Слово о покаянии и сокрушении

While there is still time, my beloved brothers, let us cry in our prayer, so that the Lord will deliver us from that endless crying, and from the gnashing of teeth, and from the fire of hell, and fill us with joy in an endless life, from where sickness, sadness and sighing fled; where there is neither death nor corruption, but everywhere joy, gladness, delight and other blessings, “what God has prepared for those who love Him.” Blessed and blessed is he who is worthy of these blessings, but poor and wretched is he who is deprived of this, because the Lord says: “What good does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul?” (Mark 8:36). Therefore, let this evil and vain age not seem sweet to us, lest that unquenchable fire and the eternal and poisonous worm become bitter for us. Rise up, lazy one, and imitate Christ in your life; Look at those living with you, how they strive and make efforts for their salvation, how clear their lamps are, and their lips always praise the Immortal God. Do not imitate those who are absent-minded, but those who strive; not luxurious, but fasting; not laughing, but crying; not jumping, but praying; those who sing not demonic songs, but those who sing the words of the Spirit; not whistling, but engaged in reading. Compete not with riches, but with a humble spirit; together with David, thank the Lord, “for in our humility the Lord will remember us” (Ps. 136:23). Love not to be luxurious, but to suffer; love not those who get drunk, but those who hunger and thirst; not quarrelsome, but peace-loving; not cruel, but merciful, not impudent, but meek. Let us not live in the same house with those who speak evil, because those who speak evil “will not inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Cor. 6:10). Never make friends with heretics, do not eat or drink with them, do not be their companion on the road, do not enter their house or their meeting, because everything they have is unclean, as Paul says: “To the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but their mind and conscience are defiled” (Titus 1:15). So, guard your soul, beloved; Do not make friends with heretics, lest you join their company. For them, as the Lord said, and, consequently, for those who are with them, there is no remission of sins, either in the present age or in the future. For everyone will reap what he sows. Look, brother, do not have enmity with anyone, if possible, even for one hour; Never fall asleep having enmity with someone, lest night separate you from each other, and lest you fall under inexorable condemnation. Don’t stop praying: when you can, openly, and when you can’t, pray with your mind. Don't wait for Sunday, don't look for a special place or church; but wherever you are: whether you are plowing in the field, whether you are walking along the road, whether you are tending sheep, or whether you are sitting at home, do not give up prayer. See, beloved, have no enmity; God does not accept prayers from someone who hates his neighbor. Beware of making potions, casting spells, telling fortunes, making storehouses or carrying those made by others: these are not storehouses, but prisons; The prophet Isaiah speaks about this: “Woe to those who write... they write wickedness” (Is. 10:1). And you, as a faithful one, flee from this, having with you the very truth, the saving, life-giving Cross and the Lord nailed on it, Who protects all who love the Most Pure and Life-giving Cross. Glory to him forever and ever! Amen. You might be interested in: