Письмо 31

Your letter surprised me very much: you write so desperately that it’s as if there is no longer any salvation for sinners; you say: sinful; leave sin and repent, and believe that the Lord will accept your repentance. He came to call sinners to repentance, not the righteous; and for one sinner who repents there is great joy in heaven (Luke 15:7) And no matter how great your sins are, they have a measure; and God’s mercy has no measure; this is not my word, but the comforter of sinners, Saint John the Chrysanthemum; he, inciting people to repentance, tells them to hope in God’s mercy and not to despair. - Of course, you do not have such serious and important sins that would weigh on your soul; but I believe that there is only one sin - pride; for despair, according to the word of the holy fathers, is the fruit of pride. – Try to humble your wisdom, and do not humble yourself outwardly; don’t look down on anyone, don’t judge anyone, even if you yourself see someone sinning; there is God, every Judge: but He is also merciful, awaiting our repentance. I think there was no reason why you were allowed to languish in despair other than for despising and condemning your neighbors. Leave this and try to see your sins, then you will humble yourself; Do not outwardly repent before everyone, as you write, but God will not despise a contrite and humble heart. And if we analyze and judge the deeds and actions of our neighbors, then when will we remember our own? I remain the desire for your salvation, many-sinful I.M. November 22, 1852. You might be interested in: