Письмо V. Константину

If my blessed master truly rejoices, as he wrote, communicating in writing with me, as if with someone present, then it is clear that he rejoices, of course, because he approves of my speeches. And approval of speeches means that the mental disposition of the one who approves the speeches corresponds to these speeches. The undoubted expression of such a disposition is the implementation in practice of the meaning contained in speeches. Let my master give me his most faithful deposit to encourage the making of speeches - his desire to do what they say; [236] and “never,” as it is written, “will I forbid my mouth” ( Ps. 39:10 ) from telling him what can benefit him, me, and others, to the extent that I am only able to accept the grace-filled gift of thinking sensibly and piously expressing thoughts, which God “gives to everyone simply and without reproach” (James 1:5). Let us become, beloved, zealous doers of the commanded works, and flee the deception of this age, and let us not attach our souls to anything that is considered pleasure in it. After all, the world passes away, and everything in it is exhausted, for by nature it is doomed to destruction. And the zeal of those striving for salvation in God’s work is evidenced not only by hatred of sin, but also by spending time free from worldly affairs, and alienation from bad people, and the soul’s aversion from everything corruptible, and according to virtue, contempt for the flesh, and from everything sensual, falsely flattering the soul, stubborn, unyielding abstinence, with which we dry up unbridled desires and pacify disordered impulses anger, not allowing reason to become their obedient slave and, like a driver whose disobedient horses have become out of control, are dragged through the pits, because there is no one to control and restrain the senseless impulse of the harnessed animals. And also perseverance and patience in all unwanted trials, thanks to which we, even while suffering physically, remain unperturbed in soul and invincible, not wavering under any blows. Thanks to both of them - I mean abstinence in relation to the passions subject to us and patience in relation to what does not depend on us - we, as if by some divine sowing of the commandments, grow the beautiful ripe fruits of virtues, that is, we arm spiritual understanding against ignorance and superstition, courage against timidity and rash audacity, chastity against licentiousness [237] and stupidity, justice against lawlessness both pretensions and connivance, humility versus arrogance; We set up condescension against exaltation, restraint against conceit, patience against cowardice; We adhere to kindness and meekness towards everyone, and willing generosity towards those in need; We diligently observe hospitality, brotherly love and philanthropy; We strive for peace and love, in which, as if in some kind of container for good, all the benefits given to people from above are collected and preserved. These are the virtues, my blessed lord, and everyone who loves the Kingdom of Heaven and wants to avoid experiencing the eternal punishments that threaten sinners strives with all his might to both implement and preserve, in which he is helped by the unforgettable remembrance of death, and the uncertainty that follows it, and the poverty of the soul after leaving the body, having nothing but conscience, which is stained by its own evil deeds; The thought of the terrible investigation by evil spirits that awaits her in the air, and the idea of ​​the bitter and gloomy imprisonment of souls in hell, and the premonition of shame before the righteous Judge and heavenly powers upon the discovery of a secret - the most severe of punishments facing sinners - helps. And this is all, and even more, I have already written as best I could, and will not stop writing as much as I am able, prompted to such speeches by the love that I have for my beloved master. Let us fast and be vigilant, blessed one, so that we may preserve ourselves and not be subjected to greater condemnation for the fact that we thoughtlessly and in vain only spoke and listened to the Divine. After all, we will give an answer to God for these speeches (Rom. 14:12) on the day of judgment - I for speaking, the rest for hearing - if we leave them completely inactive and fruitless; [238] It is better that we rejoice in all the speeches of God and become doers of the Divine and saving commandments contained in them, through the prayers and intercession of our Most Glorious and Most Holy Lady, Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, and all the saints. Amen. You might be interested in: