Слово 12. О другом старце

I once went to the cell of one of the fathers. The saint rarely opened the door to anyone. But as soon as he saw through the window that I was coming, he said to me: “Do you want to come in?” - and I answered: “Yes, honest father.” After I entered, said a prayer, sat down, and we talked about many things, finally I asked him: “What should I do, father? Others come to me, and I gain nothing and do not gain any benefit from talking with them, but I am ashamed to tell them: do not go. They even often prevent me from correcting the usual rule, and therefore I grieve.” To this the blessed elder answered me: “When such lovers of idleness come to you, as soon as they have sat for a while, give them the appearance that you want to stand in prayer, and say to the one who came with a bow: “Let us pray, brother, because the time has come for me to rule, and I cannot break it, it becomes difficult for me when I want to do it at another hour, and this is a cause of embarrassment for me, and I cannot leave it without some urgent need.” rules. And now there is no need for my prayer to be canceled.” And don’t let him go without praying with you. If he says: “Pray, and I’ll go,” bow to him and say: “For the sake of love, do at least this one prayer with me, so that I may benefit from your prayer.” “And when you do, extend your prayer even beyond what you are accustomed to do.” If you do this to them, as soon as they come to you, then, having learned that you do not indulge them and do not like idleness, they will not approach the place where they will hear that you are there. Therefore, be careful that you do not ruin the works of God through partiality. If you meet one of the fathers or a weary wanderer, then you will be charged with being with such a person instead of the longest prayer. But if the wanderer is one of those who love vanity, then calm him down as much as possible and let him go in peace.” One of the fathers said: “I am amazed when I hear that some in their cells are engaged in handicrafts and can carry out their rule without neglect and not be embarrassed.” He uttered a word worthy of surprise: “To tell the truth, if I go out to get water, I feel confusion in my custom and in the order thereof and encounter an obstacle to improving my prudence” 100. That is, in the matter of reasoning one’s thoughts. You might be interested in: