Слово 37. Послание к князю Петру Шуйскому

To my noble and prudent sovereign, Prince Peter Ivanovich Shuisky, I, Monk Maxim, wish to rejoice in the Lord. May your great nobility, most noble prince and my beloved sovereign, not be surprised at the fact that because of the sorrowful circumstances that happened to me, for the sake of my many sins, I, the most unrighteous, dare to compare my sorrow with the sorrow of that righteous man who suffered first from his brothers, being sold by them like some unworthy slave, and then, through the slander of a malicious harlot, was imprisoned and bound. And this happened to him who, above many other righteous people, was worthy of heavenly food and heavenly villages. I dared to write like this not because I considered myself in any way similar to that righteous man - let such madness and final madness be alien to me, for I consider myself known for the ancient malice and abomination of desolation, and am not worthy to be called a monk - but I just wanted to find out to your nobility that how, according to divine, of course, providence, it was arranged regarding that innocent sufferer, that two dignitaries The husband fell under the wrath of their king and were imprisoned in the same prison, by which this blessed young man correctly and clearly interpreted the dream visions that he had, and asked the one whom he predicted to return from the king to his former rank and honor, so that he would remember the king about his wrong imprisonment; and when he announced him to the king, Pharaoh, then this righteous man was freed from bonds and prison and received the first honor from the king, as the divine Scripture says: The king sent and released him, the prince of the people, and left him, and made him master of his house, and prince of all his wealth (Ps. 105:20-21). In exactly the same way, perhaps, I think, it was arranged for me, through God’s great love for me, the accursed, and through His goodness, that your nobility, out of your great humility and prudence, looked for me and came to me, indecent, and I was honored to see you and talk. One should not be surprised at this. God, Who at first was generous and merciful and loving of mankind, He is always generous and merciful and loving of mankind, and although for a while He allows someone to fall into various misfortunes, He is not completely angry, as the Holy Scripture says, He is at enmity throughout the ages (Ps. 103:9). And in another place: I will strike and heal again (Deut. 32:39). He is the Creator of us all, the Holy Provider and Doctor of our spiritual passions. He alone knows for sure what is good for each of us. He humbles and exalts, kills and gives life, raises up the poor from the earth and lifts up the needy from the pit (1 Samuel 2:6-7). And this happens not by the circle of happiness and not by the position of the planets, as the false teaching of the godless Chaldeans, Egyptians and Hellenes falsely teaches and confirms, but according to the unknown and unspoken destinies of God, as He alone knows. Who, he says, understands the mind of the Lord, or who is His adviser? (Isa.40:13). Such is His love for mankind and such is His kindness to me, in which I trust. At the same time, having ascertained the great affection of your nobility, which you showed towards me, the poor one, and knowing your prudence and meekness, I dared to remind you, my sovereign, in a few lines about my needs. And I no longer ask that I be released to that most honorable and much-desired Holy Mountain for all Orthodox Christians - for I know that such a request of mine is neither desirable nor favorable for all of you - but I only ask from your Lordship that you grant me the communion of the holy and life-giving mysteries of Christ, without communion of which I have been for seventeen years. Their long-term deprivation causes the attack of all sorts of obscene thoughts and all sorts of misfortunes from invisible enemies who constantly fight and defile the inner man, created by God in His image and likeness. And what terrible punishment is due to those who damage this inner man - you yourself know better than me. Grant me this grace, I ask you, through the bounty of the One righteous and terrible Judge, Who rewards everyone according to their deeds. Save the perishing soul, so that the word and blessing of Scripture may be fulfilled over you, which says: If you bring forth honor from the unworthy, as My mouth will become (Jer. 15:19). For God's sake, acquire for yourself such grace and such reward and blessing from God. Leave judgment to the One who judges all righteously, for the Father judges no one, says the Word of God, but all judgment will be given to the Sons (John 5:22). I ask you for another grace - give me the Greek books that I brought with me from there for my edification and for the spiritual consolation of my damned soul. Show me Christian mercy, as you have shown it, in your prudence, to many others. By this you will bring great glory to the blessed soul of your ever-memorable Tsar and Sovereign, and my Sovereign and Benefactor, Grand Duke Vasily Ioannovich of All Russia. Deign, as prudent and faithful co-rulers and assistants in the royal administration of the blessed Russian state, to add to the blessed soul his bright glory - with the kind of mercy you will show me. The clearest proof of the prudence and loyalty of prudent princes and boyars is if they, even after the death of their sovereign from here, take care of bringing him greater glory there through the kindness they show here for him and various alms to all the generally poor and suffering in prison. This is not my word, but that of all the divinely inspired fathers. I considered it not entirely appropriate to offer here their evidence, which is well known to you; for you are well versed in the divine scripture and very skilled, more than anyone else, and therefore do not need unnecessary reminders. May the Lord Jesus Christ keep you all in health, in all peace and strength. Amen. You might be interested in: