Клевета

The still weak one prays not to be slandered, but the courageous one prays that God will help him not to slander others, either verbally or mentally (2, part 2, p. 176). So we all came out efficient monks: we collected a whole bunch of slander, and we added more, and slandered others, and we imagine that we are oppressed sufferers, offended, insulted, but in fact, no less than the Pharisee, we humiliate everyone to the utmost, and we humiliate them based on mere guesses and suspicions, forgetting the words of Scripture: Woe to you, who gives your neighbor drink with an admixture malice (Hab. 2:15). There is some kind of mixture in us: we pretend to recognize the Providence of God, and we never cease blaming others, as if they are hindering and resisting our enterprises. When we speak harshly about others, it’s nothing; we excuse ourselves by saying that we speak simply, friendly, out of jealousy for the good. If we hear that another said something contrary to us, then we are indignant and elevate it to great degrees of slander, forgetting what is preached by the Orthodox Church, that everyone will either be glorified or ashamed by his own deeds, and everyone will give a word about himself to God (2, part 2, p. 109). I received your letter, the content of which is a continuation of temptations and slander through Fr. K., but there is an old wise saying: “God will not allow it, the pig will not eat it,” and the Psalter says: Untruth has lied to itself (Ps. 26:12). K. wants to overcome you with untruth, but he will be deceived in his untruth, according to the psalm words. This untruth will lie to him and may expose him to great disaster not only in the future life, but also in the present. Pharaoh oppressed the Israelites, but it is said that he was sunk in water like tin. K. consistory is not world history. And history only then writes the truth about everyone. Do not be afraid of frequent investigations and inquiries, which can only serve to justify you. When they consider all of K.’s false denunciations, then they can inflict some other punishment on him and cut off his wings, which he now flaps to no avail out of evil disposition, although it may annoy others. But this annoyance can turn on the head of himself. Undoubtedly believe the true apostolic word: God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond your strength, but when you are tempted he will also give you relief (1 Cor. 10:13) (2, part 2, pp. 193–194). During times of sorrow, read Psalm 32, the Lord will deliver you and, above all, will pacify your spirit. However, if by God’s permission the opponents managed to improve their will, then it would be more correct and reliable to say: Blessed are those who were persecuted for the sake of righteousness (Matthew 5:10). But it is clear that they themselves are afraid and do not dare to do this, but want to drive you out with threats so that you can leave. Therefore, I do not advise you that you yourself decide to fulfill the will and desire of your opponents, or rather, surrender in everything to the will of God, and the Lord is strong to deliver us, as of old he delivered the innocent Susanna from her opponents and slanderers (2, part 2, p. 197). What N.’s mother said a lot about you, don’t worry about it too much and don’t grieve, but hand it all over to the judgment of God. There is no reason for you to leave correspondence with me, but you can write to me as before, hoping in the mercy of God that the Lord is able to protect you from all the machinations of the enemy (2, part 3, p. 105). You might be interested in: