Message to Ammun the monk

All God's creations are good and pure. For the Word of God did not create anything unprofitable or unclean. For we have the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved, according to the Apostle (2 Cor 2.15). Since the arrows of the devil are different and varied, and he drives those who think immaculately to indignation, distracts the brethren from their usual exercise, instilling in them thoughts of uncleanness and defilement, then, by the grace of our Savior, in short words, let us drive away the deception of the evil one, and let us confirm the thoughts of the simplest. All slaughter is pure, but the conscience of the unclean is defiled and all (Titus 1.15). I am amazed at the devil’s cunning, that although he is corrupt and destructive, he apparently puts in thoughts of purity. But what he does is more of a slander or a temptation. For, as I said, in order to distract the ascetics from their usual and saving care, and, as he imagines, to defeat them, for this purpose he stirs up such rumors that do not bring any benefit to life, but only empty questions and vanity, which must be avoided. For tell me, beloved and most reverent, what is sinful or unclean in any natural eruption, such as, for example, if someone wanted to blame the discharge of phlegm from the nostrils and spitting from the mouth. We can talk about more than this, about the eruptions of the womb, which are necessary for the life of an animal. Moreover, if, according to Divine Scripture, we believe that man is the work of God’s hands, then how could a desecrated work come from pure power? and “if we are the race of God,” according to the Divine Scripture of the Apostolic Acts (Acts 17.28), then we have nothing unclean in ourselves. For only then do we become defiled when we commit sin, the worst of all stench. And when any natural involuntary eruption occurs, then we and others are subjected to this, as stated above, out of natural necessity. But since those who only want to contradict the just words, moreover those created by God, wrongly cite the word of the Gospel, that it is not what goes in that defiles a person, but what goes out, then it is necessary to expose this absurdity of theirs (for I will not call this questioning) to expose. Firstly, they, out of their ignorance, misuse the Scriptures as unestablished. The reason of the Divine Word is the following: when some, like these, doubted about food, then the Lord himself, resolving their ignorance, or moreover, exposing their error, said: “That which goes in does not defile a person, but that which goes out” (Matthew 15.11). Therefore he adds: where does it come from? from the heart. For he knows that there are evil treasures of evil thoughts and other sins. In short, the Apostle, taught this, says: “Food will not set us before God” (1 Cor 8.8). Blessedly can anyone say in the present case; a natural eruption will not lead us to punishment. Perhaps doctors (even if those who contradict externally will be convinced) will say in defense of this that the animal is given certain necessary outcomes for the deposition of excess moisture nourished in each of our members, which is the essence of the excess of the head, hair and moisture, separating from the head, and emanating from the womb, as well as this excess in the seminal vessels. So, most God-loving elder, what sin is there before God, when the Lord Himself who created the animal wanted and created for these members to have such outcomes? But it is necessary to prevent the contradictions of the evil ones. For they can say: therefore, the use itself will not be a sin when the tools are created by the Creator. Let us silence such questions by saying: what use are you talking about? Is it about legal? whether about the one that God allowed, saying: “grow and multiply, and fill the earth” (Gen. 1.28), or about the one that the Apostle allowed, saying: “marriage is honorable, and the bed is undefiled” (Heb. 13.4); or about the one that happens between people, but happens secretly and adulterously? For in other cases of life we ​​find a difference that occurs due to certain circumstances, for example: it is not permissible to kill; but killing enemies in war is both lawful and praiseworthy. Thus, the valiant in battle are awarded great honors, and pillars are erected for them, proclaiming their excellent deeds. Thus, the same thing, depending on the time, and in some circumstances - is impermissible, and in other circumstances - and opportune, is permissible and permitted. The same should be said about bodily copulation. Blessed is he who in his youth, having formed a free couple, uses his nature to bear children. But if it is for lust, then fornicators and adulterers are subject to the execution announced by the Apostle (Heb. 13.4). For there are two paths in life regarding this subject. One is ordinary and everyday, that is, marriage, the other is Angelic, and there is none more excellent, that is, virginity. If someone has chosen the worldly path, that is, marriage, then he is not subject to blame, but he will not receive so many gifts, although, however, he will receive some, for he too bears fruit threefold. If someone has accepted the pure and premium path, although his path is harsher and more difficult than the first, he accepts more wonderful gifts, for he has brought forth perfect, a hundredfold fruit. So their unclean and crafty questions have their own solutions, anciently prepared by the Divine Scriptures. And so, father, strengthen the flock subordinate to you with Apostolic exhortations, Gospel consolations, psalm advice, saying to the Lord: “Give me life according to Your word” (Ps 119.25). His Word consists in serving Him from a pure heart. For knowing this, the same Prophet, as if explaining himself, says: “Create in me a clean heart, O God” (Ps. 50.12), so that evil thoughts do not disturb me. And again; “And strengthen me with the Lord’s Spirit” (Ps. 50.14) so ​​that, even if thoughts trouble me, some powerful force emanating from You would strengthen me, like some kind of stronghold. Having taught such and similar advice, you also say to those who are slowly submitting to the truth: “I will teach the wicked in Your way” (Ps. 50.15), and trusting in the Lord, when you convince them to retreat from such malice, sing: “and the wicked will turn to you.” May those who maliciously inquire cease from such vain labor, and may those who doubt in simplicity be strengthened by the sovereign Spirit; But you, who firmly know the truth, hold it inviolably and unshakably in Christ Jesus our Lord, with Him be glory and power to the Father, with the Holy Spirit, forever and ever, Amen. Ammun, to whom the letter of St. Athanasius is addressed, was a famous Nitrian monk. The reason for writing it was that many monks were strongly tempted by night dreams and especially wet dreams - the involuntary flow of semen. Ammun turned for clarification to St. Athanasius, who develops in detail and deeply the idea expressed in the 4th rule of St. Dionysius of Alexandria. 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