baron Vrevsky. And here's another one. He started his practice only for a year, and he has 15 thousand clients. Well? Did it sparkle in your eyes?!! This news was not brought by a magpie on its tail, but by a newspaper clipping (I think, Novoye Vremya, October 29, No. 3:832), sent to me from Tambov by my well-wishers, with a proposal, would you like it? “Having received this, I rushed to approach him, maybe he would help.” - But at first I thought because the address was not in the clipping or in the letter in which it was sent, and then because it’s complete, isn’t it? - So I found it necessary to turn to you for unprintable information; in fact, Baron Vrevsky is so beneficial to suffering humanity. Please find out and tell me if I can get treatment from him too. My illness is not an illness, but just like that, white matter sticks to the lens and does not allow the rays to pass into the eye, and thereby prevents vision. There is no damage or pain in the eye. There are no ordinary medicines for this. Operation if, but scary. My cataracts do not allow surgery. Consequently - blindness, and she is already looking through the spindle. I rush to anyone, and I’m ready to rush to Vrevsky. If only you could run to him and ask, and even convince him to undertake to cure my eyes. If he said that you need to see, report that the disease does not require this. Just say one word: cataract, and that says it all. Consequently, he can begin to treat without looking. If he makes it a condition to see, then frighten him that in no way can I fulfill this, I will have to go blind - and he will be the culprit of blindness. How I wish he would undertake to cure, and cure! If it is difficult to get to, find out the address. I will go straight to him and beg him. Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. November 23, 1886 Letter 1178. About the same thing. Fear of losing your sight completely I congratulate you on the occasion of the Nativity of Christ and the upcoming New Year. Be always healthy and cheerful. Thank you for your troubles around Vrevsky. “So I have no hope for his treatment.” I can't go. And Vrevsky must answer for my blindness, if God’s intentions were for him to help me, unconditionally. I wrote to Olga Stepanovna Burachek so that she could convince Fr. Ivana, and Fr. Ivan Vrevsky - agreed to treat me without seeing me. For every other disease must be seen, but cataracts are nothing to see. To demand this is just a whim. I will so believe that God wants to make me blind for a while in order to distance me from bookishness; which, although not evil, can be considered among the obstacles to real spiritual life. My health is no good, but my eye sometimes proves my intention to refuse service, so be it. And I will sit down, or not, I will lie down, and I will enjoy myself until the toothless one comes, eating everyone. Your good friend Bp. Feofan. December 22, 1886 Letter 1179. Unsuccessful attempt to be treated by Vrevsky. Appeal to Fr. John. Request to send Livanov's book. Proposal to write a response to criticism of the Gospel History and about the Molokans I am very grateful to you for your troubles to get to Vrevsky and get an answer about correspondence treatment. Now I am convinced that this case, according to him, is unacceptable. And I turn my back to him. – Does he feel the full front of this movement? But all thoughts about treatment through it cease. Amen! Be the will of God! Letters from gr. I didn’t receive Sievers. Maybe he changed his mind. Or maybe it didn’t come through. – This has happened to me more than once. And I marvel! Currently, one circumstance has forced me to reconsider what I have at hand about the Molokan sect. Several articles mention that this sect is written in detail - in 2 volumes of Livanov’s works under the title: Raskolniks and Prisoners - and that their wisdom is presented in detail here. – If you have this book, send it to me. I’ll read it, take what I need and return it. Or get it somewhere and send it. Please. Extremely needed. I received your letters - two, and the last one, where you say that you have already written three times, was the third. He wrote to the Burachkovs, and through them to Fr. John. Does he flinch at this menacing word? You write: read and write less. The Moscow ophthalmologist Kryukov told me the same thing. I answered him: where can I deal with this?! The truth is true, he also confessed. You are preparing to write a rebuke. God bless! And I started, but then I quit. The soul does not lie. Will the hunt still come? And is it clever?! After all, May marks the year since the review of the Gospel story was published. Everyone has forgotten about her and about history. Besides, the Molokans always have a twinkle in their eyes. Send Livanov?! Letter 1180. More about the revision of the book by Fr. Matveevsky. Using Vrevsky water. Who rules the church? About the upcoming anniversary of the 900th anniversary of Christianity in Russia and the proposal to commemorate it with a new translation of liturgical books Thanks for the news. Finally, Matveevsky entered into his rank! I am very glad that he finished his work. And it’s good that he gave in to the Athonites. Read! After all, I’ve already read, and it seems like a lot. And for what purpose?! If it's for corrections, that's fine. Ready. And I say in advance that if anything is put in a different order than mine, I will veto it and correct it. No concession. I remember! The last time I wrote about the separation of Ev. from Luke. 9–18 chapters so as not to tear it. He wrote, it seems, about the appearances of the Lord after the resurrection, and something else. Yes! about the double anointing of the Lord with myrrh in Jerusalem. If this and other things do not agree with me, then I will get an invisible cap and an airplane carpet, in St. Petersburg, and I will blow Mat.’s hair, and his manuscript into the fire. In this case, it’s better not to send it. And I don’t want to look. I drink water. I wrote to the baron that I didn’t see any improvement, and he sent new water, this began, God willing! About the management of St. I don’t know anything about the Church of the Son of God. The Church, like everything, is ruled by one God, worshiped in the Trinity. It is appropriate for tritheists to talk about the areas of activity of each person - special ones. I hear that the Holy Synod wants to organize a jubilee next year, in commemoration of the 900th anniversary of St. our churches. As a reminder of this, they seem to want to publish the life of St. Vladimir and an akathist to him - with pictures. This is what I am talking to you about. Life and the Akathist are not bad. But it is not enough for such a great anniversary and such great persons. We need something more significant. For my part, I propose that we determine to translate the liturgical books again—that’s all. For the anniversary, prepare one of these, for example. Octoechos, or Flower Garden, Festive Menaion. Or something else. When you write to those in power, remind them of this. Now - tomorrow we need to do it. Why not time it to coincide with such an event? Please do this. I think everyone will be happy about the appearance of the Synod newspaper. May God grant this to happen. You can invite archpastors to send their thoughts on what is needed for the church. May God grant you to live in a village, it will be healthy and soul-saving! Your good friend Bp. Feofan. June 1, 1887 Letter 1181. On the heresy of the Catholic Church and on various other subjects In your letter dated January 27, you wrote: “yesterday I sent a short article,” etc. I’m waiting, waiting, and can’t wait. - Stuck somewhere. – This is an article about church governance. In a letter dated February 10, you ask my opinion about the opinion of someone that the Catholic Church is not heretical. – I postponed answering this until I received the promised article. Since the article did not arrive, the answer was delayed. In the same letter you mention a certain book, “sin, its origin and consequences,” and ask to say what it is. – This reasoning was published in 1889 in the works of St. fathers. I read it and don't remember it leaving a scratch. But I don’t want to read it again: I don’t have much time. – Read it and tell me what it scratches with. In your letter dated February 14, you invite me to burn your questions. “You are the one who spares my eyes and saves my time.” - Thank you. – If you expected that you need to compose a long article, then, of course, there is no time. – But it’s not difficult for me to write down my opinion, and it takes a little time. Now, at this hour, I cannot say anything about the article or about sin, but only about the heresy of the Catholic Church. You and I are private individuals; and in their opinions they must conform to the decision of the Orthodox Church. It seems that St. Our Church is lenient towards Catholics, and recognizes the power not only of Catholic baptism and other sacraments, but also of the priesthood, which is very significant. Therefore, it is better for us to refrain both from asking these questions and from solving them. One thing should be kept in mind that one should not go over to the Catholics, because for them some parts of the system of confession and church order are damaged, or changed with a deviation from the most ancient. I don’t know what else to say. When an article about the government of the church by God reaches me, then I will write something. “I’ll tell you about sin when you write down what’s wrong with it.” “It won’t distract me far from the business at hand.” My health is fine. I can’t say anything praiseworthy about the eye. - Emancipates. I wish you all the best from the Lord. Save yourself! Your good friend Bp. Feofan. February 28, 1888 Letter 1182. About the Holy Trinity and the government of the Church. Concession of the publication of their books to the people of Athos. About the sowing done. State of forces I'm sorry I didn't answer for so long. The obedience you entrusted to me is to blame - to write. How many times did I get down to business and nothing came out of my head? So he threw down the pen. And now I am writing just to inform you that this matter is not going well for me. And I can’t say whether it will ever stick together. Maybe the reason for this is that there is nothing to say. After all, this is the first point of the dogma of the Most Holy Trinity - that exclusively each person of Her belongs only to each individual’s personal property - unbornness, birth and originality. Everything else is the same and common to everyone. The names of God are common, the properties of God and Divine actions are common: creation, providence, the organization of the incarnate economy, the accomplishment of the salvation of everyone, the organization and preservation of the church, and everything else that can only come from God. Those who read the Scriptures know that, for example, God the Father, and God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are called the Creator; also the Provider, and the Almighty, and the Savior, and so on. They have one kingdom, one will, one omniscience, one omnipotence, one omnipresence, and so on, everything that is said or perhaps was said about God is common to all and one. And this is not in the sense that it is the same, but in the fact that all this is one. Remember the symbol of Athanasius the Great. I’ll write out a little: the Father is eternal, the Son is eternal, the Holy Spirit is eternal, but not three eternal, but one eternal, and equally not three uncreated, and not three incomprehensible, but one uncreated, one incomprehensible. Likewise - the Almighty Father, the Almighty Son, the Almighty Holy Spirit, but not three Almighty, but one Almighty. God is the Father, God is the Son, God is the Holy Spirit, but not three Gods, but one God (Vol. 4, at the end). Remember: there is one God, he says, and not one Divinity. Although sometimes it is said this way, it is essential to understand that God is one. Otherwise - the Divinity is one - there will be an abstract concept from three separate ones. And he will speak like this and understand it - to divide the Divine nature, and introduce three separate Gods. Whoever has three Gods does not have God, for there is One true God, and untrue gods are not gods. In the same way, he who divides the actions of God according to the Persons of the Holy Trinity and ascribes one to one and the other to another Person divides the nature, and introduces three gods, and as a result has none. These are universal provisions. Based on them, look at the passage you came across somewhere: “The Church is ruled by the Holy Spirit”; the decision whether such a thought is right will present itself to you by itself. If the one who said this understands the rule of the church not as the exclusive work of the Holy Spirit, but as His action not separate from the Father and the Son, then there will be nothing wrong here. If he so understands that it is His exclusive business, then he sins against Orthodoxy. It is possible to say this: the Holy Spirit rules the Church, if we understand this: inseparably with the Father and the Son, as it is said about creation, where the Father created the world, where the Son is, and where the Holy Spirit is, in the following thought: the Father is not without the Son and the Holy Spirit, the Son is not without the Father and the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit is not without the Father and the Son. This is how we should talk and think about governing the Church. Apparently who controls the Church? Shepherds. Who supplies them? God the Father (1 Cor. 12:28); God the Son (Eph.4:11); God the Holy Spirit (Acts 20:28). Consequently, the Church is ruled, through the shepherds, not by one person exclusively, but by the one Trihypostatic God. Why, it is called the Church of God (1 Cor. 10:32:11:16:15:9), or the living Church of God (2 Cor. 6:16; 1 Tim. 3:15). Who rules every Christian so that he lives and acts as he should, as a Christian? He who lives in Him, Lives in Him - God; why it is the church of God (1 Cor. 3:16), and God dwells in it, as in all believers truly (2 Cor. 6:16); God the Son, as St. testifies. Paul about himself: No one lives, but Christ lives in me (Gal. 2:20); God is the Holy Spirit, as the same Apostle says about all believers: “The Spirit of God dwells in you” (1 Cor. 3:16), and “the little ones are led by the Spirit of God; these are sons” (Rom. 8:14). In this way, believers are led and ruled inseparably by the Trinitarian God. since the Church is the totality of all believers, then it also rules. True, it is said that the Head of the Church is Christ the Lord (Col. 1:18), Who nourishes and warms it (Eph. 5:29) and Whom it obeys (-24). But God the Father gave Him the head of the Church (Eph. 1:14–22), and He also gives her the Spirit of wisdom (Eph. 1:17), Who speaks with authority to the churches (Apoc. 2, etc.). These few places, I think, are enough to understand how the Church is truly governed. I can't find anything else to say. I received the seeds you sent. We have sown, but we don’t know what God will give. No matter how the air here prevents them from reviving. I give all my books to the people of Athos at half price. These are printed. But I also instruct their further publication. The nephew wrote that no one is writing it out. During publication, something was reprimanded to him. And I didn’t forget to give it to me for distribution. My health is good, but my laziness is also healthy. All energy relaxed. At least I'm digging in a little. God bless you with every blessing! Save yourself! P.S. How do you think? Will a storm rise against us, and with it all of Europe? I couldn’t believe it, but then I started to think about it. Why? We should be punished. Send blasphemies against God and His public deeds. Someone wrote to me that in some newspaper, “Svet” No. 88, blasphemies against the Mother of God were published. The Mother of God turned away from us; for Her sake is the Son of God, and for His sake is God the Father and the Spirit of God. Who is for us when God is against us?! Alas! Letter 1183. Grief over the fall of faith among the thinking and the propaganda of Tolstoy. Good workers. On the history of the Russian Philokalia It’s bitter and bitter what’s going on among our thinking people. Everyone has lost their mind. Philosophical views are not in use; they are guided by principles blown by the wind. Holy faith is relegated to the background. And even theologians have lost the real foundations of Orthodox theology, and everyone laughs. And the Lord, it seems, has turned His eyes away from us and does not send workers. How many times have I tried to scream, but nothing comes out of my head. Maybe others experience the same thing. Is this not God's abandonment? God, be merciful! What I wrote to you about in the newspaper “Svet”, a beauty from Tambov (elder Kolobova) wrote about it. If that’s not here (in A.), it’s not my fault. But what has been published about Tolstoy makes one wonder how this madman is still left to murder. He is the most evil of all, for he spreads his evil in secret. Save us, Lord! Dangerous approaches to marriage are, of course, worthy of pity. But when a divorce is made from Orthodoxy, this seems less bad. You are doing well to stand up for what you can. I have no courage at all, although enthusiasm sometimes attacks me. I will buzz privately that God sends. All my books have been accepted by the people of Athos. They will continue to print with a small board. Now they have 3 tons of the Philokalia. A little more and 4 tons will be ready. Everything is the teachings of St. Theodora Studite. I'm re-reading it. I’ll finish and take on 5 tons. This will include everything that is in Greek. Philokalia. And the end. Your good friend Bp. Feofan. July 17, 1888 Letter 1184. About the miraculous saving of the Emperor’s life. New volume of the Philokalia. About your health and the drawings you send They kept silent. It's time to talk. What happened on the return journey of the Sovereign Emperor?! Who won't speak?! Wonderful! The Cover of God is so tangible, who can’t touch it?! The great destinies of God are connected with the reigning Sovereign. I thought so from the very beginning. And now I think even harder. The first time they printed it, it was so secretive, I didn’t even pay attention. Further, as everything began to gradually unfold, the hair stood on end with horror - both about the great misfortune that had passed, and about the indescribable miracle of deliverance. God! Always save the Tsar! What did I do during all the silence? Of course, he was asleep, but he was also awake. The people of Athos have two new volumes of the Philokalia in their hands, one of which is being printed, and the other is just being copied. Meanwhile, another volume is being prepared - the last. What clever articles. Wise in language, but wiser in content. I missed several chapters, due to their incomprehensibility - from Nikita Stifat. Now Gregory of Sinai, also the wisest and wisest. The end is coming soon. St. will give something. Palamas? And amen! Then I’ll lie down and puff, like someone who climbed Sinai or Mount Athos. But there is no urge to do it. Sometimes I wonder if I could take the Psalter and write a book out of each psalm, like the 33rd and, even more so, the 118th. And then the Gospel. My head became weak and my usual energy disappeared. At least the grass won't grow. What about the eye? It is noticeably weakening, but still serves well. The distance is closing. I can no longer distinguish anything there. That's all mine! My thoughts often began to look into the grave. This is no good. You must take revenge on me - with a full description of your exploits. You act on the body of the Church and society. What else can I say? Oh, I forgot! I give the Athonites to publish two paintings, the interior of the Holy Sepulcher, and the Sepulcher of the Mother of God. These are the most accurate images. These are completely drawn. Tell the Athonites to get some of it from afar and chromolithographically. I also sent a drawing of Golgotha, I propose that if anyone agrees to draw it, I will tell you the details, as far as I remember. I drew everything. I don't know where he got stuck. I wish you so many good things that you couldn’t even list them. Save yourself! Your good friend Bp. Feofan. November 2, 1888 Letter 1185. Difficulties in translating the Philokalia. Hopes for Rev. Alexia. How to use German writers. About our magazines. Congratulations I’m guilty again for taking so long to respond to your last letter, even though I was getting ready to do so. I have a great excuse for laziness, namely that I am in a hurry to finish the Philokalia. It’s better to say: I want to hurry, but I’m not in a hurry. Because the phraseology of St. fathers. I thought that Callistus and Ignatius would be easier. No, and they are not lighter. Sometimes you only have time to move one point. However, they are not chasing us. And let’s slowly get to the end. I joyfully received the news that the Reverend was called to the Holy Synod. Alexey. Although one is not a warrior, but by indicating what is due sometimes, he will attract comrades to himself, in an important case. God help him! You are attacking the west. And I'm ready to do the same. In the West, not everyone has their head broken. There are many humble scribblers and workers, not only among Catholics, but also among Protestants. They present general Christian truths well. You can use them in this, but still not blindfolded. This sin follows us. If they like the writer, they will start translating him, and then everyone will start blowing away. And among those who are good, their non-Orthodox views are also cited. – Generally speaking, it’s a pity to see how our theologians are doing so poorly. “For this, the Lord will send a little bit of wisdom against us, so that she can knock out all German (non-Orthodox) wisdom from our heads with guns and bayonets.” – Where is our consolation?! In faith that the Lord Himself watches over His church. And He is omnipotent. This year, 1988, I have not subscribed to any magazines. At the end of the year I subscribed to magazines for the entire year. I'll flip through it quickly. All petty issues. Rarely is there anything serious. – In “Faith and Reason” our war is going on, for the Germans. I really love this and read it. I know Danilevsky’s tea by heart. The box you sent has been received. Thank you. I wish you all the best. The letter will come to you at Christmas time. Congratulations on the great holidays of this time. May the Lord deign to receive, taste, and enjoy the full power of the sacraments remembered in them. May the blessing of the Lord be upon you! Save yourself! Your good friend Bp. Feofan. 20 Dec 1888 Letter 1186. Greetings, information about current affairs and a complaint about weakening memory Surely they’ve already returned and are home. Congratulations on your housewarming. Has anyone lived with Catholics as long as you? - Whose honor? – their art or your patience? Having completed a good deed, what should you turn to - rest or other things? God bless and rest; God bless and what else to do. You praise my works. Aren't yours very praiseworthy? I have a lot to do. I am re-reading the rewritten 4th volume. Everything will be from the scriptures, or from the conversations of St. Theodora Studite. What a wonderful father! What a living soul. How he depicts community life, its virtues, labors and value in the eyes of God! You have no news. And even more so for us. “The monks lit the fire in the kitchen and locked the dining room. “Today it’s still nothing, but then my tummy will give in.” - And everyone endures, everyone endures! God save them! There was something I wanted to ask you, but I forgot. I didn’t tell you the news that I forget words, it will fall out of my memory and you won’t remember. – I met such an old Greek metropolitan, with whom his novice always walked, and he chose words for him: is this not it? isn't that it? - While I was attacking what I wanted. - If I go crazy, it will probably be from unconsciousness: I will sit, look, move my lips, etc., but still not say anything. God bless you! I wish you a healthy and saving time in St. Pentecost. Save yourself! Your good friend Bp. Feofan. February 20, 1889 Letter 1187. Joy at the end of the Philokalia. About current affairs and health. Candidate for abbess I wish you all kinds of joys, for the sake of the most joyful holiday of the Resurrection of Christ. And I have a three-day ringing - for the sake of finishing the Philokalia. The fifth volume is finished and prepared to be sent to Moscow for the census, and is only waiting for the road to the city to open. We've been flooded since the beginning of week five. The 4th volume went to censorship. The 3rd one is printed and lies in Shatsk, also waiting for the road. Can I rest a little now? And I rest: I review and take notes - on the passion of the Lord, from the exit from the Last Supper to the position in the grave. And then maybe I’ll write something to read on Strastnaya. Seven readings - or without any form, only from here - to here, in general. The activity is easy but enjoyable. I don’t know what I’ll do next. Maybe sleep. How is my health? – The general condition is good, and the eye is still tolerable. The eye's vision weakens, albeit very slowly. “Judging by the slowness, you would think it would close at the hour of death.” Therefore, there is nothing to groan about. I wish you to be healthy and happy to the fullest extent of your heart. God bless you! And I forgot: how is your plan about the abbess of Olga Stepanovna going? I thought she would ask. Doesn't ask. Of course, she would have endured well. But without knowing the life and everyday life of a monk, how will he have time?! Ungrated kalach. Your good friend Bp. Feofan. April 21, 1889 Letter 1188. More about the commemoration of the 900th anniversary. Progress of treatment with Vrevsky water. Works on selections from St. Theodore the Studite Guilty! I fell asleep a little. Shishkov, the director of the Moscow Synodal Printing House, started talking about something for the nine-hundredth anniversary. His daughter-in-law wrote to me about this. Through her I conveyed to him a different thought. - He's away somewhere. When I return, I'll probably get an answer. Let him cast the first vote: for the life of the saint is preparing for this. Vladimir and an akathist to him. His daughter-in-law is a beauty, a clever woman and a craftswoman (a merchant’s daughter, who converted her unbelieving husband to the faith, who is now a sincere believer. Lev Nikolaevich Shishkov) is preparing some drawings and drawings for this. Now it occurred to me whether this thought is serious, about the anniversary, or whether it is some kind of enterprise of the printer in the interests of the printing house, that something is being prepared for this anniversary. But even though it is serious, and agreement has already been given on whom this matter may depend, still, to begin the determination to translate liturgical books, one reminder of the need for this is enough; because everyone knows and feels this need. All that's missing is the push. Writing notes about this, no matter how you describe it, will be below what is felt. The said lady wrote that they had some kind of holiday there. The neighbors came together, got to talking, she read to them what I wrote, and everyone unanimously expressed their living desire for this. It will be like this everywhere. Baron Vrevsky's water did not help the first number, and the second did not help. Sends the third number. And he assures that he will achieve the goal of driving away cataracts. God forbid! Selections from St. Theodora Studita is coming along with the translation, albeit very lazily. I will say: this is the most necessary thing. We have lessons about monastic life, from above; but there are no instructions about the everyday life of the monastery. St. Theodore almost never goes to heights, but walks around the monastery, giving lessons on how to spiritualize every little thing. I don't miss anything out of everything. The pity is this: there are no correct manuscripts; it seems they were not there. There are many incomprehensible words, and the same thoughts. – But we will have what we have, and that’s understandable. Your good friend Bp. Feofan. August 16, 1889 Letter 1189. What does “Apologist” mean? Praise to Meshchersky. Fire near Athos. About the translation of St. Theodora Studite. Good wishes to the summoned bishops. About eye treatment Finally – and an Apologist! If they don't call it that, there's no point in frowning. Because this name means: my fist is on everyone’s shoulders, and everyone’s fists are on my shoulders. Who wins? for those with a fist it’s passable, but for this one it’s suddenly a dozen or two. God bless! I think the general voices are turning to the old. Here Meshchersky shouts kindly. One editorial is about the West and Westerners exactly like Stepan Onisimovich. Near it, it seems, there are other small magazines or newspapers, all in the same spirit. Be in good time for this initiative. Afontsev - is there really still a fire?! Lord have mercy! I've only heard of one. Well, they'll get better soon. However, it is still sad. Who's to blame? - Rather, our sins. Lord have mercy! St. Theodore the Studite - began the second volume. I'll take everything I can get. But there are quite a few things that we don’t need at all. It's not a sin to miss it. – All teachings up to 4 hundred. – I have points, or thoughts. From another teaching there is one point, from another there are two, and that is, three. - The view of monasticism is lofty, but also strict, it bakes good things for my children, my fathers, my brothers, and then, as soon as it begins to push. Eminence Leonty has already been summoned. Congratulations. Behold, truly an Israelite! Who else is there?! Yes! - Nikander, and also Ufimsky. After all, Nikander of Ufa. “God bless all of them to come up with something beneficial for the church.” My eye still serves. I drink water, but I can’t say anything definite. Be the will of God, better than any medicine. The people of Athos have printed several of my sermons in a special book, which I am sending to you. Look, as if the whole of St. Petersburg. didn’t rush into monasteries!?? Letter 1190. Christian Psychology Program. The good fruits of the saint's books I sent you the 33rd Psalm. It hasn't reached you yet. There is also a letter about paternal psychology. You are taking good care of yourself - finding or compiling and publishing Christian psychology. This, in my opinion, is what the program of this psychology should be. Depict the composition of human nature: spirit, soul and body, and present a systematic list of all the abilities and functions of each part, and then describe the state of the parts of nature and abilities: 1) in the natural state, 2) in the state under sin, and 3) in the state under grace. A small experience of such psychology is presented by me in letters on Christian life - third edition: letters XXI-XXV, and in the appendices pp. 381-609. In the order of lessons on moral theology - this went under the heading - the consequences of a good and bad life; and in letters - as if at the request of the person to whom the letters were written. The outline of everything is not thin, but everything is in its rudimentary form. More detailed development is required. Only about the body - no good. I remember I was tired and didn’t care about this part. Psychology classes at the Novgorod seminary are bad. There's no point in worrying about them. But the general features were included in the said essay in the letters. – I don’t have those lessons. I haven’t seen Chistovich’s psychology. Nikolaevsky - I remember. He was one of the best students. God bless him! You delighted me with the news about the fruits of my books. - The champagne was already boiling - it was boiling in my head and chest! – The memory of sins was forcibly drawn in, and all this boastful ardor was flooded like water. P.S. When you start making extracts from Kashmensky’s psychology, take the headings from my essay, and the material from that collection. If you want, you can publish my essay - as it is, especially. The publication of all letters was handed over to the people of Athos. I don't think they'll bother with a special edition of this piece. “It will be necessary to add a preface,” and look around so that the difference in letters from the additions is not visible. Letter 1191. The saint’s senile weakening of his strength. On the history of psychology Kashmensky. Is it useful to be an academy in Vilna? About modern Catholicism I kept meaning to answer you and haven’t gotten around to it until now. Why? Extremely busy with idleness. – Have you ever tested this witch!? - No? - and God save you! “I guess I have to find some idle task that is richer in content than all other tasks.” I am sending you two copies of the interpretation of the 33rd Psalm. I'm adding one more for Fr. Archpriest of St. Isaac's Cathedral Smirnov. Enter when. And get acquainted if you don’t know each other. You asked about the psychology of St. fathers. Published by Fr. Archpriest of the Vyatka Cathedral, Fr. Stepan Kashmensky. I had the first book. It got stuck somewhere. Seek and you will find. - Well written. When I was in St. Petersburg at the rector’s office, the author came to me and talked about his intention to compile such a book. I egged him on. We are comrades at the academy. Theological Academy - in Vilna?! Why shouldn't she be useful? Your fears about direction are a little exaggerated. If not love for Orthodoxy - which I assume in all students in academies, with the exception of occasional and rare individuals - if not love, then ambition will not allow one to deviate into Protestantism. And Catholicism is now worse in direction than Protestantism. Protestantism stands on something, but Catholicism has completely wandered into religious dreams. These are the principles of theology they introduced. I'm healthy. I wish you health above all; then prosperity, finally, soul salvation. Your good friend Bp. Feofan. November 19, 1889 Letter 1192. On the interpretations of Zigaben and the Pastoral Theology of Nikephoros His Ave. Konstantin Petrovich sent me three Greek books: two Zigabena interpretation of the apostle. epistles of both cathedrals and St. Paul and one - Pastoral Theology of Archimandrite Nicephorus, now an archbishop or metropolitan, who was recently in Moscow and St. Petersburg. for scientific purposes. I don’t know what Konstantin Petrovich meant? I wrote that it would be useful to me. But for what? Is it not for the purpose of translating them? Translating Zigaben is not of much use, because it is not a comprehensive interpretation, but only notes. Although they are very good, they leave a lot to be desired. This is helpful for a scientist who undertakes to interpret the messages, but to put it into general use is not necessary; and a scientist will be able to look into them without our translation. Pastoral Theology is well written. It would be good to translate it. And I rushed the first time, but then my wife stood across me. However, if I have the courage to give her a slap on the back of the head, maybe I’ll take it. Hardly, however. Your good friend Bp. Feofan. January 20, 1890 Letter 1193. About the book by Fr. Matveevsky. Publishing letters about Christian life in a new way. About the Philokalia, your age and health Have you heard the news? Father Archpriest Matveevsky published his work; I took the title from our Ev. History, and in the preface he said that our order is also maintained almost everywhere. It's not time for me to read it yet. I am re-reading the new edition of Romans. I’ll finish this, review that, and make notes if anything deviates from the order accepted in our book. The book is large, there are a lot of quotes - a sign of scholarship. And I had the same thought, but in a different form. I thought I would compose a lengthy interpretation. But now it seems that this cannot happen. The eye won't last that long. Why am I very glad that Fr. Matveevsky did this, at least on a smaller scale. And I’ll tell you about other news myself. I got excited about “Letters on the Christian Life.” The 3rd and 4th issues comprise the “Outline of Christian Moral Teaching.” The letters of the first and second edition, with additions, will be letters about the Christian life. Two books, the third small one - an extract from the Fatherland of the Monastery of St. Savva. Everything was sent to the Athonites, but they sent it to the censor. Somehow all this will be accepted!? The title page will indicate that this is not something new, but the same letters that were known with minor alterations, and only in a slightly different form. I propose to the Athos residents that the price for all three be two rubles. Pointers to the Philokalia began. But these things distracted me a little. Each volume will have a special index. Would you like to say something about the books of the Philokalia? It won't be bad. But if senile laziness prevails, you can do without it. However, God will help you with this. You are 77, and I turned 76 in January. And let's register as old people. My last eye sometimes becomes clouded. It's definitely coming to an end. Other health is good. Your sincere well-wisher Bp. Feofan. September 20, 1890 Letter 1194. Praise of the Gospel Story by Fr. Matveevsky and indicating the necessary corrections in the order of the Gospel events I bring you great joy. I looked through the Gospel story of Fr. prot. Matveevsky, and found it not only satisfactory, but excellent. There is nothing like it in the whole world. A careful consideration of the deeds and words of the Savior, a reverent tone of speech, and a wealth of paternal and church testimonies constitute its distinctive features. Not a single soul will read it without delight and edification. However, as you know, not a single human work is without a but. I also bet, but I’ll just express it this way: something calls for seconds. 1) At the beginning of the Lord’s gospel in Capernaum p.295. The calling of fishermen according to the Gospels Matthew 9:1–8 and Mark 2:1–12 is merged with the wonderful fishing of fish according to the Gospel. OK. 5:17–26. These tales obviously do not have the same subject. At St. There is no mention of calling at all from Luke. 2) The mountain conversations of Ev. were also merged. Matveya and Ev. Luke. They are great. Each one must be read and interpreted separately. But it must be admitted that it is difficult to determine with precision the place for conversations on Ev. Luke. One can, however, speculate that it could have been offered to the people before one of the miraculous feedings of the people in empty places. Conversations must be written and interpreted one after another. 3) I was very glad that the department was at Ev. OK. - from the end of chapter 9. until the beginning of 18 - not unlocked, and everything is laid out. But the second is instructed to declare that some places were taken out in vain. Luke 11:9–32:13:18–21, and it seems there are still some. If it is customary not to split up this department, then it is illegal to make exceptions for some places. All of them could be repeated. 4) The return of the 70 Apostles - it is better to place it at the end of the Lord’s last walk through Galilee, after the parable of the publican and the Pharisee (for it is said that they were appointed to go ahead of the Lord). If someone does not want to do this, then in every possible way, placing the legend about this in the place where it stands in the series of legends, stipulate that, according to the meaning of the speech about the 70, this legend should stand at the end of the description of the Savior’s last walk through Galilee. 5) In general, regarding the middle part of the Gospel story, it should be noted that it is in vain that the Lord’s stay in Capernaum and walking through Galilee are not indicated. After all, this is truth, not fiction. And so it was. This greatly supports attention and promotes memory. 6) At the Last Supper, the indication of the traitor by the evangelists Matt. and Mk. stands before the establishment of the sacrament of body and blood, and in this Ev. stories after. However, in this case you can do without seconds. She stands behind it. Luke, church songs and fatherly thoughts. 7) The farewell conversation is torn in half. One half - the last - is set aside for the road during the transition to the Garden of Gethsemane. This means forcing the Savior to speak in vain: for on the road two can speak comfortably, but how can 12? Conversations are of great importance, especially the closing prayer. What the Savior said: get up, let’s go, there is no reason to divide. The Lord stood up and began the conversation again while standing; I talked a little and said a prayer. Perhaps He stood up only for this prayer, and spoke before her, preparing for it. Seduces: I am the vine. As if the reason for this word requires a look at the vines to see how to leave the house. But in Jerusalem itself there were no grape gardens, and upon leaving the city there was an immediate descent into the Kidron stream - a steep one, where there was no time for conversation. 8) Renunciation of St. Peter is presented vaguely. It is good that all the renunciations are described together, so as not to distract attention from what is being said about the Lord, and to present the renunciation itself more clearly. But it’s not good that three renunciations are not clearly presented. The description itself shows 6 of them. How about three?! In my Ev. stories are supposedly expressed as three, when in the stories of the Evangelists there are more of them, each with special features that do not allow them to be merged into one. Why is this assumption impossible!? Because it yields 9 renunciations. Let 9; but they are reduced to three. And the reason is shown. But like 6-7 renunciations of Fr. There will be three archpriests, it is not visible. I remember that my first thought - about the three renunciations at 9 - was born while reading the council on Nestorius. It is said that they called him three times. But how many times did they tell him: go, the cathedral is calling? They came for him three times, but they invited him each time - more than once, and he refused more than once; everything that was invited three times is written down. And in our everyday life it happens that someone says: he asked someone three times; meanwhile, he went to ask three times, and asked every time - more than once. Based on these incidents, I formed the assumption that they were approaching St. Peter - three times, and he denied not three times at all - but three times each time. From this you can see that a second is very appropriate for this occasion. 9) The death of Judas is inserted into the midst of legends about the suffering of the Lord. I put it at the end of the events on Friday, so as not to distract attention from the suffering of the Lord. But, according to the content of the Gospel story about this, this can be attributed to the post-resurrection and even to the post-ascension. The bishops conferred, they bought the village, and it seems they were burying strange people. Could all this happen on Friday?! This is what happened after reading Ev. history. Read soon. Something else worthy of the second's attention may also be viewed. I apologize. I'll tell you later. These notes did not subside even a hair's breadth from my complete praise of Eva. stories about prot. Matveevsky. Meet him, my ardent bow to him. I admire his work. However, I also want him to pay attention to my notes and correct what needs to be corrected in the next editions - of which I wish him not two or three, but dozens. This is all I wanted to write to you this time. Your good friend Bp. Feofan. October 5, 1890 Letter 1195. Slow mail. More about the book by Fr. Matveevsky. New edition of the saint's books. On the fight against the influence of Catholicism Who's to blame? If I do, I apologize. But there is also something to justify. I'm still waiting for Matveevsky's book. On October 16 you wrote: I’ll send it one of these days. I kept waiting for her to knock on the door, but she was nowhere to be found. It would be a pity if she got lost in the mail, which has now become very careless. The post office informs me that it has two parcels for me - priceless. It’s true that mushrooms are priceless, but what else? There cannot be a book: for in the letter of November 16 it would have been indicated. But don't worry. Do I already have this book from K.P. Chief Prosecutor? Therefore, if for some reason it has not yet been sent, do not send it to me, but give it to the Burachkovs. If it was sent and got lost, leave it to the will of God. I really regret the death of Ave. Alexey. May the Lord rest his soul; T.I. Filippov wrote the truth. Let us pray to God both for him and for ourselves. The Gospel story of Matveevsky is truly as I wrote; but I’m not going to say it in print either. Only thanks to Konstantin Petrovich for the book, he praised the goodness, and prescribed deviations from my plan, on occasion. He needs to know everything in order to act accordingly. “The outline of the chronicle. Moral teachings” began to be published by the inhabitants of Athonite. They will also publish an article - “The soul and the angel are not the body, but the spirit.” Moral teaching is not new: these are letters about xp. life - 3rd and 4th edition, and the other book will not be new. It was published in “Home. Conversation" for 68 or 69. What prompted me to print it again was that the word about death and the addition to it are going from hand to hand and are still spreading. Rumors are also reaching our forest that Catholics are sowing their wicked teachings, and as if with success. They are masters of showing off. It would be nice to translate and use the book by Fr. Vladimir Goette's "Schismatic Papacy" (Papaute schismatique). Offer to do this on occasion to Nikolai Vasilyevich Elagin, if you know him. How magnificently did he screw both the pope and the pope’s office!? And in the magazine “Faith and Reason” - 1888 and 1889, his own article. Photius very clearly exposes the grimy beginnings of the papacy. Your good friend Bp. Feofan. November 25, 1890 – December 2 1890 Letter 1196. About the writings of St. Theodora Studite. Congratulation. Lotion bar. Vrevsky. About prayer about. John. Transfer of publications to the people of Athos What was expected from the Synod newspaper is not visible in the program. “Perhaps when they get involved, they’ll talk differently.” Now this is the same as diocesan statements, in a larger size. May the Lord help them in this too. You expect a lot from St. Theodora, and he will not give much, but for something that no one will give. He has only general outlines of his inner life, or a list of ascetic virtues. The main thing for him is the order of monastic life. And he has all the saints here, and the gatekeeper, and the shoemaker, and the baker, and the plowman, and the carpenter. And his goal is that all monastic persons, fulfilling obedience in appearance in life, should do this obedience in spirit on the way to the kingdom. And he often lists everyone and praises them. I omitted this, but added it twice to what I chose. Marvelous! How he, always saying almost the same thing, speaks in such a way that the repetition is almost imperceptible. Things went very well for me with him: I finished the second volume and half of the third. I hasten to settle things with him. Holiday in the yard. I congratulate you in advance, so that I don’t have to congratulate you in hindsight. Grant you, Lord, more of all the good things, both internally and externally. My health is good. The Baron is working very hard to heal his eyes. - Now he sent a lotion - still the same water. What is he doing with the water?! I still have some water that was sent to me that was not drunk during Great Lent, and it is still pure, pure, and there is no smell, it smells like bird cherry water. I asked O. John to pray, and I think that he is praying. But it happens that the Lord sometimes regards blindness as cosnditio sine qua non. And I wonder if this is what mine is like? My nephew complained that books only take up space: no one buys them. “I advised him to give them to the people of Athos with a significant concession, at least half. He said, they agreed. But they ask Athonsky their superiors. They will then publish it again, always by agreement. The nephew is not a master in this area. It works well. Recently they gave Vladimir 3rd degree. Your good friend Bp. Feofan. December 13, 1891 Letter 1197. On the history of the Philokalia. The effect of Vrevsky's lotion. Small messages. Ungrateful little fool I am deeply guilty of not answering your last letter with congratulations and good wishes. But wait for the scolding. I will present you with such a reason that your reproach will be crossed in mid-sentence. That's the reason! – I lay awake listening to the teachings of St. Theodora Studita – November, December and January. Just finished. In total there will be the same book as the Philokalia. And I propose to publish these teachings, not as teachings, but as instructions to the monks, defining them as the fourth volume of the Philokalia: the elders of Athos are already suffering greatly. The third volume of the Philokalia in correspondence lies blank in front of me, and awaits re-reading, which will begin tomorrow. – At the end of this re-reading, the preparation of the fifth, final volume of the Philokalia will begin, which will include everything that still remains in the Greek Philokalia; and if this turns out to be too much, then it will be shortened. And then – teeth on the shelf!!! Perhaps this will have to be done involuntarily, due to blindness. – The last time I had a lotion from the Vrevsky Baron. Wonderful lotion!!! How the eye is refreshed every time after it - and sees better! – How the eyes themselves desire a lotion when the time comes! - How do they feel from this lotion - stronger and more courageous! – But this is an effect on the organic composition of the eyes, but there is no organic damage in my eyes. A cataract is a mechanical adhesion on the lens, and the eye is healthy and unharmed in all parts - and the lens itself is not damaged in any way, but only has the misfortune of being attacked by this adhesion. Thus, it turns out that the eye feels better from the lotion, and the ear does not cause cataracts - it sticks and sticks. And his vision dims, his horizons shrink, and everything comes closer and closer. I am not subscribing to the Church Messenger; because I haven’t written anything out this year and don’t intend to read it. We need to finish the Philokalia. – According to the “Vestnik” program, the same as “Diocesan Gazette”. It seems about. the archimandrite receives. I'll take a look. I didn’t look because everything was in front of St. Theodore the Studite. I think the life of the Lord Savior Matveevsky will be good. I wish him success. If he does not take my order of the events of the Gospel: free will! Otherwise, everyone feels good. I wish the same for you from the bottom of my heart. PS. What a damn thing! “After the war with France, their emperor shouted his gratitude to the late Sovereign to the whole world, assuring that his family and people would never forget this, and after five or eight days he formed a coalition against Russia, without any reason on our part. Have ears to hear, let him hear. Letter 1198. Comparison of books about. Matveevsky and Farrar about the life of the Savior. Extract from the book by Fr. Goethe about dads. About monasticism God's mercy be with you, Matveevsky's book is in the mail. They'll deliver it tomorrow. Thank you. Why haven't you heard anything about the book? Really no one - not a word?! Sin. Or maybe I just didn't have to read it. If there is nothing, write at least something. And the main thing is that Christ the Lord is seen everywhere in her, and in Farrar, for example. - only mountains and valleys, neither the Lord nor His teachings are visible. U o. Vladimir Goette - the main idea is clearly exposed: for eight centuries the popes competed; in the 9th, as soon as they sensed that there was no Constantinople gendarme behind them, and the Frankish kings were making eyes at them, they immediately began to seethe; and this seething was elevated to divine right. This boastful right is undermined by nothing more than by comparing the speeches and deeds of the popes over the course of eight centuries, with their speeches and deeds after that - and most importantly, after the confidence in the patronage of the Frankish kings. It is fitting to wonder why Dzhunkovsky’s letter has not been translated? Arrange a transfer. Monasticism! It all depends on the abbots. God will send good things, everything will be good. There is no such thing - everything is upside down. – For example, we have a dissolved paradise. Such a deep world! Why do you think that it is not necessary to send him to a monastery? “The subordinates, as soon as they enter the monastery, become saints, because they desperately need a good certificate from the abbot. Also, when there is a vicar abbot, his work in the monastery is carried out by his viceroy. As soon as the vicar, on the denunciation of the viceroy, expels one or two from the monastery, fear curbs all the self-willed people, and then there is silence; and under its cover there is order in inner life. God bless your future great work on monasticism, and your small present one on past and present monasticism. The Scriptures explain the matter, and history itself flows on its own path. None of the monks, after all, wants to destroy their soul; only he puts off the work of salvation until tomorrow, but lives as he lives, although not dissolutely, but not selflessly. This is the root of evil. How can the monks wake up? The main thing in this is medicine. Your good friend Bp. Feofan. 14th Gen. '91 Letter 1199. Upon receipt of a brochure on monasticism. On the preparation of capable abbots I received your brochure on monasticism and Lebedev’s on the signs of Orthodoxy. Both are beautiful and timely. You are right when you say that we need to pay attention to the monastic aspect of them. Everything you have mentioned goes to work and, refreshing in thought the needs of true monasticism, can arouse zeal in the zealous to put into action the means necessary to satisfy them. But add to the word and deed, namely, there in St. Petersburg. Whisper in the ear of one or the other so that they can form a meeting of people who know the matter and discuss how to improve the monastic matter. You only have a hint and general instructions. Other things can be added, and most importantly, the details can be considered and determined by the rules. However, it's not about the details. You kindly pointed out that everything is up to the abbots. A zealous abbot, knowledgeable and prudent, immediately gets down to business and slowly puts everything in order. And the monastery blooms both internally and externally. It became all about getting good abbots. Do you have any indication of this? This is, after all, how it is done for the most part. And despite all this, there are mistakes. Come up with an institute for making capable abbots. This requires a model monastery. To this must be attached precise instructions on how to test whether someone is good enough when the preparation at the institute has already been completed. “That’s how things will go.” God bless you and all your labors - many, many - for the good of the church. Your sincere well-wisher Bp. Feofan. 18 Feb '91 Letter 1200. More about monasticism. On the history of the Saint's book on ancient monastic rules. A guide to the study of monastic rules. The saint's view on the case of marital divorces Why are you waiting for a storm and even a hurricane for your brochure? No one will pay attention and no one will read. – Who is engaged in monasticism and monks?! Scold, praise, no one will blink an eye or move an ear. However, maybe someone will creak. Let us wish them to speak intelligently if they speak. It occurred to me that much is wrong in the monasteries because we do not have an authoritative charter on which the abbots and abbess could rely, wanting to conduct the business of administration as it should be. That is why they do not shout loudly, as if timid, and the monk confuses the brotherhood, as if in passing. If there were a statute, everyone would see that the abbot is right when he shouts, and that he is obliged to listen, and not to bear a fine by listening. I believe that if the attention you are arousing to the monasteries takes place, the question of the charter will inevitably be included in the proceedings. Having taken up the development of the charter, they will have to revise the ancient charters. This forced me to pull out of the trash the statutes I had made long ago. – Remember that regulations were promised for the second volume of the Philokalia. I prepared them. When they decided not to include them in the Philokalia, they remained motionless for the time being. “And now it seemed timely to me to shake the dust off them, revise them and publish them.” – Which is what I do, i.e. I'm reconsidering. And the publication will be done by the people of Athos. – We have already had conversations about this with the powerful people of Athos. Preparatory statutes: Pachomius the Great, Basil the Great, John, Cassian, and Benedict. The people of Athos still propose to take the charter of Sava the Serbian. Please send them. A wealth of material can be borrowed from all of them. Do you know that Archim. Photius Yuryevsky collected from the Fathers a lengthy monastic charter? – If not, then take note of this. It's worth viewing. There is also an ancient collection of true rules - a certain Nikon the Montenegrin - Syrian - from the eleventh century, it seems, - large, large. See what a wealth of benefits!! But enough about this. - Now about everyday things. It is very tricky to talk about marriage unions. The matter has become more complicated. There are wives - witches, there are husbands - fierce animals. That husband runs away from his wife; here the wife is from her husband, but her flesh demands. And in my youth there were flashes of love, and the kids started. The point is not about recognizing the legality of illegal cohabitation, but about providing for innocent children. I think it could be decided this way: leaving illegality on the foreheads of those who give birth, recognize the upbringing and placement of those born as legal and demand it from those who gave birth - without transferring the stain from the foreheads of those who gave birth to those born - when they join the line of those living in society, for they are not to blame. Your good friend Bp. Feofan. March 26, 91 Letter 1201. Blessing and reinforcement. A reminder to read the saint’s books and readiness to send new ones. Sadness about Mother Rus'. About your health and work I wish you all the joys - from the first one who heard: Rejoice, Blessed One! – May Her protection overshadow you, and may it fill your soul with deep peace from a feeling of complete and comprehensive security under Her protection. You are at peace within yourself. God bless! This is one of the gifts of grace. Be grateful and patient with what God sends, believing that such sending is a true evidence of God’s attention and favor. I forgive you and absolve you from the sins you have prescribed, because I myself am guilty of the same things. I apologize for the fact that I was still waiting for notification of receipt of the books. – Haven’t read it yet?! This is a sin, such a sin! Please read it. This is the same, but not the same, when you read everything together, and when each object is intelligently visible to you in its place. – These are my academic lessons. And they are not all here. There are two parts, and the third - also an essential part of the moral teaching - asceticism - makes up the content of the book: “the path to salvation.” These two books teach everything. moralizing. You have expressed a desire - books - letters to various persons, and the 33rd Psalm, I will send it with pleasure. But now there is a flood, and horse communication to the cities has been stopped. I give you carte blanche for all my books, whatever you need. Books Pr. Nikanora is completely different. They are very educational. This is the way of God's knowledge. – You are sad about Mother Russia. You can't help but be sad. - The people are covered in ignorance of the truth; and here the priests are silent. And they have no intention of teaching. And at the same time, there is also the trouble that the people recoiled from the priests. They stand with him along with landowners and officials. Let us pray that the Lord will intercede for his Church. Which beauty do you want to send a card to?! - I'm enclosing a card. I ask for prayers! My health has almost completely improved. At the end I felt dizzy. It is still there, but not strong. I think it will end soon. “This illness has made it so that the head soon gets tired and cannot work for a long time, even read anything serious.” And that other Marya to whom you sent letters?! It's a living soul. God save her and have mercy. Edify her and encourage her, so that the warmth of the spirit flows. I don't do anything now. “I drew up the statutes of St. a long time ago. Pachomius and St. Basil the Great, - and the statutes of St. were translated. Cassian and St. Venedicta. Now I’m re-reading them little by little, and when I finish them, I’ll give them to the Athos people for publication. A big book will be published. God bless you! Be healthy and good-natured! Your good friend E. Feofan. 25, Annunciation. Letter 1202. Prayerful memory. About your health and work. When asked about a change of residence I have again offended you by not writing for a long time. But I always remember you not only at the proskomedia, but also before the bloodless sacrifice, after making gifts. And I am at peace. The work of spiritual communication is completed: after this, why bother with ink memories? “I’m sure that your inner self is worth good, and if it ever stirs up, you know how to put it in order.” I don’t even have to tell you anything or write anything, except to mentally say: Lord, help Your servant to always be in good internal order. My dizziness had completely subsided by the end of the fast; but again it wasn’t a greyhound that rose up on Fomina, and slowly; everything, however, was shaking. A certain doctor gave capsules. I accept it, and it seems to completely eliminate this illness. The last eye is shaded very slowly - and still serves well both in reading and writing. “Everything has become, thank God.” There are brand new books: one, two, three; I'm waiting for the fourth. And then I'll send it. Or if the hunt comes, I’ll send three that are already on hand. - All this is old. “My energy has evaporated so much that I don’t want to do anything; this is the bliss of the Italians - da far niente. - At least don’t try anything new. What should you do with good Mother Agnia? - I adhere to the rule that one does not seek good from good. And besides, where should you bother when you only get to half the room and back from illness? “Wouldn’t it be nice to go there for a little change of air?” But again, where is the strength? - You could be allowed to do this. And do it if you have the strength to do it. - By the way, you will see there whether there are any reasons for refusal in the locality, or in the sisters. “Sometimes it happens that people eat with their eyes.” Remember Mary. God save her! - After all, this is the one that happens to Varvara Alexandrovna? That one (V.A.) wrote something about her. I forgot everything. My memory is worthless - worse than a sieve. I decided to publish monastic rules - Pachomius led. and others. They have been ready for a long time; but publication was delayed. Now they will go into action. - I’m still waiting for the charters of Nikon the Montenegrin - and Savva the Serbian - from Athos. God bless you with every blessing! Save yourself! Ascension. May 30, 1891 Letter 1203. The purposes of Providence in inducing trials. Advice about Tanya. Books toys. Information about health and expected rest You were forced to write. The gracious Lord is still teaching you patience. What doesn't stop the lessons is because there is something missing in your patience. When this missing thing is eliminated, then the end will indicate. But it is true that no one’s patience reaches its final limit: otherwise the Lord would not have said: he who endures to the end. That your friends and acquaintances go to the Lord, this may be done for reasons on their part, and not on yours. With yours, we can only assume that the Lord takes away human support from you, so that you finally have one support left - the Lord himself. He wants to raise you to the state or height of the hermits. Wherever you turn, there is nowhere to expect help: from which they had an incessant prayer: God, come to my help. You ask, “for what sins?” – Not always for sins. It also happens because a pebble has been selected and polished for the crown. It is best not to ask such questions, limit yourself to one imprint: Thy will be done, the wisest and most soothing. May the Lord send you appropriate consolation in all trials! What about Tanya? – Adding to a monastery is a good idea. But which one? - Which one will they accept? Contact Yelets, contact Livny. And the Lord, perhaps, will show the way. How is my health? - Not bad. Dizziness - attacks from time to time - not severe. - The eye is still useful. But it is still not unreasonable to expect an end to it. - Be, - what God will give. My books - all that are available - are at your service. I am sending two each named by you. All three of them are toys. But one is a toy revolver. I am very glad that Your Eminence Joseph will listen to her. Ask Mother Mary what the Bishop will say about her? Now I'm going to retire—a real one. - Only the regulations will come out. But that's probably next year. – Among the books being sent there is a new one from the old ones, the 1st and 2nd edition of letters on Christian life - the previous edition. Your good friend Bp. Feofan. August 11, 1891 Letter 1204. Taming the professor of patience. Good expectations from the Siberian. The saint's homeland. Good sores. Decline of writing energy It seems that you did well by adding Evdokia to the monastery. You will be at peace: both from the fact that you will not be annoyed by her, and from the fact that you will recognize her as settled and no longer worry about her fate. And she will become quiet, out of fear that they will not be so lenient towards her. God bless her and grant her taming of her temper. It is also good that God sent you so quickly someone to replace her. I know from two experiences, by which I judge that Siberian women are gentle in disposition. Here you have before you the experience of forming an ascetic disposition in a submissive soul. Evdokia herself was a professor for you, teaching you patience. That’s right, the Lord saw that you had already completed the course in this school, or in the school class, and took a teacher from you. - The coming one will be a comforter for you. God bless your cohabitation. You have mentioned the Livensky abbess both now and before. – Is there a women’s monastery there?! If you know, tell me how it works, when and where. Nobody wrote to me about this. Livny is 28 versts from my native village, where I studied at the theological school. My village is the old city of Chernovsk, between Livny and Yelets, from which it is 38 miles away. I am very glad that despite external troubles and worries, your prayer is worthwhile. - God bless! This is prayer in the heart. It is better and more valuable than a reader’s prayer book. Is there a pain in the heart? – Fr. Parthenius called a sore not a feeling for God leaving the heart, not a thought, but a feeling that serves as a source of the memory of God and all spiritual feelings, and such movements as the saint experienced. Elizabeth, when the Baby leaped in Her womb. – This is evidence that the hidden person of the heart exists and is growing. I'm patient with my health. – Book creation ends completely. I am re-reading the monastic rules; and when I re-read it, it’s over. - This is going to be a sleepy night!!! I hear questions about when the book of Hebrews will be interpreted. But I have no urge to write. And it seems that this interpretation will remain unwritten, although this is a great pity. – Before there were urges to write something. You sit down and write, and now nothing like that happens; That’s why nothing is written. Your good friend E. Feofan. September 15, 1891 Letter 1205. Well wishes of the sick woman. About your health There has been no news from you for so long, and questions have arisen: is everything going well with you? - I understand, are you healthy? “You all remembered your weakness, but you were still cheerful. Does silence mean your complete exhaustion? May the Lord have mercy on you! “If the Lord is destined to take you, be blessed your path.” If this is a temporary test, God grant you proportionate patience, prosperous and complacent. What to tell you about myself. Firstly, there is no strength to write, and secondly, there is no desire and no urge to write anything. - And I surrender to peace. – The dizziness hasn’t left me since last year, but it will disappear or appear. Just recently it seemed and passed, but now (10) it has risen again, albeit weakly. Surely it will come into force again. Last year it started at the end of November. But it was something out of the ordinary. Be the will of God. The eye weakens; but everything is fussing. I read and write, as you can see. In St. Petersburg I talk a lot about the Kyiv Metropolis. – Venerable Leonty would be fairer than anyone else. Pray for him. But give me some news about yourself. Your good friend Bp. Feofan. November 10, 1891 Letter 1206. More about Duna. About a change of residence. Sending books, a portrait and money. News on the replacement of episcopal departments. Can nuns give sermons in church? I am greatly consoled by your letter, especially by the fact that although you are in pain, your spirit is in perfect order. May the Lord protect you in this rank! So this is how different your Dunya is! I’m very glad, because I never expected her to restrain herself like that there. Meek, quiet, obedient. God grant her to always be like this. This is my commandment to her, and God’s command. Give her a book, and a portrait from those sent. What are you saying that you offered to leave this place, but I did not agree. I don’t remember there being a serious conversation about this. But now, if you really want to free yourself, then having weighed everything, you can decisively determine this undertaking, and then carry it out. - But where? - Is Dunya there? Well! I believe it will be kind. - God bless! Send Mother Abbess a book or two - a collection and a miterikon, and a portrait. Three books of the collection are being sent, two of the mitericon, and three portraits of the new edition. Now I send 50 rubles. – for a pie in the 4th – or for your essential needs. – You won’t be at home on your holiday. But the parcel must always be late; for I don’t know how our mail will go, but this is the 2nd. So the Siberian woman did not justify herself. - The woman, now under the test, will probably also not appear, due to expectation, as a young pet. May the Lord arrange you in this part in the desired way. The date of the woman’s admission gave me the idea to look at the date of your letter, from November 18 and now December 2. Where was it? Rev. Leonty is the Metropolitan of Moscow, and Moscow wanted to go to Kyiv, which was done for him. How happy I am for Leonty Ave.?! May the Lord help him to act in the same churchly manner in Moscow as he did in Warsaw. I forgot to mention that it doesn’t bother Dunya not to have free time, but goes from task to task all day long; less thoughts, less riddles. Let it go as it is. The head will pass. – Half past 5 is not early. - Let him fall asleep early. As for reading the teachings in church - printed ones - there is no hindrance to the sisters reading them. The priests are wrong. The Psalter is read by both the Proverbs and the Apostles, and what other books are more instructive than these?! – The words of the apostle refer to their teachings, which the Corinthian women allowed themselves when teaching their husbands. My health is fine. The dizziness subsided. May God grant you health to return and use it. God bless you! Your good friend Bp. Feofan. December 2, 1891 Letter 1207. Upon receiving news of an attack by a robber. Heavenly helper Sent on December 4th. Happy Angel Day. What's wrong with you after yesterday's incident? Are you alive? - How are you alive? - How desirable it is to know about this. Lord have mercy! How far have we come?! At 12 o'clock I received your letter, and now it's the 5th. I hasten to tell you something about your sad incident. – We see the protection of God over you. At the moment of your appeal, the hand of God threw the villain away from you - and while he was coming to his senses, you were given the freedom to run out into the corridor and call for help. - And St. Barbara the Great Martyr was there. A minute before the cutting off of the head, she prayed that God would save everyone who would come to her in prayers from unexpected death. “But you have a constant prayer for her.” Here's some help! God bless! You ask what to do now - should I leave? The letter to you in response to the previous one was written yesterday, and there I expressed the idea that you can get over by praying to God and discussing all the good things. The bitter incident with you confirms this idea. “But maybe you will have to wait a little longer to get better: for even though you haven’t been afraid, your broken head and bruised back will make themselves felt.” There will probably be a fever and something else nervous. I will be waiting for news from you about your situation. What God wanted and what he wants is something we can’t imagine. But with humble feelings, we and the prophet can see mercy and judgment here. And it’s best to repeat what’s already been said to you; God's will is good, for it is always so with Him. - May God help you, with complete devotion, to immerse yourself in God’s providential advice about you, and drown there all sorrow that arises in your heart, if only it arises. You have already acquired quite a bit of wisdom on how to behave in such circumstances; your whole life has been a lesson in this. Thus, if you survive this catastrophe, then this is a new lesson to the previous ones; and if not, then this is a rinse on the path to the next world. Should the court rise to its feet? “If the monastery decides to do this, let it do as it wants, but you refuse, surrendering everything to the will of God.” However, as you wish. I only wish that you quickly recover from this shock and return to the real state of your usual health, which is always almost not strong. I see that tomorrow our mail will not go to the city: for the hours of equipping it have already passed. Be patient. With God everything works out for the best. Your good friend Bp. Feofan. December 3, 1891 Letter 1208. More about the former attack. The saint’s concerns for the recipient’s material needs and improvement of life Yesterday I received your letter dated December 3rd. God bless! You are alive and cheerful in spirit. – Your letter, written on the night of the disaster, was received by me on the 2nd or 3rd. From that day until the evening I kept waiting to see what was wrong with you, and yesterday I rushed to your letter. And as much as I am happy for you, I grieve so much that your letter, written between November 28 and December 3, 24 pages and a piece of paper, did not reach me. -Where is it stuck? - Isn’t it in your monastery? But let it be. We have the same question - what to do now? I decided then to change the place; and now I'm getting stuck. Where? “I haven’t decided this, and I don’t undertake to decide.” This you must do; I will send a blessing after you. I didn’t have any thoughts about it; and this morning the thought came to me - to sit in the monastery for now, and wait for the noise that has arisen to end, and for you and me, our heads will be in order. Meanwhile, look out for where to go for a living. The question of money is a big question. To those you receive from the Empress, I can send a hundred, sometimes 150, no more. My money is all spent. If I manage to make a harmless reduction, I’ll add something else to you, but these are incorrect numbers. What else is true? – These little things need to be taken into account – urgently. “So we’ll sit and think about all this for now.” Mother Abbess Taisiya cheerfully offers that she will get it for you. And it seems good. “It’s also good to know that she knows how much you have in your wallet.” “Other abbess may think differently.” Therefore, if you decide to save yourself with them, tell them directly so that they don’t expect anything from you. What made Taisiya’s mother turn to you? “I thought at first that Varvara Alexandrovna sent her to save you from ruin by a catastrophe.” But she did not know about this disaster until Zadonsk. – She probably wanted to have you as an assistant in management, and precisely from the spiritual side. Did she really not tell you anything why she wanted you? After all, she was looking! There was a need. The archimandrite’s answer: she won’t go - she’s old, it shows that service was expected of you, and not an easy one. This monastery can be kept in mind. - There are 250 sisters there, - the monastery is well-equipped, - the abbess is educated and kind. State everything that is still needed, let him know, and he will seal it. The abode is in the forest, and it seems damp there. Lichonina asked me whether to go to this monastery, because she was in poor health. Due to the dampness of the place, I did not recommend it. She asked about two monasteries. 12th. In my soul there is still no decision as to what you should do. Wait here. But this wait will probably end, not according to our calculations. Be the will of God! If you are leaning towards Livny or Kozelshchanskaya, then communicate with the abbess and frankly explain to them your position, and what you can give them, and expect from them. – If they are cool; then you’ll have to go to Taisiya’s mother. May the Lord guide you! I really doubt your health. I saw you in my imagination, sometimes in a fever, sometimes in a fever; sometimes recovering, sometimes dying. I buried him once. You imagined yourself so vividly that I thought that you had left your body and were wandering around among friends, and came to me. But then it evaporated. “And the only thing that remained was that I didn’t know anything about what happened after the night from the 27th to the 28th. May the Lord grant you strength. I wish you all the best, especially so that your thoughts are finally and firmly formed regarding what to do. 13th. There are still no decisions regarding you. – The question came: what is driving you away from here?! The man climbed up. But a mine was laid under the Tsar’s dining room and exploded. The monastery is not to blame for the man’s case. So, you can still live here. I think so, but I don’t decide. If you have your own definite thoughts and you are inclined, you can. I have Taisiya in my head. She is quick to make decisions, but kind. – There is no need to cross her, but you can conduct business in such a way as to be on good terms. 14th. From the letter you will see that I have not formed anything about your place, where. If you have established something, I won’t cross it. If you still decide to stay here, I agree to that. - After praying to God and thinking about it, decide. I am writing to Varvara Alexandrovna to tell her if she knows Mother Taisia, what she is like and what it is like in their monastery. Your good friend Bp. Feofan. December 11, 1891 goes - 14. Letter 1209. State of indecision In my last letter, I kept thinking about where you should go, but didn’t come up with anything. My mind is not going anywhere. You ask - to Poltava or St. Petersburg. to the Magdalene Monastery? This is the first time I’ve heard about the latter. Besides Poltava, but what kind of Poltava is this? Kozelshchansky?! Well, besides this, I only had Livensky and M. Taisii in my question. I can't decide. The Forerunner Monastery of M. Taisia ​​has the advantage that your position here is determined. Choose her if you want. Or Livenskaya, or Kozelshchanskaya, or Magdalinskaya. Pray more earnestly, and choose where your soul is inclined, even a little. What does it mean that the soul is neither here nor there?! The fact that it doesn’t matter where you move, everything will be either good or bad, but you can’t see exactly how. We must prepare to accept - either the good with gratitude, or the bad with readiness to endure. You are hanging in the air. May the Lord have mercy on you and lead you to a place where you will be at peace! When you decide, I will send you some money for the journey. I read a brochure about the Baptist Monastery - M. Taisiya. Maybe you should go to it. This has occurred to me more than once. Especially because she just appeared at a time when you needed a new place of residence. Your good friend Bp. Feofan. December 19, 1891 Letter 1210. Advice to a nun preparing to move to another monastery By the grace of God, you have finally decided where to lay your head. May the Lord bless your stay there! Remember what made your stay in the convent at Polyxenia inconvenient - and get ready to prevent it. If anyone comes to you to blabber about the affairs of the monastery and criticize the orders of the authorities, immediately force them to remain silent, saying that such matters do not concern you and me. Or they will come to ask for a petition before the mat. the abbess, do not listen, saying: the abbess is your mother and takes care of you, I have no need to remind her of this. And the mate herself. Never give any hint to Agnes about what you have heard. Whoever comes for advice, tell them what God puts on their hearts, inspiring them to be persistent in their monastic labors and patience. But it is better to read to them what is suitable for them from the books of the fathers. And if you don’t see something clearly, just say: I can’t tell you anything definite. I myself don’t know very well what is needed in the spirit of life. Be extremely lenient and maternally caring for the weak and falling. I am writing all this in advance so that you can now be equipped to act on them in a beneficial way. I am very grateful to Mother Abbess for her disposition towards you and her willingness to reassure you. God grant that she may remain like this forever. God grant that all the other officials there, and all the sisters, will be kind to you. Manage to make everyone happy that you are with them. But it would be even better if you managed to arrange it so that everyone would forget, or not remember, that you live among them. Then the monastery would be a desert for you. You need to go when it gets warmer, otherwise these frosts are now a passion. I can’t help but send the promised money. This is already a cut piece. And I send. How many illnesses you have, and all of them are deep! May God help you to recover or endure. Your good friend Bp. Feofan. January 17, 1892 is 19. Letter 1211. The results of efforts to enter a monastery. Approval of choice and guidance on relocation A letter from Var was brought from the city. Alex. I hasten to tell you what she wrote about the monastery. She went to the monastery where the Ushakovs were with one beauty (Ann. Slepts.), with the goal of placing her there. They did not accept me there due to the cramped quarters and poverty of the monastery. After receiving my letter, she wrote about you. In response, Ushakova expressed complete compassion for you and would like to put you to rest, but in a cramped and meager way. For some reason, the Livensky Monastery is fragile. Therefore, there is no point in turning our eyes there yet. The monastery where Taisiya is located - due to extremely damp terrain - is unsuitable for you. But he praises Taisiya... The abbess is a businesswoman, and smart and kind. And he greatly praises your chosen monastery, and finds that you will be happy there, under the roof of the Mother of God. And God bless you! How can you go alone? There is a lot of hassle along the way. It came to my mind whether it was possible to take a novice - good, efficient and humble. Or maybe the abbess will send a novice?! In this case, there is no need to bother much about the conductor. So your business is completely coordinated. If only it were warmer outside. I have nothing more to say this time. I just wanted to say that your choice is good, and that besides it, other monasteries are unsuitable for you. Your good friend Bp. Feofan. January 22, 1892 Letter 1212. Where is the way? New hesitations and old fears. Son of Satan So, you are completely set on your journey. All that's left is to wait for the signal call. But where is the way? From your words I see that you are ready to go to Kozelshchanskaya and to the next world - not averse to it. May God prosper you in both the path which it pleases Him to show you. It seemed to me that you were a little afraid of the Kozel region; This is not a bad sign. This will force you to hold yourself there with all the attention and caution, and thereby save you from many possible slips and troubles. The Lord will make you wise. Pray to Him for admonition. But that is still far away. What do you have now? I found your fears of attempts on your life funny. I am sure that nothing like that ever happened. Everything was made by one thief who wanted to profit. Failed. And he is calm, and you are restless. Only one proverb justifies you: God protects those who are careful. Because one can guess what another thief similar to the previous one might think: he didn’t succeed, let me try. Maybe! Well, good for you! Beware, beware! Atheists, Tolstoyanism! Where is it? Is it really near you in the village now? Lord have mercy! This Tolstoy, whose writings are nothing but nonsense, has followers?! It’s true that Orthodox Rus' has become completely stupid. He has no soul, no God, no other life. He unashamedly spews blasphemy against the Mother of God, the Savior and the entire Orthodox faith. He even dared to compose a new gospel that was not in agreement with the present one, and as a result he fell under the Apostolic anathema. The texts are quoted according to the true gospel, but the texts themselves say something else, a forger. Of all our idle laughter, it is the most empty and harmful. The real son of Satan. May God save your present benefactors from him. Ave. Leonty is very grateful that he wrote to you. It was by some accident that he did not write correctly. I'll write to him. God bless you and your hosts, Varvara, Maria, Dmitry. Save yourself! Your good friend Bp. Feofan. February 8, 1892 Letter 1213. Thanksgiving, blessing and response to an invitation to cooperate To O. editor of “Church Gazette” Your Reverence, Most Honorable Fr. Archpriest! I received your edifying words and speeches, and the “Church Gazette” published under your editorship. Thank you! May the Lord help you to successfully conduct both the editorial work and the ministry work, both family and social. May the Lord bless you in everything. You invite me to cooperate. I don’t refuse when something happens in my heart. But I must admit that all writing energy has completely dropped. And although much of what was planned remains unfulfilled, the heart does not adhere to anything! It's like you can't draw water from a dry well. I ask for your prayers for me, a great sinner. May the mercy of God and the protection of the Mother of God overshadow you. Your good friend E. Feofan. Oct 23 1889 Letter 1214. Reply to congratulations on the New Year and on your doctorate I offer you my heartfelt gratitude for your congratulations and good wishes. I wish you all the best in this New Year, as well as for the rest of your life. May the Lord keep you and your entire family in good health and prosperity. I am sending you the 4th volume of the Philokalia, with a sincere desire that you will find in it good guidance for yourself on the path of life. Thank you for congratulating me on my doctorate. You were not mistaken in thinking that this would be something worthy of congratulations for me. I showed off a little fanfare, soared a little higher than the clouds. And then he descended again into his usual humble rut. But where does this leave my doctorate? Your sincere well-wishing E. Feofan. 31 Gen. 90 Letter 1215. Congratulations on the miter. More on the subject of doctorate Yesterday I read in Moskovskie Vedomosti that you were awarded a miter. I rejoice at this from the bottom of my heart and congratulate you on this mercy of the Monarch and the Holy Synod. The Academy Council notified me that I had been elevated to the degree of Doctor of Theology, but the diploma has not yet been received. This doctorate makes me very happy. It’s nice to hear that your reading about the fear of God was listened to with special attention. But I don’t know how I’m involved in this. And I don’t remember what I wrote about the fear of God. I will wait for the reprint of this article. I would like to know how the Academy Council praised and scolded my books, but I don’t know where to turn. Your good friend E. Feofan. 26 Feb. 90 Letter 1216. When sending 5 tons of the Philokalia. Writing Limit I am sending you 5 tons of Philokalia. Please accept. It is the latter and, as such, contains the upper stages of the spiritual life. These heights were shown before in the first books. But here the whole road there is prescribed systematically. This book, together with the fourth, contains everything needed in the work of asceticism. God willing, they would please someone and at least bring some benefit to someone. More than once I began to write something of my own. But things are not going well. It’s true that writing has its limits. And I have to admit that it has come for me. After all, the order of nature requires obedience, not to it, but to its Source. And we must complacently submit. Please accept my sincere best wishes to you. May the Lord always visit you with His mercies. I ask for your holy prayers. Your good friend E. Feofan. 26 Nov 90 Letter 1217. When sending a book in a new edition. On the history of the defense of the incorporeality of Angels. Settled dispute. Concern for the fight against the papacy I am forwarding to you the last part of the new edition of “Letters about Chr. life" and humbly ask you to accept it graciously. Although this does not add anything to the previous one, perhaps the new seal will incline someone else to a new reading. Thank you for printing prints of the book: the soul and the angel are not a body, but a spirit. Everything has been carefully reviewed. And the disciples and disciples of Pr. They do not give in to Ignatius, and try to somehow justify him. I received a decent notebook, but it was a waste of time. The writer did not touch on everything that I said, but spoke volubly about outsiders, as if in order to speak up the so clearly exposed inconsistency of the opinion of well-known brochures. I wrote to the writer and, guided by his own thoughts, suggested that instead of the opinion of the brochures, he should accept one of the opinions expressed by the fathers, namely, that Angels and souls by creation have a thin shell, or body, through which they are in communication with the corporeal material world. He agreed willingly, and that was the end of the matter. If all disputes were resolved this way, what would be good? It seems to me that we should prepare to fight the papists. Papacy began to resemble papatria. All gifts from the Pope and all honor to him. But we do not have a book that, having in hand, an Orthodox Christian could reflect the nonsense of the priests. They will say so much that the listener will inevitably be amazed. Muravyov, Avdiy Vostokov (Reverend Anatoly Mogil.) are heavy and not easy on the head. Papaute schismatique o. Who can access Vladimir Getta?! and there is nothing else for tea. Yes! Your Eminence Nikanor! – but that’s not complete. Persuade someone to extract from all the most prominent, easy to read and victorious. It will be timely and useful. I would have rushed, but I have no strength, my writing is over. God bless you and all your work. I ask for prayers for my many sins. Your sincere well-wishing E. Feofan. 15 Dec. 1891 Letter 1218. When sending “Ancient Monastic Rules”. A dying lamp. Apology and blessing I have the pleasure to forward to you the “Ancient Monastic Rules” - and I humbly ask you to accept them for your own library. During the pleasant work, I was consoled by the hope that our monastics would greet this book with joy, seeing that in general it was very similar to the anciently established orders of monastic life, and would be inspired by zeal to keep up with the original fathers, and would hasten to complement what was missing in themselves and correct, as much as possible, what was wrong. All this will refresh the view of monasticism for everyone who wants to look at these statutes. I think this is the last book from me. Although much remains unfulfilled from what was planned at the beginning, the relaxation of my head and loss of strength deprive me of the opportunity to begin anything. So I sit with my hands crossed. But, thank God, we have a lot of scientist people. Everything will be redone without us. Lord help all workers. I feel guilty before you that I didn’t write anything for the Church Gazette, but I asked for both, please forgive me. Perhaps the desire and enthusiasm to write will come. I wish you health and all the necessary help from God in your labors. God's blessing be upon you. I ask for your prayers for my sinfulness. With true respect and complete devotion, I have to be your sincere well-wisher and zealous prayer book. The many-sinful Bishop Theophan. 30 Nov '92 You might be interested in: