Parting words to a new monk

In the essay “Paradite words to a new monk,” St. Tikhon of Zadonsky addresses the new monk with encouraging words and emphasizes the importance of conscious renunciation not only of worldly life, but also of internal passions - vanity, pride, laziness, condemnation, etc. He points out that true renunciation requires constant internal work and offers specific ways to strengthen oneself in spiritual life. First of all, the saint advises to constantly reflect on the temporality of earthly existence and the inevitability of death, as well as on the coming Judgment of Christ, where the righteous will find eternal life, and sinners - eternal torment. He pays special attention to diligent and frequent prayer, emphasizing that without it it is impossible to achieve success in any spiritual endeavor. In moments of despondency and melancholy, the author recommends intensifying prayer and standing firm in your decision. Next, the saint speaks about the fight against evil thoughts that may arise in a beginning ascetic. He calls for immediately rejecting them, trusting in God’s help, and reminds us of the changeability of the spiritual state - periods of clarity give way to turmoil, but one must always hope for the mercy of the Lord. In case of contempt or persecution from people who do not accept the truth, the saint instructs to patiently endure sorrows, looking at the example of Christ and remembering His words: “With your patience save your souls” (Luke 21:19). In conclusion, Saint Tikhon advises combining prayer with reading soul-helping books, especially the Gospel and the Apostle, emphasizing the need to reflect on what you read. You went to the monastery of your own free will. Live now. God is your Helper, brother! You ran away from your relatives and from the world, but renounce the world that lives in our hearts, that is, from vanity, pride, laziness, condemnation, contempt, indignation and other things, and you will be blessed. 1) Always separate your thoughts from this world, that is, remember that everything here, both sweet and bitter, will end, and death comes, which unexpectedly comes and kidnaps people. Where are our ancestors now? In their places. And we will follow them. Next will be the Judgment of Christ, from which some (the righteous) will go into eternal life, and others (sinners) will go into eternal torment. Think about this often, especially at night, for then the time is quiet and convenient for reflection. 2) Diligent and frequent prayer. Pray often and force yourself to pray when there is no desire and zeal. Without prayer, a person will not succeed in anything. 3) When boredom and melancholy sets in, then especially remember what is written in the first paragraph, and fall to the ground, and pray and sigh to the Lord. Because this is a temptation. So Satan wants to turn you back to the world again. Look, be strong and do not give in, and say this: although I die here, I will not leave. And truly, it is better to die than to return back: “no one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God,” says Christ (Luke 9:62). And blessed is not the one who started, but the one who finished. Reason and remember what I write. 4) There are evil thoughts among those who begin to seek the Lord. If this happens to you, or maybe even now, look, throw it away immediately, like a spark from your hand. They come from the devil by God's permission, to our punishment or temptation. And pray diligently to God to help you win, and they will go away over time, and when they go away, wait again. For there is always a change in spiritual affairs: sometimes it is clear, sometimes it is vague, just like in the air. And expect God's mercy without a doubt. 5) When you are despised or persecuted by people who hate the truth, endure generously and remain silent, and look to Christ, who endured everything for our sake. “Save your souls through your patience,” says Christ (Luke 21:19). Look, souls are saved by patience, not by laziness. And where there is patience, there is disaster. There is no patience without adversity, and “through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God,” says the apostle (Acts 14:22). 6) Between work and prayer, read useful books, especially the Gospel and the Apostle, and reason. For reading without reasoning brings no benefit. 7) Read my previous letters, etc., and pray for me, a sinner. I humbly ask this.