Письмо 48
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It is good that you calmed down in place and abandoned the thought of moving to O. Having moved there, you would have transferred there with you your passions, unconquered by you, in the place indicated to you by God, for achievement and seeking salvation; and the demon who fought you would not have stayed here, but would have followed you: he does not need to hire horses and transport belongings, they are immaterial. You have peace, thank the most merciful Lord, and you will not be condemned. It seems to you that other sorrows are happening through you; test yourself to see if there is anything that gives rise to this: blame yourself for it, and make a start for correction. If you look at it truly, you will find a lot of guilt and need for correction. – You see a lot of black in people because you don’t see it in yourself; and your tongue can be a sharp and severe slander; but not everyone likes this; and God doesn’t like it either. Truly we need the prayer of St. Ephraim: “By God, King, grant me to see my sins” and so on. Consign the tonsure of mother N. to the will of God; no one can resist her.
I can’t say positively about X’s mother whether her arrangement is correct or not; just don’t indulge in carelessness and think that you’re safe; when those who are perfect, for exaltation, are allowed to fall, then what about the new ones? Elder Paisios taught his brethren: “even if we have acquired all our deeds, but do not have a contrite and humble heart, then they are not reliable.” Read in the 2nd book of St. Peter of Damascus, the end of the 8th and the beginning of the 9th word, could they not be appropriate to her tearful dispensation? May the Lord keep her safe from all the snares and snares of the enemy. About the other sisters about whom you write: may the Lord guide their path for good; - and for those who are sickened by passions, being long-suffering for them, He will give them healing. We, as it were, take care of this so that we consider ourselves the last of all, seeing our weaknesses and passions. Mnogohreshny I. M. August 21, 1845.
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