687. Покрывать недостатки ближних хорошо тогда, когда это не причиняет вреда

Your Reverence, most honorable in the Lord Mother Abbess Leonida! I received your letter dated January 22. Regarding an explanation with the dean about a new priest, if it were required, I already wrote to you recently. You write in this last letter that you are advised to immediately send a memo to Vladyka that you do not want to have a new priest at the monastery for a well-known reason, and the entire clergy wants to ask for this. Let the clergyman ask, but you wait. I think that as a result of the petition, the clergyman Vladyka will ask you about the matter. Then, in my sinful opinion, instead of a written answer, it is better for you to go to the Metropolitan for a personal explanation. Serve a prayer service before the miraculous image of the Savior, now located in your monastery, and together with the Mother of God; and tell the Vladyka the truth that only you know for sure, however, more carefully, without casting too much of a shadow on the sisters of the monastery. Then it is good to cover the shortcomings of your neighbors when you can do it and when it does not cause harm. And if these shortcomings begin to reveal themselves by themselves, then it is better to adhere to the truth, relying on the will of God. You should also speak out about the opposing party, especially since this party, as you wrote, is small, and even ask the Bishop to send them to other monasteries, since they cause disturbances in the monastery. If the Bishop demands that you write a formal report about them, then you first, if it is convenient, ask him if it is possible to send these sisters away more quietly, without a denunciation. And if it’s no longer possible, then you can write. Asking for you and your monastery the peace and blessing of God, I remain with sincere goodwill. You might be interested in: