Spiritual Conversations (51–57)

“Spiritual conversations (51-57)” St. Macarius the Great were first published at the beginning of the 20th century and are a supplement to the Spiritual Discourses (1-50) (type II). The main theme of the works is the spiritual life of a Christian in the form of ascetic solitude. The conversations raise topics about freedom of the soul; about the need for patience, spiritual sobriety and fulfillment of not only physical commandments, but also spiritual ones; about the benefits of sorrows and temptations; about forcing yourself to pray, etc. Two conversations are recognized as not belonging to the author of St. Macarius the Great: Conversation 54 contains the reasoning of Abba Paphnutius, who was one of the closest students of St. Macaria; suggest that Conversation 57 belongs to St. Ammon, student of St. Athanasius the Great. The theological heritage of Macarius the Great consists of fifty words (conversations), seven instructions and two epistles. The main theme of the works is the spiritual life of a Christian in the form of ascetic solitude. In a number of his writings, Macarius interprets the Bible allegorically (for example, Discourse on the Vision of Ezekiel Spiritual Words and Messages New Spiritual Discourses I-XXVIII Conversation 51. The same monk, the divine father Macarius, has a second letter to Abba Simeon, an ascetic from Syrian Mesopotamia, and to the rest of the brethren like him. 1. Macarius to beloved and unanimous brothers in the Lord. May the peace of the Lord abound in you; the heavenly world, generating in the (earthly) world the light about which the prophets announced, the righteous spoke and the angels preached. The world that Mary took into herself and gave birth to the Savior of the world, who descended to the dead, broke the stones, opened the coffins, revived the dead, brought (to the light of God) those locked (in prison), broke the chains of prisoners, freed the enslaved, tore up the handwriting of Adam’s condemnation, inscribed the law of heaven in souls, mixed the Divinity with humanity, freed the creature, killed sin, which removed the curse from the earth, destroyed the mediastinum of enmity, resurrected the condemned body of Adam from the dust, introduced him into the paradise of promise, recreated him for a new life - a life not subject to death. He begat us from His Father so that we might become His brothers. Barren wives listened to him and (then) babies leaped in delight in their wombs; the ears of the deaf were opened and the tongues of the tongue-tied were loosened; the lame began to walk; the paralytic were healed and took up their bed. Seeing Him, the sinner fell on her face and, having kissed His feet, paid (all) her debts; seeing Him, Zacchaeus took Life into his home; When they saw Him, the waters turned into wine and the few loaves multiplied. He granted healing to the bleeding woman who touched the hem of His garment, and her source of blood dried up. He walked on the waves of the sea, forbade the wind to blow and calmed (the storm); He filled the net with fish and took a statir from the (mouth) of another fish. Seeing Him, sinners became righteous, harlots became chaste, virgins left their betrotheds, married women left their spouses, brides and grooms dissolved their weddings, kings crowned with diadems came to worship Him, judges left their judgment seats, wise men trampled on their wisdom, doctors abandoned their medicines, the rich left their wealth and merchants left their capital. theirs. Having seen Him, fools became wise, illiterate people became scribes, fishermen became preachers, and those who did not have the gift of words began to utter abundant (wisdom) speeches. (May that Peace abound in you, which accepted the gift of Abel, which translated Enoch so that he did not taste death, and which protected Noah in the ark. He who multiplied the blessings of Abraham and made Isaac heir of the promise, from whose seed was born the Savior of the ages; He chose Jacob from his mother's womb to receive the blessing of the birthright; He, together with Joseph, was in a foreign land and removed the yoke of slavery from his neck, making him the master of Egypt; He appeared to Moses in a flame of fire (in the middle of) a thorn bush, gave him the power to subdue all creatures and made the sea (dry land) for him to pass through. He strengthened Joshua, making him victorious in all battles with his enemies; He chose Samuel as priest and anointed David (as king) over (His) flock; From a handful of flour in a jug and a small amount of olive oil in a widow's bottle, he created a source of food that did not run dry for three years and six months. He sent Elijah horses of fire along with a chariot and took him to heaven, and gave Elisha the double spirit that he asked for; He commanded the tree to perform miracles in Egypt and the dry rod to bear fruit. He is the peace that strengthened Job in temptation and brought Lot out of the fiery death. He was with all the fathers who, believing in Him and loving Him, came out (from this world), steadfastly enduring shame and sorrow for His sake, becoming strangers and beggars, foreigners and persecuted. They despised the world (this), disdained death and abandoned themselves; subjected to every test, thrown (to be devoured) by beasts and becoming a laughing stock for the world, they, having passed through fire and water, found rest in another world. 2. I have written this to you, beloved brethren, so that you may know that from the day when Adam was created on earth until the end of the age, the evil one does not cease to wage war with the saints. For he dwells and abides with us in the very body in which we put on after the crime of the first-created (Adam), arranging his vile and insidious machinations. And to those who are in an infantile state (souls) and are not hardened in battles with him, he inflicts wounds, taking advantage of the simplicity of their infancy. But since they truly seek the Lord, they do not fall dead (slain by his hand). For it is written: “The Lord protect the little ones” (Ps. 114:6). After all, Christians, dressed in heavenly armor, enter into single combat with him in their own souls. If the warriors of the opposing (powers) (choose the right) time for battles, and after the battles each of them returns to his fatherland to taste peace and quiet, then those who go out to battle with Satan fight (incessantly) day and night. For in one dwelling, that is, in the body, both the soul of man and Satan, with whom the soul fights, have found refuge. There, in this body, he dwells and abides, and therefore at every hour he is in close proximity to the soul. Therefore (Christians), who have not yet put on the mountain armor and (heavenly) Power, do not know peace and rest, having believed through God and knowing that the murderer of humanity (lives) with them. But at the same time, fighting with him within themselves, they rejoice, knowing that they love God and that God helps them in their battle with Satan. However, there are few in number who have the knowledge that the destroyer of (human) souls dwells with them; they are embarrassed by sorrows, and there is no one on earth who could comfort them; they turn their gaze to heaven and from there they look for (help), so that, having received it and having clothed themselves in that (mountain) Power and armor of the Spirit, they may gain victory. Indeed, (only) from heaven (descends) the Power hidden from carnal eyes, which they accept. And since they seek the Lord with all their hearts, the Power of God secretly helps them every hour. Even if, due to their weakness, they are tempted by Satan, even then the Lord does not leave them in these great temptations and circumstances. The (invisible) battles themselves teach them, giving them the knowledge of what Satan is and how he destroys people; the experience of suffering they gain in battles teaches them to draw closer to God, the Savior of the world. When they, being powerless to defeat the enemy, realize their weakness, then they (begin) to zealously seek armor and weapons for themselves from God. And (only) having put on the full armor of the Spirit, they become conquerors, and the enemy of (human) souls falls under their feet. With these (spiritual) weapons the fortress walls of sin surrounding the soul are destroyed. And then the souls imprisoned in darkness come into the light, draw near to their Heavenly Father, are adorned with the beauty of divine maturity, girded with glory and power, and gain knowledge of all the skills of the evil spirit. The Apostle speaks about this: “We are not unaware of his plans” (2 Cor. 2:11). (After this, the souls) dissolve with the Holy Spirit and do the will of the Heavenly Father. 3. Know, beloved brethren, that when they are preparing their souls to become (fertile) ground for the heavenly seed, at that time the enemy hastens to sow his tares there. That is why you are tempted by the enemy and endure many tribulations. Know also the following: if some (Christians), who seek the Lord not with all their hearts, are not clearly tempted by Satan, then (he does this) secretly, and with his charms he insidiously destroys the souls of people, corrupting and alienating them from God. Now, brethren, take heart: do not succumb to timidity, do not be afraid of alien ghosts, and do not confuse your prayers with inappropriate plaintive cries; on the contrary, accept the grace of the Lord with a laborious soul and a hungry mind (for righteousness). For (whatever you suffer) does not only happen to you, but also happens to others. (Usually) this happens to beginners when, beginning to intensify their prayers, they are wavered by temptations, because they have not yet acquired skills (spiritual warfare), and therefore, due to their infancy, become confused. Again, brethren, be of good courage—then you will be comforted and inherit the (Kingdom of Heaven), having (constant) care for your souls and being zealous for perseverance in prayer. And do not let your mind become discouraged, for it is written: “You need patience, so that, having done the will of God, you may receive what was promised” (Heb. 10:36). And the Lord said: “Truly I say, if two of you agree... whatever they ask, it will be done for them” (Matthew 18:19). After all, those who truly seek the Lord receive Divine Power into their souls; approaching the heavenly anointing, they feel within themselves the taste and sweetness of the future age. Therefore, they are the best of the people inhabiting the earth. May the peace of the Lord, which was with all the holy fathers and kept them from every temptation, be with you, in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Conversation 52. The structure of the visible holy church is the image of the invisible and sanctified soul. 1. The Word of God seeks works of truth. It is common for a person (in general) to get down to business after he speaks and hears. That is why he listens to someone speaking in order to put into practice what he hears. On this day the Lord, the Life and Salvation of men, was born. Today there has been a reconciliation of the Divine with humanity and of humanity with the Divine; today, rejoicing, all creation leaped: the creatures above sent (messengers) to those below, and the creatures above - to those above; today the death of darkness has become the life of man; today the path has been paved for people to the Divine, and the path of God has been paved into the (human) soul. For before this the prophet had spoken: “The path of Zion weeps, for there are none who walk upon them in the feast” (Pl. 1:4), hinting at the desolation and destruction of the soul, for the path of God had not yet been paved for the soul and thoughts of man, and the human soul did not march towards God. Today the valleys and everything in them rejoiced - (that is) the land of the soul, which received the heavenly rain. “The Lord reigned, clothed with beauty” (Ps. 92:1) - because Adam, who had previously been made lord and king (over all creatures), became, as a result of a crime (commandments), a slave of sin. Today (the Lord) reigns over his enemies, for (Scripture) says: “He must reign” (1 Cor. 15:25). Today He “established the universe” (Ps. 92:1), that is, the soul that was previously deserted, worried, shaking, possessed by fear and cowardice of sin. For (the Lord) says: “There will be groaning and trembling on the earth” (Gen. 4:12). That is why the dwelling of the soul, built on the sand, shook and trembled. Today this dwelling was erected on the unshakable stone of the Divine. The angels, the heavens, the stars, the sun, the moon, the earth and everything on it rejoice; mountains and hills leap (like lambs) (Ps. 113:4). For if at the exodus of Israel from Egypt all creatures rejoiced (with him): the sky protected Israel during the day with a cloud of light, and at night with a pillar of fire, “the mountains (leaped) like rams, and the hills like lambs of sheep” (Ps. 113:6), - then all the more (every creation rejoices) today, when the true Christ was born. For previously all creation was (forcibly) transported into corruption through the fall of Adam, who was the king of all creatures, cried out (turning to the Lord) - and the Lord, as it should have been, came to renew and recreate Adam, who is the own image of God. Therefore, the period of man’s condemnation has expired, and the terms foretold by the prophets have now been fulfilled. Now man is called back from captivity and exile, “for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). Adam's condemnation to darkness. Today his redemption and liberation took place, today he entered into communion with the Spirit, today he was reconciled and united with God. Today the shame has been removed from his face and he has been given the freedom to look with an open face at the Spirit and unite with Him. Today the bride has found her Groom again. Today the heavenly and the earthly, God and man, have united, reconciled and entered into communication with each other. 2. After all, it was fitting for the Lord to come, clothed in a body, to turn people to His Father and reconcile them with Him. Having come (to the world) unarmed, He took human weapons, that is, the body, and, fighting, struck death. Through the dead body the enemy (ours) was killed, and the Lord condemned sin in the body, (defeating it) with his own weapons. For just as enemies, attacking a city, strive to destroy the walls with the help of siege weapons - ballistas, etc. others, so the enemy (of the human race) subjugated Adam, using his own body as a siege weapon. And through Adam he subjugated and captured all people. In the same way, the Lord, having assumed human (nature), with the help of it, like a siege weapon, destroyed all the military structures of the evil one, which he used against man. And it is said about this: “As is its darkness, so is its light” (Ps. 139:12) and “As in Adam all die, so in Christ will all be made alive” (1 Cor. 15:22). 3. For earlier human nature, (having) abandoned God, became dead and barren, and the soul (human also) became childless and barren. Now (this soul) has taken into itself the heavenly seed, so that it may be possible for it to bear the fruits of the Spirit. (Initially) Adam was alone, and (then) a woman was created from him. And if Adam had not married his wife, he would not have produced fruit. Likewise, the soul, if it does not unite and enter into communion with Christ, cannot bear the fruit of the Spirit. For the Divine Seed - the Word (of God), which fell into the Mother of God Mary, also falls into all believing souls. In the same way, they give birth from the spiritual Source of salvation, as Scripture says: “For Thy fear, O Lord, the spirit of salvation was received in the womb, and sick, and gave birth” (Is. 26:18) - this is how the soul bears fruit (fruits) to God. “For a woman, when she gives birth, suffers sorrow... but when she gives birth, she rejoices, because she has brought forth a man into the world” (John 16:21). And the soul, receiving the heavenly seed into itself, endures sorrow, subjected to many different temptations, until it gives birth; and when she gives birth, that is, becomes perfect, she rejoices with constant and inexpressible joy, because a heavenly and new man was born into the upper world. 4. And just as the Lord, having taken (His) body, ascended to the mountain and sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, so now believers and souls worthy of God are moving and will continue to move into His Kingdom, since He begets them from above by His Spirit, as the Lord says: “He who believes in Him who sent Me... has passed from death into life” (John 5:24). For those who truly believe, while still on earth, serve the Lord in the heavens above. And He, sitting on the throne of His greatness, descends down, resting on the souls of the saints, as if on thrones. For they are members, and His Body is the whole Church of saints; and He is the Head of this Church. Just as one soul abides in the whole body and all members of the body are governed by it, so all saints live in the Spirit of the Divine and are governed by Him. And each member lives in the Hypostasis (Spirit) and the Soul of God. 5. Just as if the body is deprived of an arm, leg or eye, a person is crippled, so the soul without the heavenly soul and God’s Spirit is imperfect and crippled, becoming rejected from the (Heavenly) Kingdom. For (the Lord) says: “Unless one is born again, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). After all, the perfect person is the one who has two arms, two legs and two ears; on two wings a bird can fly, but with one wing it cannot soar; two Testaments were given to people, and without the New (Testament) it was impossible for the Old Testament to exist. And everything paired, being double, is one, thus revealing itself to be perfect. This is how it should be for a true Christian, for the Lord deigned that he should have two souls: one created, and the other heavenly, (originating) from the Spirit of God. (Only) in this way can (Christians) be perfect and fit for the Kingdom of Heaven, soaring (there) and being lifted up by the wings of the Spirit. 6. For just as (the word) “heaven” is masculine, and “earth” is feminine, so Christ is the Heavenly Bridegroom, and the soul is His bride, blooming and passionless. From above, from God, (gracious) rain pours down, and the soul, like good earth, having absorbed it, bears the fruits of the spirit. Just as Eve without Adam was deprived of marital cohabitation and was barren, so the soul without cohabitation with the Spirit and without union with (its) Heavenly Bridegroom Christ turns out to be a barren and childless widow in the Kingdom of Heaven. However, the Heavenly Bridegroom without zeal on the part of man and without (the effort of his) will cannot either dwell in him or unite with him. Just as wine mixed with water becomes drinkable and sweet, so the Divinity, having mixed Himself with humanity, came to mix all who wish and believe (in Him) with His Spirit; Thus, the will (of them) turns into (the will of) the sweetest and most delicious. Just as the dye becomes one with the wool in purple, so souls who have received a perfect baptism in the Spirit become (one) spiritual purple, according to what is written: “He who is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:6). As the body of Christ, mingled with the Godhead, is God; just as iron thrown into fire is fire, and no one can touch or approach it without fear of being destroyed or destroyed (only fire with fire and hot coal with hot coal can remain undamaged), so every soul, purified by the fire of the Spirit and becoming (itself) fire and spirit, can be together with the pure body of Christ. It is impossible for a soul not initiated into this Spirit to approach the Divine, just as it is impossible for it to direct its gaze to this Divine Radiance or to live in It. For every creature is and lives where it is born. Aquatic living things live in water because that is where they were born; Birds soaring in the sky live in the air and die in the air. The life of the soul is similar to them: the air (souls) having the wings of the Spirit are the high heights of the Divine, for there they were born. 7. Just as a charioteer, taking the reins in his hands, rules the horses and directs them according to his understanding and his will, so the Lord in the highest rules and guides the creatures of heaven and earth according to His understanding. For He sits at the right hand of the Majesty (the Father) and rules (the world) on earth, abiding and living together with all the saints; He (abides) in the mountain and He (dwells) in the valley; He is God and He is Man; He is Living and He is Dead; He is the Lord of all and He is the Slave of all; He is the Lamb and He is the Sacrifice; He is the Taurus who is sacrificed, and He is the High Priest of the sacrifices; He is the one who endures passions and He is the dispassionate one; He is the Groom and He is the Bride; He is the Bridal Chamber and He is the Bridal Bed; He is Paradise and He is the Tree of Life; He is the City of Jerusalem and He is the Temple and Holy of Holies; He is the Sea and He is the Universe; He is the Food for souls and He is the One who feeds on the salvation of these souls; He is the Living Bread and He is the Water of Life; He is the “true Vine” (John 15:1) and He is the Wine of Joy; He is the Pearl and He is the Treasury; He is the Net and He is the Warrior; He is the Armor (of the warrior) and He is the Victor; He is the Circumcision and He is the Sabbath and the Law; He is the Head of the Church of saints and He is the Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31); He is the Vineyard and He is the Plow; He is Grace and He is Faith; He is the Marriage and He is the Wedding Garment; He is the Way and He is the Door; He is the “Sun of Truth” (Mal.4:2) and He is the Light of souls; He is the Life and He is the Kingdom; He is the Beginning and He is the End (Rev.22:13); He is the One who is above all, and He is the One who became all in all (1 Cor. 15:27; Eph. 1:23, 4:6; Col. 3:11). This sacred and Divine Offspring, the Salvation and Life of our souls, was born on this day for our sake. Glory to His Greatness! Glory to Humanity! Glory to His incomparable Providence for our race! So, let us also call upon Him for help and believe that we accept Him within ourselves, so that we, who have found Him, may taste of His (glory), since so many blessings have been given to us by the will of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Conversation 53. Evil does not harm those who have received heavenly fire in the heart, and about the freedom of the soul. 1. Anyone who wants to please God and be worthy of becoming a son of God must first of all be patient and (be able to) thank (God) in all the various sorrows, hardships and troubles that befall him. I mean illnesses and sufferings, spiritual sorrows brought upon us by evil spirits, as well as bodily harm, disgrace and mockery that happen from people. They are obstacles that remove the soul from the Kingdom (Heavenly) and do not allow it to approach God. Therefore, anyone who wants to be honored by Christ must rejoice in these circumstances, have fun and rejoice (when meeting) them, be kindled with a zealous desire for God and encourage (his) will to hasten to Him. And the more he is delayed by obstacles, the greater (inner) peace he must find and, with the help of love for the Lord, courageously overcome all sorrow. If he does not have such an (internal) disposition and he does not prepare himself for this, then, deprived of courage, he (only in vain) suffers and is dejected. He does not become a child of Life, for he did not become an imitator and follower of all the saints and did not direct his path in the footsteps of the Lord. 2. You, being a reasonable person, pay attention to how from the beginning the patriarchs, prophets, apostles, martyrs and all the sons of Life rejoiced in sorrows, rejoiced in adversities and needs, finding spiritual peace in misfortunes and labors. For (Scripture) says: “It is better to desire to suffer with the people of God than to have the temporary pleasure of sin” (Heb. 11:25). And again: “Child, if you begin to work for the Lord, prepare your soul for temptation; guide your heart and be patient. And don’t be quick to wake up during guidance; cleave to Him, and do not retreat, so that you may grow to the end. Whatever is dealt to you, accept it, and be patient in changing your humility: as gold is tempted by fire, and men are welcomed in the furnace of humility. Believe in Him, and He will intercede for you” (Sir.2:1-6) and so on. In another place it says: “Accept everything that happens to you as good, knowing that without God nothing happens.” And the blessed Apostle, complementing this, says: “(In everything we show ourselves) as servants of God, in great patience, in adversity, in need, in difficult circumstances, under blows, in prisons, in exiles” (2 Cor. 6:4-5). The Lord also says: “Blessed are you when they revile you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:11) etc. And therefore, if anyone wants to become the son and heir of these saints, he must show himself to be an imitator of their lifestyle and behavior, follow the words of the Lord and implement them (in practice). After all, “strait and narrow is the way that leads to life, and few follow it” (Matthew 7:14). And the more you are tested by adversity, suffering, illness and mockery, the more you should rejoice and rejoice in them. For (the Lord) says: “Woe to you, you who are luxurious, full and blessed in earthly things” (Luke 6:25). After all, bliss is prepared by the Lord for those who cry and mourn. And he who thirsts for eternal life must thank (God) for everything, accept sorrows and adversity (with joy) and love humility. 3. After all, God needs more than just knees to patiently (stand on) all day in prayer. This is a good activity: it is truly wonderful to pray, constantly intensifying in prayer. Among all activities, it is the main one, but without the virtue of the other members, prayer (becomes) dead. For prayers are made pleasing (to God) through good deeds, and therefore one cannot hate a brother or slander him; You should acquire humility and not become arrogant; you cannot think highly of yourself, even if you do all sorts of righteous deeds. When the Lord sees that they are being done sincerely and piously, He immediately comes (to us) to our aid. But if He does not find in us (sincerity and piety), then He recognizes (all our deeds) as if performed in a dream, and our prayer then becomes only an external prayer and is not counted by God. 4. Why does the Lord, sought by us, not immediately reveal himself to us? Is it because he doesn’t want (this)? - Of course not. On the contrary, He “wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). After all, all the zeal and zeal of the saints and the Lord Himself was aimed at making God known by men and so that the effect of grace, which is eternal life, could be known. However, if in (this action is introduced) a sin committed (voluntarily) by the soul, then God is not known by us and does not reveal Himself to us. For God is no respecter of persons, and therefore He looks (only) at the inner thoughts and intentions of those who seek (Him). Therefore, when we are vain, remain in unbelief and other sins, and are also unable to exercise strict judgment over ourselves, then the Lord is not known to us. For He said that He reveals Himself (only) to those who piously seek Him and keep His commandments. After all, it is written: “Whoever loves Me will keep My word; both I and My Father We will come and make our abode with him” (John 14:23). Therefore, let us always (strictly) judge ourselves and carefully examine our hearts, so that, having recognized our own sins, we may believe in Christ, the Liberator of our souls, and get rid of all sin, obvious or secret. And if we truly righteously and piously seek Him, then He will willingly appear to us according to His promise, cleansing our dirty hearts from all vice and filth. 5. So, first of all, we, wanting to please God, must accept sorrows, adversity and mockery in order to be worthy of life with Him for centuries. For who is worthy (of the Lord) if not the one who suffers hunger for His sake and walks naked, rejoicing in it? – Blessed is such an ascetic, truly blessed, for he has acquired great confidence before God. After all, the Lord wants you to go through these trials and not forget about Him in your sorrows. Scripture says, “With all patience and forbearance with joy” (Col. 1:11). And in another place: “Trouble and need have come upon me, Your commandments are my teaching” (Ps. 119:143). This is the struggle. It pleases God. 6. Most people who want to please God, due to lack of true knowledge, are concerned only with the body. But the man of God should strive with his thoughts, his thoughts, and his inner hidden will. This is the true struggle of the soul before the face of God with invisible thoughts (inspired by) evil forces. For (the Apostle) says: “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers” ​​(Eph. 6:12). These spirits of evil, invisible and incorporeal, triumph over (things) visible in the same way as the soul, invisible and incorporeal, triumphs over the plumpness of the body. Therefore, there must be an invisible and incorporeal struggle and achievement in the inner man. The (holy) fathers struggled in this struggle from the very beginning, although outwardly they seemed to be ordinary people. Those who strive (now) in the same way will be able to please God. 7. (Only) courageous and noble souls, who despise everything (earthly), enter into (this spiritual) warfare. Moses, hinting at the secret war of evil spirits with the soul and (pointing to) which souls are suitable for it, says: “And let no man who betroths himself a wife... let him go into the army; let no man who planted grapes come (against him)” (Deut. 20:6–7). He speaks of material bonds: but he who struggles against the spirits of evil is never fettered by them. For if addiction to pleasures and acquisition (of material wealth) prevents a person from embarking on the path of spiritual achievement, then he is deprived of heavenly joy. The Lord speaks in the Gospel about those invited to the wedding feast and those who refused (to come): “The first said: I bought land and cannot come; the other said: I got married and cannot come, I ask you to forgive me” (Luke 14:18-20). This is quite consistent with the words of Moses. 8. After all, it is those who have achieved spiritual nobility and are ready to submit to the will of God who enter into spiritual warfare. And the noble readiness and ability to fight against invisible enemies begins from the moment when (the ascetic) leaves his father, mother and everything that belongs to life (this), devoting himself to God; Moreover, he must renounce his soul. Having distributed all the property that he acquired and which he received from his carnal parents, (who enters the monastic path) entrusts all of himself and his (very) soul after God to the spiritual father and (experienced) ascetic, and he guides his life according to his desire so that (the novice monk) no longer needs to worry about what he needs and what he does not. And this is so that he does not find himself judging and testing the one whom he himself chose as the judge and manager of his soul, entrusting it to him as an experienced person who can lead it to God. Therefore, one cannot renounce one’s spiritual father due to some material trifles: for (only by going through) these (deprivations), the (novice monk) himself will be able to show himself also (later an experienced) ascetic, and not only to one who is subordinate to (another) ascetic for the sake of God. 9 . Tell me, you who do this: you say that you entrusted your soul to the ascetic and, falling at his feet, said: “Take my soul and bring it to God.” You know that you did this not for man, but for God, who says: “He who listens to you listens to Me” (Luke 10:16). And if you cunningly steal what was brought to God, don’t you think that you are sinning? Do you think that it is not a sin to take away from God what is given to Him? Now find out how you take away (from God what was given to Him): you made an ascetic, a priest, the trustee of your soul, handing it over to him so that he would lead it to God. However, now you judge and test him because of the illusory, pitiful and miserable material things of this world. Doesn't it seem to you that you are committing not only a sin, but also a sacrilege? It was this sacrilege that Blessed Peter condemned in the “Acts (of the Holy Apostles)” when he denounced Ananias and Sapphira for withholding (part of) the price of the sold land, which they brought by command for the needs of serving the brethren: for this (the Apostle doomed) them to a regrettable death, and great fear seized the entire church (Acts 5:1-11). “However, you object: “I do not renounce (my vow) to renounce the world, but I act guided by economic and providential considerations.” - In fact, reasonable reasoning leads to the conclusion that you cannot be a judge when it comes to things that are not appropriate for you, since you do not know what you should and should not (do). And such reasoning exposes you as having refused the vow of renunciation of the world and as a liar when you say: “I do not refuse.” 10. Tell me: didn’t you betray your soul and (all) property (yours) to God through the hands of an ascetic? - Therefore, they are no longer in your power. However, (your) renunciation of the world is only reliable and true when you fulfill not your own desires of (your) soul, but, on the contrary, like a substance in the hand of a craftsman, you give your feelings to the one to whom you entrusted your soul after God, closely listening to all his commands. And just as matter does not rebel against a craftsman who wants to make an expensive vessel rather than a cheap one, so you must listen to reason, which demands the same from you. After all, you have entrusted your soul to an ascetic who has (spiritual) experience, and he is obliged to lead you, no longer belonging to himself, and guide you when he wants and how he wants. And if this is said about the soul, then all the more should you be insensitive regarding your earthly and corruptible acquisitions, which, according to you, you have renounced. 11. If you test an ascetic and impose your will on him, then imagine how many sins you commit: firstly, you incur condemnation of sacrilege by first abandoning (your own) desires and then following them again; secondly, you condemn the one whom you have chosen as the judge of your actions; thirdly, you carry within you the disease of waywardness, selfishness and lust for power; fourthly, you despise the first brethren, whom you should glorify, as poor people who had nothing that they could refuse, and you want to subject them to your power, providing them with clothing and utensils for which they serve (you). Therefore, when you settle in a monastery, you begin to consider everything as your property, reasoning (as follows): before me, the ascetic was the most insignificant and poor, but with my arrival and thanks to my property, he raised his head a little; to the friends who visit me he seems glorious, having gained great respect from them thanks to my wealth. Before this he wore miserable robes, but now he dresses in bright clothes, which make him famous. And so, this insensitive man wants to equate me with the rest (brothers) and throw me down! – As a result, the ascetic is forcibly subjected to supposedly righteous condemnation, and the one who theatrically staged such condemnation forces the ascetic, through coercion, to place him at the head of the entire brotherhood. If he is literate, then he sits on the teacher’s seat and considers himself, even without even touching the edges of his lips to asceticism, worthy to bless his fathers, who went through all the labors of exploits for the sake of virtues. And then he has a desire to completely deprive the ascetic of all influence. And with all this, he believes that he does not in the least destroy or distort (his monastic vow), since he does not take back the property (donated by him), although he himself, in a bad and absurd way, planned to kidnap the soul given into the hands of the ascetic. How much better it would have been if he, having taken his property, had quickly left (from the monastery)! After all, quick deliverance from a harmful infection is much more useful than material acquisition. In the same way, he himself would have gotten rid of the countless evils that entailed his greatest crime and renunciation (of the vow), and at the same time he would have saved the ascetic and (the entire) brotherhood from sorrows and many sins. 12. As for you, fighter for piety and ascetic, then if you want to cross this great and vast sea and sail across this deserted and vast ocean, having already moved away from the earth and directed your ship away from matter, do not look for a way back, do not return to earth, but constantly direct your eyes to heaven. On it you will find stars, the number and names of which are known (only) by the Pilot. You will see in this sky all the lights - fathers, patriarchs, prophets, apostles and martyrs, lights that do not wander and illuminate the night of life. Looking at them, you will safely guide your ship of piety to the harbor of rest, heavenly Jerusalem; imitating them, you will leave everything and will no longer turn to anything other than them. 13. (You should know that) those who give themselves up to the worst are very numerous, but the (true) workers of piety are rare. However, your determination to devote yourself to laborious renunciation of the world does not place you among the street crowd, but ranks you among those who, through a narrow and cramped path, are strengthening to enter eternal life. Therefore, you should keep (your) vows indelible in your mind - (only) in this way will you be able to courageously endure all sorrows. For it is not people who accidentally (find themselves on the monastic path), but courageous ones, ready to heed the will of God and (consciously) walking the narrow path, who wage a constant war against the spirits of wickedness. They are those who will rightfully inherit the Kingdom (Heavenly), being chosen warriors of God. 14. And the servant of God Moses hints at this in another way, saying that “the animals that have cloven hooves and four-legged animals that chew the cud are clean, but others are unclean” (Lev. 11: 3-4). (This means) that a man of God cannot follow one thought without discrimination, cohabiting and co-enjoying with the evil thought of evil, but, on the contrary, every time he must make a distinction in himself through reason and have a strict understanding characteristic of nature, which opposes the habits of vice. One should “chew the cud,” accustom and exercise the mind in the faithful words of God’s commandments, so that the opposing (evil) and pious understanding, which always dwells in us, will be strengthened against the vice that cohabits (with the soul). And so on until (we) “are clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49), which, with all the fullness of power, having destroyed the evil that cohabits (with us), will reveal the pure understanding of pure nature. Those who strive in this way and have discernment in relation to themselves are considered by God to be pure, having already become beyond voluntary sins and having surrendered their will, as far as possible, to God alone. 15. After all, someone who wants to become a true Christian must acquire labor and struggle not of the flesh, but (to fight) in the mind with thoughts. He is always obliged, as far as possible, to accustom himself with (all) care to thoughts that are good and pure; stretch his mind to the right part, every hour waiting with faith for the visit of the Spirit, so that through such struggle he will be able to accept cleansing and use everything he sees in the world for the Housebuilding of his soul, while keeping (his) thought pure. Through the riches and other pleasures of the world (this), he (must see and contemplate) the above (property) and heavenly riches, (see) true luxury and unfading glory, only a shadow of which are earthly blessings. For this world is the image of the true and eternal peace. Therefore, everything that a person sees inside his soul, he must turn to his own benefit, so that his mind never calms down from caring for (spiritual) benefits, since the soul can achieve them only through many struggles, copious sweat and labor. However, everything is truly perfect (only) by God Himself. 16. Anyone who wants to always avoid the thoughts of the evil one and get rid of them must find shelter and refuge in the Lord, constantly remember God and trust in Him. (Only) in this way will he be able to fight (various types of) evil that oppresses a person (from all sides), be it the evil of the external world or the evil forces within (the soul); in this way he will be able to free himself from every (bad) habit and every predisposition (towards evil). By enduring such warfare and placing all their trust in God, the fathers could please Him. And although, (living) among visible (things), they had wives, children and property, their mind was above the world (this). Therefore, having entered into (a period of) trials and temptations, they did not lose courage and did not grieve when they were deprived of visible benefits, for they acquired a great and true wealth - trust in God. Thus, Job, having lost all earthly hope and having a body stricken with leprosy, became a winner by the power of his love for God alone. For, having transferred (his) thought to the above, he found himself above everything (earthly). In the same way, we must courageously and generously endure and endure everything that happens (to us), being hurt by the love of God. 17. Just as a wife who has a husband who finds himself in prison and undergoing (many) sorrows, herself spends her life in luxury and carelessness, thereby revealing her unchastity, since she does not retain proper affection for her husband (for she should have compassion and sympathize with him), so souls who want to marry the Heavenly Bridegroom and co-reign with Him are obliged to walk the narrow and cramped path that He also walked, becoming for us sample. And if they turn to another path and do not bear the plagues and passions of the Lord, they will be numbered among the harlots and cast out from the (Heavenly) Kingdom. 18. Therefore, let us turn to God for help in (the fullness of) faith and certainty, expecting mercy from Him, since we have His promises sealed in writing. After all (the Scripture says): “to him who knocks it will be opened” (Matthew 7:8) and “I will dwell in them and walk in them” (2 Cor. 6:16). For although people are distracted (from the true path) by thousands of worries and darkened by thousands of temptations that force them to lie generously, nevertheless, by giving written obligations, they cannot, even if they want, act unjustly. Moreover, the true God cannot fail to fulfill His promise regarding us, sending us grace and the gift of the Holy Spirit. However (not God), but we ourselves are the true liars, for we do not seek Him, as we were commanded, in the certainty of faith. We will only be able to ask Him with complete confidence when we surrender ourselves entirely, as far as possible, to the Lord, renouncing our own desires, no longer living for ourselves, but, redeemed by His honest blood, we will act according to the will of the Master (ours). And, having thus renounced ourselves and voluntarily submitted to our Redeemer alone, we will prove to be grateful and faithful slaves; having received the promise of the Holy Spirit, let us glorify the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit forever. Amen. Conversation 54. About the need, following the physical commandments, to fulfill spiritual ones and about the need for great sobriety. 1. The question regarding the brethren who have fallen and gone astray (from the path) of the proper life: what is the reason for this among those who lead a blameless life in the desert? Isn't this the reason that some people's spirits were led astray, while others were carried away by self-will? Answer. This question is answered by Paphnutius, a man enlightened by higher knowledge (who says): “Everything that happens to us is divided into two (types): either it happens by the good will of God, or by God’s permission. That which is good, useful, and brings (spiritual) benefit to souls occurs by the good will of God, and that entailing punishment, fraught with danger, and forced by the force of circumstances happens by God’s permission. And such permission is caused by a just reason, for it is impossible for a person who thinks right and leads a correct life to fall into shameful sin or demonic delusion. 2. Those who only seem to be striving for virtue, but in fact are striving for a harmful goal, are suffering from the disease of man-pleasing and are obsessed with the thought of self-will - they are the ones who fall into sins. And God leaves these people for their own good, so that through such abandonment by God they would feel the difference that has occurred and correct their intentions and behavior. 3. For (a person) then sins by intention when he is guided by a bad goal, and he sins by deed when he is corrupted (from within) or when he does not act as he should. After all, it often happens that a depraved person, pursuing a shameful goal, does good to a girl, but his act becomes completely prudent, since he (unwittingly) helps an orphan, lonely or struggling. It also happens that, in pursuit of the right goal, they do good to the sick, the elderly, or those who have lost their fortune, but they do this with stinginess and grumbling - and the act becomes unworthy of the goal. For it is necessary that alms be given with cordiality (Rom. 12:8), and given without stint.” 4. He also said the following: “Many souls have natural advantages: some are naturally gifted with noble thoughts, others with a penchant for beauty. But if those who possess these advantages do not attribute them to God, the Giver of (all) blessings, but attribute their possession to the merit of their own will, talent and strength, then (God) abandons them, and they become the prey of a shameful act or shameful passion. Then, thanks to the humiliation and shame that befell them, they gradually get rid of the boasting of virtue, which they previously attributed to themselves. Indeed, if one who is filled with pride from the noble elegance of his speeches does not attribute to God this nobility and gift of knowledge, considering them the fruits of his own talent and asceticism, then God removes (His) Angel of Providence from such a person. And when the Angel leaves, the proud man becomes possessed by the enemy (of the human race) and falls into disorder. And this is done so that the outrage that equates him with cattle and dogs will drive out the pride that likens him to demons, and also so that his words, not attested by a chaste life, cease to inspire (others) confidence. In such a case, God-fearing people will naturally avoid the teachings coming from the mouth of such a person, like a fountain full of leeches. Then the words of Scripture will be fulfilled: “But God said to the sinner: Of what kind will you tell My justifications and accept My covenant with your lips?” (Ps. 49:16.) 5. Indeed, people whose souls are passionate can be compared to various sources. Gluttons and drunkards - with dirty springs; money lovers and covetous people - with springs full of frogs; the proud and the slanderers, even those who have knowledge, are with the springs that feed the serpents. The Word flows in these springs, but no one can draw (water) from them and taste it, which has become bitter. Therefore, David calls (the Lord to teach him) three things: goodness, right living and knowledge (Ps. 119:66). For without goodness knowledge is useless. 6. But if (the sinner) corrects himself, eliminates the cause of abandonment by God, that is, pride, knows his limits, not exalting himself over any person and thanks God (for everything), then knowledge, evidenced by deeds, returns to him again. For spiritual speech without a pious and chaste life is like ears of corn dried up by the wind: they retain their appearance, but are deprived of their nutritional power. 7. So, every sin - whether one sins with the tongue, feeling, deed, or with the whole body (one's own) - entails abandonment of God, commensurate with the pride (of those who sin), although God (often) spares them. After all, if, along with pride, their noble talent and gift of eloquence are witnessed by the Lord, then the demons themselves will expose their daring and majestic exaltation.” 8. This man also told us the following: “When you see a person whose life is shameful, but whose speech is convincing, then remember the demon who in the Holy Scripture talked with Christ (Matthew 4:3 ff.) and about whom the Scripture testifies that “the serpent was the wisest of all the beasts that are on the earth” (Gen. 3:1). But in him wisdom became pernicious because it was not accompanied by any other virtue. Therefore, a believer and good person should think about what is given by God; he must speak as he thinks and do as he says. For if the truth of the words does not correspond to the life akin to them, then (such a person), according to Job, is “bread without salt” - you cannot eat it, and if you eat it, you will harm your health. After all, it is said: “Will bread be eaten without salt, or is there taste in vain words?” (Job.6:6), that is, in empty speeches not evidenced by accomplished deeds. 9 . Therefore, one of the (types of) abandonment of God happens in order for hidden virtue to be revealed, as happened with Job when God turned to him, saying: “Do not reject My judgment; ( Job 40:3 ). For you are known to Me, who sees the secret, but people do not know you, believing that you serve Me for the sake of the wealth that I have given you in abundance. Then I took away this wealth in order to show them your grateful wisdom.” The second type of God-forsakenness happens to prevent pride, as happened with (Apostle) Paul. After all, he says: “A thorn was given to me in the flesh, an angel of Satan, to afflict me, so that I would not become arrogant” (2 Cor. 12:7). (With the Apostle) this happened so that the peace, prosperity and honor achieved by him thanks to miracles would not fill him with vanity and plunge him into devilish arrogance. And the paralytic was abandoned (by God) because of (his) sins, for Christ said to him: “Behold, you have recovered; Sin no more” (John 5:14). Judas was also abandoned (by God), who preferred pieces of silver to God the Word, which is why he hanged himself (Matthew 27:5). Esau was also abandoned (by God), having fallen into self-will and preferring stinking dung to his father’s blessing (Gen. 25:33–34). Having understood all this, the Apostle says about some: “And because they did not care to have God in their minds, God gave them over to a depraved mind - to do lewd things” (Rom. 1:28). About others who retain the knowledge of God in memory, but have a corrupted consciousness, he says this: “But because they, having known God, did not glorify Him as God, and did not give thanks... their foolish hearts were darkened” (Rom. 1:21). From all this it becomes clear to us that it is impossible for someone living a pious life to fall into sin: this only happens if he is deprived of the (protection) of God’s Providence. 10. This husband also said the following: “The mind that has fallen away from the remembrance of God falls either into rage or into lust.” He called lust bestial, and rage demonic. And when I, surprised, asked him whether it was possible for the human mind to be constantly with God, he answered: “If the soul in (every) thought and in every divine deed shows itself to be pious, then it is (always) with God.” 11. And another of the saints said: “Let every right soul consider it more useful for itself to be reviled and oppressed than to be praised and glorified. For self-will loves (bodily) rest, health, peace and abundance (of earthly goods), and therefore, striving for them, it is sucked out by sorrows, like leeches.” God bless. Amen. Conversation 55. About the fact that the coming sorrows and temptations are for our benefit, and about the need for patience 1. You should know that there are young men (by nature) who are prudent, reasonable and fearing God, with whom grace (of God) abides (always). And when they begin to speak, their speech is kind. Then those who listen to them, also sensible people, begin to praise them, marvel at them and honor them, since the young men speak the word of God. However (one should not forget that) in the minds of these young men (along with good) evil also coexists; It is this that prompts them to love glory and delight in praise, in order to plunge (young people into the vice of) vanity. 2. (However, this vice is dangerous not only for young people); in the same way, a (mature husband), who has turned away from carnal lust and resists (it) in his mind, must also resist vanity in his mind and thoughts. If his word is gracious, and (for this reason) someone forces him to make a speech, then he should be saddened, resist this in his mind and (try to) avoid (all eloquence) like fire, so that, while maintaining abstinence (in speech), he should not fall into vanity through his speech. For Moses, the servant of God, forced to speak and proclaim to Israel (the Word of the Lord), asks for forgiveness, saying: “I am not able to speak.” In the same way, Jeremiah, when he was forced to speak, said, apologizing and burning in heart: “Behold, I know not to speak, as I am a child” (Jer. 1:6), so as not to be removed from the glory and honor of the prophets. And (Apostle) Paul says: “For if I do this willingly, I will have my reward; and if it is involuntary, then I perform only the ministry entrusted to me” (1 Cor. 9:17). After all, just as in the (world of) visible (things) an architect, for example, performs his work, and a blacksmith and a silversmith do their work, casting vessels into the fire, so the people of God are once and for all prepared for their service, which consists not in uttering (loud) speeches and being glorified by them from people, but in so that the word accomplishes the work of God and creates the structure of human souls, leading to to the sky the mind (of people), thrown into (the sea of) evil and drowning there, (and therefore becoming) insignificant and useless. (The people of God), enlightening (those mired in vices), leading them to the (true) path and turning them to good habits and good morals, prepare the return (of sinners) to Life. 3. There are many strongholds of vice, and the first of them are the lust of the flesh and the love of money. It happens that a person is outwardly poor and poor, but inwardly he rejoices in wealth and (is ready) to be a friend of the rich. Therefore, if he receives wealth from someone, he (immediately) changes. But God seeks (only) unmercenary character; if (a true unmercenary) happens to become rich, then wealth becomes painful and hateful for him, and therefore he (try in every possible way) to avoid it like fire. Behind the strongholds of lust and love of money (rise) are the strongholds of vanity and arrogance. Who (among the people) will be able to destroy these walls and mediastinums? Who is capable of (patiently) toiling (his) soul with constant labor, shedding tears, being tormented by hunger and thirst? 4. If you ever find yourself in such (sorrows and labors), turn to your body with the following words: “What are we doing in this world? Our time (here) is short; you must decay and go to the grave.” And say to your soul: “What are you doing here? Fall down at the feet of the Lord, so as not to be condemned to eternal fire.” Confront your enemy, who strikes you and steals your mind. Blessed are (the righteous, unharmed) those who pass through terrible places of darkness, through terrible night, through unclean regions and the infectious air of sin, for they achieve the peace, joy and exultation of the Holy Spirit. To him be glory forever. Amen. Conversation 56. Even against our will, we must force ourselves not only to prayer, but also to all the commandments. 1. We should know who a monk is and thanks to what way (life) he really deserves the name of a monk. We speak as Christ conveyed (to us). Firstly, a monk is called a monk because he is one, and also because he renounces woman and renounces the world, internally and externally. Externally - because he renounces (everything) material and from (all) worldly things, and internally - because he renounces the very thoughts about these things, so as not to accept thoughts of worldly care. Secondly, he is called a monk because in continuous prayer he calls upon God in order to cleanse his mind of many heavy thoughts. And his mind in itself also becomes monastic, turning one on one to the true God; he does not perceive evil thoughts, but, constantly and properly purifying himself, remains unsullied before God. 2. It depends on the free will of man. Therefore, if a person wants to entrust his will to the Lord alone, then he (first of all) eradicates passions and evil thoughts in himself, thus purifying himself and planting in himself the fruits of the Holy Spirit. And these fruits are: “love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, meekness and self-control,” about which the Apostle says: “Against such there is no law” (Gal. 5:22-23). And since God sees that man’s will is tirelessly surrendered to Him and rushes towards Him, He Himself multiplies His grace in this man and enriches him with it. On the contrary, when God sees that our will is careless and does not rush towards Him, but is carried away by material deeds, then He Himself retreats from us and does not care about us. After all, God needs only our will, since he is always ready to take pity on us and enlighten us - if only we want to give ourselves (entirely to Him). 3. For the soul, created by God, is by nature to love Him and (totally) surrender to Him. The body, taken from the earth, thinks about earthly things. But not only that: it is (capable of) being subject to the action of Satan, drawing the soul and mind to earthly cares. Therefore, a monastic must have the ability to discern and be strengthened by it, so that he, who is in a state of ignorance, does not become defeated (an enemy of the human race). 4. We should also comprehend (with all our hearts) the words spoken by the Lord: “Take up your cross and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24). They cannot be understood in the sense that we should hang ourselves on a tree and so follow the Lord; (the meaning of these words is that) a monastic is obliged to crucify himself in relation to worldly things, so as not to be attached to them; he is also obliged to constantly crucify his mind in prayer, so as not to be careless regarding (his) salvation. He cannot perceive (with his mind) evil thoughts, but he should be able to distinguish between them and know that (all) they are from the evil one. He must also free his mind from all entertainment so that they do not bother him. For if he does not do this, then he prays in vain, since his mind, wandering in such entertainments, offers imaginary prayers that do not reach his God. And if a prayer is impure and not performed in the fullness of faith, then it is not accepted by God. 5. The monastic himself is unable to resist the devil; he cannot tear out (by the roots) sinful thoughts from himself, (completely) fulfill the will of God, (in purity) keep the commandment of God and (finally) overcome passions. But he has the power to entrust his will to God, to pray to Him and ask Him to cleanse him from Satan and from the actions of the evil one; so that God would deign, through His grace, to enter his soul and reign in it; so that God Himself would do His commandments and His will in him, entrusting to him every virtue of the truth (of God. And this truth consists) in true faith, effective prayer, love with all the soul and with all the strength, hope, fasting, abstinence, humility, meekness, long-suffering, perseverance and other (virtues). Having received them, (a true ascetic) will no longer be able to boastfully say: “I have succeeded in something,” but at all times he will (humbly) thank God for the fact that, called (to help), He has successfully accomplished everything. For (only) through patience in prayer great accomplishments are achieved. The negligence that was given to people by Satan gives rise to (only) gloomy blackness in the soul; it leads a person away from God and captures his thoughts. 6. Therefore, we must be vigilant, choosing good, (only) in which we can be saved, love God and each other - love not just (in words), but in a true way. It is this love that the monastic is obliged to acquire within himself through (his) service and to implement it in practice, because every command (of God) is fulfilled there. For the written law sets forth many mysteries in a hidden manner; a monastic, if he constantly strives in prayer and in communion with God, acquires them, and the grace (of God) reveals to him the most intimate secrets of Scripture, inspiring awe. After all, by (merely) reading the written law, one cannot achieve what is achieved through serving God, since it is in this service that everything is fulfilled. Therefore, the one who chooses such a ministry no longer feels much need for (simple) reading of Scripture, since he knows that everything is accomplished in prayer. 7. As for sinful passions, (the monk) wages a great war (with them) and forces himself to successfully overcome them; however, one is (often) unable to do so. However, if he is persistent in prayer and invoking (God), entrusting everything to the Lord, then the Lord plucks these passions from him and destroys them, since (the monk) has entrusted all care for himself to Him. Then the grace of God carries out many of its actions in (the monk). Often he is visited by action (of consolation), when he is overcome by such a great lust (for God) and such inexpressible joy that he mourns his powerlessness, since his soul cannot leave the body and go to the Lord. And sometimes, under (the influence of) the grace of the Lord, his soul experiences inner joy, for the Lord is both strict in everything and generous. However, the hour often comes when the grace of the Lord allows Satan to wage war against the monastic: then evil passions rise up against him, causing (the monk) sleep, despondency, relaxation and much more that cannot be expressed in words. This happens so that (the monk), oppressed and overcome by passions, calls on the Lord with firm faith, asking Him to (ease) the torment. Then grace, if it sees (the monk) steadfast and truly seeking the mercy of God, repels all the reproaches of the enemy; she, as she herself desires, pleases his heart and cleanses it from all the machinations of the enemy. For grace wants a person to acquire it through hard work and struggle, but it does not want him to always be in joy and for this reason his mind to fall into laziness. Therefore, the (monastic) should (constantly) stay awake while fighting Satan. Glory to God. Amen. Conversation 57. A soul that truly loves God is harmed neither by indulgence nor by sorrow, but not by both. 1. “The spirit breathes where it will” (John 3:8). He breathes in the souls of light, radiant and divine, who with all their zeal long to serve Him. And if they submit to this worthy of worship Spirit, then He will first give them the fear of God and warmth (heartfelt). When (these gifts) are revealed in souls, then the Spirit already creates in them hatred towards the whole world and towards all harmful objects of (worldly) desires: gold, silver, beautiful body jewelry, father, mother, wife and children. (Instead of them, the Spirit) creates in man the work of God, which is sweeter than honey and the honeycomb, making everything of God sweet for man, that is, the work of fasting, vigilance, silence, service (to others) and alms. 2. When (the Spirit) teaches a person all this, then He gives him over to temptation. And everything that was sweet for a person before becomes difficult and painful. Many of those who are subjected to such temptation, having no (spiritual) experience, cannot withstand the severity (tests) and become carnal. About them (the Apostle) Paul says: “Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being finished in the flesh? Have you really suffered so much to no avail?” (Gal.3:3-4.) (Transferred) without benefit is labor (in vain) suffered for the sake of God: when (a person) completely despairs of them and retreats, then he is not only deprived of the reward for his labors, but is also subjected to severe punishments, for he neglected the heavenly Power and did not choose It. 3. However, if a person gave a (worthy) rebuff to Satan in this first temptation, then God will grant him constant, calm and unperturbed warmth. For the first warmth is fickle, unreliable and changeable, but the second is better than it: it generates (spiritual) vision and creates patience, being imperturbable, reliable and constant. Just as a ship with two furled sails (finds peace) in a quiet harbor, so the second warmth gives rest. 4. So, my beloved children, acquire a second warmth for yourself, so that you may find relief in everything. After all, this warmth for God cuts off all passion, casts out all stoutness from a person and allows the Divine to dwell in him, so that he becomes the church of God, according to what is written: “I will dwell in them and walk in them” (2 Cor. 6:16). 5. Therefore, if you want the retreated warmth to return to you again, you must do the following: you must enter into an alliance with God and say before Him: “Forgive me for what I have done through my negligence. I won't be naughty anymore." And in order to protect yourself from negligence in the future, you should never give any relief to either body or soul; one must vigorously (open) one’s thoughts to God day and night, weep before Him every hour and, in grief, expose one’s soul, (saying): “How could you have been careless until this day and fruitless all the days (of your life)?” And in order to remember the (eternal) torment and the eternal Kingdom, condemn yourself every day, instilling: “Why are you negligent when God has honored you with such great honor? After all, He subjected the entire creation to you, and you rejected (all His benefits).” When (a person does not get tired of) saying this to his soul, exposing it day and night and at every hour, then the (second) warmth of God immediately approaches him, which is better in everything than the first. 6. Blessed David, seeing that the heaviness (of despondency) was crushing him, said: “I thought about the first days, and remembered eternal years, and learned” (Ps. 77:6). He also said: “I have remembered the days of old, I have learned in all Your works, I have learned Your hand in all creation. My hands have lifted up to You, my soul, like a dry land to You” (Ps. 142:5-6). And you, when you (see that) you are deviating (from the right path), indulge in meditation on the wonderful (deeds) of God. Then you will be saved by the grace of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.