17. 1308–1326. Поучение митрополита Петра духовенству (об епитимиях и вдовых попах) и мирянам (об усердии к церкви)

In the manuscript from which this teaching is published (Kormchaya Synod. Library. No. 222, l. 2 - 16th century), it is entitled: “Message of Cyprian, Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Rus', to the abbots and priests, and deacons, and to the monks, and to all Orthodox Christians.” But in fact, this is the full text of that teaching, from which a verbatim excerpt (about widow priests) is given in the definitions of the Stoglav Cathedral, under the title: “The teaching of the same as our holy father Peter, Metropolitan of All Rus'” (See Stoglav Kazan. ed. p. 346), and to which the Moscow Council of 1503 referred (A.E. vol. I, no. 383, p. 486). For historical criticism, the evidence of two councils of the 16th century at least proves that the teaching being published was then generally known under the name of Metropolitan Peter, and not Cyprian. The latter could, of course, use the work of his authoritative predecessor, especially if it was originally published in the form of an official “message” or charter: this explains the origin of the inscription of the synodal list, unfortunately, the only one and faulty. Another remarkable fact is that the beginning and end of the teaching are read almost literally in the following letters of Metropolitans Theognostus and Alexei (Nos. 18 and 19). I pray to God that you may be pure in soul and good in body, healthy, with your wives and children, that you may fulfill the natural commandments of Christ, faith in the right to the Holy Trinity, love for each other, truth and chastity, alms, confession of your sins and the image of pleasing God. Christ says 1064: having my commandments [and] keeping, that is, loving me, Jesus will be loved by Christ, fulfill my commandments. 1065 The Apostle says: faith without works is dead, 1066 so are works without faith. Sins are cleansed through almsgiving and faith. Many times I have written to you to priests and ministers about how to abide - the priesthood, which comes from the Holy Spirit, to observe purely and immaculately; what kind of people of God 1067 ... walk in this rebellious world and commit sins, lie 1068, offend, commit perjury and other sins. And with the second teaching I want to console you, for many who are not tempted to accept before the Judgment Court of Christ 1069 first about holy baptism, which was received, another about the priesthood, and a third about your spiritual children. Because this is how we should be, because for everything we have, we must give an answer, so that in the seven shining world, as with tears 1070, as disciples of Christ, according to his word: “Let your light be enlightened before men, so that when they see your good deeds, they may glorify your Father who is in heaven.” ……… 1071 for the one who teaches and not the one who creates, there is no benefit. Everyone who speaks and teaches, and does not create, becomes a ringing brass 1072: Blessed is he who teaches to create. And penances, which the holy fathers gave to us for salvation, are to be given with the sinner for the cleansing of their sins, but you do not give them, but look to take them, and they remain in sins: a triple wife and a quadruple wife, having unmarried wives, do not forbid them. If you do this, what success will you have? I have written to you many times about this; If 1073 the priest's wife dies 1074, let him go to the monastery and have his priesthood; If he remains in weakness 1075 and loves worldly pleasures, let him not sing. If he does not listen 1076 to my words, 1077 may he and those who partake of them be unblessed. 1078 But you, like asps covering your ears, do not hear, but think of dying in those sins. And don't worry. Again, I am writing to you, if you are children of Christ and my children, who want to appear without condemnation before the terrible judgment of Christ, listen to the laws from the Holy Fathers; listen to me, who wants and loves the salvation of your souls: take the yoke of Christ, take the cross of Christ, follow it, so that you will gain a hundredfold in the next century, eternal life. If you disobey my word, you will not go to the monastery, I have you unblessed and outside my priesthood, according to the apostolic word: “But be deceived, neither harlots, nor adulterers, nor predators, nor idolaters, nor drunkards will inherit the kingdom of God.” Whoever has a priest to get drunk, but does not lose it, is not a true priest of Christ. But you, people of Christ, have a holy language, a new heritage, have the fear of God in you, remember judgment, death and resurrection, eternal life for the righteous, and eternal torment for sinners. You will run to church, bring a gift from your property to God for the cleansing of your sins; Even as you love the priests in God, and love and honor the monks, have mercy on the poor, widows and orphans, and those captives and in prison, clothe each one according to your ability, so that you may hear the blessed voice: “You who are blessed of my Father will come, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” May God's mercy and my blessing be upon you forever and ever, amen. The place is ruined; the meaning is restored by the words of Metropolitan Alexei’s letter: “May you be loved by Christ, fulfill his commandments.” The word fall or something similar that is necessary for the meaning should be omitted here. In the original: lying, offending. The meaning, apparently, is the following: it is too much torture for you to endure, etc. with the stars? – Again, damage to the text, difficult to correct. In the original there follows a passage spoiled to the point of meaninglessness; “Now that we have seen that you are ordained to teach those who want, it is first proper for you to pay heed.” This is where the passage given in Stoglav begins. In the original: you won’t listen. In Stoglav: and whoever has not to listen to my writing. Here is the end of the passage in Stoglav. You might be interested in: