411. Мантия есть образ покаяния и смирения. Смирение в очах Божиих выше всех наших исправлений

M. St. O. n. G.I.H.B.n. p.n. I received your letter, in which you describe your grief that others, in your opinion unworthy, are given a mantle, but you are not. From this I see that you desire monasticism not for the salvation of the soul and the acquisition of great humility, but in order to be ahead of others and to be proud of the opening of your robe, without thinking about what the mantle is and for what purpose it is given. This shows that it is not the desire for salvation that will hold you back, but pride. This is even clearer from this that you dared to call the revered old man Nilka! With common sense, is it possible to express it this way? If in such a spiritual dispensation you manage to receive a mantle, then you will be in it like a stump in a hat. Just as a hat does not provide any benefit or decoration to an insensitive stump, so you will definitely be wearing a robe, and it will also serve to condemn you. The mantle is an image of repentance and humility. And therefore, wanting to have it, one must affirm and learn mainly in humility, considering oneself unworthy of this Angelic image, and not just covet it, and, moreover, with ambition, for vanity. And in this we must be sure that the Lord guides our leaders in this matter, and Himself proclaims who to give and who not to give. This means that this is the will of God, what was given to her, and Fr. Neil helped in this matter, and this is according to God’s dispensation. Apparently, she is more worthy than you to accept and wear this Angelic image. She is worthy, if not by deeds, which, you write, she does not have, but lives carelessly; then, if not by deeds, then it must be by humility, which in the eyes of God is higher than all our corrections. That is why the Lord announced Fr. Neil will arrange her to accept this yoke of His, which is good and easy for the humble in heart. Therefore, if you also want to wear this image, try to acquire humility in your heart. Consider yourself not only unworthy of this rank for your negligence, but even unworthy of being in St. monastery. Try not to judge anyone or anything, consider yourself the last and worst of all, and never rely on your mind and your intelligence. The Lord, seeing such a dispensation of yours, will vouchsafe you to receive this holy gift. an image that will serve you for the salvation of your soul, which I earnestly wish for you. Submit this matter and your desire to the will of God and calm down. Prove your desire to have it not through machinations or requests from anyone, but through diligent fulfillment of monastic affairs and rules, and especially through humility. And then God, seeing your diligence for salvation, will put a thought about you in the hearts of your leaders. Calling upon you peace and God’s blessing, I remain with the desire for salvation. You might be interested in: