Глава 29. О том, что в обществе подвижников не должно быть дружеских связей между двумя или тремя братиями

Brothers should have love for each other, but two or three should not, having agreed with each other, form special friendships. For this is not love, but indignation and division, and at the same time proof of the depravity of those who have become friends. If they loved common decency, they would have a common and equally attentive love for everyone, and when, cutting off and separating themselves, they become a society within a society, then such a union of friendship is an evil union, and such people are brought together by something different from the common cause, some innovation against the prevailing order. Therefore, it is not necessary to allow such friendly ties in societies, and in order to preserve love, someone should not enter into a community with a brother who wants to act wickedly and violate the rules of common decency, but everyone should be in communication and unity with everyone, as long as everyone adheres to what is good. And if someone, wanting to resist the prevailing system, attracts his brother to the same thing, then a healthy brother must first secretly admonish him, as if he is mentally ill; if he does not want to receive healing in private, then you need to invite other brothers, more sensible ones, to heal him, according to what is said in the Holy Gospel: “If he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you” (Matthew 18:16). against him as a pagan and a publican, and as a sheep possessed by an infection, to drive him out of the flock, so as not to infect him and others with his illness. But if no one can suffer harm from a bad example, then only in this case, and already after using the above-mentioned means, can one give place to long-suffering in the hope of correction; long-suffering will consist in not cutting him off, and not in leaving him without admonishment. and admonishment with legal punishments. You might be interested in: