Письма святителя Феофана. Из неопубликованного. Новое в частной переписке святителя Феофана

Valaam schemamonk Agapius About the Jesus Prayer. The power of prayer is not in words, but in the spiritual mood, the mental presence of God. God's mercy be with you, Most Honorable Fr. Agapius! 1 Besides what you see in the book you mentioned about the Jesus Prayer, I can’t add anything to you. If this is not enough for you, then take the trouble to look it up yourself in the book to which that book points. And what will seem insufficient even later - ask your God-given leaders: the abbot of the monastery, your spiritual father, your adopted father and like-minded brethren. I will only say that strength is not in the words of prayer, but in the spiritual mood - the fear of God and devotion to God, and in constant attention to God, and mental standing before Him. The Jesus Prayer is only a guide, and not the very essence of the matter. Commit yourself to live in the memory of God and walk in the presence of God - and this will lead you to a good end. Nevertheless, from the grace of God, without the grace of God, nothing spiritual can be acquired in any other way. As soon as grace sinks (is poured out - Ed.) into the heart, then everything will go as it should. We have the Lord Savior, who wants to save everyone; You need to bother Him, and he will. We read in the Philokalia how one person struggled for two years and achieved that the fire in his heart was lit. I don’t solve your questions. This must be decided for you by your God-given leaders. 2. Obedience must be carried out. About eldership Most Honorable Fr. Agapius! The state in which you felt during St. post, one can’t help but rejoice. Bless you, Lord, and always remain so. Accept a humble non-attribution to yourself, a vision of only your shortcomings, errors and omissions, and a painful cry from the heart: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” And the grace of God will never remove its shadow and cover from you. Amen. The obedience imposed on you must be carried out. It is the enemy who is bothering you. And all your complaints (complaints - Ed.) are the essence of his product. It is shameful to be in a monastery without obedience. And you have been given obedience to avoid this shame, and, moreover, one that is more convenient for you than anyone else. You perform it while sitting, in one word. What is easier than words? - How much good does he do? – You say: “Not capable.” – It’s not for you to judge this, but for Fr. abbot. Yes, you should not think about ability or inability, but you are ordered to do it and do it without reasoning. – Mark was reasoning, it seems, when his Abba told him to move a large stone?! So you should too: “I have neither mind nor life suitable for such obedience,” you say... If this were not in you to any extent, Fr. The abbot, of course, would not have touched you. Is he an enemy of the brothers whom he assigns to your lot... “Disciples are a hindrance to prayer.” No good deed can be an obstacle in prayer: good deeds and prayer are sisters, and one shakes hands with the other... You can most obviously guess from this suggestion that the enemy is confusing you. “Old age is difficult now.” And when was it free from difficulty? By its very nature it is difficult. But he always has help from above, and a direct suggestion of what to say... Insert into your regular prayer a call for help for your obedience - and it will come... “Old age is unfruitful.” It's not fair. No word will remain fruitless. Only the fruit does not appear immediately. How do you judge the fruits?! – If you were commanded to make everyone saints, it would be a different matter. And you are only told: “The brothers will come, tell them what God will send.” "Responsible for them." – If you don’t say what needs to be said, you will answer; and as long as you say everything that is due with love, you have done your job... and there is nothing to answer for. “They don’t enter a monastery for the sake of salvation.” As soon as someone comes to the monastery, it means that he has a spiritual sweetheart. But in the beginning she is weak. You have to develop it and strengthen it. And work hard. Labor overcomes everything with God's help. – Remember how neglected fields become fruitful. Pray for everyone. Handed to you, with tears, each asking for what is right... and asking for admonition for yourself. - And then don’t worry about what they said, what else to say, or what came of it... Has God abandoned your disciples?! They are His essence, and you cannot care about them as much as He does. Remember that lack of success sometimes causes grief because the senile ambition suffers from it. - And beware of this. Read – Barsanuphius and John, “The Ladder”, Cassian. I am sending you the Philokalia, volume 2. 3. It’s nice to have a conversation in the hope of learning spiritual work It’s nice to have a conversation in the hope of learning spiritual work. Without repentance, no gift bears fruit. We had Fr. Mikhail delivered your letter to me. You reproach me for not answering your two letters. I answered one letter, and in detail. But then I received a second one, where you write that I did not answer you to the first. From this I concluded that the letter did not reach you. Why, considering writing useless when letters do not arrive, did he not answer the second. If I did something wrong, I apologize. It is not unpleasant for me to have a conversation with you, in the hope of learning spiritual work from you. You have found a precious bead. God bless! Now keep it and, by any mistake, do not sell it or exchange it for clay grouse. Stay in what is, painfully falling to the Lord, so that He will keep this great gift in you unlost. I don’t have anything to tell you, and I am writing to enclose a petition - pray that the most merciful Lord will grant me this bead. And first of all, pray that the Lord will grant me the spirit of repentance and confirm it in it: for without this no gift is given and no fruit bears fruit. You mentioned something about the order in the monastery. What do you and I have to do with those orders? They are not on our necks. Let him groan from them to whom they are entrusted. 4. How harmful are inappropriate instructions in spiritual life? I received your last letter. Thank you that you are not angry with me for not writing. You all ask and want to hear about the spiritual, but I am undereducated in this area. That’s why I find it better to remain silent than to speak without knowing the matter. After all, it would be very bad if someone asked: “Where is the road to Valaam?” - and I would show him one along which he would not know where he would go. In spiritual life, these inappropriate instructions are even more harmful. The memory of God, the memory is mortal, the spirit is crushed... and a painful fall to God: “Oh Lord, save me! Oh Lord, make good luck!” This is the straight road! This is not my word, but all the elders who look straight at the matter. Whoever comes across this has nothing to groan about. I am sending you books: “Invisible Warfare” - to you, Fr. Alexander, who is now a schema monk, and Fr. Agafangel. I wish you to find everything you need in this book. I ask for your holy prayers! God bless you all! 5. Resolution of perplexities that arise during mental prayer Resolution of perplexities that arise when doing the Jesus Prayer intelligently. About silence and solitude. About tears of tenderness. I am very glad to start talking with you again. – May God bless your brotherly love in the Lord! It is very comforting to see that your zeal for doing internal things remains strong in you and occupies your attention. To the best of my ability, I will resolve your doubts and questions: “Is it possible for the Mother of God and the saints to pay attention to the heart when praying?” - Can. Where should we stand if not there? Every prayer must come from the heart. Therefore, there should be attention there. The difference in prayer lies only in the meaning and faith with which we pray. Everything is the same, like a bow: we bow before the icon of the Savior - the Savior; before the icon of the Mother of God - the Mother of God. A bow, like a bow, makes no difference: the difference is all in the spirit and meaning of the bow. “Is there any difference in praying with attention inside the heart, or with the lips listening to 2 words of prayer, with a humble and repentant feeling, with constant remembrance of God, the Omnipresent and All-Seeing God with fear and reverence?” – The last words (which I emphasized) constitute the spirit of prayer. And whoever has it, it stands in his heart: he has no time to think about words or lips, and it does not come to mind. These words: “hearing with lips” are a new invention, nowhere in St. fathers are not found. Someone else comes up with this idea: stand with your attention at the end of your tongue. Previously, there were once wise men who kept their attention on the navel - and they were called navel-makers, and these of our fashionistas should be called pagans and lip-seekers... Your underlined words form the essence of the prayer; everything else - bowing the head, tightness of breathing, sitting on a chair, introducing the words of prayer through nostril breathing - and these - the end of the tongue and lips - be it or not, this is a simple situation that has nothing significant. A model for prayer work was given by Maxim Kapsakalevit (in the Philokalia). I prayed for two years until the fire sank into my heart. This was a gift of grace: and henceforth he began to pray unceasingly, truly spiritual. Until now he had had a warm and earnest prayer, but real prayer began after the light. – This, fathers and brothers, should be kept in mind, care and concern. The atmosphere of prayer work is an unimportant matter. And in this situation, a certain warmth comes to the heart; but this is our labor, not grace. Considering this grace too is a delusion. So says Nikephoros, so says Ignatius and Callistus... and others... I don't understand the second question. Say something about the help of lips and tongue, but meanwhile the words are spoken in the heart... If in the heart, then why is there a thought about lips and tongue? You need to throw away everything external... Have what is emphasized above, and that’s it. Stand like this and bow down, crying out: “Lord, have mercy!” and others 3 ... “Is it possible to say: Lord Jesus Christ, through the Mother of God have mercy on us.” - Can. But where did the question come from? Do we not cry out in church: “Holy, holy, holy art thou, O God, have mercy on us through the Mother of God!” – Is it possible to say “us” instead of the word “me”! Can. When the prayer is about yourself: “me”, when about everyone or many: “us”. The thought of silence and solitude is a good thought. But you’re already sitting alone, and when you’re alone, who do you talk to? Sometimes it’s so good to talk to a like-minded brother. Besides, it happens in church... If at this time, when leaving, a brother asks about something, should he roar at him like a lion? So, I think, here’s how you can do it: the church and the cell are an urgent law; do not go anywhere unless absolutely necessary; You don’t have to walk around the fraternal cells, but you can walk through the forest so that you can praise the Lord with every breath; especially to test whether the soul is firmly focused on the heart. And this is not bad for health - do not force yourself into a conversation, but when someone in spiritual need starts talking, you need to talk to him kindly. This is the same as putting capital into circulation; and remaining silent, even when asked, is the same as hiding money in a chest and saving it without any profit from it. When tears come naturally during tenderness, let them come; and when they don’t come, heartfelt tenderness alone is enough. You can tease yourself into tears and cry; but this should not be considered anything, although tears always soften the heart. O. A-lu. – Revelation of thoughts is one thing, and confession is another. The first is the ascetic rule of old age; the second is the sacrament of the Church. In what sense are the disciples assigned to you - is it that you confess them, allow them and impose penances on them, or that, only after listening to their revelation, you give them guidance, dispel confusion, clarify perplexities, console them? - Only in the last sense. According to the legends of the fathers, revelation itself is soul-saving, without any additions. The one who receives the revelation can say: “Well, nothing, God will forgive,” and adds: “Put a few bows”... But this is not what happens in the sacrament of confession - this is paternal benevolence. Such proceedings concern venial sins; here revelation itself gives forgiveness. An obvious violation of the commandment is resolved through the sacrament of confession. Which sins can be limited to one revelation, and which require confession - let the elders resolve this among themselves, by common council. You, as a hieromonk, can perform the sacrament of confession for your students, and this will be a real permission, and penance, if imposed, will be cleansing. But should you do it on your own or ask the abbot? – The monastery has a common confessor – a confessor. Confession, apart from it, is news in the monastery. But no one can introduce anything new into the monastery without the will of the abbot. Therefore, you should ask the abbot. But, if you sometimes find it convenient to perform the sacrament of confession, then there will be no sin: for you have the power to do so, but there will only be a violation of the monastic order. – See for yourself what you should do. I would say: if there is no disorder in the monastery, perform the sacrament of confession over your students when necessary... according to the Breviary, - But it is better to ask the abbot for permission. Save yourself! I ask for prayers. 6. In prayer, everything should be absorbed in feelings for God In prayer, everything should be absorbed in feeling for God. If at the same time there is still a feeling of insignificance and repentance, then one cannot wish for anything better. Which prayer is higher: mental or oral? God's mercy be with you! That's good! – God bless you, to be as you wrote. And completely forget the tip of your nose and your holy lips. And be executors of the rule spoken by Philotheus of Sinai: “In the morning, stand near the heart and beat the warriors in the name of Jesus.” In prayer, do you care a lot about words and their pronunciation? Everything should be absorbed by feeling towards God - either contrition, or thanksgiving, or glorification, or asking for what is needed for the soul and for the body and for the external situation with faith and hope. Such feelings and similar ones give rise to a cry to God, and this cry will be real prayer - and, I will say, the only true one. - Before starting prayer, these feelings must be revived by reflection, internal tension on them and prayer for them; and then stay with them all day. And this will be unceasing prayer. Seeking the Lord with faith and hope and contrition snatches every spiritual good from the hands of God and asks for the worthy prayer. Keep Maxim Kapsakalivit in mind. He cried out with all his soul and with all his thoughts, and the Lord gave him... And this gift became for him a source of spiritual life. Seek this and cry out for this. Do not seek spiritual sweetness, but rather to stand before the Lord with fear and trembling, rendering Divine worship to Him. May this be according to the riches of the Lord's mercy! Speaking about the state of your prayer, in third place you put an unkind state, which you depict as follows: “it happens so shyly that neither the mind nor the heart can utter prayer words, but, as if tortured and killed, stand motionless inside, in a feeling of their insignificance and repentance.” I can’t understand why you call this state of mind unkind? To stand motionless inside and, of course, before the Lord is a good state. If at the same time there is still a feeling of one’s insignificance and repentance, then one cannot wish for anything better. A broken spirit, a contrite and humble heart, God will not despise. The feeling of insignificance is the publican’s saving voice; the feeling of repentance is the door to the Kingdom. If this is exactly your condition, then they have nothing to be burdened with; but it is necessary to develop a feeling of insignificance and repentance and warm it up to ardor. Perhaps you described him inaccurately, but judging by your words, he should not be considered thin. In any case, there is no need to turn to the lips and the end of the tongue for help. The spiritual cannot be obtained by anything material or corporeal. Rather, one should turn to the thought of God and reflect on God’s properties, deeds and sacraments. If this is difficult, read some prayers for memory, or some psalm, or compose your own prayer according to your condition: for the Lord is near. And this will more accurately direct your condition if it is really not good. Further you write: “I had some doubt, thinking that mental prayer is higher than oral prayer before God,” but my previous letter assured you otherwise. You can’t say that without any reason. I don’t remember what train of thoughts led me to say that. I repeat to you the position of prayer. Prayer is an uplifting of the mind and heart to God, or a cry from the heart to God. This uplifting and this cry can take place in the soul and be ejected from the heart without words, that is, without being clothed in words - or, as is more usual, they are clothed in words and expressed by them. In the first case, prayer is wordless, and in the second, verbal. Such a word, expressing prayer, is either internal, formed there in the heart, or not only internal, but also external, pronounced with the tongue and larynx. The first is smart, mental, and the second is oral. – Verbal prayer can also be your own, spoken in your own word, or someone else’s, memorized, or read from a prayer book. Any verbal prayer, internal or oral, expressed in one’s own or someone else’s word, has the same value before God, as long as it expresses prayerful feelings and thoughts towards God or is accompanied by them. One’s inner word always comes from the heart and mind, therefore prayer with one’s inner word is always real prayer. Prayer in a memorized word may not be accompanied by corresponding thoughts and feelings and therefore may not be a prayer, but only a prayerful sound. – According to these definitions, please distinguish when mental prayer can be lower than oral prayer. Firstly, this can only happen with verbal prayer, not one’s own, but someone else’s memorized word, mentally pronounced, and secondly, when there are no corresponding prayerful feelings in the soul. Attached are the answers to your questions: 1. During the liturgy, being alone in church is enough, and it, like the evening rule, can be replaced with private prayer. Regarding the latter, it seems that you need to ask permission from the abbot. And about the first one, if you have a requirement that people like you be present at every church meeting. 2. Is it better to say prayers soon or not soon? This issue has been resolved for you. You say: “I try to bring every word of prayer to the senses and I feel great benefit from this.” – Try and always do this – and the question – soon or slowly – will not arise at all. 3. “I love to read, but I doubt giving up prayer for the sake of reading.” – Prayer is higher than reading; therefore, leaving prayer for reading is illegal. – So that these spiritual works do not interfere with one another, it is necessary to accurately determine the prayer cell rule in measure and number and always fulfill it in a real prayerful spirit, without abandoning, without belittling or accelerating its fulfillment for the sake of anything... Also: whether while reading or doing something else the prayerful spirit finds itself, one must leave every task and pray. You can do this while sitting or walking, but it is better to stand in your usual place and bow until your soul is satisfied. Our main task is to draw closer to God, which happens mainly in prayer. Therefore, everything must yield to prayer. 4. “What is prayer without words?” – There is a motionless stay in prayerful feelings to God, without uttering any words either in the mind or with the lips. This is the highest level of prayer. Only such prayer can be unceasing prayer. What you called an unkind state of prayer comes close to this. Let the spirit be contrite, the heart contrite and humble... and let there be prayer in the soul... O. A-lu. That you, after the hassle of looking after the buildings, take up reading, is good when your thoughts are scattered and your soul is empty. Reading collects them and occupies the soul with Divine objects. But then we must repay our debt to prayer. – Pray harder and more concentratedly in church. Having strengthened yourself by this, be mindful of God and His presence with appropriate feelings at all times while supervising buildings. Prayer, thus, will not be suppressed, but perhaps only slightly suppressed... and it will be good... Determine the time for prayer in your cell and correct it urgently. Then distribute other cell affairs as you know, including reading in this order. About those elected to the rectorship. Who can safely say that he is fit to be an abbot? Therefore, it is better not to look at the matter of election to the rector from this angle. But one should look at it as the purpose of obedience - let them accept this as an appointment in the monastery for gatekeeping, water-carrying, bread-baking and any monastic obedience in general. And they fulfill it diligently, with all consideration and attention. There is no sin in saying that you are worthless and asking to be fired from this. But you shouldn’t persist. That's all that needed to be explained to you. Please fulfill my most humble request: rewrite this letter and send all previous letters and copies so that I know what was written to you. - My memory is weak. 7. How to treat illnesses. How to be in church How to treat illnesses. To be treated or not. How to be in church: whether to pray internally with your own prayer or listen to what is read and sung. I thank you for the memory and prayers about my many sins, may the Lord hear them and heal my infirmities. Are you asking how to treat illness? Treat it the same way as you treat blindness - that is, just as you rejoice over blindness, so rejoice over other illnesses and thank God sincerely: for everything is from God and everything is for our good. Should I undergo treatment? Why not get treatment? God created both doctors and medicine. Was it unnecessary for Him to create them? No; and then so that they heal illnesses. Aversion from the doctor and medicine is a reproach to God. You can choose not to undergo treatment, determining yourself to be patient, but you must be afraid that arrogance might creep in: “Let the weak be treated, but we are strong”... Thinking about yourself this way results in grumbling. It’s better this way: an illness has come, get treatment; the pain from the medicine will go away, thank God; If it doesn’t work, endure it and thank God. I can’t, you say, stay sober and stay awake. If, as you write, it finds and goes away, then it’s nothing... But if it drags on for a long time, we need to cheer ourselves up with thoughts of God, or contemplation of the mystery of our faith, especially death, judgment, hell and heaven. The fear of God must be warmed up; it has great stimulating power. From weakening he finds laziness, carelessness and drowsiness. We have a Physician of souls and bodies... It is fitting to resort to Him with all your needs, for He Himself calls: come to Me, all of you... You yourself say that internal prayer helps, and rely on it. - What is this! - intemperance in food and delicacy... I believe that you are slandering yourself: what kind of delicacy do you have there?! Cabbage soup and porridge or bread and water; – And how you deal with mental weaknesses and thoughts, you can’t think of anything better than this. God bless you, that you may always be so disposed. How to be in church, should you pray your own prayer internally or listen to what is read and sung? Warm up your inner prayer and listen while you do it... Prayer inside is like a stove, and listening is like throwing wood into the stove: with us, everything prayerful is sung and read. But if listening breaks your inner prayer, then it is better to remain with your prayer; but during the liturgy one must follow the service with one’s thoughts and feelings. – Here’s another thing to remember: we gather in church for common prayer, so that everyone’s thoughts, feelings, and words are the same, otherwise we won’t receive what the Lord promised when two or three pray. 8. What to do when your thoughts run wild during prayer What to do when, during prayer, thoughts run wild, and attention wanes behind them and the mind begins to wander. I received both of your letters at once, and I would like to thank you for your memory and good wishes. I ask you not to forget me in your prayers. You said so much about yourself in the letter that, not being able to believe it, I found it best to understand it in the opposite sense - exactly like this: when you say that you don’t have something, I mean it myself that you have it, and I say: “Glory to God”... All the infirmities that you wrote, I have too... I see and try to overcome them and heal them. Sometimes there is success, and then the same old thing happens again. I will tell you, however, how I act. My main concern with you is about sobriety and mental prayer, they go together, and one cannot happen without the other. Mental prayer is very simple in form and seems to be very accessible. Here: descending with your mind into your heart and staring there before the face of the Lord, cry out for what you are looking for, cry out: “Lord, grant me prayer!” Are you looking for sobriety, cry out: “Lord, grant me sobriety!” Are you looking for patience, cry out: “Lord, grant me patience”... and so on, and so on... The best cry is: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner!” Do this and you will have mental prayer. But our trouble is that our thoughts scatter, attention goes with them, and the mind begins to wander outside and not know where it goes. Prayer is stopped, even though we stand in prayer. How can this be? I don't see any instructions anywhere; Everyone says one thing: when you come to your senses, return to your heart again and begin to cry out from the heart again, cry out so that your mind does not run away outside. Again the mind will run away, turn it back again and again begin to cry out - and that’s all... What will happen? Will there be an end to this runaway? There should be one, but things are not going well for you and me. It seems to me that if we add self-reproach to ourselves and asking the Lord for sobriety to this struggle, then the Lord, seeing our patient search and sincere desire for sobriety, will give us His mercy. Sobriety is a gift of grace, and it is impossible to achieve it on your own, but you just have to work to find it and pray to the Lord for it in the hope of God’s presence. How to search? Do you notice that when there is a feeling in the heart, then attention does not leave the heart: therefore I conclude that if you do so in order to begin mental prayer only by first arousing some feeling in the heart, then attention will not leave the heart, with attention the mind will be there and - mental prayer. Try this, maybe things will work out. What feeling? Anything sacred. Doxology, thanksgiving, contrition, fear of God, self-abasement, and so on... Having prayed like this, sit down and read what is spiritual - best of all about sobriety and prayer. Then walk around and think, otherwise talk to someone about the same thing... What about mind wandering? When there is a feeling in the heart, they will not wander. When the tap in the samovar is turned off, the water flows uncontrollably, and when you turn the tap on, the water stops; It’s the same with thoughts: everything flows and flows, you turn off the tap and it stops. This turned-up tap is the arousal of holy feeling in the heart and holding it. This will be all a search; the Lord will see and give what is sought. You must put on the clothes of humility and maintain a deep feeling of your insignificance and poverty in everything... When there is no such feeling, the Lord will not give the gift of sobriety. I don't know what else to say about this. You also complain about a lack of patience - patience will never be established in you if you do not maintain a deep feeling that everything that happens to you happens according to the will of God. Therefore, meet it with complete submission to the will of God, as if God stood before you and ordered you to endure. Humility and spiritual poverty will immediately come... and all your worries will cease. Reading memorized prayers quickly, of course, is not good, but this is in your own power. When you notice this, stop and start reading slowly. Measure for reading prayers from a prayer book or from memory: have an understanding and awareness of what is being read; so read so that everything you read is conscious. This determines the speed. Do you remember the 24 prayers of St. Chrysostom? Read them more often, add to them other psalms or church hymns and also solidify them - and read with appropriate thoughts and feelings. You can replace the entire prayer rule with them, but for you there is no need for this. You mentioned something about your relationship to the monastery. You don’t care about him, there is a rector there, there are enough other officials; as God instructs them, so they do. You just pray: “Help them, Lord! Enlighten, strengthen! 9. Where does spiritual cooling come from? Where does spiritual cooling come from and how to bring the soul out of this state. Take it upon yourself to read my books. I'm always pleased to hear that someone is reading my books. I think he will read it, and if he finds something, the admirer will ask for mercy on me, a great sinner. I will be amazed if you find anything suitable for you from me. You are already a ripe berry, and my writings are all new... Pray that God will sometimes give me the understanding to write something useful to someone. It is a great mercy to you that your prayer is not wasted... But you say that sometimes you suffer from cooling. Where do you get cooling from? It comes when you eat too much, sleep for an extra hour, let your feelings go and watch a lot, hear a lot, and especially when you talk a lot... I don’t think you have all this. – Where does your cooling come from? From something bad inside. It happens from complacency. Lost, fat, fat... the soul is complacent, and it doesn’t need anything else; That’s why he prays coldly. – Awareness of one’s spiritual needs gives rise to a feeling of spiritual poverty, and then the soul involuntarily begins to cry out to the Lord: Lord, help, – Lord, give understanding, – Lord, comfort! I think that you have this too - that is, spiritual poverty. So, you must be cooling because your soul, day, two, three, five, ten, having worked hard in prayer, reading and contemplation of God, all with attention and feeling, finally requires rest... a pause, a break from intense activity. In this case, nothing can be done with the soul... and all that remains is to endure it... to fulfill everything that is usually prescribed according to the rules... and to endure the cooling, begging the Lord to have mercy and return the appropriate feeling. – And it will pass... For this state is transitory. After all, you go to church?! Being in church with patience and attention also stirs the soul. Constant cooling occurs only with constant love of sin and the fall... and without this it is always transitory. All fathers mention cooling... and everyone gives lessons on what to do in this case. Learn from them... I ask for your prayers too, Adrian, servant of God. God bless you! 10. About decorating the house church. About his passion for carpentry I wish you a happy holiday and a happy new year. Grant you, Lord, this summer everything your soul desires. I received everything you sent safely: the painting and other things, food and work. Now you can’t resharpen wood in a year. V.A. also sent a large piece of black. - Say what you want, any particular one; and Nastenka. I'll sharpen everything. Tell me the measurements of the watches, who has which ones, and I’ll make stands so that they can be used. I will make two kinds: for the food table, or work table, and for the sleeping table. - From the best tree, which I consider palm tree. “Here I’ll make a glass for you - the entire width of the tree, as it is, with a proportionate length... it will be healthy.” – And whatever else comes to mind. Snuff boxes - to go on a visit. I punished what it was, and you called it boxes. Glory to You, Lord. I am healthy, and everything is healthy and safe with us. - The church is rough - made for a sample. Now I'm looking at how to decorate it. Then I’ll tell you about the throne and so on. I'll finish it by next winter. The floor needs to be knocked down, and now there is no need to arrange anything on the floor. Airs, however, can still be made, only the smallest ones. I wish you all the best from the Lord. Soon I will receive reprints of articles controversial for the spirituality of the soul. - I'll send it then. Someday I’ll get together and print out all of Vladimir’s sermons, or someone else will take on this task. Tambovsky was printed by Solomon. Grant you, Lord, all joy - peace and tranquility. Soon I will send you a photo from the miraculous icon of the Mother of God of Vyshinskaya. Pray to God for me, a sinner. O. Iv. with Al. N. bow – and to Mother Abbess. I will write to them with the next mail - and to the beauties. 11. About his sermons prepared for publication Happy holidays to you and a new year that is almost here! – Did you and are you having fun? What a paradise we have! - Quietly, quietly! For me, this holiday is especially successful. Hibernation has attacked. I'm almost asleep. I’ll go to the early office, have some tea and sit down to work, then I’ll lie down to read... and I’ll read until about 11 o’clock. And you won’t look back when you sleep for so long. Then lunch, after lunch - sleep again until Vespers... After Vespers - well, there’s just no time to sleep. But there’s no way you can resist. But my chest became lighter, and so did my heart: otherwise they began to worry a little. Ek. Dm. and managed to get sick and get healthy. Thank God that I have become healthy. May God grant you all health. We had a guest - brother M. Al. and with the beauty. He is so good, and the beauty is not the same as she was in Vladimir then. Save them, Lord. I didn't see much. Thank you very much for your troubles in printing. – But two things are unclear. 1) Great sermons and everything that is written “omit” - who decided to print? Did you come up with this idea yourself or did someone else advise you? - Did I really write to print them? It will be like madness. How could he sit like that, cross out and then be able to write and print?! – It is true that without them this publication will be robbed. But it seems ashamed to print them, too, because they were all selected and already published as a special book. And why on earth should they be printed here? Just a waste. - If they are, it will be more pleasing to the priests: for preaching during fasting is most necessary. But let them buy that one, even though it is not in our favor. They promised to send me that book soon, and I will send it to you. - I don’t know how to decide. Do it as you know: print it, print it, no, no. - You can print it. We won’t let it go on sale in shops, but we’ll all fawn over the rulers. Kostroma, Tambov, Orlovsky, Voronezh, some a hundred, some a hundred and a half. But more on that later. Tambovsky promised to take words to the Tambov flock. And yet they have not been sent to him. Therefore, let’s wait to impose ourselves on him! I'll tell you then. Or let’s leave it to the Tambov [mantis] praying men (that’s what I call them) to settle this. 2) The second point is unclear: why censorship? They've already passed censorship. This can only be allowed if there is a law according to which a manuscript that has been under censorship for a year or more and has not been printed must again be submitted to censorship. And that there are amendments and releases, this does not prevent printing. You just need to say that this and that have been released. – Because of this, there may be a delay. Moscow censorship is at odds with the St. Petersburg censorship and is always finding fault. Here too he will deliberately find something to find fault with. And as if she didn’t stop. - That's how you'll make money. “But it’s certainly done.” - By the will of God. We have now left for Shatsk. Twice a week. Your letter reached Vysha on the 27th. They are coming soon, and the answer is coming soon; otherwise it would usually be on Friday – 3rd Gen[varya]. And your letters will arrive this week and lie in the mail until we send them. And it also happens that our people return from Shatsk, and your mail arrives there and lies for a week until it reaches us, and a week until the answer is delivered. I always respond with the first train to Shatsk. What extreme laziness. Here is a detailed calculation for you. The article – “Conscience” – is taken from letters. Please find and report where it is and whether it is printed in the correct form. I don’t know whether I’ll publish anything next year or not. These days, complete stupidity reigns in me - and I still want to sleep. Either I'll sleep through the illness, or I'll sleep. The matter of the bishopric of Archpriest Moskvin has been decided. - But he will be monasticated and given archimandrite status - first in Tambov. Now I wish Nastenka to have a lot of fun, and then study until she drops. A.N. God bless you, and Fr. Rest for Ivan. I wish you all all the best from the Lord. 12. About sermons and censorship My sermons have bothered you. How many bows are written down for me in heaven for this! - And you won’t do it! - Save you, Lord! In my opinion, the censorship is completely unnecessary. But if it is passed, thank God. And I was afraid that they would catch me with something. “Then send the book to the censor.” God bless the beginning of printing. Now I think the heel sheets are already printed. New! My books, which were printed by the people of Athos, tea, are already in Morshansk. As soon as they arrive, I will send it to you. The saddest!! Some fan, as if from Vladimir, brought a bow and a box from you - like an artificial product. As we have so many such skilled women and craftsmen here, I couldn’t believe it. - Tell me, were they sent?! The sermon is wonderful, how good it is - especially the conclusion. I remembered that other sermons of mine ended like this... Pandan!!! (here: coincidence. – Ed.). I read it with Fr. Joseph. His stomach hurt. When you arrive, he wants to impose penance on you. Even though it is signed that this really happened; but I still can’t believe it. So, they say, it happened, but a very long time ago. Now the age is so civilized! “But it’s also true, in the outback they won’t make a fortune.” Save yourself and pray to God for us. What a lovely weather! How are you? I wish Nastenka to be constantly cheerful and playfully learn, but excellently. I wish you all the best from the Lord. After all, tomorrow is the birthday of the Most Blessed Anthony. Please congratulate me. Tomorrow I will tell the fan about health and salvation. 13. I received the book of sermons, there are typos. About health I received the book of sermons, there are typos. About health: immobility was relaxing. Congratulations on a merry spring. The holidays take their course. You now have movement. The Mother of God visits. Let Her cover be spread over you and all of Vladimir. We have all the wind and no rain. It's been raining for two days now. Grant, Lord! And then fear takes over. You reproach me for not writing, but then, as if on purpose, I didn’t have time to unsubscribe the last mail. And so the matter dragged on. I received the book of sermons and read it. There are some mistakes – small ones. Typing is good. But the font in the sample sent earlier was new, but the old one was used - shabby. – I don’t forward typos anymore. Then together, otherwise they will be lost. I’m going to send something to your records so that the money for it will be saved as a dowry for the beauties: at least they’ll buy a red handkerchief. My health has improved. My chest felt weak from the seat. I didn’t go out for almost the entire winter and fell behind on work. The stillness was relaxing. Now I go twice every day. Before lunch and in the evening. And I feel fine. Our party is wonderful. That's when you should have come to Vysha. Hurry up! Hearing and news of movement, or a push to my sitting - together. Why does the Holy Synod need to send me in my place?? Are there no people? - I’m not asking myself. Nastenka should give up her studies for the summer. If you are sick and weak, what is knowledge? Fatten her up. Let him get fat: then he’ll study. Right, yes. Let him draw, play an instrument, sing, dance!! and walks and stuff. He lives so that the business does not come to mind. She will become healthy from this. And a healthy one will learn in one year. I wish you all the best from the Lord. O. Iv. and Al. N. blessing. - May the Lord arrange them. 14. Blessing for the journey, gratitude for the willing sacrifice Blessing for the journey, gratitude for the willing sacrifice and the troubles of publishing the books. I congratulate you on the Nativity of Christ and the New Year. Bless, Lord, to live through it in good health and in the salvation of the soul. I was amazed by your kindness. Thank you very much. 1000 rubles!!! Yes, I’m not even worth 1000 kopecks. But I do not refuse to resort to your help when I decide to undergo treatment. In ordinary life I have no need for money. But if I have to undergo treatment, I will be in difficulty. The Lord has truly advised you to make this matter easier for me if necessary. Now I’ll bear with the Russian “maybe” for now. But when it’s impossible, then I’ll notify you. Anyway, this is unlikely to happen before your trip to Voronezh. - Lord bless your path. Come visit us, please. Here we will talk about everything - both about the monastery and about treatment. I am so heavy to lift that my bones ache when I think about going. Something is disturbing in the heart. And there is an ache in the left side as if from the outside. Then it became easier... There were no traces, however. Maybe everything will pass. You have a lot of trouble with books... Just be patient! The price must be kept as advertised. The consistory did not lower the price for us, but for the girls. It’s all the same to us - even if she assigned one and a half rubles, as long as she gave back the money spent. And we will sell to others at our own price. There are few requests because the advertisements are not visible. It was published only once in Moskovskie Vedomosti. Let him type it five or ten times to get his ears buzzing, then the requests will come. - Arrange it. Use the proceeds for this. And we also need to publish more in the St. Petersburg Gazette. And the Tambov residents will write it in their statements. By force! Asked - asked. I forgot - they gave the Most Reverend Justin a book? If not, give it to the archim[andrite] there and Mother Abbess M., and the Murom Abbess if she comes. What don’t you give to yours? - Give it to your brother. An. Al. - The prince... His sister and whomever else you know. What we didn’t have to buy at home – thank God. How much trouble would it take you to build it?! And then they made plans to go to the monastery. Although this may not happen, it still sticks out. I wish you all the best from the Lord. If you go to Voronezh, take some books to the Most Reverend Seraphim, ass. 4 Archim[andrite] Demetrius, Governor Zosima - and whoever else you know. 15. About health: maybe I’ll still live Here I am in Tambov with the Eminence. Thank the Lord! Doctors, having examined the disease carefully, did not find any damage either in the heart or in the lungs. The disease is catarrh in the intestines. He is being treated. But it is unlikely that this pain will have to be cured in Tambov. They say you need to drink water. Why the attack will happen in May - and above. So - now I'm completely calm. “Perhaps I’ll have to live another year.” I haven’t decided anything about the trip to Moscow yet. “Maybe I’ll go, if not for treatment, then at least... it’s good that I left.” I'll let you know in advance what happens. Thank you for the help. It gives me the opportunity to make broad plans. I congratulate you on your arrival and on your pilgrimage. Has E.D. finally calmed down - or calmed down? – If I go to Moscow just for a ride, then it’s no surprise that I’ll stop by Vladimir. Or maybe there will be neither one nor the other. I express my deepest respect to the Lord. - You'll see - ask me to apologize for not answering until now. At Vyshe I was getting ready to set off. I took a letter with me to Tambov to answer from here, but here they are so annoying that I only have a free minute early in the morning. Yesterday Sunday I served. Friends show great cordiality. They are being pulled to Tregulyaev; but I find it very inconvenient, and I won’t leave Vysha. Moscow may be more convenient, but it is far away. If the illness persists, then there will be a great incentive to part with the Highest; but I still don’t know where to run from Vysha. In fact, maybe to Mitrofan, in Vvedenskaya. – But I haven’t decided anything, I’m writing like this... I wish you all the best from the Lord. Bow to those you know. I wish O. Ivan and A.N. good health. 16. About the trip to Tambov to see His Eminence I haven’t known for a long time what’s wrong with you. I believe that you wrote to Vysha. Write now to Tambov. I'm with the Reverend. I'm better. Disease in the intestines. Marvelous! You see, it takes a long time to treat, and they drag it out. Maslenitsa is definitely here - and maybe even the first week, which is very likely. I'm here like cheese in butter. This, of course, is pleasant for a while, but it can become very boring, and is already starting to do so. If I could extinguish the desire to do anything, then it would be impossible to invent a better life. Some have lunch, others have evening, others arrive in the morning. There is no end to the clanking (conversations - Ed.), - But, of course, sometimes empty speeches come in. - Grant you, Lord, to spend Maslenitsa in good health and peace of spirit and enter into Lent. Like the monastery of Ek. D.? Has it been built, or is the plan not ready yet? Here's to the beauties... Give them the pleasure of riding to their heart's content. O. Ivan with A. N. bow and blessing. I express my deep respect to your Eminence. I ask for prayers. 17. About the complacent acceptance of sorrows in patience and spiritual joy The Lord has visited you! Please accept this visit graciously, not only with patience, but also with spiritual joy. Perhaps there is not enough spirit for living joy; at least have it in mind: for everything that comes from the Lord must be accepted in this way. This is the law: always rejoice, pray unceasingly, give thanks in everything. However, we cannot get rid of grief, and we are not able to fulfill the apostle’s commandment: unless we manage to stir up joy through tears. Grant to you, Lord, this and everything that His holy will pleases for the arrangement of your salvation. Of course, Ag. D. need to live. Ek. D. what to do? And Nastya?! Grant, Lord, that you all may live. I congratulate you on this bright holiday. Continue the spiritual celebration until the Holy Spirit. And there again there is fasting and lamentation about our sinfulness. What time? – It’s still a little cold. That's right, and so do you. It would not work according to the proverb: do not remove the casing until the Holy Spirit. What kind of clever benefactor is this? - Save her, Lord, and have mercy! Give the money to Fr. Ivan. Let A.N. treat him more diligently. They won’t give him another one. Take care. However, it is advisable to know: does the donor have any special goals regarding this money? Get well soon and come to Vysha. We have a healthy climate. I just remembered... Please write down as soon as possible what to do with the seeds. I forgot everything. Or you can come and plant it yourself. No - it's far away. Until then, a gazebo needs to be set up on the balcony. Bow to everyone you know. May the blessing of the Lord be upon you. 18. There is much that is wrong in our grief for those who have departed. There is much that is wrong in our grief for those who have departed. You cannot help but grieve, but you must temper your lamentation with hope for God’s mercy. M., A., E. – Slaves of God. Annushka has left! - May the Lord accept her soul into His merciful arms! It's sad and sad for you! - Yes - grieve and cry a little. But not disconsolate. Tomorrow we will go there too. Common road! - Did she warn you? Her happiness! Blessed be her path. - If there is a fatherland, we must rejoice over those who are leaving - and grieve for ourselves, who are still left here, and must bark and fight - not knowing when and how we will get to the pier. - There is a lot of error in our grieving for those who have departed. They lowered her into the grave, and it seems that she is there: she is gloomy, damp, cold; but she's not there. She's in the right place. You need to transport your thoughts to this place and talk to her there. - If there is reason to be sure that she has been pardoned, then welcome her and share her joy with her. And to feel like that, that she brought us this and that that was pleasant and useful, but now that’s gone... What does it feel like to think and feel like that?! We cannot help but complain: such is our nature. But this lamentation must be moderated and brought to reason. However, the Lord will now fill what is missing. - May the Mother of God console you with maternal consolation. I think you got yourself a prayer book. So bless the Lord. There prayer is closer and more profitable. - It’s not like the air is beating. Pray to God for me, a sinner. Give your regards to A.N. and A. and blessing. 19. About Kiev and the Lavra in response to an invitation to visit there About Kyiv and the Lavra in response to an invitation to visit there. Gratitude for your diligence in arranging a home church. God help you! Save yourself! Your letter was received on the 8th. Reply a week later: I had to send it that way. Everything is fine. And yet - how long it takes. A month of non-stop progress - a letter with an answer. It's like being tall in America. In St. Petersburg - correspondence with Paris - goes and returns in 8 days. This is where I went, but this is the only inconvenience. And everything else is just as good. This life is free - what a charm it has. - You live it constantly; Why can’t you determine its prices? And for those who served, this is very noticeable. You still enjoy the aromas of Kyiv - spiritual. Be this for salvation. And you invite me to visit. – After all, I studied at the academy there. In St. I know every corner of the Lavra. There is no other monastery like this in the world! I, a sinner, cannot live there. On Higher and then where are these elders - strong. – The tooth played out, as they say. And already to Jerusalem. - Not bad! But wait a year. The cast iron road will be finished. Then it will be more convenient to manage your travel time in order to get there in time for Easter - right away, without arriving early and wasting your time there in the turmoil. However, whatever it pleases the Lord to arrange this, so be it. There are no difficulties on the road - especially now with our shipping company. Seasickness! - Well, what should we do? Yes, ride for a day and a half. And that's no problem. Maybe by then the highway won't be built? 200 thousand [thousands?] – Ha ha ha! What a joy – to the point of laughter! -Where should I put them? - Order the chest there, please... but our craftsmen here are rubbish. “But the omen has long passed.” It was... about a week or so. Thank you for the stockings. These are enough. Thank you. And I still won’t have time to work anything on my own. Started sharpening. I notice that this is very good. But the trees I have are cracked, so nothing useful comes of it. You can sharpen only some small fry. If you come across some kind of wood - black, walnut... and some other nice ones, send them in small pieces - a quarter or one and a half lengths, and whatever thicknesses you can find. All sorts of miracles can be sharpened. Thank you for your offer to do something. The furniture is made from desert wood, all made from birch, and it comes out very well. Everything else is there. When we start setting up a church, then don’t refuse to do something. The cross, the Gospel, vessels, lamps... all this in miniature form. The throne will be an arshin. The gospel is a quarter and a half. The cross is smaller. The vessel is in a glass - and everything is in that size. I liked the place and it will be convenient. It just needs to work. When things go well, I'll tell you then. Don't refuse to help. And now there's plenty of everything. Thank you. There's plenty of space for paintings. Please try to forward it. Save you, Lord! I'm bothering you all. Medicines! Well, now I’ll be a doctor. And then often the elders come... is there something from this and that, but I don’t know. Now I’ll keep looking at your letter to see if there’s anything. - My hand goes through. This is from my typewriter. God bless! I am very happy about the correction of my church. That's what I thought I'd fix... I wish you all the best from the Lord. Pray to God for me. Bow to Mother Abbess. What about my beauties?! 20. Gratitude for the gifts sent Clothes and other items included were received in good condition. I bring you my sincere gratitude - for everything - for everything. Sakkos is exactly what I wanted. - And the sacristan is magnificent. Everything is updated for the holiday. I wish you both a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I wish you all the best this year. Be healthy, cheerful, good-natured. I wish Nasty health, fun and good teaching... and the professor. My sincere congratulations to the rulers. P.S. Please pass on the attached recipe to Fr. Iv. One monk promised him - and he fulfills his promise. He asks both him and you not to tell anyone or divulge this secret, otherwise all the power will be lost. 21. About the alteration of the panagia. Bows and blessings to mutual friends Happy New Year! I wish you something new this year, but, of course, something fun—to your beauties, to your professor, and to all of you. Everything you sent has been received - and everything is in excellent condition. He wore vestments during all festive services. It is more to my heart than all the previous ones. No more books will be needed. I will take care of these. Sell ​​the rest and distribute as you please. What to do with panagia?! I don’t know either. It would be possible to leave it; but she is a princess. This one, when she arrives, will reconsider everything and you won’t see how. – The question will be: where did it go? - And the creaking will begin. - Let him insert Moscow beads and so on - let him pick out simple things - inexpensive. – Maybe, where possible, do not insert small fry at all, but smooth them out so that a metal groove remains; but it needs to be done in such a way that it comes out harmoniously in all cases. “Maybe this way the alignment won’t be very expensive.” “But he must put everything in so that it doesn’t fall out.” There’s no rush, you can wait, just don’t tell the master this, otherwise he’ll put it off for ten years. They're great at this - especially when the penny is taken in advance. I heard about S.I.’s widowhood. Give her, Lord, every consolation. It’s good that she used to manage everything herself... Now there’s no need to study... I thank O. Arch[imandrite] Hilarion for the memory. Bow to him for me too, if you write, and ask for his prayers. O. Vanya wrote three lines. When he arrives, pull him by the forelock and tell A.N. to describe the entire return journey in detail... The husband does not know how to write, let the wife help. I wish them good health, with which comes fun. O.P. God bless! What can I wish for her?! In order not to make a mistake, I wish her what she herself most desires. I am healthy and at peace. God bless! “I don’t want to do anything and I don’t do anything.” To your masters I offer my ardent bow and full of good wishes. 22. About the purchased harmonium I have the honor to congratulate you on your new title of silent women - but I don’t express any good wishes for you to succeed on this path; on the contrary, I wish that the memory of this would disappear. Are you really alive and well? I wrote to you a week ago that the buzzer (harmonium - Ed.) is not working. - Arrived; buzzes good. All beeps make very pleasant sounds. And what chords there are – it’s wonderful: I would listen to everything. - I’m still buzzing alone. There is no one to show it to. S.M. (buzzing) left. Beauty A. does not play this instrument. She can only indicate the alphabet on the piano... But I don’t despair. I’ll get the hang of it little by little. The printed manual says that everyone should study their own buzzer. That's what I do. - I already understood: “How glorious is our Lord in Zion” - on one hand. These are just words... I stumble, but I’ll finish everything... I can’t fix my other hand... Not suddenly. I am very grateful to you for taking the trouble to buy me this little thing. I'm grateful from the bottom of my heart. She will calm her head... At times it becomes boring: something that has never happened to me before. Lord have mercy, boredom will begin to languish. Then I’ll give up on the cast iron - and I’ll keep driving until boredom itself gets tired of hanging around with me. And then to Vladimir! My health is nothing. The usual seizures began again - but not to a significant extent. Ek. D. all-zealous good wishes. And the same for beauties. Be healthy and cheerful. Low bow to the rulers. I ask for prayers so that boredom does not eat away. That's right, there's already a buzzer in the room. Very pleasant tones, every single one. Very grateful. There is one thing that matters - the ability to buzz. However, I don’t wait for this and blow out the light. “We must be careful that the monks might run away from the horror caused by my noise and thunder.” The game mechanics have been completely dismantled. The point is behind the skill of the hands... them and the school now. “How glorious...” - I learn the first line. Everything is going smoothly - but suddenly the fingers don’t know where to wave - and a real growl comes out. I need more plays, otherwise I think I’ll soon get bored with one. Beauty A. sat down and began to play smoothly. Hands and fingers fall into place; Only my legs are not used to it yet. She showed me everything how to do things. You'll have to learn the alphabet to break your hands. Buy what? – I think more pies. They only sent a short manual, and “How glorious is our Lord...”. So, please, when you are in Moscow, buy all the church music... everything spiritual... and foreign - Catholic. - And from secular things - something sad only... that might make others cry (but not me, of course). Equals buying something... You probably know which ones are good. If only everything could be played on our instrument. Please work hard. My health began to fail; but then the sun came out, and everything went well again. May God grant your Nastenkas happiness and learning. What is left over from the money for purchasing sheet music, send it to Vysha. Bow to everyone you know. Even more so for the rulers. 24. About playing the harmonium: the further you go, the more difficult it becomes Everything is for the better! - And it’s good that you didn’t buy sheet music. Having learned the line in the heat of the moment, I thought that the city had already been taken. The further you go, the dumber it gets... and oh woe! “If I had known it was such a difficulty, I wouldn’t have thought of making a horn.” But now there is nothing to do. I start with the alphabet. We need to break our hands and bring them into complete obedience to the eye. Then we’ll buy all the sheet music when it won’t be difficult to play them. To begin with... so as not to get bored repeating all the basics, there is something to learn. Turchaninov will be alone for a year. So it’s all the same - they started the pause and can stretch it out. – And don’t buy sheet music at all. After. But do this, get them to copy out the psalms that the singers sang in front of me... the cuckoo - “Behind the clouds there is a month”... Something about the Tsar (not - “God, the Tsar...”). – Also, “Glory to God in the highest” - magnificent... it seems, two-horn. – I found the secret of how to transfer partes notes to the buzzer... and – “The Sea of ​​Life” has already been transferred to half. You will send the money when you decide. Will be needed. For Alyosha, who is now the Zvenigorod bailiff, needed something. Here they put some kind of deposit and uniforms. The weather is lovely! We're all walking, walking! And I don’t want to go home. How are you? Grant, Lord, that you all be healthy and cheerful. To the lords, my deepest bow. Here, the Reverend Theodosius was transferred to Kamenets-Podolsk, and in his place, the Reverend Iakov was appointed. Ours are... like the Synod, we'll see. 25. Gratitude for everything sent. About playing the harmonium I received everything sent - money, notes, and canvas. Thank you very much for everything. Thank you for future shoes too. These are German, or what? The simple ones, which are more suitable for my feet, have not yet worn out. I flaunt them all - like monks from the Union. The notes are coming. I just can't do it. Nothing has come of my playing yet. - “We praise God to you” is partes, but I transfer it to the buzzer. It turns out good. But this is not what, as I remember, they sang in Tambov or Vladimir. Sell ​​the buzzer?!.. No, now we have to finish it. I’ll learn to play, then we’ll sell this one and buy this one, so that the Tsar won’t have one like that. - That's where it's going. - Only my teaching is going wrong. That’s right, I’ll study for five years. I congratulate Nastenka the bride on her arrival, and congratulate that student on her diligent studies. And Ekat. Dmit. - with good privacy. We heard the news. - The Sarov authorities dismantled the abbot - out of office, and to Tregulyai for repentance; The treasurer was also removed from office, but was left in Sarov. - It's a pity! Both persons were very efficient both in life and in management. – But please don’t tell the Reverend Jacob that I am writing to you about this. Bow down to him and to the greatest Lord. -Are they scolding me for my book? - But she still has to lie down. What is there, what is mine. - I was busy with the messages. I’ll finish them, then the psalms. I wish you all the best from the Lord. Be healthy and cheerful. 26. About the arrangement of partes notes for playing the harmonium On the arrangement of partes notes for playing the harmonium. General blessings. I received notes and notes. Thank you for everything. “Because of the clouds...” - already translated. It turns out good. – And “Glory in the highest...” is two-horned... something comes out a bit knotty. But I'll take a closer look. – I have revelation after revelation. “Having just come from mass, it’s time for lunch... I looked at Turchaninov’s notes... and I said: let me see how his notes relate to our church notes.” His plays are all from there... note by note... And I learned all our musical alphabet from there, so now I play our church notes directly on the buzzer without any transcriptions. But for now this is only for one hand. I’ll take a closer look at how he forged the second one... And how simple and pleasant it turns out. The spirit rejoices. Congratulations on the holiday and with the frost... For the first time, the snow is falling. You're all walking. God bless you. Ekat. Dmit. God bless you to be alone. Grant, Lord, the gathering of thoughts and reverence before the Lord, Who is everywhere and sees everything. – Learn to pray smartly. The heart will open. And the light of God. And paradise dissolved. I wish all kinds of fun to your beauties. All-hearted bows to the rulers, which are very easy to put on paper. Archimandrite - in Sarov. I went to carry out the Synod’s definition - formidable. Father Vanya and Al. N. God's blessing and my good wishes. 27. Find a violin tutorial Find a tutorial for playing the violin, otherwise virtuosity will drive you crazy. Happy New Year! - Give you, Lord, new feelings - bright, pure, calm. I, thank God, am healthy... And my business is progressing little by little. I did not receive the letter from the blessed Jacob. That's right, it went backwards. I thank him for the memory. – It turns out that the people of Sarov are very pleased to have a new abbot. Come here and figure it out. I wish Nastenka health, and most of all, fun and pleasant hopes - which is what young people need most. Ek. Dm. I wish to succeed in solitude - and to be alone not only within the walls, but also in the heart, which is most precious before the Lord. I ask you to convey my sincere congratulations and good wishes to the Bishops. Bow to Mother Abbess. I will answer, but not now: because I’m tired. Don’t worry too much about the shipment... They sent it from Tambov... and even with a shame. Sort of sophisticated. Here's what you'd better do. – Our teeth have been playing out – and the virtuosity is driving us crazy. – So, being in Moscow, won’t you find some kind of self-instruction manual there – a book – for the violin, a cheap one? Buy and send. We'll see if we can learn it ourselves... and if we find that we can, we'll start learning so that we can come up with a complete musical set. Then we’ll start booking concerts. - And we will send announcements all over the world... What will they play - the bishop, the archimandrite and other honest brethren. “The whole world will probably come to see this miracle.” If you don’t listen to our goat talk, then at least look at this miracle. I'm buzzing. - Things are going well. With one hand I can freely take all the notes, but the other lags behind, and I just can’t figure out what the secret is... so that with one glance I can embrace both lines of notes... That’s right, we’ll get to that. 28. About the violin and harmonium I went to violin school. Thank you very much. It is very complete and thorough, - After all, it was a temptation that came to me - to think whether I could learn the violin, as I so desperately wanted. - No, I see that a lot of work is needed. – The notes can be maintained on a buzzer - without changes. The buzzer is good; but she cannot withstand all shades of voice; what the violin claims to do. This is what seduces. I envy how you celebrated Vladyka’s name day. What happiness for people. - My sister went to the abbess. I told her to ask the first time: well, has your head stopped hurting? - And then repeat more often, clasping your hands: is it possible - for mother - to revel like this, - for the abbess, and in such summers? – I don’t know what will happen as a result of this. I'm very sorry about Fr. Ivan and Al. N. I sent them some money; but this year I have become penniless and have not been able to send enough for their needs. Ek. Dm. May the Lord make you wise in solitude. There is an abyss of sweets here; but we must pray to the Lord to reveal a special taste for this and give us the ability - not to wait in vain for minutes or hours and days of solitude! And I forgot. – The buzzer began to sniffle. This means that one of the keys is warped, as I guess, or something else?! - If you are in Moscow, ask the master what this means... Also - with three keys, in addition to its tone and sound, you can hear some kind of subordinate clause - one for all three... what is this?! – This does not interfere with the game yet. I wish you all the best from the Lord. Pray to God for me, a sinner. Our ardent bow to the rulers. I'm healthy! 29. As an experience, I don’t allow anyone to visit me during this current post. As an experience during the current post, I don’t allow anyone to come to me and I don’t show myself. Let's see how it goes. I would like to thank you for your congratulations and well wishes. I, thank God, am healthy - and little by little I continue to dabble in interpretation. And it is going more successfully than usual. For I don’t allow anyone to come to me this Lent, and I don’t show myself. This is done as an experience and will be so until Easter. I don’t know whether I will continue after Easter. - It’s not wonderful! If things go the same way after Easter, then please don’t come to Vysha this year. “It will be very difficult for me not to accept you, but whatever you do... once you start, you can’t undo it for anyone.” I had to refuse this current post to Ekat. Alexander. Pleshcheeva. How difficult it was for me to stand it! But there is nothing to do. I had to endure it. “I begged her not to be angry.” God bless her. She fasted with us. The buzzer is inactive...whether I will buzz or not, I don’t know. They discovered her vice: they noticed the one who sniffles... This is against the third key on the left hand. Bass bottom clean line. I don’t know what happened there. Maybe the valve has turned or the speck has sunk. Ek. Dmit. I wish you a brilliant solitude. She and I are now performing a play. - Help, Lord. I wish the beauties happiness. God bless you all. 30. As it was with fasting, so it will be until next Easter I have caused so many worries with my unsociability, but there is nothing to do. That's how it should be. “As it was with fasting, so it will be until next Easter.” I won’t go out and receive people myself. But why is Athos here? This is a completely temporary matter, although extremely necessary. And I find that it’s much better to behave this way. Thank you for your participation and your promise in case. There is no desire or need to move. “And we’ll live at home somehow.” Congratulations on your safe trip – and on bringing you all together. – I wish you joy and peace. I’m healthy, thank God, and what’s more, I’m at peace. I will answer the Holy One Jacob. I sent a request for a letter to Temnikov. Tell Father Ivan that it’s not convenient for them to go to Vysha this year. 31. What kind of shutter is this? I talk to everyone through letters What have you done with my shutter? And everyone got up! - Even Fr. Mitrofan. This is from old age. - What kind of shutter is this? So I talk to everyone through letters... I see people in the monastery... and they see me on the balcony. Only no one is inside, and we don’t make any speeches, and that’s all. Is this a shutter? Then - neither a word nor a breath... It was as if he had died. Well, that shutter is scary. What about this one? - And only for a year. I only walk on the balcony, which is also screened. I see through holes, but rarely do anyone see me. Congratulations on the arrival of the Bogolyubskaya icon to you. May the protection of the Mother of God be upon you. What's the buzzer? “She’s silent,” and it seems that she is faced with the everlasting feat of silence. - I’ll sell it somewhere. O. I wish Vanya to get better. I regret that they didn’t have to rest with me, but there’s nothing to do. Save you, Lord, and have mercy! Bow to the Lords. I ask for their holy prayers. 32. Gratitude for gifts. Learning to bind books Your gifts have been received. Thank you. “I don’t smell anything else I need.” I drink coffee... both morning and evening... and I feel that it makes my stomach easier. People from St. Petersburg wrote to me about our ruler. True, true. - What do we care?! and to the Tambov residents - whoever is a priest is a dad. They are already accustomed to the changes of their rulers. If you find a place for Gudelka, it will be good. – Set the price yourself. You can throw off a little bit. About the sick Fr. I'm very sorry for Ivan... and for his mother. - May God allow them to recover. Are they out of place, or what? I am writing to you, but I don’t know whether this letter will find you in Vladimir. But maybe Ek will remain there. Dm. – a recluse – and I think it’s all the same. – I make a wish to learn how to bind books. – I read a guide about this in a craft newspaper. Everything is so simple that it’s easier than weaving bast shoes. I'm about to start fixing the booklet first, which doesn't require any tools. “And then real binding will require tools.” – When I decide to start this business, I will turn to you with a request to get bookbinding tools in Moscow. They, tea, are not expensive and not complicated. Everything is wooden. Only a sawn-off shotgun is a thing... but this may be far away... And it's raining here. But, it’s true, you also have rain now. Thank God I am healthy. – The balcony is my walk. - And this is the same as the forest, which is right there - you can take it with your hand. Bow down to the lords. I wish you all the best from the Lord. 33. Promise to paint an icon. About the service in the house church The promise to paint an icon. About the service in the house church. General blessings to acquaintances. I have now received your letter. “And I’m surprised that there has been no news from you for so long, and you deign to travel around.” - Welcome home. The books you gave to someone have not yet reached me. I will send my books to you later - both for you and for distribution to others. I'm very sorry about Al's illness. N. and O. Ivana. But what to do? - That's right, that's their way. They will be more peaceful: otherwise there would be no restraint. Pleshcheeva doesn’t stop by now. She went to Ekaterinoslav to enroll her Circassian in the cadet corps. I'm healthy, thank God. I celebrate the service alone in my church. The picture that you saw is not finished. Too lazy to finish. – If you like the face, then I will draw it for you, of course, when the desire comes to draw. I rejoice in the health of your rulers. I bow to them and earnestly ask you to pray for me. God's blessing to all of you. 34. Covering letter for a parcel of books I am sending you books, both to you, and for distribution throughout Vladimir, - Evdokim, the master, deigned to make two packs of them - and two bales. I thought about bandaging it, but then we decided in council with Evdokim: let them go in two bales. Maybe, in fact, it’s better - they’ll get there more safely. I am healthy, and I wish the same for you all. The other day the auction took place. I sold the buzzer for my full price. Only one concession was made - that the money did not suddenly come. – Father Ivan mentioned that maybe she would be suitable for Al. N. I thought so. But then I sold it. “There’s nothing to regret... she doesn’t make money... and there’s little consolation.” I humbly ask you to take the trouble to distribute the books according to the attached register. If there is not enough, you can send more. Our weather has improved, but it is gloomy. I’m already heating it, even though I don’t want to put in windows yet. 35. It’s not boring to sit alone; in silence prayer goes more peacefully I owe you an answer to two letters. “It’s all laziness: I have nowhere to escape from it.” Books were brought from the village. And I forgot about them. It wouldn't be a big deal if they stayed there completely. Thank you for your efforts in distributing books. - Make everyone say something about the sinful scrounger of these books. I'm healthy, thank God! It's snowing now, and the balcony is closed. But I'm still walking. I'm not bored sitting. Sometimes I work, I walk like this – it’s all movement. God bless you to live in silent silence. At the same time, prayer is calmer. Bow down to the lords and ask for their holy prayers. For the bow from Fr. I thank Hilarion. He is a real old man. I haven't drawn for a long time. But when the hunt comes, I will draw you the Mother of God - not so big, but like a painted print... One head with a shoulder and arms... This one is not big. And it still stands and is not finished. – I didn’t pick up the brush. O. Ivan and Al. Nick. bow and God's blessing. It's time for them to be healthy. 36. Please send what you need for your house church I wish you to be cheerful and healthy. I received everything you sent. Thank you. Save you, Lord! How is this Ek. Dm. hurt yourself? I need to get treatment. What do we have? My lower back (lower back - Ed.) is gnawing and really bothering me. Be patient. - Where can I get a doctor? - Maybe it will pass. - Empty, it’s true, it’s a disease; but everything is restless. I spend the holidays alone; but it cannot be said that the holiday is not a holiday. - All glory to God! That's what I need!.. A cover for the throne. So that the Gospel and the tabernacle - and everything on the throne - are covered - from service to service. I am now covering it with the cover that was made for the small table on which the loaves are blessed. But it is very small, so that behind the tabernacle the throne is open to dust and flies (in summer). Please do more. – An arshin of 5 and three quarters (square) will be enough. There is no need for braiding; but a simple fringe doesn’t interfere – and neither does the cross in the middle... made of some kind of ribbon... You also need a large scarf for the altar - an arshin and a quarter. - Wrap everything... both vessels, and air, and plates, and ladles... and everything that is there. I will wrap everything up and tie it at the top. This is without lining... The scarf is as it is... and that one - the first one - can be sewn - and with a lining. There's plenty of other stuff around the church. Congratulations to both Bishops on this holiday. 37. Gratitude for what was sent. About homeopathy treatment He received a cover for the throne and a scarf for the altar. Everything is beautiful - and just right. And you don't need a big scarf. Thank you. Ek. D. hurt her side?! - Why did you forget the arnica? “You need a lotion of Arnikov tincture on the outside, and grains inside... and everything will go smoothly.” My illness - neither from old age, nor from sitting, but so-so - is rheumatism, which exercised power over one hand of mine back in Vladimir. “But I pushed him so hard... that I barely had time to jump out.” And you know what? Homeopathic drops. After all, there is no trace now. Completely improved. – But I continue to follow the recipe given by the Most Reverend Jacob. I think it goes a long way toward streamlining the stomach. It's about cabbage. Maybe some disease ahead will ward off. You're from the wedding!.. Well, there, too, people walk the streets with flaps, bottoms and braids, etc. The princess writes that sometimes they ask her for Vladimir’s sermons. Send her 10 copies. I wish you all the best from the Lord. Pray to God for me. O. Vanya with Al. Nick. blessing and bow to everyone we know. 38. Congratulations on fasting and blessings. Thanks for sending I owe you answers. I hasten to correct myself, otherwise we will soon have a general shutdown, or dam. The rivers will overflow, and we will be left alone, separated from the whole world. Here is the post on the aisle. A day or two - and a holiday. - Congratulations. Be healthy and cheerful. I have completely recovered - which makes me very happy. I would like to thank you for the sweatshirt. I will wear it. It fits very well and is very warm. I must wish that she would drive away rheumatism: for I am waiting for his attack, now in my legs. There's a line behind them. I needed to send one piece of business to the Reverend Jacob. By the way, I have enclosed some books for you too. I apologize that not at all. They didn’t send too much themselves. 39. Congratulations on the holiday and wishes not to get sick Congratulations on the holiday and wishes not to get sick. On Easter he served with the brethren. I congratulate you on the holiday... After all, it is still going on. – Please accept my full best wishes. Would you like to accept a decree from Above - with a ban on being sick? Vladimir is a city rich in health. It’s a sin to be ill with him. On Easter I served with the brethren; but then he returned to his old ways again. Look - I'm overjoyed! - what to do - you have to be patient. There are many sins. However, I'm not bored. We're doing well! The monastery is waiting for a new ruler and cleaning up. 40. I don’t accept anyone; it’s inconvenient to see them. General Blessings I just received your letter yesterday - and I hasten to inform you that no one is visiting me, and not just someone unknown Becker. And you did well that you did not give in to believe him. About Ek. Al. I found out soon. Have mercy on her, Lord. “We could still live with her; God judged otherwise. God bless your journey. It’s inconvenient for us to see each other. The neighbors are denied this. This will be very awkward for me. We must be patient. All the best to you from the Lord. Our ardent bow to the Bishops and Mother Abbess and Fr. Vanya. We are preparing to lay the groundwork for a warm church... it seems by mid-July or the end. 41. I’m applying to become a bookbinder; I learned from a book. About the shutter So you are already in Vladimir. And I kept waiting, you’re about to arrive at Vysha. “However, for me now it’s all the same: they weren’t, I still wouldn’t have seen you, except through a hole.” Because I blocked my balcony with colored sawn boards - my new art! And not everyone will see me, but I see everyone... what a trick. Everything is fine with us, thank God. The new warm church began - outside the monastery - from the bell tower... opposite the hotel. I can’t see it yet, they just rose from the ground. We have seen our Lord. The real Lord. Ek. D. God's blessing. I'm going to become a bookbinder - I learned it from a book. Made - a vice, a sawn-off sawn-off machine, a stitching machine. All that remains is to sit down and work. - You need to ruin two books, and then become a master. Here you will need letters and also various figures. There is no one to entrust this task to. I will contact you. But first you need to complete your apprenticeship course. To the rulers - full of good wishes. 42. Please send books to the Orthodox brotherhood We haven't heard anything from you for a long time. Are they alive? And if they are alive, are they healthy? I'm going to bother you with this. In the village of Mstera, Vyaznikovsky district, there is an Orthodox brotherhood. The trustee and founder of the brotherhood, peasant Alexander Golyshev, writes that a lot of fraternal things were burned, a lot of things from the girls’ school, which was under his care, a fraternal school. The head of the school is from our theological school - Tikhomirova... isn't she one of mine? I should help them in some way, but I don’t have a penny, and I’m still in debt. So much fun. But I still want to help. It occurred to me to give Golyshev sermons. He is a trader - he will sell; he has warehouses of books. Maybe he can sell these books (mine) and he’ll get a penny or two. Please send him 30 copies. Tea, there are still words! - In the letter, say that this is both at the school and at his disposal. Then let me know what and how you will do. Then I’ll write too, otherwise I’d write to him now, but I don’t know how you’ll cope. Glory to Thee, Lord! I'm healthy - and I sprinkle a little. Are the rulers alive? Eminence) Jacob wrote and wrote, and then fell silent. - I'm exhausted. Please convey to them my zealous well wishes. I wish you health and fun. Save you, Lord, and have mercy. I have already collected everything needed for bookbinding. The people of Athos did it. Because it’s more important for them. Now all that remains is to get down to business. – Are there any orders?!!! 43. Gratitude for the labor of sending and general blessings Thank you for the work of sending the books. – And for the news. Do I think about books, what to do with them, to solve them? I wrote to the Most Reverend Jacob, asking if he hoped to sell them for the benefit of the diocesan library. But this is hardly?! “But if he finds it possible, we can hand them over to him.” Send me some. They're already running out. I think about five dozen... Bless, Lord, your travelers, the sick and infirm. Alien side... but not small ones. Maybe they'll manage. My health - thank God! Work - work!! And there is no time to breathe. But this is not for bookbinding orders, but for another part. Behold, the holidays are approaching. Congratulations in advance. I wish you health and joy. 44. Blessing to everyone you know I congratulate you on the holiday and the new year. Bless you, Lord, with every blessing. Yesterday the books and everything you sent arrived. Thank you! For those abroad - help, Lord, to live there for the good. – There is no church, what should we do? Let them pray at home. – Save the sick one, Lord! The princess was definitely going to Diveevo. He really wants to die. My binding is coming. I've already ruined three books. I'm taking on the fourth one. But now is a bit of a bad time. There was some urgent business that needed some attention. Here I sit. It's so cold here that you can't heat the house. But you can’t even show your nose in the yard. And we sit at home. To your masters - a big bow and full holiday good wishes. “If Bishop of Murom does not find it convenient to take sermons into the library, let him not rack his brains over how to relieve us of this burden. We will send girls of clergy to the Oryol School. 45. My health is good and I’m sitting here writing, writing until I drop. You haven't written for a long time. Sign up for silence. It's nice to hear that your patients are getting better. Help them, Lord, to fully recover. When they arrive, you will be comforted, and there will be no end to the joys, of course, under the condition that they return completely healthy. Everything is fine with us. - My health is good. I sit and write—I write mercilessly, even until I drop. - The need is urgent - to finish what we started. What have you done with the sermon books? The Reverend Jacob, even through clenched teeth, said that he would take it. Give them to him. Last time, writing to him, I forgot to write for him to take them, and I already remembered when the letter was sent. Now, thank God, we have plenty of everything, and we don’t feel the need for anything. Thank you for your willingness to arrange everything. Let me use it in the future. Tell the chicks - oh. Ivan and Alec. Nikol. My best wishes to them. God bless them to be healthy. Bow to Mother Abbess. I ask all St. prayers for my many sins. 46. Consolation in family sorrows But why should you worry? You did everything on your part. If you couldn’t arrange it the way you would like, what should you do? - After all, he himself could not resist if the authorities demanded it. Sons are for him, and daughters are for mothers. This will be very unfortunate for him. “And you’re telling the truth, he’ll get through it somehow.” - Help him, Lord! What time has come? Husbands from their wives, wives from their husbands, trouble. - No matter where you throw it, it’s all wedge. But you shouldn’t torture yourself. I would get along with my wife; tell him who is to blame? I didn’t know how to cope, so I had to dissolve the brewed mush. May the Lord comfort you! - At someone else's feast there is a hangover. Congratulations on your post. Here you go... The Lord will come and bring comfort with Him. Repeat the shit and it will be even more comforting. About books, as the Lord pleases, let him do so. O. Ivan and Al. N. I wish you health, - I have nothing to send them. Wasted; and not only is there nothing, but he also got into debt. 47. Stop bothering, pray. General Blessings Well, thank God, they came back. And stop bothering. It will also be because there was so much poking around. Pray for the father of the stolen baby. May the Lord protect him and comfort him. That's heaven for you - marriage, don't justify it. Now please sit and stock up on your health. Summer is coming. May God grant you favorable weather. We had a breath of warmth and we began to come to life. Bless you, Lord, with every blessing. I heard about Mother Abbess of Murom - It’s time! - Rest her, Lord! - She worked, fussed, groaned: now let him be silent. I will write to the Most Holy Jacob, but now I won’t have time. I'm healthy - I'm just lazy until the last degree. I bow to Mother Abbess, and I’ll write to her, but later. 48. Support in family troubles. General Blessings Congratulations on your arrival. I am very glad that you were able to finally satisfy the desire of your heart - and console the unfortunate father. They took it from you unjustly: for you had it, like your father. “But that’s a thing of the past now!” - God arranged everything. Rest on your laurels. Ek. D. Congratulations... and good health. She must have gotten younger. There will probably be no end to suitors. What's good? Well, now please make up for all the missed services. - God bless you to speak during the Dormition Fast! And the beauty - why is she sick? How is she not afraid? The whole foreign country has the right to rebel against her: something is disgracing her by not being healthy from her healing waters. They will find out and won’t go there. - And Vladimir has the right to rebel against her... as if I were such a cannibal, just show yourself to me and go to bed. Be healthy and cheerful, all of you. My ardent bow to the rulers and to everyone we know. 49. Inability to see each other; we must be patient. Blessing for the ambulance Inability to see each other; we must be patient. Blessing for the fasting: there are no laws to kill yourself, you will get healthy, and start fasting again. Wasn’t I bored when I couldn’t see you and talk to you? But we must be patient. And I ask you to forgive me for this. God bless A.D.’s efforts. These are not empty. God loves such troublemakers. My bow to her and God's blessing. Please don't be angry. Regarding the broth - God bless. The blood will dry out, then, if you feel like it, you will start fasting again, or eat lean food, but until then, eat without hesitation. There are no laws - kill yourself, since it is known that fasting upsets your health. And St. Pachomius wrote in his Rule that sick monks should eat meat if it was necessary for their health. My health is nothing. It's getting cold... We'll have to put in the windows, even if it gets clogged early. Maybe he will still feel relieved by the warmth. A.D. and the beauties, bow and God's blessing. Beauties are prohibited from going to the theater and to parties. When the desire to dance comes, let them bow instead. Be healthy and cheerful everyone! 50. Gratitude for gifts. My son didn't pass the exam Thanks for the gifts. The son did not pass the exam, well: everyone has to take the exam at the Mining Institute. I liked living alone. Everything you sent was received in good condition. Thank you very much. The scarf is very good; stockings and socks are very nice. God bless you! Thank God we returned safely from the trip. - Unsuccessful. - What to do? “Young people don’t think about exams and that’s why they prepare poorly. And if they are poorly prepared, they turn out to be useless. Yes, tea, and that’s all we are. Everyone has to take an exam, but we are not preparing well. And it’s no wonder that we are not suitable for the Mining Institute. And this failure of ours will be worse than Mitenkin’s. Let the beauties first prove that having entertainment is an urgent law: then it will follow that since they do not have entertainment at home, they must look for it outside the home. - Order them to write a discussion about this. - The Christian law is not to have entertainment, but how will it turn out to have entertainment? I liked living alone so much that I wouldn’t even want to change what I started. However, the time will come. It's already winter here and suddenly... Is this good? The church was painted very well, they say. I should sneak a peek sometime. The Tambov Bishop was going to his dacha after the all-night vigil. The robbers stopped him and charged him 25 rubles for the pass. - The dacha is in sight of the city... about a mile and a half... O. Ivan and A.N. - blessing. 51. Advice to girls: it’s not a good idea to start a party. Advice to girls: it’s not a matter of having parties and round dances and being stupid. The holidays are approaching. I congratulate you on them. Rejoice and sing glory to our God. And order the beauties to serve a grateful prayer service every Sunday, that I am not the bishop there in Vladimir. If I had been there, they would have sat in my tower - on bread and water for one desire - to start parties and round dances - and be stupid. - What would have happened if that was the case? - there would be no measure for penance 6. “You see how strict they are, but they probably don’t even listen.” Help you, Lord, to get them off your hands as quickly as possible. Because it seems that there is no other way to get rid of the hassle behind them. What about Fr. Vanya had a son - he’s glad; but that the son is lethargic is sad. But maybe he will recover and get fat. I sincerely wish the Greatest Lord to recover completely. The venerable Jacob completely forgot Vysha. - Isn’t it a sin? - I ask for prayers. Congratulate them on their holiday from me. 52. Congratulations on your post. Instructions and blessings for mutual friends Congratulations on your post. Instructions and blessings for mutual friends. About the princess's illness. You congratulated me on Christmastide, and I congratulate you on your fast... And it’s not that it was out of laziness... but that’s how the matter was concocted. I don't know what's going on. Weakness often attacks and I lie down. Maybe this is because in general it’s not all about youth. But, it would seem, it would be possible to cheer up. The Reverend Jacob wrote that your philosopher wanted to amuse the public with discussions about spiritualism. That would be a good thing. But why did he want to stop at witches? Let him take on the devilry straight away. This will be more accurate. – The idea failed precisely because the wrong point was chosen. God bless you and all yours. Oh, beautiful young ladies, be quiet. - Don’t break your head. “And then you’ll groan for the rest of your life.” Here is a post - peace from all the troubles! - Church - yes at home. Church - yes at home. What about. Vanya is sick, I’m very sorry. Give them my regards and good wishes so that their little one may live, although not entirely healthy. They write from Moscow that Alyosha is marrying some merchant’s daughter. “If it happened, maybe that’s good.” Have you heard about the princess’s illness? - A blow to the brain. She walks and understands everything that is said and what is done around her. But he cannot express his thoughts and desires. The tongue pronounces not knowing what words at all. “When she needs something, she either knows it or uses words to make it known. As if no one understands anything, he will wave his hand and cry. “They say you can’t look at her without tears.” 53. The princess has a stroke: she is motionless and mute - this is a real shutter. About girls The princess has a stroke: she is motionless and mute - this is a real shutter. About girls. Thank you for your well wishes. – May the Lord always grant you bright days. You're all driving around. You will be healthier. God help you. Have you been to Moscow, seen the princess, and how did you find her? Did they understand something about her condition? Neither the tongue utters nor the hand write what she wants. What a miracle! And she understands everything. Here's the shutter. - Whether you like it or not, sit alone with yourself... and with the Lord. Ek. D. has his heart set on beauties. - Well, really, there’s nothing to do. Give up and so be it. - Remember the fairy tale about the ducklings that the hen hatched... They saw the water - and went there - but the poor thing was killing herself on the shore. - Here are yours - they rush into the pool. And let them; maybe they won’t drown; and they will drown, who is to blame?! May you all be healthy and cheerful. Congratulations - I wish you bright joys. Congratulate the rulers too - on that day. However, I wrote most of it myself. O. Congratulate Vanya - and Al. Neither... God bless you all. 54. Gratitude for visiting the princess. About loss of property Thanks for visiting the princess. About complacently enduring the loss of property. Thank you for your congratulations. Accept mine too... May the Lord reward you with every good thing. Thank you for visiting the princess. What to do. Caught in a vice. The doctor says that the water somehow remains in the head and interferes with the functioning of the limbs. If you manage to get the water out, he will speak again. God willing. Otherwise, be the will of the Lord. What is it that these fellows have created with you?! - That's progress! “Soon we will have the same thing as in Paris.” You see, you can’t even show your nose... and despite the fact that there are a lot of different kinds of police there, the good guys still manage to slip away and do their deeds properly. In Kyiv, in the old years, in the Lavra, an old man was robbed and grieved. The old man was not a bad man. An angel of the Lord appeared to him and said: if only you had endured it graciously and said: be it the will of the Lord, then the Lord would have accepted everything you have lost as alms. – Manage to fit into this program. My health is a glory to God. Cold and cold. - It's time for some warmth. Now there is a little sunshine. Otherwise, everyone was drowning... And we even wear warm clothes. 55. About the wedding; about the war. General Blessings What to do if the wedding has to be postponed until an indefinite time? They are preparing for war, but there may not be a war yet. They are now discussing whether it is possible to settle the matter without war. If they find a way to settle it, there will be no war. But even if it does happen, there is nothing to grieve about. Not everyone gets beaten in war. Let's hope that the groom will return alive and well. Even if he is injured; but in orders and, perhaps, as a general. So, congratulate the bride - the future general's wife. And it will dry her tears, if there are any. Here's your joy, your nieces have succeeded... very likely they will succeed... and all their lives they will gratefully remember your efforts for their sake. Bless them, Lord. Ek. D. bless, Lord, to be more secluded. The sweetest and most peaceful life! O. Mitrofan wrote... but he harbors the hope that he will be transferred to Pereslavl... and as if the bishop agrees to this. May God help him get settled... He is a very kind and smart person. Infirmities?! - What to do? O. John with Al. Nick. and the child is God's blessing. My ardent bow to Mother Abbess. Happy holidays... Tomorrow they have Alexander Nevsky. Is that Mitrofan - who is in the Pokrov-Vvedenskaya Hermitage - still alive? - I don’t hear anything about the sudari. 56. A new church has been painted in the monastery. Gratitude for the news about the princess I am glad that all your affairs are not going badly and you know how to manage them without loud groans and groans. I thank you for the news about the princess and more for being with her. She probably appreciates all the attention! Her concepts are intact, but her tongue does not obey. Doctors say that some kind of water remains in the head and prevents the soul from mastering the organs of speech. When they have time to get rid of the water, he will start talking again - and everything will go as before. V.T. is a real hard worker. Strengthen her, Lord, to reach the end. Everything is fine with us. The new church has been painted. They are washing and grooming, preparing for the start of the service. Maybe it will be the first one on St. Petersburg Day. But Bishop Vyshinsky will not serve. I know this for sure. Are you going to Voronezh? Bless, Lord. When my quarantine ends and I go somewhere. When you are at Above, you can talk with the quarantine person as much as you like, just on paper. Our ardent bow to the rulers. O. Vanya with A.N. - blessing. Evdokim is not here. The other one is now Evlampius, but remember him by his name. - This parable means the tonsure of Evdokim. 57. The cold, new church is good, and the construction of the warm one is progressing The church is cold, new, and good, and the construction of the warm one is progressing. General blessings and instructions. Thank you for your letter... we forcibly remembered. Now, probably, the restless A.D. has also returned. And my greetings and good wishes to her. - What to do? - Let him bother. With God these are not empty works. - Nikola will find his place where God destined him to live and be saved. - I didn’t finish my studies: well, I’ll study for a whole century. A.D. didn’t want to get to Vysha... but I was about to give in... and was already thinking of somehow managing to see the pilgrims if they came. So I didn’t have to. The cold church has been painted and renovated... How beautiful! - And the new warm one is moving. Now they will take you outside the window... they will lay out the windows... Big ones... I am very glad that the bishops are healthy. Please convey my best wishes to them. It’s impossible not to notice that the Most Reverend Jacob doesn’t write... but I excused him by saying that he was on his honeymoon after “Anna.” I’m just amazed that this month is dragging on so long. - Report this thought to my lord and elder. O. Vanya with A.N. - God's blessing. The Moscow bailiff - Alyosha - married a merchant's daughter... and feels happy. It's cold here too. That's what it's all about. On the 29th our Lord will be with us... God bless you all. 58. Wedding blessing. Worrying about getting girls settled is not a bad thing So what do you have?! Wedding. God bless you, God bless you! I wish this with all my heart; There are no beauties on hand for the blessing. I ask you to accept the earnest blessing of the Lord, Whom I pray may He prosper in the accomplishment of this matter. Well, you've exhausted yourself! But this is not a bad thing. The Lord sees selfless goodwill, which is more pleasing to Him than any material sacrifice. Help you, Lord, to continue doing things in the same way, for the salvation of your soul and eternal peace with the Lord. Once you get everyone settled, then you can retire. My health is good. And everything is fine with me - thank God! - It’s both calm and not boring. Books, yes books. These are sweets. What about. Vanya and his family are healthy and happy. It's time for them to recover. My best wishes to the lords. The cold weather is coming. We are already sinking; But the blockage will still have to wait, I think. We'll still have time. It will get stuffy. What is Mitrofan, alive or not? We haven't heard anything about him for a long time. It’s as if our Bishop of Tambov is being transferred to Tver. A rumor, but perhaps true. The neighbors have arrived. Weirdos! Summer is abroad, and winter is at home. 59. This year seems to bring war. Don't be shy What will the new year bring to us? - The past took our good rulers - and you have an archpriest. And the current one, it seems, will give war. Maybe not; but more directly – war. There's really nothing to do - you just have to stretch. – Tomorrow, I think, the post office will bring us a decision... God willing! It is very comforting that your efforts about Nikolushka are beginning to bear fruit. - Let him, God, get on the road... so that later he can drag on throughout his life without being bored or fruitless. Your bride is in danger of becoming a widow before marriage, but let her be inspired by hope. The groom may not return, or he may turn back as a general... So, don’t be timid, future general’s wife. And so that it sticks in her head better, you call her Your Excellency. Let them start a correspondence... that’s another consolation. Ek. D. wanted to take a ride to Murom. I think that this will not be bad - just let him not listen to the talk there, but rather pray to God. Otherwise, instead of resting, you will only become more exhausted. Is it you yourself who expects that Vladyka will be sent to the diocese for nothing more - or is there a rumor?! It's time... But whether now or tomorrow, it will happen. Yesterday your gifts were brought to me from the village. Thank you. I sent you one book. The Most Holy Jacob will give you... one - they didn’t send many themselves. 60. Rumors about dropsy are false; as we get older, everyone gets a little heavier How much I owe you - and there is no account. I’ll tell you about your friend Vyshensky: a lost man! – Poor man. The whole thing was blown apart... Oh, dropsy. – And the archimandrite has hung his nose... We have to break the lintels: it doesn’t fit through the door... Where did this news come to you from? - It was cooked up in Tambov. I wrote to Yu.N. that my compassion is growing. She imagined that it was dropsy - and began to sound the alarm. The Most Reverend Tambovsky has prepared the room and writes to go; Naryshkins too; V. Al. too... and everyone shouts: hurry, hurry, otherwise the dropsy will suffocate you, and you’ll choke to death. No matter how much I explain to them that all this is empty anxiety, they do not calm down. As they get older, everyone gets a little grouchy. Here I am too, so as not to lag behind others. And the law tells me to register as an old man: I’m in my seventh decade. So there is nothing to worry about. The princess moved to St. Petersburg to live with her sister, the head of the Mariinsky Orphan Institute, M.S.O., Excellent. The princess lives in a special apartment; but the supervision of her and all the troubles are on the sister. V.T. is there now too. Easter is just around the corner. Congratulations in advance - congratulate you from me and everyone you know. Bow to the rulers - and holiday well wishes with congratulations. O. Vanya God's blessing. 61. Tell the beauty that things aren’t going well for her, that she didn’t listen to her aunts Tell the beauty that things aren’t going well for her, that she didn’t listen to her aunts. General blessings. What a woe to you with these beauties. - Well, God will give relief. She was like that. And tell this one that then everything didn’t go well, that she didn’t listen to her aunts and annoyed them. For consolation and teaching, add that if he repents, God will help and the groom will return in good health and rank. The general will be Your Excellency... It was all empty talk... He began to grumble like an old man... living in his seventh decade. The Most Holy Bishop Jacob will deliver you the book “Philokalia.” This one, I think, will be more suitable for you than all the previous ones. War. Will she bring us something? If outsiders do not intervene, the Turks are easy to defeat. But others will catch on, it will be difficult. Whatever God gives will happen. Bless you, Lord, with every blessing. What should the Murom abbess do? - Let him take courage, the Lord is an accomplice to just causes. And those who fight will work and work and give up. The good fortune of the ruler is on her side. O. Vanya with Al. N. God's blessing. Bow to Mother Abbess. 62. About coming to Vysha: it’s inconvenient to see you. A demon came to the princess About coming to Vysha: it’s inconvenient to see you. A demon came to the princess and confused her. Welcome! May God bless you to pray more earnestly. I thought and thought, but never got around to seeing you in person. Doesn't fit. We must be patient. Please be content with what is included here. – What about. Vanya?! Was he any better when you left? Yesterday I received a letter from V.T. That's what happened to the princess! There was a storm there. The princess began to worry. Then she shouted: here she is - and began to cross herself, saying: forgive me, Lord! – several times. But she hadn’t spoken for a long time, she just seethed. “Then she lay down and began to writhe. After the writhing - unconsciousness... So, tea, a day has passed. Then she got up and started walking. My sister has arrived. She clearly told her: a demon came to me and said: leave Christ, you see, He is not helping you. - She: I won’t leave, get out. “Then a pretty angel appeared and drove away the demon. “Write down,” he says to his sister, “this... And then again the speech disappeared, while it was still seething.” - Wonderful! 63. All sorrows will work out for the better. General blessings. The regrets you encountered, of course, are regrettable, but you must believe that this whole thing will work out for the better. Believe this and calm down. But you can’t change what’s flowing. It’s better this way - and let it flow where it flows. O. Vanya is without a lung. It's a shame. But you can live hundreds of years with just one lung. You just need to keep a strict diet. - Did the healers heal the rot and stop the rot? If yes, then just be careful and it will live. Help him, Lord. Abbess of Murom and I’m sorry. Why is the poor woman suffering? But the Reverend Jacob wrote that the treasurer had been replaced. If they change, we must expect that the storms will subside. Grant her, Lord, to finally find peace. Everything is fine with us. The Church grows before my eyes and serves as the subject of my observations and entertainment. But there will still be a lot left. War occupies us all. We are waiting and can't wait to hear news. How bitter it can be when there is some kind of failure. But when there is success, there is triumph. The monks go on and on and on, talking about how many Turks have been beaten. And when our people are beaten... They keep their heads down and walk in silence. My deepest bow to the rulers. To you - sisters and bride - God's blessing... May everything be for your consolation. 64. Blessing for a trip to St. Petersburg. Instruction Blessing for a trip to St. Petersburg. Instruction: those whom the Lord beats are His beloved sons and daughters. To St. Petersburg! – Isn’t it better to leave the pursuit of suitors until the end of the war? Who cares about weddings now? - Everyone is busy with war. – But once you’ve decided, try it. Maybe. Just keep your ears sharp. If you have friends there, then through them find out more about the fellows. There are such crooks there that they can get in one ear and out the other - and you won’t even notice. “The faces there are unreliable... oh, unreliable!” Abbess of Murom - let her rejoice that the Lord has sought her out with His mercy. The Apostle says that those whom the Lord beats are His beloved sons and daughters, and those whom He does not beat are stepsons and stepdaughters. Just let him endure complacently and calmly wait for the end, praying to the Lord to give him the strength to endure everything and thanking Him for this very thing that He sends, what to endure... For in patience lies salvation. You will be in St. Petersburg and visit the princess. Fell down. There V.T. follows her. Pathetic - pathetic princess. He doesn’t recognize anyone and doesn’t say anything. But a wonderful thing happened to her. She lay for two days - before her current state - almost unconscious. Then I woke up and walked around. My sister arrived, and she clearly told her everything that she had seen... how the demon came and turned her away from Christ the Savior, and how an angel came and drove him away. Having told this in intelligible speech, she again began to seethe inaudibly. - It was a long time ago. And now, I hear, it’s lying around. Visit the Lavra. After all, St. Alexander Nevsky is your Vladimirsky. The nunnery is far away there. But Nevsky Prospekt is always there. There is something to amuse the eyes. It's a pity o. Vanya. But what to do? I wrote to him to keep a strict diet. If he is careful, he will creak. Our ardent bow to the rulers. – The Most Holy Jacob has not written for a long time. What happened? He's probably not afraid of Vyshenskaya's penance?! 65. And in St. Petersburg there are holy people: they go to church and pray to God And there are holy people in St. Petersburg: they slowly go to church and pray to God. General blessings. Ours went wild. Some to St. Petersburg, some to Moscow. - Give way! Bless, Lord. - Stayed too long: take a walk. People to see and show themselves. Peter! Oh Peter. Vladimir Produvnoy is Piterov’s grandfather. But granddaughters with progress! – But there are also very holy people there! - Only no one sees them... Little by little they go to church and pray to God, and at home they hum under their breath. Bow down for me too. to the faithful Grand Duke Alexander Nevsky. E.D. will be calmer and warmer in Moscow. “It’s such a freedom to pray here.” Everywhere you look there are shrines. The princess's apartment in St. Petersburg is this: On the sands 7th street, house number 5, apartment 3. There V.T. was exhausted, poor thing! “The princess has completely collapsed.” He doesn't say anything. The other day it seemed to feel better. The beauty refused her groom... and is a coward. In St. Petersburg, that’s how everyone will point out... Which one refused?!.. This one?! A? - What is this? out there!.. And her legs will break. So she rewarded me. Or is she not timid?! If he's not timid... everything will turn out well. Give her, Lord, happiness. O. God forbid Vanya can pull it off a little. Let him abstain in every possible way and let it pass. To the lords, earnest bow and full of good wishes. 66. Rest, O Lord, the newly departed. About sawing wood May the newly departed one rest in peace, O Lord: some sins have been erased by the last sufferings. About sawing out of wood. Two letters, one after the other. The first is more fun than the second. “But what was written about was already expected any day now.” I am very grateful to you for this news. Those ladies are silent. One is getting ready to go home, and the other is busy. May the newly departed one rest in peace, Lord. “She was kind and a sincere believer. Some of the knitting needles were worn out by the last suffering. Save her, Lord, and have mercy. I wish you complete success in everything. God bless you. I also wish you to joyfully celebrate the holiday of Christmas and diligently glorify Christ. My health is fine. But now - suddenly - my lower back or sacrum hurts, and I can’t move. This story repeats itself every year. And soon it passes. You offered your readiness to carry out any instructions. There is one thing - and I humbly ask for it. There are designs for wood carving. I asked for the Tambovskys, they sent it. But not those. I asked for more and they sent more - but they were all wrong. I wrote to Moscow to the people of Athos. They sent them too, but they were all wrong. “Please take the trouble to look; Maybe you'll find it. There are designs for sawing and there are designs for carving. – They are similar in objects, but different in image. In the first, the figures are printed entirely in black paint; and the second ones are so shaded, like prints on wood... - but I’d better attach a sample: among those sent by the Athonite people, I accidentally came across one half-leaf with these drawings. The Germans call these carving designs: for Holtzschnitsarbeiten. that is, drawings for wood cutting work. And for cutting, their drawings are called: segearbeiten or laubzgearbeiten. These are not needed. I have a lot of them. And the only thing there is for carving is this half-leaf. There on Gorokhovaya there is some kind of German shop where all this is available: Gronmeyer, between the Kamenny and Krasny bridges, no. 20. Here is a sample example. There are photo frames and miscellaneous things. Make your own choice, but don’t forget – the drawings are for Holtzschnitsarbeiten, not for zegearbeiten. P.S. Please return the sample. 67. Gratitude for the sent drawings for sawing wood Thanks for sending drawings for sawing out of wood. General blessings. I congratulate you on the past holidays and happy new year. I wish you all the good that your soul desires. The drawings you bought are exactly the kind you required - and very good. Thank you very much. One thing I regret is that there were few of them and they were all one item... frames and frames. But you can cook something up from them yourself. Thank you for the information about the death of the princess. They both slowed down. - Well, the sufferer calmed down. - Let him rest now. It's been hard for her lately. Ek. D. Thank you for your congratulations and well wishes. Save, Lord; I wish her a peaceful stay with the Lord. I am sending you a book: an interpretation of Psalm 119. I don’t send to others because I haven’t sent much myself. Only sent to the rulers. - And oh. I don’t send it to Vanya for this reason. I wish the bride a handsome groom. God bless her. I send blessings to Varya too. I am writing to the Most Consecrated Jacob with the next post. Bow to everyone you know. Pray to God for me, a sinner. 68. Easter is at the door. About the war Easter is at the door: before you rejoice at the Resurrection of Christ, weep over the shroud. About the war. How much do I owe you? - and there is no account. And if you count interest and take interest on interest, then your head will become clouded. Guilty. But this does not mean that I have forgotten you... I remember you every time in prayer, remembering your kind disposition towards me. Here is the post on the aisle and St. Easter is at the door. We prayed, fasted, received Holy Communion; All that remains is to rejoice at the bright Resurrection of Christ. Grant us, Lord, this pure and bright joy. But first, weep over the shroud, as befits all those who recognize themselves as sinners and, therefore, responsible for the death of the Lord. Afraid of a new war! - It’s like they’re bullying something. But it may not come to war. England alone cannot do anything. Austria has calmed down. The Turks, they say, realized that if they united with England, it would be worse for them, whether they had time to defeat us or not. If they succeed, the British will ride them. And if they don’t have time, we’ll take volumes of something else in addition to the present one, and as if not populating Constantinople itself. So, they say, they recoiled from England. Consequently, this dirty little thing will become hesitant and hesitant - and sit on the same thing. Even though it's war. Now we have many benefits on our side. New army from the Bulgarians. And it will be good for them: if they train, they will fire at them. But the best thing for us is God’s will. Ek. D. wants to do something? - nothing. Plenty of everything. - Are there any airs that are small? My health is a glory to God. And everything else is going well for us. 69. About my writing work. General Blessings I haven't written to you for a long time. Guilty. I was busy... I was in a hurry to finish one thing, but it still wasn’t finished. “I finished, but I still need to walk around him.” But this is not great... The job done took almost a stack of paper... Now, that's right, yours are all assembled. I wish you all every consolation and joy, and above all health. Well, here you go, Nastya! The groom became a general, but she rejected him. - And now remain a corporal. You will have, I believe and very much wish, the Most Reverend Jacob. I congratulate you and the entire diocese on this. I’ll send you some newly published books soon... Now they won’t have time to sew them up. Then together, the rulers and everyone. O. Vanya, A.N. and the heir - God's blessing. 70. About the death of the abbess; about the new Lord So this is some big news. Either the abbess has gone to the Lord, or they want to take the Bishop from you. May God rest Mother Mary. She was a saint. He will pray for us. Writing to Vladyka, I mentioned that it would be nice to have the Murom translation translated. I mentioned it in passing, but without knowing what’s in your monastery, I can’t say that it would have been nicer. Maybe the abbess had her way here too. Well, how do they know! What is this, isn’t it as true as the rumors say? It will be difficult for the Reverend Jacob to remain here as a vicar. Deliver him, Lord, from this mountain on his shoulders. Moving to Kostroma may also be a little boring, but it’s not like that. May the Lord arrange this matter so that it does not hurt him. I am sending books to the Reverends. There for you too. I ask you to accept and pray for the writer, so that God will not severely punish him for teaching others that he is of no use to himself. The book - letters - may be easier to read. It is designed in such a way as to entice readers. To you and Ek. D. all my best wishes - and congratulations on the holidays. Grant you, Lord, all the best. Happy holidays: Merry Christmas and New Year. Congratulate Fr. Vanya with Al. N. and their brainchild. 71. Congratulations on the new Lord. Instruction Congratulations on the new Lord. Instructions on how best to console the niece of the deceased abbess. I congratulate you both on the past holiday and on the coming new year. Grant, Lord, that it may be more peaceful for you than the past. You already have a new Lord. Congratulations. Did Vladimir like him? – And is the most holy Jacob happy or grieving? It is impossible not to grieve him. Hopes were raised; and then they were torn apart. No matter what happens, it’s sad. If they didn’t want to, well, they wouldn’t raise hopes. And that's what they made. I'm very sorry. Grant, Lord, complacency to the deceived Master. But I believe he will have the strength to withstand this test. Help him, Lord. The niece of the late mother abbess wrote that she was grieving. It’s impossible without this. Comfort her; but don’t take her to your place, and then go to her monastery. - If you take it to yourself, it will dissipate; the world is still very kind to her; and she probably looks at him touchingly. So that he doesn’t lure her, let her sit at home and know only the church and her cell. When he gets old, he might go out somewhere. O. Vanya with Al. N. bow and blessing. Grant them, Lord, happiness as much as they deserve and know how to use it. 72. The new abbess must submit to the determination of the authorities. About the lords Have you truly spoken and received the Holy Mysteries of Christ? Congratulations. Grant, Lord, for salvation. The future Vladimir abbess wrote that it was undesirable for her to be abbess. I answered her, urging her to submit to the authority's determination. But why would he send confirmation from St. Petersburg? Once you've decided, why bother with confirmation? Is it the Synod's statement? Well, there is nothing to doubt about this when the Lord himself wants it. So, we can congratulate you. - Please be comforted. - Make sure she doesn’t offend the beautiful Alexandra. That the rulers do not look at each other the way lovers do is true because they have not yet fallen in love with each other. However, no matter what, the Most Reverend Jacob will have enough tact to treat the Greatest Lord in such a way that peace and harmony are not disturbed. Grant them, Lord, this. Save yourself - and pray to God for me. O. Vanya and his family are a blessing from God. 73. Gratitude for birthday greetings and gifts. The eye goes blind Gratitude for the birthday greetings and gifts. From name day to name day we are always in a hurry to get to the end. The eye goes blind. Thank you for your birthday greetings and well wishes. I congratulate you on the end of Lent and on the Annunciation - and I wish you to finish Lent in health and salvation. I received the parcel. Thank you. I also thank Mother Abbess. Both packages are very good and useful. From name day to name day we are always in a hurry to get to the end. And nothing can change this course of affairs. My soul, what are you writing off? The end is approaching. Oh, oh, oh! How cowardly you are when the urge comes. My health is fine. The eye is already an inveterate thing. At the very least, there is a benefit that from the looks of it it would never occur to anyone that he doesn’t see. Just like a healthy one. Bow to the Lords and full of good wishes. Nastenka missed the general. Now who to wait? Count, prince? – doesn’t she see a cell ahead of her?! Let him not let her out of his sight. Or would you become a nurse?! All good wishes to Mother Abbess. O. Vanya with Al. N. and Nikol. God's blessing. 74. General blessings and instructions. Playful threats to the rulers General blessings and instructions. Playful threats to the rulers. and the protection of the Mother of God is upon you! Congratulations on your safe return home, and now on your pilgrimage. Both parcels have been received. Thank you for everything you sent. I forgot that my fur coat needs repairs. It's good that you guessed it. Now it’s already repaired and I’m showing off: because it’s cold here. I'm sorry Nastya hurt herself. “But let him learn to be humble, to listen to his husband, and not to show off.” May she, Lord, get well soon. It's time for you to rest now. A church or a hut, or even at home, you can pray to your heart’s content. My health is absolutely fine. And that’s what the eye was like. I had a little time - and for a long time I did not get ready to answer the blessed Jacob. Answered last mail. “And I write that if the rulers of Vladimir do as they told you, then Vysha will thank you, and if they don’t, then they will pout. – See that this threat doesn’t cause an earthquake! – So I’m warning you so that you keep this in mind. Bow to the bishops - and Mother Superior (I will thank her for what she sent) - and Fr. Vanya with Al. N. and Nikolush. 75. Congratulations on your safe return from the Caucasus Congratulations on your safe return from the Caucasus. About treatment with skim milk. Congratulations on your safe return from the Caucasus. The trip there will be good for everyone involved. I wish Nastenka to safely give birth to a hero whose voice would shake all the mountains of the Caucasus. You drank water, and I drank milk. A whole six weeks. Skim milk, and besides that, nothing - not even tea... The first day of drinking - two glasses a day, and at the end - 16. - The first week is lean, and then nothing. In the end, I thought I would become a barrel. No, I haven't gotten fat. But I feel strong. The doctor ordered me to drink milk because of some obesity. I send letters to the rulers in St. Petersburg. – There are 5 copies for your share. Give your regards to Fr. Ivan and his family. 76 About the trip to Tambov. The package sent was a little damaged About the trip to Tambov: the right eye is not ripe for surgery, and the left one is cloudy. The package sent was a little damaged, but this was not due to the thaw, but due to disobedience. Thank you for your congratulations and well wishes. It’s too late for me to mutually congratulate you, tea. It’s better to wish you everything comforting. God bless you! My trip to Tambov provided evidence that my right eye was not yet ripe for surgery, and my left eye had just begun to become cloudy. Therefore, you can still spend your time without worrying. “But that the operation can be done is a comforting addition: because in Moscow then they said that the operation cannot be done, and blindness threatens.” – Even though the operation is painful, there is still something to endure: the vision will continue. This is still a year or two away. Ek. D. I wish to be cured of my headache. I wish Nastenka to gather her strength for a successful resolution. I wish you many strength so that you can come to the aid of everyone - and actively help. - I received your parcel. Thank you... It’s a little like she’s not the one... but this is not because of the thaw, but because of disobedience. I also thank Mother Abbess. God bless you all. O. Ivan and Al. Nick. and Nikolushka... bow. I am writing to the Bishop... and he will bow to you. 77. Congratulations on Easter. About health; about books I wish you all bright joys from the Lord for the sake of His Resurrection. I wish you much health, so that you have something to work in the work of God. My health is something... in general, but my eye is already obvious. It no longer serves. I'll have to run to Moscow... so as not to miss the deadline. But I think... it’s already autumn. Where did you get your granddaughter from when you have no children?! Elena is beautiful?! - and where is she looking - to the monastery or to the world, in order to captivate him and become a prisoner herself? Give her, Lord, intelligence and understanding, so that she does not forget that you live and live and die... and what happens there?! - Yes, it won’t be: alas! I send books to the Bishop. There and to your share. If you want, read it. At the shrine of St. of the relics of the blessed princes, I ask you to remember my sinfulness and many sins. 78. General blessings and instructions Thank you for your congratulations on this bright holiday. I congratulate you and I wish you all the joys from the Lord, both earthly and heavenly. Your guests have probably all left. I send them back my good wishes. Now you are probably welcoming spring. May God grant you the joy of her health. And she showed up to us. I make it under her visor from the balcony. But I think spring itself will pay its respects to my balcony. Something Evlampius didn’t pile up there! So now he's digging. About Fr. Mitrofane heard. It's a pity, I'm so sorry. A smart head - it disappears even for a sniff of tobacco... But everything is an enemy, everything is an enemy! To Mother Abbess - congratulations, bows, and blessings. The Most Reverend Jacob will now be healthy. Bogolyubov will not let him sit too long. O. God bless Ivan, and with Al. N. and with Nikolushka. Save you, Lord, everyone... All of Vladimir - with all its inhabitants, young and old. You are waiting for Bogolyubskaya, but our Kazanskaya has gone to Tambov. 79. God help you in troubles with children, good memories will remain God help you in your troubles with children, good memories will remain. Everyone is dying, whose turn is it now? Thank you for the memory. Forgive me for God’s sake that I don’t answer quickly and always. It’s all laziness – otherwise things just go wrong. What the blessed Jacob told you is true. – And the other eye is weakening. But maybe he will last another year, two or three, and then it’s time to retire. You are all busy with your children. God help; not a bad thing. The good memory will remain. Do you see everyone dying? The Most Reverend Ignatius of Kostroma died, the Most Reverend Theodosius of Vologda died, Paisiy Abbot (do you know him? He is from Sarov) died. Whose turn is it now? When it would be possible to hide behind the door, when death passes... perhaps it would pass - but it has no doors. It goes through all the constipations and takes its toll. Be the will of God. My other health is fine. I wish the same for you from the bottom of my heart. Please convey my regards to Father Vanya and Al. N. and Nikolushka. I keep planning and can’t get around to writing. 80. Take a turn from old to young. General good wishes Make a turn from old age to youth: be young in spirit, and your body will follow suit. General good wishes. Thank you for your congratulations and well wishes. I am sending you both – an extravagant offering. Always be healthy and cheerful... and overcome the infirmities of old age with the vigor of a spirit that always rejuvenates. And what you are planning to wither away, Vysha does not want to approve of this, but, on the contrary, invites you to make a turn from old age to youth - become young in spirit... your body will follow suit. I offer my sincere gratitude to the Most Reverend Theognostus for his good wishes. I wish him all the comfort - and for his attention to Fr. Vanya is very grateful to him. My health is good, but my eyes are fading. There is hope that I will be blind. So prepare your congratulatory speeches. - However, this pleasure will not come soon. 81. Holiday greetings and blessings. The eye goes blind; old age Thank you for congratulating me on my name day and your best wishes for me on this occasion. Save me, Lord! Congratulations on the end of Lent - on Holy Passion Week and on the upcoming Easter. I ask you to say this to yourself and on my behalf at the hour of general congratulations to everyone on this triumph and on this Christian joy. I'm healthy. I sincerely wish the same for you. And the eye takes its course. Just about now you will need a guide... Thank God that you won’t have to sing Lazarus. I always remember you for your service. Don’t forget, too, as a little worshiper, to do something to propitiate the Lord about me, a great sinner. I'm approaching my 70th year. It seems I've already become an old man. It seems to me that I am still in my prime. Congratulate Vladyka from me on this bright holiday. And Mother Abbess... Tell Father Ivan that I thank him for his congratulations and that I will fulfill what I promised. I won't get around to being lazy for the sake of it. 82. Don't be angry at non-response. The Gospel Story was printed Don't get angry at the lack of response. About health: the eye goes blind. The “Gospel History” was printed. I strongly feel how guilty I am to you for my lack of response. But for God's sake, don't think that I have forgotten you. I always remember and remember. And I am very grateful to you that, despite my great malfunction, you wrote to me. Very comforted. I interpret this to mean that, although you wince, you are not completely angry. My health is quite good. And the eyes, in their own way, set out on emancipation: they don’t want to know anyone. One completely refused to serve. The other is still serving; but, apparently, this one is looking into the same forest. Maybe it will last for a year. The “Gospel History” was printed. Alyosha will send Fr. Ivan, and Fr. Ivan will deliver one copy to you. Maybe you'd like to go for a run. I wish you all the best. An. Al. I remember. 83. Gratitude for memories and gifts. About health I would like to thank you for your congratulations and well wishes. Save me, Lord. I think that you have now completely recovered from the injury. Grant you, Lord, to always be healthy. V. Al. I wrote to you the truth that the other eye began to darken. There is no cure for this. There is an operation, but it is very scary... and I refuse this blessing from the doctors. I will have to be a little blind, as long as the Lord wills to prolong the days of my life. I'm already over seventy. I received what you sent. Thank you. Your warm boots turned out to be the most comfortable: they don’t rattle and are spacious, and I wear them and not others. May your brother rest, O Lord! I am grateful to Vladyka for the memory. I ask him to pray for the extension of my vision, at least in one corner of the pupil. Ek. D. bow and full of goodwill. The same goes for everyone who is now with you. 84. Gratitude for what was sent. About homeopathy treatment I am grateful for the sweatshirt... If it is definitely among the counteractions to volatile rheumatism, then it is suitable for me; because the left hand sometimes suffers from this... I immediately warmed it up, put it on and showed off. We'll see if there is healing. I really regret that Ek. D. was so hurt. Against bruises... the most powerful medical remedy is arnica... Tincture of arnica... 20-30 drops per glass (or without measure... when the water turns a little yellow... and that's enough)... But you can do more, and soak it... continuously... as soon as the rag dries, moisten it again... And the swelling will go away, and the aches or pain... and everything will get better. Try it, and take homeopathic arnica drops inside, three times a day... three drops. I'm very sorry. Grant her, Lord, to recover. I don't need anything. And when you need something, I’ll buzz your ears. God bless you for your good wishes. J. must have had a thorn in his side. But cataracts are not removed, but the lens is cut out... This is a terrible operation... The eyeball is cut in half... and the lens is cut out. The lens is shaped like a burning glass. It lies where the pupil is, in the middle... When they push him out, they give him glasses instead... It's scary. I won't have surgery. Did you hear? - Doctor Baron Vrevsky appeared in S.P.B. [St. Petersburg]. All diseases are cured with water. I asked a friend of mine... to talk to the baron and give me some of my healing water... Eh!... Who are they? There is no one besides you... Only the rulers... and that casual acquaintance... 85. About treatment with homeopathy. General Blessings About treatment with homeopathy. General blessings. Thank you for remembering me. But I don’t forget you either, I’m just too lazy to write. Don't be mad at me for this. You all hurt, and both of you... What to do? Now we need it. This is the order of our life. Ek. D. have you tried the arnica tincture lotion? I happened to read in a homeopathic medicine book that such a lotion is miraculously good against bruises. Although this is written for starters, I think that it can always be useful. I once treated Ek. Dm. arnica... gave her drops without diluting them in water. I think she remembers how much it got her... For a glass of water you need a teaspoon of tincture or more. I do this... pour in the tincture until the water turns a little yellow. Then wet the rags and place them on the injured area. When it dries, wet it again, etc. I have aching legs. The left one especially suffers... Sometimes at night - you don’t know how to put it down. But this is a wasteland - you get up, go away and nothing happens. You were going to your homeland... You didn’t have to. You can find your homeland everywhere... May the Lord comfort you. What did you write about the family of Fr. Ivana, it’s very difficult. And what kind of miracle happened there... Everything was going well... and suddenly... Please don't leave them... arrange some time to see them. They will feel ashamed and settle down. - I'll write to them. Thank you for your notice. And someone else wrote - not from Vladimir, but... My health is fine. Only the eyes. But one is still doing good. And then thank God. On occasion, bow to the bishops and the rector of the seminary. And to anyone else, if anyone remains known. 20 – more than a few years have passed. 86. Congratulations on Trinity. He who walks before God is always in the church Congratulations on Trinity. In illness, say: “In our humility the Lord remembered us.” That we haven’t been to church for a long time: whoever walks with God is always in church. You congratulated me on the bright Resurrection of Christ. And having thanked you for this, I have to congratulate you on the descent of the Holy Spirit and Trinity Day. May the Lord grant you to be renewed on this day by the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit and from it, as the Comforter Spirit, to be filled with spiritual consolations that would absorb all inconsolability and everyday ones, and not just mental and spiritual ones. You have all the diseases. As a consolation, accept the thought that this means that the Lord remembers you, and say to yourself: in our humility the Lord remembered us. You have already recovered. Be healthy from now on. Ek. D. hasn’t been to church for a year and a half. A bit boring. – But this is not an unrequited deprivation. God is everywhere; and sometimes outside of church it is closer to the heart than in church. This is according to how the heart lies towards Him. – In the books of the saints it is written that there is a certain walking in the presence of God, or with the memory of God present, not imaginatively, but really. He who walks like this is always in church. Wouldn't you like Ek. D. - engage in this activity. You can get used to this... And it’s not difficult... But what a paradise! May the Lord comfort and calm Nastya and grant her health. Bow and deep respect to the Bishop. Blessing to Mother Abbess and Priest John and his family. 87. About health. General good wishes I am guilty of your lazy answer. Thank you for not looking at this and continuing to console me with letters, informing me about yourself and about those there. I really regret that Ek. D. is still weak in his legs. Help her, Lord, to recover. – It’s definitely better to pray in church, but you can also pray at home. The Lord is everywhere. And he accepts our prayer everywhere, as long as we pray diligently, with faith and love and hope. And may the Lord give you strength and patience to work for all of yours for their good. Mother Abbess... May the Lord give her mental vision if he does not return her bodily one. “Kryukov looked at my eye and said that operations should not be performed on him - he would go blind. – This was said for the right eye, which now no longer serves. The left one is also limping. There was no doctor's verdict about him. When he stops serving, I’ll go to Moscow so they can examine him and decide. If he is the same as the right one, then he should not have surgery... And amen to vision. We are waiting for our Lord to come to us... on the 29th... And yours is visiting guests. “I would fly somewhere too, but my legs would be outweighed.” We're doing well! What a church it turned out to be!!! Wonder! The whole world should come and watch. And I forgot... God's blessing to Nastya and everyone who is now around her. 88. About health. Thanks for what you sent. General good wishes Although I have not written to you for a long time, I have never forgotten you. I owe almost the whole world my writings. Yes, it seems the time is approaching - to tidy up the ink device. “My other eye still works, but at the same time it lets you know that it may stop before it closes forever. I use the water of Vrevsky, Baron. She pleases the eyes. And if it doesn’t stop the blockage of the eye, then it seems to prevent the blockage from progressing, because it goes on very slowly. My other health is completely fine. Thank you for both the rug and the stockings. Stockings are already in use. I ordered them to be washed, and they are definitely soft... The rug serves. The eagle is clumsy because there is not enough space. It should be drawn with outstretched wings. Then its body would be small, but the whole design would acquire a special beauty. I don't need anything else. I'm still sitting at home. This winter I haven’t gone out onto the balcony. It's cold, it's cold! I am very sorry about Mother Aglaida, that she is an orphan. “Soon I too will enter the same rank as her, if the Lord still bears with my sins.” I congratulate you on both your new Bishop and your new rector. May they be a consolation to everyone. I’m very sorry for Kheraskov. I don't think he maliciously did anything disapproving. But God's will be for him. To all of you, and first of all to yourself, I wish you all the best and every consolation. 89. Bows to friends. There's no way to see each other Thank you very much for agreeing to take the books. So that you don’t forget who, I wrote it on a special piece of paper and will put it in this package. When you get home, please convey my sincere bow and full of good wishes to everyone you know. - First of all Ek. D. Then the old and new bishops, and then there is no one except the former rector, whom I really regret, and also Fr. Ivan... It seems there are no others left. As for your desire to see my person; then, with all my desire to do what pleases you, with regret I must, due to my circumstances, deny not so much to you as to myself this pleasure. I can’t explain it to you, but I assure you that it is necessary. I am very grateful to you for your kind attitude. I won't forget him. Yours – “for the last time” – I believe, is unlikely to come true. You will visit us more than once, and in perfect health. At least this is my desire and this is my belief. Bless you, Lord, with every blessing. 90. If you didn’t open the door, calm down, it’s so necessary. General good wishes You all blame me for not opening the door for you. Calm down; I assure you that the satisfaction of your desire would not be entirely pleasant for you. This, in fact, makes me refuse everyone. What is this? – And you are sick and Ek. D. is sick. - Infirmary. Help you, Lord, to be patient and quickly get healthy and strengthened. We were in Sarov and Diveevo. – Even though there are bruises... but this is very beneficial for the soul (not the bruises - but a stay in those abodes). O. Ivan is sick. Thank God he is recovering. Thank you for letting me know; he didn't write. Two Bibles should come to him from the Synodal Shop in Slavic and Russian, for Nikolushka. He should have received them already, but he doesn’t notify. I'm very glad that Al. N... cares. I received the boots. Thank you. They fit perfectly. You want to arrange a warm cassock. - I will be grateful. Only the most common ones, so that you don’t feel sorry for talking. Try to arrange it so that it is not overweight and fat. The top is some kind of garus. I have warm holiday cassocks, but my everyday ones are worn out. Nothing else is required. Everything is there. I’m glad for Kheraskov that he at least got such a place. He needs to be a cathedral. Let him be patient... and it will be... There are only two left, you say... In my opinion, this is not “oh!”, but a dissolved paradise. They wanted to send - through Morsha and so on. No, never send me that way. Direct - through Shatsk. God bless you and Ek. D. 91. You are descending into old age. Old age is better than youth. About health You are descending into old age. And this is God's way. Old age is better than youth. About health. I received a cassock. Thank you. Not narrow, but long: cut it and I’m showing off. Thank you and Varya for your work. You are descending into old age. Well? After all, this is God’s way. And I am getting old, and not only in body, but also in soul. I think that old age is in many ways better than youth. If only young people would quickly take up the morals of old age, they would live to a ripe old age. Visiting a church is the same as looking into heaven. Ek. D. is deprived of this consolation, but only physically, mentally, you can be there without a way out. Bless you with this, Lord. My health is fine. Something seemed to be in my chest - light. But the grains were all driven away. The eye weakens, but still serves good. - But the legs are fooling around and dancing. Their dance begins at midnight and lasts for two hours. This is a twitching without pain, but with an annoying feeling. I still think it’s a waste of time, that’s why I don’t turn to doctors. I am very glad that Fr. Ivan stood up, and Al. N. is getting better. Help them, Lord, to get back on their feet. Bow to them. I wish you all the best from the Lord. 92. Covering letter for a parcel with books and photographs Covering letter for the parcel with books and photographs. General good wishes. God's mercy be with you! 8 Last time, when sending books, I forgot to include cards. Now I’m enclosing you and the Tarbeevs, one office card and two business cards each. The books where they are inserted are marked... T. and G. The first is Tarbeeva, and the second is Govorova. Distribute the books to the same people and places as indicated in the previous letter. Give your respects and God's blessing to the Tarbeyevs. There is no one left known there yet. God bless you all. - You, Al. N. and Nikolushka. 93. I pray for you. A playful threat to send seconds. About health And you made me very happy that you are not angry with my lazy failure to write to you. Please never get angry and look at it condescendingly. I always remember you in my sinful prayers, may the Lord keep you in good health and in good spirits. I'm very sorry about you and Ek. D. diseases. May you, Lord, recover well - and then not get sick. Thank you for your offer to send something. I never doubted your willingness to do this. But now nothing is needed. As soon as what is needed is revealed, I will remember your word and pester you. Well, you got caught... “The card doesn’t look like it!” I have an obligation for everyone who says so, instead of any assurances to the contrary, to send seconds - And if you please, wait for them and often look out the window to see if anyone is there. My health is good. The eye is weakening, the legs are kicking (calf spasms at night at midnight - for an hour or more), the beating of the pulse is intermittent... But all these are little things, and most importantly, old age has approached, and not only the physical, but also the mental strength weakens. There's nothing to groan about. - This is the way for everyone. Nobody escapes. Shout out to everyone we know, but it seems like there’s no one there. Blessing Fr. Vanya and his family. 94. God does not demand anything from anyone beyond what is possible. Can't see each other I am very sorry that you are leaving here in a restless spirit. I will pray to the Lady that She will not be angry with me because people come to visit Her, and I outrage them. N. what to interpret? You did your best. And God does not demand anything from anyone beyond what is possible. Whatever she sows, she will also reap. Every person is the creator of his own destiny. And God takes into account what man himself does in good or evil. “If it happens, give her good advice; she won’t listen, as she knows.” Sorry for embarrassing you with my stubbornness. Set it up for one thing, - Well, what can we do about it? There is no other way. - And all or no one. And this is inconvenient - now I understand. Thank you for your troubles in selling books. 95. About coming to Vysha. Books as a gift I congratulate myself and Vysha on your arrival. It's nice to know that you are with us. Stay longer. Refresh yourself with our air. Here's a book for you. Would you find it convenient to take a book each to the bishops, senior and junior... to the seminary library, to the diocesan library and Fr. Vanya. Only five, with yours - six... That's why I'm attaching it. If there is any difficulty, then refuse without hesitation. 96. About health. Apparently it’s pain, but essentially it’s a healing plaster About four weeks before the holiday, I caught a cold that affected my lungs and stomach, and I was still suffering. In the 7th week it got better - and now, although I don’t look great, I see that the sickness is coming to an end. I had the intention of answering your letter immediately; but the illness at that time took its toll, and the matter was postponed. I would like to thank you for your congratulations and well wishes. Please accept my congratulations, even if belated, and warm wishes for the New Year. You're both sick. “Place complacent patience under your illness and it will replace for you all the good that you could do if you were in good health.” Your salvation lies in uncomplaining patience. It seems that you have already become close to him. May the Lord strengthen your heart in it. Mother and [gumenia] Aglaida is also in God’s embrace. Apparently – pain; but in essence it is a healing plaster; the merciful Lord squeezes out everything that is bad from her and instead puts in the good, the holy, pleasing to Him. It’s not visible, but it’s there. “May the Lord grant her complacency!” - “Won’t get up.” But it can last quite a while; as much as the Lord finds necessary for its purification and sanctification. Your relatives are now around you (or were). All of you are enveloped in the spirit of sincere love. - Warm. - God bless. Thank you for the recipes for my feet. “But this twitching is a miracle for doctors.” There is no sign from outside... here they are - with their hands apart. O. Vanya and his family - God's blessing! 97. About laziness: I do not advise you to get acquainted with this crafty worldwide tyrant Thank you for your birthday greetings and your well wishes. God bless you for your good memory. I have not written to you for as long as I did to the Most Consecrated Jacob, for the most legitimate reason - laziness, which I renamed apathy. Here we sit with her and scribble, but do nothing. Time passes with great benefit. However, I in no way recommend that you get acquainted with this evil and worldwide tyrant. In a bundle to the Reverend I sent you two old books, but updated. My health is not bad. I wish you all good health too. Save yourself and pray to God for us. Your pilgrim Bp. Feofan. 98. It’s impossible to see each other. Blessing and books as a gift Don't I want to talk to you? And very much. Yes, very inconvenient. You can't hide this. And once you opened the gate, don’t close it. And everything will go bankrupt. No - we have to wait a little longer. - God willing, we'll wait and see you. There is no great gain in seeing me. I always remember you in my prayers - and I pray that the Lord will prosper you in everything. May the blessing of the Lord be upon you. Here is my bound interpretation of Galatians; and give those that you sent yesterday to the inspector and the rector. There are few of them and there is nothing more to give to anyone. I haven’t prepared any new books. – One Psalter of St. Give Ephraim to Mother Abbess. I collected something and Fr. Ivan. Here's Al in conjunction. N. instead of Akhmatov - I’m enclosing the Psalter of St. Ephraim [the Saint] - there in the bundle, and this, what’s here, give it to someone else. They also sent me the Psalter. Be healthy and cheerful. I wish you all the best from the Lord. Get home and from home to Vladimir in good health. Bow down there to everyone you know. Even more so for the rulers. I sent them books of these (messages). But there is nothing new. Don't be angry that we won't see each other. Inconvenient. There's nothing to start with. 99. It’s impossible to see each other. Blessing and books as a gift Don't be angry, please. I cannot satisfy your desire. God’s blessing to you from me is always expressed in prayer. O. Ivan is dying. Oh, when would God please to extend his days until Nikolushka gets back on his feet!! When Al dies N., we’ll arrange it some other way. Or what do you think? I will rely on your judgment. Forgive my rudeness!.. 100. About health. About the new book Thank you for your congratulations and well wishes. And I congratulate you on fasting, good fasting and communion of the Holy Mysteries of Christ. May this be your salvation. You are both infirm; but Ek. D. got the better of you in this regard. May God grant her greater (greater – Ed.) complacency. May the Lord strengthen you both in patience and in doing things pleasing to God, according to your strength. I was sick for a long time. The tip of the ailment is still there; but very weak... There was severe dizziness... little by little it subsided. I'm waiting for it to end soon. “I couldn’t do anything because of this illness; and I’ve gotten so out of the habit that now I don’t even want to take on anything, and when I do, I can’t work for a long time, my head becomes heavy. There is a new book. I was going to send to Vladimir, as usual. But the flood came and the journey to the city was stopped. People walk to the post office. I received your parcel. Thank you. The stockings are the best...and warm and don't hurt your legs. – Are you asking if you need anything? No, nothing is needed. Thank you. Plenty of everything. Thank you for the word about Fr. Ivan with his family. Bow to him and blessing. 101. You two are at home: here is the monastery. Blessings and good wishes It’s my fault that I haven’t written to you for so long... laziness. But charge me as an excuse that I never forget you, both this way and in prayer. I heard that you were all traveling around. Well? You will be healthier. – It’s a little bad that Nastya and her husband are sick. But everything will pass - and everything will work out well by the grace of God. “The two of us are sitting at home”... Here is the monastery. Both the boss and the novice are possible. Bless, Lord, to be saved. The holidays are coming too. What do you wish? Spiritual joys about the Lord Savior who came to earth. You are sitting; and I'm going for a walk. To Tambov. To see people and show yourself – not everything, but just the eyes. There, you see, there is a very wise eye healer. It's not happy there in Tambov. Yu.N. died. From the 27th to the 28th - at one o'clock, at night. Say your prayers. She must be related to you. One spirit with you. Bless you, Lord, with every blessing. O. Vanya with Al. N. bow and blessing - both to Nikolushka the wise man, and to Mother Abbess, and to everyone we know. P.S. I’ve been bitter caviar all year long. - From Morsha it’s bitter, from Tambov it’s bitter. Do you have a non-bitter one in Vladimir? Please send some. 102. About the successful performance of pilgrimage. General good wishes Congratulations on the successful completion of your pilgrimage. And thank you for describing your journey. Let everything be to your salvation!.. I feel guilty before you for not writing for a long time. But I ask you not to attribute this to inattention to you or forgetting about you. I remember you and pray for you, may the Lord prosper you in everything. There is only one reason for my non-writing: my missus is jealous, jealous! (The saint calls laziness this way. - Ed.). You may not have to travel again, but God willing, you may live longer and longer. We are in the hands of God. As His holy will. Grant you health and complacency, Lord. I'm healthy. And at present I am only sick from doing nothing. This disease is the most forgiving. And everything would be fine, but she is not at odds with her conscience. Excellent location: just something to drink and eat, but nothing came to mind. It is very comforting to know that everything is going well for you. May God grant that it always goes like this. And everything is going well for us. Our neighbors are now on Bykovaya Mountain. But they don’t often enroll in the monastery. Our Bishop is in St. Petersburg. And the archimandrite went to Tambov to feed the consistory. Now they are making lists for awards. I need to give her some advice. What about. Vanya is well and everything is fine with him, he is very happy. But I still can’t get around to sending him nothing. You have to choose, but here you are so lazy that you don’t want to lift a finger. Will be patient. After all, this is not our daily bread! To your Lord, all-zealous bow and countless good wishes. The vice-sovereign does not want to. And great. This is the most empty invention of the previous chief prosecutor. God bless your diocesan order. I always admire it. 103. About health. About printing books in Moscow. General good wishes About health: the eye goes blind. About printing books in Moscow. General good wishes. You congratulate me on Merry Christmas, and I congratulate you on Lent. Whose congratulations are brighter?! I wish you to spend St. Forty years in good health and pious mood, for the salvation of the soul and the glory of God. I’m very glad that you are both young ladies - you will still squeak... Help you, Lord, to squeak longer. And my eye sings its song. My eyes are not afraid of surgery: for the doctor said that I have cataracts that do not allow surgery. Although he said this about the cataract of the first eye... but they are children of the same uterus. So be it... Instead of surgery, we need to worry about a guide. – Cataracts, however, do not completely close the eyes; it is still possible to distinguish at least light and shadow. O. Vanya... worries me very much. May God grant him to last at least until Nikolushka finishes his studies. - But God's will be done! Our Athos residents do a lot of useful things. The real Athonite book printers, however, are in Moscow. All my books are being printed. They also publish special leaflets that are very edifying - and very cheap. Your Eminence - worthy of all respect - was truly loved in St. Petersburg... And they were called again. Now they will start dragging him... I wish you to always be healthy and cheerful. 104. About arriving at Vysha. General good wishes Just this morning they told me that you were here; but I couldn’t immediately put pen to paper because I was dealing with the mail that had arrived yesterday. Having finished this work, I had to rest a little, because now I get very tired even with little work. - But why did you just show up and run, because you said: you’re going tomorrow. – Is it not a sin to honor Vysha with your presence so little? - May God grant you to take away from here consolation and strength to endure the difficulties of life, and, moreover, to such an extent that you can share this with Ek. D... and made a general holiday - upon arrival in Vladimir. My reverent worship, firstly, to all the saints of Vladimir, and secondly, to all known sinners. - Save, Lord, everyone. My general health is fine. It has risen a lot since I started going to the forest every day, otherwise I haven’t gone for about three or four years. The second and last eye still serves; but he has become very weak and cannot distinguish distant objects, even through binoculars. Just now, however, when I was sitting on an armchair and resting, he recognized you as you were leaving the church and let me know that you were cheerful. Other ailments are the same as before - the legs kick, and the dizziness lets you know that it still exists. I express to you my best wishes, the broadest, such as you can only imagine and wish for. Bless you, Lord, and Ek. D., and all yours! Bow to Fr. Ivan with A.N. and Nikolushka. I am enclosing the brochures I received yesterday. Please accept... To you and Ek. D. rub copies of each name... and o. Ivan - two. 105. Concerns after the death of Fr. Ivan about his family I would like to express my gratitude for the prompt notification of the death of Fr. Ivan and something about the circumstances of those remaining. Mother Abbess wrote, and I answered her. But those who remain do not write anything. And I don’t know what they have and how. Alyosha wrote, but also not completely. You promised to write and remain silent. If one can conclude that since they are silent, then everything is going without hardship... then one could be at peace. – But I don’t want to lead myself with false hopes... or incorrect ones. Please write. Alyosha wrote something about the house, that it would feed Al. N., what house is this?! After all, the house where she lived was entirely rebuilt by Fr. Ivan... and should be considered to belong to both of the remaining ones and belong to Nikolushka together with his mother or to him alone with the participation of his mother. Guardianship must be established. If only God would give, Al. N. has become healthier, she could take care of everything herself... but since she is still ill with her illness, you can’t rely on her. May the Lord calm her down! So you have made peace with me and are no longer angry?! - Thank you. My health will decline... I rode through the forest a lot in the summer... And it was not without benefit. I wish you and Ek. D. - complete health and complacency. 106. Concerns about the placement of an orphan No, you did very well what you wrote. Thank you - and write everything. – I wrote a letter to Nikolushka. I don’t remember anything, but I only say that he studied well and educated himself, and for this he transferred to the general seminary building, under supervision, so that he lived regularly and was afraid that he would not be expelled, otherwise he would perish. He remembered to honor his mother, fearing the wrath of God for disrespecting, especially his mother. And in conclusion he added that he should not expect help from me: because my money is all running out, and there is nowhere to cut it. Nothing more is written. I tried my best to write quietly; because there is nothing to threaten and it is inappropriate to give strict orders. O. Ask John not to refuse. It may be difficult. More reward from the Lord. After all, this is a good deed of great moral merit, and God looks upon such doers. I ask him. “If we don’t get it right, then we’ll come up with something else, but for now we’ll be patient.” If he doesn’t settle down, the guy will disappear. It's a pity, but there's nothing to do. What's going on with you and Ek? D.? – Cholera hasn’t reached you yet? God bless you! We don't have; but you hear about her around, but not very much, just a few here and there. “Maybe he won’t come see us.” Precautions are being taken. I wish you all the best. 107. Caring for the infirmities of the widow and orphan. Latest books sent as gifts Caring for the infirmities of the widow and orphan. The last books were sent as gifts: nothing more is being written. General good wishes. I bring you great gratitude for informing about the infirmities of the widow and the orphan. I really regret them, but there is no strength or way to remake them. All that remains is to endure and pray to God, and stop the immensity of outrages. Al. N. what a smart girl she was? “And so, however, the enemy managed to take away her mind.” Everyone said about Nikolai that he was capable, but he was such a great guy! I am very grateful to O. John for making it possible. O. I will now remind the rector to show leniency where necessary, and a little attention... I am sending you two copies of the ancient monastic rules, one for you, and give the other to Fr. John. – O. Rector and Vladyka are particularly honored. These books seem to be the last ones. Nothing more is written. I would like to, and there is a need, but I don’t have the strength. My health is fine. The infirmities of old age take their course. And your illnesses do not stop. I wish you to get rid of them or that they be gentle and not sharp. Have you heard about Synod news? I would like to know what you think about them there. The new St. Petersburg Metropolitan was formerly of Tambov, and our Fr. Archimandrite Arkady went to Kozlov to greet him... How he was received in St. Petersburg is not yet visible in the newspapers and is not heard from private letters. May God grant him to get along with both the senior metropolitans and the secular ranks who serve in the Synod. I wish you all the best, pleasant, cheerful, healthy. P.S. Please Fr. John to conduct business in such a way that there would be enough local funds. I can’t help: there are so many people in need that sometimes I don’t have enough money. Sometimes I can to some extent... but this is only for some tens. Please do not touch the money that Nikolushka left as an inheritance: spend only interest. Now, there is only one source - the house - the tenants... God grant that they will be... and be in good order... With what you will get from them, you will have to adhere to the rule: stretch your legs according to your clothes. Bishop Arkady of Olonets 108. Taking office as rector of the Olonets Theological Seminary We humbly ask for the archpastoral blessing of Your Eminence for the successful passage of our new positions. Bad weather was the reason that we were on the road from the evening of one Saturday to the evening of the next. But, thanks be to the Lord, we reached Petrozavodsk safely. On Monday we took office and on Wednesday we received complete freedom. O. Archimandrite Porfiry 10 set off that day after lunch. O. Dimitri 11 also cleaned the apartment. Due to lack of time, we have not yet made any visits to anyone, except the governor and Butenev 12. Upon taking office, we begin to look closely at the affairs of the board. Both of us are inexperienced with them. We ask for condescending, fatherly admonition from Your Eminence if sometimes, out of ignorance, we fail to comply with a legal formality. For our part, we will make every effort to familiarize ourselves with it as quickly as possible. I don’t yet know everything that needs to be addressed. The new secretary is taking over the old files, and when they are cleared up, we will try to put everything in order. We solve current affairs immediately. – I dare to humbly ask Your Eminence for the confirmation of Mr. Spiridov 13 in the position of housekeeper. In this case, at least one member will be somewhat familiar with the affairs of the board. Moreover, as far as I see, Mr. Spiridov is very capable of economy. Malfunctions in the government may not have depended on him. I am perplexed as to what should be done as a result of Your Eminence’s resolution regarding the current Chief Prosecutor of the Holy Synod regarding the construction of the seminary and the transfer of the Svir School to Lodeynoye Pole. The matter of building a seminary, as is known, rests with the architect. Although he promised to present what was required soon; but in terms of our attitude towards Your Eminence, we are preparing on your behalf an attitude to the head of the province to encourage Tukhtarov to draw up a plan as soon as possible. As for the Svirsky School, the seminary board does not have any written act on the basis of which it could make considerations about moving it. Therefore, it would be necessary to demand such considerations from the Svir school authorities; but how about Fr. The inspector, on the orders of Your Eminence, personally collected the necessary information on the spot regarding this, then, in order not to prolong the matter, I think to submit a note to the board, and on the basis of it, put it that it is necessary and not inconvenient to transfer the school. In Lodeynoye Pole we stopped by Fr. Archpriest 14 and inspected one house, which he has in mind for hiring for a school. With minor alterations at the owner's expense, this house can be adapted to the needs of the school and last for several years. The rental price is 100 rubles and silver per year. And in general, according to the review of Fr. archpriest, - a house for a school (for classes and, perhaps, with one apartment) can always be found in the city and either purchased or hired under a contract. Prices are low: from 100 to 150 rubles and silver per year. The transfer of the school will be pleasant for the city, as the most respectable merchant Dudnikov said. – The latter, in addition, according to Fr. Archpriest, intends to move to the city, in the spring, some house, now located about 25 versts from the city, build it in the form of a school and donate it. But during our meeting, he did not reveal such a good intention to me; it is clear, however, that he is not alien to it and seems to be only waiting for assurance that it pleases Your Eminence as well. How nice it would be if this came true! When examining the Svirsky school, we found that it really requires many large amendments, and with small ones it absorbs the entire repair amount every year. Teachers agree to the transition. From a moral point of view, the benefits and even the need for translation are undeniable. My opinion is this: it is necessary to transfer, but in such a way as to rent a house under a contract for several years, and at the same time apply for the construction of a new state-owned one. The expectation of Dudnikov's house is not entirely correct, and leaving the school always in rented houses is a little inconsistent with the care of the authorities about the schools. Among other matters of the board, it is currently difficult to organize government affairs. But we hear that the consistory will soon deliver to us certificates about the condition of the families of the petitioners and will give us the opportunity to resolve these matters. For the future, I am thinking of asking Your Eminence’s permission for such a procedure that the petitioner, along with the petition, submit an extract from the clergy register, with evidence of the dean’s or ecclesiastical board, or consistory, so that on the occasion of certificates about this there will be no stops. We are also getting into everything else about the seminary, but we haven’t become well acquainted with anything yet. The mentors who are present console us with their good morals. God bless! Once again I devote myself to the filial leadership of Your Eminence and, asking for the archpastoral blessing and prayers, I have the honor to remain Your Eminence, the lowest novice 109. Activities in the position of rector. About schismatics Activities as rector: establishment of a missionary class; It wouldn’t be a bad idea to introduce iconography; caring for students' lives. About schismatics. Bless all of us, sincerely devoted to you! Thank the Lord! “Everything is going well for us.” We will rejoice even more when new mentors arrive and ease the work of the weary; for a rare person does not have three classes a day. – O. Afanasy 15 I really like it. Mr. Orfinsky 16 is known to me from his literature class in Novgorod. God willing, and the third will be according to the spirit of others. The teaching is proceeding in order and, with the jealousy of the mentors, promises success from the students. To relieve the weak, plans for discussions and sermons are told in advance by mentors. All students of the upper division are already attending the missionary class; According to the journal, a statement about this was sent to the academic board on August 13, as it turned out according to the certificate. Despite the fact that we are creating something new. Mr. Tsitov 17 compiled a list of schismatic books which we have and which we do not. Attaching this list, I humbly ask Your Eminence for guidance on how and where they can be purchased. Others, perhaps, can be written off; and others are inevitable to buy. I ask the same thing about academics. As for the introduction of this subject in school, one cannot but recognize this as useful and necessary. I'm just not sure which class to put it in. I focus on the clergy, since sextons are formed in it. It is impossible to introduce this item there without guidance. I think I recommend the exhortation compiled by Metropolitan Plato and published by the Holy Synod. Teach concisely, making extracts. What fascinates this book more is the spirit of pastoral love with which it is filled. In the Karelian class there are several students who know the Karelian language. Under the guidance of a teacher, they will translate the “Rudiments of Christian Teaching” to the [Eminence] Metropolitan Philaret. I think this might be useful. A copy of the corrected translations will be kept in our library. It occurs to me that it wouldn’t be a bad idea to introduce icon painting at our seminary. This would stop the need to sometimes turn to schismatic icon painters for icons. But I can’t find a place for this class. Our space is so cramped. You can separate part of the hall; Only this, perhaps, will embarrass me. As for saving, here’s what I think needs to be changed and replenished: 1) The outerwear and shoes of the state-owned ones are good. But the linen, sheets and pillowcases are all made of rather rough fabric; the blankets are made of cloth - and the cash is old and looks very scanty. I would like to make linen, sheets and pillowcases from better canvas - at least this is necessary for pillowcases, which catch your eye the first time. Buy flannel blankets, as is the case in all schools, or even build new ones from the same cloth. 2) The student tables are all old and awkward. There are stools and benches with them - also ugly. The idea is to arrange new tables, strong and decent, and with them the stools are all in the same shape. At the present time, since there was a need for a table for newly admitted students, this table is made according to the intended shape and stools to go with it. They can serve as samples when bidding for the construction of similar ones, if you bless them, for all rooms. 3) There are no closets for hanging official clothes for students. Seeing the need to build them, I was stopped only by the inconvenience of transporting them when changing apartments. But I learned from a carpenter that it is possible to make cabinets that can be taken apart and put back together without any harm. I think it would be nice to have cabinets like this. 4) We do not have space to store economic supplies for the seminary house and hospital, spare mattresses, selected overcoats and frock coats and beds. The small wooden shed where all this was built is dilapidated and leaking. There is no place to put sleighs in summer, carts and other things in winter (for example, up to 30 logs lie in the middle of the yard and rot). The barn, where possible, is filled with firewood, which is also placed openly in the cramped space of the barn, which is not economical. Therefore, the urgent need is to build a new barn and on one side of it a storage room not made of boards, but of logs. (You can still do without a shed; but a storage room is extremely necessary). 5) The hospital, to which all institutions pay special attention, is not entirely in working order. There is no other room for her than the one she now occupies. But it’s downstairs, gloomy, cramped, it’s almost impossible to maintain clean air (to the side is the kitchen; these rooms previously served as a basement). I suppose that it would be good to build a separate hospital, wooden on a stone foundation or stone, with all the amenities for it. Then the real hospital could be turned into a storeroom. When building a hospital, it would be possible to add two or three more rooms, for example, for the Karelian class (for now it is in a small gloomy room), for the proposed icon painting class. When, God willing, a seminary is established, this wing can be turned into apartments for the school teachers. 6) How inconvenient it is to take students to apartments. The real one is not very good. Due to its cramped conditions, three or four of the newly admitted must remain in third-party apartments. The thought comes to mind: is it possible to find a house that we could hire ourselves and support students in it ourselves? Presenting all this for the preliminary consideration of Your Eminence, I humbly ask for your indulgent attention. With all the confidence that Your Eminence always takes an active part in the improvement of the seminary, I cannot help but feel that I am bothering you a lot, and you are already very busy, and I humbly ask: forgive for the Lord’s sake. I dare, moreover, to bother Your Eminence about my good novice and devoted to me. Due to military circumstances, I fear for his fate; besides, if God prolongs our life, it will be quite difficult to get a ticket from St. Petersburg. Wouldn't it please Your Eminence to include him among the regular novices of the Svirsky Monastery, so that he would still remain with it? This idea was given to me by Fr. Archimandrite Pavel 18. We consider it our duty to take care of the choice of singers. There is a good tenor in our choir; the treble is single and weak. If his voice can be expected to develop over time, then he can be elected. Bless us also, Your Eminence Vladyka. Requesting the prayers and blessings of Your Eminence, I have the honor to remain on 19 with true respect and complete devotion. P.S. Now Mr. Tsitov delivered me a handwritten book - notes on the polemic, namely: the 3rd part against the Russian schismatics - a small one from the library of the [highly] Reverend Ignatius 20. Maybe it could be proposed as a guide for the clergy class. I'll review it and report back. 110. About the correspondence of schismatic books. About the icon painting class On the correspondence of schismatic books. About the icon painting class. About a student expelled from the Svir school. Fearing that my last correspondence about the handwritten book delivered to me by Mr. Tsitov will not stop the resolution of the matter, I hasten to inform Your Eminence that this book is quite practical, but cannot be recommended for the clergy class either as a model or as a decisive guide: it is written in a strict school form and, with all its conciseness, is too extensive for the clergy class. For the seminary, with some amendments and additions, it may be useful. The style of the book is a bit old. More and more needs are being revealed for the proper preparation of students for the fight against schismatics. So we do not have the main schismatic books: Kirillova on faith, psalms and catechisms, and there are no old printed liturgical books. It would be nice to review at least one book, from different editions, to compare and notice the differences. And they themselves will become more convinced of the need to correct the books and will convince others of this more zealously. I ask for a catalog of books, which are in the cathedral 21. Maybe there will be such a book. At this point, the thought and desire arises to ask Your Eminence, whether it is possible to list the books stored in the cathedral and transfer them completely to the seminary library, since the seminary will now be in great need of them. I hope to teach several students how to draw without much hassle in this matter. It turned out that there are ardent hunters and three are already self-taught; one from the higher department copies regularly. I decided to study them, in addition to free hours, formally, under the supervision of this student; On Thursday afternoon we will move all of them (12 students) to a separate room. I will lead myself as much as I can. The skill of copying correctly is the basis of this art, and for this you do not need highly learned mentors. Talent, if any, is smarter than teachers. I am very sorry about the expelled student from the Kargopol school - Khotenovsky; and not so much about him, but about his sick father; but the information is all against it. An expelled person can be accepted into the same class if he has not outgrown it, but not into the highest class. Moreover, we will reproach the caretaker, but we must trust him in every possible way. Command us, and we will fulfill the wishes of Your Eminence. It seems that we cannot prevent anyone from studying privately. One student of the secondary department, Veleslavov, a tenor, was sent with Fr. Dimitri. There might be a tenor too. Everything else about the seminary, thank God, is in proper order. We are looking forward to new instructions and are already preparing for the exams. I entrust myself and the entire seminary to the prayers of Your Eminence and have the honor to remain with sincere devotion. 111. About the organization of a painting class. About the missionary class About the organization of a painting class. About teaching in a missionary class. About the desire to acquire schismatic writings. Bless us and our new mentors. O. Afanasy 22 and Mr. Petrov 23 arrived safely and entered into business. I think Mr. Orfinsky will not slow down either. Room about. Afanasy is a bit cramped, but there is no other way to invent it. Those rooms where the hospital is now would be quieter, but there is no room for a hospital in a cramped rented house. News from Your Eminence through Fr. Archpriest 25 about a student of the St. Petersburg Seminary who studied painting being transferred to the Olonets diocese, very joyfully. If he really turns out to be an expert (for not everyone knows, although it is written in the certificates: good), then it will be possible to imagine the discovery of this class. For the class we will allocate one of the living rooms of the rented house. It's nice that things work out this way. There are people who really want to be able to draw. Your Eminence's thoughts on the direction and measure of teaching in the missionary class have served and will now serve even more as a guiding principle for us. This subject is completely new for me. All free time is devoted to getting to know the schism and its current state in the Olonets diocese. Fr. does the same. inspector 26. The desire to acquire schismatic writings remains and stems from the need to discover everything more closely in order to use everything for one’s own purpose. We express our deep gratitude for the notebooks sent to us by Your Eminence. How good it is to have in your hands more such conversations as those compiled regarding the schismatic’s exhortation in the consistory (or from the previous ones - in the preface to the answers to Neophyte)! It is impossible to become more familiar with the twists and turns of a schismatic mind. The manual I indicated for the clergy class certainly does not contain everything we need, but we definitely need guidance applied to the area in everything. This occupies me a lot. But will the Lord give someone the intelligence and strength to compose it? We will be close to the newly confirmed workers in every possible way and will not refuse any assistance to them. Everything is fine with us, thank God. Bless, Most Reverend Vladyka. 112. Apology to the Most Reverend Bishop for the mistakes made Apology to the Most Reverend Bishop for the mistakes made. In considerable sorrow and hardship since receiving the last journals, I allow myself the courage to turn for consolation to Your Eminence and ask my son: forgive my fathers for my mistakes in the journals. I can’t imagine anything as an excuse. Omissions made the definitions unclear. Now, it seems, everything has been clarified with the proper information, but I can’t guarantee it yet. I act, in my opinion, without being lazy. It is sad to see mistakes, even if unintentional, especially when they cause anxiety for some and cast some shadow on others: but there is science in them. I promise to be even more attentive; but I do not hide how deeply I grieve that I am deprived of my closest and fatherly guidance and admonition. Your Eminence! Let me assure you that I have heartfelt devotion to you with an everlasting readiness to be in complete obedience to you. The thought that perhaps Your Eminence understands me differently worries me very much. For the sake of the Lord, do not attribute my intransigence to my intercession regarding Mr. Spiridov. By doing this, I was doing my duty. But after that, our circumstances have developed in such a way that I am unable to fulfill the will of Your Eminence regarding him. I'm waiting for the last of the new mentors. Turning again to Your Eminence, I ask my son for the most lenient and gentle admonitions. But together I surrender myself into the hands of the One who rules the hearts of those who rule. I entrust myself to the prayers of Your Eminence; I have the honor to remain with filial devotion. 113. Expression of gratitude to the Eminence Expression of gratitude to the Eminence for his fatherly condescension. For a long time now, Your Eminence Vladyka, I have been reassured by your letters full of love to me. Forgive me my cowardice, to which, by succumbing, I disturbed your peace. I very much regret that I prematurely expressed grief, which would have been quickly taken away anyway, and indeed taken away by your fatherly attention. But I told my father, whose favor I have no doubt about. From the first conversation with Your Eminence, I cannot even bear the thought that you were cruel, and, asking for the most lenient admonitions, I meant only the correction of mistakes not openly; did not mean deviation from the truth, but direction towards the right home path. I was not influenced by anyone in this regard. He grieved alone, just as he considered himself alone to be guilty. Others could only guess about it. As for the third party, although I no longer consider him the same as I thought at first, I have no reason to recognize him as he may have shown himself to be before. There is now a full opportunity to replace it with another, which I will not hesitate to implement. Explaining this, Your Eminence Vladyka, I filially ask you not to deprive me of the favor, trust and attention that your fatherly love for me has hitherto honored me with, and asking for your prayers and blessings, I have the honor to remain. 114. About the end of exams. On the writing off of schismatic books About the completion of exams in the seminary. On the receipt and copying of handwritten schismatic books. I have the honor to congratulate Your Eminence on the occasion of the Nativity of Christ and the New Year. Bless me also in these days. The exams are over. God bless! – You can be satisfied with both mentors and students. Complete success was greatly hindered by the long-term lack of mentors. – But, unfortunately, this is foreseen again. “Vertograd All-Russian” I received. He is alone and remains unwritten. Everything else has been written off, as well as Mr. Buteyev’s notebooks. Yesterday, quite a few old printed and handwritten books on the schism were sent from the academic board, but I have not yet had time to review them. All this makes me happy, as one who gains a lot of self-interest. Two of those who completed the course, who also attended the missionary class, saw Mr. Tsitov and told him about their conversations with schismatics. Mr. Tsitov compiled a note from their words, which, although small, introduces schismatics and the techniques for communicating with them. Bless me to copy this note and present it to Your Eminence. Everything is fine with us and everything is calm, except for my spirit. The affairs of government weigh heavily on me because of my inability to manage them. I humbly ask Your Eminence for fatherly condescension. Committing myself to the prayers of Your Eminence, I have the honor to remain with filial devotion. 115. About sent schismatic books The letters from Your Eminence are comforting and inspiring! – Pray that the Lord will fill our weaknesses and give us strength, as long as we have a calling. “I recognize and accept with my heart the responsibility that lies upon me, but, looking at the smallness of my abilities, sometimes I am perplexed as to why it was arranged that I am here. Is the power of God made perfect in weakness? The spirit is vigorous, but the flesh and soul are rather weak. We are entering a new summer. Accept, Your Eminence Vladyka, our zealous congratulations with warm good wishes and bless us. All manuscripts sent by Your Eminence have been received; and a delightful letter from Fr. Reverent Peter 27. Glory to God, who benefits us! I reviewed everything I received from the factory. There are manuscripts that are useful to us, although incomplete and nameless. – Their table of contents is attached herewith. The catalog for the second manuscript has not yet arrived. One is only complete, the other is without end, the third is without beginning and end. The first contains little that is schismatic and quite something that can be turned against them. In it, under each chapter, evidence is given from old printed and old written books and from the schismatics themselves. There is no reasoning from the compiler. This is a collection of chapters. The second is clearly schismatic. The evidence is presented in two forms from ancient and modern teachers, and in two separate chapters, and in such a way that the latter are always presented in it as clearly contradicting the former. In this section, new evidence is summarized and their disagreement is briefly indicated, for example, reviews about the importance and unimportance of fingers in the sign of the cross, about the matter of the cross, etc. Some chapters in it are exactly the same as the chapters of the first manuscript. And she, too, is a collection of evidence without her own considerations; and not all. There are chapters from 1 to 89, and from 98 to 103. The Antichrist has just begun. When would you somehow get the rest of the chapters? The third one has no table of contents or beginning. Why is its composition unknown? There are from the 4th chapter to the 78th. It has a priestless spirit (like the second one) and on the whole should be very seductive: it undermines the foundations of the visible structure of the Church. And it contains the testimonies of ancient and new teachers, but not contrary, but always like this: after the ancients, the new teachers agree with this or think the same way. Both in one chapter. In all three, passages are cited from the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, simply or with interpretation; from the Councils of the Helmsman, Nomocanon, simply or with interpretation from Zonara and Aristen; from St. The Father is directly from them, or from the Soborniki; from liturgical books; from the lives of saints - Chet-Minea, prologues, patericon. Joseph of Volokolamsk, Nikon Chernogorets, Mirror, or conversation of the soul with the body, Lexicon of Pamva Berynda, Baronius, etc. are also given. Actually, the schismatic books that served as the source are: the large and small catechism, the book about the faith of Kirillov, the words of Maxim the Greek, the book of Aaf, the deacon's answers... (An extract from these last ones is an expensive one, because they are not in the seminary library, nor in the cathedral, nor in the city of Petrozavodsk, as I hear). Testimonies of new teachers, brothers from the Rod, Uvet, Sling, Shield, Reproof, Stone of Faith, Search, Theology and Admonition of Metropolitan Plato, the book of the beatitudes. Theology of Macarius (former), Regulations, a book on the positions of parish priests, a catechism published under Patriarch Adrian, the Tablet, the works of St. Tikhon. In addition to these, there is also a manuscript of services: 1) Cornelius, Daniel, Andrew and Semyon (so! - Ed.); 2) Gennady, monk Solovetsky; 3) on the death of Cornelius, March 1st day; 4) service to confessors who suffered from the innovators for the ancient tradition; 5) general service - to the new Russian sufferers (Paul, Habakkuk, Fyodor, Nikita, Lazarus, etc. are remembered in the stichera). The services are not poorly written, but not all are of equal merit. There is also a copy of the plaintive letter of Savva, who was a book collector and exiled for resistance to the Kirillov Belozersky Monastery, written in 1668 to Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich. Here many deviations of new books from old ones are exhibited - mostly in words. In three books, he says, the Psalms, the Triodion and the Small Saints, there are more than 200 errors. – The spirit of the petitioner is meek. Many, in addition, notebooks and sheets. - Letters of petition and gratitude from the Vygoleksins, records of books that were passed from one to another or brothers for copying, records of custom-made psalters, memorial services, canons, bows - painting them on faces. Several congratulatory speeches and short words. P. M. Tsitov will take notes from them - if he finds anything necessary for history. As for the information about the schism in the Kargopol and Vytegorsk districts, they were indeed received by order and petition of Your Eminence from the governor. The end of them is difficult to get. How I would like to get a map of the Olonets province with the designation of schismatic places! The governor promised to send an official with her, but no. From the reports of Fr. Meletius 28 and his assistant can see better what the schismatics are based on. It is not so much the number as the words of schismatics that are needed. From the reports of the priests it is clear that everywhere they have the same thoughts: therefore, from this side I consider myself somewhat satisfied. In addition to liturgical books, the books sent from the academic board also contain teaching books. There are up to 30 of them. Among them are Alpha and Omega - the cathedral; another collection, beginning with an extract from the book of Andrei Denisov about the girl’s vision of Peter the Ecclesiarch after his repose (other things in it are not new), the book of the Passion of the Lord, the life and suffering of the Solovetsky wonderworkers, the Flower Garden of Abba Dorotheus (I did not consider the latter schismatic, I have it - it is edifying. I read it myself and gave it to others), and so on. I am glad that books are multiplying. But I complain about my memory, which is very untrue to me. Attached is a list from a note compiled by Mr. Tsitov from the words of two students, and letters received from Your Eminence Fr. Peter and Fedosya 29. The other manuscripts are all kept and although they have already been copied, these lists have not yet been verified. I find considerable pleasure in talking with priests, especially those who are not strangers to a warm and diligent spirit. May the Lord give them the desire to come and be frank. We read letters from Your Eminence together with Fr. inspector and Fr. Afanasy. The latter is perplexed as to how to take up the interpretation of the Psalms. Let's work together. We will carry out other orders of Your Eminence as soon as possible. 116. Covering letter for sent schismatic books I hasten to send the table of contents of the second manuscript. Although I don’t know well the meaning of these three manuscripts and whether they are in use among the schismatics, I considered it necessary to copy them because they are schismatic, and especially because they contain quite a few extracts from the books of the main schismatics, which we do not yet have. Now I have been delivered a map of the Petrozavodsk district (it seems, from those that Your Eminence had), a portrait of Andrei Denisov, printed (printed) abroad, and a small manuscript - “Trembler”, which sets out predictions for the trembling of various members of the body (99 predictions) and indicates evil days and hours in each month of the year, “how God would show the Israelites, keeping them from all evil." This last, I think, is a trace of the heresy of the Judaizers. The time for training is approaching. Bless us, Your Eminence Master, all of us, both teaching and learning, to continue our work with new strength. I have the honor to ask for your prayers and blessings. P.S. There is nothing from Mr. Tukhtarov, the architect. And you can hear that he doesn’t even want to think about the plan and estimate. 117. About schismatics. On the interpretation of the Psalter Bless us with your prayers, may the Lord help us to at least do something for the good of the Church of God. Let us work and sow as much as we have strength and sense, and the one who grows is the Lord. Polye[v?]kta epistole received. I don't understand what he's up to. It can be seen that the Polovtsian passed from the Cross-Krestivants - Bespopovtsev. His deviation from the latter and slander against them can be very reproachful for the Olonets schismatics. Although our people cross each other, almost all of us, as you can hear, feel the need for a church and a priest. Factory notebooks say a lot, but based on other documents I come to the conclusion that those days have already passed. However, such lists probably pass from hand to hand and, on occasion, can help the reader make objections to the preacher of the truth. One eight-sized notebook - without beginning or end, in the middle has the title: “The Message of Habakkuk.” That’s right, our people are familiar with this too. Therefore, we also need to get acquainted with everything. However, in the catalogs of books ordered from the Vygov students, almost only “Answers” ​​and some kind of “Flower Garden” are listed among the teachers’ books. Mr. Tsitov composed a note from the words of a graduate of the course after a chance conversation with him, wanting only to preserve what he had heard. The other day I happened to hear from Mr. Korbozersky 30 (he brings his exercises at the end of the course) that the cab driver who was driving him believed that the last words in “Come, let us worship”, sung at the beginning of the vigil - “and let us fall down to him” - refer to Satan. What a strange concept, but it exists. It would be good if we were given more information like this. We will try to fulfill the instructions of Your Eminence regarding the interpretation of the Psalter. The differences in the readings of the Psalter of Joseph and ours have already been noted, but we can hardly find out the differences in different editions of the Psalter. The cathedral contains only the Joseph and Jo[a]saph editions. It would indeed be very useful to trace all the changes. In the order of interpretation of the Psalter, we are thinking of following the order of the services and starting with the psalms of vespers, vespers, etc. To great consolation, it is revealed that Mr. Petrov is not cold towards matters of schism. He rummaged a lot in the public library for a course discussion, an excerpt from which is in the December book of “Christian Reading” - an article on the cross. Everything is fine with us, thank God. Bless us. 118. Congratulations on Angel's Day Forgive us, Your Eminence Vladyka! We all deeply mourn that, due to unforgivable oblivion, we missed the time to greet Your Eminence on the day of your angel - an omission that is all the more sensitive for us because it offended not only our sense of duty, but even more so the feeling of filial love and devotion, which we all sincerely feel for Your Eminence. Most guilty of all, I could justify myself by the fact that I learned about this at the hour of departure of the last mail, if I were not more obliged than others to extend care of everything somewhat beyond the present day. And yet, according to the ancient rule - better late than never, I allow myself, on behalf of everyone, to express our common prayer desires: may the Lord bless the new summer of your life, may he prolong your days, and may he grant deep peace to your soul and endless strength of strength in the difficult work of serving the Church. Once again asking for an indulgent apology, prayers and blessings to all of us, I have the honor to remain. 119. Asking for prayers before St. Pentecostal. About current affairs Asking for prayers before St. Pentecostal. About current affairs in the seminary. About health. We received the blessing of Your Eminence through the governor of the province and were enlivened by it, without doubting, however, that your favor towards us does not diminish and your prayers for us do not cease to cover us. Having entered the field of the Holy Pentecost and beginning a new course of teaching, we earnestly ask: pray for us and bless both those who teach and the students. Much to my regret, I could not be with my people in the church of God during the entire fast. From the middle of the first week until now, I could not go out because of a small cold, which, however, could become dangerous. Thank the Lord, everything was and is with us - in good order, peace and harmony. Father evangelist (missionary), with whom we spent several evenings, now evangelizes the word of truth and learns the gospel. Experience will indicate the truest program of teaching: which is not useless for us to know. Now we have at hand, it seems, all the books we need; but the Lord still sends. The manuscript (from the factory) is being copied out - the Message of the Solovetsky Monastery, with notes, not entirely important, however, from one person who applied. It contains 97 indictments, similar to the original ones (Nikita-Lazarus). I don’t know who compiled it. Our schismatic archaeologist believes that this is a complete Solovetsky petition, but at first I thought that this was the work of Gerasim Firsov. Asking for the prayers and blessings of Your Eminence, I have the honor to remain. 120. On the interpretation of the Psalter. On the construction of new seminary buildings With considerable concern, I have long noticed the discrepancy on our part with the desires and expectations of Your Eminence, and I have long intended to frankly explain the state of affairs. I can testify to the unfeigned sincerity with which the first readiness was expressed to do everything; noticed the preparations, saw attempts to start; but then the inability to successfully conduct two things (the other thing was classwork) forced me to put everything off for the time being. They both promised to explain all this in writing to Your Eminence. For my part, I assure you that they really work. Knowing from experience how a subject that you engage with with love absorbs all your attention, I could not insist and rather decided to take on one task - namely the Psalter; but incessant classwork, from Christmas until now, leaves no time to think about it. It is highly desirable that those completing the course leave the seminary with a good knowledge of the Psalter. Will the Lord bless us to bring this to fruition?! I promise to use my best efforts. Now I’m very tied up in my studies and don’t foresee freedom until my vacation. So, bear with us our duty, Most Reverend Master. Let's not be lazy. And that things in our hands are not so urgent, we can say one thing to this: such are our strengths. I want to take a good look at everything and take note; what to do if you lack great vigilance of the mind and agility of speech. It's the first time we've all acted in real places. It’s sad to see all this in yourself and in others. The past week was spent thinking about the seminary plan. Mr. Tukhtarov finally decided to satisfy our need: he brought a site plan and a previous sketch of the building so that we could review everything again and tell us more fully what and how we needed. When our thoughts were finally established, I drew everything in pencil with some explanations, reviewed it along with my own and took it to Mr. Architect. By Wednesday or Thursday of next week (5th), he promised to sketch out his rough sketch of everything and come with it for new meetings. Although our considerations are not final, I still consider it my duty to present to Your Eminence the general distribution of the seminary area and the location of the seminary building on all floors, as it seems to us best. At first it seemed to me that it would be better to direct the body not towards the city, but towards the north (towards the site of the bishop's house); but the opinion of archpriest, the architect himself and others - to give a face to the city. The direction of the church and other internal parts of the building is taken into account with this. There does not seem to be any need to place the building along the street line, as it appears on the general plan. It would be more decent and useful for him to be inside the yard. I think 15 fathoms 31 concessions from the fence inward are enough. A basement is desperately needed. A building for professors is also needed; Due to the remoteness of the city, they cannot be left in private apartments. But since they are always supposed to be married, this building is set back - behind the common large garden. On the general plan, the space occupied by all buildings (buildings or) seminaries is indicated by 103 and 103 [fathoms], that is, by a square. We cut it down to 70 from north to south to have a spacious shape. How Mr. Tukhtarov distributes everything, I will not fail to notify Your Eminence. Again I ask both for myself and for others: bear with us our debt, we will repay everything; and asking for the prayers and blessings of Your Eminence, I have the honor to remain. 121. About the plan and estimate for the construction of new seminary buildings Thank the Lord! The matter of the plan and estimate seems to be beginning to be carried out. Mr. Architect drew up a draft drawing of a large seminary building, an outbuilding for professors (married) and the general layout of the seminary buildings, and asked to forward it to Your Eminence for preliminary consideration, so that later, having corrected it according to your comments, we could begin to finalize the plan and draw up an estimate. Mr. Architect especially wants to know the will of Your Eminence: 1) does the location of parts of the main building on all floors require any changes at your discretion? 2) should the outbuilding designated for married professors be made of stone or wood? (According to him, it’s better to have a wooden one, so that the total cost of the estimate isn’t huge; for me, it’s better to have a stone one). I can't say anything against the hull plan. Everything is there and everything is roomy. This was all the concern. He kept the same figure of the corps as he had given to the corps, in relation to the place previously allocated for the seminary inside the city. And it seems to be required by an architect's eye. I do not agree with the distribution of buildings by location; there is no need to give such acceleration to buildings - by 103 square fathoms. In the direction from north to south, or from the place of the bishop’s house to the river - 70–75 fathoms is enough; 40 under the body, its length; from the north to the fence there are 15 fathoms, from the south to the farm there are 20, of which 5 are for courtyard buildings, the rest is all to the river - a farm. From east to west there are only 103 fathoms. Of these, from the front fence to the hull there are 20 fathoms, the hull itself across is 20 fathoms; behind the building there will still be 10 fathoms left, and then a garden, which will go to the place allocated for living for professors. This place is 12–15 fathoms. For the garden, therefore, 35 or more will remain. The length of the garden towards the river will be 70–75 fathoms. The garden and front gardens around the building do not need to be given such a figure: it is better for them to be longitudinal. For the entire seminary yard with all the buildings, there will thus be 70–75 in the direction of the river and 50 from the east to the north. In my opinion, it is better not to scatter the yard buildings (bathhouse, stables, carriage house, woodshed, glaciers and other things that are needed), but to place them in one line - in front of the farm. Mr. Architect agrees with all this. And the fact that here, in the general distribution of the area, the buildings are located differently, the reason for this is that he forgot to explain this to the copyist and he copied everything from the general city plan. (In explanatory paragraphs, he named the carriage house, stable and glaciers as services for the rector and inspector and students). Mr. Architect asked, moreover, for an increase in money for the necessary expenses when drawing up the plan and estimate; noticing in him a decisive intention to take up this matter and finish it, we did not hesitate to assign him as much as he asked, especially since this amount, together with the previous dacha, does not exceed the modest fee for the plan and estimate for such a complex building as the seminary. Submitting all this to the discretion of Your Eminence, we humbly ask you not to leave us with your archpastoral advice and instructions in a matter so important. Bless us, moreover, now to suffer with the Lord, who is coming to free passion, and then to be illuminated by the light of His Resurrection. The exercise was suspended on Friday evening. Everything is fine with us. Blessed be the Lord. My soul hurts, Your Eminence Master, that your hopes for us are not entirely justified. For my part, without sparing myself, I strive to do everything I discover useful. Success comes from God's blessing. I have small intentions that I came to regarding the information received from Fr. missionary and which I will not hesitate to explain to Your Eminence. 122. Congratulations on Easter. About the books received. About the monastery in Danilov Happy Easter. About the books received. About the desire to create a special class for learning to sing from notes. It is necessary to teach priests to speak instructions to the people. About the monastery in Danilov: should we invite the elders from Optina. Please accept my most sincere congratulations on the holiday of the bright Resurrection of Christ. I have now received an order from Your Eminence. May God rise again and let His enemies be scattered! For a long time there has been a desire to find out in brief what kind of principles by which this sect is guided. Therefore, with what joy I meet these books, with the same readiness I will review those assigned to me at your direction, without, however, leaving others without attention (we have not yet received these books). I hasten to fulfill what I promised in my last letter. While talking with the evangelist, he was comforted by some aspects, and by others he was and still is forced to grieve deeply. Among the sorrowful things I list is the inability to conduct church services (for example, I don’t like the presanctified liturgy - except for laziness and because they don’t know how to perform it) and the inability to sing from notes. These two shortcomings of the priests gave birth to a jealous thought - to make sure that those finishing and conducting services knew everyone practically, and could sing exactly according to the notes, because it’s all about the priest. When he doesn’t know, you can no longer rely on the clerk. How to do this? For the first time I dwell on this: dismiss all students of the higher department from language classes, so that during these hours they conduct services from books and sing from music. This would not be difficult; but it is difficult to carry this out. It is impossible to appoint a special class for this, because there is no room where they could gather. It would be good to close some language (for example, Hebrew) so that both the teacher and the class itself can be turned to this subject. But this closure will meet with great opposition and may create displeasure: from which may the Lord save us! In such perplexity, I turn to Your Eminence and ask for advice on what to do. I consider the ability to accurately edit services and sing from notes to be very important everywhere, especially among us among schismatics. From him I learned that in other churches there are no teachers’ books at all. If the priest does not compose his teachings, which is very likely, then Christian teaching is not heard there. The priest cannot always compose his teaching; but can read ready-made ones. Whether there are teaching books in the churches and what is where, the consistory does not know, as I was told. If this were known, then it would be possible to oblige the priests to take care little by little of extracting such and such books. (I often copied the church register for my father at home. I remember that at the end it was always added: in addition to the full circle of church books, there are at the church - Gideon’s sermons, interpretation of the Sunday Gospels and Massillon’s sermons. This could have been contained in the local reports). Moreover, are there any priests known who are capable of composing good folk teachings? (For not everyone is capable). If they were known, then it would be possible to distribute the subjects of Christian teaching among them in small parts, in order to compile teachings on them. In this way, the Olonets diocese could have a complete collection of catechetical teachings of its own in one or two years. They could be printed and sent to churches. One could also prepare a collection of teachings for each year from alternating sermons and do the same with them, when they were all delivered - from the entire diocese in thirds to one place, for revision and selection of the best. Capable preachers would also open up here. I think that zeal for composing a sermon would come to life, otherwise it is very weak. (According to the schedule I have, since the new year, more than half of the sermons have not yet been delivered. The council, however, does not remain without teaching. They read printed ones - paternal ones). Blessed be O. Hesychius 32. His soul is warm and jealous. May the Lord keep his inexperienced heart pure from temptation! I gave him all the notebooks of Your Eminence, so that after reading, he would deliver them back with faithful hands. When he came up with the idea - for the established mission - little by little to start his own library, in the Paleostrovsky monastery, which would contain schismatic and anti-schismatic books and manuscripts, so that the missionary would have everything he needed at hand every time. To do this, invite those who wish to donate or announce a subscription; and, moreover, to resume the procedure according to which the diocesan authorities were given the right to keep for themselves the books sent by the governor. This order existed under the Most Reverend Ignatius and ceased under the Most Reverend Benedict, as I heard. Is this pleasing to Your Eminence? It is planned to establish a monastery in Danilov. There should be no small concern about placing monks there who are not alien to the monastic spirit. I consider it my duty to announce to Your Eminence my thoughts on this subject. – As much as I hear, in Optina Pustyn, Kaluga province, monasticism is blooming. There are experienced elders there. - One of these elders with his disciples, devoted to him and led by him, should be transplanted to Danilov. “The abbot there is wise and jealous. You can contact him and, having explained the purpose of the Danilovsky Monastery, give his experience the choice. There are plenty of scientists (and writers) among those working there, if they were needed for the future Danilov. Gathering monks-hunters, commoners, and unknown people, I think, will not lead to the goal. Forgive me, Your Eminence Vladyka, for writing all this. I consider myself obligated to offer for your consideration everything that I find useful. Bless us all in these bright days. 123. About current affairs: construction, music singing class, books About current affairs: construction, the structure of the music singing class, the books of schismatics. We sincerely rejoice at your approach to us and pray to the Lord to bless and prosper your path. Vasily Vasilyevich, Mr. Tukhtarov, himself realized that in his plan he had taken things a little too far; however, he is noticeably sorry to part with what he has written. The narrowed shape – from the inside and outside – will no longer be so beautiful. He wanted to make a rough drawing again - in pencil. Bless him, Lord! I was thinking about appointing an audit in Kargopol, remembering your word. We elect Fr. inspector: he is freer to carry out this task than other members of the board. Regarding the opening of a class for practical worship and church singing, I am in great difficulty. Let me wait for a personal conversation with you. Bear with me for this slowness: time endures; because I think it’s better to start this business next year. Moreover, would it be possible to arrange this at home - first as an experiment? Unfortunately, I didn't find what I expected in the runners' books, except for the one I got; all others have no features from other schismatic books. But there is very little of Begov’s own in it. Several points of their wisdom are incoherently expressed on several pages. - This is not Dioptra. The extracts begin from the book Dioptra (I don’t know what kind of book this is). The extracts do not contain anything contrary. The conclusion from them is not correct. The answer to Mr. Governor does not require labor and time. What is needed for the Kargopol clergy, materials are collected for this: to understand what the world is, and what dignity civil and family life is. This takes time. Bear with me for a moment. My chest complains to me and sometimes does not allow me to work. Everything is fine with us, thank God. Bless us! 124. On the construction of new buildings. About the new appointment About the construction of new buildings. On a new appointment to the position of head of the Russian Spiritual Mission in Jerusalem. Upon receipt of your letter, I hurried in every possible way to prepare an idea about the seminary by the first mail. But Vasily Vasilyevich also decided to draw the front side and the section of the body (although this is not at all necessary, judging by the turn the matter is taking: but without this he does not want to return the previous drawings) and, moreover, indicate the prices for all materials, according to the rules of the construction commission, which will be much lower than the prices of the city council (but we require information about prices from this latter too). - Here’s the second post, but he hasn’t made it yet. If by Saturday he doesn’t present anything, I’m thinking of making a copy of the copy of the seminary area that was delivered to us by the construction commission and sending it one at the time of presentation. Considerations regarding schools about. The inspector is in a hurry to finish quickly. Seminary classes turned him away from this matter, although much had already been prepared on it. Regarding my new appointment to the position of head of the Russian spiritual mission in Jerusalem, I do not want to hide the fact that it is after my heart. I would deeply grieve if I were moved from Petrozavodsk somewhere again to the rector’s office, but I prefer the place where, God willing, I will be now to everything else for myself, not because of its dignity (for it is a priestly place), but because it is very much within my power. – The importance of the rectorship is not small. Based on what I'm missing; Maybe after two or three courses I would begin to look a little like a rector - and then with incessant work and studies. “But I would hardly have the strength for that!” – I kiss the providential hand of God! - Bless, Your Eminence Vladyka! “Everything is fine with us, thank God.” I take the medicine and feel quite a bit stronger from it. Thank the Lord! Asking for prayers and blessings, I have the honor to remain 125. Gratitude for election as an honorary member of the Berlin Brotherhood Expression of gratitude for being elected an honorary member of the Berlin Brotherhood. Your High Blessing, Most Honorable Father Archpriest, I express my gratitude to the Orthodox Charitable Brotherhood in Berlin in the name of Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir, which elected me to its honorary members, for which I received the established diploma. May God's blessing be upon this good institution! For my part, I am sending 50 rubles, of which 25 are for 1893, and 25 for 1894. Please accept my small contribution! I also apologize for not responding to your calling voice sooner! I ask your High Blessing to inform the right people about this - and I have the honor to be your sincere well-wisher and prayer book. Athonite monk Vladislav Honorable Fr. Vladislav! The books you sent were received on the 12th in good condition. Have you received – “What is spiritual life?” and - “Wake up to sleep.” If received, please take the trouble to send me two hundred of each. I've been reviewing them for a long time. Tell me who is your boss - is it you, oh. Vladislav, or besides - there is another you - the real one, and you are just the headboard. If it’s different, then why doesn’t she let me know about herself for so long, so that I can show her my due respect? But the main thing is that there are secrets that I need to talk about with my real head, and not with my head... 127. About received books and articles I have received the books and articles you sent by transport and by mail. A little later I’ll send you a few sermons for a brochure... I’ll just review it. 128. About the correspondence of new translations. About the new edition of “The Path to Salvation” These are the promised words. Take the trouble to arrange for their correspondence, and then send it to me again. – I will review it even more diligently so that there are no more mistakes. And I’ll send it for printing. Hurry up. I'm telling you not to look through it. – The second and third words are printed in such a way that the end of the second falls into the end of the third, and the end of the third into the end of the second. Instruct the copyist to take the end of the second word from the third, and the end of the third from the second. It should be printed in one brochure... and then put into circulation. You sent me conversations about. Arseny with the Molokans, volume one. Send the second one too. I really need it. Tell us together where Fr. is now. Arseny? – here in Moscow – or on Mount Athos? And I really need to know this. New edition of “The Path to Salvation” how much time has already passed through my hands?! Did it reach you? – I’m waiting for these books, as usual. By the way, tell me - letters coming from here go directly to Athos or stop in Odessa and then are forwarded to Athos by Odessa attorneys - even if they were addressed directly to Athos via Constantinople?.. 129. About anti-Molokan conversations. About sending articles for the third volume of the Philokalia But he started enjoying himself. “Molokanism is near us... More copies of anti-Molokan conversations were needed.” Please send three more copies of both issues. “And I apologize for my greed.” A bale is being sent with this. These are articles for the third volume of the Philokalia. - Please send it to Athos. They'll rewrite it there. You can discard the canvas containing the bale and attach another one. But don’t touch what’s in the middle, but let it stay as it is tied... The articles are arranged in order... some are handwritten, some are printed... and there is a book... If you touch it, you’ll confuse it. And we will have a fuss. 130. The censor must be listened to The crossed out words here seemed inappropriate to him... And so be it, even though something could be said against it. There is nothing to fuss about: for with this release the flow of speech is not confused. 131. About received books. About the articles sent for the Philokalia Venerable Lord of Glory! Finally received the books on May 17th. The merchant waited for our people from the monastery to pick them up; and then the monastery purchases happened... and they stayed with him for about two weeks... Nothing... Not spoiled. I am sending you seven words... revised... for you to type. Attached are two notebooks - the works of St. Maximus the Confessor - for the 3rd volume of the Philokalia. - I ask you to send them to Athos to the elders - for correspondence in a number of other articles... And we also received brochures about prayer. 132. About received books. About the fire in the Athos Panteleimon Monastery I grieve with grief the 33rd monastery of St. Panteleimon on Athos. 133. About the unsatisfactory correspondence of the third volume of the Philokalia About the unsatisfactory correspondence of the third volume of the Philokalia. Do a thorough proofreading. About the translation of the works of St. Theodora Studite. I just finished re-reading the 3rd volume of “The Dobrotol[Jubius].” – Rewritten extremely unsatisfactorily. I looked and corrected it as much as I could. But it’s not surprising that much still needs to be corrected. - Now it’s your job to bring everything to the end. The bale is large; but Tom will not be fat; because it was rewritten in an overclocked manner. The sheets are not connected. We need to tie it up. If you entrust this to a bookbinder, renumber the pages in advance. Those that have markings on the sheets are printed and are no longer usable. They were not in a row; and then I had to mix it up. Life of St. The old Maxima was thrown out. A new one has been compiled - a short one, since all the information about the authors of articles is usually short. This caused more confusion. Another confusion comes from this. – Heads of St. Maximus the Confessor, which we have designated - from the Vatican Codex, not St. Maxim, and Elijah Ekdik, the same ones that we have in the Philokalia. I learned this after I had already sent the manuscript. It was necessary to change. – These chapters have been moved to the end of the volume. It became necessary to put in a new page numbering. Take the trouble to do this and don’t get it mixed up... Then organize the bandaging. - The correspondence goes on, sometimes in quarters, then in destinies, sometimes in sheets, sometimes in half sheets. Half sheets are with a fold on the left side. These will go into the sling. But there are two half-sheets - without this fold. You can’t put them in a sling... I think it needs to be rewritten. And dispose of it. Now you have to work. I have worked hard from the week of the Publican until now... and now the second week... If everything were in order, I could finish in a week. Make sure your proofreading is thorough and reasonable. I'm afraid there will be a whole volume of errors. Help you, Lord, to get rid of this trouble. There is nothing to say for proofreading. Let them print as before... or the same volumes. - I’ll just add one thing - that the words: Apostle, Prophet, Angel, New Testament, Old Testament, Gospel, Holy Scripture, Word of God, Providence, Providence, Holy Fathers - must be printed with the first capital letter. And there is nothing to remember about the names of God, which is how it should be... God bless you, it is good for you to settle this matter. Now I’ll take on the final reworking of St. Theodora Studite. It turned out 24 of my notebooks in a quarter of ten. For each notebook you need to put one and a half sheets of printed paper. Will cost 30 sheets... The volume is large. And this will be the 4th volume of the Philokalia. - Having reviewed everything, I’ll send it to you for a census. Perhaps I can cope with this faster than the 3rd volume of the Philokalia. The bundle that will now go to you will contain a pile of new correspondence. Bale - my old manuscript. And the books from which some of the articles are taken. This last pile and books about. the archimandrite asked to be sent to them. You will do this when the volume is finished printing. “Now I’m sending it because if the correspondence is bad, they might help get out of trouble... When I'm done typing... I'll re-read and notice any typos. Printing of no other book has bothered me as much as this one... Be sure to let me know how you arrange this matter, from receiving the bale to the start of printing. Now with God! - Let's get to work. 134. Request to publish the book of St. Dimitry of Rostov Please publish the book of St. Dimitri Rostovsky “Healing against blasphemous thoughts.” About reading proofs. I congratulate you on the bright Resurrection of Christ! I wish you all the joys! I received brochures. Thank you... Please print St. Demetrius of Rostov - “Healing against blasphemous thoughts”... Many suffer. It wouldn't be hard for me to re-read the last proof. But this will make the printing process unbearable. Mail reaches us on the 5th day, and sometimes more, and from us the same amount. Yes, there is a week between receipt and delivery. From us they go to the city once a week: because the distance is 25 miles. Thus, the turnover of a printed sheet will require 17 days... All sheets in the book will be 25 or more. And the printing will last for a year. - Won't you feel nauseous? If the printing house agrees to wait, you can send two sheets, or three... Then less time will pass. But everything is inconvenient. As prepared as I am, I find this inconvenient. From there, handle the typing... And then, when the typing is finished, I’ll read it to mark typos. 135. Covering letter to the fourth volume of the Philokalia Covering letter to the fourth volume of the Philokalia. About books. This is the fourth volume of our Philokalia! All St. Theodore the Studite's instructions to monks. I consider them the best instructions. And, most importantly, one of a kind. Find better scribes. Notes for scribes were written... only those that were most necessary. - I would also write that for every poorly written and illegible word they should be deducted, if not a ruble, then at least a penny... well, at least one seventh... as was previously believed. Otherwise, in a sense of their impunity, they write with great carelessness. Is the third volume being published? Please let me know. – By the end of printing, it is necessary to prepare the manuscript of the fourth... that is, rewrite it and reread it. Meanwhile, I will take on the 5th volume, the last one. The matter of books is over. Good. God bless us to sell them all and then make at least a hundred new editions. You grumble that the cost of printing is expensive... Not at all expensive. But - I already wrote to my nephew that - let’s put 20 rubles per sheet for each publication... without taking into account the number of printing plants. - Please agree with this... and stop grumbling. I have received the brochures you sent. Thank you for your generosity. O. Archimandrite Macarius - sends Peter of Damascus in the Optina translation. If this book comes to you, hurry to send it... The beginning of the 5th volume of the Greek book should begin with it; but we have to change and start with St. Simeon the Theologian or Nikita Stifat. O. Archim[andrit] also wants to quickly publish a new edition of “On Sobriety and Prayer”... I’ll re-read it, I’ll correct everything. Using this copy, you will correct another one, and send this other one to the censorship and they will print from it. And keep the copy I corrected for you... Check the printing using it... and notice any errors. – So for all subsequent editions and for all books. “Miterikon” is a Greek manuscript... if it went through you, it was received. And I forgot. “When copying the fourth volume, let them immediately rewrite the table of contents on special sheets, so that later it can be printed in the book.” 136. About books: there are a few typos, about the publication “On Sobriety and Prayer” About the books: there are a few typos, about the publication “On Sobriety and Prayer.” On the publication of the image of the Holy Sepulcher and the Sepulcher of the Mother of God. Most Honorable Fr. Vladislav! I read it... Printing is correct. 15 errors... 3 per sheet. Strive to reduce this number too... It is desirable that there should be none. – And as if this is unattainable?! Father Archimandrite wishes that the book “On Sobriety and Prayer” be published again now. “I told him to let them handle the Philokalia.” But he replied that one would not interfere with the other. – I re-read this book: I keep making mistakes along the way... It’s amazing that in the second half, namely in the interpretation of the Lord’s Prayer, there are no mistakes... I began to suspect myself - had I been reading in a dormant state? - Therefore, when proofreading, pay attention to this part... - Having received typos, take a copy of the book, correct it according to the instructions and give it to the censor... etc. In passing I mentioned Fr. Archimandrite that I have accurate drawings of the Holy Sepulcher and the Sepulcher of the Mother of God. – I made the drawings myself, measuring everything and transferring it to paper; and the Tambov painter drew it from my words and according to my instructions. - They depict their subjects very accurately... He immediately suggested whether he would like them to be published - by Moscow Athos publishers. He agreed. – And so I send you these pictures. “I’ll also include a description of each painting with them.” – They are not small and not large – but medium. And I think it is better to publish them in full size, as is. I also think that some of them should be published in lithographic prints, and some, at least a smaller part, in chromolithographic prints... A print cannot represent things as they are, and these things are very expensive, and one cannot help but want them to be depicted accurately... which is nowhere to be seen... Take the trouble to find a good lithographer and a chromolithograph together... and entrust this task to him. I also have Golgotha; but only the most general sketch; but just like those, the most accurate... everything is measured out and transferred to paper... The details can be conveyed... You had a painter in your house there. Can't he paint Golgotha ​​according to my drawing and my indication of the details - as detailed as I can remember... The picture will be as big as the coffin of the Mother of God, and the same shape. I will enclose my drawing... If the artist agrees to draw, return this drawing to me, I will add something else, write something else. My paintings and this drawing should return to me when the need has passed. Let me know immediately what you will do regarding this drawing matter. At the same time, if you have a draftsman or painter, then here’s something else I ask... Yours sent me oil paints a long time ago. There are varnishes in between. – I know that they cover finished paintings to give them a special color. – But I don’t know how to do it. – Doesn’t your painter know? And if he knows, I ask him to tell me. The whole thing, of course, cannot be imposed. In this case, you need to breed. What and how? What oil to dilute and to what extent? - And then, how to apply... Again, as soon as they dry, - oil, yes oil... will it dry soon? Let him prescribe the entire procedure from beginning to end... I really need this. I’ve finished my drawing work... I’ll take up printing again, - I looked through and corrected the interpretation of the 33rd Psalm. I am attaching it to the pictures. I promised it - and I keep my promise. It's among the free ones. - And then send me a hundred; and there are 50 paintings... P.S. If you find it inconvenient to publish the paintings in full size, then oblige those who will belittle them to respect the proportionality of the parts: otherwise it won’t work out exactly... let them do it somehow mechanically. Otherwise they are fanfares - they are ashamed to use compasses and use squares... or something else... If you publish it as it is, let the draftsman take it off through a banner and transfer it to paper, otherwise there will be trouble... they will make a mistake. If you want to see the bed of Christ as it is, hold the picture so that the chest of the image of the Lord that is on the marble is against your eyes, and keep the picture away from you as much as your hands allow, and even a little less. 137. About the third volume of the Philokalia. On the interpretation of Psalm 33 About the third volume of the Philokalia. On the interpretation of the 33rd Psalm. About the images of the Holy Sepulcher and the Sepulcher of the Mother of God. Thank you for your congratulations and well wishes. I wish you both in abundance. In your letter you inform that printed sheets have been sent for the 3rd volume of “Kindness”... - But even without mentioning it, it’s going smoothly... and there’s nothing to talk about. What should have been said and information about which I so desired, you don’t say a word about that. I mean the last parcel to you - pictures of the Holy Sepulcher and the Sepulcher of the Mother of God, a drawing of Golgotha... the 33rd Psalm with amendments - and typos in the book “On Sobriety and Prayer.” Why not a word about this? Has the parcel been received?... I guess it has been received. In this case, you have a lot of guilt... and expect penance for your guilt. I wrote on purpose: let me know as soon as possible and tell me how things are going for you. This further increases your guilt... Please correct yourself... and while I come up with a penance for you to the extent of your sin, hurry to inform me of what has been said. O. Archimandrite, agreeing to publish the paintings, remembered that he could not get you to properly publish the view of the Panteleimon Monastery... everything is unsatisfactory. I wrote to him that I would ask you to find the best lithographs and chromolithographs so that the publication of the paintings would come out properly. - And so I ask... How should I somehow publish it?.. It must be so that it comes out beautiful, how good. Please take all my requests not for consideration, but for fulfillment... After the book about sobriety and prayer... what are you thinking of publishing?.. Isn’t it Simeon the Theologian - the second issue? - we need to talk about this. – O. Archimandrite wrote, it seems that this is necessary; but I don't remember well... Hasn't Theodore the Studite been rewritten yet? - Well done... these are scribblers, such scribblers! Look for them all over the world... you won't find them. The fifth volume of the Philokalia: the beginning, the monk Call[ist] and Ignatius, and then the end... I don’t think I’ll translate Katafigiot because he’s so curly... Aren’t you afraid of my eyes?! They'll close today or tomorrow... and that's the end of things. We must hurry... 138. About typos in books. About the book “On Sobriety and Prayer” About typos in books. About the book “On Sobriety and Prayer.” About the works of St. Theodora Studite. Although there is much less here than in previous books; however, one cannot help but wish that it would be even less. May God help you with this! For the book “On Prayer and Temperance” the format and font are good. But the book will be a little thicker. - However, it doesn’t matter! I can’t wait to see the pictures, - There’s something announced at the post office - for 15 rubles. Isn't that it? I barely remember Golgotha... but mostly I remember the colors. Maybe I’ll draw a small one like that drawing myself, at least somehow... just to show the colors, as long as I remember... From St. Theodore the Studite, you completely fell asleep there. Meanwhile, the fifth volume will soon end - in translation. All five volumes must be accompanied by an index to the subjects. Then whatever subject someone wants to read about... he will find and read according to the index... and thank you Fr. He will tell Vladislav and the elders... And without a pointer he will approach the books - he will look and look and move away... afraid to venture into this forest... I wrote about this about. Archimandrite, and now I’m telling you. Arrange this as you know... I don’t have time, and I wish you success in everything. 139. About the fourth volume of the Philokalia. About images of the Holy Sepulcher About the fourth volume of the Philokalia. About the images of the Holy Sepulcher and the Sepulcher of the Mother of God. Everything you sent has been received. Thank you for your troubles about applying the varnish... it turns out that you are fussing about one varnish, and I’m talking about another. Well, let's stop talking about it. The rewritten end, or the second half of the 4th volume of “Love of Kindness”, is being re-read. The first copyist of the 14 notebooks) - pat him on the head... and whoever after him started with the 15th notebook[adi], blow this one by the hair: don’t take it if you can’t write legibly, - But there’s nothing to do, you have to read... at least there’s a stop on every line... Why is the table of contents not written?! – This volume without a table of contents will be unpleasant to pick up. I wrote that the census taker should also write down the table of contents on special sheets of paper. But nothing... I’ll hasten to re-read, - Then plant the first copyist... and let him write it down as it is in the notebooks, - It will be several sheets, but - what’s the harm?! The drawings from the paintings are very well done 35... But what kind of neveglas (ignorant - Ed.) wrote on the image of the Holy Sepulcher, which “does not correspond to reality”... I lived there for seven years - and every week I visited the Holy Sepulcher more than once... and I know every spot. - And he says it doesn’t correspond... Ah! - but there are Jerusalemites there... Here's what you need to do: go to the Jerusalem courtyard - and ask the abbot if the pictures are similar. This will be the right judge... It occurred to me that the censor did not approve because such a publication belongs to the Jerusalem Patriarchate... of which the representative is the rector of the metochion... It was necessary to secure his consent. So, talk to him about it. If he does not agree, then there is nothing to do. Return the paintings to me... and don’t forget little Golgotha. – That will end this matter. “And if you don’t have the sense to disturb the courtyard, then send the paintings back straight away.” Is it all over – in the 3rd volume of “Love of Kindness”? - As soon as it runs out, send me my portion as soon as possible. I also received sheets on sobriety and prayer... I will re-read those after the manuscript. My teeth are grinding at the signatory: “does not correspond.” Report to him - to wait for seconds... Because I have been dealt a bloody grudge... Doesn't comply!!!! 140. About the fourth volume of the Philokalia. About the works of St. Simeon the New Theologian The fourth volume of the “Philokalia” is being forwarded to you – printed and draft. - He also has his sources - the manuscripts of the Great Catechism of St. Theodora - in three volumes, two bound, the third in notebooks. Another bound manuscript of 105 teachings... Notebooks in sheets, additional to this manuscript, to compose from both manuscripts a small catechism of 134 teachings. - Table of contents of all the teachings of St. Feodora in notebooks, and various additional notes... All this will be useful there, but I have it lying around without any use. Two books of the writings of Peter Damascene in Russian translation are also included, due to their uselessness. – You’ll figure out what to send to Mount Athos and what to keep for yourself. Now I only have the manuscript left - “Miterikon”. I would send her too; but she fell somewhere. As soon as I find it, I’ll send it. Translating it is inconvenient. But my main concern now is about the 4th volume. I added a sort of preface to this volume... But print without the title. Here about manuscripts is deliberately placed. Wrote about. Archimandrite, to remember this. Then what was written at the end of the life of St. Theodora, - sealed as unnecessary... As soon as you receive it, immediately have the titles of the teachings rewritten... Assign the one who wrote the first 14 notebooks and the last two or three, it seems... When he rewrites, check for yourself whether it’s correct. - There’s nothing to send to me. Please make sure that printing starts as quickly as possible and proceeds more quickly. The whole world is scolding you and me, that we are sleepyheads and lazy... It’s a joke! – Volume 3, after its production, we’ve been waiting for three years... the correspondence went on for two years... Now we need to distinguish ourselves. However, not at the expense of serviceability - so that there are no typos at all. When they start printing titles, order them to be printed in small font and with a ledge. Look how St. Makaria - the headlines are printed, so let it be here. And at the end there is a table of contents, the font is also small - maybe a little larger than in the book itself. I think I’ve said everything... so, with God... begin. Now, if you please tell me... you have in your hands the second volume of Simeon the New Theologian. - From this saint in the fifth volume we will take the same thing that is in the Greek “Philokalia”. - But all this is in the second volume of his words. So, if you have this volume, then I will just write to you: rewrite this and that, and indicate typos if there are any. And if not, I’ll correct my copy, indicate what to take from it... They will begin the 5th volume... And then - his student Nikita Stifat, and so on... Let us know about this as soon as possible: for the preparation of the 5th volume is coming to an end. – Its size will be the same as the fourth one. Now - the painting business... I decided to stop the hassle of printing, and asked you to send my paintings back. But if you find it possible to obtain permission to publish through the St. Petersburg Censorship Committee, then I think we can try. But I leave it up to you to decide. If you send it, write to your people and tell them to tell Nikolai Vasilyevich Elagin... and he will handle everything there in spirit. Or let me know and I’ll write to him... Your drawings are correct... only the stripes in the vault, in the picture of the Holy Sepulcher, are unnecessary... Nothing is visible there. - If you decide to return the paintings without further hassle, then don’t forget - the drawing of Golgotha... Maybe I can get it dirty... On the 3rd volume, send me the full proportion as soon as possible. 141. Covering letter to the fifth volume of the Philokalia This is the 5th volume of the Philokalia! Take the trouble to manage the rewriting. Let the one who wrote the first 14 notebooks in the 4th volume write; and for speed, I would have chosen someone who writes just as legibly... and those two who rewrote the second half of the 4th volume are worthless. - The deadline is set as follows: it is necessary that the correspondence, re-reading thereof and censorship be completed by the day the last page of the 4th volume comes out of print. And three months are given for printing the 4th volume... It will be a little over 30 sheets... Agree with the printer to print three sheets every week. It will take all 10 weeks - two and a half months. Half a month is added for cracking. In extreme need, add another month... 4 months - not a minute more: May, June, July, August... And then, from September 1 [November], the 5th volume should go to the printing house... and by Christmas it should be handed over to readers. Try to complete this program. How to rewrite (5th volume) - everything is written on a special half-sheet... 1st article from Simeon the New Theologian - printed from the book... etc. 2nd volume of St. Simeon is attached... It is corrected... and from it to print... Based on the correspondence from it, which is required for the 5th volume, submit the book to the censorship... From the 5th volume, an article by Callistus Tilikuda... print now... and send it out as a blessing, as you do. And in the fifth volume let it take its course. It is an abbreviation of 100 chapters of Callistus and Ignatius. - That is, if you find it convenient. And Callista and Ignatius the whole book... when you print the 5th volume... make prints... in large numbers, and sell them especially. Here is the whole science of asceticism - or an abbreviation of the Philokalia. The books of the 3rd volume you sent to the merchant. We don't have a ride into the city yet. You send the paintings to St. Petersburg. Good. – I’ll write to Nikolai Vasilyevich Elagin to help. Write to yours too, so that they can turn to him when the need arises... Here is the address: Semenovsky Regiment, Serpukhovskaya Street, 18, apt. 2. Send me a small drawing of Golgotha. Somehow I’ll get some paint on it just so I can see where the paint is... Not everything is painted there... I then wrote that I still had “Miterikon”... I searched and searched. No. - It was sent to you before. 142. About typos. About the printing of the Philokalia. Please send books Most Honorable Fr. Vladislav! It's amazing that you didn't get any typos. – The letter was sent at the same time as the manuscript of the 5th volume. – It’s good that I didn’t tear up the draft. – Here are the newly rewritten typos. I also wrote something back then. I don’t remember everything, but here’s what I remember. Hurry up with the printing of the 4th volume and the correspondence of the fifth... This is what I think: printing of the 4th volume should be completed by September. By this time, the 5th volume had been rewritten, reread, passed censorship and was ready for publication. – How will the printing of the 4th volume end? I would like to start printing the 5th volume and finish it in December for the Christmas holiday. – Try to have time to do this, if possible. And when there is a desire, then everything is possible. Please send 100 copies of the new book “On Sobriety and Prayer.” I review the suffering and death of the Lord Savior. Maybe the desire will come and write something. You have a book about this: 1) The Passion of Christ - 79 years, 50 kopecks, 2) About the suffering and death of our Lord Jesus Christ, resurrection and ascension, with pictures - 83 years, 50 kopecks. Send me one copy of each... I am happy about the fate of the paintings. Maybe. “But there won’t be any trouble if they don’t approve there either.” I'm waiting for Little Golgotha... I'll get it dirty somehow myself... as long as I remember. I don’t remember everything... But I remember the main thing well. Yes, who is your leader - between the brothers? - Is it you or someone else?.. Father Archimandrite wrote that a new edition of “Words on Repentance and Communion” is required... They must first be re-read. I'll re-read it... and send you any typos. 143. About the image of Golgotha. About the printing of the Philokalia I received a drawing of Golgotha... Where did you find or who invented such ugliness? - The only thing that can come into play is that the cross with the crucifix and the upcoming... Everything else - and in itself is ugly - and does not correspond to the point - its own imagination! Where is my drawing? – Why didn’t you send it? “And why didn’t they tell me to draw from that drawing?” – Did you prefer this ugly one? - It’s no good... Send me your drawing... and I will draw on it - on canvas... and send it. Draw on it in an enlarged form. - And this one that was sent went into the fire. Everything is not going well for you. For this reason, you need to quit. – Send me my pictures of the Holy Sepulcher and the Sepulcher of the Mother of God... and a pencil drawing of Golgotha... And that’s the end of the matter. - I don’t want to bother about this anymore... I am very glad that you have decided to quickly complete the publication of the fourth and fifth volumes of the Philokalia. - Keep in mind that my vision is about to stop. I’m re-reading the words about repentance and communion... Then I’ll re-read the letter to the Romans... Other books, it seems, will be tolerated. Send me “Letters to various persons on various objects of faith and activity”—two or three dozen. And write to St. Petersburg to stop worrying about the paintings. Your drawing in the book “The Passion of Christ” - representing the Holy Sepulcher - generally has all the parts... But it has three points of view - and it turned out ugly... and the bed is not visible. And it is impossible not to see it, unless someone bends below the front edge of this bed. Buy and give me a complete catalog of books from the Synodal bookstore or printing house. 144. About the publication of books. Condolences on the death of the Athos Archimandrite I received everything you sent. Thank you very much. I re-read the 5th page of the 4th volume. I see that the printer is escorting you. Who came up with the idea of ​​printing half sheets? – The hassle of printing half a sheet is the same as when printing a sheet. Since this business is valued for its work, the printer will set a sheet price for each half-sheet. And the sheet will cost double the price. - A completely unnecessary expense. - However, if you have talked with the printer and he will not charge more than the usual price per sheet, then that’s all the same. I only then notice so as not to pay in vain. Who came up with the idea of ​​printing the table of contents of teachings in large font? – From these tables of contents – inside the book and at the end – a whole book will come out. And who wants the profit? To the printer. There is no need for such a font. – Order these tables of contents to be printed in small font, the same as your book announcements are printed at the end of books, or a little larger. The same is true at the end of the book, don’t forget to print the general table of contents – in the smallest font and move the lines closer together... The table of contents contains Divine names with small letters at the beginning... for example, Lord... God... Command this wicked deed to be corrected. Also: in these tables of contents there are paragraphs. After each point - start with a capital letter. - Who is this fashionista? Example: page[page] 75. The height of typographical iniquity is that, since he does not hope to place the entire table of contents at the end of the page, he leaves this place unprinted. There are three such empty spaces in one last half-sheet - one for seven lines, another for 8, the third for 12. This makes the book look ugly, requires extra paper, and increases the number of sheets of the book. And this goes into the printer’s pocket. - Command him not to do this; and if in the remaining space at the end of the page you can print a number indicating the number of the lesson - and after it at least one more line of the table of contents, then let him print... and move the end of the table of contents to another page. lines........................................................................................................ table of contents........................................................................................................ The printing is very good... clean and pleasant... And let him correct what is written urgently... And don't listen to the printer. And that's enough about this. Nikolai Vasilyevich gave me the drawings of the paintings... And so be it. We need to stop worrying about this... If you don’t need my paintings, send them. P.S. In the midst of all my troubles, I forgot about your grief - that Fr. Arch[imandrit] died. - I'm very sorry. May the Lord rest his soul... Fr. sent me a telegram. Andrey. - Then tell me who will take his place. I am attaching typos from the book “On Repentance” and so on. Please correct one copy and pass it through the censors. And the poor 33rd Psalm lies and weeps on Fr. Vladislav, merciless to him. Why do you use such thick paper for printing? - An extra waste - and the books are heavy... "Philokalia" so be it... And print other books on thin paper... only white... Just like this book ("On Repentance"). And print all your books on thin paper, except for the Philokalia. 145. About the correspondence of the fifth volume of the Philokalia. About the arrangement of articles in books Re-read; and I forward the fifth volume. Thank you for the good correspondence. May God grant you a good and successful printing. This is what came to my mind - to use special prints: 1) The ascetic word of the reverent elder Simeon... and 2) One hundred chapters of Callistus and Ignatius. If you find this blessed and the elders bless you, then take the trouble to arrange for the printing house, after printing these articles in the general composition of the articles in this volume, then separately to print each of them in a special book with a special page numbering. Both books contain complete instructions for those who wish to strive. Getting acquainted with these articles will irritate the desire to get acquainted with all the books of the Philokalia. Keep in mind that two words of Simeon the Theologian - about faith and about three types of prayer - were supposed to be placed before the interpretation of the appeal: Lord, have mercy!.. Now I think that it is possible to print the articles as they are rewritten... that is, let the 13th article, as it appears in the table of contents, be the 14th, and let the 14th be the 13th... Bless you, Lord, and all your elders... 146. About typos. About books: interpretation of the letter to the Romans, etc. About typos. About books: interpretation of the Epistle to the Romans, Letters on the Christian Life, works of St. Simeon the New Theologian. Please send cypress wood boards from Athos. Be careful not to omit words with two dashes (“) [quoted marks] in front or at the end. They signify extracts from the Fathers, and without them there will be confusion. Hurry up and send me the usual number of copies. Be quick with typing. My eye is noticeably weakening. And we also need to print the Epistle to the Romans, and “Letters on the Christian Life,” except for the second edition of Simeon the New Theologian. This is what the late Fr. archimandrite. Is there cypress on Athos? – Are there any boards made from this cypress? – And where can I get them? We are building a warm church – a good one. The elders decided to make a board for the throne or cover it, cover it with Athos cypress. The elders entrust me with asking you about this. - And I ask. – For your part... I ask you to undertake and deliver such boards to us. All expenses will be returned to you through me. When you notify me about all this, then I will tell you how many boards you will need. 147. Congratulations on the completion of printing the fourth volume of the Philokalia Congratulations on the completion of printing the fourth volume of the Philokalia. About books. Congratulations on finishing the printing of the fourth volume. “We’re two whole months overdue.” Help you, Lord, to begin and finish the fifth as soon as possible. This lot will be less than 4th. Thank you for your willingness to supply us with cypress boards. But that’s where this matter ends. Some kind person undertook not only to deliver the boards, but also to build thrones... cypress... Thus, this need is off both my and your shoulders. What to print next besides the Philokalia? Print – 2nd issue of St. Simeon... I'll send a letter to the Romans soon. Then I’ll review “Letters on Christian Life.” The late Fr. The archimandrite believed that it would be better to print them in two books. 148. About books. The censor had no right to cross out. About mail About books. The censor did not have the right to cross out, because this means correcting St. Fathers. About mail. So you print St. Simeon? - Good... And the 5th volume of the Philokalia?! The censor did not have the right to cross out: for this means correcting St. Fathers. However, print it with an omission and correction. The errata were sent to you a long time ago, with the first mail upon receipt of the last sheets. - What’s not soon is not soon for you, not for me. Look how things are going with us. Believe that your parcel with printed sheets has now arrived in Shatsk and that our ambassador has also arrived there. This ambassador received an announcement... and brought it to Vysha. In a week we will prepare everything you need and send it out. In a week you will get a parcel; the answer will be sent through another, etc. Shatsk is further 25 versts from us. – From Shatsk to you 3-4 days; Yes, that’s how long it takes from you to Shchatsk... Total - three weeks. The shortest possible time. But it happened that today the mail arrived in Shatsk, and our ambassador was there yesterday. He will come for the announcement in a week. Therefore, you will receive an answer in four weeks. Shatsk from the cast iron 70 versts... I am writing this so that you do not spoil your blood by worrying about the delay in receiving the necessary news. P.S. When I sent the paintings to you, I described on a special sheet what was seen in which painting. It says there how many lamps there are above the bed of the Lord of all, how many lamps are in which row, and which are ours and which are Catholic and Armenian. – I noticed all this on a special piece of land. This piece is lost. - If the sheet on which everything is written is intact, write down to me what is written there about the lamps. I need it. Also – P.S. I urgently need to get a book: “Description of Diseases” - pathology... Something seemed to be in my heart. – I found out that there is a manual for special pathology and therapy – Einghorst... in Russian. But the prices are not indicated. Look in the bookstores there... Glazunov and others. And if you find it, buy it and give it to me. And if you don’t find it, there’s no need. Just let me know quickly. I will send to St. Petersburg. If it turns out that there is no such book by this author, but there is another author, then buy it, and don’t worry about that one by the said author. 149. Gratitude for the books sent I received the books “Dobrotol[jubia]”... and a sheet of notes about the paintings. Have you heard the proverb: feed until your mustache, feed until your beard? So take the trouble to send all the publications. This is a description of diseases with recipes - pathology. 150. About the book “On Sobriety and Prayer.” About other publications There are typos in the book about prayer. The font and paper are very good. It would be nice to print Simeon the Bogoslov[ov] in the same way... Only the paper format is a little larger... otherwise the book will be too thick... I'm thinking of looking at Romans; because he's been gone for a long time. And I forgot... I’m now reviewing the Passion of the Lord the Savior... Doesn’t it come to mind to write something. – According to your announcement, you have: “The Passion of Christ”, “Jesus Christ on Calvary, or Seven Words from the Cross”, “About the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus Christ, His resurrection and ascension.” Send me one copy of these books. This book - “On Sobriety and Prayer”... send a hundred. 151. Cover letter to the interpretation of Romans Covering Letter for the Exposition of Romans. I am sending you the message of Romans. Father Archimandrite Andrei wrote that he did not receive the “Miterikon” - that he asked you, and you answered that you did not receive it either. – I remember that I notified you that this book was staying with me for a while... But then I soon realized that it was not there, and I thought that, right, despite the mention that I was keeping the book with me, I included it along with those books that were sent; and calmed down. And now it turns out that you didn’t have it, and I don’t have it. I’m looking for it between my scattered books, believing that I’ve hidden it somewhere. But I haven’t found it yet. What God will give ahead. I really regret this. If I don’t find it, I’ll send money to Athos so that they can copy this book for their library. It probably exists in the monasteries there. 152. About the index of the contents of the Philokalia. About individual prints About the index of the contents of the Philokalia. About individual prints of St. Plato, Callistus and Ignatius. If to St. Get over it for Easter, there will be a wonderful egg for those who love this kind of reading. There on Mount Athos the elders are preparing - an index of the contents of all volumes. It should have been printed with volume 5. But since we didn’t have time, we can make a special print. I thought it would be nice to make special reprints of the rules of Elder Plato, Ignatius and Callistus - and something else... I forgot - I think I wrote to you. If you remembered and did so, then good... and if you didn’t, then you should regret it. – It’s my fault that I didn’t remind you. But I myself remembered this when I started re-reading Ignatius and Callistus... The trouble, however, is not great if things don’t work out that way. 153. Please send the books: “The Word of Repentance” and the words of St. Simeon the New Theologian Please send the books: “The Word of Repentance” and the words of St. Simeon the New Theologian. About the index of the contents of the Philokalia. About other books. Send me the “Word of Repentance” and so on... the full portion - 200... And the words of St. Simeon - 50. But add the same amount for the first issue. I don't have it. As for the trial articles on compiling the index, we will talk about it later. Now tell me quickly how the idea of ​​compiling it came to you... and who is the compiler? I will report to you that for three years, if not more, I proposed to compile it for the learned brethren of the Panteleimon Monastery. They took it on eagerly and sent me the same trial experiments... And together we established how to do the job. I heard later that they had already completed two or three volumes. - And now I see - a new beginning of the same work. - Well, the Athonite sages refused... and Fr. Archimandrite entrusted this matter to you?! Tell me quickly. Then I will point out your experiences in this matter... Now what do you think about printing? Print Romans. “Letters on the Christian Life” will be redone... 3 and 4 – one book under the title: “The Outline of Christian Moral Teaching.” Fatherly articles - from the additions of the 2nd issue - will make up a special little book... the rest is all one book - letters with additions... When everything is settled, then Fr. Archiman[drita] I’ll ask, or you’ll ask: does he agree? 154. About the index. About the publication of "Miterikon". Please find the article About the index. About the publication of "Miterikon". Please find the article “The Soul and the Angel are not something corporeal, but pure spirit.” I looked through the beginnings of the index to the “Philokalia” that you sent. Father M-v could compile an index; I should just make two or three notes... But I have an idea to create an index myself. What I have already written about and about. Archimandrite Andrey. Therefore, wait to enter into a deal with Fr. Man-m. Let's see what they say from Mount Athos. O. Archimandrite hinted at the publication of the “Miterikon”, as it was printed in the “Sunday Reading” - Kiev - a long time ago, it seems, in 54 or 55. I was talking about. Archimandrite - write it off there on Mount Athos and send it. – And if this magazine is not there, then you will have to find it in Moscow and write it off. Prepare yourself by finding this magazine, so that Fr. Archimand[rita] did not take you by surprise. Can you find the “Home Conversation” there in Moscow for the years 68 and 69? There is my article: “The soul and the angel are not something corporeal, but pure spirit.” - I would like to print it as a special brochure, and for this purpose copy it from the magazine. I wrote about this about. archim(andrita) and asked to rewrite it there on Athos, if there is... And if not, so that he would order you to do it... Work hard when the command comes. That's how many instructions you have. 155. About received books. About the statutes. About typos The books have arrived. I received half; I'll get another one tomorrow... There is still damage in the regulations, which I did not notice, but now it caught my eye... After the first title page there is a sheet with the inscription: Then follows a general preface to the entire book... and after this a preface to the Rule of St. Pachomius... That sheet on which it stands - “The Charter of St. Pachomius..." should be between these two prefaces... between pages VIII and IX. If possible, move... Now where should this sheet be cut out... and where should it be glued, between pages VIII and IX. But whatever you decide... it's up to you. How long has it been since I reviewed the typos in the book: “On Spiritual Life”, regarding Speransky’s letters?.. And you don’t send me copies?! I don't have them... Send... a hundred or two. 156. Typos in the interpretations of the epistles to the Galatians, to the Corinthians, to the Hebrews Last time I wrote to you that I would send messages revised and corrected, but I kept in mind that this would take at least a month and a half... But it all ended in one week. The books themselves, or their latest edition, helped. – After leafing through them, you will see that there are many typos in the letter to the Galatians; in the first letter to the Corinthians - two thirds of the book, every page is an error. But the last third of this letter, the entire second letter and the letter to Ephesians, have almost no sins at all. I think the infallible pope has more sins than these - two and a third - books of typos. I mark this on purpose... to say: you see?.. therefore, in Moscow, others publish almost without sin... How to do this? – Take the proofreaders into your hands... oblige them to correct each sheet not once or twice, but until the printing house presents him with a draft sheet completely free of errors. I remember at the St. Petersburg Academy they proofread up to five times. Make sure that for every typo there is a deduction from the proofreader's fee... Otherwise he has no fear. Pay attention yourself and point out to the proofreader what I noticed on the first page of the Epistle to the Galatians... about printing the first letter of some words in capital form... otherwise now those who write and print have nothing sacred. 157. About the poems sent. Oh the delights. The enemy sharpens his teeth About the poems sent: I think they are good, they should be published. Oh the delights. The enemy is sharpening his teeth. I re-read your poems; I find them good and will send them to the elders of Athos and ask them to print them. - If they print it, pray to the Lord that he will not allow you to make a fanfare: for this is a gift from God to you. Take care to bear fruit, I mean... and write again when the gift begins to move. Then you can directly send it to Father Vladislav in the Athos chapel, remembering only that the verses you are transmitting are from the same hand as the verses “Prayer of the Syrophoenician Woman” (that’s how I titled your verses). What does it mean that your joyful state is continuous? “First of all, there’s nothing dangerous here... charm doesn’t work that way; secondly, it is the mercy of God; God makes it clear to you that He does not turn away from you, He is ready to accept you like a daughter, if you keep yourself in the same good order and not only do not weaken, but also intensify your labors, sobriety and prayer; thirdly, this is the usual consequence of peace of conscience, with which the soul has made peace and does not offend it in any way. But you will put yourself in a dangerous position if you think, and even more so you will feel that you have already gone far and that therefore you can be allowed to do something and relax yourself. – God forbid you from such thoughts and feelings! - There are enemy claws here... Do you think that he is behind... No; It’s you that he sharpens his teeth... those who don’t cross him, he doesn’t care about those. But as you point out, he gets very angry... Your zeal for salvation beats him off... and he doesn’t have an attack; but as soon as you cool down and begin to relax yourself even a little... he will attack you with all his fury... and he will bark to others: guys, come here... Watch how dangerously you walk. 158. When caring for the sick, rely on the will of God God's mercy be with you, V.T. I am very glad that the princess is a little easier... May the Lord arrange for her as His holy will pleases. There is no need to wish her death or continuation of the pain, but so: be the will of God. Whatever is done with it, God builds. And God accepts your work as an accomplice of His work, don’t hesitate to doubt this. The princess must endure her illness complacently, and you must complacently bear the labor of following her. The princess's part is part of the martyr, and you, walking behind her, are part of her part. So this is certain. Whatever sin you do, maybe God will forgive you. Human weakness! In any case, be complacent and do not lose that confidence that when you work, you work in a way pleasing to God. Be healthy and good-natured. P.S. Take care of the princess’s communion. For who knows what will happen? 159. The deceased will pray for those who looked after her Thank you for the news, and even more thank you for your efforts and your patience in holding out until the end. The princess will be your prayer book. The Lord will not despise her labors. I don’t see anything in her death that should be alarmed. What the priest didn’t give communion is nothing. I received communion within a day. “She was always with the Lord.” “He probably accepted her... with the hands of angels.” As if she were alive - you’re wrong to think. M.S. wrote that the doctor certified that she really died. It may seem like a lot? - Stop thinking about it. Write about yourself. It would be advisable for me to correspond with you so that I know what is wrong with you. I think about the princess a lot too. But now all the disturbing thoughts are over. She calmed down. I will always be grateful to you for being with her until the end. Of course, if she had stretched some more, it wouldn’t have been disgusting. But if it pleased the Lord to arrange everything this way, let us thank Him. Who knows if relief would have been given; and without it, desiring prolongation of days is the same as desiring prolongation of suffering - which cannot be called a work of love. May the Lord rest her spirit in the villages of the righteous. Be healthy and cheerful. In the new year, I wish you new pleasures. P.S. The letters that you left with the Athonite people were delivered to me. 160. Do not torment yourself: the deceased is comforted by the mercy of God Do not torment yourself: the deceased is comforted by the mercy of God. God's mercy is great. You are all about the princess... The princess is fine now, and there is no point in sighing about her. Stop tormenting yourself with perplexities and doubts. God will not despise the labors of her entire life - of course, she is comforted by the mercy of God. You say to give Alyosha some kind of essay. But printing requires money, and a lot of it. The first volume of the Philokalia costs the Athonite residents about 2 thousand. Do you see how?! And the revenue is doubtful. Nowadays, almost no one writes out spiritual books. Alyosha's books will shrink in his arms. Selling is a tricky business. There is a skill here. Thank you for your offer to buy something. You do well not to send anything without knowing whether it is needed. Such messages are always coming (in vain - Ed.). When I need something, I’ll ask. Sometimes I need materials for drawing, for sawing, for turning... for binding. But now I have a lot of all this. Well, here's the world. Are you happy? You can't help but be happy. God bless! God's mercy is great. I wish you all the best from the Lord. God bless you! 161. There is no need to doubt the power of remembrance of the dead Thank you for the inkwells, even though I don’t have them on hand yet: they’ll bring them tomorrow. Nothing else is needed at all. That you have begun to doubt the power of commemorating the dead is the enemy’s business. For our departed brothers and sisters, remembering that a piece of bread to the greedy and a glass of water to the thirsty... This is a great good deed. Please do not hesitate - and remember everyone with a wide heart. A book is being sent to you: Commentary on 2 Corinthians. 162. If anything shakes your faith, pray that the Lord will drive it away You mentioned that you regretted not reading 1 Corinthians. I am sending it to you, and at the same time I am enclosing letters recently published by the people of Athos. What you write about your son-in-law - pray, but whether you beg, the Lord knows. We pray for the departed, showing a deed of love for them. The Lord hears our prayers and does according to them everything that can be done by grace, without violating the truth. What kind of philosophy have you developed in your head? Believe like a child - and it will be better. If anything shakes your faith, pray that the Lord will drive it away and bring faith into that about which there is doubt in your heart. And He will do according to your request, but you need to pray longer, with difficulty and heartache. It’s not boring for me to answer you. Therefore, you can write as much as you like. I would accept you if you came, although I don’t accept anyone. Don't judge the praying mantis. They are kind and God-fearing. And if someone else is judged differently than we do, that can be forgiven. We all have our own hooks in our heads. Bless you, Lord, with every blessing. 163. About the second coming of the Lord. About private and final judgment [No date] Nov. 1879 Your wisdom that there will be no second coming shows that you are an infidel. After all, the Savior Himself said that He would come. How can you not believe? After death there is a private judgment, but it is not final. The Church will pray for another soul. What they told you, that when a person dies, the secret of Easter is revealed - then I don’t understand what kind of secret of Easter this is. If by secret we mean the assurance that we will all be resurrected by the power of the Resurrection of Christ, and that this assurance enters more deeply into the consciousness of the dying person, then this is very probable. I am sending you a book - an interpretation of the Epistle to the Ephesians - and a psalter. 164. Advice to join the Sisters of Mercy Society This is what came to my mind. You are not fit for a monastery. But you will be very much at home in the company of sisters of mercy. Everyone is accepted there. And, having accepted, they do not hold anyone against their will. If you like it, live; if you don’t like it, live with God. There is work, but it is possible. They take turns on duty at hospitals. The queue is not consecutive, but with rests. Each one seems to have their own room. There is a church of its own – and a service. Old women who have served, live especially as disabled people, supported by the community. See how good it is? Go! Do not let go of your property while you are alive. Just manage it correctly. It is a gift from God to you. Use it and turn it to the glory of God. But don’t let it out of your hands, even if you join the community - keep it all. You can live in a monastery without becoming a monk. But it's better in the community. You'll be bored in the monastery now. Where did you read that my eye will improve. I write to everyone that the eye does its job and succeeds, meaning that it succeeds not in sharpness of vision, but in dullness. He had already decided to end his viewing. So be it. And you can live with one eye. Not a hundred years left. God bless you. Save yourself! 165. About commemoration of the dead during Lent. About the meaning of the Magpies On the commemoration of the dead during Lent. About the meaning of the forties. About the prayer of the Church. It’s your own fault that you haven’t known anything about me for a long time: you don’t write. I'm healthy. One eye can barely see at all, and the other has barely noticeably begun to weaken. But it doesn't cause any pain. You accuse me of not answering your questions. I don’t remember there being such a sin. Now you ask about the commemoration of the dead during Lent. Whoever dies during Lent, fasting forty-eight hours is postponed until after Easter. But there is a general commemoration of him too - on Saturdays and Sundays. Moreover, every day, during the services, all the deceased are remembered, and therefore he too. This is from Midnight Office to Compline inclusive. The prayer of the Church embraces everyone. There is no way to remember everyone by name. Let relatives and friends do this... So you see, the deceased is not thrown into fasting, but enjoys the benefits of the prayers of the Holy Church along with others. The Sorokousts have been postponed because the liturgies are not scheduled during Lent, in which the power of commemoration lies. And liturgies are not meant for crying over sins. Those who sincerely cry and lament have no time for the bright service of the liturgy. Sackcloth and ashes suit them. So the whole Church laments with them. You ask about the meaning of magpies. - By the very fact that they cannot be fulfilled by everyone, you can conclude that they are not a necessary condition for the salvation of the departed, so that someone would be condemned for the sole reason that the forty-ones did not rule according to him. Salvation lies in one thing: faith and life in its spirit. And whoever is subject to condemnation on these points will not be saved by the prayers of the whole world. However, it does not follow from this that commemorations of all kinds are useless. No one goes into another life completely clean. Behind everyone there remains something that requires cleansing. And to the extent that this is the case, to such an extent he is deprived of the lordship of his state and remains in a kind of obscurity - or obscurity, although he is not sentenced to condemnation to torment. Since in one who has observed the main conditions of salvation - faith and works - and who has departed with repentance and communion there is an internal basis of salvation, then its gloominess by itself, by the action of this internal principle of light, can be driven away... dispelled. It’s all the same, put it, when someone, having been in a stinking tobacco workshop, is not allowed into the mansion until it has been ventilated. And if it gets some air, it will let in. This is the state of those who have departed. They take some time to ventilate. But some soon end this transitional state, while others do not. For others it must drag on for a long, long time. It is those who, after a bad life, sincerely repent with all their hearts before death and would like to improve. How long does it take for them to clear everything from their souls?! So look where the prayers of the Church and relatives and all the commemorations - private and general - arrive. They come as an aid to the speedy weathering of the departed. Those who have departed feel this and are comforted - and inspired. This is one benefit from the prayers of relatives and the Church. The second is that since there is a mutual influence of souls, the zealous benevolence of the earthly influences directly on the purification of those who have departed to the extent of their acceptability. The third thing is that the merciful God loves those who pray and hears their prayer, and creates it through prayer... precisely by His influence on those of the earth who have departed through prayer, He helps them to find their way quickly. Commemorations were established - as a result of visions of saints and the fruits of commemoration clearly attested from above. And the Savior did not ascend to heaven for forty days, of course, as an indication that something special happens to those who have departed in the 40 days after their death. Please be content with what has been said. Asking what to send? Send me all the works of Metropolitan Philaret. Holiday in the yard. Congratulations in advance. 166. About human reason and faith I would like to thank you for your well wishes. Please accept mine for you too. The desire for happiness is not a superfluous word at all. All the light beats because of him. You just need to stipulate this: I wish that the feeling of happiness does not stop; but no one has yet been able to decide what it is, tea. And those who always live in the Lord are not always happy. He was not on earth and will never be. What will God give in a different way of being? And here you can’t live without horseradish and radishes... Intelligence! Intelligence! And they curse him and praise him. But even those who curse him know that without reason nothing can be done; and those who praise see that he makes a lot of worthless things. “And you can’t have faith without reason, but if you let him in here like a goat in a garden, he’ll play a lot of pranks here; you need to take him in your hands, and you need to bring him into the realm of faith, just keep him on a leash everywhere. - The real use of reason would be this: take the sound dogmas of faith, and plant all of them in the reason, so that they are just as co-dissolved in it with its nature, as are its natural principles. When this is done, then say what you want: reasonable faith or true reason - everything will come out as one. Such a mind will not allow anything into the realm of faith that could spoil its tenor... for example, superstition, etc. Likewise, when science begins to build, it will not allow anything into them that would be contrary to the tenets of faith. On the contrary, in the field of science it will show everywhere traces of the reflection of faith. If our scientists remembered this norm in their minds, when educating smart people, then there would be no question about reasonable faith and true reason. All the trouble comes not from the mind alone, but from the fact that they are being smart, not caring about life. A good life produces good beginnings. Empty life, if it does not directly impose bad principles, then gives them freedom to develop unhindered... Here the mind, not constrained by conscience and the fear of God, will go sweepingly along its scientific path. And he will tell so much that you won’t even know what to do. Life is like this today. A mixture of good and evil, truth and lies, red and ugly. How much do we eat at lunch and dinner every day? And what comes from this into the economy of life. It’s such a small amount that there’s almost nothing to add to the bill. So it is in the whole world and in all life regarding the spiritual. How much rubbish is there of thoughts, enterprises, products?.. And how much truth is there in everything, how much goodness and consolation?.. Not much. Now, God willing, another life will come: everything there is flooded with light... There the mind - here the robber - will tuck its tail between its legs - and will only groan... Your mind is surprised at me, I will not be able to establish myself towards it. 167. About commemoration of the dead during Lent. About the meaning of the Magpies beloved Fr. Dimitry Afanasyevich! I will gladly fulfill your wish. The book of Vladimir sermons went with the same mail. I don’t have books for sale on my hands, but only for distribution. In this capacity this one is also sent... It is comforting to hear that they are reading: for very few read us. What happened to Orthodox Russia? – Before I left for Jerusalem, booksellers were tearing up books of spiritual content for publication. Nowadays no one takes this upon themselves. For publishers and authors, they lie in their attics without moving. – It is heard that the Holy Synod ordered the Moscow Academy to publish St. Fathers. And those, expressing a desire, ask for subsidies, so that St. Almost no one buys fathers. - Wonderful! I congratulate you on your new Master 36. Behold truly the Lord! – He is taller than the late Filaret... in life and spirit and not only in mind. I was never so happy with anyone as I was with him when he was appointed to Kiev. God bless you and your family! Bow to those you know – and to your comrades. I ask everyone for prayers. Pray for my all-repentance. 168. Blessing for traveling to Jerusalem. About Ushinsky Blessing for traveling to Jerusalem. About Ushinsky and the Stundists. Your High Blessing, Most Honorable Fr. archpriest! I would like to thank you for your congratulations and good wishes. I send you the same thing a hundredfold! Congratulations on the new Master 37. Grant him, Lord, zeal and strength to conduct the work of the Church successfully and fruitfully. - But why is he avoiding business?! Miracle! - Bored... God bless your journey to Jerusalem. Nowadays it is not so difficult. And everywhere on the ground you will find complete instructions. About Ushinsky. – I knew him in St. Petersburg during my first stay there - in 45–47. He is from the Burachkov society... And Orthodox, strongly Orthodox. - That he likes to philosophize... what's the problem?! As long as he doesn’t climb through the spindle (fence - Ed.). I read his report to Polovtsev. There is nothing unorthodox there. He praises the Stundists not as Orthodox believers... but that when someone becomes a Stundist, he begins to live well... And this is how they confuse the Orthodox... His goal is to create an Orthodox Stunda. After all, the shtunda, in fact, is a meeting for pious conversations not during divine service hours... Here spiritual verses are sung, the Gospel is read, books are read, conversations are held... And at these meetings the pastor... captivated our people... The whole story is depicted kindly. “I recommended that he rewrite this report and present it to Vladyka, with the aim of arousing him - to start an Orthodox shtunda everywhere... extra-church meetings and conversations... Ushinsky was familiar with Polovtsev before... and he also studied the stunda before Polovtsev; and with him just like that I ran to those villages... and wrote up a report. Yes, it seems I got their confession from them point by point. Now he sits and writes arguments that are intelligible to the Stundists. I read three... about icons... about the veneration of the cross... and something else... Everything is Orthodox. He submitted these articles somewhere to print, but they lie there without moving. - Push, - so that they print... It seems that the diocesan “Vedomosti” has started... So you see what kind of rationalist he is when he hits the wall?! Among us, I haven’t seen anyone who knows the shtunda properly... But with him it’s clear. Therefore, we need to use it... You can equip it in those villages for conversations... A horse breeder of the reformist type went to America... from where he brought shtunda - that is, the custom of gathering for conversations outside of liturgical hours and in private homes. Don’t be afraid for Ushinsky’s soul... If sometimes he plays tricks. Let him show off! Such is his warehouse... 169. To live in the world in a worldly way is to destroy your soul. How to live like a Christian To live in the world in a worldly way is to destroy your soul. But if you begin to live like a Christian, renouncing worldly life, then salvation will undoubtedly be achieved. This was the case at the beginning of Christianity. Then worldly life was a life of passions and lusts. Those who accepted Christianity, upon baptism, began to live the opposite of worldly life, abandoned all passionate customs and thereby became isolated from those living in a worldly way... This - in a worldly way - meant in a pagan way... The pagans recognized Christians by the fact that they immediately began to live not their way... to live holy, purely, reverently. Christians lived in isolation from the pagans in the same pagan society. The pagans did not love them and oppressed them, the government persecuted and tormented them - this Christians were like gold in a crucible... pure and through this they kept themselves pure, living separately... When Christianity became the dominant faith, then others entered into it without abandoning pagan customs... the number of such grew and grew... and finally prevailed... and the common life began to be pagan... From the Renaissance to In the West, which was the adoption of paganism into the spirit and the general rule, paganism swallowed up Christianity... The whole West became pagan... From there, paganism began to come to us, and now Russia, instead of Orthodox, has become pagan... The pagan spirit reigns in our society. If anyone wants to save his soul, he must lag behind the common life, which is pagan and therefore destructive. Having fallen behind, he can live among the general mass of society, without touching only pagan customs. driven to satisfy passions. There are a lot of people of this kind. They are not visible for the most part; but there are also prominent ones. So this is what you have to do, if you want to save your soul... You have to - having changed internally according to the commandment and deny yourself - to lag behind all the passionate customs of the current society... and to live among it apart - not only not submitting to passions, but also to customs that breathe passion, without touching... If you realize that such a step is impossible for you to take among society, then run away from society... Where? Nowhere else but to the monastery. Nowadays, however, paganism has made its way into the monasteries. But there it is a random guest, and whoever goes against it can stand there on his alienation from paganism, without noise... and great sacrifices. Which monastery? - There are a lot of them in your province. I would point out, but I don’t know anyone... Saint Ignatius (Brianchaninov) 170. Gratitude for the book sent. Expression of desire to leave the pulpit to retire to a monastery I express my sincere gratitude to Your Eminence for your dear gift (1st volume of “Ascetic Experiences.” - Ed.). – Even without a gift, it is a gift to the Orthodox. Perhaps he will revive those who have fallen asleep. And let this grace of awakening accompany every book and let every soul penetrate when reading it... Bless and pray for me, a great sinner. I was completely fussed. - And very often I rush to follow your path, - Once upon a time this would work out! – I don’t see the gate due to my myopia. Sometimes you are ready to take up the pen and write a petition about it; Yes, something is bothering me in my chest. – And I remain with one desire. “We’ll sit by the sea and wait for the weather.” “And the sins just weigh me down, and the passions just hit me on the sides.” Lord, have mercy on us. I wish you all the best from the Lord. With deep respect and complete devotion, I have the honor to be Your Eminence, your most humble servant Feofan E. Vladimirsky. Bishop of Nizhny Novgorod Jeremiah 171. An academic position is burdensome: I would go to church and not leave An academic position is burdensome: I would go to church and not leave. About the books being sent. Your Eminence Vladyka, My most merciful Father and Benefactor! Forgive me for the Lord's sake, I keep bothering you with my lewdness, or perhaps with arrogant enterprises. I say - maybe. For they are not invented, but lie on the soul, bore and languish; They don’t subside, but they all grow and grow. But, Lord, use your destinies to arrange things for me. I am beginning to become unbearably burdened by my academic position. I would go to church and sit there. Books are sent with this mail: Elder Paisius and Father Archimandrite Otroch-Tver Monastery Plato. I consider all of them very high and very useful. Especially the first one. There the teaching on prayer is presented in a way that I have never seen anywhere else. And in the latter - the most important dogma - communication with the Lord Jesus Christ is primarily explained. Finally, Fr. the rector has arrived. Tomorrow they will name him (4th). And on Sunday - to ordain Mary of Egypt. He is very quiet and warm-hearted. God bless! What will He do with us through him? Forgive me for the Lord's sake and pray for me. Your Eminence, the lowest novice, bachelor, cathedral, priest. Feofan. Archbishop Innocent of Kherson 172. On the state of Greek-Bulgarian relations On the state of Greek-Bulgarian relations: the Bulgarians are looking for autocephaly, printing books and serving in their native language. On the elevation to the rank of bishop. About parish priests. About theological schools. About farmsteads. On the state of Orthodoxy in the East. Your Eminence Vladyka! I believe that it is most desirable for Your Eminence to know about the movement of the Bulgarians; That’s why I begin my largely incomplete report to them... But just think, what is our position? – At the end of January, Izvorsky arrived from St. Petersburg - and he was the first Bulgarian whom not only I, but everyone saw at the embassy. – Through him we became acquainted with other Bulgarians, albeit very few. On March 1, Erov, so long awaited, appeared and was found. Previously (February 5th) two attorneys from Shumla came. On February 24 there were two - from Ternov. The first are against their metropolitan and the Greeks; the second - in defense of their metropolitan and the Greeks. If you listen to the first (Erov already describes the bishops too blackly: it’s true, there were personalities), then the Greek shepherds are worthless. – Metropolitans and bishops, while fleecing the people, do nothing in their favor; they themselves do not serve in the Slavic language and do not favor those serving in it, and they openly despise the Bulgarian language. Schools are not prevented from being established, but not at all for the Bulgarian education, but for the Greekization of the Bulgarians: for they persistently oblige them to study Greek, so that later they can teach the catechism, history and other things in it. - Mercy and assistance to those in need, caring for the flock and edifying it with words - not at all. The designation for priestly positions does not mean anything other than the fee due for the parish. – One must marvel at how Orthodoxy is still preserved to this day: for due to such displeasure with the bishops, entire parishes of Bosniaks converted to Catholicism. If you listen to the latter, then the only salvation is from the Greeks. Metropolitans and bishops care for their flock like fathers; They serve in Slavic, they even teach in Bulgarian (this is about Metropolitan of Ternovsky: where he cannot speak Bulgarian, he speaks Turkish). The dues from parishes are not only not taken without mercy, but also a part of what is due is left in favor of schools, and specifically Bulgarian ones. If Orthodoxy is preserved, it is precisely through the care of Greek shepherds. Without them, Bulgaria would be overcome by Catholics. They say we have bishops from Bulgarians - but what kind of shepherds are these?! - unlearned, timid, unable to edify the people and defend the faith. – How could one not want the bishops to be Bulgarians and one metropolitan – a Bulgarian – to rule the entire Bulgarian Church, but the time has not come yet – there are no capable people – it is necessary to prepare them – and then... Both of them directly speak only about their bishops, but give their opinion the force of the opinion of the entire Bulgarian people - adding: this is the case everywhere. The latter, however, were somehow timid, and left a strong suspicion of insincerity. - All their speeches tended mainly towards the defense of their metropolitan. - But before, their Shumlians assured that the Ternovsky Metropolitan has his own party - allegedly bribed, which acts in his favor. On the other hand, the Greeks, who deserve their inheritance, praise this metropolitan 39. I think that, due to lack of information, one should not generalize either one or the other review. It is most natural to assume that there are good bishops, and there are also bad ones; there are those who love Bulgarians and the Bulgarian speech, there are those who do not love either one or the other; There are Bulgarians who are satisfied with the Greek bishops, and there are those who are dissatisfied; There are those who want exclusively Bulgarians, and there are those who do not disdain Greeks. - There is no way to know how wide one and the other half is. Perhaps the party defending the Greeks is a small part of those seduced and bribed by them. - But maybe the anti-Greek party is a small part of those who are passionate about someone. “The people in general are blissfully unaware of this movement, live content with what they have, and thank God. Erov said that the Greek bishops, rightly sensing that they would not have long to collect from the Bulgarians, began to increase taxes and where they had previously been content with 15 piastres, they now demand 50. This aroused the people, who were at first indifferent to the movement of some, against them. – But can this be generalized? – Sitting in a room, you will not know what is positively true, and from the speeches of a few you will not reach the truth. - How nice it would be to send someone who knows how to see, to collect accurate information on the spot throughout Bulgaria, or at least in its most important points! But who should we send and who will go? The Russian will be immediately suspected and stopped. Is it possible to find an impartial Bulgarian? What are Bulgarians looking for? – it seems that one common thought has not yet been established between them. – Some demand only bishops from Bulgarians or from those who know the Bulgarian language; others add to this the desire that all church affairs in Bulgaria be managed by one Bulgarian Metropolitan, depending on the Ecumenical Patriarch; for still others, this is not enough: they want an independent patriarch, equal to other patriarchs, as was once the case. – Petitions of this kind – from almost all the countries of Bulgaria, at different times were submitted to Porto, as they say, up to 60. Usually two or three or four deputies appear, with formal trust from their fellow dioceses, submit a petition and return if they do not have their own special affairs. – It is remarkable that not a single deputation came to the Russian embassy (at least indirectly made it known about themselves and their business), while others, they say, came to the French ambassador. - The Shumlians were dragged to us by Izvorsky, and the Ternovtsy by one Greek hierodeacon - Alexander 40. “It’s good if this aloofness depends on some fear of damaging the whole business.” But a bitter conjecture also arises - are the Bulgarians (more intelligent ones) cold towards us and cordial? Nothing decisive can be said about the success of these petitions, as well as about how this whole movement will end. However, it is expected that in every possible way they will do something in favor of the Bulgarians (Bogoridi’s saying 41). The Porte took notice of their complaints and is said to have sent several officials to investigate the state of affairs on the spot. - It's a rumor. – What is definitely known is that Viddinsky Pasha was sent to Ternov, Adrianoplesky - to Philippopolis (the latter on a completely different matter). Where does this movement of Bulgarians come from everywhere and at almost the same time? “It could have formed very simply.” – The Bulgarians’ displeasure with the Greeks – quite strong in some places – began and matured a long time ago. The previous state of affairs prevented him from being discovered. – Khati Gummayun 42 somehow untied his hands. - And so they moved from one place - some were bolder, followed by others - others - and so on. – I can’t get to where the first request came from? – Is it true that there are so many requests? – The Greeks say that there are not many of them: 5–10. Based on the difference in requirements, one might think that they do not have one common engine, but one might suspect that it is deliberately hidden behind this disparity of opinions or is not understood equally by everyone. – It is heard, at least, that during the war some travelers – Franks – traveled around Bulgaria. It could be that they gave thought and aroused the courage to ask for what they asked for - with the promise of help. – The Greeks recognize Alexander the Exarch, Topchilesti, Nicholas of Ternovtsy and someone else as the instigators of the entire movement. No. 50 of the Constantinople newspaper “Byzantis” published poems composed for the New Year with the aim of inciting the Bulgarians against the Greeks. Here is an interlinear translation from the Greek: Our dear brothers, misguided Bulgarians! There at the Last Judgment you will be condemned Because you bow to the Greek lord in your bones, Who, like an insatiable and predatory wolf, Absorbs Bulgarian sweat from labor: For what is bitter, may the Lord reward him. May he renew your hearts and may he bring happiness to you. But with the most piteous voice we will shout loudly: We do not want Greek rulers, seducers and hypocrites. Whoever does not accept our general advice, He will be publicly cursed and rejected. He is not worthy to be called a blood Bulgarian, And God will punish him cruelly - with eternal fire. Apparently, the movement is not general, and that there are not only supporters and encouragers, but initial stimulants. But who are they? Izvorsky speaks of a tradition existing among the Bulgarians that their deliverance from the yoke must be accomplished by Russia, that for this there will be three or four fights between Russia and Turkey. The last war was the last battle. Everyone had strong hope. But the end did not meet their expectations, and they decided: there is nothing more to expect from Russia; The Lord changed His definitions. - We must act ourselves - and in this order: develop a feeling of the people - through purely Bulgarian education; and for this purpose, establish Bulgarian schools and have Bulgarian bishops. Then - one word - and the Bulgarian kingdom is ready. – The beginning is in the last (to have bishops) – and this is what they demand. – It is not surprising that some part of the Bulgarians have such thoughts: the cooling of the Bulgarians towards Russia is not general; but one cannot say that it did not exist; and isn’t it already significant?! How the Greeks view this movement goes without saying. At first, it seems, they did not consider this matter important; but now they are starting to think. In the speeches they express more - fear for the Bulgarians, namely: due to the lack of worthy persons among the Bulgarians, it will be necessary to elevate just anyone to the rank of bishop, this will lead to unrest in church affairs, weakness of administration, powerlessness to defend Christians where necessary, before the government and to resist propagandists. Bulgarians will lose Orthodoxy - they will disappear. (There is a danger; but everything will not happen suddenly, but for the first time two or three can be found). We are not persecuting Bulgarians. There were even patriarchs from Bulgarians. And now, as soon as anyone is worthy, he is elevated to the rank of bishop, and there are nine of them: Vrichansky - Dorotheus, Velessky - Meletius, Kostendyli - Auxentius, Chervensky - Sinesius, Rhodes - Ignatius, Levkiysky - Hilarion, Lititsky - Joseph, Lovchansky - Hilarion and also Lampsakysky. (With the exception of Vrichansky and Lovchansky - all the others, they say, are renounced in language. What the spirit is is unknown. “There is no doubt that the Greeks will not yield except under duress. The Patriarch and the Synod are doing nothing to stop or reverse this movement). As for our embassy, ​​it keeps itself aloof; however, he shares the desire that the Bulgarians have Bulgarian bishops, perhaps even one Bulgarian metropolitan for all of Bulgaria, only with dependence on the patriarch. – Bogoridi put it this way: one thing must be demanded: that the bishops of Bulgaria speak the people’s language and serve in a language understandable to the people, without distinguishing whether they are Bulgarians or Greeks. The Greek knows Bulgarian and Slavic well and is worthy, put him in the Bulgarian diocese. The Bulgarian knows Greek well and is worthy, send him to the Greek diocese. – (The most fair idea - but who will carry it out?) Shouldn't we think about where all this will lead, and whether there really will be something bad for the Bulgarians and for us? – If a movement is initiated by outsiders, then it will be directed by them; at least they will not hesitate to use it. Judging by the spirit of the supposed instigators, is it possible to suspect such an outcome or even a plan: by placing simple Bulgarians on the episcopal thrones, instead of the clever Greeks, to open the freest entrance to propaganda, to Catholicize Bulgaria and, having put it at odds with the Orthodox world, to oppose Russia - at least, deviating it from the latter, and to cut off its opportunity and desire to act in favor of the Bulgarians? 43. Of course, all this is too far. Excited Bulgarians may not see their danger. They have one nationality in mind and in language. “But there are many cases that make one or the other probable. Franks traveled around Bulgaria. It is true that these dubious well-wishers did not have in mind the benefits of Orthodoxy and Russia. “The deputies come to the French embassy and, indeed, they are welcomed and encouraged. From what? – Maybe there is more than one opportunity to increase your political weight?! - Alexander Exarch and his comrades (if it is true that they are advisers and encouragers) - of the French party. – The Exarch constantly hangs around in the French embassy. It is heard that the Exarch in every possible way rejects the Bulgarians from Russia, instilling in them that their only salvation is from France, that they should send the Bulgarians for education not to Russia, but to France. There's light there. He recently printed the Apostle in his printing house. Printing church books for Bulgarian churches is, of course, good, due to the difficulties in delivering them from Russia. But one can also suspect an ulterior motive in the exarch’s enterprise. – Precisely: all church books were received from Russia in different ways, and thus the good memory of her and goodwill towards her were maintained among the people. – One might think that the exarch, a hater of Russia, undertook the printing of church books, among other things, in order to destroy this support for the cordial union of the Bulgarians with Russia, to cool their love for her, to displace their very memory of her. - And on what basis! - In order to make the Porte more willing to give him permission to print and publish church books (in addition to the patriarch, he turned directly to the Porte), the exarch presented to her that the church books received from Russia were corrupting the people and inciting them against the government - and pointed to one verse in the commemoration printed in the Psalms: “the vile and godless kingdom of Hagaryan...” and so on. - This case seems to be far from the movement of the Bulgarians, but, as contemporary to it, it may reflect a certain feature and from it, at least, it is clear what - and by the way - the pathogens have in mind. - The Shumlians said that they met Bosniaks - Catholics, who praised their bliss under the control of the Catholic clergy; in the neighboring Bosnian Catholic parishes, there is a noticeably greater disposition towards Catholicism. – We also saw one Catholic priest from the Paulicians, somewhere on the Black Sea coast. Do not such persons go everywhere, not for the purpose of proselytism, but only to prepare the people’s disposition in favor of Catholicism, so that later they can reap the most abundant fruits at once? In the boarding house Bor, in Bebek on the Bosphorus, up to 20 Bulgarians are studying, as they say, more to learn French. They are brought up with all the care. There seems to be no mention of faith, as you hear. They are even ordered to go to the Orthodox Church. But it is very difficult to resist the infection... The most devoted to his faith will leave school without turning away from Catholicism. - These are the points of contact for future propagandists, if not the propagandists themselves! The Shumlians can be directly suspected of leaning towards Catholicism. There are 10 boys from Shumla studying with Bore. At school - in Shumla - the Latin language is taught - a rarity in all eastern schools 44. God grant that such a thought about the movement of the Bulgarians be a dream; so that, on the contrary, having received their bishops and developed Bulgarian education, they grew into a people reasonably strong in Orthodoxy. - But those who are able to act can not lose sight of this, and prepare in advance the counteraction that experience will indicate to them, so that when the drama begins to play out, they do not stand as amazed spectators without the opportunity to correct the matter. If we need to support in every possible way the delivery of church books for Bulgarian churches from Russia, then is it not possible to print church books specifically for the Bulgarians without the royal family and without poems against the Hagaran kingdom? Then there would be no reason for the Turks to persecute books printed in Russia 45 . It was heard that some leader of a guard detachment along the banks of the Danube entered Christian churches, opened books and threatened how dare they pray for the Russian Tsar 46 . - What’s so wonderful? - A decree will be issued - to take away the books or replace them with others, as they know. How? On the occasion of the exarch's enterprise, Porta asked Prince Bogoridi for his opinion. He responded: printing Church Slavonic books within the empire is not bad - only it is better to do it in the patriarchal printing house, and do not trust the exarch. – Will the Patriarchate ever begin to print?!.. Some here are busy trying to make sure that the Bulgarians who are at Bor leave him, or at least others don’t come to him anymore. - The Shumlians said that they send their children there to teach them better French and Bulgarian and Slavic - grammatically. Something is wrong here; for in many schools these languages ​​are taught, although not to such perfection. “The education there is very good.” – And maybe this is attractive due to the perfection of teaching. Wouldn't it be a good counteraction to Borya - to open a serviceable boarding house in Constantinople exclusively for Bulgarians? Combining the advantages of Borev's boarding school, although not to the same extent, but being alien to its dangers, he would thereby encourage parents to send their children to it with great confidence and peace of conscience. - Bore takes 4,000 piastres (200 rub[les] in silver) from the boy per year, and on top of that - his own clothes. And this can be used to deviate from Bore, reducing the price. If you support several poor boys for free, you can attract even more. – Prince Bogoridi is not alien to this thought. – This thought has just begun. Place - at the Bulgarian church in Phanar. In Bulgaria, as you hear, there are many schools. – In big cities they teach, in addition to Slavic-Bulgarian, Greek and French, in villages - only Bulgarian. Catechism, St. history, arithmetic - almost everywhere. There are also good teachers. In general, literacy is quite common. Equally, external well-being is not insignificant. No one is too rich, but there are also no one who has nothing. (This is according to Izvorsky). There were also Bulgarians who attended the theological school. Bishops - Hilarion of Leukia and Ignatius of Rhodes - both from the Bulgarians (abdicated, they say, completely) - completed a course at this school. Currently there are no Bulgarians there. During the war, the teaching stopped - it had already begun. It stopped due to slander: the scholar (scholar, senior teacher - Ed.) and the lecturer of the Slavic language were taken from the school by military force - and were under investigation... The case dragged on for a month. – And the teaching of the Slavic language will begin next year, they say. - The Ternovtsy assured that the patriarch wrote to the Bulgarians, inviting them to send their children to the theological school. No one agreed, making excuses based on everyday and commercial needs. As for the proposed establishment of a large school in Bulgaria, this assumption cannot be fulfilled more simply, following the examples of school improvement here. – In Pere, for example, at the Stavrodram Hellenic School, last year they added one subject and one year to the school course. Next year we intend to add a subject and a year for it to the course. – Why not do the same with the education of the Bulgarian school? - Choose one school, better organized, and add subjects and course years to it from time to time, depending on how they look for teachers and discover material methods. – Gerov agrees with this. Local custom even requires it. You can act more unnoticed. We visited the Bulgarian Bishop Polycarp. He responded that the Bulgarians who come do not come to see him (why didn’t he tell us anything about the movement of the Bulgarians?!) - those living here care little about him and the church. They all look poor. The building for the clergy is good; but inside it is unclean and poor. – The wooden church is poor in interior decoration. There is no school near her. – Lord Polycarp is Greek; but in the soul of Bulgarians. He compiles the history of Bulgaria and before him are volumes. He writes in Greek, but later intends to translate it into Bulgarian. Through Izvorsky, Prince Bogoridi expressed a desire to see one of us. – Secretary Novikov and I were there. “The prince avoided the conversation about the Bulgarian movement and insisted that he knew nothing about it and that no one was coming to see him. Likely; for he is considered to belong to the Greek party. - His thought was indicated before. – He is most jealous of the enlightenment of the Bulgarians. He sent me to review one book - a collection of conversations on the (Sunday) Gospels all year round, compiled by his grandfather, Bishop Sofroniy of Vratsa, in Bulgarian and printed in 1805 in the Rymnik printing house. - The conversations are edifying. Their content is taken from Slavic and Greek books, as it is written in the preface, especially from Theophylact of Bulgaria. I can’t judge what the Bulgarian language is like. Izvorsky, Krestovich and Erov say that in many places it will be little understood by the Bulgarians today. The book has become rare; and there is only one from which teachings are sometimes read in church to the Bulgarian people. The prince intends to reprint this collection as it is, with notes where necessary, as a monument to the former Bulgarian written language. – Doesn’t he expect that this publication will be made by the Russians? Finally, Gerov also appeared (March 1). Something is wrong with him. He was asked by the Pasha to leave Philippopolis. It's a shame if they don't arrange for his return. The school will lose a lot. – Will he bother to go to Odessa? That's all I could find out about the Bulgarians. Meanwhile, the local church authorities are in considerable grief and fear for themselves and for the Church. For the Turks (I write as I heard), taking advantage of the movement of the Bulgarians, began to interfere in the affairs of the Church and decide them apart from the Patriarch and the Synod. – How was the Apostle published by the exarch? – He asked Porta for permission to release. The Porto has already sent one copy to the Patriarch for review and approval, if there is nothing contrary to the faith and the government. The Patriarch attached a seal and sent it back to Porto. The Apostle is already for sale (for 4 rubles, silver, as Erov said). This is, however, a small matter. There are significant ones! The investigation in Ternov of the bishop (metropolitan) was carried out by the Viddinsky Pasha without a deputy from the Patriarch, despite the fact that the latter reminded Porte of the need to be present at this investigation, according to church law. As a result of this pasha's denunciation, the Patriarch received a decree either to dismiss the metropolitan or to summon him to Constantinople. The Patriarch and the Synod decided not to dismiss him, but to call him here, hoping to somehow justify him; The Bishop of Cherven should be left in his place for the time being. The Porte was informed of this order. On February 26, the Patriarch’s letter was sent to Ternov - in this sense. - On March 2, the Porte, on the same paper of the Patriarch (this is a disgrace), gave him an order: Ternovsky can go here, but in his place send the Bosnian Metropolitan, previously deposed at the suggestion of the Porte (and this is awkward after the order already made by the Patriarch). – Is it because the Porta did not agree to trust the metropolitan throne of Tern to Chervensky, who is considered a Bulgarian, so as not to give the appearance that she was ready to satisfy the wishes of the Bulgarians? – And is that why she has the idea of ​​not listening to the Bulgarians? At the same time (hearing on March 4), orders were given to the Patriarch to change and replace the bishops of Art and Drinupol - which, with their orders, seem to oppose the views of the government. And there was no rumor about them or about their deeds. How they throw it! - Maybe they were careless. Defending the Orthodox against Catholics and Protestants is such an attack?! Meanwhile, other believers are given every preference and assistance. In Kassandra near Thessaloniki, 15 families accepted Protestantism. - The Patriarch wrote to the Athonites as the closest - to go to these lost ones and exhort them. They turned again to their mother, except for three. It is heard that the Porta gave the order to Thessaloniki Pasha to elect these specifically as “koji-bashets” - representatives of the communities. As all this happened almost suddenly, there was great fear in the Synod. On the morning of March 4, they called the Stavrodrama Hierokirik (Hierodeacon Alexander) and told him everything so that he could convey it... Sorrowful! Add to this... The Porta gave each newly installed bishop a “berat” - a charter that confirmed his ecclesiastical rights. Along with the end of the war, this extradition was stopped. – They suspected that they wanted to destroy episcopal rights; the great Church asked for an explanation of why this was being done. She was answered: we know why we do this. The other day a decree was issued (after the publication of the Apostle by the Exarch), by which book publishers are obliged to submit their manuscripts first to the Ministry of Education, and to print them only with his permission, without considering whether it is a church book or a secular one. – Catholics will bring books against Orthodoxy from Rome, Paris, Vienna; and the Orthodox will not have the freedom to print refutations of them. – The other day, the great Church established its own censorship – with 7 or 5 members. – I don’t know the purpose of this. – Was it suggested by Porto?! The local church authorities see all this and fearfully expect large incursions by the Turkish authorities into the affairs of the Church (we are waiting, they say, for a Turkish official to be imprisoned in the Synod); but she neither has the strength and courage to resist (the Patriarch is weak), nor does she hope for outside help from anywhere... A pitiful situation! – For what will this lead to, with such a strong influence of the Porte’s allotment on the part of the French Catholics and the English Protestants? This can be considered a punishment for the decree of the local Church to pray for help to infidels and heretics against the Orthodox Tsar and the Kingdom (and this prayer is still read, the Ternivtsi said, in churches). – But Russia, always generous, could not leave its mother by faith in this helpless state. What's going on in Lebanon?! On March 3, the Damascene Shhadeh came and this is what he told about the state of the Syrian Christians of the Antiochian Patriarchate! – Catholics and Protestants greatly disturb and attack, using all kinds of means and taking advantage of every opportunity. – In the village of Amiun, Tripoli diocese – in the neighborhood of the Maronites – a quarrel occurred between two houses due to the fault of one. The guilty man, in order to avoid public trial and responsibility, leaned towards the Maronites and accepted their confession. The Emir of the Maronites - a Maronite - entered the village armed - several people were killed and their wives were desecrated, then he broke into the church, expelled the priest - not with honor, and appropriated the church for himself - under the pretext that it was the property of someone who had accepted the Maronite-Catholic faith. – Having learned about this, the Bishop of Tripoli asked the Patriarch of Antioch to intercede. His Beatitude Hierotheus first appealed to the local authorities, but to no avail; then he filed a notice in Porto, and handed over the petition on this matter to the Ecumenical and Jerusalem Patriarchs. They are busy, but the neti do not expect any success, because the French ambassador has taken the cause of the Catholic Maronites under his wing. In the vicinity of the Druze (in the direction from Damascus to Jerusalem) things are different. – The Druses began to hostilely attack Christian villages, especially reaching the elders. Why did the elders of the village of Rameya, sensing trouble, fled to Damascus and are now there - with all their families. The village of Khazbeya - significant, because there are other villages under it - suffers more. - And amazing! – The idolatrous Druses express themselves here as Protestant propagandists; and that's how! – In and around Khazbey, everyone is crowded, with the exception of two Protestants, Khazbeys (of which one is drunk, the other is the son of a priest, who killed a girl in his youth... and for that reason was not chosen as a priest after the death of his father). Because of the overcrowding, several Maronites converted to Protestantism - and they felt good. – Several Catholics also converted to Protestantism – and these found relief. – The course of affairs is very seductive. - Therefore, the Bishop of Tyro-Sidon hastened to initiate the petition of the Patriarch of Antioch... His Beatitude Hierotheus, after the local authorities, treated the Porte... The intercessors here are the same - Ecumenical and Jerusalem... No success in sight. They think that the British ambassador is interfering. All these events have happened in recent months... After satisfying the offended, they ask for this. – Just as the Druze have a Druze emir, the Maronites have an emir who is a Maronite; then it is legal for Orthodox Christians to have an emir from among themselves. If they don’t want this, let them appoint a Turk as their emir - as long as neither the Maronites nor the Druze rule and disturb them. – Most of all they want the change of the Maronite emir, as the worst enemy of Christians. - There is no success - and no movement is visible in this matter. All together, it paints a very bleak picture of the state of Christians in the East. – Moreover, rumors have been circulating for a long time about the change of the Patriarch. – He’s looking for the old one, Anfim. The redklier and the vizier are ready to assist him. Members of the Synod, perhaps, would not mind changing the Patriarch - kind, but timid, as they say, and narrow-minded. Only foreseeing that, having started talking about replacing him, they would have to accept Anfim - unloved and notorious for taking bribes - they decided to stand with all their might for the real Patriarch and hold him until the end of his life. - What if a direct decree from the Sultan comes about changing it and erecting Anfim - without any asking for the opinion of the Synod and the usual formalities?! - God forbid!! - If things go like this, then we can wait for the command to finally come out - to be all Catholics or Protestants. Little by little, the local church life is revealed - and the state of enlightenment among the Christian people. The Ecumenical Patriarch is the head of the Patriarchate of Constantinople itself. The other patriarchs - all of them - act independently of him, even though there are assassination attempts in Constantinople and lay hands on them. - Only when a patriarch formally transfers his case to the Constantinople, does the latter intercede for it as his own case. - So now, in connection with Jerusalem (which is the ephor (guardian - Ed.) of Antioch), he intercedes with the Porte for Christians who are offended in Lebanon by the Maronites and Druze. – In turn, other patriarchs do not have any part in the local Synod. They communicate with the Patriarch as equals with equals. – The Ecumenical Church, or the Great Church, sometimes writes fraternal reminders to others. (This is written as a result of Constantine’s complaint to Alexandrian about permission to serve the liturgy to the Sinai in their metoch (monastery - Ed.) in Cairo... But, apparently, these reminders are not necessary. Alexandrian stands his ground). Other patriarchs may have their own synods, at least temporarily. - Jerusalem, for example, when it was time to receive us for the first time, gathered all the bishops and elders and together decided where to place us, how to interpret us, what place to give Fr. archimandrite in the mitre, when this was proposed to the Patriarch. Jerusalem also has a hall - the synodikon. Antioch, as I hear, does not have other bishops constantly with it. Alexandria has no one to have. But the right, I think, remains with them. (Of the patriarchs in Constantinople, only the Patriarch of Jerusalem; his predecessors also lived here. The Patriarch of Antioch is in Damascus, the Patriarch of Alexandria is in Cairo. Their predecessors also did not leave their thrones. The Patriarch of Jerusalem is the ephor of Antioch. Isn’t he (one must find out) the ephor of Alexandria? Then it will be explained why the Patriarchs of Jerusalem live in Constantinople). The Patriarch of Constantinople does not govern his patriarchate alone, but together with the eight elders who make up the Synod. These are the metropolitans - Caesarea, Ephesus, Kyziche, Heraclian, Nicomedia, Chalcedon, Nicea, Dercon - who are permanent members of the Synod and bear the name of ephors (trustee-intercessors). – And this is what the great Church is, whose definitions are so revered! I cannot determine in what relation the voice of the Patriarch to the voices of everyone; I only hear that his voice always prevails. “Perhaps he is never alone; for in the Synod there is always a party of the patriarch and a party opposed to it. His voice prevails, perhaps because, in connection with the votes of his party, he becomes stronger than the rest. - The signature, however, of the decisions of the Synod is like this: “Patriarch” - signs, “others” - sign. When necessary, the definitions of the Synod are published by the patriarchal synodal charter (an example of this is the charter under the charter of the theological school). The Synod meets on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. – A code of acts of the Synod is being maintained, at least the most important ones. – The Patriarch sorts out the affairs of his diocese (that is, almost one of Constantinople, for there is already another along the Bosphorus) on Monday, Wednesday and Friday: and the proto-Sinkel and the archdeacon assist him. This is the composition of the administration and all dioceses. The meaning of metropolitans - elders-ephors - is new to us. – All the dioceses of the patriarchate are divided between them. Diocesan bishops, in the case of any case, in addition to the formal notification of the Synod, specifically and in more detail present the case to their ephor, who is responsible for giving explanations when deciding the case in the Synod and defending their own. He must also be interceding for them before the Porte. – The distribution of dioceses among ephors was established by custom. But every bishop is given the freedom to choose as his ephor whomever he wants. These ephors, as permanent members of the Synod, constantly live in Constantinople (Caesarea and Nicaea are not here now: they are at home. But therefore [they] are not ephors, although they are listed as members of the Synod). – In 1847 we saw 12 metropolitans here. From this we can conclude that the composition of the Synod can be increased from time to time by members - only those present. Are they still changing? - Because others signed the charter under the charter. - Now there is no one in Constantinople, except for the numbered ephors, with the exception of Caesarea and Nicaea. Production in the patriarchy is a very secretive and confusing matter. I'll say for now what I heard. – The first movement towards change begins due to displeasure with the patriarch, his mistakes or shortcomings. - Acting persons: ephors, nobility and government. Each party of ephors (there are always these parties) is trying in every possible way to elevate one of their own as patriarch, so that later, when deciding matters in the Synod, they will always have him on their side and thereby have an advantage. For success, through the powerful Turks or Greeks, they position the government in favor of their chosen one. - Whichever side these intercessors are on is stronger, that side takes over. - The Patriarch does not spend himself in production: all expenses for this are covered by the treasury of the patriarchy. Perhaps the seeker of this place (for there are not always seekers) appeases the ephors and mighty of the land with gifts or their promise. – In general, there is a lot of darkness in this – always not bright – matter. Production for episcopal seats is simpler. - Every place is valued in proportion to its breadth and wealth. - The one who seeks or is elected by the Synod (and this happens) must contribute this certain amount to the treasury of the patriarchate, or the people's treasury, as it is called. – At the same time, the same amount is secretly given to the patriarch personally. – It also happens that a seeker (only a seeker), in order to get a place, gives the patriarch more than what is due; but then he contributes the same amount to the general treasury. This is how the treasury of the great Church is built and this is how the patriarchs get rich! They say that tactics in this matter have long been lost. It happens that the Holy One, for fear of becoming impoverished, threatens to deprive, or actually deprives, of a significant place, under some pretext. Both are never useless. “They say the former Anfim acted this way more than once.” The Patriarch supplies metropolitans. Is this not the reason why metropolitans are so numerous?! Bishops under metropolitans are supplied by metropolitans. So - Vrachansky and Lovchansky - were installed by the Ternovsky Metropolitan. Production of priests. In turn, among bishops, all parishes are valued in proportion to their wealth and size. Anyone seeking a priestly position himself or elected by the parish will contribute this certain amount to the bishop and is consecrated. The price of a place can increase by chance when the searcher is not alone. They say that in this case, not very strict attention is paid to the dignity of the person. Other sources of income for the bishop are: 1) collection from the entire diocese - on the first entry into it as a gift - philotimon - 50 kopecks, 1 ruble or more from the house. – After 7, and for others after 3 years, this philotimon repeats; 2) annual collection from parishes. Each parish must annually contribute the required amount. – To collect these contributions, one person is sent from the bishop and one attorney from the society where the bishop lives; 3) weddings. The bishop always gives permission for them - not for nothing. For those who are sufficient, they invent many obstacles and arbitrarily demand gratitude for overcoming them. Here the proto-sinkel and the archdeacon do not forget themselves, as well as when ordaining priests; 4) funerals and episcopal masses for the dead. The wealthy are sometimes made aware that it is indecent for them to limit themselves to one priestly mention; 5) the voluntary visit of a bishop to any parish and service in his church. – This honor is given to the parish from the bishop; 6) it seems that every priest or archpriest (for it is rare that a parish has - or even has - one priest) annually contributes something on his own behalf for the church and the priesthood in it. From all these sources, as can be seen, every bishop can get himself a comfortable living. I have repeatedly heard not only from the Bulgarians, but also from the Greeks: “Our bishops are rich, but our priests are poor to the point of poverty.” Maintenance of churches. Building churches, decorating them, supplying them with everything necessary, finding the required number of priests lies with the community, or parish. – The community, or parish, elects 3-4 elders every year - epitropes, and entrusts the care of the church to them. - They take over the church with all its property from the previous epitropes, and in their year they collect donations in the church (walking with a plate) and from house to house. Church real estate (where there are houses, fields) is also managed by them. – With this collection or contributions they support the church in the entire breadth of this word. - It is from this that the priests receive monthly salaries. - (In Constantinople and so on; I don’t know if it’s the same in the villages. There are no deacons: there are only with bishops. - The parishioners sing and read. Rarely, rarely, where there are choristers on salary, but these are not clergy). Part of the collection is also given to the school; in some places the school is completely supported by the church, in others its maintenance is a completely separate issue, although it also lies with the community. – Judging by the wealth of the parishioners, all this can be meager, mediocre and [or] flourishing. The priests in Constantinople and along the Bosphorus are all hieromonks. They are sought, judging by need, by epitropes with the consent of the community, or parish, on conditions. In addition to their monthly salary, however, priests also have income from correcting requirements. – A priest, dissatisfied with the parishioners, freely leaves, and parishioners, dissatisfied with the priest, freely send him away. I think that for hieromonks this order is the same everywhere. – But married people in villages are somehow more closely connected with their parishes 47 . There are up to forty churches in Constantinople. The image of their content is the same for everyone. Each has several priests. For example, the Stavrodrama Church - not far from us - has 10 hieromonks. – Bishops – vicars of the patriarch – are appointed to the most significant churches and parishes and live with them: this is at the request of the parishioners or honor for the sake of the churches and the parish. There are 11 of these in Constantinople, but there may be more or less. Some of them are bishops who were somehow deprived of their thrones. But there are also those directly ordained to these churches. – There are no monasteries in Constantinople, except (as it should not be) the Patriarchate, the Metohi (Jerusalem, Sinai, Athos, Megaspilean of the Greek kingdom) and the Baluklia institution, a charitable institution. Some have quite a few serving hieromonks and novices-monks, and the service goes on without fail every day. Schools. The education of children also lies with the community. The parishioners of any church, feeling the need to educate their children, consult among themselves, pool together, build or rent a house, prepare everything they need, and look for a teacher - one or two. Here comes the school! “That’s why all the schools here are attached to churches, from which they get their name 48.” – To take care of the school, ephors are elected every year from the parishioners. They provide for all her needs, look after both the teachers and the teaching. The scholar is subordinate to them, and everything in the school is subordinate to the scholar. The amount is collected by subscription. After a year, the ephors give a report on everything to the community through an investigative commission. – All schools are divided into two categories. Some - allylodidactic - are original, almost the same as our parish ones. Others are Hellenic. This name refers to those schools or parts of schools in which the ancient Hellenic language is taught (catechism, sacred history, arithmetic and other things that can take place in both schools). Hellenic schools can be compared with our district schools. – In the East, a strange custom is to designate and distinguish schools by the number of languages ​​taught in them. – Of the so-called Hellenic schools, three are similar to our gymnasiums. This is 1) the great school (γενσυζ) of the entire people (Greek, of course) under the patriarchate; 2) merchant school - on the island of Halki in the monastery of the Most Holy Theotokos, not far from the Theological School; 3) a school in Pera on Stavrodrama, not far from us, at the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary. – The attached charter is the charter of this particular school. It can be used to judge the structure of other schools. The difference is only in the number of subjects, for example, at school (γενσυζ) philosophy is taught, which Stavrodrama has not yet reached. Maybe they will do it next year, if funds allow and a teacher is found. The school γενσυζ seems to have some kind of estate that ensures its existence. Almost every church has a school. – Attached is a list of churches and schools. As for the Khalkinsky School, its charter gives a complete understanding of it. I see that it is preparing very good shepherds. From him alone can one expect the rebirth of the local clergy. At the Stavrodrama Church - the preacher and teacher of the law in its school - Hierodeacon Alexander has a great influence with his sermons, teaching and life. If there are still many of these, then the school that educates them is worthy of all honor. The strongest influence in this school is exerted by: the scholar - the lord of Tipando - in knowledge, life and management, and the teacher of literature - Tantalidi - a strong rhetorician, although almost blind. All theological sciences were compiled by the Bishop-scholar and are taught in part by him. I’ll make a summary of them when I get my lessons. By the way, I’ll add what I heard from the Damascene. When talking about schools, this is what they were told. – We have several schools, but they are bad. No teachers. One in Damascus about. Joseph - knows something self-taught. The shortage of teachers has been felt for a long time. Neophyte Iliopolsky, who died in Moscow, was zealous for the good of Arab churches and Christians, allegedly asked the late Emperor for permission for 10 Arab youths to study in Russian educational institutions, so that upon their return they could take the places of teachers. - Shhadeh (who is speaking) has now raised this matter and prompted His Beatitude Hierotheos to gather some Arab children and transport them to Constantinople, and from here to Russia. Vladyka answered that he was afraid that they would force him to support these boys at his own expense. “The matter stopped there... This is now.” There was also talk about method. But it was met with some kind of fear - like unexpected, unprecedented news - here. – There was no talk with the powerful Greeks. – You can’t buy land for a non-subject. - If the government decided to set up a hospital (for sailors - worshipers, and under the guise of them for all Orthodox Christians), then without any difficulty a part could be separated for brotherhood with the church. “Perhaps they will give a place for a hospital for free: at least there will be no refusal.” – How much weight would this hospital give us in the eyes of the Orthodox people?! But who will offer?! – The French, Austrians and British have it. And Russians should send their patients to foreign hospitals! That's all I could find out. – I wish with all my heart to satisfy the requirements of Your Eminence and at least somehow justify your expectations. “But we came to Constantinople at a time when it’s good to get to know your walls.” Bless. With true respect and complete devotion, I have the honor to be Your Eminence P.S. The Pope issued a prayer for the conversion of Eastern Christians, with indulgences; those who read it with reverence are given 300 days of forgiveness; and for those who read it for a whole month in a row, complete forgiveness is given to the souls in purgatory. “O Immaculate Virgin Mary! We are Your servants and children of the Holy Church, full of faith in the power of Your intercession, we humbly pray to You - intercede with the Holy Spirit, so that for the glory and honor of His eternal procession from the Father and the Son, He will send His gifts to our lost brothers - the schismatic Greeks, so that they, enlightened by His life-giving grace, will retreat from pride and deception their hearts and, having become submissive and humble in spirit, turned into the bosom of the Catholic Church under the infallible guidance of its first shepherd and teacher, the Supreme Pontifex of Rome; so that, having sincerely united with us in this way, by the inextricable bonds of the same faith and the same love, together with us they glorify the Most Holy Trinity, and with It You, O Virgin and Mother of God, Gracious now and forever. I will." 173. Blessing before fasting. About letters in “Home Conversation” Blessing before fasting. About the letters published in Home Conversation. 6 Jan [no year]. [13]. God's mercy be with you! 49 The holidays are over! – We’ve been running around, visiting, seeing enough, talking a lot... Now we need to settle down. The week of the publican and the Pharisee is here... Open the doors of repentance... Whether you want it or not, go... It’s good that they’re calling... What would happen if they weren’t calling! Baptism! - To the people, to the people! – And we have 50... What about you?!! 51 and in St. Petersburg!!!.. It is the Lord who was baptized who sets everyone in motion. Even though it looks like it, the work is not bad. Another, you see, rubs and rubs... and rubs off. Do you read my letters that are published in “Home Conversation”?.. Read everything in a row and tell me: what is being said there or is it idleness?! – Now they will soon be finished... I wanted to write the contents of the “Philokalia”, but it was a bit difficult. I hardly can! My health is good: thanks be to the Lord! My best wishes to all of you. 174. Covering letter for the image of the Savior sent as a gift A cover letter for the image of the Savior being sent as a gift, written in one’s own hand. The other day I didn’t feel like writing or reading. - And then draw. I drew the Savior and am thinking about where to send him. I remembered that I haven’t given you any of my handicrafts yet. And I decided to send it to you. I ask you to humbly accept and put the admirer behind the sinful draftsman. Drawn on cardboard. Make a small frame and a board behind it - and it will look like it’s on a blackboard. I'm healthy. I thank the Lord. First of all, bow to the kindest N. What is he not writing? - If he gets to the top, he will respond with bows. And we won’t be short of rosary beads. NN. dizzy, it seems. Save her, Lord! Bow to her. And I forgot. First of all, the Lord needs 52. And bow to everyone. I ask all the saints for their prayers. Figure 2. Christ the Savior wearing a crown of thorns. Icon painted by Saint Theophan When you receive the icon, please (for the first time) do not look at it in the sun, but sometime in the evening or in the light (here: under artificial lighting. - Ed.). This means showing the product face to face. I wish you all the best from the Lord. My best wishes to your family. Archimandrite Macarius of Athos 175. About the daily service of the Divine Liturgy Most Honorable Fr. Archimandrite! I hasten to answer your letter of May 19 that I just received. Question: Should you stop serving the liturgy every day? I answer: stop, there is nothing in doubt. How many people are telling you this - and not just some, but the leaders... who are all favorably disposed towards you! How can you not listen to them? If only o. Jerome was alive - and he would have advised the same. And I add my voice to them. Liturgize on all Sundays and on days of special saints and that’s enough. If there is a need, you can receive communion more often... without liturgy. However, one should not oblige oneself to urgent execution in this regard either - but act according to a free decision and reasoning. Neither liturgy nor St. the participle - incessant cannot be introduced into the unconditional rule. Fruit of St. Communion, the feeling of Communion with God, can be obtained through reverent attention to the work of God in this sacrament, as a continuation of its action received in the previous communion, and its renewal. In moral Christian life, this is the main thing. – Make it a rule for yourself to bother yourself with internal activities during the liturgy until you receive a feeling of Communion with God... and you will be a constant, daily communicant. If there is anything to be afraid of, then it is the feeling of self-indulgence that will naturally be felt. Try to suppress it by increasing your attention and your contrite and humble spirit. Instead of other labors associated with the liturgy, commit yourself to a measured number of bows and prayers of Jesus and other short ones. If things go this way for you, then your inner self will not suffer any damage, but will only become more simplified and somehow enlightened. I say this from experience. Before this, I served every day for about a dozen years, with the exception of certain cases, but after the Exaltation of last year I stopped, and I serve only on Sundays, holidays and on the days of deliberate saints - and inside I experience what I prescribed. This is... I enclose my best wishes. I wish you health and strength to take on the work that urgently lies before you. Archbishop Macarius of Kharkov 176. Letter on joining the Tambov department Letter on joining the Tambov Department. Beloved brother in Christ! Forgive me, for God’s sake, that I haven’t written anything to you before. I pulled myself together with force. The news of the classes took me... Everything is unusual for me... I think I will study for a long time. - But what about that? Let me, first of all, thank you for updating the houses. Clean and quiet; I wouldn’t have the energy for that... There are also many signs of improvement in the diocese, although I haven’t looked closely yet... God bless you! I'm about to travel around the diocese. They say - it is necessary. - And it is necessary. In Spassk, the split is growing. – What should we do with it? Civil power is now being taken reluctantly, because its wings have been cut off... Well! - what God will give. One thing is deeply disturbing... Placeless. I would gather everyone into a bunch - and into the fire... With them alone - fuss. - There is nothing else to do. - We need shelter. And poverty, poverty! - God forbid. In the city I know very few people well - or no one, with the exception of N. A. Kolobov, whom I am beginning to get to know. I only saw others... i.e. Veni, vidi - but not vici 53. However, I really like many of them... I just don’t trust them yet. You have spoiled the Tambov residents - everyone expects teachings and - impromptu (impromptu - Ed.) But here you lack strength. After the illness, my head and, most of all, my memory became very weak. - That’s what’s missing. Have you heard about the disease?! She was headed for death - and only the Lord had mercy - allowed the soul to repent - from the Annunciation... rose after Easter (tiphos)... and went to Iver, as the doctors ordered. There I learned about the appointment. As soon as I returned, I was ordained... and I had to hurry to go to Tambov; for he drove Fr. Nektary is the new rector, and he was persecuted by Leonty, and Leonty by Nikander... They literally persecuted... And the mover of everything is the Lord... It caught fire! Otherwise everything – thank God! - I’m healthy... and I’m not grieving yet. Partly there is no time - and partly there is nothing. What did you find in your new diocese? 54 Grant you, Lord, all the best! I ask for your holy prayers. With true respect and devotion, I have the honor to remain Your Eminence's most humble servant 177. About the existence of evil spirits About the existence of evil spirits. Why do we need to understand that they undoubtedly exist? Beloved brother in the Lord! 55 I would like to express my sincere gratitude to you for sending notes to Fr. N. Having looked through them, I undertake to say a word or two, not for the sake of argument; but in order to show Fr. N.. how to get him onto the straight road if he wanted to leave his wanderings along the crossroads. Reading his notes, I am quite surprised how such an intelligent person wanders in broad daylight. It would be good if he lived somewhere in the wilderness, among some infidels and got confused in concepts. There is no one to ask and no one to talk to. And then, living among people who truly believe, and even among people who are especially trying to think and live perfectly as a Christian, where did he pick up such wisdom?.. And why did he so stubbornly deviate from the truth and stand in his false opinion that he doesn’t even want to talk about them. I am convinced, he says, there is no need for me to argue, as you wrote before. It's a great thing to have beliefs. This is the life of the mind, or a sign of its strength and firmness. But conviction is not a sure guarantee of knowledge of the truth. It is possible to hold false thoughts with conviction, as all heretics prove. For they all did not have their lies on the tip of their tongues, but carried them in their hearts, and they persisted in them so much that even when subjected to excommunication from the Church, they did not agree to leave them. It has become that beliefs cannot be left without verification. You need to verify them and then stand up for them stubbornly when, after testing, it turns out that their subject is completely true. The duty of every reasonable person is to verify his convictions, and even often repeat this verification. As if Fr. N. decided to do this now, leaving his prejudice aside for the time being. And I am writing now precisely for one purpose, to show the way to that. I don't dare try to dissuade him. A smart person will do this himself. It is enough to show him how to do it. He takes notes on Mr. Florinsky's reasoning. I haven’t read this argument and I don’t know to what extent his thoughts about his chosen subject are untenable. But notes about. N. are obviously insolvent. No matter how badly he reasons, everything is good: for the truth is on his side. Father N., no matter how cleverly he writes against him, everything is bad; for the thought he defends is far from the truth. There are no evil spirits?! Yes, it seems that there are no good ones for him either. But since this is not the main thing, but rather expressed by him, let us focus on the first. There are no demons. Why? - I looked for evidence of this in his notes - and I don’t see any. He admits that the Divine Scripture often speaks about them, but that these words must be understood not in their own, but in a figurative, in his way of expression - in a spiritual sense. The spiritual understanding of Scripture seems to be, if not the source, then the support for the error of Fr. N. Therefore, I believe that if he wanted to understand for himself how the Divine Scripture should be understood, interpreted and understood, then this would directly lead him to the discovery of his error. That he did not understand this for himself is proven by all the explanations of the sayings of Scripture found in his notes. Everywhere he sets out the thought of Scripture as it seems to him, and nowhere is anything given to confirm whether what he seems to him is true. I am making an extract from the Long Catechism on this subject. In Questions about the Holy Scriptures, on page 16, it is written: “What should we observe when reading the Holy Scriptures?” The answer is: firstly, then, secondly, then, and thirdly, “it must be understood in accordance with the explanation of the Orthodox Church and the Holy Fathers.” The decisive voice in the understanding of the Scriptures therefore belongs to the Holy Church. There is nothing to write about this... This is what we were told to do; All Orthodox Christians do this too... Wants or doesn't want, but and about. N., if he wants to be Orthodox, he must do the same. And this is how he should approach the truth in relation to the subject we are talking about. There are many scriptures that speak of demons as personal beings. How to understand these places? – As the Holy Church understands. How does the Church understand? Look how the Holy Church teaches about these spirits, and you will see how she understands those passages of Scripture. For in understanding Scripture it does not depart not only from the letter, but also from the spirit of Scripture; she begins to see clearly and takes exactly the thought that the Holy Spirit had when inspired by the saint. writers to write this or that. Where can I find out how the Holy Church teaches about evil spirits? In the same Long Catechism. It is an abbreviated presentation of the teachings of the Orthodox Church. Although it was compiled here in Russia, it was also accepted in the East by all patriarchies. And therefore there is a voice of the entire Orthodox Church. So, if he wants to follow this path, then let him make an extract from the Catechism of all the places where spirits are spoken... and see how the Holy Church commanded to believe. And then - let him agree with his thoughts. And he will stand in the undoubted truth about this subject. I'll do it for him. I will copy out everything relevant here from the Catechism. In the first member (of the Creed, - Ed.), when interpreting the word “invisible,” it is said that this means “the invisible, or spiritual, world - angels, that is, disembodied spirits, gifted with mind, will and power.” Then, after a few questions, he asks if all angels are good, and answers: “No - there are evil angels, who are called devils.” From this it is clear that the Church recognizes evil spirits as personal beings - with intelligence, will and power. The third clause – page 41 – says: “Where does sin come from in man? - From the devil. It is the devil who creates sin: just as the devil sins first (1 John 3:8).” From the devil, that is, from the spirit, which has mind, will and power. “How did sin pass from the devil to men? The devil deceived Eve and Adam and persuaded them to break the commandment.” Again the devil is a separate personality, spiritual, with intelligence, will and power to act. Below are a few questions: “How did the devil deceive Adam and Eve? Eve saw a serpent in paradise, who assured her that if people ate the fruits of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they would know good and evil and would be like gods. Eve was seduced by this promise and the beauty of the fruit - and tasted it; Adam tasted it, following her example.” The Holy Church does not see an allegory in this story of the fall, but a real event, where an evil spiritual person acted through the serpent and deceived Eve. Below it is also said that “when the first people confessed their sin before God, God, in His mercy, gave them the hope of salvation. This hope was that God promised that the seed of the woman would erase the head of the serpent (Gen. 3:15), that is, that Jesus Christ would defeat the devil, who had deceived people, and would deliver them from sin, curse and death.” It is obvious that, according to the mind of the Church, the defeat of the devil is a separate action of Jesus Christ from deliverance from sin, which lies on us and acts in us, although both are included in the economy of salvation, perfected by the same Lord. From this it follows that the belief in the existence of the devil as a personal being is part of the belief in the redemptive action of the Lord Jesus Christ. The presentation of the doctrine of the sacrament of baptism - page 21 - says: “Why is a spell cast on the person being baptized? “To drive out the devil from him, who since the time of Adam’s sin has gained access to people and some power over them, as if over his captives and slaves!” This is said after it has already been said that in baptism a person dies to a carnal, sinful life... Consequently, here the devil is not sin living in us, but a spiritual person, evil, with mind and will. In the explanation of the seventh petition of the Lord's Prayer - page 113 - “deliver us from the evil one,” it is said that in these words “we ask for deliverance from all evil... especially from the evil of sin, and from the evil suggestions and slander of the spirit of malice of the devil.” It is obvious that the spirit of evil - the devil - is a special person, and not sin in us, which is especially mentioned. Having reviewed all these passages from the Catechism, which sets out the exact teaching of the Orthodox Church, one can no longer remain perplexed as to how the Holy Church teaches about evil spirits. She recognizes them as personal beings; and such a teaching, in her mind, is so essential in the composition of dogmas that it is included in the work of redemption - the main point of the Christian faith. After this, Fr. N. decide one question for yourself: should you follow this teaching of the Church? – I will answer for him: if he is a son of the Orthodox Church and wants to be like that, then he should submit to the Church of God and accept this teaching, even if it seems in other ways not so clear and does not agree with his usual views on spiritual subjects. When during baptism he read the Creed, then, of course, with the proper thought he read the following words in it: “I believe in the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.” And what do these words oblige him to? – To complete submission to the Church. To confirm this, I turn to the same Catechism. In the presentation of the teachings of the ninth member - page 65 - we read: “What does it mean to believe in the Church? This means reverently honoring the true Church of Christ and obeying its teachings and commandments out of confidence that grace abides in it, acts savingly, teaches and governs, poured out from its one eternal head - the Lord Jesus Christ.” – Obeying the Church is inseparably linked with obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ, its head. Let now o. N. decides for himself whether he wants to be a son of the Orthodox Church or not? If he wants, he must obey the teachings of the Church. If he is aware of the obligation to obey the teaching of the Church, and she teaches that there are evil spirits - demons - then he is obliged to humbly accept this teaching, and understand all the points of this teaching, which were extracted before this from the Catechism, as they are set out, without the admixture of his own wisdom. That's all - I believe that our question should be finally resolved. For as soon as he realizes that he is obliged to obey the Church and obeys, he will immediately renounce his wrong thoughts about spirits. And if he does not realize his duty to obey the teachings of the Church and does not submit, then it is impossible to reason with him further. We diverge in our beginnings and become foreign to each other... Doesn't he easily think about the need to submit to the Church? - No. This is a matter of utmost importance. He who does not listen to the Church becomes like a pagan and a tax collector. Therefore, beyond those who are saved. I had to hear from one wise man: “What is the Church to me? I myself come to the Lord by faith and hope to be saved.” Already about. N. doesn’t think so?! You can start, but will the Lord accept? The Lord is the head of the Church. The Church is His body. One head, one body. He who is not with the body is not with the head. This body is composed of all believers, livingly united with itself. If o. N. is separated from the unity of belief, then he is separated from other believers, and he is also separated from its head - the Lord. Doesn't he think that recognizing or not recognizing the personal existence of spirits is a small matter among dogmas? – But who can tell us for sure what is small and what is not small in objects of belief? One Church would say if it wanted... But she does not say this, but only commands: believe this way and that, and does not add to any point: believe it if you want, believe it if you want, or not. Therefore, there is nothing to rely on this. Because we can’t guess whether it’s a little. But from the presentation of the doctrine of spirits... from the Catechism it is clear that the doctrine of them comes into contact with the dogma of redemption, which is the heart of the Christian faith. Consequently, every thought must be discarded so that the non-recognition of their existence is a small thing. Moreover, disobedience to the Church is never small. Whatever this disobedience concerns, he who disobeys everything is like a pagan and a tax collector. Isn’t he deceived by the fact that I live strictly, I pay attention to myself, and I have a heartfelt conversation with the Lord, and I am not deprived of spiritual consolation? If there were wrongness in me, I could not have anything like this. And if there is, it means that either I think about spirits truly, or if my thinking is not true, then the Lord looks at it condescendingly. If there is anything like that, then this is the most dangerous aspect of the matter for him. I’m not going far into this, I’ll just say that no matter who experiences anything spiritually and no matter what level they stand at, no one is exempt from the rule of how to determine whether something is true or false. There is only one definition of truth – the teaching of the Church. Whoever, in addition to the teachings of the Church, wants to base the knowledge of the truth on his feelings and spiritual experiences, he enters the broad road of self-indulgence and all sorts of deviations from the truth. Even if someone saw a vision or heard a voice, as long as what is proclaimed in this way does not agree with the teachings of the Church... one must resolutely reject it, following the word of the Apostle: “if an angel from heaven preaches otherwise... then he too is anathema.” For it is obvious that this angel is not from heaven. So he would sit down, think about it, and decide to submit to the teachings of the Church, so as not to endanger his salvation. I don’t understand, what kind of trouble will it be for him if he admits the existence of spirits? No. From this there will be good, which will come from unity with the Church in the way of thinking about this subject. And he would bring consolation to everyone who knows him and regrets that he got entangled in such a lie. And if he doesn’t admit it, the trouble is obvious. – It breaks off from the living tree of the Church like a dry branch; and the end of this is known. I know very well that it is not very easy for him to abandon his concepts, perhaps long-held ones... But an intelligent person controls himself very easily. And the misfortune of death in separation from the Church will drive him to this work. That, perhaps, many passages of Scripture about this are not clear or difficult to explain, I do not dwell on this. We are talking about the existence of evil spirits. The Church recognizes their existence, and we need to recognize... And in connection with this teaching, even if something incomprehensible remains - what to do?! We are not promised know-it-all. If you reject the existence of spirits, you will encounter much more incomprehensible and inexplicable things. Instead of light and ordering of the mind, this only results in confusion of thoughts and darkness. I am not dwelling on any of his notes in particular; I will only note one more thing about the image of the concept of Scripture, which he calls spiritual and which, in his opinion, alone is the real understanding - that such an understanding should not be called real. It is a subordinate clause, and only permissible within its limits. It is intended for the edification of the soul; cannot serve in any way to determine truth. He calls it spiritual; others usually call it figurative, or allegorical. The way he speaks about the temptation of Eve, the patience of Job, and the like, you can think to yourself and offer to others for edification; but the matter itself must still be recognized as it was. Every action of Christ the Savior described in the Gospel can be applied to spiritual life; but all this will be only application, and the action itself remains in its truth. It seems to him that if something can be interpreted spiritually, then this understanding is the real one, and history is out of the question. He spiritually interpreted the case of Job and stopped there, but it was as if the story could not be accepted at all points. If he interpreted Eve’s seduction spiritually, he had the truth... but the story already remained – not the whole truth. If we accept this way of understanding, where do we go? - Here are the Molokans - and everything that Scripture says about the Holy Trinity, about the sacraments, about the Holy Church - everyone interprets it spiritually, and as if they are right?! Mystics have such an interpretation in great vogue... But they really confuse! The plain meaning of Scripture is literal. Where you need to deviate from it, there are strict rules for this. Hold it and then apply it to yourself as you wish. But the truth is straightforward in the literal sense. Step back from him and you will start to confuse. Others will encounter very little difficult in Scripture, so quickly take on the allegory. It is very convenient to get rid of it this way: but knowledge of the truth does not benefit from this. This is what I thought of saying about Fr. N. I am not writing all this for the sake of argument, but so that, according to my strength, I can show the path to the truth. If Your Eminence would like to tell all this to Fr. N., - this will not be against my wishes. I wish him from the bottom of my heart to know the truth about spirits and to establish himself in it. 178. He who is a son of the Church must listen to the voice of the Church Whoever is a son of the Church must listen to the voice of the Church. About the authentic testimony of the Spirit. Beloved brother in the Lord! O. N. answered too briefly. – The first impression on me from this writing was a reproach to myself for not being able to figure out the matter well and writing in such a way that Fr. N. saw something completely different than what I wanted to remind him of. Please tell him to thoroughly understand what has been written. Extracts from the Catechism are not the main thing there, but only instrumental. My initial thought is: the authority of the Church is indisputable. He who is a son of the Church must listen to the voices of the Church. The voice of the Church is now for us in the Catechism, and the voice is living. Therefore, whoever is a son of the Church must accept all the teaching contained in the Catechism. This is why the Catechism is important to us! And one cannot fight off his authority so easily. If o. N. clearly saw this train of thought, he should have answered either like this: I do not consider it obligatory for me to obey the voice of the Church, or like this: I realize that I must obey the voice of the Church; but I do not recognize the Catechism as an expression of this voice. In the first case, he would excommunicate himself from the Church, willingly plunging himself into all the harmful consequences that the Lord combined in the words: “like a pagan and a tax collector.” In the second, I would go against what the Church itself says. The entire living Church today testifies that the Catechism is an expression of its teaching. Despite this, one could still give in to him and say: well, let it be, the Catechism is not the voice of the Church... but somewhere it should be. For the Church exists, and the Church is living. Let's look for another messenger about the teachings of the Church, just don't remain in such indecision, and most importantly, give up the spirit of perseverance, warm up your love for the truth and, God be merciful, you will see it! If you love the truth, write to the All-Russian Synod, write to the patriarchs. Don't think that they will despise you. They will give you due admonition, just be ready to obey. That's how Fr. N. the progress of the matter is good and he would direct his response words according to it. I thought that he would talk like that; and he's to the side. I blame myself for expressing myself poorly. And I ask him to delve into it again and carry out his reasoning, or, as it seems I said, to test his convictions. He said that he could not prefer the authority of the Catechism to the testimony of the Spirit. These words say a lot. Who dares to contradict the testimony of the Spirit-God? It is only permissible to look for evidence that the alleged testimony is definitely the testimony of the Spirit. Once the certification is given and the certification is sufficient, then there is nothing left to do but to humbly accept what the Spirit testifies to. We have a striking example of this in the person of St. apostles They accepted the true truth from the mouth of the Lord Himself; Then they were so tangibly overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, Who again inwardly inspired them with the same thing that they had previously received outwardly from the Lord. About the Lord there was a voice from above: “Listen to him.” About the Holy Spirit, this Lord, Whom it is so publicly commanded from above to listen to in everything, said: “He will teach you everything, and He will remember everything that is Mine to you and will announce new things that are needed.” After such certifications, the apostles could not act otherwise than as they did, saying: “If it is righteous to listen to you rather than God, judge” (Acts 4:19). Although they, brought up in the law of Moses, knew its power and believed that “God was the word of Moses”... but they could no longer abide in that law, having received a new command from God, tangibly certified that the law had already ceased, and the time had come for a new law of faith. God spoke in Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit who taught them is from God. There was only one thing left for them to do - to speak with meekness: God commanded us to teach this way, otherwise we cannot speak, and our soul and tongue are bound by obligations from above. You can do whatever you want with us, but we can’t say otherwise. If someone had suggested to them: here is our Catechism - the Church of God (for the Jewish Church was only God’s and before the coming of the Lord it was obligatory for true believers in Divine revelation to listen to it in everything... just as the Lord said... “as he teaches you, listen”)... If someone said: here is the Catechism... listen to it, then St. The apostles could rightly say: we cannot prefer the authority of the Catechism to the testimony of the Spirit. The holy Christian faith of God is based on this non-preference for the authority of the Catechism of the Jewish Church, on this fidelity to the testimony of the Spirit... The Apostles, bearing within themselves the testimony of the Spirit, transmitted the entire New Testament revelation and entrusted it to the Holy Church, which they founded throughout the universe. Their teaching, the contents conveyed orally and in writing to the Church, is for us the true testimony of the Spirit, to which nothing should be preferred. He who says that he relies on the testimony of the Spirit only says it truly, sensibly and indisputably when he relies on the teaching of the Lord and the Holy Spirit. apostles of the Church, committed orally and in writing! The Church, or true believers, do not know and should not know any other testimony of the Spirit. Let's go further along this line of concepts. The testimony of the Spirit is found in the New Testament revelation entrusted to the Holy Church. The Church expresses the truths of this revelation in its teaching. For she keeps the tradition; she also interprets Scripture. Therefore, the teaching of the Church contains the testimony of the Spirit. The Catechism is an expression of the teaching of the Holy Church. Therefore, the Catechism is a shortened expression of the testimony of the Spirit. The Catechism therefore stands in perfect agreement with the testimony of the Spirit. Whoever accepts catechetical teaching does not accept anything contrary to the testimony of the Spirit, but the same thing that the Spirit bears witness to. It must be honored as a testimony of the Spirit. To say: I cannot prefer the authority of the Catechism to the testimony of the Spirit is possible only in this case if the Catechism does not express the essence of the testimony of the Spirit. But it is impossible for the Catechism to be like this. For it expresses the teaching of the living Church, and the teaching of the living Church is an expression of the broadcasts of the Spirit. To say this is the same as to say: the Church has lost the truth. But then say goodbye to the truth. If it is not in the Church, then don’t look for it anywhere... You won't find it. So this is where the real testimony of the Spirit is! I will add: and this is such a testimony that every other manifestation of the Spirit must be trusted in order to distinguish the true from the false. The holy apostles carried the Spirit within them, and their word was undoubtedly evidence of this Spirit. About what? - About all the mysteries of God. The Apostle Paul says: No one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God, who tests all things, even the deep things of God. Then he adds: God revealed to us through the Holy Spirit... He revealed all the depths of God, not concerning the whole world, but the main work of preaching - the work of our salvation. The word that came from the mouths of the apostles was a decisive definition of truth, outside of which lies lies and darkness. - Therefore, when it was necessary to give a guiding rule on how to verify the broadcasts of the spirits who appeared then, the apostles set the word they preached as a touchstone for them. - Here are examples of this. St. Paul founded the Thessalonica Church, giving it the true teaching about everything - and about the latest events of the world. When he was forced to leave Thessaloniki, incorrect concepts about the end of the world arose there, which were, among other things, spread by such persons who spoke according to the movement of the spirit. Having learned about this, the apostle writes to them that they should not listen to anyone, even if someone claimed that he was speaking according to the movement or testimony of the Spirit, and that they strictly adhere to what was handed down to them orally. It turns out that the apostolic word is the measure of truth and the test of all spirits - whether they are true or not true. In the primitive Church, the gifts of the Holy Spirit were revealed in various ways. Among them, the gift of knowledge and reason, or the teaching of all, was clearer and more applicable to business. Persons of this kind in the assemblies rose up as the Spirit moved and spoke. The others listened to them. Since the movements of the Spirit of God are similar in manifestation to the movements of natural inspiration under the influence of deepening into striking truths, it was easy to confuse them both in the consciousness of those who had them and in the concept of others who heard them. Meanwhile, while the Spirit of God is always the Spirit of truth, the spirit of man can accept as truth that which seems only true, but is not. Why in the Church of God there was a special gift of discernment of spirits, and a special rule or norm of truth, by which they determined whether the one who pretends to speak according to the movement of the Spirit speaks the truth, or offers the testimony of the Spirit. What is the norm? This is an apostolic word that precisely defines the truth. What was not in accordance with this word was swept away, even if the speaker assured that he was speaking at the inspiration of the Spirit. The incident in the Thessalonica Church confirms this. We have a second indication of this in the words of St. John the Theologian in his first letter. “Do not believe every spirit,” he says, “but tempt the spirits if they are from God.” What perfume is this? These are people who were speaking from the Spirit, offering as if the testimony of the Spirit. - What is the method of testing, are they from God? – Is it the inner feeling of those who said that the Spirit is in them... or something else? Not an internal feeling, but an external word of truth delivered by the apostles. St. John does not list all the truths, but points to the most important dogma of the incarnation of God the Word... But to say this means to say everything. This is the whole mystery of faith and the whole system of dogmas, that is, it means the same as saying: trust the spirits with the apostolic word. This method of testing spirits with the apostolic word was so decisive and exceptional that St. Paul did not hesitate to anathematize everyone who began to teach anything contrary to that. “If we or an angel from heaven brings you the good news rather than the good news brought to you, let him be anathema.” And this is the third instruction... So, the apostolic word is the test of all spirits, are they from God, do they speak the truth, or are they fooled by phantoms of truth? Let us add to this: the word of the apostles, or New Testament revelation, constitutes the content of the teaching of the Church, the teaching of the Church is expressed in the Catechism. It turns out that the Catechism is a sample of all the testimonies of the spirit, which appear in this capacity after the original normal testimony of the Spirit that issued from the lips of the apostles. Every spirit that speaks in agreement with them is from God, but every spirit that speaks in disagreement with them is not from God, and this is the Antichrist. After what I have said, it is natural to express bewilderment at what Fr. N. under the testimony of the Spirit. I guess that by this he means an internal or external testimony that happened to him, which he considers to come from the Spirit of God. Every Christian receives the grace and gift of the Holy Spirit. “Or do you not know,” says the apostle, “that there is a church of God and the spirit of God lives in you.” Therefore, not a single Christian can be denied the opportunity for the special actions of the Spirit of God to manifest in him. Are they possible in the island? N.? But if he really had some kind of testimony of the Spirit, then, following the apostolic experiments shown before this, he should put it to the test, is this testimony truly the testimony of the Spirit of truth, and not the deception of the spirit of flattery? - The test, as the same examples showed, is the apostolic word, devoted to the Church and preserved by it, which it offers to everyone in its teaching. And the abbreviated teaching is the Catechism... So we come to the same point again: let him check his visions - with the Catechism. The spirit of grace that overshadowed the apostles was a gift given exclusively to them alone. This is the actual apostolic Spirit, the Spirit of the revelation of the mysteries of God regarding the economy of our salvation. After the apostles, his gift was no longer repeated. The Church of God has been given the spirit of knowledge and understanding of the mysteries revealed by the apostles. Yes, this is given to every Christian. Whoever retains the grace of baptism and confirmation and, working on himself, cleanses himself from passions, to a certain degree of heart purity, the action of the Spirit with His gifts is revealed, including the gift of knowing the truths of God, the anointing with which he knows everything, as the Apostle John teaches, is revealed. – But the whole message is not everywhere: for that is the work of God’s mind, but as in the circle of the truths of faith, in the economy of salvation. You can learn the truths of faith with your mind, especially now that they are not only contained in the word of God, but are also extensively interpreted in the writings of the fathers and in theological systems. But such self-made knowledge is only an external study, similar to the study of other sciences. It accepts only a bare sketch of the truths in the aggregate and of each truth separately. And all this is understood by the mind and stored in memory, in the head. In its measure, heartfelt conviction is also attached to this. But real knowledge of everything is given only by the Spirit. “No one can properly name the Lord Jesus, only by the Holy Spirit”... that is, to properly comprehend the mystery of the economy of salvation - both in general and in parts. A heart devoted to the Lord and purified for the Spirit of God becomes a charter on which He writes the secrets of God. And then the one who is worthy of this receives real knowledge of the truths. But this knowledge from the Spirit does not give new things, it does not reveal new mysteries, but the same revealed ones already make it possible to understand and feel them in all their power. At the same time, the same thing happens that happens to someone who, having read a description, for example, of Jerusalem and having sufficiently assimilated what was described, then sees Jerusalem itself. He sees the same thing in the same places as he had previously imagined; but only in a different force. Exactly the same thing happens to those who, after mentally studying the truths of faith, then the Spirit of God imprints the same truths in the heart, for working on purity of heart and fidelity to the commandments of God. All the same truths, only a different force in them. And on the contrary, although there is another force, all this is not a revelation of new mysteries, but the clearest and most vivid comprehension of the same truths... At the same time, no matter how pure someone is, no matter how overshadowed by the action of grace, new truths are never revealed to him, but the same ones, or in the same circle, greater details. From this it goes without saying that the anointing from the Holy One, which is a gift of some chosen ones, can never communicate to them that which would be contrary to the truths revealed by the apostolic word, contained and witnessed by the Church. Again I come to the same conclusion that no true broadcast and testimony of the Spirit can be contrary to the Catechism, as an expression of the teaching of the Church, the keeper of revealed truths. What kind of testimony of the Spirit is this from Fr. N.. for the sake of which he stubbornly goes against the teachings of the Church? In the history of the Church there are heretics who dreamed of the Spirit and the teaching from the Spirit. There are two kinds of them: some argued that the true understanding of Divine revelation is given only by the Spirit... and then only the true ones must recognize what this Spirit inspires about the truth of the word of God. Others taught that external revelation was not necessary at all; The gracious Spirit teaches everyone, and what He teaches is true. When you have the Spirit, at least do not have an external word. There is no need for it. The Euchites of the 5th century had a part of such views; then among the Bogomils. But in modern times they have been more fully expressed by the Anabaptists, Quakers, Illuminati and [in] other mystical sects that have proliferated in the West. Here they found a place for themselves among the Doukhobors and, in a somewhat more modest form, among the Molokans. - All of these are erring and rejected by the Church... For their uncontrolled teaching, as if according to the testimony of the Spirit... is full of arbitrariness and therefore does not have one norm. Whatever the face, it’s a new perspective on something. It is highly undesirable for Fr. N. belonged to this category of those rejected by the Church - like spirit-bearers - who are clearly in delusion and serve as a laughing stock for demons, the enemies of all truth. One of those who were in the Suzdal fortress in my time can see to what ugliness such seduced people can reach... He was from Astrakhan, it seems, or from the Caucasus, and he said that on them, that is, on those whom he led, the Holy Spirit descended as on the apostles, and they heard a stormy spirit, and the room shook. And the like. How does the enemy not fool the poor... And so he bends over backwards to stand his ground... that he is something like an apostle, destined to transform the Church. – And all such seduced ones, every single one, are full of reformist aspirations. The messengers of God... have appeared! It's a lie to preach. Lies are not from God, but from the devil, whose children these unfortunate ones are, as the Lord said... I prescribe all this about the Spirit and the manifestations of the testimony of the Spirit, so that Fr. N., like a smart man, sat down and reasoned... and returned to the truth, and did not give himself up as a laughing stock and a playground to the enemies of all truth, who, under the guise of some kind of evidence of the Spirit, tear him away from the unity of confession of the truth, and through this from unity with the true Church and with the Lord Savior. For whoever is not with the Church is not with the Lord. And all his efforts are going well. The Lord, who endured the cross and death for our souls, may he enlighten the eyes of his mind and grant him to see the truth! 179. Consent to cooperate in “Soulful Reading” Agreement to cooperate in “Soulful Reading.” On the beginning of the interpretation of the letters of the Apostle Paul. Most Reverend Father! 56 By your letter you invite me to participate in your soul-helping publication. Nikolai Vasilyevich has already written about this. And I have already decided in my soul to send something to you. As for your proposal to compare Western ascetic methods with ours, while agreeing that this subject would definitely be interesting and modern, I cannot, however, take upon myself to develop it. Busy with something that may be more important than that. Began interpreting the letters of St. Apostle Paul. The first to Thessalonians is over, and is published in the Tamb[ov] Diocesan Gazette. The second comes to an end. After that I’ll start something else. And it is a sin, I think, to lag behind this matter. The Tambov Gazette will not soon finish printing what it has started. The second message will end, perhaps, this November. And it will lie in vain. So, if you want, I will send it to you. Condition: send me about two hundred prints. Who... will make prints anyway... you can prepare a whole issue of them if you hope that they will sell out. If there are profits from the sale, then, after deducting the amount spent, the rest will be divided in half - one part for you, and the other for the missionary society - from both of us. “I don’t promise to be included in these calculations.” Decide for yourself what God puts in your heart. Please let me know if you find what is written inconvenient. Bless, Lord, your works! I wish you all the best from the Lord. Figure 3. Journal “Soulful Reading” July. 1904 180. Why is interpretation called conversational? Why is interpretation called conversational? About philological notes: they are unnecessary. Why are many fatherly sayings included in the interpretation? Our correspondence slowed down a little due to monastic reports. In fits and starts, the scribe managed to rewrite a few. I'm sending this. Last time I forgot to tell you why I call interpretation conversational. Because I bring in a lot that is not expected from an interpretation, but rather from a conversation. And this is so as to at least somehow soften the dryness that is inevitable in interpretation. Why are there no philological notes? - It's a matter of taste. I’m reviewing all the German celebrities - and their rubbish of scholarship is so disgusting that I don’t even want to add a Greek word to the text. Besides, scientists won't read us; there is no time, and they themselves know everything. But for the unlearned, Greek scribbles will only cause annoyance. Why are so many fatherly opinions written down? “I decorate my nondescript brainchild with Margaritas, befitting the royal children, so that if someone else would not look at the brainchild itself... he would look at it for the sake of these royal decorations. For the Orthodox, this is much better to be found in interpretation than a reference to pagan writers and the wisdom of infidels. I'll send the rest soon. If you have your mercy, I ask you to humbly send your magazine to one of my friends, who is rich in spirit, but not in pocket... her address: on Spiridonovka, near the church in the house of Mrs. Obolonskaya - Princess P.S.L. O. Nikolai Spiridonsky knows her well. 181. Covering letter for the interpretation sent Covering letter for the interpretation being sent. I am sending you the end of the interpretation. It has been ready for a long time; but laziness delayed the shipment day by day. It occurs to me - before releasing the reprints as a separate book - to review everything and notice the errors. If you also find this not bad, take the trouble to send one copy when printing is finished. I will review it, and if there are errors worth commenting, I will mark them and send them. Then they will need to be printed and attached to the book. It seems so to me. If you find this unnecessary, do not do it, but release it directly. 182. On the interpretation of the letter to the Galatians. On the translation of the works of Abba Isaiah On the interpretation of the letter to the Galatians. About the translation of the works of Abba Isaiah. Answer to the question: is it possible to change the words in prayers, at home and in church. About the reduction of church services. I waited for you to send it for viewing and did not answer. However, seeing that the matter was dragging on, I was going to respond as you sent. I apologize for not being in a hurry. Looked through. There are very few errors, for which I am very grateful to you. From among my copies, take the trouble to send 10 copies to the princess to whom you are sending a copy of the magazine (P.S.L. - on Spiridonovka in the house of Mrs. Obolonskaya). She will distribute it there to those of our friends who need it. – Send two copies to the Society of Lovers of Spiritual Enlightenment. “You have your own hand, lord.” “They would have brought a dozen of them to their great Lord, asking for a blessing to donate copies of those to the Society. He is the chairman and will most likely manage to sell them off. The taste for interpretation dulled, and I stopped a little. By the end of the year, however, I think I will finish with Galatians. It's started. Whenever I finish, I will again bother you with a request to accept this interpretation on the pages of your journal. In the meantime, I translated Abba Isaiah, not a long-winded but experienced guide to the path of spiritual life. – If you ever have a place for this translation, take it. Then I will finally review and rewrite it. Your question is both simple and tricky. Nothing prevents you from leaving and changing the words of prayers; for power does not lie in words, but in the feelings of the prayerful heart. You can also compose your own prayers instead of printed ones... and every time, in every need, pray to God with your prayer. You just need to position yourself in such a way that you have God and your heart. Printed prayers are then available and given into the hands, so that through them you can cultivate your own prayerful spirit at home, and not so that you slavishly adhere to them. However, in order to reach one’s own personal prayer, one must master others’ prayers well. Isaac the Syrian says: read your prayers so that they seem to come from your heart, even though they are not yours. But the case that you brought up, that the prayers talk about tears and crying, but there are none... should not lead to changing prayers, but to reproach oneself and regret that what should be is not there. There are many such expressions in prayers. They are essential in them. And we must try to arouse the feelings they indicate, if they do not exist, and not throw them out of prayers. And church prayers can be changed; but not by everyone arbitrarily, but by church authority. Only the words that perform the sacraments remain unchanged. All other troparia, stichera, canons are fluid in the church. And the church authorities can cancel them, one can abolish them, and the other can introduce them. In printed church services, the translation is already outdated, there is a lot of dark and unnecessary... The need for updating has begun to be felt. The church power will take heed of this and renew it. But everything must go in order. Until then, everything must be done as it should be, trying to make it clear to others. It has become a custom for us to cut services. “And the charter orders that other canons and stichera be omitted. – It is only necessary that omissions and abbreviations are made properly. And then - everything that is sung and read in church, everything was read and sung loudly, clearly, intelligibly, so that every soul existing in the church would be created. And then we often mutter, it doesn’t sound like anything. Bless, Lord, your works. 183. About errors when issuing an interpretation. About the Epistle to the Galatians About errors when publishing the interpretation. About the Epistle to the Galatians. On preparation for the compilation of the “Philokalia”: the works of Abba Isaiah, the statutes of Pachomius the Great, Basil the Great, the works of Cassian the Roman. On the compilation of the psalter from the works of Ephraim the Syrian. I received the copies you sent. Thank you. I am sending you five copies of the first message, two of which I ask you to give to lovers of spiritual enlightenment in the library. Do whatever you want with the copies you have left there. Look how many mistakes there are in the first message! - It’s a shame to appear in public. – It occurred to me the other day that I would reprint it again in your magazine in a corrected form. – If some typos are corrected, then there will be a corrected edition; But meanwhile, there are a few things in the introduction that need to be redone anew. It may be that in the interpretation itself something will have to be corrected. Then there will be a real revised edition. “Besides, no one will see the reprints of the first message.” I sent them to the school for girls of the clergy in Tambov, and there they were all sent to churches - and that’s it. – Your readers probably don’t read Tambovskie Vedomosti and won’t get bored if you offer them... the first message, even after the second... And the missionary society will have more than one message... The condition is the same. – If you find this Eulogon (blessed (Greek), – Ed.) – notify; I'll review it and send it to you. I don’t know if the Epistle to the Galatians will keep up. “But it’s not nice to promise and not keep it,” I was now drawn into the thesaurus asceticus 57, which I had long been planning to compose or collect, but kept putting it off day after day. Fortunately, the hunt has come. – Abba Isaiah – from there. - I won’t send him to you. Changed my mind. I wanted to release them piece by piece, and St. Anthony gave it to the Tambov Gazette, but then decided to publish them as a separate book, all in a pile. For the first time there will be two parts: one - a hermit, the other a hostel. The latter will contain the statutes of Pachomius the Great, Basil the Great - and the entire Cassian the Roman. Regarding your question about the darkness of much that is read in church, it occurred to me to choose from St. Ephraim the Syrian Psalter. There were 150 articles - more prayerful, some moralizing and dogmatic... good reading, sometimes even eye-opening. What a blatant saint he was. Father! A true Christian David. Bless you, Lord, with every blessing! 184. On the interpretation of the letter to the Galatians. About printing the interpretation I have had one part of Galatians ready for a long time. But I didn’t think of sending it to print until I finished the entire message. I changed my mind and am sending it to you without correspondence, but it’s clear, because there is no one to do this. Take the trouble to take it apart. Yes, it seems to be legibly written. When they print, order the chapter and verse at the top, for example, Gal. 2, 16 and the like... This is easy to do in your journal. Then order the same to be done in the prints. It is very boring to look at a book of interpretation without such inscriptions on every page... especially when you need to find which text... To avoid this after stopping, print little by little, half a notebook at a time. When I take up the interpretation, then I’ll tell you, and you can increase it... And dragging out (typing) is boring; but then sitting, waiting for the continuation, when the manuscript ends, is even more boring. Do me this service! The printing of my interpretation - both to Thessalonians, and this, to Galatians, and all that will have to be copied - I would yield to the missionary society. It seems that this would be useful for him, and the interpretation would spread more widely, and it could be sold cheaper due to the convenience of sale. But I don’t know if it can take on such a task. Please find out. The interpretation will become the permanent property of society, and I will be given a number of copies. If society can accept it, then I will formally approach the Lord with such a proposal. And you could go straight to him; Why bother him if you can’t. Let us know about this as soon as you find out. The sooner the better. I was just about to write to you that I was taking up the epistle to the Galatians again, when my lower back grabbed me and for a whole month I didn’t let me get to work properly. Now, thank God, I have recovered and am starting to pee a little. When I took up the pen, I thought that I should, as promised, only tell you that you don’t have to be shy about typing. But, having reviewed your letter, I see that I have the answer to the question about the jury, which I completely forgot about. What to do with them? Take a stick and hit it! Not modern, you see. I think that priests have a duty, as soon as one of the parishioners is hired to do this, quietly tell him in his ear to keep his eyes open and not bend his conscience. This matter has not yet been settled among us, and confusion is emerging. Everyone is afraid that they won’t fall into the backward category, and so they play tricks. Know our people: we reason broadly. Bless, Lord, your works! 186. Covering letter for the commentary sent to the Epistle to the Galatians I am sending the second part of the letter to the Galatians. If you think of finishing printing it this year, then you need to enlarge the articles. There’s already a little bit left – 30 verses... I think there’s nothing to skip over to another year. Tell me anything about your intentions: I need to know this in order to deal with the end in advance. Again, a rough draft... But you understand it so well that you haven’t encountered a single mistake yet. 187. About publishing articles in the magazine. On the interpretation of the letters of the Apostle Paul About publishing articles in the magazine. On the interpretation of the letters of the Apostle Paul. About publishing in “Readings in the Society of Lovers of Spiritual Enlightenment.” I hasten to tell you so that you do not crowd yourself with my articles, but print as you have to print, at your discretion. I wrote that I would like to finish our interpretation this year, with a secret desire that I wouldn’t have time to be lazy. Well, I’m very glad that you will stretch it. I am ashamed of the Society of Lovers of Spiritual Enlightenment that I did not send anything for them - to the “Readings”. I decided to do it forcibly. For a long time I had been prepared - everything necessary for the interpretation of the Epistle to the Ephesians. – I’ll undertake to finish it off and send it. Galatians - I will prepare the last part after that. I think that what I have written will be enough for you until the end of the year. I will also prepare for the Corinthians for you... But I think there will be no need to make so many prints. Wouldn't it be better to pay some money instead? Perhaps, so much will finally be collected that it will be possible to start a separate revised edition of the interpretations... But more on that later. Now this came to mind, and I mean. I wish you all the best from the Lord. Congratulations on your archpriestship. 188. About the saying of St. Climacus about lies About the saying of St. Climacus about lies. I have never had to pay attention to the saying of St. Climacus about lies. And I was surprised. How so?! I turn to the original. The phrase there is a little dark, and I think that our translation is not entirely accurate. Instead of - “resort to lies”, it seems that it should be translated: “to approach a lie” - “αντο υπέλθωμεν”... And this leads to the following cases. In the monastery of St. Savva was a high-living elder, John, under St. Savva again. He was a bishop, but he said that he was simple. There are many such cases. This can also include when someone is accused of something, and he, knowing that he is not guilty, says: forgive me, I have sinned... In part, holy fools also fit here... All such people fit the lie. One must definitely decide on such matters with fear and when the need is imminent - καιρου καλουντος; – time requires... that is, either your internal state, or the external situation. And it seems impossible to lie without sin. Blessed article. Augustine - discusses this subject at length, and the general conclusion is that one should not lie. Get it somewhere and remove it. It will be useful. I don’t have time, much less hunting. Laziness takes hold. You can contribute even less money. I figured how much you spend on prints. It turns out that there is nowhere to put them... The missionary society is burdened... After all, there is still a part to the Galatians - not finished... at least not too much... but first I will finish to the Ephesians, so as not to toss and turn there. 189. Gratitude for the book sent. About the first letter to the Corinthians Thanks for sending me the book. A proposal to compile a book about vices and virtues based on the works of St. Fathers. About the first letter to the Corinthians. On the publication of the interpretation in “Readings in the Society of Lovers of Spiritual Enlightenment.” I thank you for your book. She's very helpful. Continue to add more articles like this little by little. I have long had the idea of ​​compiling a book of short teachings on the leadership of St. Father, mainly about virtues and vices. But then laziness got in the way, but now things have gone wrong. Take this case. No wonder. Read your father, more than Chrysostom, and, having assimilated his thoughts, express them in your own speech, but in the same simplicity and liveliness. Here's the article! and so on. It will be easier than you are now making up. It can also indicate which father’s guidance the article was compiled under. 1st Corinthians is ready. I’ll send it, - I think now there will be fewer prints for myself, and for others to stop altogether. And there is no need for a fee, because the opportunity opens up even without this method to gather strength for a special publication of interpretations of St. Pavel. What to do with reprints of Galatians? That’s right, and treat them the same way as the previous ones. Wouldn't society want to take it? How can they not manage?! It is necessary, with the blessing of the Bishop, to be sent to the provincial branches of the society, asking the Eminences to send it to the churches and send money to the general treasury of the society. A month or two - and it’s all over. How long do they take?! Does Readings print my interpretations of Ephesians? I haven't received their January book yet. If necessary, please remind Fr. to the editor to send it. Sometimes it will come soon, and sometimes it will slow down. Or write to him about this. Be healthy and cheerful! I wish you all the best from the Lord. 190. On the interpretation of the first letter to the Corinthians. About prints, about books On the interpretation of the first letter to the Corinthians: I made the experience of interpreting it more briefly. About prints, about books. I am sending to you by the same mail the notebooks of the interpretation of the first letter to the Corinthians. I tried to explain the experiment briefly, and, it seems, it was not entirely successful. You won't notice this in the manuscript; It will be clearer in print. The epistle to the Philippians is also short. As much as I don’t like this brevity – and I think no one will like it either – I’ve already abandoned it... and I’m interpreting it more broadly, although not in the same way as before. I forgot to write to you to send one book to Galatians, to show typos and for a detailed table of contents, similar to the one made in the interpretation sent. Upon receipt of this, complete the prints. But what to do with them? How to avoid getting into trouble? Some typographic inspector came to Tambov... and gave notes to the local editors of Vedomosti for reprints of my interpretations. The fear began to take over me, as if someone would yell at you and me for the second to Thessalonians. The missionary society publishes an advertisement about him, but it is not reviewed by the synod. Therefore, smuggling. They would have sent it out without announcement: some to the missionaries, some to the diocesan departments of the missionary society, and that would be the end of the matter. This is what stops me from giving them Galatians again. I haven't decided yet; but, guess what, we will have to decide this way if the people in charge of the matter do not undertake to wait (here: distribute, - Ed.) for all the prints without printed advertisements. Ask them and tell me... and meanwhile I will take away the thoughts from the Lord himself through someone, if possible. Having settled on a decision, I will tell you what to do with the prints, but until then, take care of them. Make one hundred reprints of the Epistle to the Corinthians... They are of no use to anyone, and they are an unnecessary burden on the editors. After that, the interpretation of Corinthians no longer obliges you to anything. Just print it quickly. I hasten [with] interpretation; and by the end of the year I intend to finish all the letters of St. Apostle Paul. Next year, if we are alive, we will undertake a general publication of all the messages. God bless you! I wish you all the best from the Lord. 191. Covering letter for the table of contents and amendments sent Covering letter for the submitted table of contents and amendments. About books for the missionary society. Here's the table of contents and amendments! – Finish the book; and when you finish, send me my dose, but about the others, I still don’t know how to put it. As soon as I find out, I’ll let you know. Meanwhile, send Princess L. - about two dozen, to the Society of Amateurs - a couple of copies, and especially to the editor - one, to the Don Bishops - one at a time, to the Vicar Bishops a book, to the Academy right away: Fr. Rector, Fr. Arch[imandrite] Macarius, Egor Vasilyevich Amfitheatrov, Fr. to the governor; Take for yourself as much as you find necessary; Send the book to matchmaker Dobrov, oh. Archpriest Theologian. Maybe there is still someone I know. I don't remember now. The missionary society is very glad to sell those copies: for what should they do with them? I’m waiting for confirmation that you and I won’t get punished for this. How much did you earn? Why don’t they send me “Missionary”?! I can’t answer your question about circumcision. How have you managed so far? So it is now. Circumcision and circumcision. And if they become curious, they’ll say that I can’t explain it to you... or – Eh! You will know a lot, you will soon grow old! Is it possible to transfer it on the other side? Through cool ladies... But they are all girls! It’s better to leave it like that, saying: you’ll find out later. The Orthodox Church does not know the Hebrew Bible. The only God-inspired Scripture she has is that which is known in 70 translations. The Church honors him... and her children slander him. Are they really kids?! Congratulations on this bright holiday. Nikolai Vasilyevich wrote that there is some kind of law that exempts reprints of articles, even interpretations permitted by local censorship, from the obligation to submit them to the Holy Synod for permission. - You must know him, but I missed him... Now, without fear, you can forward all the reprints of the Epistle to the Galatians to the missionary society, having first been blessed by the Bishop, if he is there in Moscow, with the exception of those following on Vysha, and those that I wrote. Also take the trouble to send 3 copies there in Moscow to his Highness Alexander Aleksandrovich Arnoldi: Smolensky Boulevard, Schneider’s house, on the corner of Neopalimovsky and Trubnoy Lane. Bless you, Lord, and your works. 193. About translating the Bible into Russian. About spiritualism. About Catholicism It’s good that you can’t print what I suggested: because I myself have changed my mind about doing it. It is better to read carefully and extract from all the books one that contains the whole matter. But this must be done: for, as it seems, we have all become ignorant. Because everyone reads one side - the damned Protestantism, but the other side is not heard. It is the custom of Protestants that, as soon as an object crosses them, they raise a terrible stomp near it: dust forms a column and covers that object. Economos 58 had the patience to disperse these clouds of dust. And his translation of the 70 was restored in all its splendor and grandeur. We need to come to our senses. The Church does not know the Masoretes. If we follow their path, we will move away from the basics. We need to keep what has always been in the Church. There has always been one 70 translation in the Church; We don’t want to know anything else. What profit do we get from Masoretica? No! Some are clearer, some are even darker. Everything essential is there even at 70... Why are we moving from our place?! Alas and ah! This thing is like nothing else! It seems I won’t write any answers. Where am I with the scientists? Spiritualism! I don't know him well. First, when he got up, I bought some books and subscribed to magazines. But I became convinced that this was demonic behavior and quit. This is not charlatanism, but real demonism, like the ancient soothsayers. What is there to talk about this? Old Catholicism. Our dealings with them seem to be going well. The last deal - about the procession of the Holy Spirit - what does it mean? Ours, after all, flatly said that “through the Son” cannot be accepted in any case. And thus they struck those who cooked this gruel. But then in the evening, I believe, we talked among ourselves and decided: in order not to interrupt relations, let’s say that we agree... meaning, as private individuals, in full confidence that no authoritative agreement will follow. This is how I explain the whole thing. This is what we must stand for, that is, so that in the points of agreement “through the Son”, in the eternal relations of the persons of the Most Holy Trinity, it should not stand under any guise or with any reservation. That's all...we'll see what's next. There is nothing to talk about them. 194 About G. Gorchakov’s notes in “Orthodox Review” I just received the November book of the Orthodox Review and read G. Gorchakov’s notes there. I should have answered, but I don’t have enough strength. As the answer will be expected, I believe, not only by G. Gorchakov, then I ask you to print that there will be no answer to his article, because it is very learned - I am not able to enter into a fight with scientists. When I recover - for now I am a little in pain - I will send you a few more lines to supplement my previous article. 195 About translating the Bible into Russian Thank you for the reprints of the article. I wanted to write to you about this, but I left it to your will. Maybe they won’t object, or maybe they will. Maybe I will answer, maybe not. The truth has been said, and then as anyone wants. There will be no end to the disputes. Minds have become tricky. An example is lawyers in courts. Lawyers in writing are of the same type... especially Protestants who are masters of this. You predict what they will say. But the differences in the lists are not significant; they are the same as those in the New Testament lists. It's all about choosing the best reading. As for Daniel the prophet, as if he was not translated from the 70th, so be it. We must stand for the translation of the 70 - not because it is translated this way (although this is not unimportant), and compiled this way, but because it is supported by the Church, of which Christ the Lord is the Head and Guardian. There is no urgent need for us to determine where it came from; It is enough to know what is given to the Church and the Church is given to us. Children, receiving bread from their father or mother, do not go into the analysis of where it came from and how it was baked, but take it with gratitude and eat it. This is how we should treat the Bible. Such a Bible has been given to the Church; read it and feed your spirit with it. Given in the translation of 70, and in the form as it is, do not look for another. Protestants have made a lot of dust about how the translation of the 70 took place, rejecting the way Orthodoxy accepts it, and they think that they have triumphed. Although their presentations are not solid and are easily broken, you don’t have to worry about it. We can say: this is not the strength, but the fact that the Lord, St. the apostles, their successors - God-wise shepherds, all the Ecumenical Councils and the entire subsequent Church did not know any other Bible except this one - Greek; there is no mention of the Jewish one. She is alien to the Church, and we do not want to know her. There is one answer to all objections: the Church did not know the Hebrew Bible, and we do not want to know. Look, how translation is done for the Church and in the church way! Look at the article by G. Chistovich about the labors during the publication of the Elizabethan Bible. There are royal decrees, and definitions of the Holy Synod, and directions of those who worked - everything is exclusively aimed at ensuring that the translation is faithful to the Greek original, the contents of our Orthodox Church. And the publication began when the translation was already in perfect agreement with this Greek text. The Orthodox rests on this translation with complete confidence. And having published this Bible, the Holy Synod in its then composition immediately introduced readings from it into liturgical books. All this is completely in the order of things. This is where our source of truth is! The Word of God cannot be pushed around so that it turns out one way today and another tomorrow. The divine elements that feed the Church of God are: the word of God and the Holy. sacrament. Touching them is the same as touching the apple of the eye of the Church. How much attention, caution and precautionary warnings there should be. Do not think that, in saying this, I think of the new translation of the Holy Synod as somehow not according to its merits. No. The Holy Synod acted wisely in publishing this translation. Translations from Hebrew began to be published abroad, and something was published here - actually for Jews. And even without that, the upper classes purchase the Bible in foreign languages, in the same translation. Thus, both in Russian and not in Russian, the Hebrew Bible has already passed into the hands of the Orthodox. Meanwhile, among them there may also be one in which the meaning of the Old Testament truth is distorted to the point that the prophetic writings cease to be forerunners of the New Testament institutions of God. In order to get rid of this misfortune and stop this rush for the Bible from the Hebrew, which is alien to our understanding, the Holy Synod had the duty to translate it and give it to the people. And he did it commendably. We must accept this work with gratitude, not as the most authentic word of God, but as the closest aid to understanding it, as in the very definition of the Holy Synod this is stated. There is no point in us now reaching out for other people's translations. Here is yours, in a form closest to the Greek original and to the word that is in the Church. Thank you for the book. Instead of Macarius, you read Michael correctly. I understood him. Macarius according to the Masoretic reading, and Michael according to the 70. It comes to mind whether to translate the history of the text of the Hebrew Bible from Economos. Or make an extraction. This is the subject of the 3rd book, more than 1000 pages long. He cited a bunch of changes to the Hebrew text and proves them effectively, although not all of them. If you agree to print, I will begin to extract little by little. Tell. Letters to Princess L. are hardly fit for publication. But now there is no one to review them from. She had a blow to the head and is unconscious. Pray for her. 196. Covering letter for submitted manuscripts I tried my best to write something else about the same thing. This was ready in the first week of this month, but the flood came and kept us locked up for two weeks. I hasten to send it so that your April book can be printed at least in time. And please, manage to print. – The Most Reverend Plato insists, but Nikolai Vasilyevich does not give rest. Please spare me from these attacks. I tried in every possible way to avoid controversy... and took into account from Gorsky only what might confuse others - namely, that the apostles and St. The Fathers used the Hebrew Bible and that the Holy Church is not averse to it. Enough said against this. To venture into philology is a boundless sea. And this is possible, but it’s a stupid thing. - Print it, please. Send books to Princess L. She understands herself and everything around her... and cannot say anything. The tongue doesn't serve... 197. On the interpretation of the epistles to the Romans, the second to the Corinthians, to the Colossians Received prints; thank you. They will object... let them. It seems that we need to stop. No matter how bad it gets! After all, you can completely lose the Bible by arguing. As for interpretations, I can’t say anything now. It is written to Romans, but 2 Corinthians is long over. If I manage to prepare it for Romans by the end of the year, I’m thinking of publishing it directly from myself. After him - to the Corinthians... and then, along with all the messages already prepared. If Romans is published by the beginning of next year, then Corinthians, perhaps, can also be published in the middle or at the end of the year, and by then you will not have time to print 1 Corinthians. It is written wider than the first and almost equal in volume to it. It became impossible to give it to you. Here's what's possible. My work will go like this. I'll finish with Romans. Then I’ll review all the ones that are already ready. Nikolai Vasilyevich will do the printing, and I will begin to interpret the remaining epistles, to the Colossians, etc. If God helps, to the Colossians, maybe it will be finished by the post. Then I will send it to you. If not for fasting, for six months. Anyway, it can be sent. At the beginning of the year, place something else interpretative. Or make a reservation somehow. What a long story! I sent a few lines to the Church Bulletin against Yakimov. They will print it. I am writing to Nikolai Vasilyevich to take them and send them to you. When it arrives, print it. There the direction that those arguing about texts should take is indicated - namely, the practice of the Church, while philology is recognized as useless: not the decisive factor in the dispute, but its endless breeder. Be healthy and cheerful. Stay awake... God bless you to continue your work as long as you have enough strength. 198. Covering letter to the interpretation of 2 Corinthians Covering letter for the sent interpretation of the second letter to the Corinthians. Please find a collection of patristic interpretations of biblical books. I was just about to write something about the use of the new Russian translation, when your letter arrived asking the same question. – I am attaching the answer – in a special article. Please print and send me about a hundred copies. I wanted to write to you directly, but I changed it to an unknown person. Now there is nothing more to say about this subject. I decide to send you 2 Corinthians. I reviewed five notebooks and am sending them now; other things after. Maybe just the first part, or maybe the whole message. He goes to the Romans sluggishly. I don’t have the Greek books you are planning. And I haven't seen all of them. There is nothing to regret. Fr. Peter Solovyov, who was a student with us in Jerusalem, translated one book, it seems – “The New Martyr.” Please find out if the patriarchal or diocesan library has σειραι τῶν πατερων? 59 – It occurred to me to make an experiment in translating the parables according to the 70... and, where I encounter something puzzling, to decide – by a set of opinions expressed by the writers of the Church, and not by Jewish people. If there is a book for this or another... - for example, Job... is it possible to use such books? I would leave a deposit - money, in case of loss. What has happened to our spiritual learning? Everything is stolen from the Germans. At least they would redo it... otherwise they often do it entirely... and they don’t blink, but cut out the Protestant absurdities. P.S. Like reprints - to the 2nd Corinthians... I’ll tell you later. 199. It’s a pity that there were no books. About the new magazine It's a pity that there were no books. Please look at antiquarian booksellers. About the new magazine of the Moscow Theological Academy. About edifying stories in the English style. It’s a pity that σειραί was not found... But maybe the title is wrong... These collections were made by the Latins... Is there a name - Catenae patrum? But instead of this or after this, take the trouble to instruct the Moscow bookseller who orders foreign books to check with the local antiquarian booksellers to see if they have... Catenae patrum - σειραί τῶν πατέρων? And if so, what does the extract cost? I'll write it out, even if it's expensive. Only needed for prophetic and teaching books... Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs. Please talk to him. I am very happy about the appearance of the Moscow Academy magazine. Can't you give your voice so that their highly learned scholars begin to develop primarily the history of the Church... only not according to German historians - these are all a scam - but directly according to the original historians... with the goal... to prove that everything that we contain was contained by the Holy Church during the entire time of its existence. O. Vladimir Goette... Parisian had this goal in his history. What do you have to fear? You have your own circle of readers who are accustomed to you. I would be very glad to assist you, but I have the task of interpretation, which takes up all my time... It is inconvenient to have fun with other activities. What came to my mind? Isn’t it possible to put instructive stories... not all taken from reality, but stories... to express moral truths... and dogmas will immediately begin to appear. In England they recently decided to do this... and a certain “Fabiola” is the fruit of this decision. It was written by a bishop. They thought of publishing a whole collection of stories. Did they do it, I don’t know. The motivation was that in society there is little desire to read moral and religious books... So they came up with the idea of ​​\u200b\u200bto get rid of the desire - by covering the truths with stories. Elect two or three employees with the obligation to deliver articles by each month; in between, something will do... And things will get interesting... When you talk to a bookseller of foreign books, ask him to copy out the Old and New Testaments - in Greek, published by Tischendorf. He, it seems, has collected all the readings for the Old Testament. I'll send you what it costs right away. Thank you for the prints. I will wait for 1st Corinthians. It goes to the Romans, but it’s difficult. When you start printing the 2nd, I will send you a further interpretation. 200. Covering letter for the interpretation sent Covering letter for the interpretation being sent. About moral and religious stories. I am sending you a complete interpretation of 2 Corinthians. Prints of the 1st – send everything to Vysha. Just take one or two for yourself. Thank you for the Testament – ​​Greek. I had no intention of burdening you; but I accept your gift with pleasure. God willing, your other efforts, or ours, would be crowned with success. I think that the Catenas are among the antiquaries of Dresden or Leipzig. But no, so be it. Make the same number of reprints of the 2nd message - a hundred. That the Moscow Academy is delaying its publication is something to be regretted. These are Orthodox Rus': the Holy Fathers must be published at public expense! What a transformation has taken place in our midst. They got infected, but the uninfected... some don’t know how to read, some don’t have anything to sign up for. A good story that expresses some moral and religious idea is more impressive than a discussion about the same thing. In addition, it teaches us to introduce into the order of our ordinary life the demands of Christ, which in themselves seem abstract and too ideal. Some of our small magazines have already begun to compile such stories. But you need to include only lively and characteristic stories... no need for rags. 201. About sent books. About the translation of the words of St. Simeon the New Theologian You are tired of waiting for an answer. – I think that you received it before I read your letter. – It seems that I prescribed that I would like to have a hundred reprints from the second message as well. I received the books. Thank you. Tischendorff's edition is precious. Maybe it will come in handy somewhere. For I do not like philology; it dries out your brain. And for information purposes the thing is necessary. I have a similar English edition of the New Testament, which, in addition to all the philological references, also contains a brief interpretation. All this will be useful to someone after us. We have not yet grown to sense the delights of philology. This is what came to my mind. You want to sweeten your already sweet publication with something. If printing in the application of St. Fathers, according to your remark, are sweetening things up, then in this case I can present myself as a candy boy. Do you know St. Simeon the New Theologian? He should not be judged by the articles in the Philokalia. I have a whole book of his words; both in spirit and in presentation they have many similarities with the conversations of St. Macaria. The speech is simple, impressive, where dogma and moral teaching are mutually intertwined. This is exactly what suits your magazine. So, if you want, I will deliver you a translation of these words. There are 92 of them all... More than 500 pages in quarto (a quarter of a printed sheet - Ed.) barely a column... But the Greek print is in disarray. However, this will take a lot of sheets in Russian condensed printing. There are both small and large words. If you put 30 words for each year, that will be three years. And you need to make two books out of them. So let me know as soon as possible. To begin with, I will send you his life and a few words... Today or tomorrow I am thinking of translating it. It became all the same for me. Only laziness will be driven away by such printing. Conditions... You will give me two hundred copies... because these books can be distributed - not like messages, which ours cannot do... Then here's what... The editors are given the right to add... an order: be sure to make as many reprints for themselves as they want and then sell them for their own benefit. In the latter case, I also need to add about a hundred copies. I remind you of this because they often ask for books, but I have nothing to give. There are no interpretations. And these words will go... 202. About the words of St. Simeon the New Theologian. About the publication of letters About the words of St. Simeon the New Theologian. About the publication of letters. About the biography of St. Ignatius (Brianchaninov). I hasten to convey to you the beginning of the words of St. Simeon. Here is the biography and the first words. I will send further information as it is translated. Your notes about the nature of these words are correct. Let us excuse them (the shortcomings) by the benefit they will bring to those who seek not logic, but edification. Some words are very harmonious. No explanation is required, except where. It is better to coordinate the translation in such a way that everything is clear. You agree to print the number of prints up to 500. Thank you. Do this. As for the number of issues, 10 and 15 sheets will be too small, and a lot of them will be needed and they will get lost. I plan to compile everything into two volumes. However, the actual thing will show this better. As for the letters to the princess, I am writing to have them sent to me for review. I'll review it and send it to you. However, I’ll say in advance that you can’t expect much here. Everything she needed was transferred from Constantinople and forms the first book of letters about Christian life. Let's see, though. The princess is no longer in Moscow. Due to her illness, her sister, the head of the Mariinsky Institute, took her. Please send “Soulful Reading” there... to this address: in St. Petersburg, to the head of the Mariinsky Institute, Her Excellency Maria Sergeevna Olkhina... for transmission to Princess L. As for whether you find it more convenient to print the New Theologian in a body of books, and not in an appendix, this is up to you. I mentioned this because you previously published similar translations in an appendix. How did you know that the second letters to Magdalene were mine? Said who?! P.S. Anyone who wanted to write an essay on the life of the Most Blessed Ignatius should not give up his intention. This life is edifying; and that the spiritualists wrote a letter, what can you do with them! They spare no one... They write on behalf of the apostles and prophets... Only they haven’t signed the name of the Savior yet... At least, this is not in my books, but I will have about a dozen of them... I went through them to make an inquiry... The general impression is that all this is demonic, naked, shameless. 203. Proposal to include in each issue something from general church history A proposal to include in each issue something from general church history and a translation of services from Triodion and Octoechos. I hoped to have prepared a translation of dozens of words by the end of the month... I only received two notebooks due to my laziness... and that was the job. I'll send more next month. Reviewing the Genvar book, I came to the idea that it would be nice to include something from general church history in each issue. And everything would be in the Orthodox way, and not in German... And monographs about St. It would be good for the fathers to place – life – and the system of their writings... And the translation of the services is good... especially the Lenten Triodion and also the Octoechos of St. Damascene... Truly παρακλητική (tempting (Greek). – Ed.). 204. About sent books. About letters. About the canons. On the interpretation of Psalm 118 Got the books. Thank you. I wonder how it is that Katena won’t be found?.. Are they really not there? In the edition of St. Fathers - Migne - you often come across small additions to the writings of St. Fathers with the inscription - from σειραί - or Catenae. In Constantinople I saw one book, it seems, on Job. Perhaps, however, everyone has gone their separate ways. Letters to the princess arrived; but I won’t bother to review everything. Since there are a lot of details in them, you will have to grind them out. The history of the conversion of St. Konstantin and gave me the reason for the thought proposed to you. It is in this tone that we need history... Nemchura ruined everything. What is in the canons is that repetition is inevitable. Because everything there is prayer. The prayer says one thing: Lord, have mercy! One little thing distracted me from translating the words of St. Simeon. But you will have enough there for two months. Yes, Psalm 118 must be completed... Have you read the article about the Holy Trinity in Christian Reading? What? And the Germans won’t manage to gossip like that! What have we come to? We don't care at all. P.S. Please tell me where the Most Reverend Peter, who translated St. Cassian? 205. About the collection “On Sobriety and Prayer.” About the first volume of the Philokalia Most Honorable Fr. archpriest! You outdid me with typing! I hasten to interrupt your run: behold, two more notebooks. Only two?! Yes. I didn't have time anymore. The collection of prayers that I started, I thought, could be completed in two weeks. And it continues to stretch and stretch... And there is no end yet. I really want to solve it completely... So there’s a disruption in work. I am sending you the first volume of the Philokalia. Will it work somehow? And will this move fuel the desire to continue? However, it is not my concern about this move, but the people of Athos. 206. Response to a request to evaluate someone else’s sermon I am sending you two more notebooks from St. Simeon. Someone sent me excerpts from a sermon - read or heard in advance - and asks me to write about the same and place it in “Soulful Reading”. At first I thought it was possible to say nothing to this; but then it occurred to me: well, this is some soul, confused by the new overseas apostles, sea and land passing through for destruction, and not the creation of souls in the truth, - crying out for help: help, Orthodox! In this case, it is a sin to remain silent. But you can’t write without knowing what, because the subject of the sermon is very vast - start writing, and there will be no end, but still you may not get to what you need; The attached note does not indicate anything specific. That’s what I came up with – to publish about this in “Soulful Reading”, I’m ready to write something, but tell me what... 207. About the words of Simeon the New Theologian About the words of Simeon the New Theologian. About the publication of letters addressed to the daughter after the death of the mother. I hasten to send you the end of the 14th word, which I believe you will need. I’ll get to the next book I need by the end of this month... Enclosed is a letter from my daughter about her mother's death. Please print it... I think reading it will be edifying... I asked if the daughter and father agreed to print it... they didn’t object, but asked to hide the names. If you yourself are feeling curious, then I will say that this is the mother of the family where you took, it seems, the Epistle to the Galatians... A-and... But don’t tell anyone else... Take the trouble to order about two dozen impressions to be made, or more. This is for the consolation of the beautiful writer... A lot has been written to her... and so, on the occasion of this printing, I started a speech so that she would send everything written... if complete... for printing. When he sends it, I'll review it and think I'll put together a detailed manual... unless, of course, laziness gets in the way. In the letters to the princess... there is not enough that directly relates to spiritual life... but even there I will choose what is possible... Be patient. The Invisible One, who gives us work, it’s not surprising that there is the one you’re talking about. This is not affected at all, but an outside amateur, who, as you know, cannot be satisfied with anything. That's why I won't write anything. I am enclosing his lines to give you the opportunity to check your guess. Together you will see that there is nothing to write, because this “gratuite salute” (here presumably: salvation without labor, (from French). – Ed.)... who knows what it is. I think that those who preach it do not understand it properly. Regarding σειραί - tell the bookseller not to bother. If there are books, take them. Let him inform those to whom he wrote that if they did not send, then they should not send. We will set a deadline - a month, after which we will be free from ordering... And we will look to acquire such books in another way. But if those to whom he writes a refusal say that they purchased it or found it, but they didn’t send it... then let them send it. We wait a month... that's enough. And if it’s not enough, add as much as the bookseller wants. P.S. When printing a letter or a hint, do not do what was communicated from me... but simply indicate that it was communicated... Who needs to know from whom and how! The whole family is no longer in Moscow, but has moved to their village - somewhere near Saratov. And the deceased died in Moscow. And she was transported to the village. 208. Covering letter for the sent interpretation of Psalm 119 Covering letter for the sent interpretation of the 119th Psalm. About letters. About Askochensky. I am sending you a book of interpretation of Psalm 119. The letters in question were put in order and, with some additions, formed something similar to a whole. I thought of sending it to you for publication in “Soulful Reading,” but it turned out to be inconvenient. Long wait. There are 80 of them - a rare sheet of paper, sometimes one and a half or two - and they took a little over 19 of my notebooks. I decided to make a special print and for this purpose I addressed the people of Athos. These good publishers did not refuse. And now I’m sending them the manuscript. Please don't be angry with me for taking such a step. Poor Askochensky, they say, will not recover. A blow to the head... and his concepts were confused. And there the wife gave birth - she lies there. There is nothing. Our authorship is bitter and bitter. P.S. Give me the history of cathedrals - in special books. 209. About letters prepared for publication About letters prepared for publication. I am very sad to think that, having disappointed your expectations, I have saddened you not a little. I regret this and am thinking about how to drive away your sadness. The first part of the letters is over. But there is also a second, and maybe a third, expected. In the first there is a mixture of real letters with those added to round off objects. And in these two - everything will be composed - in order to fully depict in the letters the spiritual life, which began in the first part. In the second part, we are supposed to talk most about the fight against passions. So, if my laziness does not interfere with me, then perhaps I will soon begin writing this second part. And you pray more earnestly for the drive away from me of laziness, which is already treating me very tyrannically. Princess L. died after great suffering on December 7 last year. Remember her. Instead, send the books of “Soulful Reading” to her nurse, who throughout her illness did not leave her, out of sheer Christian love—and who endured a lot of work. The address is as follows: Her High Nobility Varvara Timofeevna Sviridova, on Bolshaya Street in the Kondyrev house in Tambov. I would like to thank you for sending me the books. I wish “soulful reading” not to fall, but to grow and grow. This now remains the only magazine aimed at reviving religious feelings. All others resonate... which makes the soul cold. 210. Congratulations on Easter. On the Interpretation of the Epistle to the Romans Happy Easter. About the words of Simeon the New Theologian. On the interpretation of the Epistle to the Romans. Grant you, Lord, to taste the joy of the Resurrection of Christ and to partake of its power - to continue your labors. I sent a few words from Simeon the New Theologian even before receiving your letter. I will continue little by little. And I won’t give up until I finish everything. His writings are not scientific, but all from life. That is why those who love life like them. A table of contents is not needed for the message. End it like this. I don't have anything finished anymore. The book of Romans is coming. But it is so intricate that I can’t seem to grasp the idea of ​​how to break it down into parts. I will drag out the dogmatic part to the end; and then, perhaps, some idea will be born. Therefore, if you have an interpretation, print it. If not, then wait a month or two. Then I can send you either something or the entire part of the message. Keep one or two of the prints for yourself. Yes, give one to the editor of Readings. And ask him to finish his letter to the Ephesians... The fight against passions will not be talked about very soon. For now they will appear; take the chapters of Hesychius. There is a general rule, but it is extremely suitable for everything. 211. About the words of Simeon the New Theologian. About Darwin's theory About the words of Simeon the New Theologian: about angels and souls. On the interpretation of the Epistle to the Romans. On the distinction in the inner life of spirit and soul. About Darwin's theory. I was late sending you the translation. I thought about dividing 3 by 2. But then such a big word came up that I could barely cope with it. It was full of beautiful thoughts and contemplations, but it was difficult to manage. He released a small piece. This is about angels and souls... Therefore, in printing the headlines - in the 5th paragraph, release words about angels and souls. The book of Romans is moving toward the end. I’ll finish it, review everything, and then I’ll start sending it to you. I still have thoughts about whether to print it myself. But they also leave. It is better to start typing yourself after finishing the interpretation of all the messages and after a strict revision. And let this magazine printing be as if it were drafted. If not for laziness, I could finish soon. But it’s not always laziness: it can be tricky. If I send it, as is more likely, then I won’t have to make a lot of impressions. Quite a hundred - or two. I am enclosing a book of letters. I wrote to the people of Athos to give it to you; but that was a long time ago. Maybe they forgot. They were frightened by the phrase that if we distinguish between spirit and soul in our inner life, then the soul must be recognized as homogeneous with the soul of animals, sublime, however, under the influence of the spirit. At the same time, Darwin and the monkey got into their heads. Meanwhile, the most powerful antidote against Darwin is the establishment of the distinction between soul and spirit. There is no way a spirit can be born from a monkey. He is from God both originally and now. The soul is born in the usual way - and the spirit is inhaled by God... Two systems must be combined into one - traducene with creation, (here: the theory of heredity with the recognition of the highest creative principle (from lat.) - Ed.). But there are no words about the latter in the letters. Only about the first one. P.S. An article where the holiness of Christ the Savior, the Nestorian spirit, was proven. Many Germans suffer from this. But why is she in “Soulful Reading”?! 212. On the decision to publish the interpretation of Romans independently About the decision to publish an interpretation of the Epistle to the Romans independently. I just wrote to you last time that I was hesitating regarding the publication of the interpretation, however, I was more inclined to continue publishing it in the magazine - when one circumstance came up, due to which I decided to publish the interpretation of Romans myself... I hasten to notify you about this so that you already have a definite decision on this subject, and at the same time to ask you to tell me what the censorship will do with the manuscript: it will allow it itself or send it to the Synod, as was previously done with interpretations of Scripture. Please notify me about this, because correspondence needs to be taken into account with this... Who will take care of the publication? Bailiff Alexey Gavrilov, son of Govorov, my nephew, will come to you. Please, guide him regarding transactions with wallets and printers... Please, do not refuse other things regarding printing. By the beginning of the year, a message may still arrive for your magazine to the Colossians... which is worth taking up. 213. Gratitude for agreeing to help with self-publishing. About censorship Thanks for agreeing to help with self-publishing. About censorship. Thank you for your willingness to guide my publisher. Write to send you something from the Epistle to the Romans. The manuscript is being rewritten in Tambov, and there is nothing to send you. And there’s no reason for that. By the end of November I will send you half of the letter to the Colossians. I’m sprinkling little by little... and I’ve already started the second chapter. I think I'll make it in time. To the Synod! I knew it was necessary. But how do the prints go? There's the book of Galatians for sale. Did the censorship itself give the ticket for release, or did the print also go to the Synod? Notify me about this as soon as possible. If it is not sent to the Synod, then I think the complete edition of the epistle to the Colossians and Philemon... will be compiled from reprints. The test will be: is it better to publish it separately or through reprints. Also write down how much the sheet will cost me - one or two factories... that is, printing, paper and binding. This is also for my consideration. I don't need money. Here's another thing - who will file the petition - me or the publisher or it doesn't matter? Where is the censorship committee - in Moscow or Sergievsky Posad. I don't know how to write a petition. Draw it for me, please. After all, this must be very tricky. From the letters, ask someone to make a short extract - what is the essence of spiritual life. A lot of circumstance has been written, but the matter itself is not broad. I forgot why that article seemed Nestorian to me. And let it remain Orthodox, when both the editor and the censor recognized it as such. 214. Covering letter to the interpretation of the letter to the Colossians Covering letter for the sent interpretation of the letter to the Colossians and the words of Simeon the New Theologian. With this mail we sent to you half of the interpretation of the Epistle to the Colossians and three notebooks of Simeon the New Theologian. St. Simeon's 55th word will end half of his words according to the number of printed sheets. Shouldn't we also make the end of the first issue here? Maybe one or two more notebooks... and half. I am thinking of publishing the Epistle to the Colossians by means of reprints. Will you make as many prints as you wanted to make for Romans? And so be it. Order the printing house to make an additional thousand prints, for which I will pay money. Here is the publication! If it turns out to be necessary to send it to the Synod, what’s the harm? just a waste of time. If anything turns out to be unkind, we will reprint it... So, please arrange it this way. The nephew will have the money. I’ll send you ahead of time along with those who will be needed for the publication of the Epistle to the Romans. There is no time to make extracts from letters. I am re-reading the interpretation of the Epistle to the Romans; and then we need to hurry and [with] the end of the epistle to the Colossians and get to work on others... Let someone write a review. There is a whole system in letters. 1) The structure of human nature is in creation. 2) Frustration in the fall. 3) Return to the original – in Christianity – grace. For this last one, there is theory and practice... And that’s enough. I don’t have time to write, but I would re-read it. Send it if you find it necessary. I thank my nephew for his guidance. I am very sorry that copies of your publication remain in your hands. The number of lovers of spiritual books is decreasing. Everyone is more and more attracted to theories and scholarship; and the edifying back. It hurts my eyes. I began to continue the letters: laziness came and caught the hunt. Maybe I'll start again someday. God bless you and your publication. 215. About the printing of the interpretation of the letter to the Colossians. About the proofreader On the printing of the interpretation of the letter to the Colossians. About the proofreader. On the publication of the words of Simeon the New Theologian. About plans for the interpretation of the letter to Philemon and the book of the prophet Jeremiah. Thank you for your decision regarding the printing of Colossians and for your assistance in submitting the manuscript to the censor. Now, while the manuscript is traveling, please arrange one more thing, namely: find a smart person who would handle the proofreading and give the publication, or printing, a decent appearance. Please look... and make an agreement with him. I finished the Epistle to the Colossians. I’m taking it to Philemon, and when I finish this, I’ll send it all together. I am transmitting notebooks of the translation of Simeon the Theologian. As I intended - to end the first issue with the 55th word, I did so in the manuscript. But then it occurred to me to finish – with the 52nd word. Because the 53rd word is very useful for starting a release. Do so. This is marked there in pencil. The second issue will begin with the 53rd word and so on; pages - start with one, and continue the number of words without interruption - 53rd - 54th - 55th - etc. I think we need to reconsider whether there are any errors somewhere? – and also add a table of contents. If you find both necessary, then take the trouble to send one copy, in notebooks, but complete - and with the last page. It will take two weeks. It's not a big deal to wait. We waited and more. I am gradually writing notes on the interpretation of the book of St. the prophet Jeremiah, directing them to justify the translation of the 70 and to accuse the Hebrew text. This is still a home affair: maybe it will remain that way. 216. About typos. About selling books. About health Se – table of contents of words and typos. I ask you to humbly complete this matter. You know best how to settle everything. I only wish that everything would look good. What appears at the beginning of page 17 (Words... translated... printed...) should form the title page. As you know, print everything out on a whole page - in different lines and in different fonts. Choose a gray wrapper, like last year’s “Soulful Reading.” Then, when it’s all over, send me a hundred, taking from it heels in advance for the editor of “Soulful Reading”, a couple for Father Mikhail. From this same hundred, deduct those books that are due to be sent to the censorship committee, if this is not postponed. The remaining four hundred are for sale. I can’t imagine how to arrange this sale. If you can take a certain particle for this purpose, take it. Your lead will be there. And print it. Keep it that way, as it happens, that is, with certain deductions from each sales copy. Other copies will be sold by the bailiff. Hand them over to him. Teach him how to be here too. Maybe Ferapontov will take it. We were flooded with water; and for more than two weeks we have not received anything from the mail. For this reason, I don’t know where the book of Romans stands. Maybe there is news at the post office. A pedestrian goes to the city and walks for three days. And he will bring us news. My eyes are neither back nor forward. Thank God that there is no pain from him, and he does not interfere with his delusion in the visual work of the left eye. I'm starting to reread the second half of the commentary on Colossians. And as soon as the road opens, I’ll send it. What price should I set for the release of words? I guess 5 kopecks per printed sheet. There are 28 and a quarter sheets. It turns out, almost one and a half rubles. Not a lot? Decide for yourself. 217. About printing books. About notes for the proofreader. About health About printing books: what should be the font, paper, format. About notes for the proofreader. About health: a cataract was found, surgery is needed. Well, thank God! O. Mikhail informed that the first volume had been missed. If you please, arrange the printing now. And the font, and the paper, and the format - everything is like in “Soulful Reading”. I consider this necessary, because in this form there will be a letter to the Colossians, and maybe another one - and more than one. So that there are no differences. Moreover, in “Soulful Reading” all this is good and decent. Sometimes the shabby font only broke through (before, not now). The printing house can be reminded of this so that it does not commit this sin. I have not yet received the fonts you sent. They fell behind the letter. And now there is no need for them. I had notes there for the proofreader. They should be handed over not to the printer, but to the one you have chosen. The nephew must have them. And I will tell him to deliver them to you. I have nothing more to say about typing. Well, you yourself understand everything better than me. O. Mikhail writes that the second volume can be released in a month... Let him know how he knows, just to cover up our sinless sin. Is it possible to arrange for both parts to be printed at once?! In this case, in a month. As you know. I didn’t go to Tambov for treatment, but only to find out whether there was water or a cataract in the eye? There is a very efficient doctor there. Found a cataract... surgery in a year or more, maybe less. For her, of course, she will need to go to Moscow. Congratulations on your new ruler. It will be easy for you to serve under it. Its distinctive feature is not to be difficult for anyone. The business - in every way - will run as it should. And everything will be fine for you. Rejoice! I sent typos. That's right, we already got it. The title page of the epistle should not mean the first edition, but only: the first 8 chapters of the Epistle to the Romans. 218. About books. Blessing for further work About books. Blessings for further work. Honorable Fr. archpriest! I would like to express my gratitude for your efforts in publishing... God bless you and see it through to the end in good order. The book hasn't arrived yet. I’ll hasten to review it, although I don’t think it will be arranged too soon, regarding postal stops. I think it’s better to put the summary at the end... The first issue contains the first 8 chapters, and the second edition contains the last 8 chapters. 219. Minor typos: instructions on where corrections need to be made Minor typos: Indicate where corrections need to be made. Thank you very much. The proof came out just as you expected. The typos are very minor, and almost all of them are such that they do not prevent the reader from guessing how to read it. Help you, Lord, to finish successfully. Should I reprint the octam [pages] 467–468, where I need to insert cc)? In the general division on page 418 it appears, but here it is omitted... And it appeared on page 450 - bb), and then on page 479 - gg.). The fault is not the proofreader's, but mine. And it was missed in the draft. True, and also omitted in that manuscript. So, if you find it necessary to reprint, reprint, but if not, let it remain so. There will be no confusion for the reader if you leave it this way. It just seems like it will be nicer if you reprint it. 220. Gratitude for the publication of the interpretation of the Epistle to the Romans. About my letters Gratitude for assistance in publishing the interpretation of the Epistle to the Romans. About your letters prepared for publication. I offer you my sincere gratitude for your full assistance in publishing the interpretation of the Epistle to the Romans. Then I send you the usual continuation of the translation of the words of St. Simeon and an unusual application - letters. Take the trouble to look them over. – And if you find them suitable for your magazine, tell me. I'll continue. I've been meaning to write them down for a long time. I pulled myself together with force. They ask. You will answer - sometimes at length, sometimes vaguely. Some answers will be written in such a way that it would not be a bad idea for others to read them, especially since the questions are for the most part such that they can arise in everyone’s mind. I decided to write them down especially from the letters sent. I am sending you the beginnings of this matter. The first letter was very large. While re-reading, I now thought about dividing it... And I outlined in the margins... where I could end the first letter... But still I thought that it would be better to print this letter without dividing it - that’s all. As you judge, do so. If it’s not hard for you, I ask you to give me 500 prints and add another 500 to them, for which I will pay money. Perhaps they will disperse! Don’t use my name... let them go nameless. Whoever guesses, let him guess. And we will remain silent. I humbly ask you to print once or twice - about the going on sale of the interpretation of the Epistle to the Romans - and to Ephesians... Bless you, Lord, with every blessing. I ask for your prayers for my many sins. I am sending the corrected 118th Psalm to my nephew. Please help him with advice. 221. On the publication of the interpretation of the Epistles of St. Pavel. Interpretation of the Epistle to Titus On the publication of an interpretation of the letters of the Apostle Paul. The interpretation of the letter to Titus is ready. I received your letter and an announcement about a parcel from Moscow, probably a letter to the Colossians. I hasten to remind you that the epistle to Philemon was supposed to be published in the same book as the epistle to the Colossians - I think I wrote about this. I remember that when starting the new year, you did not start a new numbering of pages in this message. Then we will have nowhere to shelter him. Combine it into one book with the book of Colossians. I have a letter to Titus ready. I wanted to speed up the interpretation, so that, having interpreted all three pastoral epistles, I would then add a general introduction to them, which would not fit well in advance. But laziness got in the way. We will have to add small introductions to each message... But perhaps there will be no need for a general one. And if necessary, then at the end you can somehow adjust it with some kind of addition. I sent letters - and continue to do so little by little - lazily. I will send a letter to Titus in January. The fact that the bailiff has not yet brought the letter to Ephesians is probably due to some other reprints. He will bring it. God bless you, your family, and your publication. That's what came to my mind! Spread the letter to Philemon over three months. I will give up laziness and hasten to interpret both epistles to Timothy, so that later, having compiled one general introduction for everyone, from this introduction and interpretation of all three, compose one book... albeit a thick one. I thought that an epistle to Titus had been written before, but thoughts began to come to me that this was not it. Besides, I can’t figure out who St. is arming himself against. Paul. Having explained everything, although not even though, we must finally decide on both. Delay for three months and Simeon with letters. 222. About proofreading. About book design Your High Blessing! I would like to thank you for taking on the trouble of proofreading. The message was rewritten in Tambov; very good scribes were selected. But these fellows, having taken the work, gave it away for no reason - and it turned out badly. Meanwhile, the person in charge of the correspondence fell ill with typhus. There was no one to look. Afterwards I re-read it, but, of course, I missed the mistakes. Thank you very much. And the order that your clerk use what booksellers use is the fairest. Take the same wrapper for the letter to the Romans as for the letter to the Corinthians. On the back side you can print about the letter to the Ephesians and about Simeon the New Theologian. I wrote to the bailiff about this. The bailiff will deliver you a small collection of prayers. Please accept. 223. About letters against Pashkov Now I have just finished one letter in a series of those being printed and I hasten to forward it to you - with the most humble request that you will certainly print it all - in the March book. Letter against Pashkov, a student of Redstokov. It is cut from several letters written to one person. It was considered necessary to print what was written... And so I hurried in every possible way to get rid of them early... I finished - and you are already starting the March book... and I am afraid that I am too late. If I’m late, correct it, for the Lord’s sake, this is a matter of your editorial authority and power, and release me. The letter is a little big, but don’t break it, just print it all at once. Better publish some article - at least the word of Simeon. And print this entire letter. This is how it is needed. Let me out. After printing, in addition to the impressions for the book, make a hundred impressions of this one letter, especially... Required in St. Petersburg. In this hundred reprints, order the title to be printed: “Letter to a person in St. Petersburg regarding a new teacher of the faith who has appeared there.” And attach a wrapper to them, on which let them put the same inscription. There is no need to signify my name. The expenses for this printing of hundreds of copies will then be included in the invoice for the letter to the Colossians. And the bailiff will pay. At the beginning of the letter, I wrote that in the magazine and prints for the book there is no need to print the title indicated: “Letter...” and so on. And now it came to mind why not publish it. At the end of the letter it is advised to read “The Stone of Faith”. But it seems better to make an extract from this book and offer reading in letters. If laziness doesn't interfere, I'll do it. Everything in the letter was actually written. Some things have just been smoothed out and replenished. Again I ask: release me with a seal. I promised to be in time with the messages for the April book. I hardly have time. There remain two more chapters of the first epistle and 4 of the second. I will be in a hurry... but keeping in mind - and failure... Manage to stretch what you have - even for the April book. What a disaster! I can’t write in the evening. And I wake up in the morning because some kind of weakness has appeared in my legs, which does not allow me to fall asleep - up to two hours - every night. Bless you, Lord, with every blessing and family yours, and your business is a magazine one. 224. About typos. About the design of books. About Pashkov I have reviewed the prints of both messages and hasten to forward them to you. The title should indicate that this is an interpretation of the epistle to the Colossians and Philemon. The wrapper is the same as on the book of Romans. Of course, the color of the paper. Print an ad on the back page - just make it shorter. Commentary on Romans – two books price 3 rubles, postage 4 pounds. Interpretation of the Epistle to Ephesians... Words of Simeon the Theologian... I’m thinking of setting a price for this book – 1 ruble, shipping 2 pounds. Shouldn't we print this in the middle, and below the other books? The nephew is now in Orlov’s house in the same part and quarter. You express a desire to take over the entire thousand copies of letters. No – 500 of yours is enough. I am very grateful to you for your letter to the Romans. Without you it would have been no good. Here, if you want, take on yourself a hundred copies of the last letter against Pashkov. Pashkov mooes and preaches everywhere. Crowds are gathering. And it captivates. And the priests of God are sleeping. I conveyed it to the Metropolitan through Nikolai Vasilyevich, but he didn’t listen, and he suspected us of jealousy beyond reason. Meanwhile, information was received from a faithful person who attends those meetings; Several letters were written to him. Pashkov is a rogue: he claims that he has written, sealed permission from the Tsar and the Metropolitan to preach, which is impossible. And they believe. “And the person to whom I am writing believes.” Come on! Thank you for the book. Good. It’s good that it was released as separate brochures. Dogmatic articles are also needed - simpler ones. May the blessing of the Lord be upon Fr. Archpriest Dimitri Vasilyevich. God bless you and your family, and your brainchild, the magazine. 225. About letters against Pashkov Xie – second letter to St. Petersburg. I humbly ask you to do with it the same way as with the first one, that is, in the general collection (reprints) of letters to different persons, let it go under the number that appears there, but here without a number. Take the trouble to order about a dozen reprints, especially from those that will go into the book, and send them all to me, if possible as soon as possible. Nikolai Vasilyevich writes that in St. Petersburg the first letter was printed again - in many thousands. If you like this too, then they will probably print it in large quantities as well. It turns out that we have no reason to chase after them. I think that this letter will arrive at the beginning of printing of the new issue of the magazine... Print it here. Meanwhile, maybe I’ll have to cook up another letter. If I have time, I will hasten to send it - with a request to print it at the end of the magazine book, because it is not good to stretch out this writing. It will take a bunch more. There will be several letters and more, of course, if laziness recedes even a little. God bless you and your work! 226. About letters against Pashkov This is another letter. If you manage to publish it in the same issue, you will make a holiday for Vysha. That letter alone won't do much. Together with the real thing they will give you a fair amount. But if there was also a third one that was being prepared for them, then there would be something integral. I couldn’t fit everything into this one letter. Pashkov turns out to be more dangerous than expected. A whole bunch of them! Real bashibazouks. By the end of the month I will send one more or more letters - and Simeon. Regarding the prints, do as described above. 227. Covering letter for the interpretation of the Epistle to Titus sent Covering letter for the interpretation of the Epistle to Titus. Behold, a message to Titus! Do with it as you did with Colossians. Make 1500 prints, of which I will pay money for a thousand. When printing the reprints, take the trouble to ensure that after the general introduction, the following is printed on a special note: “Commentary on Titus.” Then - on the next octam - the introduction and text thereof. After the introduction, the ocmushka is again sent out for printing: “Interpretation...” and so on. Like in Romans. Do the top, as in the letter to the Colossians. In the middle is Titus. 1, 1, etc., and along the edges - p. A table of contents is included at the end. I humbly request that the relevant parts be printed in the same font. Both letters to St. will go into one book. Timothy. I boasted that I would send it soon, and with a new letter to him... But laziness overheard and did not allow it. Maybe I’ll decide to scribble a letter. But it’s more likely that a month will skip. I'm in a hurry - because they are going to the city. Get Galatians printed. 228. About the desire to publish a collection on prayer as a separate book. Instructions for this publication About the desire to publish a collection on prayer as a separate book. Instructions for this publication. A long time ago I compiled a small collection of prayers, published in the Tambov Gazette. The desire came to print it in a special edition and, for this purpose, add something to it, change something. In this new form, he was conveyed to his nephew. I turn to you with the most humble request - to supervise it during publication - as before, but with some increase. There is no one to rewrite the manuscripts. Sending to Tambov will be the same as with the letter to the Romans. So I send them. I ask you to humbly re-read the latest proof of printing of these manuscripts and give the correct instructions to the proofreader in advance. Only handwritten, and the printed proofreader can correct the message himself. The manuscripts in front should be St. Basil the Great, St. John Chrysostom and Ephraim the Syrian... as usual. And what is at the end of the manuscript is the addition of extracts from the interpretations of the Lord’s Prayer by St. Cyril of Jerusalem, St. Chrysostom and St. Tikhon (I came across them after the publication of that collection) - not quite ordinary. It must be inserted in articles - in a series of printed articles. I have indicated this in letters everywhere. But please take a closer look and tell the proofreader what the matter is, and let him pass it on to the printing house. What I'm most afraid of is that they'll make a mistake here. Ask also the censor - Fr. Michael, or whoever will, be lenient with my circumstances and not refuse to look over the manuscript and book as it is. The articles of the printed book in the first half will not be in the same order as in the book, but in a new one. The table of contents of this is attached at the beginning. Please sort this matter out. Now we need to rest. And then, it seems, we will have to fight with Turner. 229. Answer to the question about commemorating the dead Answer to the question about remembrance of the dead. Guilty! There were several things that needed to be completed. Having fussed over them, I forgot that it was my responsibility to answer one question for you. I mean commemoration. It's hard to answer. And I can't. That remembrance has power before God, there is no need to interpret this as a matter beyond doubt. Who remembers? The Church, whose head is Christ. The Lord, through the mouth of the Church, offers intercessory prayer to the Trinitarian God, where He is, for those who have departed. Prayer is always accepted, and according to it, things are done in accordance with the goodness and righteousness of God. That's how it is. But all the cases that happen around commemorations are to be smoothed out, as one would like, - it’s perplexing. I have deceased parents, brothers, sisters, relatives and friends: I remember them myself, I ask you to remember the Church. Another does the same, a third, and that’s it... So God arranged for creatures to mutually care for each other. He divided His care for the creatures among the creatures. The whole world stands on this. Through this, the living spirit of love moves in creatures, connecting everyone. So it is in remembrance. But there are those who have no one to remember. So, do they remain without commemoration? No. The same spirit of love moving through everyone also captures them, for they are not outside the body, but in the same body in which that spirit moves. The expression, or indication, of this contact with them of remembrance, moving everywhere, is what you said: and of all Orthodox Christians. Thus, no matter how many private commemorations there are, each time the power of commemoration also affects them. There is no need to limit your gaze to details. A priest, a sexton and an old woman came to the grave - with the same name of the person commemorated. How little? But widen your gaze. The priest, the representative of the Church and the Lord - its head - offers an intercessory prayer by the power of the Lord and, on the occasion of one name, prays for everyone. As a ray of lightning passes from end to end across the sky, so this prayer is for all those who have departed. Following her, the merciful gaze of the Trinitarian God moves over everyone, speaking humanly. So that's how it is. The objection, it turns out, arose from the fact that they look at the matter in the wrong way. No one to remember?! – Widows and orphans are left without any human help. Who is their father? - God. So here too God remembers them in connection with private commemorations. It’s even better for them: at every private commemoration, God remembers them too. - And about those whose names are included - only this one time... If you find what you wrote before, print it. I forgot what I wrote. Equally, include it in the series of letters that are being printed. Just don’t mean in the magazine that it belongs to that category. There will still be letters against Pashkov. Someone in the Church Newsletter began to grumble. And he needs to say something. But now there is no time. 230. About letters against Pashkov Guilty! Tea, I didn’t have time with the letter! Well, as you know, do with it - whether to print it now or in a Genvar book. Perhaps an addition to this letter will arrive in Genvarskaya, as it says at the end. Do you place these letters in the general collection of letters to different persons? I have the idea to place them there. And place this. Especially send me a dozen prints, like last time. Reprints of the first letter in St. Petersburg were made in large quantities for free distribution. Nikolai Vasilyevich wrote that this was done by the priests of St. Petersburg. Archpriest Vasiliev recently asked about prints, or about permission to make them for the same purpose, on behalf of some hierarchs. Just say that there are prints in St. Petersburg. I will send one copy each to the Most Reverend Gury and tell him to print it himself if he wants, only not for sale, but for distribution: this could go against the Stundists. I don’t think I’ll get into an argument with Turner. In his letter it is not clear what he wants. I wrote to him, advising him, instead of arguing, to observe the teachings of the Orthodox Church and obey the shepherds. Thank you for your assistance in publishing my books. Words of St. I'll send Simeon in a week. Everything is laziness. 231. On the publication of the interpretation of the messages. On the translation of the words of Simeon the New Theologian On the publication of the interpretation of the messages. On the translation of the words of Simeon the New Theologian. About letters against Pashkov. About the remembrance of the dead. I hasten to answer you about the messages. All three messages are in one book. I thought that there would be an epistle to Titus for another month, but it was already over. - And before I had time to prepare the introduction to the letter to St. Timothy; the interpretation has been ready for a long time, but there is no introduction. I'll start cooking. Maybe I’ll make it in time by the second third of the month; If I don’t have time, I’ll have to miss a month. The trouble, I suppose, is not so great. I hasten to finish St. Simeon. The words are over; I'm translating the chapters. And the last words and these chapters - which are the essence of a summary of words - are a treasure that has no price. The rest of the words on as many sheets as I sent last time; Yes, the same number will be captured by the heads. Be smart. Maybe this year it would be possible to finish. There will still be St. Simeon hymns written in verse. There are 50 of them, also entitled “Words”. I'm not sure whether to translate them. When the time comes, then we will decide. There are enough of them for a book; but it will be less than the first. Thank you for the prints. You can write a lot against Pashkov - and I will when the hunt comes. Now there is complete apathy towards everything. And she is also aggravated by our bitter case, which causes tetanus. Alas for us! For blasphemy against the truth of God, which is allowed among us, God punishes us. Let’s not repent, no matter how worse it might be?! There is no desire to write anything against what is being chattered in the newspapers, and one should not. Letters required? They will, they will. But now nothing comes out of my head. Let's uncork it at the beginning of spring - then maybe the blood and the head will get moving. I thank you for the labor of proofreading articles not printed, but handwritten, from a book on prayer. The person holding the proof wants to know how spiritual life relates to temperaments? – Mental life is subject to strong influence of temperaments, and spiritual life is detached from everything. It begins with this renunciation and matures under continuous acts of renunciation. In spiritual life, besides itself, there is a reworking of the soul. This work is subject to the influence of temperaments, but it seems to be only work. and not the essence of the matter (labor is easier and harder), which is all directed towards nature, and not towards its modifications, under the conditions of earthly life. You and I decided on the issue of commemoration in the wrong way. In the church there is a non-stop commemoration of all Christians of the Universal Church. It begins with midnight and ends with Compline. As for private commemorations, for them the Church only represents the rite of commemoration, but it is not its business to perform this. Every Christian has the duty to pray for his parents and relatives of the deceased, and he does. Feeling that his single prayer is weak, he turns to the Church, believing that her prayer is more accessible to God - as it is. To satisfy these needs of believers, the Holy Church has the rite of remembrance. She remembers great benefactors even without this (the creators of the church... and the like); but it is not her business to remember everyone by name, and there is no opportunity. Does a private commemoration of relatives add anything to the general one? Certainly. But how can this be? “So God arranged that some, in addition to the general commemoration, are remembered privately by their relatives, while others remain with just a general commemoration. Why is this so? Why are they blocked? This question will become along with questions about the poor. Why are these blocked, then those too. - God has no reserve. The right division suits everyone. I knew one archpriest who did this in his parish: when the time came for commemoration at the proskomedia, he gave a sign - and each of the parishioners read the names of their relatives, deceased and living, and he only said: “Remember, Lord,” - with the removal of particles as many as he could. Bless you, Lord, and help you carry out your business. 232. Covering letter to the end of the words of Simeon the New Theologian and letters to Timothy Covering letter for sending the ending of the words of Simeon the New Theologian and epistles to Timothy. I pulled myself together with great effort! - And lo - the end of the words of St. Simeon with his heads and his elder, and the interpretation of the messages of St. Paul to Timothy! There is nothing to say about printing. Everything is as usual. Just don’t forget, when the chapters arrive... print at the top of the pages: “Theological (I forgot what it’s called) and action chapters.” And the chapters of Elder Simeon are like this: “The ascetic word of Elder Simeon the Reverent.” You can have one inscription on two pages when you open the book. In the epistles - you just need to separate them with special octagons - like this: “Interpretation of the epistles of St. Paul to Timothy”, the next octam is an introduction (one for both). After the introduction, there is again a special note with the inscription: “Interpretation of the first letter of St. Paul to Timothy,” from the next edit: interpretation. For the second message, also assign a special note - for printing: “Interpretation of the second message...” and so on. You could send it earlier, but we are busy and don’t send you parcels for three weeks. My laziness triumphs, now having complete freedom to lie on the bed, without even turning over from side to side. 233. About typos. Edition Guidelines I hasten to forward the typos to you. The matter was delayed for a bit. I wasn’t home for about a dozen days, and the book was probably traveling on a heavy train... and so it went on. Print the table of contents as intended: similar to how it was printed in the first issue. I don’t write him out specifically... If this is necessary, arrange this matter there. Once everything is settled, take the trouble to send me fifty or pass this work on to your nephew. I completely forgot how many prints I wanted for which book. And I got it wrong. I would like to thank you for your books – they are very edifying. I am sending you 25 copies of letters to St. Petersburg. And you can send more if there is an application for them. I would like to thank you for your willingness to help publications with their proofreading work. - Help, please. I congratulate you on the past holiday and on the new year. Grant, Lord, you renewed strength and your magazine new ways of distribution. 234. There is nothing more to send for now. About the Stundists. On the Interpretation of the Epistle to the Hebrews There is nothing more to send for now. About the Stundists. On the interpretation of the Epistle to the Hebrews. I don't refuse. As soon as I have something, I'll send it. But now there is nothing. Such apathy has set in that even though the grass won’t grow, you don’t want to take on anything. Maybe I won’t feel like writing something against the Stunda. One zealot made his way into the villages of those infected with this, gained trust - and they gave him their notebooks, which depict their confession, and verbally conveyed something that was not in that confession. He was eager to write against it himself - and sent all this to me... so that I would tell him something to help... I said - and egged him on... But now the idea comes to me to take up the pen... Whether the hunt will flare up, I don’t know. But when it gets hot, I’ll write and send it to you... I took on the interpretation of Hebrews several times... and never started. There is no need to guess anything further than this. Thank you for your help in printing the first issue of Simeon the New Theologian. I think the printing of letters is coming to an end now. Please take the trouble to send them for review and mark any errors before printing them. That they scold the blessed Macarius is salutary for his soul. - He deserves all respect. Where should I write against nihilists... it is necessary for many scientists. 235. About errors. Edition instructions. About the words of Abba Isaiah the Hermit About printing errors. Edition instructions. About the words of Abba Isaiah the Hermit. I am sending you the errors, the table of contents and two new letters for reprinting. – They turned out to be the same: 19th and 66th, 20th and 65th... 19th remains, and instead of 66th a new one is attached. Instead of the 20th there is a new one, but the 65th remains. Please arrange a reprint. I hoped in every possible way that the new ones would fit the old ones; but I think they are a little smaller... Stretch them somehow. I deliberately made more compartments. If, unexpectedly, they turn out to be larger than the first, then print without compartments or use some other trick... Work hard, for God's sake. You will have to reprint three octams... The nephew will then pay. Two little books were included in the bundle; the Athos people reprinted some of the sermons. The words about the path to salvation were spoken in Tambov when I was a bishop - brand new. So, my printing will soon end... I would really not like this to happen; but there is nothing... Unless you find it possible to print: the words of Abba Isaiah the Hermit. I previously translated them from Latin - and in this translation they are placed in the Russian Philokalia, that is, the Optina residents also published them, all from Latin. When starting the translation then, I asked Fr. Arseny to search on Mount Athos to see if these words are in Greek. It wasn't found then. And then they were found, and the elders copied them for their library. Having learned about this, I asked to send them. They sent... Having compared the previous translation from Latin with this original, I found it necessary to make a new translation... And it was finished the other day... The Latin translation is very loose and in many places suggests the wrong ideas. The real Abba Isaiah... in this new translation. So, if you want to print, I will send... Congratulations on the new Master! I don't know him well. But it is clear that he is a businessman. 236. About “Soulful Reading.” About the “Gospel Story” About “Soulful Reading”: for those who thirst for edification, this is the only magazine, and others have embarked on learning. About the "Gospel History". I received your book. I offer my sincere gratitude. Grant, Lord, that “Soulful Reading” will celebrate its fiftieth anniversary in your arms. For those thirsty for edifying reading, there is only your publication. Other magazines have all rushed into scholarship... And sometimes entire issues are filled with research, perhaps necessary for someone, but not for everyone - not for the soul, not for the heart... Others with decent lies. My writing stopped completely. There is no desire to write, no stimulating subject comes across. So something not worth mentioning. Whenever I feel like it, I won’t miss “Soulful Reading.” My “Gospel Story” got into the Synod. This could be expected, because the entire text of the story is from the Gospels - only the headings are mine. But Nikolai Vasilyevich Yelagits frightened me that the Synod would not allow it, because he considered it inconvenient to compose the life of Christ the Savior in the words of the evangelists, since in this case, by bringing together the stories, it is sometimes necessary to force the text. - We'll see how they decide. I expect a quick decision... I promised not to delay it. If they don't allow it, so be it. And if they allow it, please find a proofreader - dad. “And explain to him that it is a sin if he makes even one mistake, because everything in history is a sacred text.” Bless you, Lord, with every blessing and your entire family. Happy holiday and happy new year. 237. Answer to the question about the fall of the priest and deacon The answer to the question about the fall of the priest and deacon: not to change their condition, but to change their life. Both the priest and the deacon say: I am lost! – Not one has died yet, but they will die if they do not repent. “But now they have already put one foot on the path of repentance.” Let them rearrange the other one, and then continue along this path... By the grace of God we have assurance that those who flow in this way will not fall into destruction. There is nothing dearer to our Lord our Savior than tears of repentance. He accepts and has mercy on all who mourn. He will also accept these repentants in the state as they are. The feelings of repentance that arose in them are the essence of God’s grace. The Lord Himself came to their hearts and pushed them: if they wallow in sins, it’s time to get up. The Lord is calling. And about those who are called, the apostle said: in what rank you are called, abide in that. What great sin did the Apostle Peter have?! But the Lord did not tell him: leave the apostleship and seek salvation in another kind of life. So there is no need for both of them to change their state, but only need to change their life and heart structure and apply some kind of work to this, like penance, and carry it out diligently. Crying is one foot on the path of repentance; the other is a firm determination not to sin again, even death, with aversion to sin. Whoever is such is already accepted by the Lord; and the permission of the spiritual father returns all grace to him. Penance will then consolidate only those feelings and decisions and turn them into a habit and a permanent system. Let them do that and that’s enough. What penance? - Think for yourself. Just to be a little sensitive. It’s good not to drink anything, even from grapes. Take a piece away from sleep, a piece away from food. And increase the alms. The priest is even more zealous for the salvation of his parishioners, working tirelessly to teach them by word and example. It is easy for a priest to get on his feet, but it is more difficult for a deacon. All sinful communication must be stopped. This is a condition of repentant permission and acceptance by God in mercy. Then you need to separate completely, that is, not live together and even in the same village or city. Being close to them is unreliable. Little by little he will go crazy. Besides - he repents and is ready to make good decisions - and she? - So she will egg him on. So let it go away. We must make this sacrifice. The feelings of repentance have now come. This is God's mercy. And then whether they will come, who knows? When they don’t come, everything will be lying around, and after death it will fall into Gehenna. Let him guide the children on how to raise them and help if needed. - It’s true that there is no salvation with sin. So there's nothing to get excited about here. Sacrifice! What then? They indulged - and let them make a sacrifice. Let both think about it and come to good decisions. - If she has enough money to raise children, then he can go to a monastery - it’s safer. From there he can direct the upbringing of children. 238. Covering letter to the book “Ancient Monastic Rules”. About monasticism Covering letter for the sent book “Ancient Monastic Rules”. About modern monasticism. God's mercy be with you 60 I have the pleasure to present to you the “Ancient Monastic Rules” and humbly ask you to accept them for your own library. Maybe you'll decide to look through it sometime, even out of curiosity. Is our Orthodox monasticism visible in these statutes? The disabled man says that he is a guardsman of such and such a regiment, a non-commissioned officer and something else. It is clear from his uniform that he is telling the truth, even though the uniform is worn out, with holes and patches. – In general, we have the same monasticism as in the book. - But whoever starts to look more closely will only shake his head... the same, but not the same. From the bottom of my heart I wish you above all health, and then good progress in the affairs that occupy you. I always remember you in my sinful prayers. I ask you not to forget to remember me sometimes. With true respect and complete devotion, I have the honor to remain your sincere well-wisher. 239. About humble compliance. General good wishes Together with you I mourn the accident that offended you. You did well to bear it graciously. You can't change something rough. The best thing is to do as you did... Maybe he will come to his senses sooner. A crown to you for your humble compliance. For the Lord is near and sees everything. And not a single line made in His name will be in vain... All that remains is to add a prayer for him - so that he will learn reason... Bless you, Lord, and send down every consolation... I had to answer Leonida. - But the address was lost somewhere - and I wrote: To Moscow... to the Anosin Monastery of Moscow province... Then I found the address... and saw that I wrote it a little wrong... Will it get there? 240. About family concerns. About the memory of the spouse May Holy Communion be your path to spiritually tasting the Lord by His grace! That Andrey slipped away might be better. In the military there is a school, but for others it gives the science not of good, but of evil, and accustoms them to it. - May the Lord make him wise through worldly experiences. Don't worry about remembering your spouse! - They remember you in your church, right? - And enough - in connection with your and Chernichkina's prayer. - And then you can arrange something else... The dream of the novice’s wife, I think, concerns them, not you. Address to Athos... to the Russian [monastery]: “Through Constantinople to Athos, to the Russian monastery of St. Panteleimon. His Reverence - Fr. Archimandrite Macarius..." But I don’t know what is needed for eternal remembrance. - I'll ask. Do you know anyone in Moscow? - Instruct me to ask in the Athos Chapel. I wish you God's mercy. 241. About children: you can’t help but grieve, you can only pray I rejoice over the consolation that you had on the Feast of the Entry. May this be for you to strengthen your spirit. About children - what to do? You can’t help but grieve, but you can’t do anything about them. All that remains is to endure and pray. It happens that thinness itself turns into good. Maybe all of you will finally see that the thinness of life is not healthy, and not calm, and expensive... And they will abandon it. “For the worst still have goodness... and they give voice.” Sometimes it screams so loudly that it sobers up even the hardened... Maybe the maddened wisdom (S-va) will wake up. Дай ей, Господи! She is kind and humble, and this weakness overcomes her... Let's have pity and pray. На Вышу желаете? – Ворота отворены. И Выша всегда Вам рада. Congratulations on Belichka's writing! Какое счастье! 242. About the communion of the Holy Mysteries of Christ. About homeopathy About communion of the Holy Mysteries of Christ: do not be embarrassed if any of your prayers are not fulfilled, the main thing is to have a contrite and humble heart. About homeopathy. Поздравляю с св. communion. – Do not be embarrassed by the fact that some of the prayers have not been fulfilled. – If you yourself prayed from the heart and approached with faith, with a contrite and humble heart, you could not lose anything from the promises of God, St. причастию положенных. May the Lord calm the servant of God Sergius in the bosom of Abraham. The cramped conditions at home, as you endured, continue. This is the direct path to the Kingdom of Heaven. This is the recipe. - I haven’t asked yet what happened from this. Tikhon. - However, he is being treated with homeopathy. I have a homeopathic first aid kit. And I can give you a little. But you better have grains on hand. – Tell me what medications you need. Or better yet, write out both a first aid kit and a book. Here is the address: “To the board of the Society of Followers of Homeopathy. St. Petersburg, Bolshaya Sadovaya, no. 12.” Write down the remedies you like. Add to this - so that they themselves add what they find suitable for your infirmities... Ask for a book too... Describe your illnesses more specifically. Each medicine in a bottle costs 25 kopecks. Solovyov’s book – 2 rubles 50 kopeks with postage). Add 10 rubles... and there will be enough for everything (the funds will be more than 25 - up to 30). Medicines come in grains and drops. It is easier to handle grains. I really regret Chernichka’s illness. Help her, Lord. Squirrel remembered the water. Evlampius will give it. 243. About sorrows in raising children. About penance About sorrows in raising children. About penance. May the Lord comfort you! We must endure: this is God’s limit, which cannot be crossed. Every time your son’s wrongfulness strikes at your heart, restore your faith that the hand of the Lord is here, and the Lord is sending you something for which you will receive salvation, if you graciously accept and endure it. This thought will smooth out the sharpness and bitterness of the current of affairs surrounding you. May the Lord comfort your thoughts and feelings. May the Lord bless Elijah, and may he help him to understand the true path and to stand on it. And you all continue to pray for him. A mother's prayer is stronger than any other prayer for children. You definitely owe penance. But it would be better for her to sigh with repentance to the Lord and ask Him for complacency in enduring the bitter things. I wish you every blessing from the Lord. 244. About diseases. Illness to break character and turn to the Lord About diseases: the science of patience. Illness for breaking character and turning to the Lord. You start fasting. Bless, Lord, to work in the work of God for salvation. And the sick are still sick. A lesson to patience to all of you. It’s good that the son confessed and took communion. I think that this illness was sent to him to break his character and to turn him to God. He needs to make a promise with himself before the face of the Lord - to correct himself in everything and then fulfill it with all accuracy. - And he will get healthier. If this does not happen, others, no matter how much they pray, God’s mercy will have nothing to apply to. May the Lord direct the path of his life! “Blueberry is getting better.” And I thought that she had long since recovered. Help her, Lord, to get healthy. This is her science to take care of her health and be careful. – Let him keep his soul in the memory of God, and let mortal memory itself be before our eyes. These two memories are the mistresses of sobriety, fear of God, holy zeal for salvation. Letter by mail: right at the post office - it hasn’t reached Vysha yet. 245. About the book “What is spiritual life...”. How to save a soul About the book “What is spiritual life...”. How to save your soul, how to see the will of God in your life. God's mercy be with you! 61 You did a very good job of writing about yourself briefly and clearly. – I express my full readiness to write to you about everything you want to know. I am sending you a book: letters about what spiritual life is... Take the trouble to delve into it, and ask what seems to require explanation. – The letters were written to the beauty, and were accepted by her. What one beauty did, another can do. I believe that you often have the question: what to do, what to do? – I also believe that the answer to this is also given in your heart: what to do except how to save your soul. – And this is the answer to all accidents. When the soul is saved, everything else be gone - or anything else, the salvation of the soul is reconciled with all the orders of life, and not only reconciled, but also revives and sanctifies them all. The princess wrote that this is exactly what you are thinking of taking on. - Well - and bless, Lord! The letters will show you the program that you need to follow in this matter. You must surrender your life into the hands of God. And He will arrange everything in the best possible way. But He is already building. And everything that has happened to you so far is His Providence for you... whether you believe it or not. But if God builds everything about you, and you don’t believe, don’t confess, then you yourself see that holding yourself in this way in relation to God is a very wrong thing. “We must accept everything from the hand of the Lord and give thanks for everything.” Please write this on your heart. And the first thing to do is make sure of this. Review all the accidents of your life - and in everything you will see the beneficial finger of God, and thank the Lord. 246. About Blueberry and Belichka. What to do with yourself: the main thing is to have a job About Blueberry and Belichka. What to do with yourself: the main thing is to have a job. Bless, Lord, that we may pray more earnestly to you. May the Mother of God cover you with Her protection! So that’s who wrote – Belichka, but I thought – Blueberry. It’s not written in blueberry terms – something like disappointment – ​​and I wanted to remind you that according to this feeling, leaving the world is unreliable. And he did well not to write. And you would have done well if you had not given her that letter. But that's a thing of the past. Or maybe she will be tempted and carried away by blueberries. Chernichkin's system is very unreliable. Apparently, the Lord is calling her to Himself. Let her develop the fire that glimmers in her heart. For music – specifically piano music... there are church pieces set to notes for this instrument by Turchaninov. Buy it and let him sing... or play. But I don’t know what to say to Belichka, except that it’s too early to get bored with life. And not everything will be cloudy; The sun is about to come out. “As for the course of life, let him know that changing it is not within our power.” Our entire wisdom should consist in adapting to every system of life that the Lord sends, so that we are as calm as possible. Here is your task in your current situation: look around and choose activities that would not be to your heart’s content, but would give you some pleasure - and having established yourself in this way, wait patiently. It is impossible to live without patience - and there is no one in the world who does not constantly endure something. So keep in mind that the most apparently happy people endure: why shouldn’t I endure? What to do with yourself? – The main thing is to always have a job. Then read. Also: learn to enjoy nature - every season has its charms. Be able to find them and feel them. This is wisdom. Do you want to be wise?! If you please, manage to do this. What else is possible? – Make yourself a sister of mercy for your village: go where there is poverty, illness, sorrow... and help as much and as you can. This is the most rewarding activity! – Are you the only one who is a seasoned egoist?! – But if you are exactly like that, then don’t expect happiness, even if you were showered with gold and silver. This villain - egoism - must be killed. If you don’t kill yourself, then the Lord will send hammer after hammer (all sorts of failures) to break this stone. 247. Blessing on the chosen path. About serving the sick. About marriage Blessing on your chosen path. About serving the sick. About marriage. With both hands I bless you on your chosen path. There's nothing better. You will see how the suffering of the sick squeezes the heart, and immediately what consolation comes to the heart when you manage to somehow calm one of them. And your work will be varied - and at the same time very comforting. Go to Princess Sh. She herself is so compassionate! She will accept you with love and will not let you feel for a moment that you are some kind of stranger. You won't be tired there. Duty and rest go regularly, so you won’t experience fatigue—except by chance! So, God bless! You can write directly from Moscow to the city of Shatsk, to Vyshenskaya Hermitage. Please tell Belichka... Bless you, Lord, for the way of life that you have always imagined as the best. Behold - the Lord fulfills the desire of your heart. - Marriage has many consolations, but it is also accompanied by many anxieties and sorrows, sometimes very deep. – Keep this in mind, so that when something like this comes, you don’t greet it as a surprise. Now you two are alone. And the joys are stronger, and the sorrows are lighter - they are divided in half. Help you, Lord, not to share anything, but to have everything in common - one heart and one mind. What you are asking is so unclear to me that I can’t tell you anything in response - If I were you, I would do as others want, without thinking... The outfit is for others, not for you... well, let them dress you up as they want. I wish you complete happiness! 248. No one lives without sorrows. Instructions. About the “exam” of God No one lives without sorrows: behave like a reasonable Christian. Instructions: about a brother-soldier, about a friend, about an incomplete confession, about the death of a sister, from a father. About the “exam” of God. Who in the world lives without sorrows? There is no one who has not met them. And you are not alone in carrying them. Countless comrades and companions. Take comfort in this; for in the world, they say, even death is red. Another consolation for you is that in your sorrows you held and carry yourself as a reasonable Christian should. That brother is a soldier, what’s the problem? - Nowadays everyone is a soldier. “And look how much of a hero he turns out to be.” Write to him that it is a shame to languish. Let him imagine that he is taking or defending Shipka. That the beloved turned out to be a fool - thanks be to the Lord. You acted very wisely in relation to him... God bless you. If I haven't heard anything about my friend, that's a lot of damage. Something happened. Be patient. Perhaps communication with her will return. My sister died. God bless! “It’s true, it’s true that she’s better there.” What do you write about your father... pray. The priest did not act well in spirit. But you could also ask him to wait a minute. - However, don’t be embarrassed. What was not said is not a concealment of sin; Therefore, the Lord will not place those sins in such a way that you should be considered to have received communion unworthily for the sake of your intention to confess everything. Next time, don’t indulge the priest... and tell him everything – tell him what you wanted to say but couldn’t. But the biggest defeat for you is that you cannot go to Moscow. But if you endure it with good grace, you will be a real heroine. I think that if you humbly and complacently accept and live through this time, the Lord will show you some kind of mercy or send you some consolation. Be complacent. You always do your own thing, and what comes from outside is not from you. God sends, and God sends this to the exam. After sending, he will see what you do. If you act wisely and fairly, He gives you better marks; and if otherwise, other points are given. Then a summary of points will be made... And what turns out to be in the end, that’s why you will be issued a certificate. The certificate is written not on paper, but on the forehead. In the other world, the gatekeepers will immediately see where you should go... “This is not the place for you”... it will be sad to hear... 249. About patience in sorrows. About homeopathy You are all in trouble! – May the Lord grant you patience! Take heart! - This is a martyr's share! That you gave in to the wishes of the children (regarding the meadows) - otherwise, it seems, it would have been worse. - But if they do not fulfill the conditions, then next year you will have the support to refuse them. If, as a result of this, you encounter any displeasure and hardship this year... arm yourself with patience. Not a single breath of yours is forgotten by the Lord. As for homeopathic grains, they do not lose strength over time. 5 years is not long; My first aid kit is much older, but everything works. Regarding your headache, Shepmel’s book lists – Aconit, Belladonna, Calcarea. This is indicated in almost all cases of headache... You can add to them: Bryonia, Nux vomica, Ignatia. How to use? 5 grains per half glass of water. Stir vigorously with a silver teaspoon until the grains disperse. During a paroxysm, take a teaspoon or small sips every quarter of an hour. And without this, how to prevent pain... three times a day... or once... and you can stay without it. You can take two medications at a time, alternately: dilute Aconite and Belladonna in special glasses and consume each after a quarter of an hour. Take Aconite - after a quarter of an hour Belladonna... then again Aconite... etc., until everything prepared comes out. The next day, if the pain continues, another two medicines: Calcarea and Bryonia, on the third, Nux vomica and Ignatia. Help you, Lord! 250. Gratitude for medicines. About health. General good wishes Thanks for the medications sent. About health. General good wishes. Thank you for the medicine. But the dream had already improved... It was so that at one o’clock you would wake up and not fall back to sleep, and after lunch you couldn’t fall asleep. Then sleep began to fall uncontrollably from 6 pm. I went to bed and woke up again at one o'clock... and could not fall asleep... again until the evening. Now for three days I fall asleep at 9 - and wake up at 3-4... now at 5... I find that this is ok. And don't worry! You couldn't ask for anything better. They sent me a balm for pain in the sacrum... But the pain went away on its own. I applied the balm against the twitching of the legs, rubbing it from the knees to the feet. And it seems to me that this will stop the twitching. And we'll eat poppy seeds in the form of milk... with porridge. Thank you. And your balm will go to your feet. Everything else is fine with us. May the Lord grant Squirrel a full recovery. And bless the little one, Lord! And good luck to Blueberry, Lord! 251. About maternal martyrdom. General good wishes I don't understand what's wrong. But I think that you will feel safer. Complete freedom of action and a serene life! - May the Lord give you this! Children cause you a lot of grief. This is maternal martyrdom! If you endure everything graciously and with thanksgiving to the Lord, then truly it will be so. – May you please God is above you in everything; and in you the corresponding thing is devotion to God and submission. Clever little one who consoles you. But what is her job? – A bookmark or a string!.. The string is connected to a belt. It’s true, you need him... They lie together on the throne... According to your faith, may the Lord send His help to you in your time of need. 252. About the desire to enter the monastery. General good wishes It's nice to see how much you strive to enter the monastery. The Mother of God looks from heaven at your zeal and blesses it. Grant, Lord, that your health will never be an obstacle to the fulfillment of your pious intentions. Andrey left why? Take a walk? Or is there a problem? Help him, Lord, if his intentions are good... and may his temper be tamed!!! 253. About fasting: patience with illness with thanksgiving replaces fasting About fasting: enduring illness with thanksgiving replaces fasting. General good wishes. Help you, Lord, to recover. Regarding fasting, when there is no health, patience with illness and complacency during it replaces fasting. Therefore, if you please, use the food that is required by the properties of the treatment, even though it is not lean. Just be complacent and thank the Lord in everything. You have already gathered and are completely... and are worried about what will happen to those for whom your hand and your eye are still needed... May the Lord prolong your days... But while remaining alive, the best thing to do with all the strength of hope and faith is to surrender everyone and everything into the hands of the merciful Lord. And He will take care of everything. And His eye sees everything, and His hand is everywhere... The blueberry looks small. It’s time for her to walk on her own, without assistance. - May the Lord protect her - and may he grant her strength and strength to diligently fulfill all good knowledge, and to reject and pursue all bad things with all cruelty and self-pity. Help her, Lord, in this. 254. Blessing in illness I'm very sorry that you are not feeling well. Help you, Lord, to strengthen yourself for tomorrow. Who is your decree?! If you want to stay another day, God bless you. - An orphan - such a clever girl will find solace... for herself. God bless you and Blueberry! 255. Congratulations on the Dormition of the Mother of God. General good wishes Congratulations on your release from bondage and I rejoice in your joy! May the Lord grant you to piously celebrate the glorious Dormition of the Mother of God. Well, thank God that Ilya Muromets went on a search. Help him, Lord. What kind of archangel did God send to you? who has plagued you... by destroying all barriers?! If you intend to take communion... God bless! Thank you for the small veil and the wreath. Save, Lord, those who have worked! 256. About arriving at Vysha. About sorrows. About books as a gift We finally reached Vysha. - And thank God! Breathe more of the local air; This gives it strength. Andrey is all his own. Well, what should we do with him? Pray. Perhaps the Lord will knock on his door and someday he will be accepted. Then heaven will go dissolved! - Be it for you! Sofia once mentioned that Pavel was of a different order. Grant him, Lord, to be more firmly established in this. Grieve - grieve... just not too much. – Drown all sorrow in the faith that everything is from God, and everything is for our good. And always breathe with this faith. It is good to take communion... Grant you, Lord, this to strengthen your spirit. I am enclosing books - for you and Chernichka, even though you already have them, - for Pavel, Ilya, for the beautiful orphan, and for the little orphan - a card: the guardian angel teaches the little one... and he listens attentively. - Tell her that he teaches her the same way... and gets angry if she doesn’t listen... gets angry, capricious... and... Well, we’ve completely learned to draw or paint. A little more and a certificate of maturity. – Why are pimples visible in streaks? Here's why: black paint, no matter how you talk, all the grains remain; they are visible. Why do you need to smooth out black paint with a knife after it dries, both after the first tire and after the second... God help you! 257. About the pilgrimage to Sarov I rejoice in your joy in the return of the infirm healthy, or hopeful of receiving health. Now take comfort in the common joy. May God help you in everything. Are you going to go for a ride with Ilya Muromets, - But Ilya Muromets went on foot to Sarov. He wrote to me and asked me to bless him. I blessed him with joy. This is much more life-saving for him. I wrote to him to inform you before leaving, and upon arrival in Sarov I would also write. He wanted to go out on the 3rd... that is, today. God bless his steps. I did not consider it a good deed to turn him away from this work. Who knows? Maybe this is the beginning of a calling and for the best. In any case, this work will strengthen him to continue in good endeavors. Here's a place for you to take a walk! - Sarov, and there’s Diveev. May the Lord arrange your path. Thank you for the prosphora. 258. Don't worry about your son. About a comforting dream. General good wishes Don't worry about your son, he reached Sarov safely. About a comforting dream. General good wishes. Today (Saturday) I am sending you a letter in response to your postal letter, in which I wrote to alleviate your concern about the pedestrian. From what was written, the only thing that remained true was that he safely reached Sarov. If he is alive and well... and thank God! And what then - there is no need to guess about that now. Let him only behave as one who harbors such intentions should. His brothers, by their nature, cannot understand the young zealot: for them the spiritual region is an unknown country. You have nothing to worry about Ilya Muromets. He didn't do anything wrong. I hurried only a little. It would have been better if he had sorted out everything about the school and left. Now may the Lord protect him! Let's read books to him - “Rise to Sleep”, “What is Spiritual Life...” and “Words of Repentance”... He will find in them what suits him. Your dream is comforting. God sent him to you in order to reinforce the hope that your hardships will end. - Grant, Lord! God bless you all... I wish Mother Blueberry all the well-being of her soul. Now she needs to behave more strictly; otherwise it will be a shame when Ilya overtakes. 259 God's protection is over the pedestrian pilgrim. You will have a little monk to match Blueberry God's protection is over the pedestrian pilgrim, do not worry. You will have a Chernets to match Blueberry. But why are you too worried?! Over such a pedestrian is God's protection. Besides, I think he’s not gathered alone, but there are comrades or friends from the city’s inhabitants. And if not, he will meet such people along the way. The road there is not wild... There are always those. He probably thought about money. The sense of self-preservation, of course, is alive in him too; and it gives a lot of wisdom. I think that he has been in Sarov for a long time... and he wrote to you - and you received it. He had already rested... and examined half of Sarov. Why mourn? it is better to pray that his stay there will serve him for the creation of the spirit and salvation. Even if something happened, it doesn’t matter, as long as he’s alive. He will gain experience in living a pleasing life and learn how to lead such matters forward. That now you don’t have to visit Sarov - and that’s not a problem. Let him have some privacy for now. And then? “And then, I wouldn’t mind blessing him to stay there forever.” It's not a big deal that you didn't study enough. Afterwards he will finish his studies from books. The main thing for him will be spiritual science, which is studied by doing, and not from a book. If he stays... you will have a blueberry... in a pandan (in a couple - Ed.) Blueberry. God bless the blueberry to manage more and more. She already understands quite a lot, and not about some matters... but quite important ones. 260 About a son who was going to a monastery. About the grace of God About a son who was going to a monastery. About the grace of God. General instructions to family and good wishes. It is a pity that the Murom director did not pay attention to the special circumstances of Elijah’s action. Strictly judging, this act is not an escape. - But now there is nothing to do with this director. Should I continue teaching? “I think it’s better to continue and finish.” I think that he will be accepted at some other school. I’m very glad that Ilya Ivanovich is sticking to what he started, God help him. His state, the excitement that has occurred and the decision are a direct action of grace - the mercy of God. Tell him to stay strictly up to his stomach position. If he weakens himself again, becomes distracted and does something bad, this grace will go away - jealousy will cool... and confusion will begin again. Just as in physical illnesses a relapse is a dangerous thing, so in spiritual illnesses a return to the previous state is harmful. Because grace, despised and rejected, does not return on its own: you have to pray and ask... and sometimes this drags on for a long, long time... Help him, Lord, to resist... Sofia, I believe, will write. She is humble - and unquestioningly admits that there is bad in her; but has no strength to resist. Now, however, she feels good about herself... and this began a long time ago... May the Lord strengthen her! Thank you Lisa for the wreath. I hung it on the icon of the Mother of God. May she keep it... Write to Belichka that she will be responsible for Lisa both before God and before people. - She took pure and immaculate both in body and soul... May she take care of her like that! “Otherwise she will be a murderer... and will do the work of Satan.” For that, her fate will be with him. Wish you to the Highest! - Bless, Lord, and arrange this! 261 Not everything is from God. About anger and satiety. About reading the works of Gregory Palamas Not everything is from God, there is also a share - do not shy away from the old. About anger and satiety. On reading the works of Gregory Palamas. Save you, Lord, and have mercy! Pray for Ilya Ivanovich, so that the Lord, who began His work in him, will complete... We believe so; but not everything is from the Lord! There is also a share here, namely, not to deviate even in thought, not only in feeling and desire, to the old. Oh, God bless him! Interpret to him that, like death, he is afraid of returning to the same way. Are you overcome by anger and satiety? Anger suits Your Highness - and does not suit Blueberry at all. How about satiety? – This is not a master’s business at all... Hence the extra juices... and so on... the road is straight. Watch out. Read St. Gregory Palamu... and everything in this volume comes to you! Take a deep dive and apply yourself! 262. Consolation in various sorrows. Instructions for home I'm very sorry for those who were burned. Help them, Lord! - And near us in the village, beyond the Vyshaya River, an entire line that was closer to us burned down - during the day. There were only women and boys at home... all the men were in the field... Peter – I’ll help you a little. I can add more later, but now I don’t. I really regret Belichka’s grief... May God help her faithful... and in business... A self-controlled and reasonable person can always get better, but when they throw themselves into the pool themselves, where can they expect salvation? - May the Lord enlighten them! It is comforting to hear that Ilya Muromets is in good spirits. – May God help you to give him the opportunity to complete the course. - Why go to military school? They probably have their own program - and everything will be new for Ilya. But in real schools, the curriculum is, of course, the same everywhere, and it will be easier for Ilya to succeed in this one. I would like to look for one like this. - However, see for yourself. You, too, are seeing a door for yourself to escape from the cramped space! May the Lord arrange this for you! God gave Blueberry a sore throat to teach her silence. Here he will begin reluctantly... and then he will begin to maintain this feat even though. God bless her! I owe Mother Leonida an answer. It's her own fault. She asked me a question that I can’t solve. So I’m waiting for inspiration to come to solve it. I will remember Elder Anna. May the Lord place her in Abraham's bosom. I wish you all all the best from the Lord. P.S. The church was consecrated in August by the former bishop. How this one will decide is unknown. 263. Blessing and parting words when moving to Moscow Blessings and parting words when moving to Moscow. Congratulations on the grace of God. Lord bless your new journey and your new stay. May everything be for the glory of God and good for you. “I don’t have any icons to guide you; there is a small icon of St. Panteleimon, which can be worn around the neck. I screwed in a screw to which you can tie a cord and wear... Let there be St. Great Martyr, healer of your mental and physical infirmities. The icon is consecrated along with a cross, touching St. relics. I will be happy to answer you in Moscow. May the protection of God be upon Elijah too! Take the trouble to find an apartment closer to a church or monastery; you will have the consolation of visiting a church often. I wish you all the best from this news. 264. About diseases. Instructions and good wishes to family About illnesses: this is the hand of God, lovingly embracing. Instructions and good wishes to family. All illnesses and diseases! – The hand of God, lovingly embracing you. - May God help you to stay healthy, and when you are sick, to get better as soon as possible. The son’s household expenses, if he knows a lot about it, are nothing - he will come back later, but if he doesn’t know anything about it, then he will let it all slip through his fingers. Deliver, Lord! Whatever you have to endure, endure, thanking God, out of faith that everything is from God and for your good. To the Above - bless, Lord, and help you to arrange it this way. Lisa worries me. Where is Squirrel looking?! She took Lisa - and let her keep and protect her. 265. Congratulations on the holiday and good wishes. About a dream I congratulate you on this bright holiday. May there be light within you, both within yourself and around you. I rejoice with you for Andrey too. Perhaps, little by little, he will be drawn into all the rules of a pious life! May the Lord protect Elijah! and all yours for your joy. In Murom for the winter... I don’t see any obstacles. How God will arrange it. This will be beneficial for Ilya. – There is a convent there not far from the cathedral. Your dream seems to have a good meaning. If you also belong to the descendants indicated there, then the lily is respected for you too... But may the Lord protect you to the end in good order. The Highest will be waiting for you for the Ascension... May the Lord bless you in everything! I thank you for the egg, and I thank Lisa for the bouquet. 266. Blessing to fast. About the move. About maternal sorrows Blessing to fast. About the move. About maternal sorrows: mothers are martyrs, no one suffers as much as they do. Bless, Lord, your hospitality in the monastery! -Are you talking? Good. God help you! You ask... to Moscow or to Arzamas? – I can’t decide... It’s good there, and it’s not bad here. Decide for yourself. Or try it. Go to Arzamas and stay there this winter. If you see what is good, you will settle there forever. – And if not, you’ll move to Moscow. Give your children some understanding, O Lord! Need, perhaps, will finally teach them how to live. Martyr mothers. “No one suffers as much as they do.” Submit yourselves to the Lord and endure graciously... and the crown of martyrdom is yours! 267. About a short stay on a pilgrimage in a monastery. About an orphan girl About a short stay on pilgrimage in a monastery: stock up on monastery air until your next visit. About an orphan girl. May Holy Communion be your salvation! However, now you are returning too soon. Take a deep breath of monastic air into your bosom and stock up on it until your next visit, when the Lord arranges it. The Lord accepted you - you accepted the Lord! Abide with Him and hold Him. Squirrel is talking with Liza... As you can see, she doesn’t understand her. The girl will die - a homeless orphan! Have pity on her. Belichka has no love for her. Probably, Lisa’s soul doesn’t belong to her either... Therefore, it is very likely that she is suffering there. - Poor thing! How I feel sorry for her!!.. Please think of a way to take her in with you. It will come to life for you and improve its life. Do this for the sake of the Lord, the guardian of orphans. Squirrel will be glad to part with the orphan. 268. About God's consolation received in the church. About my son Mutually, I congratulate you on this bright holiday. The angel's word to the shepherds - may it come true in you continuously in these days and always. The Lord gave you consolation in the church of God. May it be with you, having your heart as a church. I'm very sorry about Ilya. - But he’s a smart guy for telling you. – Let him turn away in feeling from the seductress... and distance himself from her. – Teach him to turn to the Lord in prayer in his heart when the temptation to do the same comes either from outside or from within. May the Lord help him to keep himself clean from now on. The pagans had the dispersion of fornication. For Christians, the first thing was to suppress this. This is how Christians were recognized then, as St. Peter the Apostle. I rejoice in Lisa... May the Lord, the Mother of God and guardian angel watch over her! 269. Blessing on the way home. About health. Instructions for home Blessing on the way home: The Lord is everywhere and is equally close to everyone who calls on Him in truth. About health. Instructions for home. Nowhere can one learn to pray so well as in church. I was going to write, but when I received notice that you were going home, I put it off. - I’m guilty of causing you anxiety by not writing. I apologize. So, home again. - God bless your return. The Lord is everywhere and the same everywhere. He is equally close and merciful to everyone - to everyone who calls on Him in truth. Are you hurting there too?! Is the doctor good? – I remember that the doctor treated Arkady Alekseevich Kolobov for catarrh... and they killed him. Don't eat this one, don't touch the other. Finally, a more sensible doctor came along and said: “Empty; You don’t have any catarrh... Eat whatever you love.” He began to do this and recovered. I had stomach and intestinal catarrh. – We treated it with lapis pills – and it went away. It happens that catarrh goes away on its own. You are secluded in Moscow. Good deed! - May the Lord arrange your affairs as He deigns to be the best. Belichka wrote about her plans for the estate. I don’t know if what I came up with is better, namely, selling and living off the interest? “I answered that I didn’t understand the matter, and offered to wait for your return so that we could judge together.” She also wrote that Lisa wanted to be in charge and was ready to go to her father. And to this he said to wait for you and we’ll decide together. It occurred to me; Isn’t Liza burdened by life with them for some reason? Bless Mother Blueberry. God. Does he go to church? Good deed. Nowhere can one learn to pray so well as in church. Everything there is conducive to prayer. She didn't like Anosin so much. He thinks that it will be better in Diveyevo or Ponetaevka. - Well, as God wills it! Someday go there and see where it is better. Everything is good with God. Bless you, Lord, with every good thing. Ilya wrote. I will write to him that can strengthen him. Here is a card of M. Ioanna, Abbess Anosin. 270. About returning home. How to deal with unbelieving brothers About returning home: I think my soul has settled down. How to deal with unbelieving brothers. Congratulations... and if you are glad to be back, I rejoice in you. I wrote to you in Moscow on December 2. The reason why I didn’t write it earlier is because your address was lost between the papers. As soon as I came across the address, I hastened to write. Well - thank God! Now again on the old ashes. And the soul, I suppose, settled down. Grant you, Lord, to sit and be content. I am very glad that Ilya Muromets, the formidable one, came to your aid. Perhaps the unkind Andrei will completely fall into line. Ilya asks how he should deal with his brothers? - Live in peace with them, do not despise them; but stay away from their ways. Everyone will reap his own, as the unfaithful word of God has said. - Hold on! Mother Blueberry was broken from her troubles. Patience and prayer. The soul will settle down, then explain to it what it deserves. – Keep your ears sharp. The enemy usually catches prey during the same disturbances. God bless you all! I have a big runny nose, cough and general weakness... And I don’t feel like writing! 271. About the impossibility of coming to Vysha. Blessing to the young man. About health About the impossibility of coming to Vysha: arm yourself with patience. Blessing for a young man about to serve in the army. About health. You strive for the Highest, but God judges differently. Arm yourself with patience. In due time, this too will happen. I rejoice over Elijah's decision. God bless him! Tell him more warnings against the temptations of soldiers! May the Lord comfort you too with the good soldierly posture of Elijah the warrior. My previous illness has passed. But a new one came - dizziness. It was very strong; but now it is calming down little by little. Mother Blueberry must have returned from the trip she intended to take. Did you complete your task successfully? 272. Gratitude for the medicine. About health. On inheritance rights to property Thanks for sending me the medicine. About health: dizziness from nerves. On inheritance rights to property. Thank you very much for the medicine. - I'm dizzy. It's from nerves. And your medicine goes against my weakness. In addition, bromine is one that is directly used against dizziness. I drink water... in about four days it will run out, and then I’ll start using it according to your recipe. - Thank you. “My illness doesn’t stop me from doing my job, but it’s still annoying.” Ilya has to wait a little. Patience is a science! Everything has its time! I don’t understand what position renunciation of inheritance rights will put you in and what your provision will consist of... And I’m afraid that you will be left with nothing to do with it. – I think it’s better for you not to agree to this. Squirrel makes her own bed. She herself will sleep on it. I wish you all the best - especially peace. I am sending two copies of the new book. 273. Congratulations on the post of Instructions on relationships with sons. About health Congratulations on fasting and good communion of the Holy Mysteries. Instructions on relationships with sons. About health. Thank you for your congratulations and well wishes! – I congratulate you on your fast, good fasting and communion of the Holy Mysteries of Christ. May this be your salvation! Grant you, Lord, to spend the entire fast in a gracious mood. Andrey crushes! - Be patient and pray for him. If the Lord wills, He will bring him to his senses. And if not, that’s where he should go. Regarding the concession, I don’t know what to say. I stand, however, on the fact that it is better not to give in. I’m very glad that Ilya sticks to his chosen part. Bless him, Lord, and stay like this forever. Thank you very much for the sodium bromide. – Now the dizziness is very, very small. It seems that the usual fortress has returned. I’ll save these powders or use them when I run out of homeopathic grains. It seems they helped too. I really regret M. Leonida’s illness. Help her, Lord, to get healthy. I am sending her a book: “The Outline [of Christian Moral Teaching].” 274. Take courage. About waters that strengthen the soul. About the new book "Miterikon" Take heart, not everything is gloomy, we all live in hope, each in his own way. About waters that strengthen the soul. About the new book "Miterikon". Be inspired by the hope you remember. And truly, not everything is cloudy - rain and slush. The sun is peeking through and the weather is pleasant. If it were not for the hope of changing the worst for the better, it would be impossible to live. We all live in hope, each in his own way. This is how the Lord designed our nature. So God sent some rain... and every thirsty creature will come to life. And for the soul - the Church on behalf of the Lord calls: thirst, let him come to Me and drink... May the Lord comfort you. Be patient! The crown of martyrdom is presented to you. Blueberry drinks strengthening water. May God help her. Let him remember which waters strengthen the soul, and do not forget to acquire and use them. Save her, Lord. There is a new book “Miterikon”, in the pandan “Paterikon”: here are the fathers, and there are the mothers. I’m not sending her with your old lady, so as not to burden her, even though the book is small. Come and take it yourself. 275. Congratulations on your arrival at Vysha Congratulations to all of you on your arrival at Vysha. Bless, Lord, your retreat... and help you spend all your time here in a soul-saving way. 276. About my son: if I had something to do, it would be easier to control myself About my son: if I had something to do, it would be easier to control myself. Ilya had a good idea - to stay above. - Looking for help. Grant him, Lord, the strength to stand. He says he put off military service for a year. “I think that if he had something to do, it would be easier for him to control himself.” “But as you know and as your circumstances dictate, do so.” God bless you, and Blueberry - and everyone... 277. About the repose of the deceased. Blessing to go to Sarov and Diveevo About the repose of the deceased. Advice not to care excessively for an adult son. It’s a blessing to go to Sarov and Diveevo. Rest in peace, Lord, the soul of Your departed servant Leonida! “If she has lived a bright life, then she will go to a bright monastery.” May the Lord have mercy and save her! The road is probably Ryazan-Kazan!! Maybe part of your land will go under the road. - It will be very profitable. - Help you, Lord! I don’t see why you should wish to stay in Morshansk. Ilya should be placed there, and the sooner the better. You yourself have nothing to do there... Ilya is not three years old! “Besides, you have someone there who can look after him.” You are going straight to Sarov and Diveevo. - In Diveyevo, maybe take a cell or a hotel room - with a fee... and live there, if there is no opportunity in the monastery... there is a village on the side. May the Lord help you settle down and find peace. 278. About the impossibility of traveling to Sarov, Diveevo and Vysha. About youthful idleness About the impossibility of traveling to Sarov, Diveevo and Vysha: humbly submit to the will of God. About youthful idleness. He will come for all his time, he will come to visit Vyshe, he will also come to go to Serov with Diveev. Do good, seeing the will of God in this, and humbly submit to it; This is the best and most reassuring way of looking at everything that is current and concerns us. Ilya wishes for a good deed, looking for something to do. Idle time without the ability to keep voluntary practical activities at hand is a great temptation and temptation, with youthful excitement, voluntary and involuntary. – If there is someone to write about this, write. And give Ilya lessons on how to behave and how to avoid temptations. Congratulations on your spacious room. More fun and healthier. After the lines to Chernichka, a few words about Ilya are also attributed to you. 279. About diseases. About the need to go against enemy attacks You have a real hospital! – Help you, Lord, to cope with illnesses. Don’t complain too much about the fact that you can’t ride to Vysha. It stands higher and the gates are open. Whenever the Lord blesses you to visit her for pilgrimage, you will always find her ready to receive you - to comfort and refresh you. I responded to Sofia Sleptsova shortly after receiving her letter. That's right, the letter didn't arrive and got stuck somewhere in Moscow. I forgot what she wrote about... I don’t remember. But something very simple... about some kind of enemy attacks. Let her go against, and not please, the enemy by obeying him... Bless her, Lord! I wish you good health and all those who are sick. 280. Humble hope will not be put to shame. About preparation for St. Pentecost Humble hope will not be put to shame. Blessing to go to Vysha. About preparation for St. Pentecostal. The promise of God has come true for you, that humble hope will not be put to shame. We finally got there. The Lord rewards you with spiritual consolation for your patience, which did not allow your hope to weaken. Bless, Lord, your visit and grant me spiritual benefit from what I saw and heard. Nowadays, not only in the monastery, but also around it, everything is quiet and peaceful. No chanting or harmonica playing can be heard. Real preparation for St. Pentecostal. Have you decided to prepare in the best way for the meeting of St. post. Bless, Lord, that you may receive Holy Communion according to your faith. Through this, not only the doors of fasting, but also the gates of heaven will open to you. I really regret Belichka... He reaps what he sows. May God grant them both to come to their senses. Thank you for what you sent - evidence of your inexhaustible goodwill. 281. Congratulations on Easter. About the book Fr. John of Kronstadt Happy Easter. About heavenly joys. About the book Fr. John of Kronstadt. Vysha, Sarov are God's dwellings. I also congratulate you on the bright Resurrection of Christ. – You have already tasted this bright joy. Who wouldn’t be delighted by the solemnity of the Easter service? - The earth is a sorrowful place, but the Lord is pleased to open a window for us to indicate heavenly joys, and they disperse the gloom of earthly existence and clothe the earth with heavenly things; earth and sky merge. Rejoice! Sophia completely stood up. May the Lord confirm her in her holy decisions! A book about. I know John... I named her - the morning spring breeze rushing from the colored fields. I don’t know Solntsev’s book. But I know that he died and departed in a wonderful mood of Christian spirit. May the Lord surround you with consolations. Vysha, Serov are God's dwellings. - There is God's heavenly air here. If it pleases the Lord, He will, of course, satisfy your humble desire. 282. Sarov and Diveevo are the promised land for you. Instructions for adult children Sarov and Diveevo are the promised land for you. The more surely a stubborn heart softens. Instructions and good wishes for adult children. Congratulations on your pilgrimage and even more so on your next pilgrimage to follow. God willing, all your plans will be fulfilled safely and to your comfort. - Sarov and Diveev! – This is the promised land for you. These places indeed contain and deliver much of what is tea from the Promised Land. Grant you, Lord, the goodness to spend hours here and be honored with the salvation of St. participles. May the merciful Lord grant you everything your soul seeks! God bless Blueberry's care for the baby. – Love and condescension can rather soften a heart that is by nature somewhat stubborn. I congratulate Squirrel with joy. May God grant that this will last until the end of their days. Ilya - wise; give it to him. Lord, stand firm in his good intentions. Yes, he avoids shaky thoughts... But one thing, one thing. – The enemy does not sleep, but offers everything instead of one thing – another, a third, etc. May the Lord bless you all, and may He direct all your steps for good, both in external life and in the internal well-being of the soul towards God. May the protection of the Mother of God be upon you! The tea glass is wonderful. Thank you. 283. Blessing on pilgrimage. About Diveyevo and Sarov Blessing on pilgrimage. About Diveyevo and Sarov: Father Seraphim reigns there. Congratulations on the successful completion of your pilgrimage. God bless you and it’s good to get home... And then on another journey... Grant, Lord, that all that you expect from another pilgrimage may be completely fulfilled. Father Seraphim reigns there. Through His prayers may it be good for you everywhere: both on the road and in places of pilgrimage. Last time I already remembered you, to whom I bow to in Diveyevo. Now I ask you the same again. I pray to the Lord that Blueberry likes it there. Then the end of the matter will no longer be difficult and uncomplicated. And bow to all of you and God's blessing! 284. About health. About adult children And I thought that you had been in Sarov and beyond Sarov for a long time. May the Lord grant you the fulfillment of your good desire. You got sick... May God grant you to recover quickly. And I got sick. Not the back, but the sacrum. There was something wrong in the bones. Now there is absolutely nothing left. Otherwise, everything was aching: if you turn around, it will ache, if you sit down, you will get up too; When you lie down, it hurts, when you get up, it hurts too. There was nothing like that today. It probably won't happen again. This is not the first time. Locust!!! Alas! where did you get to? it will start... you won't survive it. - Save us, Lord! Are you expecting guests... They won't stop you from getting ready to travel on the 15th?! Now dark clouds have passed near us. Sprinkled a little... But that's not enough. Grant it to us. Lord, again and again. The vegetation has become a little saltier. How will Lisa look at you now?! From above?!.. Then now it’s time to bow. And if she appears humble, loving and rejoicing at the meeting, then cross her and praise her... God grant her happiness! Yes – Lisa and her father will be at Belichka’s?! I thought it was you, only now I’ve come to my senses. - Take her with you and leave her there. And Blueberry is happy, imagining what news she will meet on her journey?! “I wish that Diveev attracted her so much that she wouldn’t want to leave there.” 285. About going on a pilgrimage About the pilgrimage trip: a chamber in case of a final change in life has emerged. Congratulations on the successful completion of your pilgrimage. We met so many gratifying things! how many consolations we have experienced! how much inspiration has flowed into your soul! Thanks be to the Lord. And a chamber was designated for you in case of a final change in your life. - This is the most pleasant thing to hear. May the Lord grant you with the deed that you thought, that you wished, and the hope of receiving that gladdened your soul. – How timely your trip was arranged. E. N. Kudryavtseva is very grateful. She sent an icon of Archan[gel] Michael... I sometimes write to her... although very rarely. “I’m very glad to hear that our neighbors on the other side are prosperous and in good spirits.” Grant them, Lord, success! And it’s nice to hear that Mother Eupraxia is revered as an experienced old woman who can give a word of edification and consolation in times of need. This is me renewing the memory of the past for you, in order to prolong the joys you received... 286. About communion of the Holy Mysteries Aug 2 1892 Sunday. That’s right, at this very moment you are either taking communion, or have already taken communion. - May this be your salvation! Thank you for the picture and the water - God bless! You don’t see anything cholera, and neither do we. There seemed to be something in Shatsk, but it was not expanding. May the Lord protect us all! Be peaceful and, by trusting in the mercy of God, protect your soul from fears and anxieties. - And death will come - yet it is from the Lord, who is always merciful and arranges our good in every way. Make the blueberry fast during this Lent. It’s true that you don’t have church services in your church; Let him celebrate at home with bows and the Jesus Prayer... and Vespers, and Matins, and the Hours, and Mass. Save, have mercy and preserve, Lord, all of you! 287. The apostolic word: give thanks in everything. About an adult son The apostolic word: give thanks in everything. About an adult son: children who are not kind to their parents reject God’s blessing from themselves. Grant, Lord, that your head does not bother you and does not prevent you from fulfilling your good undertakings. “But everything is from the Lord and for our good.” Give thanks in everything - the apostolic word. Your sleep is good; but what it means is difficult to determine... This is your guardian angel presenting to you, and the meaning of what you see is angelic. Surrender yourself to the will of God. I don't see any indication of death here. Elijah prays and fasts. These are good things. But the fact that he does not fulfill other commandments is very bad. Apparently, prayer does not soften his heart and fasting does not humble him. He thinks that he has become a saint and treats others as sinners. Remind him that children who treat their parents unkindly, especially their mothers, reject God's blessing and put themselves in danger of losing their prosperity... as a punishment. Thank you for what you sent. I order the apples to be baked... It is dangerous to eat raw apples in times of cholera. The eggs don't interfere and neither does the jam. I am sending [for] August “Soul[ing] readings”... July, if not from you... it’s true, was not sent to me. 288. About sorrows: this is a reason for patience. General good wishes Grieve again! - Well - what then? - A reason for patience; patience in the spirit of Christ is a high virtue; in the present case, it is much more valuable, because it is not from you, not from others, but directly from the Lord. Bless you, Lord, to enter with your heart into this order of God’s providence for us... and from this to draw calming thoughts. May the Lord, who sees your inner being, not leave you with His consolations! Have received communion... may this be for your salvation. And they also wanted to receive communion - and this would be for your good, according to your living faith and the reverence with which you always approach this sacrament. Are you going to Arzamas? Bless, Lord! In Diveyevo you dream or would like to acquire a cell... May the Lord be your helper in this too. You are looking for Masha's shelter. Persuade her father to send her to some educational institution. God bless her! God bless you - all your deeds and good intentions! 289. Congratulations on your arrival at Vysha. About the deceased Metropolitan of St. Petersburg Congratulations on your arrival at Vysha. Blessing to receive communion. About the deceased Metropolitan of St. Petersburg: the sovereign has a lot of work - who to elect. I congratulate you on the joy of fulfilling your desire to visit the Above. The Mother of God will not remain indebted to your faith and reverence for Her. You are going to confess and take communion. Bless, Lord, to accomplish the first and be worthy of the second - all by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ - our Savior, who seeks our salvation. And I wish for your gentleman, along with the cleansing of his conscience, confirmation of good intentions and a position in the heart of firm decisions to please the Lord in a Christian way. Our neighbors have now moved to Tambov. Before leaving, they informed that St. Petersburg [St. Petersburg] Metropolitan Isidore had died. He was a holy Lord in all respects, and was distinguished by his attention to everyone, meekness and quietness. He had a great mind. Remember him in your prayers, may the Lord rest his soul with the saints. The sovereign has a lot of work to decide who to choose. For although suitable persons are usually pointed out to him, the choice and decision belongs to him. May the Lord enlighten him! God bless you! I wish you the spiritual benefits you need. 290. Congratulations on communion. About the erection of the cross. About poems in letters Congratulations on communion. About the erection of the cross. About the poems sent in the letter. Now you have received Holy Communion of Christ. Congratulations. May the grace of communion with God imparted by this sacrament abide in you, comforting, strengthening and guiding you! And now, I suppose, you are at the all-night vigil! – You will see the delightful ceremony of erecting the cross. If you haven't seen it, it will make an exciting impression on you. May grace-filled admiration, inspiration and joy descend upon you at this hour, memorable for many days! Last mail I received a letter from Sophia Nick. Sleptsova. She is in a very good mood. I wrote poems about how a Canaanite woman asked the Lord for a daughter and received what she asked for. Very good and with a very good application. “I’m thinking of sending them to the people of Athos for publication in their leaflets.” About the death of St. Petersburg. You've probably already heard of the metropolitan... He was a holy ruler of a wondrous spiritual dispensation. Now will God send someone to take his place? 291. About the placement of young men in public service On the employment of young men in the civil service. General good wishes. I am very glad that you have finally found something that you hope can bring harmony and peace between you. Bless, Lord! I don't understand anything about property transactions. And I can only wish that what was done was reliable and durable. Don’t be surprised that you don’t have an answer from your Moscow relative. He is inundated with similar requests, and there are young men who are already working in the office out of hope of getting a position. He cannot increase the number of scribes with a salary, because this number has been determined... Or maybe he and Paul are contriving to somehow move those sitting on the bench apart and make room for Ilya. I regret Belichka because of the stupidity of her husband. Lisa shows real feelings, grieving over her uncle's extravagance... May the Lord comfort Belichka in her constant grief. God bless you all... and finally calm you down. P.S. I read about Sarov: everything is possible... at first, and then I thought: impossible. Submit this to the will of God. 292. About the trip to Diveevo. Please donate the books Your course of healing has ended. Congratulations. Now the Doctor of soul and body is with you. Take courage and be of good cheer. Your intention to go to Sarov and Diveev is very good. Grant, Lord, that it may be fulfilled. Here are 5 books of “Miterikon” for Diveev: two for Mother Abbess, one for the treasurer, two for Anna and Ekaterina Alexander. Trakovsky, and others later, when the nuns bring the candles, then to the monastery library. God bless you, and Blueberry, and the future field marshal, and all of yours. If you don’t have to stay in Diveevo, take the books for yourself or give them to someone... Here are the icons - they were always on the throne under the cross with holy relics. 293. About Arzamas, monasteries, elders. General Blessings Having received your first letter (October 5 [October]), I was going to respond, but stopped because you did not write down the addresses. The second letter also lacks a proper address. Near the Madatovs... and the Church of St. Elijah is commemorated - and that’s all. The owner of the house or his number is required, and your name is new. I put it in the address: in the Madatovs’ house. They will forward it to you. You reached Arzamas safely and found a bright, dry, spacious apartment. - God bless your stay there. There seems to be more than one monastery there. There is a men's monastery, there is a famous women's community and, it seems, a convent separate from the community, if I'm not mistaken. Here's the spilled one for you! – But maybe the Ilyinskaya Church will be better and more peaceful. In it you can satisfy your spiritual needs. Bless, Lord! O. Andrey, whom you mention, perhaps replaces the famous Fr. Abraham, an elder priest who had spiritual children almost throughout Russia. “You’ll find everyone there who’ll take their soul away.” You went to visit, right? - Why an apartment? “Aren’t you thinking of settling there?!” - After all, this is a famous city. - Once there was the center of an educational society, in which there were Karamzin and other celebrities, it seems, Speransky... and so on... Of course, you have no time for them; but it’s still nice to remember that you live in a city where famous people found something to do. Blessing for Mother Chernichka. May the Lord protect her and strengthen her in the good principles she has adopted. Is Ilya with you? - Here is his place of spiritual peace - the Church of the Prophet Elijah. God bless you, everyone and Lisa... and her family. P.S. It’s already been two days since this letter was written, when your postman comes and brings a letter and more enclosures. - This is the real address. – Today is Sunday – October 25th. Now it’s clear how to address... to Muratov, and he will give it to you... And there is no need to know the owner or mistress of your apartment. God bless you! I wish you all the best. - Our mail, I believe, will go tomorrow. 294. About illness as a visit from God How pleasant it is to read that in a fit of illness you saw a visit from God. For truly this is the case, and this is seen by one true Christian eye of the mind. “That’s why I don’t invite you to be complacent, because it already exists.” - Lord bless you to endure and rejoice in hope. It’s good to take communion, and it’s not unnecessary to take special care. Unction, according to the intentions of the Church, is a healing sacrament that restores health - and not a preparation for death. Influenza is an unpleasant but not dangerous disease. Help you, Lord, to get healthy. You will rise, strengthen yourself and again live an ordinary life, which is a mixture of consolations and sorrows. Send you, Lord, both consolation and strength! 295. Blessing for staying in Arzamas. General Blessings Congratulations on finding a peaceful apartment and on a life that flows quietly. Churches are far away... it’s not always convenient to get to them. But it’s more pleasant to be in them, because the gaps irritate the desire for them. If you plan to stay there until the end of winter, God bless you. Maybe you will get used to the air there and will want to settle down there completely. And this is possible. The city is famous for the piety of its inhabitants. Saving a soul there will not seem like a special thing. You saw the post as suitable. Congratulations. Now we have the beginning of it too. There you can fast, confess and receive communion as much as you like. Help you, Lord, to help educate Masha, and may the Lord bless her to learn all the good things. Lisa is serving her youth service... Let him know that there must be a measure for everything... and that the vanity of vanities is not a normal life. 296. There are so many churches in Arzamas. On remembering the hour of death There are so many churches in Arzamas, elders and elders, peace of mind - this is paradise. About remembering the hour of death. You completely get used to Arzamas - and they love you there. So mother, the head of the Arzamas community, gave you candy. If God pleases, settling down there will be good for you too. And as many churches as you want, and to partake of the Holy Mysteries as much as your heart desires; and you will find elders and old women for every need... If peace of mind is added to this, then this is paradise. Blueberry and Ilya were going to fast. If they did it, it’s a good deed. Be there to save them! Lisa is eager to save her soul, but she doesn’t know how to achieve constancy for herself. - Let him ask the Lord and the Mother of God about this; and yet she pushes herself. - For the urge to have power, let him keep in mind that death is about to happen, with full confidence that this will happen. Then there will be no time to put it off, because it will be in your soul that only this minute remains. - At the hour of death he will shout: Give me a minute, Lord, give me a minute - but it won’t be given... Because now he has a lot of them and despises them. O Lord, bless you all with every blessing! 297. Merry Christmas greetings. About an adult daughter. About the deceased nun Merry Christmas greetings. About an adult daughter: I would bless her to beat her husband every time he turns out to be faulty. About a deceased nun. I congratulate you on the holiday and on the upcoming new year - and I wish you every consolation from God’s bounty, especially health and contentment with your position and condition, drawn from devotion to the will of God. It is regrettable that I did not have to attend mass on R. X. [Nativity of Christ]; but if you were able to pray at home with the warmth of your heart, then this is almost the same as being in church. I really regret Belichka. - If it turned out that she was stronger than her husband, then I would bless her to beat him every time he turns out to be faulty... and beat him so that the memory of it does not quickly evaporate... And if she is not strong, there is nothing to do but endure. It’s natural that the mother is sad about Leonid. But let it be a consolation for her that Leonid’s mother is now in a better position than she was here... and she can console her from there more than she did here on earth. But the mother is prevented from feeling this by her torment and grief... 298. Gratitude for what was sent. General Blessings I had not yet gotten around to answering your letter from Arzamas, when Ilya Ivanovich sent an old man from Berestyanki, who delivered me both your new letter and the prosphora. Thank you for both, and for your good memory. I am consoled that you are healthy and find your corner very pleasant for you. And I am even more consoled by the fact that you have complete freedom and the opportunity to visit the Church of God and partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ, as your soul pleases. May all this be for your salvation! – Elijah is striving somewhere. I don’t understand what the exam is for. But grant him, Lord, to pass it in the best possible way. 299. About the St. Nicholas Monastery. About an adult son About the Nikolsky Monastery. About his adult son: he worries in vain because everything will not fall into place. May 6, 1893 Ascension. Congratulations on the bright Ascension of the Lord! And I don’t know how it happened that I delayed answering you for so long. Please excuse me. But I didn’t forget you even a single day and I didn’t stop wishing you all the best. Save you, Lord! The other day Alexandra Ivanovna reminded me of you and your bewilderment about my silence; I answered her that I would answer immediately with our first mail. But we still have pedestrian connections with the city. There is, however, hope that it will end soon. “I hear the workers screaming while building the bridge.” You were delighted by the St. Nicholas Monastery... Thank God that there are still admiring monasteries. Birch bark is a road for other reasons... My whole life has been spent there... and it drags on. – May the Lord arrange for you, as His holy will pleases. You called the squirrel lonely - for what? - May the Lord comfort her! Servant of God Ilya Ivanovich is always busy, and nothing is going well for him. This is because everything will not fall into its own rut. - Patience! God willing, everything will work out in the best way just according to his height and strength. And may the Lord bless you. 300. Gratitude for what was sent and news of friends. About books sent as gifts Congratulations on your return from your long journey. Grant you, Lord, to continue your days in Berestyanki in health and salvation. “And with the protection of God, I congratulate you that your carriage is stopped in its inclination just enough for you to remain without receiving harm.” This is truly the mercy of God. Thank you for the card, which will contradict the speeches about your imminent departure from us. Long live however. - And thank you for Masha’s card... Judging by her face, she has an independent character... Save her, Lord! Thank you for the news about my beauties - Engalycheva, Kudryavtseva and the Trakovskys. I'll write to them by mail. I apologized to them for not answering... I will correct myself... I am sending you the books: “Reminder to Nuns”, “Solving Perplexities” and “Words...”, three copies of each. To Father Archpriest - a book: “Thoughts for Every Day”... I ask for his prayers. Thank you for the stockings, water and prosphora. Now rest and gather your strength wasted on the road. 301. About life in the village. About obedience to your father. About being in church About life in the village. About obedience to your father. Girls do not need a lot of learning; it is better to do handicrafts. About going to church: when it is not possible, manage to replace it with prayer at home. You find that things are better for you now than in Arzamas... The village before the city always takes precedence in this regard. Grant you, Lord, to be refreshed and to partake of the cup of health for your consolation. I don’t know what kind of herb Kuzmichev is, but if it is suitable for counteracting your ailments, why not prescribe it? Against thin blood, I have heard that some kind of iron pills or powders and undercooked meat are used. Every doctor will tell you about this. - May the Lord give you such medicine that would quickly drive away this pain every time without much hassle. What does Lizino mean “she was completely enslaved to her father”? - Let him obey his father, within the limits of God’s commandments. If his desires go beyond these limits, let him stand heroically, no matter what. May God be her help. Masha and Olga - what is so much learning for? Let them do more handicrafts. Here it is easier for your health - and in case of emergency, there will always be a way to get your daily bread at hand. Bless Elijah, Lord, to finish his studies in order. Otherwise he is neither this nor that. – May the Lord protect and guide him. Vysha bows to you - and in response to your desire to visit it, she responds: welcome. Okay, you say, in the village, but there are no daily services... Manage to somehow replace this deprivation with your own home prayer. The holy hermits had not seen a church for tens of years, but remained incessantly in prayer. May the Lord make you wise! May the Lord protect and bless Blueberry in all her deeds and activities, especially in prayer and self-control. 302. About Moscow shrines. You can arrange your life like in a monastery Thank you for not forgetting me. It’s true, you live a peaceful life, and - let’s go with the riddles... go there, visit there. - Wonderful riddles. Help, Lord, to accomplish them in deed. Moscow has approached you - and all its shrines... seem to be before your eyes. This is a miracle from cast iron... If, God willing, you travel to Moscow, you will receive a lot of consolation - and in number And there is nothing to say about shrines; how much consolation you will receive from them. You have kindly outlined your life in a few words... It’s like a monastery! – If you are free, then you can distribute your prayer work the way services are held in monasteries... vespers... prayers at bedtime - after getting enough sleep... midnight office, matins, hours... the rite of fine arts instead of the liturgy... Blueberry is a reader and a registry, you are the abbess... and you should start a bell... Love! 303. Congratulations on communion of the Holy Mysteries. General good wishes Congratulations on communion of the Holy Mysteries. General good wishes and instructions to family. Congratulations on partaking of the Holy Mysteries of Christ. May this give you peace and strength of spirit. You are tired: now you can rest. By solitude and immersing yourself in the thought of God, you will receive spiritual joy as a reward. I think I mentioned Sleptsova to you once. She has long been on her feet – and standing. May God help her to stand. The answer is mine. But I have to answer her myself. Give her my best wishes. Nobody told me anything about the Khotkovo nun. One of them wrote where she could get a job... in Posad or in Khotkovo... But she was of strong spirit... and, it seems, not from here, but from Kiev, as it seemed to me. We have the Lord as a Savior and an all-powerful helper... Those who trust in Him always receive mercy if they turn to Him with reasonable requests and wisely. Lisa is prudent, you write, and controls herself. Grant her, Lord, more intelligence and strength of character... Mother Blueberry is resting here... Grant her, Lord, strong rest in the Lord. Let the Muromets gather here the weapons needed in battle... Bless him, Lord! 304. Congratulations on the Transfiguration. On patience in family sorrows Congratulations on the Transfiguration. About patience in family sorrows. About Abbess Elizabeth: melancholy comes from a lack of deeds of self-sacrifice. Thank you for your well wishes. And I wish you to see in the Transfiguration to what extent you should bring self-education in the spirit of Christianity, to desire to achieve this and to receive the strength to do this from the transformed Lord. I really regret Belichka. May the Lord grant her patience if it is not pleasing to Him to correct her good faith, or better yet, evil faith. - Grant, Lord, to Andrey to move forward in his relationship with you. Locusts!.. Merciful God, have mercy on us! Ilya is in Murom... A Murom resident should be there. Grant him, Lord, to receive what he went there for... Elizabeth is a sister. But what is this?!.. I remember Elisaveta - Borodinskaya... Isn’t it her? - Her melancholy is due to the lack of acts of self-sacrifice. Let him add to the fast... He will increase his bows, he will prolong his prayers - all with patience and faith that these sacrifices please God... Let him bless the sisters, especially the weak and needy... So the consolation will return... Otherwise, the abbess is sybaritic... everything is sweet and there is plenty of everything... Consolation is given from above and there is nothing for it... Because everything for which consolation could be given - they eat and drink. Taking communion at the end of this fast is very good. Thank you for the prosphora... 305. Congratulations on your arrival at Vysha. Blessing to take communion. Books as a gift Congratulations on your arrival at Vysha. Blessing to take communion. Books as a gift. Congratulations on your arrival at Vysha. Grant, Lord, that you will find something comforting and edifying here. And grant you, Lord, to partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ, for salvation, strength and inspiration. I sent the books, but probably didn’t have any left for myself. Here are two of those books for you instead of those sent. I wish you here to strengthen your spirit and refresh your body. – It’s hot and doesn’t allow us to clear up... Arzamas left a good impression on you. A reminder of this allows you to spend more than one minute joyfully. Ilya Muromets... came to gather strength for military service. God help you! But in advance, God grant him to prepare for the exam. The Mother of God will help if you turn to Her with faith... “Our relationship to the church”... Did I give you the books “Reminder to Nuns”? 306. About the exaltation of the Mother of God in church hymns On the exaltation of the Mother of God in church hymns. About the rank of fine artists. And I congratulate you on the Mother of God holiday. Church songs exalt the Mother of God!!! And all for the sake of the fact that our Savior, the only begotten Son of God, was born from Her. As a result, She truly is the door that introduces Christ the Lord into the universe... Glory to You, Lord, who has arranged a wondrous salvation for us! Ilya makes you happy. Yes, it's nice to think that he's taken the matter seriously... and is keeping his life in order. It will be good... and it will be good for him. The rite of representation is a mass service... A shortened mass... with the release from the ordinary mass of that which actually relates to the celebration of the sacrament of the Body and Blood. - Look and you will see. (The hermits ruled the hours and this mass... and you can... and it will turn out as if they went to mass). Thank you for the napkin. Well done... Bless you, Lord, and give you complacency. 307. About visiting Vysha about. John of Kronstadt About visiting Vysha Fr. John of Kronstadt. Consolation in grief about adult children. Father John of Kronstadt was with us for two or three hours... A lot of people had gathered... somehow all the Shatchans heard. But you have nothing to regret, because Fr. John did not even have time to bless those who came for him from afar. - He, having visited Fr. archimandrite, looked at the new church and praised it, then went to see Fr. Tikhon and prayed over him for him, also went to the sick prosphora and also prayed... I could not accept him - but he wrote, and I answered. - During his transition from cell to cell, people crowded around him, and some received his blessing... in fits and starts... From the last cell - from the prosphora (from the prosphora that is under me) - straight into the carriage - and departed. He was with Vorontsov... not the minister of the court, but his relative... Grieve that you don’t have happiness in your children... But take comfort in Chernichka... and Ilya is still wowed - maybe Pavel will go crazy. I'm sorry for Squirrels. - Grant her, Lord, patience... and consolation from hope... How did you like Arzamas! – It’s fun to receive memories... May the Lord bless you to give you consolation at times! 308. About living with fear and trembling: walk in the mire. The enemy pours poison 308. About living with fear and trembling: walk in the mire. The enemy pours poison - we must resist, not be annoyed. I am very comforted by your letter, glad of the firmness in abstinence that you maintain. And grant, Lord, that it will remain in you unchangeably until the end of your days... However, spend your time with fear and trembling... Walk through the quagmire... What you especially wrote about is the direct work of the enemy. He pours his poison into the heart as soon as he sees an opportunity. - What should you do? - Fight. You do not fight, but only become annoyed with yourself, leaving a bad feeling to disturb your heart, and even acting on it, and even more so, nourishing this weakness in yourself. We must resist the devil and flee from you. Here's what you do. When you feel that bad feeling, immediately strike it with anger and hatred, and curse it in every way... At the same time, turn to reflection, and try to hate the passion that has been aroused even more, and to arouse and strengthen the feeling opposite to it, calling at the same time to the Lord: you see, Lord, what is in me, I don’t want this, but it flows into the heart itself and torments me, help me drive it away and take its place instill a good feeling... So work on yourself until the bad feeling goes away and a good feeling appears. Work on yourself - and God will give you success. Maybe nothing will appear right away, but you don’t give up, but keep working hard. And when God gives success, do not lay down your weapons, but be ready to fight again. Again the enemy will add his poison... again, fight until you overcome... What will happen is that the enemy will stop attacking you from this side. You give in to the enemy when you let the maids go... Do the opposite - hold them for the very thing about which passion arises. Here is a simple but effective remedy for you. Take hold of it with faith in God’s help and you will overcome the enemy. God bless you! I wish you success... 309. About the Jesus Prayer. Fighting involuntary inattention About the Jesus Prayer: a precious action, it keeps the soul in order and the body vigorous. The fight against involuntary inattention - pay attention to yourself. My letter will not reach you in time; Therefore, regarding your pet, decide what you think is best. I express God’s blessing to you after, and not at the beginning of your action. As for the Jesus Prayer, it is good the way you use it. It is the best technique for establishing attention and maintaining it before the Lord. This is a precious action. But it can be diminished in value due to lack of reverence in the presence of the so-called Lord. And while walking, sitting, and standing, you can say this prayer, but all with a movement of reverence to some extent. “It keeps your soul in line and your body cheerful, like a soldier in the ranks.” I then asked about it in order to direct you to do what you are doing... There is only one thing you lack. “Our misfortune often comes from the fact that when we finish one thing, but there is no other or there is no desire for it, we leave the soul to take a walk and rest, without strictly keeping it on one thing... From here the walking soul often stumbles upon bad objects, to which an echo is given within. – And here is a struggle, brought on involuntarily by inattention. - So, to avoid this struggle, the best way is to immediately take up the Jesus Prayer... Which is what I suggest you do. But pay attention to yourself. It seemed to me that there was some kind of fanfare in your speech... Look, the enemy will notice... he will jump on his shoulders and, well, drive you away... and no wonder if he drives you somewhere where it is undesirable to be, but at the same time tempting. May the Lord guide your path and admonish you in deeds, words and thoughts! 310. On criticism of the works of God. We must avoid the sin of blasphemy against the works of God On criticism of the works of God: the thoughts of God are separated from the thoughts of men, like heaven from earth. We must avoid the sin of blasphemy against the works of God. You forcibly remembered me! - Thank you! I congratulate you on the holiday, and for the new year I wish you complete renewal with all my soul. In every letter of yours there is criticism of the works of God. And in the last one there is. When will you come to your senses? Of course, you know that the thoughts of God are as distant from the thoughts of men as heaven is from earth... Where can we, with our little minds, go to judge the affairs of God?.. What is under our feet, says the Wise One, we can barely see: where can we see what is higher? Do you believe that God is good, and righteous, and wise?! If yes, then believe that everything in the ways of God’s Providence is wise, righteous and good; Believing this way, do not allow not only your tongue to speak, but also your mind to think that something is going wrong with God. – That something else may not be going as you would like, there is nothing to be surprised about; but for anything to go wrong, as it should according to God, this cannot happen. Please stop your critical comments on the works of God. All of them are close to blasphemy against God... This speech: “Why did God create this death so disgustingly?” – what to call it? This is straight blasphemy. - Repent and cry! “Necessary people die, and unnecessary people live.” – Who told you that if things had gone your way, it would have been better?! “I believe that it would have been much worse... And that, to avert this worst, God did what happened.” Start believing this way too - and you will be at peace... and most importantly, you will avoid the sin of blasphemy against God. “They pray for the understanding of the lost, but God does not listen.” – You probably know what’s not listening?! – You can’t say yes. Why say that? – Minds everywhere are returning to the truth, as I hear... students for the most part keep themselves strictly in order both in their way of thinking and in their disposition. The current outbreak is kind of stupid... and obviously caused by someone outside... since it happened in all universities at the same time. Count L. Tolstoy has long lost his influence... and is the subject of ridicule as a white fever... Are you asking whether to stay in Moscow? If you hope that you will be useful, stay. God bless. See for yourself... Does a person who dares to criticize the works of God really need outside advice? Who lied to you, that Fr. Is Archim[andrite] crowding me?.. He is very attentive and caring. God bless you! My health is fine... 311. About books sent as gifts. About health You forcibly remembered the Above; and it is often very desirable for me to know about your life and existence. I thank the Lord that you are healthy and in good spirits. I wish you always to remain in good health and a calm state of mind. You once expressed that you are happy to welcome new books. I am sending you such a book and wish that it will bring you spiritual pleasure and good edification. However, as you will see, this book is not entirely new; new in form, not in content. However, if you have not read, or have only just read, “Letters on the Christian Life,” then it will seem new to you. I was sick with an empty illness, but for a long time: three months. Now the illness has come to an end. All that was left was dizziness in its weakest form. I wish you all the best, comforting and pleasant things. 312. About sorrows: who doesn’t have them? Ask for faith About sorrows: who doesn’t have them? You don't get anything from prayer - that's not true. Ask for faith. You have sorrows...Who doesn't have them? - The whole earth is full of groaning people. If our ears were open for a minute to hear everything, everyone would go crazy from the noise... So make peace with it. Further: “I pray and get nothing.” And you are not alone in this. Everyone experiences this: some more, others less... You say that you never receive anything through prayer. This doesn't happen to anyone; And it doesn’t happen to you either. It would be more accurate to say that you do not notice the mercies of God... But this fault is not outside of you, but in you - you do not listen to yourself and do not see what God is doing for you. But you still get something. There is a large sum of goods that all creation, all humanity, all living beings enjoy. You enjoy them too. – But what do you say to the question: do you feel this blessing? At least, are you aware of it? – And, realizing it, do you thank God for that? – If everything is no, no and no, then that’s the reason why you don’t receive special favors. And the other after this, not a small one, is that you ask for something that is not saving for you. Pray to God and ask Him more earnestly, so that He will allow you to believe that everything is arranged by His will and everything is for the best for us, for our good; Having believed, feel that; having felt, give thanks for that. Otherwise you look like an atheist!.. God bless you! I feel good. – We don’t have cholera. Somewhere far from us there were cases... but rare, fleeting. 313. About surrendering oneself to the will of God. Prayer to God is never in vain Writing about yourself, you pleased me with the words: you gave everything up to the will of God; be His holy will! - This is the best location. However, you still need to pray. Prayer is not just a petition: thanksgiving to God is a prayer, and praise is a prayer. And that everything should be according to the will of God must be remembered in prayer... So the Savior prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, adding: “Not as I will, but as You will.” God is everywhere, sees everything and hears everything... He does for us one thing that is soul-saving for us. Prayer to Him never remains a gift... If it is not useful for us to do what we ask, He will do something else that is useful. Haven’t you heard: “A mother would sooner forget her child than I would forget you”? -Think about everything that happens, although you don’t see why this or that is useful to you. God only thinks about how to save each of us, and everything leads to that... Your sincere well-wisher Bp. Feofan. 314. Stop your troubles, go to church often, read the sacred. The enemy is making trouble It occurred to me to write to you - stop worrying about a warm cassock. I just gave in to your incessant pestering and agreed to your desire to sew something... I wish you health and vigor. Otherwise I see that you are placing yourself among the weak. Keep the holy faith... without objection. You are a hunter to object. The enemy takes advantage of this and troubles your soul. God gave us the Holy Church with all the treasures of His graces. Go to church. Here's the post: let's talk. The monastery is not far from you. And you need to read the sacred... It will be brighter in your soul. It seems you have abandoned all the holy books in the counter. The enemy is making trouble. God bless you! Save yourself! 315. Consolation in grief over the death of a sister I share your sadness about the death of your sister. - May the Lord send you consolation! And you yourself find sources of consolation in our holy faith. God's care for everyone is greater and more caring than a mother's. Therefore, when you encounter what seems heavy and bitter, clothe it with the comforting belief that all this is sent not for evil, but for good... if not temporary, then eternal. Restore this faith and you will see the fruit. And you bear the illness of the other sister and teach her to bear it - and both be complacent. 316. About the impossibility of paying for medical consultations Most Reverend Platon Alekseevich! I humbly thank you for sincerely confessing your lack of wealth, and I completely believe it. But what should we do now? There is no government money allocated for state councils. What we concilia did before was a risk of our philanthropy; but we did not dare show the money we paid for the conciliums in the reports, but wrote them down. But so many of them are described here that it is no longer possible to repeat this measure. But it is impossible to separate it from other amounts, because all our amounts will barely be enough to pay expenses and salaries by the end of December. Knowing this, I did not inform Fr. to the rector in advance about inviting the tsidurik (so! – Ed.). Whether he will agree to give money for the visit made by Tsidurik, I don’t know. If not, then, of course, I need to justify my honor in the eyes of the tsidurik. You and I pay with sincerity for sincerity. But it doesn’t make it any easier for the patient. Because it is impossible to invite further. Your humble servant, Archim. Feofan. 317. About Petrozavodsk Theological Seminary. About my trip to Italy About Petrozavodsk Theological Seminary. About his journey through Italy: about churches, relics. About your translations. My most beloved brother in the Lord, Most Reverend Father Peter! Save yourself and pray to God for me! It was with great effort that your letter reached God-saved Petrozavodsk – and I struggled with pen and paper to answer you. – I am very grateful for the love and well-wishes... 63 . The people here are submissive, but not very talented, although sometimes they jump out. We don’t yet have a seminary—that is, a building. By right of the strong, we live in a house bought for the school, and it is in an apartment. – Bursa seminary is also in the apartment – ​​which is very, very inconvenient. But what to do? - Soon, perhaps, a definition will come out - to build. But as soon as it is Russian, I cherish the sweet hope that this matter will not fall on me. And God grant! – You can’t even imagine what inconvenience there is in everything!.. 64. I didn't see anything good. – In general, the city is not selfish. And the split - Wow! - God forbid! - God forbid! “Then we established a schismatic class, where these things are taught on a par with theology. And it is necessary. - There are many things that need to be established, both in terms of content, and in terms of management, and in terms of life, and in terms of books... You drive more quietly; you will continue! - My room is nothing. But it’s not a sin to wish for better. - Either way, if you put up with it, you will fall in love. You scold for the lack of news about Fr. Porfiria... Having arrived, he lived in the Lavra - spent the summer at Elena Petrovna's dacha - now again in the Lavra. - The description of the trip, or something else, was censored. It will be published, but I don’t know how soon. Stop for paintings. It’s expensive [and it takes a lot of time]. - He was well when I left St. Petersburg... 65. Here is Suzdal iconography. “I have a drawing and iconography class at the seminary, and through this I think I can improve matters. And here the schismatics draw. – And your icons will be used as samples. - And the cocoon was robbed in St. Petersburg - at the Academy. Although it’s a pity, it’s necessary to part. - His Eminence Arkady 66 in St. Petersburg - therefore everything is not brought to his ears. And he is very memorative. - A good lord, it seems to me. - Let there be peace! We cannot satisfy your desire to know some details about our vacillation. I almost forgot everything. – I didn’t notice there with a pencil. For we had a book with us... Fr. Porphyria. - Just a little something. – Venice for the first time. Must be seen. It's impossible to describe. A city on the water, or in the water. – Instead of chariots there are gondolas... 67 . In the sacristy of the church there are things taken from Constantinople - from the St. Sophia Church: an icon of the Mother of God - partly made of stone in gold lining - and many other things... I don’t remember... gold candlesticks - more prefigurative... In the other sacristy there are three crosses with the Life-Giving Tree - Constantine, Helena, Irina; a spoke from a crown of thorns, one of the nails with which the Savior was nailed to the cross, and vessels with particles of various relics. To the left in the church there is a miraculous icon, painted by the Evangelist Luke, which is opened only on Saturday. “I don’t remember anything else about the church.” – The church is huge and awe-inspiring. Among the mosaic paintings (only the upper part is covered with them), there are also new ones - elegant ones. The old ones are poor in appearance. They depict the sacred history of the Old and New Testaments in parts - and there are desert dwellers... and especially eastern ones. – We visited many churches. There are pictures that are a sight to behold... and the cleaning of churches is a marvel... One monastery church... a marvel... The curtains are made of multi-colored marble in places so naturally that you would think it was a canvas. Take and pull back... in one church the relics of St. Savva - only the chest with the head and legs from the knees. There is nothing else. Why does it seem small? In the other - St. Athanasius - whole - and St. John the Merciful in the third church... are also intact. All of them are in the side chapels above the thrones - in a niche and behind glass. But we were allowed to kneel on the throne and look closer and even kiss the glass... Oh, my fault, it seems they opened the back frame - which is opposite the legs... Well, Haji, I forgot. – The appearance of the relics is gloomy. The heads and parts of the legs are open. – The Doge’s Palace is magnificent and huge. I don’t remember what was there... Yes... they showed near him... a dungeon in which criminals hid during the times of the republic - and a place where a machine cut off a head in the blink of an eye... What else? I completely forgot everything... The Grand Canal winds its way through the city. We walked in the evenings. All the former noble houses are on it; but they become empty and decay without support. – There is a Greek church there (that is, in Venice)... a Greek state... and Metropolitan Benedict - a 90-year-old old man... We dined with him. He was the head of the Dalmatian Orthodox Christians; but for sin's sake... I wanted to join Catholicism - they barely removed it. Receives a pension from the Austrian government. - Now he is Orthodox. - Well, now everything is exhausted! - That's enough. Then forgive me! “Bow, as usual, to everyone.” It’s very nice that Isaiah is moving with the staff. Let the journey end, then we can do more. But there is no time to undertake to correct the translation 68. – I’ll find some time and I can print. - My Golgotha ​​has already been handed over to Plushard for printing. It will probably be a Great Lent, not this Lent. I'll send it when it comes out (a rare piece). Pray to God for me. Through you I bow and kiss all the saints!.. I wish you all the best! There will be a continuation - if laziness does not overcome. 318. News about mutual friends. About consecration. About the Charter textbook News about mutual friends. On the consecration of new bishops. About the textbook of the Charter. Most beloved Father in the Lord, Most Reverend Fr. Peter! Guilty! I’ve been silent for so long. Although, it is true, there is no time, the reason for not writing that you hinted at may seem very probable. There was just no time for her to play out... For truly it’s like this - one thing drives another - and all the big ones - that you won’t come to your senses... Believe it?! - Not a line to anyone - not even to Iver... Other things - for you it’s all extraneous... I’ll rather undertake to say something to your questions... - Even about me, everything is good... both at the beginning - and until now. - I have health. God bless! – It’s good inside the Academy... and not bad outside... Kirill is consecrated Bishop of Melitopol - and is soon going to Jerusalem, only in addition to Kiev 69. Alexander Solovetsky 70 will be ordained, but he has not arrived yet. Expecting soon. Until he arrives - at the parties they are consecrating Ignatius of Sergievsky as Bishop of Stavropol 71 . - On Friday there was a naming (October 25) - tomorrow on Sunday (27) ordination. – All this is the will of God! – I rejoice at the good beginnings of the dear Kyiv Academy. – The program will hardly reach us, there will hardly even be any talk about it around us. “But if it happens, I won’t fail to assent.” - Bless, Lord! – Along with this, our most sincere respect to Fr. Rector of the Academy. (And in parentheses – the hour has not come. At least don’t think about Kyiv). O. Arch[imandrite] Porfiry 72 is delving into something else. “O. Peter is well,” but Elenochka, they say, can’t stand it. I haven't seen him for a long time. O. Nektariy 73 lives and fights. – We are neighbors and we often talk. Until I commit myself to his faith. - But around, tea, he is the only one left with whom you can talk. That's it! – I don’t know what else to say. With all my heart I wish you all the best - both at the seminary and at home - in the middle and outside - below and above. I bow to the mother-damp earth to everyone I know. O. To John - with my bow and attach Iveron. Pray to God for me! P.S. Well - Father - now the Bogoslovsky’s review of the Rules has arrived... God forbid, how destructive it is. – This evening was spent in efforts to justify the Charter (together with Father Nektariy). It turns out that they are powerless... and... No matter how much my soul lies in the textbooks of the Rule, I would like them to study the Rule from church books; I completely refuse to defend and justify just because I want the textbook not to be printed - to torture the poor little ones. This is between us. Oct 28 - Forgive me - and pray to God for me. 319. About the draft charter for the education of religious preachers. About the Moscow ruler About the draft charter for the education of religious preachers. About the Moscow ruler. About the award. I believe that you will not wait for the letter in Ivere - and you may think, you don’t know what. Therefore, it is not superfluous to try to write through Kapustin 75. On the return from Iver you can read. Here's the thing. A draft charter for the education of religious preachers was drawn up a long time ago. Someone asked questions. A few clarifications need to be made - and that's for next Wednesday. “That’s why you need to sit.” I can deliver this on Saturday. But the Lord will come there - and we must ask permission again. But still I don’t give up hope of visiting Ivere 76. Well, forgive me for God's sake. May the Lord direct your path. After all, there is not much to interpret. - You should have gone. As I look now, it’s you who needs to go. Outsmart, please. Vladyka of Moscow... You can bow to his feet. It’s not like that, but he commands respect from everyone. Can you tell me something from Moscow? Father Agapius 77 - an Arab - did not have time to deliver you a letter - and books - to Shhadze... or Shamiya. We will send it to Kiev. The consistory has sent you a decree about Anna. And we will send this to Kiev. Pray to God for us! After you, Fr. became bored too. Nikandrom 78 rode to S. O. Burachk 79 I wish you all the best. P.S. Don’t think that your legs walk crookedly, like a feather. Once. We need to get down to business. 320. About the path to Constantinople. On the election of Archimandrite Peter On the way to Constantinople. On the election of Archimandrite Peter to the correspondent of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy. I believe that you are now in God-saved Kyiv. Don't move soon. Wait until this package arrives! Thank you for some news from Moscow. It's a pity about Constantinople. But let the will of God be done. I didn’t have to be in Iver. – One after another; and now there’s so much to do that there’s no time to think. That's right, at another time. Vladyka has been with us for a long time - and things have begun for us. - However, everything is as before. No special features. – You were in vain to worry about some stupidly lofty writing. It may not have reached the Lord. And if it did, then they despise it as empty. I didn’t see anyone from the ranks. “Vladyka only, when the presentation was about to confirm your correspondence 81, asked: have you already left?” - and thought about it - the papers, they say, were not yet ready. - Don't rush. Step out of the praise... one step at a time. – You’ll still have time to see enough of the k-ts k-them (sic! – Ed.). Here are attached packets - all for you... one consistory one. I don’t know if I wrote to you about the account of Korablev, the bookseller. I think he wrote. So there is nothing to interpret. Nothing is heard from Iver. The moves begin there. May the Lord bless your path. Bow to all of Kyiv. Your Eminence bless me. O. John pray for me. Sorry, etc. Victor 82 - starts publishing leaflets - and that's it. 321. What do you have in a foreign land? About sins. About the beginning of the publication of “Home Conversation” What do you have in a foreign land? About sins. About the clergy: are friends alive? On the issue of newspapers and magazines. About translations. About the beginning of the publication of “Home Conversation”. 28 Sep. 1858 Sunday. So much for the accusations that he was silent. And the matter was up to you. At least the Odessa letter was received; but this is its own side. This is what you have in a foreign land?! Thank God that the envoy liked you (I express my deepest respect to him and his wife - and love to his children). You will enjoy it now. Your situation now seems to be good. Bless, Lord! – God willing, the Greeks would turn to you trustingly. Then you can act on them with advice. But in every possible way my idea is old. It is necessary to change their system of action on the Slavic nations. And it is difficult for the latter to continue in the old way. – The cherished principle of the Greeks: give in a piece, everything will creep and unravel. Although it is partly true, everything cannot remain as it is unchanged. Next to the unchangeable there is also the changeable... This is the side if they guessed correctly. Eh! – guilty! - went into idle talk. - I sinned. – You, of course, know better. Why didn’t you say anything about the clergy? Is Fr. alive and how alive? deacon and others? – I hope you like them as much as I do. Bow down to them. Thank you Fr. Akakia 83 for all letters; (let him tell me, please, how much money I should give to his relatives. I lost everything and don’t remember anything). Next year, stop subscribing to newspapers and magazines. I definitely didn’t have time to read a single page. I will order Cyrix the Evangelical from Athens directly... What is my neighbor, and now yours, Evgeniy Petrovich?! - Bless him, Lord, and make him wise. And may the Lord save them all! – Special bow to Nikolai Vasilyevich Timofeev. What about our Arabs - and what do they have?! – Receive Dmitry Shkhadze and talk to him. He knows his region and its needs well. Are you writing to Count 84 and the Vladyka?.. Don’t forget. Having looked around, you must say what you have seen... and what you think should be done. What do we have? - all the houses are in the same places, and all the people are wheezing in the same seats, that is, everything is as before. There was a demand for you! – He said that he left Odessa on August 23... something for him!! Well, now this will also show that the envoy really liked it... they can’t say enough... According to the Academy - ?!!!... truly. The other day, Anthony, the Oryol rector, was ordained in Kherson. Kyiv arrived 85. Neighboring Bursa was consecrated... Konstantin Konstantinovich was baptized... and that’s it. Do you know my rooms?! – I went out after you two times... And there’s a lot of things to do. The Byzantines were translated... and one book was printed. – Then the Gospel of Matthew – 10 chapters have already been translated... The translation is carried out by a five-fold committee. Victor came up with the idea of ​​publishing a home conversation in half a sheet of paper, and he rolls it out and rolls it out, there have already been 6 issues - not a bad thing. Everything is for the common people, and in God’s way, from Scripture and from St. Father... The Lord is merciful. Blessed Agafangel 86 live. And oh. Nectary too. Now the student has died... May the Lord rest his soul. So N.V. Elagin came and broke my thoughts... and I forgot what I wanted to add. I wish you every blessing from the Lord. I bow to all of Constantinople. 322. News about friends. About the new inspector and housekeeper. About "Home Conversation" News about friends. About the new inspector and housekeeper. About the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Academy. About the need to write to the chief prosecutor of the Holy Synod. On the transfer of bishops to new sees. About "Home Conversation". Bows from friends and acquaintances. Peace be with you! Dearest Father! I have seriously sinned against you by not writing for so long. Guilty! What are you going to do? It's such a hassle that you just have to turn around. This is when I can say that it’s not out of laziness at all. Well, yes, something about that. When you want to apologize, and apologize without reservations... What's going on with us? Tea, everyone is in rank... Oh, our inspector 87 has flown off. Only he was sent up (it’s clear how this is done) to the rectorate in Kostroma. – He is kind and very, and a real Christian; but how everything worked out is difficult to tell, and you won’t understand. Just pirazmos (temptation (from Greek). – Ed.). Now we have o. new inspector - Epiphanius 88 from the nobles of your beloved Hochland. God grant there are more of these. Rumors about this change have probably reached you, and perhaps on a terrifying scale, or perhaps your Istanbul doesn’t care about us... It’s a shame... (where does the light come from...) And soon there will be a change. We take a separate economy. Learning does not know how to save money. For the first time, we take a monk - but an ace that outshines a dozen short-handed 89... And then something else will happen (Feb. 17)! Celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Academy. The ringing had already begun, although not all the bells were ringing, but for now only the dull ones were ringing. What will happen – and the plans are great – will publish a collection and raise money for the prize. Of course, it’s not bad... But it all depends on what will be delivered to the collection and how many piastres will be collected. - Help us, Lord! This celebration makes me timid. - Here you have to be a fast-flying gentleman... Well! God's will be done! He told me everything about ours. And everything else flows as always. What and how is your flow? – After all, I wrote to you! – True, once: but I wrote everything. Didn’t they really receive it... it’s not clear from your last letter. I thought that you wrote before the arrival of my letter to you. And something necessary was written there, namely: a request to stop issuing and sending out Greek newspapers and magazines, and to subscribe only to the Bulgarian book. From the Greek ones I will write out the Athenian ones - “Kirixa” and “Khon” directly from Athens. Another request that Fr. Akaki told me how much I owed him. - I lost his brush. How serviceable! Guilty! - Sorry. – How many times do you have to see Filippov, everyone asks about you and your affairs, and everything, of course, in such a tone that, you know, the count is interested in him. – It’s no wonder that the latter is absolutely true. Maybe you wrote to him on diplomacy a long time ago, so that no one knows... But if not, then it’s time. Take the trouble to write everything you saw, heard, how you understood the state of affairs, about which there was so much talk at that time. It is especially interesting, perhaps, and necessary to know St. Synod about the progress of affairs in the current assembly, in the presence of all the patriarchs 90. It would be better to learn about the arrival of the patriarchs from you, and not from Jerusalem. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to inform about the latest, that is, the progress of affairs in the meeting, every time something new happens there... Maybe you do this... But if not, do it... For the Lord’s sake! Have you finally figured out the leaders of the East? It's time to pay up! Whether the interest charged is high, the end of the matter will tell. General Burachek and his entire family and Princess Lukomskaya, joyfully accepting your respect, cordially send you their... Iver - siopa - it (so! - Ed.) - as usual. And I take revenge very diligently. Our dear father Fr. has become completely desolate. Lavrenty. I don’t hear anything about Kyiv. Ioannikiy 91 in the seminary, our bachelor Valerian 92 was sent in his place... And what a marvelous wonder! – O. Seraphim 93 of Odessa to Tambov at the rector’s office. It's a pity! This must be sad for him. And in his place was the Tambov rector Theophylact 94. And I don’t understand how this worked out?! Yes, I mean. After all, we have a lot of news after you. Anthony, the Yaroslavl rector, is the Bishop of Orenburg... And he already managed to play tricks. Went o. Nikander to unravel the case. O. Anthony, Oryol rector, vicar in Kherson. In Orel - Kherson Polycarp 95. Oryol Smaragd is now Ryazan 96. And one more thing... A bishop was recently ordained in Montenegro. Well done! Do you see how much? - Don’t think that I wanted it too. - Of course, I wouldn’t mind. But as soon as you see how things are going, you would sneak away somewhere. I want to dive deep, but the door doesn’t open. Sometimes she will move back a little, and just when you are about to fidget, she will pretend. Viktor Ipatich is furious. He gives himself a “Household Conversation”, that is, he chats with the peasants (talks - Ed.)... and it works out... Everyone likes it. Starting in the new year, perhaps, it will be published urgently, like a newspaper... But it’s a pleasure to listen to how much he talks about it. I’ll save one copy for you and send it to you. - How can I send it to you? I’ll send a merchant through Novikov... Deal with him as you wish. What does Fr. Akaki? Did you love him? Love it. Well done. Human. Let the reasoner prepare. And you will decide the exam. If I were, I would have rolled straight through “10” in all subjects 97. Bow to him for me. And my best wishes to all the singers... Your neighbor Novikov, who is also here, said that the hieromonk is with you. - Tell. But I was still thinking that his sending had been postponed until time, and I was surprised when I heard this... I ask him, St. prayers... He's really bored... I'll ask the imams for patience... Nothing! He'll walk around Stavrodram... and get some air... Somehow you live in the notorious chambers. The view from your windows should be photographed... and sent to St. Petersburg - we’ll publish it... What are your plans for a hotel for fans, a hospital... and the like? Take a bow - Apollinarius Petrovich, 98, with his wife and children... N.V. Timofeev, 99, with his wife and children... Well, by name and honorably to all... Forgive me finally... Happy holiday to you?! Pray to God for me. I wish you every comfort. (No time to re-read... I lied, sorry). 323. Typhus. About foreign books against the Russian Church and the priesthood There was a danger of going home: typhus. About permutations in the hierarchy. About foreign books against the Russian Church and the priesthood. News about friends. Save yourself, beloved Father in the Lord! You flooded me with letters. Guilty - irresponsibility. I was struck down by typhus and am gradually recovering, and have not yet taken office and, it seems, I will not take office for another month. That's it! There was a danger of going home, but, probably, for the sake of repentance, he was left on earth for the time being. What can I tell you about us? Everything is normal and as before. Our anniversary went well, as they say. I couldn’t see it myself. He was struck with great fear. By evening I came to my senses a little... That’s true. This holiday exhausted me extremely, typhus turned up and irritated me. - Now thank God! In our hierarchy... as usual, there are rumors about a change in those present - as if Odessa’s name is 100... And the Bishop of Kiev will come... Also: Orenburg and Ufa - two dioceses... In Orenburg - Anthony, the former rector of Yaroslavl, and has been bishop in Ufa for almost a year. - In Ufa - the Moscow vicar Porfiry 101, the former rector of Kostroma - the one who was destined for Constantinople. - For the Moscow vicariate - Leonid 102, rector of the Moscow Seminary - other things are still unknown... In Kharkov, they say, Macarius of Tambov, and in Tambov - Agafangel of Revel, vicar of St. Petersburg; Kharkovsky 103 - to Chernigov, who is at Agafangelovo Place is unknown. If it weren’t for Nikandr, the Tula rector, who is now here and submitting an audit report... Here’s a lot of news for you. They need to turn up at this time. God forbid! How many crappy little books are published abroad against the Russian Church and the clergy, it’s overwhelming. And they all quickly disperse throughout Mother Rus'. - It’s good that, tea, we don’t have time to read and delve into everything. – How will Westerners formulate a concept about the Russian Church?!! In your previous letter you asked if I was angry with you? - Angry and very. Because you have become very diplomatic, and you write in such a way that all your letters are the same: it flowed on your lips, but didn’t get into your mouth. – After all, if only you could say a word about your situation, about the affairs, feelings and views of the Greeks, about their attitude towards the Bulgarians, about these latter, simply – you didn’t write about anything... – You can’t help but be angry about this... And I continue... If you don’t correct yourself, wait for an ultimatum... Iversky is a little ill, but he is also recovering. – Princess 104 – live. The Ostrovskys - the Burachkov family - are all healthy now. “We haven’t heard anything about Kyiv,” Victor continues his conversation at home, “Nectarius is nicknamed Fr. Lavrentiy - Bogdykhan. Bow to all the remaining famous employees... Especially N.V. Timofeev... with his wife and children... Well, and to the neighbor - Novikov, and Prince Lobanov. I wish you all the best. 324. About his appointment to the Tambov department and about his consecration About his appointment to the Tambov department and about his consecration. About exams at the Academy. July 17 [no year] – 1859 I wish you peace and all the best from the Lord! So it turned out better... Although in your hearts, but still two words said your news... Therefore, I can wish that you put pen to paper when you are zealous... What do we have?! Something unexpected... Having risen to his feet, he left for Iver... There he heard that he had been appointed to Tambov... And one could not suspect a quick change, although it was very, very desired. It happened, thank God! – At least it’s done in Innocent’s style... that is, he shakes hands with a kiss... and so on. How I wanted to get rid of all the squabbles with which I was surrounded... Other changes, tea, you already know. So, it became, there is nothing to interpret... The reproach took place on the Friday before Pentecost, and the ordination took place on Monday, Spiritual Day, in the Alexander Nevsky Lavra. – At the Academy, in my place – Fr. Nectarius, in the St. Petersburg Seminary - Leonty 105, and in Novgorod - Nikandr. This is how it all turned out. Now I’m already sitting in the Lavra - finally preparing to leave... one day, another and goodbye Peter. Exams are ending at the Academy. I regret that I can’t wait to go public. Count N.N. is ill and everyone is in Moscow. I just came here for a few days... Prince Urusov went to Moscow (he is the director of the educational administration). – Tertius and Zedergalm 106 – in Moscow... It’s simple - everything is in Moscow - the day after tomorrow and I’ll be there... Ostrovsk acquaintances bow and thank you for the memory... Father Peter Okhtensky too and that’s it... There is no more news. Don't be angry for more... Feofan, Bishop Tambovsky and Shatsky. 325. Permission to publish your letter to the Archbishop of Kherson I hasten to answer you, and things are moving quickly. Turn everything for good, Lord. You see, a great hero has been born. Previously, the Slavophiles acted separately, who did what and where they could. Now the general movement has embraced everyone at once... I call this living feeling of brotherhood with the consciousness of the obligation to mutual help and intercession the birth of a hero. No one can kill him now. The movement began; will grow, grow - until... You ask about my letter, whether it can be allowed in. I have nothing to say against it. Just look if there are any harsh judgments about the Greeks. Either omit these lines or straighten them, softening the sharpness 107. I had the idea that the separation of the Bulgarian hierarchy would give a center to the fragmented Bulgarians, and then further... it goes without saying that... They would shake off those sitting on the ridge. But then a turn came. What will happen is not clear, but I believe that nothing harmful will come of it for the Bulgarians. Their release will be in progress and will be arranged. War! Of course, it would be better to settle everything without war. But if not, then war is better. Bless, Lord! The Montenegrins and Serbs should add something; and give the Bulgarians, Bosniaks and Herzegovinians full self-government - only with the payment of tribute... This would be easier for the Turks too. The ambition only suffers. But what to do when they become headless? And it wouldn’t be a bad idea to completely solve the Turks. I don’t know why they say this: the time has not come. The dirty Englishmen say this because they are waiting for the moment when they can take over everything alone. But we think that there is some kind of political unpreparedness. Empty! You can set up independent kingdoms or Slavic principalities... You can concoct a federation out of them... Constantinople - Frankfurt... Asia Minor - especially. There is an Armenian kingdom... and they forgot... And the Turks - get out of where they came from. Today or tomorrow - this will happen. When was Saul also a prophet? But such dreams have been floating around in my head for a long time. Turks are not natives. And there is no reason for them to sit forever on other people’s ridges. And nasty people! Well, God sent them as punishment, just like the Mongols did to us. The wrath of God is not eternal... He will have mercy on ours... and will blow them away like chaff from a current. 326. About the war. About faith, about the capture of Turkish fortresses. About Constantinople About the war: there is a rumble throughout Russia. Only God knows what will happen - victory or defeat. About faith, about the capture of Turkish fortresses. About Constantinople. You write in such a way that it’s as if you found some inspiration in my words. As if he needed such support. There's a support! Hear, the roar is sweeping throughout Russia and is echoing throughout the entire Slavic world. Other nations also hear it and don’t frown – they hear it with pleasure, with the exception of the dirty England and nasty Hungary. One must assume that the voice of war against the Turks is the voice of the entire Christian world. And if the voice of one people is the voice of God, is it not much more so of many nations? Only God knows what will happen in the end - victory or defeat; but in the whole course of things and in the spirit with which it is being conducted, it cannot even occur to anyone that the Lord would not look favorably on our war. On the contrary, the conviction is imposed on the heart that the time has surely come for our brothers to breathe freely. Oh, whenever! What a bright Sunday it will be! There is nothing to desire for war; but if without it it is impossible to put our people on their feet - but only to deliver something to them, then war is better. Now, without war, at the conference there is one speech on behalf of the Sovereign, and after the war there will be another. I think that then it will be possible to demand complete self-government, so that the Turkish spirit will not smell at all in those lands... Then our brothers will perk up in spirit... they will form and become a strong people. What happens next is obvious. I mean complete self-government, like the Serbs now have. You want to talk about faith. Good; but don’t strain too hard so as not to bore them, but just remind them so that they don’t let this subject slip out of their attention. For when they are released, the aliens will creep in and snatch some privileges for themselves, but none should be given in advance, saying: the people will decide for themselves. Among the people, faith is strong: there is just not enough space. Space will be given by the new state of affairs. There is no need to stress too much. When God blesses our work and there is complete success, then there will be only one thing left regarding faith - to ask His Holiness the Patriarch and his Synod to cancel the definitions of their incomprehensible council. And it will be. The Greeks began to come to their senses... And the Patriarch of Jerusalem was already allowed. When this is done for the Slavs, the blessed hierarchy will do its work among the people. But the people even now don’t care about the whims of the Greeks... War! - Bless, Lord! - Why do our people always bother with fortresses when crossing the Danube?! I think that, having crossed the Danube, it is necessary to set up only a strong blockade near the fortresses, so that the Turks cannot show their nose from there; with the active army, go further without stopping - through the Balkans - to Constantinople. Let a hundred thousand remain near the fortresses and the same number go further. The first will be a resting and guarding army, and the second will be an active one. The first will be to have all the roads across the Danube in its hands and not let the Turkish army leave the fortresses; and the second thing is to beat or finish off the rest of the Turkish army. Of course, with this order more troops will be required; but it will be safer. The army near the fortresses will all be intact: for the Turks will be afraid to make attacks. It is only necessary to arrange for it to be located in healthy places and to receive sufficient food. And through the capture of fortresses, how many people die! Meanwhile, their capture is necessary only so that there is no enemy in the rear. But if you drive the Turks into the fortress and surround them with sufficient corps, then it will be the same as in the rear - there is no one for the army that will go further. This will no longer encounter great difficulties when the main forces remain locked in the fortresses, and only a few will be in front of them. So they will reach Constantinople without much resistance. And that's the end of it. Constantinople cannot be defended. And the Turks must either lose it, and with it everything, or, while maintaining it, yield to us on all counts... That’s the military occupation - that’s saving the population from the fury of the Turks! And what else? It seems that the fleet will have to leave the Black Sea and hide in the Bosphorus and the Sea of ​​Marmara for fear of being locked here without food and drink... for the fortresses that guard the exit from the Black Sea to Tsarjugrad are very tough. Put more troops into action - and it will be more intact, and the work will be done faster and more successfully. I confess my sin that I took on something other than my own in setting out all this. But these thoughts have been occupying me greatly for some time now. If the Turks were left alone, then it would be no wonder to deal with them; but they will have many dirty tricks. How would the Indians really not be brought? But all this will only complicate the matter somewhat, but will not make it insurmountable. But anyway, the fate of the war is in the hands of God. Let us pray to Him, confessing our sins, so that He will help, at least not for our sake, but for the sake of our suffering brothers. It is heard that both in St. Petersburg and in Moscow there are many people who do not favor the war, and even our very intercession. These must be some kind of geeks. For I do not see or hear that there was any hesitation anywhere among the people and among all the provincials. There are also people here with higher views; but even these are all penny people. They should be called bashi-bazouks because, not wanting war, they want our brothers to remain in the status quo 108, and this is the same as leaving them under the tyranny of the bashi-bazouks. I said almost nothing regarding church affairs. And nothing. For now, just reminding them is enough. And what exactly to do, more on that later. We don’t have anything in our hands yet... Let us catch it first... then we can pinch it. I wish you all the best from the Lord. Bless you, Lord, with every 327. About the peace conference following the war. Concerns about faith About the peace conference following the war. About the war: Russia will fall without a war lower than the failure of the war will humiliate it. Concerns about faith. Happy belated holidays and happy new year. Will this new year bring something? The conference is doing something wrong. Concession after concession... But no matter what happens, this inspires resistance. But this may lead to war. War is a questionable business, not knowing where it will turn: for its real plans are written in heaven and they have to be read after the task is completed. The war is difficult, it will take a lot of money and victims. Therefore, one cannot help but turn away from it if the opportunity arises. But judging by the fact that with war it is possible to take more than is destined without war - and so much more that it is possible, by virtue of it, to put an entire people on their feet; judging by the fact that now there are many moments favorable to success in the course of affairs, namely, it is very likely - one on one, with help from the Greeks, Romanians and Slavs; judging by our general enthusiasm, which, who knows, will ever embrace us with such strength in the future - judging by all this, I can’t restrain myself from the desire for war, even though war gives me chills. It seems to me that the current favorable circumstances will never be repeated in the future, but the difficult ones will increase: so that after that we will no longer be able to do anything in favor of our brothers. We'll have to leave them to our own means. Which one? - to the will of God. But once you reach this term, you cannot remain calm. I think everyone’s blood will boil. God's protection is stronger than all human means. But God also works through people. If it is God’s intention to now give benefits to our brothers, then of course He does not leave behind giving evidence of this among people. Isn’t the inspiration that gripped us the action of God in us? And recognizing this, shouldn’t we together recognize that with this movement God is telling us: I entrust you with the liberation of these suffering ones? Can we refuse? God doesn't force anyone. But will we be innocent if we do not heed God’s beckons? God will find executors of His will even without us. And we are ashamed, if nothing else. He who leaves his brother will be left at the right time. All such thoughts lead directly to the decision: whether you want it or not, go fight, Orthodox Mother Rus'. Even if it is unfortunate, if God wants to shame us; but we will be justified both before our conscience and before history... that we did our job properly. On the contrary, if we do not deliver anything lasting to our brothers and do not fight, we will be ashamed before ourselves, and before others, and before history... and shame and disgrace will haunt us in the next world. Without a war, Russia will fall lower than the failure of the war will humiliate it. But we’ll have enough people, and we’ll collect a penny of money, and we’ll find generals. Why be a coward here? The Turks, of course, will have a lot of Englishmen, Hungarians, Poles and other freaks. But still, this is not an army, but a help. Will England really openly support the Turks? And will Austria really pester her? - Nothing. Let's beat them too. We will take Galicia from Austria, restore the Czech kingdom, separate the other Slavs from the Hungarians, with special administration; Let's take a piece for Romania. Austria will pay dearly for its cunning. Now we will beat England only on Turkish territory, but after that a war with her is inevitable in order to humble her and discourage her from the desire and opportunity to interfere everywhere and stick like a bath leaf. If the riddles of the conference are accepted, of course, it still cannot be said that nothing has been done for ours. No, and this will accomplish a lot, although not to the extent desired. The main thing will be: they will have the opportunity to develop and grow independently. And God bless. The best that is desired is still far ahead; but you can also see good sides in this. The first is the gradualism of national growth. Perhaps, if we now give the people complete independence (this is what I want), they will not be able to cope with it, but having gradually grown up to it, they will enter into it unnoticed, just as someone puts on new clothes. Here’s the second: the people will then not owe everything to outside intercession, but will also work on themselves and seem to earn complete freedom for themselves. The awareness of this among the people will be an everlasting clarion, kindling the people's self-esteem: which means a lot. Add to this that, having grown up, they will finally exterminate the Turks themselves; what heroic inspiration will always reign in him! We still remember the Battle of Kulikovo with admiration, even though it was not what gave us freedom. You think about it, think about it, and agree for a moment that it might be better if they gradually free themselves. And for this, conference requirements are sufficient, if they have not yet been formalized. Concerns regarding faith cannot but be shared with you; but what can be done for this now is absolutely not clear. God grant us Orthodox leaders. But can we expect them? Governors are Christians: what if they are not Orthodox?! A Catholic will favor Catholics, and a Protestant will favor Protestants. On this side, wouldn’t it be better to leave the governors, big and small, to the Turks, with the condition that all other government officials and councils should consist of Orthodox Christians down to the last ramifications - to the villages and hamlets; also, that the police should also be Orthodox everywhere, and that regular troops should not be allowed to enter into business... and that they should be placed in fortresses and barracks. In this case, the faith will be preserved more conveniently... The only thing that needs to be done is the right for communities to demand that there be no foreign clergy - neither big people nor small ones, among the heterodox... This measure will give hope for the return movement to Orthodoxy and will stop propaganda in every possible way. But God's will be done. Whatever the Lord pleases will be done. What if nothing comes of everything we started?!! We've done some preening, and then give it here. It will be exactly like how near Jerusalem villages often rebel against villages, not paying attention to the governor sitting in Jerusalem. Noise, din, guns are loaded... they are swaggering around, and looking around to see if anyone will appear from any side as a conciliator. Is; and it happens that some village itself will make it. Peace proposals begin... the villages don’t want to listen. A day goes by like this, then another... you hear: we got along. It seems? – I think exactly the same. God bless you. Be healthy and good-natured. Archpriest S. A. Serafimov 328. About Catholicism. About Jerusalem. Please send binoculars and books About Catholicism seeking dominance in the Holy Land. About Jerusalem. A request to send money to relatives in need. About the icon being sent. Please send binoculars and books. Most beloved brother in the Lord! First, I have the honor to congratulate you on the Holiday and wish you all the best. The departure of the kind General Shirman gives me a good opportunity to say two words and more to you; and some needs would have loosened the tongue anyway. What's going on in your light world? - In our dark everything is going as usual. They are building us a new house - which is quite comforting after five years of living in kennels - cramped, damp, and dark. – That’s right, and you heard about the turmoil due to the interference of Catholic predominance in places of worship. - We worried a lot; but, thank God, the other day we received news that everything ended satisfactorily. The fans left. Jerusalem is empty. Everything is quiet. Sit, think, work! No interference! - Is boredom coming? But even then everything is good for the variety of life. Has Your Eminence returned? 109 We heard a rumor that he would come to us in Jerusalem. It’s good if with your lordship; and if this is not ordered, it’s no fun. How we long to listen to Russian choral singing!.. Your Lord, it seems, knows me. Therefore, it would not be out of place if you earnestly ask him for his blessing. Bow to Alexander Skarlatovich 110, Fr. to the rector and inspector of the seminary 111, Markian Demyanovich 112 and everyone we know! How I fell in love with your spiritual daughter El. Leontievna. Now it’s sad to leave. She became like my own mother. Such a kind and gentle disposition! Forgive me for God's sake! I dare to burden you with a zealous request! I need to send a few pennies to my poor relatives. Accidentally in need of money, not poor, however, Russian fans asked to lend them money. I willingly agreed to this, with the obligation to hand over this money to you. Please, please, take the trouble to send them to the attached address. This will be a very big favor for me!.. I am sending you a sample of my handicraft. Poorly written, but diligently written. It is consecrated on the Holy Sepulcher - which will sufficiently cover the artist’s shortcomings! The money will be delivered to you by Elisaveta Ivanovna Dmitrienkova - lieutenant colonel - ten half-imperials; Marya Polikarpova[n]a Protopopova - one half-imperial and Aksinya Yakovlev[n]a Vlasova - two half-imperials. For God's sake, don't bore them; and let them deliver according to their own free will. I did not take any receipts from them, with the exception of Elisaveta Ivanovna, whose receipt is attached. I am in dire need of small visual tubes - double, pocket ones, I don’t know what they are called 113. Buy it for me with my money - not big, but good and with a case. The general's wife wanted to send something. Hand it to her and she will send it along... Forgive the Lord for bothering you... Address to which to send money: “To the city of Yelets, Oryol province, Intercession Church to priest Nikolai Fotich Leonov for delivery to the village of Ponikovets to the priest’s widow Alexandra Efimova Shchegoleva.” With this, a letter to this widow. Then forgive and pray to God for me. With true respect I remain P.S. I asked our student who stayed in St. Petersburg to buy me several books. If they come in your name, work for the Lord’s sake to send them to me via the Constantinople post office. Leave some money for this - two or three pounds. Employee of “Soulful Reading” 329. Blessing to continue writing spiritual articles. About vanity and pride Blessing to continue writing spiritual articles. Instructions: what is the best title, what should be the main subject of consideration, what should be the original sources. About vanity and pride. I looked through your conversations. Good. - God bless you to continue. But don’t label them “conversations”, but simply... mean only the content... like you... Great Lent 114... Voice of Prayer 115... and so on. The title they all have in common is “Christian Reflections,” or something like that. - Or even better: “Thoughts for every day according to the prescribed church readings”... Take either the general thought of the reading, or one text... and reflect. Take St. Tikhon as your guide. You can take virtues and vices as an object... Have a Bible with parallels on hand. Remember any text about a well-known virtue or vice... and see what parallels are pointed out; then review the instructions in these parallels. So you will go through the entire Bible and collect many texts, with the help of which you will have time to examine a known virtue or vice in all respects. Your articles are published in Soulful Reading. Now, they are recognized as beneficial to the soul... So much for the approval of your works. Keep sending there. That vanity or pride can become attached is not surprising. Invent humbling thoughts for yourself, and humble yourself every time the thought comes: know ours. Such thoughts, if not driven away, have a detrimental effect on the very formation of thoughts. 330. Blessing to continue writing spiritual articles. About vanity and pride 10 Jan [no year.] [25]. May the Lord bless you this year too - to work hard on the bad path for the glory of His holy name. Be strong and above all keep the fear of God... and warm up the heat of zeal to work for Him as best you can. Hence, there will be attention to oneself, and action that is dangerous to everyone, reflecting any licentiousness of thoughts, feelings, eyes and movements. That you wanted to die, there is nothing sinful here. The Apostle Paul quickly wanted to be separated from the body and be with Christ. But it is better to completely surrender to the will of God and pray for one thing, that He will keep you on a good path. I knew from one experience that the desire for death preceded spiritual relaxation and an absent-minded life. I remind you of it so that you increase your caution, attention to yourself and fear of God. How long does it take for a flower to wither? May the Lady Theotokos protect you and protect you from all evil. Bishop of Vladimir, Feofan. 331. About the order of classes of the day. We need to pray, read and work About the order of the day's activities. About the need to work: you can’t just pray and pray, you have to pray, read and work. In the new year, I wish you new activities, and especially a structure of life that would not disturb you, but would bring you peace. You must submit to your fate. That's right, that's how God wants it. Having resigned yourself to your fate, you must conduct your affairs in such a way that they bring peace to your soul. What I wrote to you before about the order of daily activities is truly a great means to peace of mind, and if you, being now the complete mistress of your time, establish this order, watch how your soul goes to joy and peace. I see that you want work, but don’t have it. After all, you know the work?! Take some work and work on it. Give what you earn to the poor. Or work for poor churches. Yes, you can find heaps of work whenever you want. As for the fact that your brother took over the farm, don’t worry about it. These efforts are very difficult. Not a woman's business. You can’t just pray and pray. And hermits don’t do that. What you need to do is pray, read and work. And arrange the time of day so that it is all filled with activities. Then there will be no boredom. Why are you all sitting at home! You can run into the city either to Tregulyaevo or to Sukhotinka. Get some fresh air and freshen up. Manage to do everything - occupy your mind, your heart, and your hands. Help you, Lord, in everything and bless you with every blessing. 332. About the calling of God. About the enemy paving the way to sin About the calling of God, about mercy, about repentance. About the enemy paving the way to sin. Do not be embarrassed, do not exaggerate your misfortune: I will accept any discovery. You responded with force! And I didn’t know what to think about you. I was going to write to you several times: but it was not my turn and I was wondering if I had bored you with my speech. I asked Vera Alekseevna: she answered - I see her in the church. “Well, I think to myself, if we’re in church, then things are going as they should.” And he calmed down. It's good that you wrote. What do you have there? Please say everything without embarrassment. I sincerely take part in you - and I will hasten to help you with my advice. Don't hesitate. The embrace of the Lord is open to all who come to Him. Go ahead without fear. Everyone goes with his burden and receives relief from the Lord. All who labor and are burdened, whether with a large or small burden, rest in the Lord when they come to Him at His call. So your speech means that the Lord is calling you. It is He who calls: for we ourselves will not even begin to talk about anything: the tongue is tied. Already when the speech began, it means the Lord is merciful. Things came to a head. To the denouement, therefore, to the resolution. The Lord has made it so easy for us to have mercy that just say it, and everything is forgiven. Glory to you, Lord! What great mercies He has for us sinners. But our enemy is a tyrant, it’s not at all like what obstacles he puts to repentance, and especially to the discovery of his faults! And he paves the way to sin... and so smooth it is for him!! After the sin, everyone keeps repeating: well, now there’s nothing for you and God to pray to. God has left you. - And God has more regrets here when someone falls in sin. And He walked around the sinner in every possible way in order to somehow reason with him and make him come to his senses. Finally, the sinner will wake up! What joy does the Lord have with all the angels over such a soul. Glory to Thee, Lord, that this is always the case. I am writing all this to you so that if what confuses you seems great and difficult to you, you will not think so and boldly approach the Lord. But it comes to mind that aren’t you adding to your misfortune? “Something small will seem so scary.” I will accept any discovery. Vera Alekseevna is very knowledgeable. On occasion, you can make an acquaintance with her, so that sometimes you have someone to say a word or two with. I wish you all the best from the Lord. Pray to God for me, a sinner. 333. About the calling of God. About the enemy paving the way to sin I haven't answered you for so long! All I did was miss the mail. This is how things are going for us. You were going to change your apartment - and that’s great. We need to hurry. Dampness is an evil thing... it eats into your bones and cripples you. Deliver you, Lord. You were going to see the Kirsanovsky Monastery. Good! Look. Here's a post! Very useful. There mother is very kind. If you don’t really like it there, go to Orzhevsky. It's new, the place is deserted, the garden is magnificent. But I don’t know what the rules are there. Seek and you will find! May the Lord arrange for you a way of life where you can save your soul. This is all good. When the end comes, they will make a calculation and, as soon as our results turn out to be bad, we will groan for all eternity - and without any benefit. Lord, have mercy! The spirit of repentance makes everything right. And a wide field of action opens up for him with the onset of Lent. Help you, Lord, to spend this fast humbly and contritely, so that you will not be humiliated by the generous God, just, but also merciful. Behold the days are forgiven! I bow to the ground and ask for forgiveness, as if before the face of the Lord. 334. Don’t weaken spiritually, don’t waste time on trifles, work Don’t weaken spiritually, don’t waste time on trifles, work. And if nothing sticks, be patient. I wrote to you and Feofan; then he sent the book with the nun. Therefore, the severity of your complaints is greatly alleviated. And even vice versa, you wouldn’t have to listen to similar complaints from me. It is not unpleasant for me to write to you; but when there is no compelling subject, then laziness always takes its toll and does not allow me to take up the pen. You write that every day you are weakening in spirit. This cannot be said to be good. But if the effect here is a simple weakening of energy from a lack of things to do, then nothing. And if at the same time one feels urges to do something that is not in accordance with the spirit of life in Christ Jesus, then there is danger. And you need to pull yourself together. Find something and get busy. You never know what is possible. Take on teaching five or ten girls to read, write, and do basic handicrafts. And you will be busy from morning to evening... To add value to your work, take on it out of love for the Lord, in order to convey concepts to a Christian and instill Christian feelings... Teaching is not free, but it is inexpensive. And things will work out. And there is nothing to spend time on trifles, of course, it’s boring and various trifles will inevitably creep into your head. Now your new relatives have arrived. Any time you can kill with them. - Barysh! But without a permanent business, this profit is empty. May the Lord make you wise! If I could think of something to keep you occupied better than what I previously offered, it would be possible to arrange it right away. But, as you can see, you have a special kind of taste that you can’t easily accommodate. Well, if nothing sticks, be patient. – And patience is the way of God! The book sent through the nun from Fr. Smaragda. - Take it if you haven’t handed it over yet. 335. About temptation when communicating with a man. About true love and enemy temptation About temptation during close communication with a man: a breakup is an urgent condition, it will hurt a little and it will go away. We realized that this is lawless, hurry to break your soul and heart. About true love and enemy temptation. What a pity! What a pity! But what to do? If you yourself see thinness, you need to get behind it. And there is nothing to think about. Now immediately - stop all relations, put an end to intimacy. This is the first thing, without which all other methods will not be valid. If the onset of illness is from close mutual contact, then healing must begin by interrupting this circulation. Work hard to get inspired and do it. Of course, he doesn’t live with you, but comes sometimes. This time you can come up with reasons for going somewhere - to Tambov, or to the Sukhotin Monastery, or somewhere else. Whatever you can. You just need to put things right - change the warm speech and tender outlook for cold speech out of sheer respect for decency; avoid spending time alone, face to face. There is no point in feeling sorry for yourself or him. – I’m not saying how lawless and unmoral this is. You realized this yourself. I only offer techniques for the beginning of your recovery. The gap is an urgent condition. Please be inspired 116. The enemy will instill in you the wrong thing: the longing of your heart and its sorrow. There will be both, of course. But not at all as strong as the enemy would suggest. Just hurt a little, and then everything will pass and smooth out. The first step is difficult, but you have to decide on it; for one should not give one’s soul to the enemy for destruction. It is good that the Lord opens his eyes. After all, the fact that you started talking about something, say that it is not good... and express a desire to get out of it - all these thoughts and good intentions are inspired by the grace of God. This is God's mercy to you. The goodness of God leads you to repentance. Before you didn’t see or feel all the ugliness of your steps, but now you see. God revealed. And we must take advantage of His inspiration. For if you do not obey, God’s admonition will again depart. You will be left alone with your sore - and it, now somewhat suspended, will play out with even greater force. So do not miss this opportunity of God’s admonition and hurry to break your soul and heart. You should not feel sorry for yourself: for in the present case that is what it means to feel sorry for yourself if you do not feel sorry for yourself; the beginning is only difficult, but from there it will become easier and easier; and finally that peace and peaceful dispensation that you previously enjoyed by the grace of God will return. - Look, languor, melancholy, despair. What is all this about? Why are you worse than others, that you should suffer so much over trifles? The last one, perhaps, you, so that you throw yourself into the mud to be trampled underfoot - well - drop everything... And stand firmly on the same path to God of refuge. The Lord's arms are open to receive all who repent. Any sin - just mourn it, turn away from it - and the Lord will immediately grant forgiveness - and accept you into his former mercy. But we must hurry while there is time. Today is death tomorrow. You have cholera there. – It will suit you too... what then?! Here the Lord has all mercy ready for those who repent; and there - the end of favors. One truth will come. - And who can resist the truth - especially in your position. – How easy was everything for you at first?! And then it’s tight - and the languor and aching of the heart. Therefore, know that this is an enemy matter. Love is a blissful and satisfying feeling - when it is true love for God. – Tormenting, pinching love is the work of Satan... who wants to imitate God, but cannot, and inflames his own hellish burning in the heart. - Judge by this, what is natural for you. And if there is something worthy of regret, if you leave it. I am writing all this to you, taking into account what you have discovered. “But even if there were more, do not despair and do not hesitate. The Lord is ready to cover everything - to correct it so that not a trace remains: you just need to make up your mind - to wipe away, to disgust the thinness that has been committed - and to turn away from it, saying: “As a man who has sinned, you, as a generous God, have mercy on me, seeing the weakness of my soul.” - Just to kindle contrition... otherwise, the Lord is merciful, everything will go in order. God bless you! Oh, what a pity that the enemy disturbed the path of your feet and crossed and dug up your path. Help you, Lord, to outwit him and make a life-saving diversion. As soon as you receive this letter, sit down to think about what to do and write. Your pilgrim Feofan Bishop. 336. About despondency and joy. About communion. About mortal memory About despondency and joy: how to distinguish between despondency from embarrassment and pure joy from the encroachments of the enemy. About communion. About surrendering yourself to the will of God. About mortal memory. That's already half the post. If the Lord helped you spend this half in the mood that they wrote about, then thank God! Help you, Lord, to continue like this until the end. What you write, that you are sometimes despondent, sometimes joyful, is, perhaps, nothing. A peaceful state of heart should be natural in you when there are no sins weighing on your conscience. But it is indignant at various troubles - external, and sometimes internal. But these indignations are something else from despondency. The despondency is languishing, uncertain - it is either an illness or the work of the enemy. Pray to the Lord and He will drive you away. Distinguish joy too. Pure joy is God's joy; and when there is something unclean with her, it is the enemy... And then you need to pray. Pray about everything. For everything good is from the Lord - and nothing good is from us... from us only seeking. That you felt the benefit of receiving communion, thank the Lord. He proved to you that he was telling the truth: come to me... and I will give you rest. Now you know Who to come to... And don’t forget Him. So, when you think about your fate, do you know where the consolation comes from?!! From devotion to the will of God. Give yourself over to the Lord, and be strong, and don’t take it back. What prevents us from adhering to one degree of devotion is the thought that we will live a long time. This is the conviction of the longevity of all our troubles... and despondency, and hobbies. If it weren’t, why would you be depressed? And when to sin. That is why take a lesson from the saints of God, from their words and example, that we have no time ahead... We don’t know whether we will live to see the end of the day... There is only the present minute, and whether there will be a next one, who can say. If you please, through meditation and prayer, fill your head with the thought of death so that you are constantly aware of yourself as dying and departing to appear before the Lord and give an account of everything. This will be the most reliable foundation for all future well-being... Don't forget! Go to Voronezh - and fast again, and take communion again Holy Mysteries of Christ. – May this be for your inner salvation and good mood. I wish all the best from the Lord to you and your sister. Your pilgrim Bishop Feofan. 337. About surrendering oneself to the will of God. Brief explanation of Psalm 101 About surrendering yourself to the will of God. About fasting, about prayer. About the Jesus Prayer. A brief explanation of Psalm 101. You have the same old dilemma again: what to do and how to get settled? Not unreasonable anxiety; but what will you do? Surrender everything to God. - His holy will be done. That’s right, such a fate is the best for you! And accept it with gratitude. One soul is not poor. Get rid of this estate quickly, and then you will see what to do. Maybe everything will work out so that a comfortable existence will fall to your lot... Then give up. Somewhere there is a corner and work and work about saving the soul - and that’s all here. The time of fasting has come - and here is a wide application of prayer works. Work hard; but still with reason. Most of all, avoid turning your prayer into one form, or into a custom of prayer. Every time you begin to pray, force your soul to pray itself, to pray, that is, with your word and your feeling and thought. And this every time - so that the reading prayer comes as an appendage, as help, and not as the main thing. – Put all your work, or focus it, on constantly walking before God, with the thought of God, His omnipresence and omniscience. And often turn to Him from your heart. This kind of exercise finally forms an unceasing prayer, perfected in the heart and mind. Set it as a goal to achieve. Others also use a mechanical method of doing the Jesus Prayer for this purpose. You can do this too. Do this. Bring your mind out of your head into your heart - and become your attention there, and say: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner,” - as if pouring it straight into your heart. At the same time, slightly restrict breathing and keep everything in tension in the body. You can do this while sitting, but it is better to stand. Say the prayer slowly, as if chewing every word. You need to place your attention above the left heart - inside. Saying a prayer is usually prayerful. - And even during the day you can still say it, standing with attention as well. Then your attention does not come from the heart, no matter what you do. Whether you read, go, or work, be there. - That's the law! When the burning of the heart begins to show, then the inner life will begin! And that's it! The 101st Psalm, about which you ask, how is it going to your circumstances! Beggar's Prayer. This is everyone who is sorrowful, and oppressed, and in need! Until the 12th verse, the feelings of the mourner are depicted. Then - the thought moves on - to the restoration of Jerusalem, as it were, after the captivity of Babylon. - The interpreters understand that the thoughts of the psalm can be applied to anyone who grieves - to a sinful soul turning to God, to the people of Judah, who long for deliverance from the captivity of Babylon, and to the creation of the Church of Christ. Interpret private places as you wish. And verse 6... “at the sound of groaning my bone clung to my flesh.” – The grief and sighs from it are so strong that the skin has dried to the bones from exhaustion. Verse 13 – “But you, Lord...” – is understandable in itself. Here we turn to other encouraging thoughts. Everything flows; only God is unchangeable, and His word. - The Jews, who were in captivity, were comforted by this. Everything is lost, as it were, and we are exhausted - but You, our Lord, remain forever... and Your word will be fulfilled... the promise of the restoration of Jerusalem and the return from captivity. - The sinful soul - with this word, repenting, can also inspire itself with the hope that the Lord will reward and build it, ruined by sin... Pagan humanity could also turn to the Lord with hope that finally it too will be called to the knowledge of God... and all nations with kings will glorify the Lord Jesus Christ (verse 23). “Incentive” means to overwhelm with generosity, or generous gifts. Generosity and out of love, the word “incentive” can mean - therefore, the verse “they will be generous with dust” - means they love dust. The prophet says, both the stones and the very dust of Zion - or Jerusalem - are dear to the Israelites. - You have risen - “having risen,” that is, having risen, awakened, paid attention, as in verses 19 and 20. – You apply everything to yourself, either to your external state or more to your soul. Take each verse separately and, after thinking, determine what it might mean to you. – If you don’t understand, ask, I will answer. To interpret it yourself, you won’t guess what exactly is needed - but everything in a row and all thoughts. Save you, Lord, and have mercy. May the Lord grant you to spend this saving fast in a soul-saving way. Get into the habit of praying as I prescribed. 338. Fight with yourself. About prayer at home when it is not possible to be in church Well, thank God! Set a firm intention to fight with yourself and fight. Any bad dispositions, since there is no goodwill towards them, cannot be retained in the soul. To the unwilling and struggling, God's help is close. Maintain in yourself hostility towards the admitted feeling, and the Lord will blot it out with His grace. Here's the post. What a cleansing time! You shouldn't go to church every day. Pray at home. And the Lord will accept home prayer as church prayer, for the sake of need. It’s not out of laziness that you don’t pray in church. What to do when there is no church nearby. However, you can pray as earnestly at home as in church. Set yourself a rule for the morning and evening and stick to it. It’s better, instead of reading, to put the number of bows and prayers of Jesus - and fulfill them. After all, there is already something laid out in this way - in the Followed Psalter. Maybe you don’t have time to get this Psalter. I’ll write it out for you on a special piece of paper. And you will have: Matins, and Midnight Office, and Hours, and Vespers. Yes, if God blesses you and you are able to keep your soul without distraction and in feeling, this prayer will surpass even the church prayer. Just try to have reverence and warm up a tender feeling. The Lord be your helper. The Lord is near to all who call on Him—all who call on Him in truth. In truth, that is, not with your tongue, but with a contrite and humble heart... Work. 339. About loneliness and marriage. About entertainment. About friendship. About pilgrimage You all miss being alone. What to do? You must submit to the will of God and accept what is determined against your will by God with such disposition as you would like it of yourself. If you want marriage, but God does not give it, then sit down and calculate whether marriage is better than singleness. Try to find that the latter is incomparably better... Then love this best and desire it with all your heart. Then, I suppose, peace will return if it is disturbed from this side. And you want entertainment. - Entertainment allows you to forget for a minute: and then, with greater ruthlessness, they betray you to melancholy and boredom. God forbid. It would be nice to go somewhere to worship. This is holy fun. Ask your brother to give you funds - to go to Kyiv, for example, or to the Sergius Lavra, or wherever you decide, and Vysha is not far away. It’s a long way to Jerusalem. If you have a friend you like, pray to the Lord to unite you in a single intention to please Him. It's good to live together. Better than in a monastery. Listen to each other and watch out for each other. May God grant you to get along. Why do you need to sit still? Somehow get out to Tregulyaev, Sukhotin and Tambov... Pray to God in different places. It was as if the whole world had seen. And it will be calmer. Still, however, you need to arrange yourself in such a way that you can find peace in solitude and anxiety in front of people. Otherwise, for a whole century, how to live? May the Lord arrange you as His holy will pleases. Here and below: numbers in square brackets, see “Notes” p. 601. – Ed. Here and further: the words highlighted with a ruler are underlined in the letters by Saint Theophan himself, - Ed. Here and below: we have disclosed some abbreviations in square brackets. – Ed. So in “Soulful Reading.” – Ed. (ass [onsky]?) Arshin - approximately 0.71 meters. – Ed. In “Soulful Reading,” this passage apparently mistakenly looks like this: “...measures would not be penances.” – Ed. In “Soulful Reading” the date is added: “April 3rd comes for water.” – Ed. Letter to priest Iv. Iv. G. (Fr. Ivan. - Ed.). Together with Archimandrite Feofan, appointed rector of the Olonets Theological Seminary, Hieromonk Asinkrit, who had hitherto been a bachelor of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy, arrived in Petrozavodsk for the position of inspector. Archimandrite Porfiry, former rector of the Olonets Theological Seminary. Hieromonk Dimitri, former inspector of the same seminary. Head of the Alexandrovsky cannon factory in Petrozavodsk. Former secretary of the board, one of the seminary mentors. He was later an inspector of the seminary, now the abbot of one of the western monasteries (All notes date back to 1894 - Ed.). He died last year as a teacher and inspector at the Olonets Seminary. Former teacher of history and denunciation of schism. Abbot of the Svirsky Monastery. This and the following letters to Bishop Arkady were published without the signature of Archimandrite Theophan. – Ed. The first Olonets archpastor, who died in the rank of Archbishop of Voronezh. Petrozavodsk Cathedral. Leonid Petrov, now an archpriest at the Eye Hospital in St. Petersburg. Until then he was the caretaker of the Svir Theological School. Cathedral Archpriest F. Rozhdestvensky. Peter of Megorsky, who was later a missionary, and then only an ordained priest in St. Petersburg. The first anti-schism missionary upon the opening of a mission in the Olonets diocese by His Eminence Arkady. The schismatics, letters to which from the Right Reverend Arkady were published in “Christian Reading” for 1891. Alexander Korbozersky was first a priest in the Olonets diocese, then, after being widowed, he entered the St. Petersburg Theological Academy; upon completion of the course here in 1861 and acceptance of monasticism with the name Ambrose, he held various school positions; died as rector of the Astrakhan Theological Seminary. Fathom - approximately 2.1 meters, - Ed. The then newly appointed assistant missionary. This is on the occasion of the fire - August 7, 1887. Ten is a measure for counting 24 sheets of writing paper. – Ed. I will send them... when you inform me about your negotiations at the Jerusalem courtyard. (This is exactly how St. Theophan himself formatted this explanation, as a footnote. – Ed.). Your Eminence Philotheus. Your Eminence Plato. Note by A.V. Rachinsky (1*. to p. 165). – The acquaintance of our embassy with the Bulgarians before E.P. Novikov’s arrival in Constantinople and before Prince Lobanov’s entry into the envoy was weak because the composition of the embassy, ​​by the nature of the upbringing and education of its employees, was alien to the simplicity and “uncivilization” of the Bulgarians. Dragomans Argiropoulo and Mostras, Thessalonica consul Mustoxidi - Greeks, friends of their fellow tribesmen; the servants at the embassy are Greeks and Armenians; the gatekeeper is Francesca's feather; military agent - Frankini... The embassy church - this legitimate and harmless feature of the connection between the embassy and the Bulgarians - is on the third floor of the palace, which itself stands in the depths of the courtyard, separated from the crowded Bey-Oglu street by a cast-iron grate with a gate protected by a foreigner. – Mrs. Buteneva, née Khrebtovich, in the winter of 1857–1858 organized a bazaar in the palace in favor of the hospital (and school) of the Lazarists: and the leaders in Constantinople of this order are the famous Eugene Bore (Eugene Bor) and Louis Lescoeur (Louis Lescoeur), closely associated with the Parisian Bulgarian committee of the Duchess Laroshifoucauw (La Rochefoucauld). In 1858, when I (A.V. Rachinsky. - Ed.) arrived in Constantinople with a letter to A.P. Butenev from E.P. Kovalevsky, who, with the permission of Prince A.M. Gorchakov, entrusted me to him as intending to travel around Macedonia and Bulgaria, the ambassador for a long time did not agree to apply for a firman (visa - Ed.), exposing, firstly, the suspicion of the Turks towards the Russian agent, and secondly, the strangeness of my intention - to look for monuments of Church Slavonic writing in Macedonia, which, of course, according to Mustoxidi’s ideas, seemed to the ambassador to be a “purely Greek region”. When, finally, the firman was received and I passed through Macedonia, both of A.P. Butenev’s fears were not justified: the Turks were unusually friendly, the Macedonian Bulgarians were happy to see me as a messenger of Russia; The Greek clergy of Thessaloniki, Bitol, Polyanin, Ohrid were afraid. Denunciations ran to the Patriarchate, and from Constantinople, I don’t know from whom, complaints about the Russian agent came to Queen Amalia, who expressed her complaints about this in a letter to the Empress Maria Alexandrovna. The Lazarist agents, who had been entrenched in Thessaloniki and Bitoli since 1854, and the Bitolian consuls Grimlot and Longwort also became alert. Information about the country and monuments of Slavic writing in Macedonia (by the way, the Kushevsky Gospel of the 11th century, which I presented to the Empress) convinced the Ministry of the true nature of the population of Macedonia, consisting of the purest Bulgarians: the Greeks are in the cities, like ours in the Crimea. The party of the Greek ruler is the wealthy and older townspeople who make up the “dimogerontia” under the metropolis, a people’s council, in imitation of the patriarch in Constantinople, in charge of the court affairs of the villagers and the ruler’s monetary collections. Alexander Laskaris, hierodeacon of the Greek Church in Pera; in 1858 he entered the St. Petersburg Academy and in 1860, by order of his superiors, he went abroad for studies; died in the rank of Metropolitan of Sisani, in Macedonia. Note by A.V. Rachinsky (2*. to page 167). – Stefan Bogoridi (Greek Vugoridis) – a wealthy Moldavian Phanariot, Turkish dignitary, Prince of Samo (his son competed with Aleko Kuza in achieving the Moldavian-Vlash principality). The old man, whether in his old age realizing his Bulgarian origin or in order to gain the support of the Bulgarians, was the first strong intercessor before the Porte for the Bulgarians: he donated to the Bulgarian community of Constantinople his house in Galata, not far from the patriarchate in Phanar - a house that served as the soil and the main stone for the Bulgarian church and school in Constantinople. Meetings of Bulgarians began and continued in this house. The first bishops of the Bulgarians lived here: Stefan Kovacevich, Hilarion of Makariupol, Auxentius of Kostendilo; From here, Archimandrite Parthenius, who was consecrated bishop of Polyaninsky, went to his diocese. The insincerity of the Patriarchate in the appointment of the first Bulgarian bishops is visible from the character of those appointed. Kovacevich turned out to be an unworthy rogue and died shamefully. Hilarion was elevated to the rank of bishop with the title of the unprecedented “Makariupol” diocese: Patriarch Joachim later complained about him that he was an epileptic and a disciple of a heretic. Kairis-Auxentius was transferred from diocese to diocese and, already weakened by years and illnesses, was assigned to the Bulgarians with the title of “Kostendilsky”. Our embassy reached the appointment of the truly worthy, humble Parthenius, with incredible difficulties. Anfim, who was later exarch of the Bulgarian, had to pretend and skillfully pretended to be an ardent Greek fan at the Khalkin Theological School, so that the Shumlians, during the entire time he was titular, never accepted him. However, the rejection largely depended on the influence of the American Methodists on the Shumla elders, who managed to establish a civil community in Shumla that was in charge of church affairs. A legislative act issued by the Turkish Sultan on February 1, 1856 on the rights of the various peoples that were part of the Ottoman Empire. Note by A.V. Rachinsky (3*. to p. 170). – These are positively the goal and intentions of the Franks (Methodists and Poles), who encouraged the Bulgarians to seek a certain form of autocephalous patriarchy. The hopes of these positive enemies of the traditional Orthodoxy of the Bulgarians were based on the decisive refusal of the Patriarchate to give any satisfaction to the initially modest demands of the Bulgarians, and the hotheads should have been attracted to the union, and the more sensible - to Methodism with the denial of all hierarchy. But here the origin and course of the Bulgarian quest cannot be attributed to influences hostile to Orthodoxy alone. These influences only took advantage of the desires that never faded among the Bulgarian people - to use their own linguistic development in the church and in school: the Zografsky monasteries on Athos and Rylsky among the Dalmatian Balkans, these prototypes of Slavic worship and strict communal life, by the personal example of all Bulgarians and confessors sent throughout the country, fed and constantly supported among the Bulgarians hopes for Slavic independence in images are far from clear, but nevertheless, in view of the double oppression of the Turks and Phanariots, attractive. – Bulgarian: Neophyte Zografsky and Nathanael Dubrovetsky (later Metropolitan of Ohrid) can be considered the most important and primary awakeners of Slavic self-awareness among the Bulgarians. Eustathius of Khalkin (later Metropolitan of Pelagenia) is the most active driver of the younger generation. Neophyte died in Zograf as a famous martyr. The Orthodoxy of Nathanael and Eustathius is not subject to the slightest doubt. Note by A.V. Rachinsky (4*. to p. 171). - In 1862, Latin priests were, in addition to Constantinople, in Varna at the house church maintained by the consuls of Austria and France; in Burgas, at the Austrian consulate; in Philippopolis and its surroundings for the Bulgarians, Catholic Paulicians, under the patronage of the Archbishop of Constantinople Bruni; in Thessaloniki, at the Lazarist school and hospital institution; in Bitola, also at the French consulate. By 1862, there were no Bulgarians left in the Bor boarding school: the Shumlyan youths Gruev and Vaklidov, released in 1861, did not find soil in their homeland: it was already quite firmly occupied by the Methodists, whom I was lucky enough to catch in Ternov in a written agreement with five priests and the announcement of this event on the spot - to undermine their influence both in Ternov and in Shumla. – Until 1862, Roman Catholicism positively failed to take root in the Orthodox communities of Bulgaria: their serious attempts in Kukusha and Varna ended in ridiculous defeats. In Constantinople itself, the notorious union turned out to be a soap bubble: the trick invented by the Poles in the Latin chancellery was that Bulgarian workers (among the up to 40–50 thousand who passed through the capital to different places for work and were required to show their local species in the patriarchy, and they were charged 5 piastres each) were attracted to this office, who received with the assistance of the French embassy, the right to print, and they endorsed their views for 3 piastres. Of course, everything was transferred from the Patriarchate to the Latin chancellery, and the lists of those who appeared, with the addition, of course, of their families in their homeland and relatives, were compiled for the Roman propagandae fidei (from Latin: propaganda of the faith. - Ed.) material for the announcement in the Parisian "Monde" of the news about the retour des Bulgares an catholicisme (from French: about the return of the Bulgarians to Catholicism. - Ed.) in an article that once caused so much noise and alarm in Russia. In Shumla, on the contrary, the church order is maintained very strictly by priests without any supervision of the diocesan authorities. During my time, one leading gentleman managed to escape into the middle of the church during Vespers with the reading of a psalm in poor vernacular according to the Methodist publication - he was not allowed. In the school, everything was taught to such a superficial and hasty degree by gentlemen (like Grahatsky and Botsarov), indeed, friends of the Poles, that, indeed, nothing could be expected except for the scattering of the mind: the top of the sciences and scraps of foreign languages ​​to befuddle good-natured parents: it was from them that the crazy ones were found to send the children to the Bor boarding school, and not for nothing, but with a decent fee for them, something like 300 rubles. per year. – From Ternov, wealthy parents sent their children to real gymnasiums in Vienna, again at considerable expense. “Russia got the poorest children, who all went to us at public expense. - In Smolensk, the Poles - the director and teacher of the gymnasium, Matseevsky and Marx, hopelessly corrupted the gifted young men who were accepted there at the expense and by the highest grace of the Empress. – In Moscow, the best of those who graduated – the Macedonians Stanishevs – remained tutors (in English: mentors. – Ed.) from Katkov for the sake of their acquaintance with the Greek language; Gabrovo resident Fedorov and two more are private mathematics teachers; Ternovets Bonyev - zemstvo doctor in Podolsk; and only those who were unsuccessful in their successes returned to their homeland. The royal family is at the head of our church books and constitutes their authority for the Bulgarian villagers. Thought about. Feofan was escorted by N.I. Ignatiev; but, it seems, it was abandoned, because our route to Athos Russik was found convenient for selling church books to the Bulgarians. It was a Pole from the detachment of Sadyk Pasha (Tchaikovsky), Major Moroz (the pseudonym of the renegade). There they are mostly local residents. The teacher and the singer in church are mostly together. All the students sing with him during the service - in unison. The letter offered to the attention of readers does not indicate in which year it was written. In pencil, but not by the hand of the Saint, it is indicated on it - 71 years, that is, the time when the Right Reverend was already in retirement in the Vyshenskaya hermitage by O. V. A. Kolobova, see our note in No. 1 of “Soulful Reading” for 1904 (This book is published in the “Notes” section on p. 612. - Ed.). His Eminence Palladius, later Metropolitan of St. Petersburg. He was at the Tambov department from June 13, 1873 to September 9, 1876. Veni, vidi, vici (lat.) – came, saw, conquered. – Ed. His Eminence Macarius had just been transferred from Tambov to Kharkov. These letters were preserved in the draft posthumous manuscripts of St. Theophan; written by him in 1874 to an unknown Bishop. Archpriest V.P. Nechaev – editor of the magazine “Soulful Reading” from 1866 to 1889: became a monk with the name Vissarion, subsequently consecrated Bishop of Kostroma. We are talking about a collection of patristic works. Literally (from Latin): treasury of asceticism. – Ed. Economos Constantine, a Greek Christian writer and theologian, opposed the Hebrew translation of the Bible. – Ed. Collection of patristic interpretations of biblical books, - Ed. The letter is addressed to Bishop Vissarion (Nechaev) of Kostroma. – Ed. Letters from 245 to 249 and also 261 are addressed not personally to Princess N.I.K. (Kugusheva), but to certain persons who lived in her house. – Ed. Then part of the letter decayed; Based on the surviving fragmentary phrases, one can guess that there the Right Reverend Theophan complained about the difficulty of his ministry, which, however, he had not yet had time to become well acquainted with; The Olonets seminary was sparsely populated (88 people) and the Olonets seminarians seemed meek and meek to him. Then again the decayed part of the letter; from the surviving phrases one can guess that there the Right Reverend Theophan spoke about scarcity and poverty in Petrozavodsk for everything: candlesticks have to be ordered from St. Petersburg, there are no good merchants, churches - in fact, there is only one - a cathedral, the buildings are bad. “That’s the whole Petrovsky plant,” Bishop Feofan concluded his complaints. Then again the decayed part of the letter, where Bishop Theophan, obviously, spoke about Fr. Lawrence, abbot of the Iversky Monastery, that he himself no longer had anything from Jerusalem left, and thanked Archimandrite Peter for his promise to send him several icons consecrated in Jerusalem. Of course, Arkady (Fedorov), Archbishop of Olonets and Petrozavodsk (1851–1869); On July 7, 1869, he was dismissed due to illness to retire to the Alexander-Svirsky Monastery, where he died on May 8, 1870. Next is the decayed part of the letter, where Bishop Theophan apparently said that they all got into a gondola and went to see the sights of the city, and, first of all, visited the Church of St. Brand... Here we are talking about the work (translation) of the Right Reverend Theophan, which was then published in Kyiv, in the “Sunday Reading” under the title: “Miterikon. Collection of instructions from Abba Isaiah to the all-honorable nun Theodora.” Kirill (Naumov), rector of our mission in Jerusalem (1857–1864) and then manager of the Transfiguration Monastery in Kazan (1864–1866); † February 10, 1866. Alexander (Pavlovich), archimandrite of the Solovetsky Monastery (1853–1857); Bishop of Arkhangelsk (1857–1860) and Poltava (1860–1862); † November 8, 1874 in the Kiev-Vydubetsky Monastery. Ignatius (Brianchaninov), Bishop of the Caucasus (1857–1861); † April 30, 1867. Here and in other places, of course, Porfiry (Uspensky), a famous traveler in the East, who died in the rank of suffragan bishop of Chigirin. Nektary (Nadezhdin), successor of the Right Reverend Theophan as rector at the St. Petersburg Theological Academy, died on September 7, 1874 in the rank of Kharkov archbishop. Probably June 16, 1858. Antonin (Kapustin), master of the 11th year of the Kyiv Theological Academy, bachelor (1843–1845), later rector of the Orthodox Church in Constantinople (1850–1864) and the Russian mission in Jerusalem (1864–1894); † in 1894. Near Iver, which is often mentioned in the letters of the Right Reverend Theophan, is of course the Iversky Monastery of the Novgorod diocese; at that time its rector was Archimandrite Lavrenty (Makarov), master of the 7th year of the Kyiv Academy, bachelor (1835–1841) and professor (1841–1844); subsequently he was the governor of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra and from 1854 the archimandrite of the Iversky Monastery. Agapius (Stavros), candidate of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy, XXII year; subsequently - Metropolitan of Edessa and Houran in the Antioch Patriarchate. Nikandr (Pokrovsky), 9th year master of the Kyiv Theological Academy; at that time he was the rector of the Tula Theological Seminary; subsequently rector of the Novgorod Theological Seminary and from 1860 bishop (then archbishop) of Tula. Well-known publisher of the Mayak magazine. Of course, the election of Archimandrite Peter as a correspondent of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy. V. I. Askochensky, 9th year master of the Kyiv Theological Academy, famous author of “The History of the Kyiv Academy”; Here we are talking about Askochensky’s publication of “Home Conversation”. Akaki (Zaklinsky), who studied at the St. Petersburg Theological Academy (1855–1856); in 1856 he was tonsured a monk and appointed deacon to the embassy church in Constantinople. Of course, Count A.P. Tolstoy, Chief Prosecutor of the Holy Synod. Kiev Metropolitan Isidore. Agafangel (Soloviev), at that time Bishop of Revel, vicar of the St. Petersburg diocese, who died in the rank of Archbishop of Volyn. Archimandrite Victorin (Lyubimov), master of the XX course of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy; On October 20, 1858, he was appointed rector of the Kostroma Theological Seminary; subsequently he was the rector of the Tiflis Theological Seminary; Bishop of Cheboksary, Polotsk and Podolsk; T August 21, 1882. Archimandrite Epiphanius from the Polish nobles of the Volyn province, who studied first at Kiev University and then at the Moscow Theological Academy; subsequently he was the rector of the Caucasian Theological Seminary and died with the rank of missionary on November 16, 1869. In 1859, the caretaker of the Lavra monastery, Hieromonk Gerasim, was appointed economist of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy. Of course, the church-people's assembly, which opened in Constantinople with the permission of the Turkish government on October 30, 1858 and continued intermittently until February 5–16, 1860, the main subject of its discussions was the Greek-Bulgarian question. Of course, His Eminence Ioannikis, Metropolitan of Kyiv and Galicia. On October 6, 1858, he was appointed rector of the Kyiv Theological Seminary. Valerian (Orlov), master of the XXI course of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy: on October 10, 1858 he was appointed inspector of the Kyiv Theological Academy; On December 4, 1859, he was dismissed from his post and placed to live in the Starokharkov Monastery. Seraphim (Aretinsky), the first master of the VIII course of the Kyiv Theological Academy, who died on April 22, 1886 in the rank of Voronezh Archbishop; The surprise of the Right Reverend Theophan can easily be explained to us if we remember that Archimandrite Seraphim was the teacher of Macarius (Bulgakov) at the Kiev Academy and on December 2, 1858 he was appointed rector in Tambov, where Macarius was a bishop. Theophylact (Pravednikov), a friend of Archimandrite Seraphim at the academy; † January 12, 1869 in the rank of Bishop of Novgorod-Seversk. Polycarp (Radkevich), Bishop of Oryol (1858–1867); † 29 August 1867 Smaragd (Kryzhanovsky), Archbishop of Ryazan (1858–1863); † November 11, 1863. The St. Petersburg Theological Academy instructed Archimandrite Peter to conduct an examination of Hierodeacon Akakios; After passing the exam and submitting his essay, Hierodeacon Akaki was confirmed in 1864 as a candidate of theology. Probably A.P. Butenev, our envoy in Constantinople. Probably an official of the Constantinople embassy. Of course, His Eminence Dimitri (Muretov), ​​at that time Archbishop of Kherson and Odessa. Porfiry (Sokolovsky), Bishop of Ufa and Menzelinsky (1859–1860). Leonid (Krasnopevkov), consecrated on April 26, 1859, Bishop of Dmitrovsky from the archimandrites of the Zaikonospassky Monastery. Of course, Filaret (Gumilevsky), Archbishop of Chernigov (1859–1866). Of course, Princess Lukomskaya, a mutual friend of His Eminence Theophan and Archimandrite Peter. Leonty (Lebedinsky), who died in the rank of Metropolitan of Moscow. T.I. Filippov and Zeldergalm - who served in the Holy Synod at that time. We are talking about the letter of the saint dated March 9, 1857, when he was still an archimandrite at the Russian mission in Constantinople, to the late Innocent, Archbishop of Kherson (the letter discussed the features of Bulgarian-Greek relations; see p. 165. - Ed.; Letter No. 172. - Editorial of the ABC of Faith). That is, in the current situation. – Ed. That is, Archbishop of Kherson Innocent (Borisov), who was then present in the Holy Synod. Alexander Skarlatovich Sturdza, famous spiritual writer and philanthropist; a remarkable personality in all respects, still awaiting his assessment from posterity... He was, if we dare say, a teacher of the Church. Archbishop Innocent of Kherson called him his co-celebrant. The rector of the seminary in Odessa was then Archimandrite Seraphim (Aretinsky), later Archbishop of Voronezh; and the inspector was Archimandrite Gennady (Levitsky), later Bishop of Sumy. Markian Demyanovich Grebinsky is a master of the Kiev Theological Academy of the 9th year (graduated in 1839), then a professor at the Odessa Theological Seminary. Here in the original letter is a drawing of binoculars. "Soulful reading." 1891, no. 4. In the journal “Soulful Reading,” this passage apparently mistakenly reads like this: “The Encourager will come.” – Ed.