Глава 15. Заключение
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The memory of the righteous is with praise (Proverbs 10:7).
In conclusion of everything that has been said about the life, exploits and death of the venerable elder hieromonk Leonid (in the schema of Leo), let us note here the gratifying and significant phenomenon that by the last days of the life of this Elder, all the circumstances unfavorable to him began to change for the better, and his predictions were fulfilled; and soon after his death everything was settled.
The case of the Belevsky exiles and other students of Fr. Leonidas, according to his prophecy, ended with the complete triumph of truth. The Kiev Metropolitan Philaret stood up for them, whom the Elder asked in writing for protection not for himself, but for the poor nuns who suffered such hardships solely because they wanted to use his spiritual instructions and lead a monastic life according to the instructions of the saints. Father. The Kyiv saint, as already mentioned, knew the elder Fr. well and for a long time. Leonidas, wrote to the Tula Bishop of Damascus in defense of the Elder and the slandered nuns. Moscow Metropolitan Filaret wrote to him about the same thing. And the Right Reverend Damascene soon became convinced that he had been misled by jealousy that was not according to the mind of the priest, Fr. Gregory. At the end of 1841, on October 4, the Belevsky exiles M. Anfiya and Maria Nikolaevna Somova, with the permission of the Tula Bishop, were again accepted into the monastery, so that the elder Fr. Leonid, who died on October 11 of the same year, a week before his death, was consoled and reassured by the news of the end of the persecution of his spiritual daughters.
Then the books - “Philokalia” and St. Ephraim the Syrian, presented by Abbess Claudia to the Tula Consistory as heretical, were returned to the owners as Orthodox.
A few years after the death of the Elder, another of his predictions came true. Namely, in 1848, one of his and M. Anfia’s closest students, nun Pavlina, was elected and ordained as abbess of the Belevsky monastery, and M. Anfia, tonsured into the mantle with the name of Magdalene, was appointed treasurer of the same monastery and until her death she was a zealous assistant to the abbess, especially in the spiritual care of the sisters of the monastery, as an experienced elder, mediating between the sisters and the abbess in their needs, pacifying those at war, humbling the obstinate, comforting the faint-hearted, calming the weak and sick. The abbess's mother revered her as only a tender daughter can reverence her own mother. And the respect of the spiritual authorities, the common love of the sisters and the respectful attention of everyone who had any connection with the monastery and the abbess fully compensated the elder for the sorrows she endured at the beginning of her stay in this monastery. Under the abbess Pavlina and under the treasurer and elder Magdalene, the Belevskaya monastery, according to the prediction of Fr. Leonida began to flourish.
The Most Reverend Damascene, during the entire subsequent period of his administration of the diocese, with his power of attorney and paternal attention, with which he constantly distinguished those who were innocently suspected, not only blotted out the memory of former sorrows in their hearts, but also earned their common love and grateful memory for his personal attention to them, and especially for the patronage and approval of that very spiritual relationship that was previously presented to him in a perverted form.
Another close student of Elder Leonid, who, together with Mother Anthia, suffered more than others during the persecution, Maria Nikolaevna Somova, in the monasticism of Macarius, in 1862 was made the abbess of the Kashira women's community (now a monastery), in which she successfully served until old age.
As for Fr. Gregory, the culprit of the Belev discords, then he, recognizing his mistake and guilt, although he did not dare to bring obvious repentance to everyone for the obvious temptation and indignation of many, but secretly many times asked for forgiveness from the treasurer Magdalene (formerly M. Anthia) and other sisters who were persecuted.
However, according to the unknown fate of God, he was taken away from this life in middle age.
In Optina Hermitage itself, various unrest and disturbances began to subside, for the old-time monks who had armed themselves against Elder Leonid, even during his lifetime, some moved from Optina to other monasteries, and some departed to eternal life. When people who were unfriendly towards the Elder appeared in Optina Pustyn, then the skete schemamonk Fr. Vassian, as if not embarrassed by anyone, calmed down.
“It happened to me (as told by Tikhonov’s monk Anthony, who was formerly Father Alexander, a disciple of Elder Leonid) to see him after the death of Father Father. Leonida. Usually, when we meet, I greet him: “Bless him, father.” “I will receive a sympathetic answer: “Oh, servant of God, God will bless you. Well,” he will say, “is it boring after the Elder?” - “It’s boring, father, pray!” - “Yes, I pray for God’s servant.” – Such meetings always caused heartbreak and tears. - “Well, well,” Father Vassian will add, “be patient, servant of God. But the old man, that one, was a sage. Macarius, the servant of God, listened to him. But Macarius is good, too, and he remembers me. Save him, Lord!” “I told him once again: ‘You, father, do not understand correctly about Father Leonid. You yourself say that Father Macarius listened to him, but an old man like Father Macarius would not listen to anyone.” “Yes, yes,” Father Vassian answered humbly, “apparently there is a reason for it. The kingdom of heaven to him!” “This simple old man died at a ripe old age, about 90 years old, with a peaceful Christian death, and on the third or fourth day after that he was buried by Fr.
abbot Moses at the council. During all this time, the body of the deceased was soft, like that of a living one, which, according to the remark of spiritually experienced men, serves as a sign of God’s mercy.”
Finally, Bishop Nikolai of Kaluga changed his opinion about the elder Fr. Leonida, although, however, not soon. For a long time, the Lord was carried away by the unfavorable comments about the Elder from his ill-wishers, and no one could dissuade him from this. More than once I tried to speak about Fr. Leonida the truth about. Abbot Moses. But as soon as he would make a hint about it, the Eminence would immediately abruptly interrupt him. “I know, I know,” he will say, “he is a cash cow for you, so everything is fine, everything will do.” When the children of the late aforementioned Mr. Zhelyabuzhsky prepared two monuments of the same shape and size, one for the grave of their parent, and the other for the grave of his spiritual father, Elder Fr. Leonid, then one of the sons of Zhelyabuzhsky deliberately went to Kaluga to ask the Eminence for permission to put these monuments in their places. The Bishop answered coldly: “There is nothing to do, put it above Fr. Leonid, although this is unnecessary, so be it! There’s no way to send the monument back.”
That is why they concluded at that time that if they had first asked the Vladyka for permission to cast a monument for the grave of Elder Leonidas, he would not have allowed it. Maybe so.
But in 1842, His Eminence Filaret, Metropolitan of Kiev, visited Optina Pustyn for the second time, as well as the first time, while traveling from St. Petersburg to Kyiv. As usual, he was accompanied by Kaluga Bishop Nikolai, who witnessed how the great metropolitan hierarch honored the memory of his old man, the elder Fr. Leonidas, having served a litiya over his grave, and, perhaps, at the same time he told the Most Reverend Nicholas something from the long past that was sweetly remembered. Since that time, Vladyka Nikolai has already changed his opinion about the Elder for the better. After that, jokes and ridicule were no longer heard from him when the conversation concerned the elder Fr. Leonida, but, on the contrary, he began to treat the deceased with respect.
The following year, 1843, the Right Reverend Nicholas, having arrived in Optina Pustyn, served a requiem service for the cathedral, and then a lithium at the grave of the Elder; in conversations with the abbot and brethren, he expressed respect for the deceased, and at the same time openly expressed regret that, due to a misunderstanding during the life of the Elder, he did not appreciate him and gave faith to unfair rumors about him. “And I am a man,” said the bishop, “and therefore I could be mistaken in believing what some said.” “At the same time, Vladyka expressed a desire for information to be collected about the life of the elder Fr. Leonidas and his biography was published. – Subsequently, he even cited the words of the deceased Elder for the edification of others. It was when the Maloyaroslavets abbot Fr. In 1843, due to illness, Anthony asked for his retirement; His Eminence Nicholas wrote to him: “In previous times, the elders on similar occasions spoke to the prophet: I sing to my God, I am here... I recommend that you follow the example of these godly men.”
Thus, the humble Elder was honored by the same archpastor who had previously looked with doubt and distrust at his service in favor of suffering humanity! But most of all, Fr. justified the elder. Leonidas time. The dignity of each teacher and the correctness of his teaching are learned most of all from their fruits. And it is known that the teaching of Elder Leonidas and his personal influence, wherever it extended and where it was and is not accepted with zeal, has always had and is having the most favorable effects. Three men's monasteries in the Kaluga diocese and five women's monasteries in other dioceses owe much of their improvement and prosperity to the Elder's labors. In these latter, partly during the life of the Elder, partly after his death, worthy students of his were appointed abbess. And who can count the great number of individuals, monks and laity who, through his fatherly care, found the right path to spiritual salvation and always gratefully blessed the memory of the Elder Mentor! Voices and echoes of Fr.'s opponents.
Leonidas has long been silent, and his name has become known throughout Orthodox Russia and is pronounced with reverence by all true monks and admirers of monasticism. In St. of the Optina monastery, the ministers of the Church always proclaim to him: “Eternal memory!” - The word of the Holy Scripture came true and is being fulfilled on him: The name of a pious man survives the birth, and his glory will not be consumed: people will overcome his wisdom, and the Church will confess his praise (Sir. 44, 12, 14).
It is worthy of note that on the eve of that day (i.e., Saturday, October 11, 1841), when the Holy Church appointed to celebrate the memory of St. Fathers of the VII Ecumenical Council, the Lord deigned to receive to Himself the soul of His faithful servant, as if in denunciation of those who, out of their foolishness, called him a heretic during his lifetime.
So, wondrous and marvelous are the works of Your all-wise and all-good providence, O Lord, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the understanding of truth! For you, O God, have shut everyone up in rebellion, that He may have mercy on everyone (Rom. 11:32). Glory and thanksgiving and worship befits you, Holy King, forever and ever. Amen.
Applications. Several letters from the elder Fr. Leonidas, in the schema of Leo
Our Most Honorable and Most Revered Father A. 123, we earnestly wish you to rejoice in the One Most Sweet Lord Jesus!
I hasten with this shedding of tears to inform you of the blessed death of our universal father, Father Theodore. His death was truly blessed. He reposed on the seventh of April, at the beginning of the ninth hour in the afternoon, on the heel of Bright Week. Before the late mass, the father archimandrite himself, solely out of his zeal, unctioned with oil; at the end of the blessing of oil, when the Gospel was unfurled over his head, during the reading of the last prayer, the Gospel of Matthew was revealed - the Sunday Gospel, the same one that is read on Holy Saturday at the Divine Liturgy.
With all this, Father A quite participated with his zeal. From late mass they received the Holy Mysteries.
Since Great Wednesday he had not consumed any bread or even hot water, except rusk water and kvass, and even then very little: two sips each. On the Easter holiday and on the second day I took little milk, twice a day - two sips and little more... Forgive me, for the Lord’s sake, I am unable to write in detail due to weakness, but if you wish, you can read it in a letter to Father G-124. If we don’t succeed, then with God’s help, in time, when we are alive, and your desire is there, then we will write, but now I am exhausted: now thirds have ruled over him.
On Svetlaya, two days before his death, the brethren came to say goodbye to him, and Father Archimandrite spoke to him repeatedly and with a contented feeling and said goodbye three times, amazingly, although he had never had any quarrel with him before. But, thank God, beyond all hope, the Paleostrovsky builder came from P-a, and spoke to him affectionately, with diligent feeling and said goodbye, not without tears. The next day he went to his monastery.
It is also worthy of attention that our father A-and his own father, who came to the Solovetsky Monastery, having been tonsured into the mantle at his request (they had little idea about the great image, but only his Father always lived an exemplary life and praiseworthy simplicity), after living in Solovki with an increase of 10 years, he also died on Friday on Bright Week before late mass. Father A is very surprised at this identity, that is, that the Most Merciful Lord vouchsafed his spiritual father, as well as his own, to repose on the heel of Bright Week; even the number seven in their death was one.
And in short, we have to abide with the most sensitive respect, your humble servants and unworthy prayer monks, the great sinners, hieroschemamonks Leonid and A-, we humbly bow in absentia and ask for your holy prayers in support of our mental and physical infirmities. Father F. and Father I also bow to you, and Father V especially testifies to you his respect with worship. April 10, 1822, Alexander-Svirsky Monastery.
Our most honorable and most beloved fathers and brothers in the Lord, Father G. and Father I., we earnestly wish you to rejoice and be content in the One Most Sweet Lord Jesus.
We received the scripture you sent out on April 10 on the 14th and, according to the strength of our feeble-mindedness, we heeded the contents. Although we, for our many sins and negligence, have lost our universal spiritual guide to salvation - but what can we do?.. We do not despair of ourselves in the end; for when, according to his last hours, we follow his dearest instruction, that is, so as not to be separated from our spiritual community and union, but to remain among ourselves in the council of spiritual love and to listen to each other, when we strive to fulfill this instruction with the help of the Almighty, then although we are in extreme spiritual poverty, we believe in the Most Merciful Lord that he, having with Him boldness, with his God-pleasing prayers to His unlimited benevolence, will help us the poor in every possible way; only we ourselves must try not to fall away from his spiritual wisdom through our negligence; otherwise, although he was separated from us in body, he will remain with us in spirit.
And what do you write, that sometimes you find a trembling fear there, so as not to be upset by anything, this, according to our bad reasoning, we should all be afraid of and tremble at the creeps, and not only in the capital, but wherever we happen to live.
As for food, it seems that you have already decided this during our personal visit, that what is offered should be consumed with abstinence for the glory of God, and not to seek excess for gluttony.
And regarding the displeasure, in your opinion, from our brethren, we constantly ask and pray to our Most Merciful Master, Creator and Provider, to grant us the understanding of the poor so that we can deal sinlessly with them, and to those who are in need, to bestow patience. In such cases, it is necessary to remember for consolation Abba Cyrus, 125 whom the entire brotherhood kicked out and blasphemed from meals, etc. But when he left his body, he thanked them for tempting him; Instead, he remained untempted by demons. And I’ll also remind you of my father, our universal father Theodore, tell me - where was he loved?.. And St. The Apostle writes that whoever wants to live godly... will be persecuted 126.
...And your great ones, who sowed and continue to sow, will reap and reap until there is plenty... To admit that you are insufficient in everything... is obligatory, and not only for us, but for everyone in general; We are the poorest and weak-minded, then we must live everywhere and constantly communicate with our brethren to borrow good things.
And to cut it short, we ask you and pray in general, for the Lord’s sake, be patient there. And the fact that you express in a great degree that you happen to spend the night in three or more houses is useful for you and me: you apparently forgot the words of the late priest Father Theodore; he often repeated the thought of the one spirit-bearing elder that we must train ourselves in such a way that if, when the time calls, we have to sit in prison, so that we can be together there too.
...Let us thank the Most Merciful Lord God, who arranges our destiny in favor of our poor souls, and again we ask you to be patient: maybe the Most Merciful Lord will not show us some of His ineffable mercy!
...We have nothing to worry too much about, but only, if possible, about our wretched soul. And when demonic thoughts lead us into a soul-destroying life, then we must imagine and remember why we separated ourselves from the world and everything in it - solely for the salvation of our soul; When we were tonsured, we were given a spiritual sword against evil thoughts - a rosary, in order to thereby reflect thoughts from the enemy, for St. John Climacus writes: “In the Name of Jesus beat the warriors, for they will not find the strongest weapons either in heaven or on earth.” Our fathers and brothers! Let us take care of the salvation of our poor souls and strive to always call upon the Name of God for help.
And in short, we have to abide with our most sensitive respect and usual devotion, your humble servants and unworthy prayers, many sinners: I. L., or in form, Leonidas and Antiochus 127, we humbly bow in absentia, asking for your holy prayers to strengthen our mental and physical weaknesses. April 17, 1822.
Most Honorable and Most Revered Mother N. among nuns! We earnestly wish you to rejoice and be content in the Most Sweet Lord Jesus Christ.
We received your pleasant writing on May 8th and heeded the contents; to which we respond, but only with great compulsion.
As for N.N.’s revelation, we have no intention of forcing you into this burdensome yoke; and her disposition is partly foreseeable, and the rigidity she received in living life either by her own free will, or in her communication with various mentors and mentors, which did a lot of harm to her and upset her to the extreme. This is clear to us. But how she writes and explains her extremity, and her, albeit mediocre, commitment to your good behavior, from which she sometimes feels some joy from you in her meetings; For these reasons, we advise her, because of her faith in you, to explain herself in order to relieve herself from the flood of evil thoughts and passions that shake our souls. Why remember the second commandment of the Lord (Matthew 22:39), which commands us to love our neighbor as ourselves. What and how to love?
It is in no way possible to exclude this, so that, in whatever way we can, we can help our neighbors; and let us try in every possible way to console in a forgiving and compassionate spirit, but only to the best of our ability, that is, when, with the help of God, you do not harm yourself; and when someone himself, while edifying another, is damaged, then the Holy Fathers advise to follow the best, that is, to listen to oneself and preserve oneself. So, in this part, pay attention and consider your strength and conscience. Covered by the goodness of the Most High, you can, according to your strength, help those in need, without hiding your God-given talent; for as it is said in the Holy Gospel: to him much has been given, and much will be required, and also: bear one another’s burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ 128.
When considering a need, it can be useful to consult with well-meaning people yourself; and it is commendable to reproach yourself before everyone. And there seems to be nothing to grieve about, but delve into your conscience and don’t worry that Mother N... will involve you in rumors; We ask you to remain calm on this matter. But it’s clear that mother N... has not yet gathered the courage to reveal the thoughts of your love, although she feels that she is faint-hearted in reasoning, but as if you will not bear her weakness; however, we are just guessing. However, if God tells your heart, then in times of need, for the sake of the commandment of the Lord, do not leave it 129. And what do you write that under no circumstances will you agree to accept her completely as your care, considering your weakness; We do not refute you in this; Yes, it’s unlikely that she can completely surrender. It seems that one can guess, but it is by no means possible based on the above-mentioned obdurate skills. There is writing; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak 130.
What I reminded you about the abbess, I apologize for that - I worried you with my madness. To her, mother, I truly confess to you that we do not caress you, and we do not at all wish you, we even imagine that you would be an abbess, or that we would notice in you a tendency towards greed; but we are heartily consoled by your favorable and decisive answer about this; but arrogance and vainglorious opinion cries out inside that Z.’s mother is unlikely to die. But, however, forgive for God’s sake, and be complacent, and be at peace, because I am writing this out of madness. I will truly explain to you, mother, that I myself had no feeling or imagination of being a boss; but the Most Merciful Lord allowed me to be tempted, and by His mercy He freed me.
But if, through your faith and frequent compulsion, you feel relief from your passions, for this give thanks to the Most Merciful Lord God, who lightens your burden. However, be awake and watchful, and beware, - the enemy will come again with impudence and begin to shake your spiritual church; but believe that help will come invisibly from the Lord and will strengthen you and lead you to goodness.
As for the love of things and money-grubbing (that is, the excess of various things), this weakness, according to the reasoning of the Holy Fathers, is worse and more disastrous than the love of money; but may we replenish and replenish ourselves, and may the Lord make us and our destiny omnipotent in a benevolent and salutary end. About food, keep the advice we previously wrote to you, and you will be calm. Solitude, and although sensual silence, unquestioning and undeniable, is a means to salvation; and experiments always show, and saints affirm, what contributes to every good deed; and vice versa, action helps our salvation.
And go through the Jesus Prayer as you do, and the time will come, then the very work and mercy of God will enlighten and enlighten your soul, how and whom to ask, and what you are looking for and desire will be sent. It is written in the troparion to the Hieromartyr Fathers that “thou hast, divinely inspired, found the dawn of action in vision.” To say a prayer usually is an act, no matter what kind of prayer one does; and vision or admiration of the mind is a gift from God from the goodness of God to us. We advise you to read the canon, akathist one, but only with as much attention as possible. It is true that no matter who he is, an ascetic or a faster, but living according to his own will, and being nourished by himself, you will by no means see affirmation and good reasoning in him. For this reason, St. Simeon the New Theologian writes in the 6th word that it is better to be called a disciple of a disciple than to live on your own. About this and St.
Mark the Ascetic, in his letter to Nicholas the monk in the 1st part of the Philokalia, on the back of page 37, writes: “I have endured many labors, fasting, and suffering, and have endured many labors for the sake of God; but their self-rule, lack of reasoning and lack of demand from their neighbors made their labors unsteady and vain.”
Regarding the question of prayers, it’s as if I wrote the beginning to K.’s mother; it seems there must be an end. After every rule one must certainly read: It is worthy to eat as truly; Glory even now; Lord, have mercy - three times; through the prayers of the saints, our Father, Lord Jesus Christ... to the end and let the common people go 131 Lord Jesus Christ... to the end. And twice a day it should be added after the usual dismissal, that is: after “Lord Jesus Christ”... in the morning after morning prayers and in the evening after prayers for the future to sleep: “Loose, forgive, forgive, O God, our sins...” to the end; then the prayer: “Those who hate and offend us,” which is at the end of Great Compline, then the daily confession, which can be found in the monthly book of the Kyiv press at the very end of the book. Although the canons should be read after Vespers and Compline, but when it doesn’t fit for you, leave it; and when occasion and time permit, then, having read the canons, one should also read the prayers at the canons and make the usual ending.
And we, in obscenity, remain the most sincere wishers of your love, good and soul-saving successes - your humble servants and unworthy people of prayer, the squalor and many sins of I. L. and Schemamonk F., we bow to the ground in absentia and ask for your holy prayers in support of our infirmities; and all our brothers and fathers unanimously bow to you - and to all your like-minded sisters. May 15, 1817 Valaam Monastery.
Your Reverence! Most venerable sister in the Lord and daughter in spirit, mother of N.! I sincerely wish you to be healthy mentally and physically and to rejoice in the Lord.
I received your pleasant writing, which you sent by mail on October 27, in good order and, having read it, I heeded the content to the extent of my weak understanding, from which I see that your disposition and zeal for my badness has not diminished to this day; and you, out of your great faith, explain your weaknesses with regret and contrition of heart. As for your joyful feeling that you felt when reading my most insignificant letter, I believe that this is nothing other than the special help of God, consoling you who are weakest, so that you, offended by the muddy lake filled with leeches of the enemy, may receive refreshment for your thirsty soul for the need that lies ahead. Glory to the Most Merciful and Greatly Gifted Lord, who announced to your love to listen to my unworthy advice: taking the soul-saving measures handed down by the spirit-bearing holy Fathers, in agreement with the holy life-giving commandments commanded by the Savior Himself: love the Lord God with all your heart and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself 132, so that you may be without stumbling among yourself. to love our neighbors.
And how can you, daughter, with such faith and reverence, be embarrassed about the appointment of Mother K. to you and say that on my advice she should not start anything and should not dare to do anything without you, and you write that you were offended by this - for me this is extremely incomprehensible and dark, what would that mean? “It seems that I did not impose an oath on both of you and did not bind you in any way.” And how you, by your faith, ask and pray, so as not to leave you, but to give you soul-edifying advice - in which hope I, indecent, dare to explain to you again that she, K., as you yourself wrote, during your illness served you with all zeal and diligence, not for any interest or benefit, but solely for the sake of the commandment of God; then why, if her faith and goodwill are towards you, should she not take care of her position? And you know poorly that it is not so much the art and experiences of old age that act, but rather the faith with the trust of those who ask for the grace of God that generally attracts us; And why do you, daughter, grieve without thinking a little better?
If I had unreasonably tied you up with a prohibition so that you would pursue her reverence, K.’s mother, in all parts and, in a word, as if leading you on a whip, then it would definitely be burdensome for you. And just as you previously had the same mother and were brought up with spiritual milk from the same mother, you also, always being open to each other from frequent considerations, acquired the habit of opening up - this forced my despondency to offer the above, albeit for some consolation of your souls. As for her bold pronouncements in words, we must overcome everything with humility, self-reproach and patience; you yourself know that it is significantly damaged, and the Lord is able to fix it. So, if the Most Merciful Lord tells you to listen to me, a sinner, as being in agreement with the commandments of the Lord and the traditions of the saints. Fathers, please be forced to do this, and I hope that it will be useful to you. And when he is not informed, then as you wish; just be at peace and don’t be embarrassed. Moreover, I have decided to give you E.
how she asks my thinness for this, and according to my feelings I appoint her to you too; and as much faith as she has, she will feel as much benefit, but without faith, whoever goes to the prophet will not receive benefit... And you can answer each question that by faith God will admonish them; and I’ll also tell you something amazing: St. John Climacus writes: “Some fathers, according to their faith, spoke words to others and, being ashamed of their words, made a good beginning and corrected their lives.” And I approve of this intention of yours in order to make myself deaf and dumb... however, with reason. And that although you decided to accept M., but Mother Abbess did not bless you, then know that, apparently, it would not be beneficial; and be careful what you accept. God save you! And if God wills what you have, then they cannot make a complete obstacle about it; Be patient, maybe M. will be blessed. Glory to the Lord for this, that we are persecuted and slandered, but because of this we should not plunge into destructive despair; Readings can be added by two leaves, but I honor Mother D. with you as one...
May the Most Merciful Lord help you and protect you, and protect you from all the snares and slander of the devil, and may all your sins be forgiven through the prayers of your father and mother; and I am unworthy, I send you fatherly forgiveness and blessing. Your forever pilgrim, I.L., with our devoted brethren, we bow.
We were honored to receive your pleasant writing for me, which you sent by mail in September, on October 2, and having read it, I heeded, by the strength of my weak understanding, how much strength was allowed, and I clearly see that in such sorrowful adventures, by which you are oppressed to the point of exhaustion, you are overcome and suffer from soul-harming cowardice and pernicious sadness, which even destroys and exhausts your last strength, that It is very distressing for your weak, burdened soul in all parts, but from now on, let us begin, with God’s help, to give thanks and endure for everything we find, and the Most Merciful Lord, seeing your obedience and diligence for edifying deeds, will in every possible way send down His help and grace from above, granting good-natured feelings and complacency to carry on your life in patience and praise of the Lord, who called you to this blessed haven, that is, to the title of the angelic image of your abode.
As for the deprivation of an experienced and highly skilled old woman, the memorable Mother V., also the removal for a time of the nurturer of your souls, the spiritual father and mentor Macarius, although these losses are significant and we must indisputably attribute this deprivation to our sins and unworthiness, that we have lost such edifying nurturers of our souls, but, however, with all this we must remember that the Most Merciful Lord arranges everything in our spiritual benefit; Moreover, God is infinite in mercy, and His actions are also infinite; and wherever He desires to demonstrate His power, the rules and orders of nature are overcome!.. But, O foolish and inert-hearted daughter!.. Why do you fall into confusion and cowardice and why do you become despondent and immensely sad?
And although you definitely lost your dearest and most tender mentor and mother, you lost her physically, not mentally; because she, the blessed one, was taken from us bodily, and her spirit and the good remains of her deeds - patience and suffering for those who find her, unforgettable malice and love without exception for everyone, not only for the well-minded and loving, but also for those who oppose her, also obedience, obedience, and faith for the well-skilled - will remain unforgettable. She continued these exploits until her final departure from this life; Finally, in addition, she sealed her wisdom with a favorable death, with which the Merciful Lord honored her and accepted her into eternal bliss, where, according to the Apostle, what eye has not seen and ear has not heard, this Lord has prepared for those who love Him 133 .
Let us come to our senses, why should we grieve unnecessarily, even though our mentor and teacher came before us? Here too, to the best of her ability and the measure of your faith, she nurtured and admonished you, and protected you from enemies visible and invisible; but even in the physical, she did good, leaving you a cover and a refuge - a cell. When we preserve faith and adherence to its soul-edifying instructions and fulfill them, then in the future life we will appease and beseech the Greatly Gifted Lord to unite and number our beloved child with ourselves in one abode. This is when we should be sad (only, God, deliver every person), if our mother, the teacher, began her life in the spirit, but ended it carnally, that is, with a sinful fall, and, without repenting, was taken away from among us; one should sob and cry about such a disastrous end!!!
Also, in the same way, refrain from being sad and despondent about the most kindly priest, Father Macarius 134, since although he is removed from you, as well as from us, for a while, he is united in spirit; as if from afar, for the sake of distance, his lips cannot act for instruction, but his love and his right hand, acted with a pen, will in the full sense nourish and comfort you, according to your good will and faith. And if it is clear to you that if a mentor up close and constantly reminds us of our shortcomings, compassionately advises and exhorts us to guard against malice, then to us the malicious enemy, the man-hating devil, not infrequently suggests to those who obey him his human shortcomings and puts contempt in order to distrust us in him and to calmly accept his edifying instructions. This is where we lose the benefit; therefore St. and the God-inspired Father Simeon the New Theologian advises not to enter the abbot’s cell more often out of precaution, so as not to fall into contempt and insolence.
Why do you deign to mention that during your priest’s stay in your monastery, you seemed to see him in a dream, for during his last absence you were almost insensible, thank God for this, because by this, for your weakness, you were protected from significant sorrow.
As for your bewilderment and grief about not receiving letters from me, indecent, responsible for your love, please listen patiently and complacently to the reasons that prevent this: firstly, the weakness of my health; 2nd, daily exercise with his brothers; 3, well-meaning various persons who come and come to me will greatly deter and encourage you to satisfy your desires; and I’ll tell you, my beloved daughter, N.’s mother, that this letter is already in its third week, and from such passages you can notice from its contents that many words are placed inappropriately.
Don’t grieve too much about sisters P. and A., who Mother Abbess took, since the Most Merciful and Almighty God is able to support and preserve such rumors; And don’t grieve over the time that has passed because she healed and instructed them poorly, for such instruction is most effective not through our imaginary art, but from their faith and goodwill with reverence. But even now, daughter, if they come from the abbot’s cell, you must, calling on God for help, so that he invisibly enlightens you and enlightens your mind and heart, teach them edifying and comforting words and advice to strengthen their souls; and although you, daughter M., yourself yearn for someone from the wise to speak to you a soul-helping word, it is written: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, 135 and so on.
I advise you to communicate with K.’s mother as with your one-wise sister, not only in the physical, but also in the spiritual; and especially when the priest blessed you to be with her in an inseparable spirit; and therefore, respecting the good advice of Father Macarius, and besides, you yourself explain the fruits of her love for you during your most extreme need - illness - she continually served you, like a bought slave, and for such her commitment to you, it seems, should not use female cunning, which is even directly contrary to our title, that the devil represents the thought: when she is completely trained in your handicraft - she will be given more work than you, and you will be left without food. And to this end, please listen to the fact that God is infinite in His unsearchable mercy towards us, strong and omnipotent to saturate us with His unsearchable providence, and to saturate us abundantly. And so, daughter, try to teach her all your external gifts, especially since she is one-wise, and you will be among the doers of God’s commandments.
Doing the commandments of the Lord gives life to the soul, and even your body will pacify and comfort you to the fullest.
In your cell, it seems, it is imperative for you to accept any of the well-meaning people, and especially with such weakness allowed to you - may the Lord bless you. And as for sister S., try to be careful so as not to notice her actions and her various cunning messages; In this way, protect yourself in every possible way from disastrous contempt - condemnation, which extremely darkens and upsets our whole life; but I will tell you that we must love her, and hate her obscene acts; She, according to Scripture, stands for her Lord, and falls while serving her own, and who are we that we should judge alien slaves? Let us also try to guard against insolence and be forced to be more edifying in every possible way, for a soft word greatly infuses reverence into the feelings of the one who hears or the one who hears. May the Most Merciful Lord enlighten you, so that you become wiser in humility and more than these written by my badness: remember “as in every temptation, humility, self-reproach and patience are victory.”
May the Most Merciful Lord help you, and protect you, and cover you from all the gums and snares of the enemy, and may you forgive all your sins; and I, a great sinner, send you my fatherly forgiveness and blessing, and, through the prayers of the deceased and blessed: Father Theodore and mothers Varvara and Vitaly, may the peace of God rest on you, and I, indecent, forever abide, thirsting for your salvation, the unworthy pilgrim I.L. with the like-wise brethren.
If this letter finds my mother and daughter I. alive, then show her my zealous and loving respect; and I ask God’s blessing from above for her, so that she can endure and thank God for everything.
Most venerable daughter in spirit, mother N., I sincerely wish you, together with your dear sister, mother I., to be healthy mentally and physically and to rejoice in the One Most Sweet Lord Jesus!
Glory to the Most Merciful Lord, who told Father Macarius to console your sad souls with edifying writings to encourage and encourage those who are sad in spirit. But, oh daughter in spirit! Now, it seems, it is clear to you and you can see for yourself that the all-merciful and generously gifted Lord does not abandon you, but satisfies and consoles you in every possible way; and therefore we must, as weak as possible, thank His benevolence and not forget all His rewards.
Why are you, daughter, complaining: although violent and carnal passions have receded for a while, the illness of cowardice oppresses you the most over time; then, oh mother and daughter! Let it be known to your love that the universal enemy the devil, always changing his battles and intrigues, deceives and defeats us with such cunning and insidious tricks; and do not insist that your rage and carnal passion completely fade away; But have you been given some time to rest? And it is not the enemy who teaches this weakness, but through the mercy of God His grace invisibly helps fathers and mothers through the prayers; for if it were not for God’s grace invisibly protecting and strengthening, then hardly anyone would be able to keep himself in integrity. And when you openly explain that you cannot endure even the slightest word, and that even every little thing touches you to your very heart, then, my daughter... this saddens me beyond measure; since the Savior Himself in the Holy Gospel spoke to us with His most pure lips: in your patience gain (that is, train) your souls, and: he who endures to the end will be saved. And St.
Elijah Ekdik writes in chapter 62: “The home of the soul is patience, for it will endure in it; wealth is humility, it feeds on that.” From these reasons it is clear that you and I have little humility; and therefore we also need to find out for ourselves who to obey and explain our actions and thoughts, so that you yourself will be more knowledgeable and, if possible, you will be more successful in teaching good advice to those who come to you. And there will be no place for the mental enemy to insert thoughts of vanity, that you console those who come with your gifts, but meanwhile you must imagine what the prayers of your father or mentor are; In this way, you will remain motionless from arrogance, but according to the Apostle Paul, you will be strengthened by humble thoughts.
And that you sadly announce the unbearable storm of temptations that befalls you, in your opinion, then I, rude, boldly remind your love by the Holy Spirit of Psalm 26 spoken through the prophet David: The Lord is my enlightenment, and my savior, whom will I fear? The Lord is the protector of my life, from whom shall I fear? Sometimes those who are angry come close to me, so as to destroy my flesh: the one who insults me and defeats me, you become weak and fall. Even if a regiment rises up against me, my heart will not fear; even if it rises up to fight against me, I will trust in Him, and so on. Although the power of expression of these psalms refers to the invisible universal enemies, nevertheless, at the instigation of these enemies, people rebel and are confused, and they lead us into confusion. And that we are reproached and reviled, and called slaves, we must be content with our conscience, and according to the commandment of the Lord, let us strive to pray for those who create misfortunes for us... and the Merciful Lord, with His almighty power, will forbid the storm that has found it and in the blink of an eye will transform it into favorable silence.
Oh, mother and daughter N.! take heart and let your heart be strengthened in complacency. These temptations brought upon us are useful in every possible way, firstly because they lead us, albeit reluctantly, to humbly resort to God’s protection and help, asking for protection; 2nd, they reassure us that, although we are the most insignificant and weakest of all creation, we have sorrow in accordance with those who lived according to God and succeeded in temptations and were saved; Just as we were allowed sorrow for our sins, and also for purification and humility, we are strengthened by trust and hope and are not allowed to fall into destructive despair. And let this not bother us, that a guard will be posted at your cell; let them toil and, tired, leave; But we must overcome everything with patience and thanksgiving, and the Lord will help. Glory to the Merciful Lord that you and K.’s mother have become stronger in spirit; and from the outside the enemy raises a fight, but that too will soon disappear... And what about sister S.
let us rely on patience in every possible way and strive in every possible way on our part, lest she, the weak one, cause guilt to embarrassment; since it is written: Bear one another’s burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ 136. And the Savior Himself explained in the Holy Gospel: there is no greater love, but whoever lays down his life for his friends 137 . And since this is the most excellent and most necessary virtue, let us strive to bear even the smallest infirmities of our closest sister! And again it is said: you bear the weaknesses of the weak 138. You explain that you cannot tolerate and are offended by those who slander and vilify you. About this read the 127th chapter of St. The Mark of the Ascetic in the 1st part of the Philokalia, it contains this: “Whenever you see someone in many disgraces, painful, the mind, as if the thought of vanity is satiated, reaps the handles with the unpleasantness of the seeds of the heart”... 139
Similarly read St. Simeon the New Theologian in the 1st part, chapter 31, and you will see your inability, and what measures you should take.
May the Most Merciful Lord enlighten you and enlighten you, may you become wise in humility, and may He help you, and may He protect you, and may He protect you from all the snares of the enemy, and may He forgive you all your sins. And I, a great sinner, send my fatherly forgiveness and blessing, and, through the prayers of our deceased fathers and memorable mothers, may the peace of God rest on you; and I remain forever your unworthy pilgrim, the great sinner I.L. with unanimous brethren.
I wish the most honorable sister M. courage and long-suffering perseverance - and although I am unworthy, I beg the Most Merciful Lord to help her, and to protect her, and to protect her from all the snares of the enemy, and to forgive her all her sins. And I, the unworthy one, send my fatherly blessing and forgiveness to her, as well as to the suffering poor thing E., may the almighty and generously gifted Lord help her, and may he not hand her over as a complete insult to the evil enemy the devil, but may he enlighten her and preserve her with His almighty power, and may he set her on the path of salvation.
W. and V. declare my respect, and may the most generous Lord Himself send His blessing from above to them; however, when W. is not supposed to completely guard the doors with barriers about her lips, then otherwise it is not possible for her to free herself from the embarrassment and torment of the most voluptuous excuses and the same thoughts and from the resulting boredom and despondency, which attracts thoughts of the most destructive despair.
Most honorable daughter in spirit, mother of Z.! I sincerely wish you peace of mind and a complacent stay!
We received your pleasant letter, which you sent by mail on March 30, in all order; it clearly shows that your structure and position are progressing with weak success... Regrettably!
As for the burden you feel when significant persons turn to you, you must remember that without labor and the shedding of blood in the insides it is impossible to be saved, since it is written: “Give blood and receive spirit,” which is why you are obligated to continue obedience with compulsion, according to the faith of those you care for; and the all-merciful Lord, for your compulsion and compassion for your neighbors, will invisibly help you, and indeed will help you.
You complain with a painful tone, and apparently with a humble pronunciation, that you have been plunged into cowardice! These fruits grow most of all from vain dreams about oneself...
It is good and laudable to trust in the prayers of the fathers, but in all this one should not forget oneself.
You, out of your unlimited zeal, demand my constant answers, and otherwise you are faint-hearted: this is a sign of lack of faith; This recklessness grows from self-love and leads into darkness. You, having forgotten the Divine Scripture, which completely forbids placing hope on corruptible people, and only on the One, all-merciful Lord, you suffered foolishly, for He alone raises up the poor from the pit of rot, although through angelic mediation, or, according to the measure of faith of those who are in obedience to the skilled fathers, and through man. And truly, if only they would remember the words spoken in the psalm by the Holy Spirit, that he who trusts in the Lord is like Mount Zion: he will not move 140 and again: unless the Lord preserves the city, he will watch in vain; and: unless the Lord builds a house, laboring in vain to build 141 and so on, and if they had this in full feeling, they would not have suffered. Moreover, as you please explain, you are not only guided through the indecent me, but also through another, Father Macarius.
And truly, according to the measure of faith, the grace of God invisibly acts and consoles and enlightens everyone who wants to be saved.
If the sisters, out of goodwill towards you, ask for spiritual food, and you, on the contrary, feel greed within yourself; although we ourselves, as said above, cannot do anything for ourselves, but for the great need, according to their faith, God is strong and omnipotent and can provide life-giving nourishment from the barren fig tree. And if, as human beings, with God’s allowance for our humility, we speak rudely to some sister, or show an unseemly appearance, then, sighing about this from the depths of our souls, let us finish with repentance and self-reproach. What do you explain: in your extreme exhaustion, you dared to tell the weakest and most damaged sisters, so that you could be given at least a little peace, this event represents your love with skill and experience, so as not to refuse at all; that is, these words that “I can’t speak, give me at least a little peace” are held behind the cheekbone; You see that they even suffered from seizures because of this, all this is for your moral teaching.
So, it’s clear, daughter M., you and I don’t have to instruct others so much as we have to learn from their advice. And now a new temptation has come to you, that you should care about your dead man more than about others - that your sister is sick and the weakest of the weak, and you yourself have the weakest strength, and a great temptation arises in mutual weaknesses; it was like nothing else to act like you. It would be better, in my foolish reasoning, for you, having rested, to work with them in your own cell, rather than go to other people’s cells to console and pacify, and bring yourself and your sister into disarray. And what you ask is for me to pray to the worst person for the granting of your love edifying utterances, then in this let it be known to you that the prayer of the righteous will then help for good, and then the grace of God acts infinitely when the one asking for prayer shows his will in everything.
Before this, God does not teach it to us, as we are unable to accept it (due to the weakness of our spiritual strength in various temptations) and have not endured sorrows, by which alone our inner man is cleansed, but in proportion to patience and gratitude for them, the grace of the Holy Spirit and gift are granted from the all-merciful Lord.
Let me also reproach you in absentia, although it is not enough, and you will bear it complacently: you there, like the Athenians 142, always want to find out one before the other everywhere whether there are letters from me or from the priest. When it is sent to one, but not to the other, then sedition and misfortune will be revealed - those who have not received are overcome by sorrow and cowardice with a destructive opinion: what and why does he not write? And so on... and what you don’t understand is that sometimes, without finishing just five lines in a letter, someone will come and take over, and the letter remains until another post office.
But to be offended for preferring another sister is also a sign of pride... Your unworthy pilgrim I.L.
Your Reverence, most venerable sister in the Lord, mother of N.! Together with all the sisters who are like-minded about Christ, I wish you to rejoice in the One Lord and remain in complacency!
I, most unworthy, received your pleasant writing, sent by mail, in every order and, having read it, heeded the contents; from it I see your pitiful situation and dispensation... But since you have repentance and the will to correct your attempts, we assume that the All-Merciful and Greatly Gifted Lord, solely by His mercy, is all-powerful to forgive you and restore you to the right path of the holy and life-giving commandments. The action you explain, that in your reasoning you admired the fierce part, is because of pride and for the contempt of others you allowed that the mental wolf scolded you and led you into such a frenzy!
And most of all, I advise your love, in order to heal yourself and learn the intricacies of the temptations of anger, to read about this soul-sucking passion in the 4th part of the Philokalia, Cassian the Roman’s article on eight passionate thoughts, and specifically about anger – number four; and I hope that when you read this chapter more often, then, with the assistance of God’s grace, through the prayers of God’s saints, you will be freed from this passion. Now it has become clear to you what kind of blindness this darkening and blinding passion creates, which even almost tore apart your sick half-sister. And truly the great mercy of God followed with you, that the Lord gave your sister such complacency and humble words that tamed your hardened and demon-acted heart; and now you and I, having felt, must St. the prophet David, uttered by the Holy Spirit, said the words: Punishing the punishment of the Lord, you did not give me over to death 143; and again: it is good for me, for He has humbled me, so that I may learn by Thy justification 144.
And let it be known to your love that this happened to you not without a reason hidden within you; for long ago proud thoughts have crept into you against Mother I., that she, being stricken with illness, burdens you and brings burden to your heart with actions in all parts...
Such thoughts, nesting in your soul, like a smoldering spark, suddenly flared up from the wind into the flame of cruel anger, when a small thing disgusting to you landed on the moon. And besides, the remains of obdurate delusion, apparently, have not yet been consumed by perfect obedience and cutting off one’s damned will; That too contributed to this soul-stirring act. These events turn out to be our insufficient dispensation; Therefore, let us firmly remember this: when a sister comes to you to explain her infirmities, then speak with caution and with the fear of God, think of yourself not as an old woman, but as one of the weak, weaker and unworthy of someone to heal, as she herself lies in a grave illness in soul and body; It is precisely for holy obedience that she is obliged to do and continue this, and not as an owner, but as an unworthy adviser. Think the same about D.
– We bless you and deign to instruct you, if possible, in your weakest strengths; accept and ask the Lord God to grant you feeling and reason with sound reasoning to pronounce words in favor of its soul and, if possible, to be forced to compassion. If, beyond your expectations, your weakness completely turns out to be, and you cannot satisfy her desires, then, having recognized your weaknesses, to whom you should contact the letter, and you will be at peace with your conscience. What should I do, mother? Apparently, we are not worthy to be like-minded with you - we lived or were born in such disastrous times, in which the ancient proverb comes true: “If there are no sheep, there is little honor for goats.” And speaking back to the mentors is not the same? For you can clearly see that even I, the indecent one, are now revered as an elder by those who have blindly trusted me; May you not be excluded from these blind ones.
You are guessing that your disorder did not result from the removal of the communion of the holy and life-giving Sacraments of the Body and Blood of Christ. And this is undeniable, it can be; but the reasons also come from our negligence and failure to prepare for temptations.
May the Lord Almighty enlighten and enlighten you, so that you become wise in humility. May the most merciful Lord help you and protect you, and cover you from all the snares of the devil, and may all your sins, voluntary and involuntary, forgive you. And I, a great sinner, send you fatherly forgiveness and blessing; and through the prayers of the father and mother who have gone before, may the peace of God rest on you; and I, although indecent in all parts, remain with my usual goodwill, forever your unworthy pilgrim I.L. with devoted brethren. March 9, 1832
Most Honorable N. of the Lord! Your scripture, issued on the 28th of February, I had the honor of receiving through our monk Father A. on March 29th, upon his arrival in Pustyn. You explain your sorrows, the slander and slander of those who are unfavorable to you, and ask my advice: what should you do and how to protect and strengthen yourself against their villainous vengeance?
Knowing my poverty in reason, and even more so in deed, I should pass your question in silence, but seeing your confusion and, according to God, faith in my poverty, as well as your consciousness of the duty of Christian duties, I am forced out of compassion for you, forgetting my unworthiness and calling on the help of the most merciful Lord, who gives even to the dumb the voice of the word in favor of His rational creation, I dare to extend my meager mind to you conversation not with the intricate words of a rhetorician, but from a sincere desire for strengthening and consolation in your sorrow.
I am sure that you were raised in the bosom of our Holy Mother Church by Orthodox Christian teaching, and, as I see from your letter, you are afraid, lest you give an answer at the Last Judgment of Christ! ABOUT! If this fear guided us in all our affairs, then there would not be so much sorrow and oppression caused by each other. Holy faith teaches us that the power of our head will not perish without the will of God, and the bird will not fall without it. It is possible for you to lay this foundation on your heart, as well as this: whatever happens to me, everything happens with God’s permission, either for sins as punishment (when you are guilty of them, like a man, or for the sake of the test of my faith; and finally, so that through sorrows we do not allow us to commit any crimes, which we often do, intoxicated with prosperity, and do not enter into our conscience to consider it; and those who attack and rebel against you are something, as instruments with which God acts.
Believe this firmly and submit with humility of spirit; and even more so when, with all your efforts, you cannot turn away the sent scourge, but, not strengthened by faith, you are embarrassed and lose heart.
It is clear that the Lord still loves you; for he does not want you to follow the long path—where this should lead is quite well known—but he wants to lead you along the narrow and sorrowful path, leading to the eternal belly. I don’t know your deeds and life, but who is not a sinner before God? Enter your conscience, remember your sins and accept the sorrows sent to you for them; consider yourself worthy, give thanks to God and see for yourself that these same sorrows will be bearable for you, and very soon you will be freed from them.
On the contrary, when you blame not yourself, but others (even if in such cases you were not guilty; but the truth of God acts for others), and you grumble at God and at His incomprehensible providence, then your sorrow will increase even more, and it will not be possible to free it soon.
You are sick because through slander and gossip you have become a bad person in the sight of your elders, equals and neighbors; this is a clear sign of pride. If you are innocent, then your conscience should console you, according to the word of our Savior: blessed are you when they revile you and condemn you and say all kinds of evil things against you who lie, for my sake; Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven (Matthew 5:11–12).
How to deal with those who are hostile to you? The saving and life-giving commandments of Christ command: love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you and pray for those who harm you and drive you out (ibid. verse 44); and: have all joy, my brethren, whenever you fall into various temptations: knowing that the temptation of your faith will work through patience: but patience is a perfect thing to have (James 1:2-4); and again: tribulation makes patience, but patience is an art, and art is hope, but hope does not put to shame (Rom. 5:3-5).
To confirm that God sends us sorrow out of His love, the holy apostle writes: for the Lord loves him and punishes him: he beats every son who accepts him. If you endure punishment, as God will be found to you as a son. Who is a son, his father does not punish him. If you are without punishment, you are also partakers of the same, for you are naturally adulterers, and not sons (Heb. 12:6-9). You see what else should be feared by someone who lives in prosperity and has no sorrows.
And so take comfort in the fact that God, loving you, visited you... But He is able to deliver when the measure of His justice is fulfilled.
The Holy Apostle consoles us: have all joy (James 1:2)... Of course, peace and sensuality make these sorrows sensitive to you... but I have already told you that it is not profitable to enter from the long path; It is from this path that God is distracting you.
It seems to you that through deprivation of something, your spouse and children must suffer disadvantages. But they, loving you, can share your sorrow with you and serve you as consolation. If they are not rich; then remember - to obtain eternal benefits, poverty is more convenient than wealth, and most people are in a moderate or poor state than in a rich one. And all this is done by the Wise Provider: couldn’t He really enrich everyone? But what good would any of this be? He humbles and exalts, he humbles and enriches; and who can resist His will?
I think you can find books from someone there: the works of St. Demetrius of Rostov. In their first part there is a short essay of his: “Apology for the consolation of those who mourn,” which you are welcome to read. I hope that it will help you to relieve the sadness that weighs on your heart and to trust in God.
Accept this feeble-minded advice, pour out the balm of faith and hope into your sorrowful heart, surrender yourself to the will of our Creator, and He will send you consolation, and even more so on the upcoming feast of the Holy Resurrection of Christ, before which, remembering the great week of His passions, for the sake of those we received, you will see the unworthiness of our sorrows against His innocently raised, ours for the sake of salvation, and repay Him thanksgiving And so, celebrating the holiday of His glorious Resurrection, I wish you and your family to spiritually celebrate it with heartfelt joy and tranquility.
Asking for you and your family the peace and blessing of God, I remain with my respect, your zealous pilgrim, much-sinful I.L.
10. Most honorable N. of the Lord!
With a feeling of sadness, I saw from the venerable M.’s letter the news of the death, by the will of God, of your dear husband. I know that this separation is very sad for you, and, judging by the weakness of our nature, it is impossible not to grieve, parting forever with those closest to our hearts; but where to look for consolation? - In holy religion!
For unbelievers - those who have no hope of eternal life - the deprivation of loved ones is certainly inconsolable. And we, although sinners, have hope in the mercy of the all-generous and man-loving God, the Lord Jesus Christ, who redeemed us with His priceless blood and gave us eternal life throughout this life...
The Holy Apostle consoles believers this way: I do not want you, brothers, not to know about the dead, so that you do not grieve, like others who have no hope. If we believe that Jesus died and rose again: so will God bring with him those who died in Jesus (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14). Your late husband was a true Christian, who retained his faith until the end of his life, and with it he went to the Lord, although apparently he was not granted the communion of the Holy Mysteries at his death. It offends you even more that you do not know the hidden destinies of God!.. But He will accept his desire for the very action; If you read in the books of the Holy Fathers, you will find many examples of this. Do not be embarrassed by this and place all your trust in the ineffable bounties and mercy of the humane Lord.
Upon receipt of your news, commemoration began in our monastery both in the monastery during Liturgies and in the Skete during the reading of the Psalter. May the Lord vouchsafe him to receive eternal life and create for him eternal memory! And to you, with your mourning dear children and close relatives, He will send His consolation through faith and trust in His ineffable mercy; With the desire to enjoy peace and health, I remain your zealous pilgrim I.L.
Your Reverence, most venerable Father Hierodeacon N.! I received your most venerable writing, written in the worldly name of A. with the remark that you are on the eve of accepting monastic orders; why I hope that you have already been worthy of receiving this title, for which I most earnestly congratulate you and wish you to keep the vows you made to God when you took vows without stumbling.
Entering into this title, you believe that you need edifying advice and, turning to me, you seek instructions from me for the futile passage of this great obligation. As much as your opinion is just and your desire is commendable, on my part the satisfactory fulfillment of your request is inconvenient both due to my feeble-mindedness and the lack of good deeds; Moreover, the way of life of communal monasteries differs greatly from regular monasteries, although the intention and goal are the same - salvation.
Not finding it in myself either from my works or from reason to give you the instruction you seek, I advise you to resort to those blessed ascetics who, having corrected their piety, brought the gifts of humility, chastity, non-covetousness by fulfilling the commandments of God... and received from God the gift of reason and wisdom for the teaching and enlightenment of others who wanted to follow them, and betrayed this teaching in the surviving by the providence of God and their writings and books that have reached us. You, having an educated mind, read their teaching not only out of curiosity, but wanting to imitate them in strength and in accordance with the possibility of the obedience you undergo, and by the grace of God you will be honored to find the true path, not lost; with all this, you are looking for a spiritual interlocutor who, according to your faith, can give you sound and good advice in every deed, word and thought.
I advise you to read books that suit our intentions, such as: St. John Climacus, St. Abba Dorotheus, St. Ephraim the Syrian, Isaac the Syrian, Simeon the New Theologian, Gregory the Sinaite, Mark the Ascetic, Cassian the Roman on the 8 passionate thoughts and his “Epistle to Leontin the Abbot on Reasoning,” full of spiritual benefit, and other paternal books that teach us to overcome anger and correct virtues not only externally, but internally.
Wishing you to find spiritual benefit and entrusting myself to your holy prayers, I have the honor to remain with my heartfelt respect, your humble servant and pilgrim, unworthy I. Leonid.
Most Reverend Mother O. in the Lord! Your scripture, issued on February 25, has been received by me; in it you describe your mental state and confusion, ask for my advice and opinion on what is happening to you and what remedy to use for healing. Without knowing exactly what kind of life and work you went through, it is impossible to give perfect advice; but as far as one can understand from the fruits, your disorder comes from the enemy’s delusion, God’s allowance for arrogance induced.
It’s true, you tried ahead of time to gain silence and went through intelligent, but spontaneous prayer, seeking ahead of time a high dispensation and gifts, which are given to those who undergo only true prayer, and, by the way, feeling a certain similar movement in your heart, you accepted it as grace-filled; then, enjoying it, she gradually came to such a dispensation. But even though it was definitely a grace-filled dispensation, it is very dangerous to accept this for the time being without questioning the sensible ones; for what we seek untimely, we cannot receive in time with difficulty. Having read about this practice, you abandoned what you should first do to prevent yourself from delusion, while this is what the same fathers advise, that is, forcing yourself into silence and prayer, you did not try to heal the passionate, furious part (irritability) and did not recognize that it was operating in you. It is healed not by solitude, but by communicating with one’s neighbors and enduring annoyance from them, and in case of defeat by them, by knowing one’s weaknesses and humility.
Saint John Climacus writes: “Whoever feels himself prone to anger, rage, vengeance and deceit, let him see below the trace of silence”; and in the 4th degree again: “Look into the thoughts of unskilled novices and you will find there an erroneous thought: you will find in them the desire for silence, the most severe fasting, prayers undistracted by various thoughts, complete rejection of the glory of vanity, unforgettable mortal memories, incessant contrition for sins, the mildest lack of anger, deep silence and the most excellent chastity. When they enter into the monastic feat of these virtues, according to God’s special providence, without achieving them, they are finally deceived in their intention and fall away from them altogether. For the enemy inspires them to seek them ahead of time, so that if they are satisfied with their conversion, they will not receive them at the present time.”
You probably felt this warmth in your heart or perseh, and mistook it for grace, but instead it turned out to be a lovely burning sensation. And this, copulating with the violent part, damaged your structure. I believe that this is why you have insomnia, because your heart, touched by this burning sensation, has no peace, but being worried, it deprives you of peace, and every little thing touches you and confuses you. Listen to the teaching of St. Fathers who, while inciting people to silence and prayer, at the same time warn against delusion and advise not to seek untimely what is given in time and with humility to those who go through this work. It is St. Isaac the Syrian writes in the 2nd word: “The act of the cross is purely there, and this thing is by the essence of nature, divided into two parts. And in order to endure the sorrows of the flesh, the violent parts of the soul, filled with action, are and are called an action, but they are a subtle work of the mind, and are acquired by the divine through ever-teaching and the continuation of prayer and others, which is considered a desirable part and is called a vision.
And one thing, that is, the act, cleanses the suffering part 145 of the soul with the power of jealousy; Another action of spiritual love is natural lust, which drains the mental part of the soul. Every one, before perfect training in the first part, coming to them second for the sweetness of it more diligently, but I do not say from laziness, anger 147 finds nan, for not first killing one’s own fishing rod on the earth, that is, healing the weakness of thoughts with the patience of doing the vexation of the cross. I dared to dream in my mind the glory of the cross. This is what was said by the ancient saints: because before the feelings are silent from weakness, if the mind desires to ascend to the cross, the wrath of God comes. The ascent to the cross, which induces anger, is not the first part of the endurance of sorrows, which is the crucifixion of the flesh, but the ascending into vision, which is the second part, which occurs after the healing of the soul.
His mind is defiled by the passions of dishonor and flows with his mind to dream dreams, the prohibition is forbidden 148, for not being first of a pure mind with sorrows, and subduing the lusts of the flesh, but he lost his hearing, and the ink of writing flowed straight to his face 149, who went on a path full of darkness and he himself was blind in his eyes. And he who is healthy in sight and filled with light, and who has acquired teachers of grace and grace in trouble, are night and day; sometimes their hair is filled with the essence of tears, and in prayer and crying they work all day, and in the night of fear for the sake of travel and rapids for the sake of the stronger 150 who gather those, and the images of truth acquired mixed with hypocritical images.” From which it is clear that for abandoning the first part of the feat against the passions, the wrath of God comes, and this anger consists in the deprivation of peace and tranquility. And St. Gregory of Sinaiti in the Word on Silence 151 in chapter 7 writes: “It is wonderful that someone who is new and has labored many times will be deceived by the fact that many people, both present and ancient, were seeking God.
For the memory of God, siesta mental prayer, is above all works, this is also the head of virtues, as the love of God. And those who, without coldness and boldness, want to come to God and confess Him purely and to acquire Him in themselves, needlessly, let us slay the blue from the very demons, I say, if he is allowed; boldly and daringly more than his dispensation, having sought with arrogance, he is forced to achieve it more than time... with humility, and moreover with obedience and the questioning of the skilled, this wonderful thing happens. May it not reap thorns instead of wheat, and sorrow instead of sweetness, and destruction instead of salvation. For those who are strong and perfect will always fight against the demon, and I will stretch out the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Eph. 6:17), against them.”
“For this reason, take heed, so as not to put faith in anything, in agreement with this, even if there is good, before the questioning of the skilled and much torment, lest you receive harm; but always remain indignant at this, observing that your mind is uneducated, sightless, unimaginative... Seeing something in thought or feeling, even if leading - convenience is deceived or wants to be deceived, as if it is convenient... God is not indignant at someone who dangerously listens to charms for the sake of himself, even if he does not accept it from Him, except for asking and many trials, but rather praises her for being wise, even if she is indignant at some. Not everyone should eat, but one, and he is entrusted with feeding others and with a shining life, a wretched existence, and riches for many, according to the Scriptures” (2 Cor. 6:10)... the many-sinful I.L.
Most Honorable N.N. in the Lord! I received your writing on the 11th of August; from it I see your embarrassed disposition and condolences that you returned from us with a disorder of spirit. You consider yourself guilty of this for your contradiction, but I do not dare consider myself so prudent and worthy that I could teach everyone about the way of life, and even more so to those enlightened in reason “according to this age”, who are in the circle of the “great world”. But if someone approaches with faith and an undoubted heart, rejecting his mind and will, then God is strong and can give a word of edification to the ignorant. And those who come with doubt and co-testing 152 and not with faith “if they ask a prophet, the Lord will command him to speak a word against the will of their heart.”
I am not writing this in order to attribute this to your person, but I am only presenting to you the effect of grace; and if you find anything in yourself similar to this, then it is your will to correct it in yourself.
You left us without telling us your embarrassment, which has already laid the foundation for the disorder of your spirit, which can shake the whole building. It is obvious that your pride did not allow you to do this (which you yourself admit); and even now you suffer from it; your words prove this: “What opinion should you have about me now?” - you say what worries you and brings grief... I ask you, - what do you want me to have? If you want to show off what you don’t have, then this is politics, not sincerity. You don’t think about what opinion I will have, but about what I am, in order to exactly open the wounds of your soul, show these ulcers and seek healing... Leave grieving and cowardly about this - what opinion I have about you - and be at peace with your conscience. I have the opinion that you want to be saved, but you want to soar high without preparing, or you want to suddenly step onto the top of the ladder, without going through its lower steps, by fulfilling the commandments of God, with humility and surrendering yourself to the will of God and His holy providence.
However, your embarrassment should enlighten you on where to look for peace. It was this that forced you to write to me, a weakling, about your embarrassment - with this you opened your ulcers; but “he who opens the wounds,” according to the fathers, “will not prosper in evil, but will be healed.” May the Lord heal your mental illness for your confession and revelation.
When you do not have peace of mind, know that you do not have humility in yourself. The Lord revealed this in the following words, which at the same time show where to look for peace. He said: learn from Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Matthew 11:29).
You want to soon achieve the perfect love of God, which is the crown of virtues, and not seeing this in yourself, you are embarrassed, but instead you must resort to humility, considering yourself unworthy of this height... and you must always lower your mind into the depths of humility. This might calm you down. And consider your own disorder as a punishment for inaction and for breaking the commandment of God; and so, considering the beginning of forcing yourself to fulfill them, through weakness, again humble yourself until the Lord looks upon your compulsion and humility; then the passion of self-love will be killed in you, which now does not give you peace, which, by the way, brings sorrow with these thoughts: what opinion will I have about you now?
For your consolation and strengthening, so that you may have courage and not be embarrassed in the mental battles that befall you, I offer you the prescribed Sts. The teachings of the fathers on this subject 153, which by reading you will find spiritual benefit.
You are still worried about some premonitions of possible sorrows. Attributing them to superstition, one can directly call it unbelief in the providence of God, who cares for every creature and for us; when the strength of our head does not fall without the will of God, then how much more can nothing sorrowful happen to us without His will.
(The end of the letter is missing.)
Most Honorable N.N. in the Lord! 154
The spiritual life of the inner man, according to the Holy Fathers, is divided into two parts: active and speculative. The first is the sowing of virtues into the field of the heart by fulfilling the commandments, the second is a joyful harvest, the marriage of the soul, cleansed of passions by the commandments, with the bridegroom Christ in the secret chambers of the heart. Whoever goes to this marriage not in wedding clothes, but in rags, that is, who foolishly and impudently desires, without taking off the rags of passions and without putting on the wedding clothes of purity, to enter the bridal chamber - the inner cage of his heart, where a person’s loving conversation with God takes place through unceasing contemplation of God - such, according to the words of the Gospel, his hands are tied and legs, that is, his progress along the path of piety ceases, all his works perish, and he is plunged “into total darkness,” that is, into ignorance, which is bitter than any ignorance, born from pride, in which a person, not understanding himself, dreams that he knows everything and as if he serves as an example of virtue.
And some, having felt in themselves a certain desire for a virtuous life, as if they were passionate, they reason passionately, and instead of the basis of their exploits they put conceit and pride, being unable, poor people, unfortunately, to recognize her face, having the eyes of the mind blinded by passions. Before the active part, they strive for the second and, so to speak, straight from the whorehouse of passions, they shamelessly seek to touch the purest Lord! Very few people choose the narrow and regrettable path of doing the commandments that the Lord Jesus Christ commanded us. That is why He spoke with His most holy lips, at the end of the parable about the man who went to the wedding of the king’s son not in wedding clothes, that “the ranks are many, but the chosen are few” (cf. Matt. 22:14).
Beloved brethren in Christ!
Hearing these words of the Savior and partly seeing the fulfillment of them, we are filled with fear and, at your request, we dare to put these intricate lines together as some precaution for you, because “our enemy the devil, like a roaring lion, goes about seeking whom he may devour” (cf. 1 Pet. 5:8) not only for everyone with clearly visible networks of debauchery: drunkenness, fornication, etc., but also for rare a noticeable charm (net) of conceit or pride, which is often hidden under the guise of humility, like poisonous snakes under fragrant flowers.
Thus, many of us read the Holy Gospel, but few understand it as they should, because their mental ears are not open to such hearing. - as those who do not ask God for admonition in such an undertaking. Why does Christ often say: “Have ears to hear, that he may hear,” thereby wanting to awaken us from negligence. We, sinners, are not softened by the sufferings of the Lord Jesus Christ, we are not struck by the visible hourly death of any of our brothers, and for this reason we neglect our salvation; and when a small desire to be saved comes, we take up it again not as the Holy Gospel commands, but as we ourselves desire, and therefore we fulfill not God’s will, but our own, and become slaves of self-conceit. In the present century we see many ascetics, many fasters, many who stand for whole nights in prayer, but, unfortunately, there are very few humble and meek, few who would be adorned with the silence of their lips, and not with grandeur, who would entertain strangers, lovingly go after the sick, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit prisoners in prison, i.e.
There are few who would pay attention to more important and necessary virtues for their salvation. Nowhere does it directly say in Holy Scripture that in order to save the soul it is necessary to starve oneself, make numerous bows, wear chains and undertake similar feats; Meanwhile, the Gospel says clearly that it is for dislike for their neighbor that sinners will be condemned at the Last Judgment, and the righteous will be justified for fulfilling it. And when the young man said to the Savior: Good Teacher, what good will I do, so that the Imam has eternal life? He answered: If you want to take it into your stomach, keep the commandments. Verb to Him: cue? Jesus said: do not kill, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as you love yourself (cf. Matt. 19:16-19). And St. The apostle, explaining this, says: Even though I speak in the tongues of men and with the tongues of angels, I am not an imam of love, but like a ringing brass, or a clanging cymbal. And even if an imam has prophecy, and has all the secrets and all the mind, and even if an imam has all the faith, even if he has given up mountains, I am not an imam of love, I am nothing.
And if I give away all my possessions, and if I give up my body and burn it, I have no love, it will not profit me at all (1 Cor. 13:1-3). And the Lord repeatedly repeated His words spoken before to the young man; So before His death He said to His disciples: If you love Me, keep My commandments, and if you have My commandments and keep them, then you love Me; and again, if anyone loves Me, he will keep My word (John 14, 15, 21, 23).
You see, beloved, that keeping the commandments gives birth to love, and whoever wants to achieve it cannot achieve it otherwise than by keeping the commandments. Consequently, he who does not have love has nothing, or in other words, how love is acquired by fulfilling the commandments, then whoever does not fulfill the commandments as they should will not receive rewards, no matter what (imaginary) deeds he may have. And I will say even more clearly: not only an ordinary worldly person, to whom my words are directed, has no hope of salvation when he does not fulfill, as he should, the commandments of Christ, that is, when he does not put humility as the basis of his exploits and arbitrarily sets about them; but even a prophet and a wonderworker, if they do not keep all the commandments, are rejected by Christ the Savior, according to what was said: Many said to Me in that day: Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name have we created many mighty powers? And then we will confess to them, that no one else I know you, depart from Me, you who practice iniquity 155. Do you see who is driven out for not keeping the commandments?
But for bringing due repentance, the publican, the harlot, the robber became heirs of endless bliss.
Perhaps someone here will ask why many Holy Fathers did great feats, such as fasting, keeping silence, wearing chains (the latter, although rare), the answer is: appropriate spiritual food is appropriate for every spiritual age. The Holy Fathers first purified themselves from passions by fulfilling the commandments; and when they were cleansed, they became so spiritual that sometimes they forgot whether they were in the body or outside the body, not feeling its needs, as St. Macarius of the City (Alexandria): “You are still flesh, and you demand food, but I do not demand it now.” (Ven. tale, about the sub. of the Holy Fathers, chapter about Abba Macarius of the City, article 1); for he was spiritual and justified to himself what was said: “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word of God that proceeds from His mouth”; for God, as the Lord of nature, makes the person in whom He dwells, above nature and natural needs, to which, on the contrary, we, carnal, as passionate and weak, must necessarily submit.
And what kind of humility was theirs, when, having achieved complete dispassion through continuous forcing of themselves to virtues, they still considered themselves passionate and, constantly suspecting themselves of this, continued to depress their body with exploits? For this reason, the husband “who had Christ in himself” said: I mortify my body and enslave it, so that if I preach to others, I myself will not be enslaved (1 Cor. 9:27).
Now it seems clear why the Holy Fathers undertook great feats, although also in other unnecessary feats it was unnoticeable 156. With these words we do not intend to say that long fasts, prayers, kneeling and other feats, with which the body is depressed, are not at all necessary, but we only want to incline you to prudent moderation in them, which the Holy Fathers praise, calling it “the royal way”, and moreover, we want to draw your main attention to the fulfillment of the life-giving and most necessary commandments of Jesus. Love, brethren, your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate and persecute you, overcome evil with good (i.e., humility) according to the commandment: Turn the other to the one who struck you on the cheek, give the other one to the one who wants to take your robe and the slash 157. Kiss mercy, for the Lord said: “Amen, I say to you, since you have made one of these least of my brothers, you have created for me” (Matthew 25:40). When you want to make friends with someone and trust him, find out in advance: is he a lover of the commandments of the Lord? To this the Savior says: “By their fruit you will know them” 158; for from thorns, i.e.
a vicious person, they do not collect vines, that is, the commandments (deeds) of chastity and purity of soul, and they do not collect figs from the burdock (that is, proud and charming, self-made): the commandments of humility.
And as, while fulfilling the commandments, and sometimes even before, others are carried away by condemning their neighbor, then as a warning we must remember the advice of the Gospel: first remove the plank from our own eye, that is, from our mind pride, from which the condemnation of others occurs, and then, having been cured of our weakness, we will be able to remove (skillfully) the mote from our neighbor’s eye, i.e., his accidental inclination, and for the most part at the time when we are asked to do so; and if you have condemned, unbidden, the speck in your brother’s eye, know that your eye is blocked up with the log of pride.
Remember what was said: those who forgive their neighbors their sins, God also forgives them their own sins. Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, press and it will be opened to you 159. In your prayers, do not ask for enjoyment of the blessings of this world, but “the Kingdom of God, and the rest (i.e., what is necessary and needed) will all be added to you.” Love temptations; for blessed are those who are reviled, persecuted, and slandered for the Lord's sake. Embrace patience, because those who have not taken up their cross, that is, patience and thanksgiving for everything that happens, cannot be disciples of Jesus. When you break God’s commandment, cry out in the publican’s voice: “God, be merciful to me a sinner”; and when you have fulfilled it, say to yourself: “I am an indestructible slave and did only what was commanded.” The merciful Lord, having mercy on our weakness, will reassure us in His Kingdom (when we strive for good) and will justify us at the Last Judgment, where, according to what is said in the Gospel, the first (i.e., those who want to excel in this world) will be last, and the last (those humiliated and humble in spirit) will be first...
I received your letter. It is true that it is difficult to be saved in the midst of abundance, or more clearly, in wealth; however, “all things are possible from God.” And since wealth is a thing, in itself neither good nor evil - it is average, and moreover it is said: “Deliverance for a husband is his own wealth” 160; then, consequently, nothing prevents a rich man from maintaining moderation in relation to those in need in life, no one prevents him from working as hard as he can, being merciful and remaining in deep humiliation of spirit. The thought is pleasing to God that the wealthy surpass the poor by his mere possessions; in the order of things, he is the same dust and ashes, not at all distant according to the laws of nature from every mortal, no less subject to the visible and unforeseen vicissitudes of earthly beings, like the beggar himself; - it is not taken away from him: “He who humbles himself will be exalted” 161.
Such a thought keeps the feelings and spirit calm; she is the benefactor of the inner Christian in every kind of life; she is the guardian of the steadfastness of the mind in any case, as if a wise horseman, controlling the aspirations of the passions, limits them from incessant movements and the chariot of our body, sometimes driven by fierce (and vain) inclinations, safely steers towards the desired goal, or the soul itself towards the Heavenly Fatherland. So, have humility and, trusting in God, be generous. Try as much as you can for virtue, for heartfelt devotion to the fate of the Almighty, combining it with prayer. Don’t get carried away with pleasures and don’t be discouraged in sorrows.
So, do not blame wealth, for the destinies of the Most High have brought you into the life of such a family; and don’t worry about that either, that it is not in our complete will, but maintain moderation; love feasible work, alms, direct devotion to God, possible prayer, and one most graceful thing - holy humility, behind which may the Lord guide you in other things, about you, and in you, and comfort your heart, in proportion to your humility, with grace-filled consolation.
Your children, passing through P...u, when visiting our monastery, planned to stay one day, but, having reasoned, they stayed for two days; They both quite and one by one worked with me about the Lord; Finally we set off safely. May God bless them and you all; I wish that He will arrange your salvation, and I entrust you to Him with sincerity.
Your unworthy pilgrim, many sinners, I.L. and my brethren, we bow.
I inform you of our common joy: for the icon of the Tikhvin Mother of God donated by you (which is located in the skete church on a high place), our monk Alexander, formerly a Mologa merchant Alexander Petrovich Maltsov, was diligent in placing on it the crown from you - with his own face, a silver chasuble, which, thanks to the diligence of other benefactors, was gilded and received from Moscow from the master Poltavtsev this June 18th.
All our elders with heartfelt love blessed the benefactors of such decoration and took care to perform the due prayer for the Queen of Heaven, as the comforter of their old age and undoubted hope in the future life. But to our general sorrow, our monastery leader, Father A., known to you in life, (for the fifth week now) has been sick in his right leg, and his illness has multiplied so much that sleep was completely taken away, and he could not walk or sit lower, nor could he lift his legs out of bed. - The icon was brought to his cell on the 19th in the evening, and this old man, depressed by illness, Her unhypocritical servant, from the depths of his heart and with tears cried out to his Lady and Deliverer of all sorrows, asking to be granted patience in his illness, and in the morning (i.e. on the 19th, on the day of the Holy Apostle Jude) the due prayer service was performed, on which the names of your family, monk Alexander and the sick hieromonk A were proclaimed. Then St. The icon, with a church ceremony and ringing, was transferred to the church in its place, and Father A.
as if from that hour he began to feel lighter and lighter, and now, thanking God and His Most Pure Mother, he can get out of bed and move to a chair; sleep came and my sore leg felt calm. He, blessing your entire family, bows to you and prays to the Lord for the improvement of “the path that you walk on.”
After writing these lines, I received your most respected letter, issued on June 16, from which I see that the Lord, providing for you, is arranging for the best for your peace regarding the order of your husband. I wish that you, with grateful feelings towards the Lord, would have concern for the fulfillment of His holy will and, thus taking advantage of His bestowed benefits, would have the hope of receiving in the future life the eternal benefits prepared for those who love the Lord according to His ineffable love for mankind.
When there is the will of God to fulfill your intention to arrange the fate of your dear son with the chosen girl; then may the Lord bless you to complete the work you are starting, calling upon His holy help and handing it over to His all-powerful Providence. May they be with you for the comfort of your old age, together with all your dear children... may the Mother of God comfort you.
I also received your writing dated May 22; I still couldn’t answer this; now, by the way, accept my zealous gratitude for these letters. I wish your dear son, who has gone on a journey, to successfully fulfill his assigned commission and return safely to you; May the Lord protect him and send a Guardian Angel to protect him from all the snares and snares of the enemy. To your dear son Z. I wish that the Lord will strengthen him in the good intention of observing himself, and may the Lord deliver him from the sorrows that befall him. He wanted to write to me; I will accept his writing with love, and according to the strength of my weak mind, I will try to answer. Father I. shows you his deepest respect, and Father S. also thanks you most diligently for your memory of them, wishing you all the best and perfect health, mental and physical. This is what I equally wish for you and, calling upon you and your entire venerable family the peace and blessing of God, with my respect I remain your unworthy pilgrim, many sinners I. L. June 27, 1836
Beloved in Christ, take Father Z.!
I received your writing filled with sorrow; listening to him and hearing the unfortunate death of your parent, I realize that there is truly great sorrow in your heart and in all your neighbors and truly worthy of sorrow. We also sensitively sympathize with your sorrow and cannot remember this event without a special feeling. You ask for my consolation. This is what you need to strengthen your spirit. But who is so strong in words that he could pour out a healing balm that cools and heals the wounds of your heart? The loss is irrevocable! But what the human mind is not able to invent for consolation and healing, the Most Merciful Lord has all this, for He alone has mercy and much deliverance, 163 and hope in Him does not put one to shame. He is able to console you and pour the balm of His mercy onto your wounded and offended heart. And He will comfort us with incomprehensible consolation, only let us remain firmly in faith and not lose hope in His all-powerful Hand.
Let us not dare to enter into the test of His unknown and incomprehensible destinies, but, in reverence before His Majesty, let us see ourselves in the boundless space and immeasurable abyss of His creatures, although the smallest creature, but by His Providence, ever-contained and venerable before other creatures by autocracy and reason, and by His saving descent we have been granted eternal life, redeemed by His priceless blood. Let us strive to become worthy of His love by fulfilling His holy commandments, and as much strength as we have, may we have a good will for this and preserve our dispensation with everything that His holy will wants by His permission.
I appeal again to the guilt of your sorrow. The Holy Church specifically legislated for those who experienced this death not to make commemorations, which we, as her children, must obey and leave this sad and unexpected event to the judgment of God, as I have already said, without experiencing His destinies, but remain in submission to them. You can continue to give alms and alms; they work great miracles!.. So, to calm yourself, surrender to the will of God, strengthen yourself with faith and hope in His ineffable mercy, and stop about the unknown and incomprehensible test for us. Take care of your soul: in the next terrible time, neither parents, nor friends, nor wealth, nor fame can help, but only good deeds done with humility.
Having no more words to console you, I pray to the Most Merciful Lord, may He send down His grace and grant you and your brother consolation, through them He will tell you about your destinies, and may He strengthen you not to be faint-hearted, but may He help you, having finished your deeds, to return to your abode. I wrote out of true compassion and a desire to strengthen you, but “unless the Lord gives power to this word and pours out His mercy, our speculations are in vain.”
At the end of these lines, the Moscow novice I. arrived with your letter and verbally expanded your opinion about Z. But it’s difficult for us to give precise advice on this subject; you, having called upon the Almighty Provider the Lord Jesus Christ for help and consulted with each other, you can tell him to try to behave more carefully, and especially under such sad circumstances, but, however, try to maintain moderation. And since your presence there is most needed for your younger brother K., then for such a need (due to illness, for entertainment and reinforcement in cowardice) we give our blessing to finish the matter. May the Most Merciful Lord enlighten you and enlighten you to their successful completion and return to the monastery; and then if the Merciful Lord pleases, and we will live 164 then we can talk about everything and generally advise.
And entrusting you to the protection of Almighty God, I remain your unworthy pilgrim, a great sinner. I.L.
And I, Hieromonk Macarius, and the well-disposed brethren wish you complacent consolation.
Most Honorable N.N. in the Lord!
Your desire to escape the snares of the world in your youth is soul-saving, and if it does not weaken, but takes root in your heart despite all obstacles, then this is a sign of God’s true calling to the sorrowful (especially in our time) monastic path. There is no doubt, you know that we are the only mediators in your cause, and the finisher is and will be our Lord, from Whom every good will flows, and by Whose power we, as mortals, can soon be called to His judgment, and therefore hope in us alone is vain; and He abides forever. Therefore, your hope, support, adviser and leader must be the One to whom you wish to espouse your soul. First of all, you must pray to Him with fear and love, may He bless your intention, may He root in your heart the seed that He has sown, and may He remove obstacles at the beginning of your path, if your path is pleasing to Him. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, and you must think about what you are deciding to do without arrogance and insolence! For death not only to the world and relatives, but also to oneself.
Unless anyone hates his very soul, he cannot be His disciple. You are preparing for daily hardships, for uncomplainingly enduring insults, for bodily mortification, and, most difficult of all, for cutting off your will. When preparing for bloodless, prolonged martyrdom, one must rely not on strength or the ardor of one’s desire, but solely on the help of our Lord. Test yourself strictly: is your intention pure? Are there other extraneous reasons prompting this? What do you expect and desire in monasticism? One salvation and sorrows or something else?
As for the obstacles from the parent 165, the Lord, who conquers, “wherever you want the order of nature,” is able to bend his heart, if only your work is the work of God. “The Lord will do the will of those who fear Him, and He will hear those who call on Him in truth.” I entrust you to His holy protection, I humbly ask His blessing on you, - your unworthy, many-sinful pilgrim I. L. December 21, 1838.
From June 16, I regularly received your writing and heeded its contents... There are no words to explain how wonderfully the heart enjoys the invocation of the sweetest Lord Jesus Christ!
As much as possible, move away from rumors, avoid vain people; Use your will and zeal to seek what is pleasing before the Lord and to acquire eternal things. Everything temporary will change, but the eternal will remain forever. Don't let good thoughts scatter; everything there is vanity, where the soul is not edified for salvation and is not enlightened by the fear of God. May the peaceful angel protect your heart with peaceful thoughts. I remain your unworthy pilgrim, many sinners I. L. July day 1839 Monastery of St. Tikhon 166.
I sincerely wish you to be healthy mentally and physically and to rejoice in the One Lord. I have received your scripture; This is the second time you have asked for my advice on how you can leave this kind of life, which is always hateful to God. I wish that this desire of yours is fulfilled - to become a warrior of Christ - and you deign to write that heartfelt zeal and good will are kindling in you, so that, according to the commandment of the Lord, calling for a perfect life, you leave everything and, having renounced yourself and taken up the cross of patience, follow Christ's life, (i.e.) entering the monastery of the verbal sheep of Christ; - I spiritually rejoice at this and do not forbid you to join the army of Christ; but as you clearly prove that your brother not only hates, but also persecutes the monastic rite, and is also very strict, then if you went to the monastery secretly from him, there would not be any obstacle from your parent. I advise you to pray to God for him: make three bows in the morning and evening, saying this prayer: “Save, Lord, and have mercy on my dearest parent N.
Forgive my sins through his prayers.” And if you fulfill this prayer, then believe God that in every possible way the Lord will add him to your like-mindedness. However, I do not forbid you to join the army of Christ, but remember only this: the suffering path our hero Jesus Christ walked, the same path everyone who wants to follow Him must (go), and do not waste time.
And in short, I would like to express my gratitude for the gifts sent, which I received promptly. Entrusting you to the protection of God, although I am unworthy, I ask for God’s blessing on you and remain, thirsting for your salvation, an unworthy pilgrim, many sinners I. L. February 27, 1839
I received your scripture, and with it, from your zeal, a gift, for which I offer you my gratitude. May the Most Merciful Lord enlighten your sense and mind into the knowledge of the true path of salvation, and strengthen you to keep the holy commandments, and direct your life to the glory of God. And, concluding, I entrust you to the Providence of God and, although I am unworthy, I ask for the peace and blessing of God on you, and I will always remain your unworthy pilgrim, much-sinful I.L.
R.S. Your illness, as I admit, is more due to everyday cares; in this case, I ask you, so as not to upset yourself any more, entrust your affairs to the Providence of God, and that, according to the word of St. Apostle, may the Lord be a speedy helper in your affairs. December 8th 1839
I sincerely wish you good health mentally and physically, and pass on the current days of your life with complacency.
You write that your parent is inclined to let you go to the monastery, but only after 3 years. Thank God that he says so - I rejoice, but my only heartfelt regret is that he puts it off until such a long time, hoping that we will be alive, but it is unknown whether the continuation of life is in our will? It is written: “From the morning I am, until the evening I am not.” And Job the righteous writes: “Yesterday we are 167; “It is known that we lived through yesterday, but we don’t know whether we will live through the present day?” And again it is written: From morning to evening time changes 168. And the rich man of the Gospel clearly serves as an example and proof that the time of our life lies in the will of God, and not in ours: he, having collected his good life, thought for many years to enjoy prosperity and “a river,” he said, “to his soul—to his soul! Have many good things for many years, eat, drink and be merry,” but the poor man was deceived; Instead, I heard a voice from above: You fool, this night they will take your soul from you, and what I have prepared for you, who will it be? 169 Then, it seems to me, your father is likened to this; he says: my two sons will grow up, then I’ll let them go.
He hopes in children, but it is written: “Do not trust in princes, in the sons of men.” Also to this: “The Day of the Lord is like a thief coming in the night.” Now you see that it is unknown whether you or the priest will live, then the day of salvation should not be postponed until the time comes. And having cut you short, I entrust you to the protection of God and ask for the peace and blessing of God on you and will remain forever your pilgrim, much-sinful I. L. August 18, 1840
I wish you peace, health and peace of mind to receive from the Giver of all blessings, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Do not grieve me, V., that I am not writing this letter with my own hand, but dictating it to someone else, because, due to my old age and decrepitude and, moreover, from being so busy with the people, I myself am not able to.
Not wanting to upset you and your parent any longer, I am sending you brother I., although he would still need to stay, but during his stay with me, I offered him, according to the strength of my weak mind, advice and, with God’s help, as much as I could, I tried to use his consolation, but to send it is in the will of God, and if he accepted my advice with faith, he received healing for his sorrowful heart. For this reason, I entrust you, as well as the whole family, to God’s providence and, moreover, I dare to ask for God’s blessing, I remain forever thirsty for your salvation, an unworthy pilgrim, many sinners I.L.
P.S. From your letter it is clear that you poorly repeated my ABCs, forgetting to bow three times for your parent. Try for the Lord's sake. 27 approx. 1840
I wish you peace and health of soul and body to receive from our Lord Jesus Christ. I received your letter in perfect order, and from it I saw your request about the dreams you had - you ask for an interpretation, but this is completely unnecessary. Holy Scripture prohibits trusting dreams and seeking future events through them. But I advise you to rely in everything on the will of God, then your road to salvation will always be convenient.
So, with the shortening of these lines, I entrust you to the protection of God and remain forever thirsty for your salvation, your unworthy pilgrim, much sinner I. L. December 4th, 1840
From your letter I see that you have become faint-hearted due to your mother’s illness and are afraid that she will die. I advise you to surrender your mother’s fate to God’s Providence: God foresees people’s affairs, their circumstances, and their reasons, and arranges everything for their benefit. You hear the voice of the Lord, saying that He clothes the villages, and not a single bird falls without the will of the Heavenly Father 170. He cares more about us than like a mother. So, you see, the Lord is strong and can preserve your mother for many years. At your request, I am sending holy oil and a bottle of water 171. Then I remain thirsty for your salvation, unworthy pilgrim - great sinner I. L. December 26, 1840
I received and read your letter: from it I see that your son-in-law lost his sons and daughter by death, and laments the separation from them. For this reason, I am writing you a few lines, believing that they will bring consolation in his sorrow, and that you will read them to him with a great desire for a heavenly home.
Holy Scripture shows us what we lose through death in this life and what we gain in the future: we gain eternal, painless life - a life in which there is no confusing passion, no withering envy, no offending misfortunes, in which there is no decrepit old age and infantile weakness, but an ever-blooming state, not subject to any change, a blissful stay that has no limits, an immaculate life, from all temptations of everyday life are removed. Imagining this in his lofty thoughts, blessed David cried out with joyful delight: “Lord of hosts! Blessed is he who dwells in Your house, to praise You forever and ever! Better is one day in Your courts than a thousand.” Where we must also renounce: they, the dead, only precede us and make us feel how short our life is. Moreover, it consists in the will of God, to which I advise you to surrender yourself.
In shortening these lines, I ask for the peace and blessing of God on you, remaining forever thirsty for your salvation, unworthy pilgrim - much-sinful I. L. December 31, 1840
You notify me about your mother that she is very ill, which makes you sad, looking at her suffering, and in such sorrow you ask me to pray and console you.
I did not respond to your previous letter due to poor health, and, moreover, I did not find an extreme requirement; but now, being convinced by your request, although I am writing these lines by dictation, and if you accept with faith, you will receive consolation. Although your mother is in pain, you need to be complacent and think about the words of our Savior God (Luke 12:6-7): “Are not five birds worth the price of two; and not a single one of them is forgotten before God. But the power of your head has been deciphered: do not be afraid, for you have taken possession of many birds.” With these words the Lord clearly proved His providence for us. I advise you: put aside your lack of faith from your heart and place your trust in the Providence of God, which always arranges what is beneficial for our souls. For this reason, having reduced you, entrusting you to the Providence of God, and, while asking for God's blessing on you, I remain forever thirsty for your salvation, unworthy pilgrim, many sinner I. L. January 31, 1841
I received your letter; in it you explain that during prayer you find bad thoughts, which is why you become faint-hearted. In this case, when our thoughts are distracted during prayer, the Holy Fathers teach us not to be embarrassed, but to humble ourselves and repent - then we can calm ourselves down. In which Saint John Climacus strengthens us, teaching us in the 4th degree: “Always try to gather wandering thoughts together. God does not require that during prayer you cannot have any other thoughts at all. Do not despair, being plundered by your thoughts, but be complacent, calling together your always wandering thoughts. It is natural for a single Angel to never be plundered by thoughts.”
You also ask for advice: should your mother undergo treatment or not? I can’t completely manage this, as she wants. However, it seems to me and for her spiritual benefit, it would be better to patiently endure it with gratitude, and this patience will give her Christian consolation and trust in God’s mercy to be rewarded with bliss in eternity. And there will be no sin if you are treated by doctors; but no matter how it turns out, it’s just a waste of money. You can see for yourself that to this day there is no relief.
Briefing these lines, I entrust you to the protection of God, and while asking for peace and God’s blessing on you and your family, I remain thirsty forever for your salvation, unworthy pilgrim, many sinner I. L. May 1, 1841
I received your letter in perfect order. In response, I will tell you that the Lord is able to forgive you in your attempts. But if you truly want to come into the love of the Heavenly King, you must leave all the amusements and amusements of this world and cleave to the Lord with all your soul and thought and not return to what you previously recognized as vile. Why is this so? Because, like a vessel that is given something to drink again, the smell will be difficult to get out of it. Likewise, a person, whatever morals he becomes accustomed to in his youth, will find it difficult to get behind at the very end of his life. This is why you should distance yourself from bad associations.
For this I wish you peace and salvation, remaining thirsty for your prosperity, your unworthy pilgrim, many sinners I.L.
R.S. And again I confirm that when “you know the elect, you will be chosen, but with the obstinate you will be corrupted.”
Most reverent N. of the Lord!
I sincerely wish you to receive the peace and blessing of God. I received your letter, and what I see especially remarkable from it is that you have a desire to be in the rank of monk. This is a good desire, but in order for it to come true for you, you must pray to God and not be like a branch that sways on both sides. The Lord is able to grant you this second baptism, that is, tonsure into an angelic image. First of all, I sent you a letter; I hope you have received it now. For this, entrusting you to the protection of God, I will forever thirst for your salvation, your unworthy pilgrim, many sinners I. L. 172
And in our days, and in this deep night,
When it is almost impossible to accomplish anything (John 9:4),
There lived a husband with a bright and lofty soul.
I’ll tell you a few words about him.
Not a formal list of a strange life,
And I offer you lamentation for him.
Not according to the law, God's chosen man,
And in the riot, according to the apostolic words,
Beyond all forms and above all rules,
Lived in foolishness for Christ's sake.
The Lord glorified His beloved
Deeds, not letters of ink.
His parents were not nice
But he had a spiritual father.
As his worthy and well-behaved son,
He was faithful to the elder until his end.
Fatherland, superiority and monastery
He left and took up a single cross,
And wandering, as the Savior commanded 174,
He finally reached these places.
And here he and his children and brothers
I have found the gospel a hundredfold.
In the bosom of these fatherly embraces
Temporarily, I found refuge.
Leaving open worship,
He clearly served humanity;
Without external signs of power and rule
He was secretly a spiritual ruler.
And his word is truly living
He reinforced the example of good deeds.
When will a servant of Christ
The long-desired end has arrived,
When his chest was barely breathing,
And the gaze was directed to eternity,
His hand still blessed;
He still worked for his neighbors.
His friends were afraid to breathe.
He lowered his hand with blessing,
And for the first time I could fall asleep for a long time.
Where is our father? And where is the holy body
A mentor, a healer lies?
Here is a monument made of cast iron and heavy
They surrounded you with a gilded lattice;
And you protected us all with prayer.
They put you in a tight grave,
And you accommodated everyone in your wide heart.
Wouldn't we have found you?
Between other graves unknown to us?
The road to it has long been trodden;
And which of us forgot the path to it?
Our Father! You're at a housewarming party again.
Apparently they want to keep you
For a long time in this cramped, dark cell.
There is a heavy seal above it.
Don't they think at your fence
Close the gates again,
And the fire of your healing lamp
Can you put out suspicion with your hand?
Are there still people - they drive away the wretched?
From your hands, from your feet again?
Are they still looking at me with an envious eye?
How will you heal the sick?
Informers slandered
Your gray hair, your white tunic;
But we washed with our tears,
They wiped off the Leviton with kisses.
I remember the short robes of the krill, -
Under them everyone hid from sins,
On this chest that loved
And there was refuge and cover for everyone.
I remember a lention with three crosses,
When he lay on my head,
Then, reconciled with God and people,
Your student stood up from under it.
As now, I stand before the goddess,
Where so many candles burned before the One,
Before the Mother - the Virgin, the Queen.
Who came to this holy icon,
Who was anointed with oil from the lamp,
With the blessing of merciful hands,
He departed, filled with joy,
Freed from heavy torments of the heart.
Around you, at your aching feet,
There was always a tight circle of sufferers.
You were the father and mother of the mourners,
Comforter, healer, elder, friend.
Without rising above those who fell before you,
You raised our requests to the sky,
And quiet lips with an inaudible prayer
You asked God to bow to us.
I remember your gentle advice
And your power over the heart and mind,
And how easy it was to make vows,
When you were a guarantee before the Creator,
And how easy salvation was then,
When you showed the way to the children, -
The path of obedience, simplicity, patience!
You yourself have walked along these true paths.
You did not wear the guise of pharisaism,
Open and simple in character and face,
You taught your family with jokes,
And the children were happy with their father.
You were the obedient son of Theodore,
Shared sorrows and labors with the elder,
And I learned to be generous
With him from the impassable forests of Bryansk
Reached the Neva Wild Islands
And from the limits of the stone Finnish
I reached the quiet shores of Svir.
There are sorrows, storms and unrest everywhere
You endured with this great father,
There were traps and attacks everywhere
Constructed by an invisible enemy.
Like a spiritual leader, important and calm,
You did not timidly retreat from the enemy,
And, honored with heavenly help,
I placed my trust in God.
An invisible destroyer guarded you,
And the finger of your hand, inhabitant of the desert,
Was thrown into his greedy mouth.
But the joke was not removed from your lips,
Flesh and blood were obedient to you;
I was not embarrassed by the fear of man
Gray unfurrowed eyebrow.
Like a lion with his silver mane
You frightened the invisible wolves,
And, like a baby, I speak playfully
You consoled the sons of the gospel.
And your Divine Guide
Was also surrounded by slander:
Friend of publicans and sinners cohabitant
And he was named a poisoner, a wine drinker;
And the heavy cross of shame, reproach
He promised to His beloved;
And you, looking at His suffering,
He sacrificed himself for his neighbors.
When a hospitable abode
I opened my gates for you,
You entered them as an alien visitor,
Like a wanderer to these dark places.
You didn't stray here for peace,
At the age of twelve I took a little rest.
We know who the invisible hand
The spiritual garden was decorated with flowers,
Who are the young and weak plants
The shore and planted and strengthened,
And who are the dry old roots
Revived with life-giving dew.
We know who corrected the crooked,
And who grafted flower and fruit onto the barren,
Who in the secluded monastery bee-houses
Collected spiritual wax and sweet honeycomb.
One of these fleeting drones
(He was carried away by the opposite wind
From a swarm of bees, from these treasured gardens)
Now the gravestone late groan is buzzing,
And instead of wax, honey is fragrant
He carries a torn piece of paper to the coffin.
Receive him, our father, favorably,
Even though your heavenly wreath is rich without it.
Subsequently, archimandrite and governor of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra.
Treasurer in Optina Pustyn.
See the book "The Ladder". St. John Climacus, word 4.
After the death of Father Theodore, the elder in the signature of some of his letters, out of humility, added to his name the name of Antiochus, his spiritual son, although the latter did not participate in his letters at all.
Wed. OK. 12, 48. Gal. 6, 2.
And let it be known to your love that whoever asks with greater faith, then in the same measure the Lord teaches the mind of the respondent in telling the answer.
Wed: Luke. 10, 27; Mk. 12.31.
At that time he was in St. Petersburg, where to take the departing bishop.
Wed: Matt. 22, 39; Mk. 12.31.
In Russian: If you see that someone, being in a manifold dishonor, grieves about this, then know that he, satiated with thoughts of vanity, is unpleasantly reaping sheaves of heart seeds.
With this word, the Elder compares them with the ancient inhabitants of the city of Athens, among whom the passion for curiosity and news was widespread.
The passionate part, i.e. lust and irritability. According to the teachings of St. According to the fathers, the nature of the soul is divided into three parts: verbal (reasonable), violent (irritable) and lustful (lusty).
See Part 1 of the Slavic Philokalia.
Unfortunately, they were subsequently lost.
For those who asked the elder for handwritten instructions for constant guidance, the letter is especially remarkable. From this point on, No. 14 and subsequent letters were written, on behalf of Elder Leo, by his collaborator, Elder Fr. Makariy (Ivanov).
See in Access. tale, about the sub. St. Fathers chapter about Abba the Roman.
All these last 14 letters were written to one person, who later became a monk at Optina Pustyn.
His parent belonged to a schismatic sect.
This was written from the Tikhonova Hermitage (Kaluga province), where the late Elder often went before his death for the internal structure of it, at the request of his disciples who lived there.
This probably refers to “bitter water,” which the Elder often used for those asking.
Elder Leonid’s letters to the above-mentioned person ceased, since the Elder died on October 11, 1841.
In the Skete Chronicle, under the 2nd day of May 1862, there is a note: “One of the many disciples of the venerable and ever-memorable elder Leonid, Hieromonk Anthony Bochkov sent Fr. Macarius in the month of March a poem: “Lamentation on the coffin of his father,” written by him in memory of his Elder, which is placed here as a keepsake, by order of Father (Fr. Macarius).”
“The Son of Man has no place to lay his head” (Matthew 8:20).