695. Прелесть есть следствие гордости и самомнения. Как поступать с прельстившимися

Your Reverence, most honorable in the Lord Mother Abbess Leonida! I received your letter dated April 16, thank you for your congratulations to me, a sinner, on the past holiday of the bright Resurrection of Christ and for your well wishes. Glory to the Lord for helping you spend Lent quite cheerfully and without breaking it. Your Mavra, as can be seen from your description, is in a state of delight. - What to do? This has happened and happens to us sometimes. Our deceased Elders assigned such seduced people to menial labor. Since charm is a consequence of pride and conceit, the damned pride is at least somewhat lost through menial work. It would not hurt you to force your Mavra to help in the kitchen at least with her strength, for example, peeling potatoes or washing dishes, etc. But she should not be allowed to live a solitary life under any circumstances. Because, as you noted, this should drive her completely crazy. She also shouldn’t have communicated the Holy Mysteries often. Let her confessor first incline her to humility and self-abasement. Asking for you and the sisters of the monastery entrusted to you for peace and God's blessing, I remain with sincere goodwill. You might be interested in: