ДУХОВНИК

1. On the right of the priest to confess novices That you confessed to the novices, there is nothing sinful in that. In the letter to the priest upon his ordination it is indicated that he is given the power to confess and absolve the repentant, as well as to perform all other church functions. This power was given to you in initiation itself. But its use in a monastery is subject to monastic regulations. In our monastery, anyone can confess to anyone, although there is a specific confessor. Isn’t it better to quietly ask the abbot (5, pp. 181–182)? 2. Instruction on old age You are contemplating leaving your eldership. O.N. I told you well - do not send anyone away from you. It’s good that they come and repent. And do not send away anyone who came at least 70 times seven times and repented of the same sin. Receive everyone cordially, fatherly, like the father in the parable. Do not frown, do not accept stern speech, pity and lament with them. Do not reproach or condemn, but consider them sick and violated by the enemy. Inspire them to fight with the promise of pardon and deliverance from passion if they strictly behave themselves and use the means that you offer. Against lustful passion - fasting and prayer and the persistent memory of God with the fear that the arrow of God's truth may strike in a truly sinful matter, and so on. Physical labor is good until you get tired... But the main thing is a firm determination to resist sinful urges. There is a proverb: take up the tug - don’t say it’s not strong - and bear this brotherly burden without backing away (5, pp. 186-187). 3. On the revelation of thoughts, reading books and accepting elder advice from those seeking Opening your thoughts, as you know from experience, is very beneficial. Reading books is also good; and this can, on occasion, bring admonition. But general instructions are written there, and in particular cases it is better to seek clarification from a living expert on the matter... It is bad to be addicted to reading. This does not lead to good and restores some kind of wall between the heart and God. At the same time, curiosity and destructive questioning develops. When they come to you, you can’t kick them out with a stick. They come for no harm and no harm. To refuse them a word when you know what to say is just as bad as not to give alms when you have something to give (5, p. 192). 4. With ordination, the right is given and the obligation is assigned to forgive the sins of those who come with repentance. Anyone ordained a priest... by the very ordination is given the right and the obligation to forgive the sins of everyone who comes with repentance. Why, if this right and this obligation are not limited by a special instruction of the one who ordained, this very absence of restrictive instructions leaves the right to confess inviolable in the strength in which it should be according to ordination. So you have no need to be embarrassed that it happened to confess to those who came. You will sin if you refuse someone (1, p. 22). 5. Every hieromonk can confess everyone Every hieromonk confesses everyone. After all, this did not begin just now, and not just with you, but everywhere. If this were illegal, wouldn’t the question of this be raised somewhere (1, p. 22)? 6. No need to change confessor Do not change your confessor... Even if he was lying on his deathbed and was in his memory... and then you can confess and this confession does not lose one iota of its power. When he himself does not refuse, why leave him? Should I talk? Yes, tea, we’ve all talked ten times... Now it’s enough for both you and him to say one word each. That's how you know each other. When there is a need to talk, then he will not refuse to say what is due, even with a sigh (1, p. 47). 7. The need for a confessor for correct spiritual life Did you invent everything you do for yourself or was it imposed by your spiritual father? - This point is seemingly insignificant, but in reality it is very significant. If you do it yourself, then you have your own will and, living according to these rules, you please yourself. Through this, your deeds probably give off a not entirely pleasant smell, which is felt by your Angel and the saints. I don’t claim it, but it’s very likely... and I’m writing about this only so that you can better understand yourself and, with the help of your spiritual father, define yourself more precisely (1, p. 140). 8. A leader is a pillar on the road, and everyone must walk the road themselves “You can’t do it without a leader,” you wrote. The leader is a pillar on the road, and everyone must walk the road themselves - and also look at their feet and on the sides. Elder Paisiy Velichkovsky ... looked for a leader all his life and did not find one. But he lived with two or three people - and they were guided by mutual advice (1, p. 222). 9. It's not all about advice. God Begins and Leads Life It’s true that it’s difficult without advice, but it’s not all about advice. God begins life, God leads in it. Therefore, we must resort to Him and always resort and wait for a decision from Him. How He decides and how His decision reaches the heart cannot be understood, but it is certain that every deed pleasing to Him is aroused by Him and brought to completion by Him. Without Me you cannot do anything 36, says the Lord (John 15:5). And so it happens. And none of those who please Him of their own accord does what pleases Him. Our relationship with God is all marked by prayer. The whole point, therefore, is in prayer. Lean on it (2, p. 84). 10. Must stick to one spiritual advisor You wrote to me in vain. You should have asked your confessor, of course - Fr. John. Seeking advice here and there is frowned upon. An adviser to everyone, appointed by God, is a confessor, who is usually a parish priest (3, p. 3). 11. Answer about choosing a confessor How can I indicate a confessor without knowing anyone? Choose for yourself. If you do not decide, then act as the apostles did when choosing an apostle instead of the fallen Judas: either by lot, or with those who know these priests (3, pp. 5-6). 12. Real leaders for salvation are difficult to find; the main guide to salvation is the word of God You will not find a real leader, as you define him... The Elder of God Paisios, half a century ago, searched all his life for a leader... and did not find... but decided the matter this way: “Seek guidance in the word of God and in the teachings of St. fathers, especially ascetics, if you are perplexed, ask living zealots about salvation”... or two or three of you agree - and solve all your questions with common advice... It is written by the Wise One that the fear of God teaches all that is good. Ask the Lord for such a mentor. The Word of God and the Fathers will enlighten you, and conscience will take charge of stimulating you to activity and supporting you. Always have the Word of God and other patristic writings at hand (3, p. 153). 13. It’s better not to change your confessor The confessor can rather be a leader. And it’s better not to change it (3, pp. 157–158). An elder-guide is needed for those embarking on a great inner life. But our ordinary life can get by with the advice of one confessor and even one of the attentive brethren. We must pray to God when going to the confessor with a question, and ask God to give the necessary thought to the confessor. Whoever wishes this with faith will receive what he wants (3, p. 182). 14. Advice on what to do when a confessor refuses to lead Your confessor refuses to guide you. This is good faith on his part. Respect his desire and seek a leader... But since he does not want you to move away from him completely, talk to him about spiritual things, which he is always happy about, as you say... Conduct spiritual affairs according to the instructions of the leader, and have Confession and Communion with him (4, p. 148). 15. When there is no spiritual father, one must be guided by the patristic books In your previous letter, to which I did not have time to respond, you complain that you will not find your spiritual father. What to do? Stay alone with your books and walk your path with fear, caution and humility. If you come across something that is puzzling, ask. I will answer as best I can, and if I can’t, I’ll say so. Nowadays it is impossible to find a real leader, but there are many speakers, and even more writers, although both do not always fall in time. Of the latter, I am not the last (4, p. 151). 16. Books can replace a leader if you add to them the questioning of elders and brothers Books are not the ultimate teacher, but they are still a teacher. And they can replace the leader if you add to them the questioning of the elders or brothers... Or if two or three of them agree. Two or three - like-minded people - come together and ask each other and decide together what is causing the confusion; and you can agree with which woman is similar to you and consult according to the guidance of books, although living not together, but separately, in different places (4, p. 152). 17. Answer to the question about the change of confessor. Confessor and advisor The first question is: is it possible to change your confessor? I answer from my desk: who knits? This matter is a matter of conscience; To whom the soul reveals itself, everyone should go to him. See what a quick and smooth solution! But in reality, perhaps, obstacles will be encountered, also conscientious, and considerable. You can't jump over, no matter how hard you run. The confessor of many years has been abandoned. After all, you can’t hide this?! And having noticed, he will feel that he is being hit on the cheeks. Whose conscience will tolerate this? Therefore, there is nothing to think about change. The question is: what should we do? Another speaks sweeter, and the soul clings to him. This is something I can’t solve. Is this how it is? Separate the confessor from the counselor. Let the one who speaks better be the advisor; and the confessor is the confessor. Please resolve this matter yourself (4, p. 247). ...without Me you cannot do anything. You might be interested in: