Письмо 156

To many of your questions, to the best of my ability, I answer: the first is about the commemoration of your relatives at the litany, so that they are specifically remembered - your mother wants to add more contribution. This is in vain, maybe they will remember you in front of you, but after that it is impossible, for if you remember everyone at the litany, then one litany will last longer than mass and this will cause murmur to those listening; in the litany, the newly departed or significant ones, the builders of the monastery, are commemorated more, and then no more than one or two names. But proskomedia is the most important commemoration, for the parts taken out for the departed are immersed in the blood of Christ and sins are cleansed by this great sacrifice; and when there is a memory of one of your relatives, you can submit a note and remember it at the litany. Second: you ask when the Lord will send your mother’s death, to bury her in our monastery; This is your zeal, and other relatives are against it. I do not reject your zeal, but without need, why separate her from the ashes of her husband, with whom she spent many years in her life? Children and grandchildren will come to the grave of both, pray to God and worship their ashes together; but they will be separate, not everyone can do it; Yes, you have to work hard, ask the bishop and the governor. Although it won't cost anything, it will be all the trouble; and who will take care of them? God grant that they may live to console their children and grandchildren. Third: during this fast you can eat fish only on Saturday and Sunday; and if when there is polyeleos, then it is possible on Tuesday and Thursday; and when there is a vigil - on Fridays and Wednesdays - then you can eat fish on these days. During Peter's Fast, one must certainly prepare for communion of the holy mysteries of Christ - fast. The rule must be fulfilled in due time; and if for some reason you do not correct, you must repent and acquire humility, and not correct the next day; this means that we do not want to recognize ourselves and reconcile ourselves, but in order not to be indebted to God and we think to calm down. I do not force you to read the akathist to Jesus, but let it be at your discretion; Just do everything with humility, and don’t think that you are doing something great. On Saturday, large bows are left. Mnogohreshny I.M. June 4, 1857. You might be interested in: