Письмо 232
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You now bear the name D., in Russian it means: given by God. This is a good name; observe your duty by being grateful to the Lord for His gift. He called you to this rank and gave you this name; remember your former name D.
- in Persian, and in ours: great fire; this naming must not only be passed through, but penetrated into its mind: may there be a great fire in you of love for God and for your neighbor; for these names serve as a reminder to you of love for God and gratitude for His gifts and for your calling to this calling; and with a reminder it is more convenient to be aroused and compelled to do what God’s love is proven - by fulfilling His holy commandments; according to His word: if anyone loves Me, he will keep My word (John 14:23); It may seem strange to you - the interpretation of your names; but my intention is to congratulate you on the approaching day of your angel, the 19th, the holy martyr D., on which I wholeheartedly and sincerely congratulate you, and in order not just to offer you my best wishes, I took them from the very meanings of your names; Meanwhile, the letter became somewhat fuller, otherwise it would have ended in small lines. May God grant that you are healthy and prosperous, peaceful and calm. ABOUT! peace, peace! longed for peace! how much we need and enjoy you!
but we are losing you because we are not looking for you as the Lord commanded; He ordered us to learn from Him: for I am meek and lowly in heart, and we will find rest for our souls (Matthew 11:29). But is that what we (and especially I) are looking for? In order to gain meekness and humility, I do not place my own sins before me, but on the contrary, I see those that are alien to me, and I judge them; I can’t stand reproach and annoyance, I can’t even stand contradiction, and the prayer I read now: “By the Lord, the King, grant me to see my sins,” and so on, does not strike my stony heart. How will I appear before the court of God? we don’t know; but now is the time favorable, now is the day of salvation; let us make a beginning by calling on God’s all-powerful help to resist passions and humble ourselves for our weakness. I am writing to you about my infirmities; You, perhaps, are healthy mentally. What I sincerely wish for you, and, entrusting myself to your prayers, even though I myself am unworthy, I remain your pilgrim, the many-sinner I.M. March 15, 1843.
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