Письмо 216

We have the honor to congratulate you by celebrating the solemn holidays of the holy Pentecost and the celebration of them - the Descent of the Most Holy and Life-Giving Spirit; On this day of your monastery, the patronal feast of the Holy and Life-Giving Trinity is celebrated. May the Lord send upon you and your sisters the gifts of His grace, to please Him, to your consolation and to the salvation of your souls. We have received two of your letters; We see how much you were comforted by the lighting of the church with a new chandelier: but how indescribable should be the consolation when the church of our souls is illuminated by the light of Divine grace? We must take care of this especially and more, and especially for you: for yourself and for the sisters entrusted to you, fulfilling the commandments of God and encouraging them to do the same. We asked you for N. N.. according to a letter from a friend of ours, a novice living there, out of compassion, because she imagined her pitiful situation; but we don’t know her at all, and have never had any contact with her; You yourself, mother, test them, we do not want to bring burdens on you. If she is roomy for you, and she also likes the monastery, then why not give her shelter? The Lord said: He who comes to Me I will not cast out (John 6:37), then who are we? Let it be at your discretion to place it with S.’s mother, when you see mutual benefit from this. We already see that by interceding for others with seemingly good intentions, we subsequently bring trouble for you and ourselves, but there is nothing to do; they ask, they come relentlessly, - we do not have such courage in order to harden; however, although you have sorrows, the Lord will strengthen you, and perhaps many of them will take advantage of excommunication from the world. So through E. E - well, grief followed you, through her leaving the monastery. We, too, in this case, are not innocent: however, we advised her only to look and tempt herself; but when monastery life appeared to her, she hastened to get dressed; however, the life she lived with you was not without benefit for her: she completely learned that it was necessary for her to live in a monastery, and she really likes all your sisters and the monastery rituals and she is very pleased with your love. Not all of the books you have written can be found on sale; if any of our people will go to M-u, then we can order them to look for them, but write in vain; L.’s father was willing to go there, so we’ll ask him about this. Entrusting you and all your sisters to the protection of God, and asking His peace and blessing for you, we ask you not to leave us in your prayers and with our respect we remain your unworthy pilgrims, the many sinners I.L. and I.M. May 20, 1839. You might be interested in: