Письмо 52

You write about those who are again seeking to relate to you; Don’t rush in and don’t seek to be a mentor; and when someone seeks and asks for this with faith, it cannot be rejected; their faith and your diligence to say what you think is useful to them - not relying on your own reason, but on God’s help; maybe it will serve them as a salvation; however, things will show what will happen. I advise S...K...noy, better than all her imaginary exploits and menial and tiresome labors, to reject your will and reason; from obedience comes humility, and from self-rule pride; its fruits are charm and confusion; I have seen similar young upstarts, but when they lost their health and peace of mind, they only came to their senses; let him not listen to the advice of the enemy, forcing his mother-in-law to untimely high deeds and labors, but rather let him humble himself for his weakness. I read M. E.’s letter and heartily regretted her poor arrangement; she herself admits that her insurance comes from pride; so it is necessary to treat her illness with the opposite means - humility of heart. Will it not be necessary for St. Isaac the Syrian 79th word? Read it. And as she assumes - accepting the real delusion as truth - the suggestion to her to go and not return to her monastery - she will not receive any benefit, but will fall into greater error, and even into murmur and despair, and this life will even be a burden to her; when, already living among those he knows and having some way to external life, he is troubled by the internal dispensation: and there, having lost everything, and even attacking someone: how does he think to strengthen himself? Physical infirmities will increase even more, but I don’t know what to say about mental ones. She herself says that she cannot bear any obedience, then where will she be received? And living with an old man is even more inconvenient; where will she find this? Her arrogant thought is very unfounded and dangerous, going out without a goal and hope - she will carry herself and her passions everywhere. It seems to me that you can visit Voronezh and pray to the saint of God for the healing of mental and physical illnesses, but I don’t recommend staying somewhere. She must labor in that monastery where God showed her; Yes, she must humble herself in everything, considering herself the last of all, then God will look at her humility and heal her. What a pity that many begin an unauthorized life, and later reap the bitter fruits; but God is able to heal those punished here for the future life through repentance. I remain the desire for your salvation, much-sinful I.M. December 31, 1849. You might be interested in: