Письмо 218

Your sisters, E., E. and N., delivered to us your scripture, written on the 15th. We thank you for accepting sisters N. and N. May the Lord strengthen them in your monastery and give them strength against the battles of the enemy, who have the power to rise up against them, for the enemy hates good, and like a lion roars, he walks around, looking for someone to devour (1 Pet. 5:8), and will surely raise his machinations to outrage their peace. But you, with your maternal care, will not leave them to calm them down. Your sisters stayed with us, prepared and were honored to receive the Holy Mysteries; We talked to them enough about what was needed, we want them, by their faith, to receive spiritual benefit; this is not our business, but God’s; He works in us, according to the faith of each one, even if we are neither spiritual nor verbal. And now the mother of your flock of sheep, L.M., and the other M., who was absent from the herd for a while, are visiting us, and still wants to return to your maternal bosom. - The dove that flew out of Noah’s ark did not find rest for its feet, but returned to Noah’s ark; and he accepted her and calmed her down: so she too is not like the raven that remained outside the ark, but imitates the dove; and you, be like Noah, accept her, and if she caused you grief by her cowardly departure, then generously forgive her and affirm your love for her. Without temptation our virtues cannot be strong; When an oak tree sways in the wind, it sinks its roots deeper into the ground. The illness that happened to her, sadness for her family, the climate - all this excited her imagination, confused her, and she thought to find peace in her homeland, near her relatives; however, she was mistaken in this. She was mistaken not because she did not find goodwill in her relatives: they love her and calm her down, and in their house there is everything for her peace of mind, but the spirit, having tasted more bodily peace in your monastery, does not find peace here. She feels your motherly love for her and the affection of all your sisters. We again repeat our request to you to accept her into your monastery; We hope that with God’s help, it will strengthen and establish itself more firmly than before. We ask you to notify us and her of your consent to accept her: she will not hesitate to fall at your maternal feet, and will go through the feat of her life with self-reproach, guided by the teachings of the holy fathers and our instructions. Your sisters are very pleased with her desire to return to your monastery, and they, for their part, together with us, ask you to accept her. While awaiting your response, wishing you peace, health and salvation, we remain your unworthy pilgrims, the many sinners I.L. and I.M. June 24, 1839. Most Reverend Mother V. in the Lord! And we ask you to intercede with Mother Superior for E. E-nu; everything we do for our neighbor, we do for ourselves; for the Lord accepts upon himself what is done for them, whether good or evil: since you have created only these least of these brothers of mine, you have created for me (Matt. 25:40). We will expect a quick response; We ask mother about this and you will remind her about this. If we wish you success in salvation, we remain your unworthy pilgrims, the great sinners I.L. and I.M. You might be interested in: