Letter to the Fathers of the Polyanomerul Monastery

To the most honorable fathers of the Polyanomerul monastery of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary - rejoice in the Lord! Our holy and God-bearing fathers in the writings of their saints bequeathed that it is not appropriate for brothers, some of whom have gathered in the name of Christ, to live without an abbot, but the brothers must certainly have one experienced in spiritual reasoning, to whom they would give all their will and obey in everything, as the Lord Himself. Fulfilling this, of blessed memory, our reposed common father 1 did not leave his flock, established by God, without a shepherd after his death, but, going to the Lord, he put in his place the all-honorable father Theodosius, who could guide and instruct the souls of the brothers on the path of salvation. But the most merciful God, whose fate is incomprehensible, loving His servant 2, visited him as His beloved child, for the sake of greater reward for such a bodily illness that it was difficult for him to leave his cell, as he reported in his letter. His shrine, seeing that due to such a serious illness he could no longer bear the leadership of the monastery and all the brethren, and also following the desire of the blessed memory of our late father, put the all-honorable father Alexy in his place. Having learned about his appointment, I greatly rejoiced in my soul and thanked the Almighty Lord that He had revealed such a man to His servants. And I think that this was accomplished in no other way than by the grace of the Most Holy Spirit, which overshadowed the heart of the all-honorable elder Father Theodosius and brought the entire community of brothers into unanimity, so that, by common good will, they would choose as their superior this worthy man, Father Alexy, about whom my soul is convinced that he will be strong, according to the spiritual mind given to him by God, to instruct and shepherd the souls of the brothers in the pastures of salvation. As for the fact, holy fathers and beloved brothers, that you, knowing the humble disposition and extreme gentleness of Father Alexy, given to him by God from childhood, also acquired through labor, and his inexperience in management, doubt whether because of this he will be able to manage the monastery and the brethren, and ask me for advice and help in this - may the Lord tell you about this. For if you want to listen to me and obey my advice in everything, as you promise, then I give you this advice according to God: do not want to elect anyone else to be your abbot except Father Alexy, let him be your mentor and father according to God, obey him as the Lord Himself, and from his mouth, as from the mouth of God, accept the word for the benefit of your souls. After all, judge for yourself who is more appropriate to rule the souls of the brothers if not such a spiritual husband? Firstly, he is one of the oldest disciples of our late father of blessed memory, tonsured and spiritually adopted by him in your monastery, awarded the priesthood and an experienced confessor. Secondly, and most importantly, he has acquired love for God and neighbor, has a right mind and sound reasoning, and benefits everyone by living a virtuous life. Do not doubt because of his humility and gentleness, for this is the root and foundation of every abbot, as the holy fathers write: “Let the abbot with his brothers be humble, meek, kind, quiet, able to easily endure all sorts of reproaches himself, if they happened from someone at the slander of an enemy, so that he could also show his brothers an example of patience and chaste living.” Do not doubt because he apparently cannot know the government well: God is able to arrange this through other brothers. The most necessary thing for common salvation is to be able to well order the souls of brothers according to the commandments of the Lord and the teachings of the holy fathers. There is no need to doubt because he is weak in body, while he is sound in spirit, sound in spiritual reasoning. Therefore, most honorable fathers and beloved brothers in the Lord, mentally falling at the feet of all of you, I pray with tears: do not despise my advice, although I am unworthy, but accept the shepherd and mentor God has given you, the all-honorable Father Alexy, and do not desire anyone else until the end of his life. Even if he himself did not want the leadership and refused to be in charge, with all humility beg him and against his wishes; Knowing the weakness of his health, do not demand from him physical labor beyond his strength, but rest in everything, so that he does not prematurely exhaust the strength of his physical health and the brethren are deprived of the benefit. It is enough for him to sit more in his cell, maintaining his health, and reading books that are beneficial to the soul, so that he can give the brethren appropriate advice, sound and soul-saving, in time. Also, in the external management of the household, do not despise him as someone who knows little, but in every undertaking, for every undertaking, always accept his blessing and advice with all humility and inform him about the matter, even if it seems to some brother in this or that matter that there is no need to ask the father, since the brother himself knows and can. For it is from the enemy. It is from God and from the holy fathers that in any matter, even if the brother is very experienced, first ask the abbot and not force him to consent, but leave everything to his reasoning and will, for it is fitting for a brother to completely humble his thoughts and, like an extreme ignoramus, approach his father and ask if there is his permission and blessing for this, and so, according to his will, begin the work. Then God, seeing the brother’s humility and true obedience (without humility there is no obedience), will instruct the abbot’s heart with His Holy Spirit to give an answer and useful advice, and will help the novice with His invisible grace in the work begun. If the abbot voluntarily answers: “Do as you know,” then with the fear of God, relying on his prayers, one must begin as God instructs. Having fulfilled obedience, inside or outside the monastery, or having returned from absence, one must again come to the father and, having confessed to the subtleties of everything that has been done, fall at his feet, asking forgiveness for what he has sinned in holy obedience, for it is characteristic of only angels not to sin in anything. Also, you should humble yourself before each other, and prefer each other, and have love according to God among yourself - and may you, by the grace of Christ, have one soul and one heart. If I hear and learn about such a dispensation of yours, I will rejoice and glorify the Most Good God, and I will pray to the Lord that He, in His innumerable mercy, will give you strength and strength to preserve His Divine commandments in perfection, and I will do everything, as much as I can, to help you in your spiritual and physical needs and, according to your common desire, consider your abode as if it were my own. For economic management, I am now sending two brothers to Father Alexy: Father Matthew and Father Dionysius, who, I hope, will be a great help for the entire holy monastery. Having offered this to your love with the hope of your godly success in fulfilling the commandments of the Lord, I wish you health and salvation, Hieromonk Paisius, Elder of Dragomirn. Reverend Vasily Polyanomerulsky.