Письмо 148

To your question, what to do when sisters are seduced by your acquaintance with one sister, which you explained and cursed. Abbess,” she does not forbid, “what can I tell you?” I don’t know why you are asking, and why are the sisters tempted? It seems that it is better not to give others a visible temptation, although internally there is nothing harmful, but no benefit can be expected either; for the holy fathers write: a young man cannot take advantage of a young man, unless he drains the river of teachings. However, I do not reject your acquaintance; Yes, just not to be more frequent with each other, but occasionally and when need requires it - to see each other: from spiritual love it often turns into passionate love. It’s a pity that you don’t have a mother after your heart there, to whom you could convey all the curves of it and follow her advice, and not your own mind. You can see passion from this when, without seeing a person for a long time, you grieve about this, or when you see her having intercourse with another, you strive for jealousy or envy; then this is a sure sign of passion nestling in the heart. It is necessary not to allow it to multiply and take root, but rather to eradicate it as soon as possible by moving away from the object. I remain the sinful hieromonk Macarius. September 28, 1854. You might be interested in: