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The archpastor celebrated the liturgy at the Cathedral of Taratranslated

July 12, 2026 · 1 min read

Talking while standing at church services or looking around with your eyes is not only indecent, but also angers the Lord with inattention and fearlessness. If we cannot mentally, then at least physically and visibly we behave decently.

Physical and visible decency can lead us to a good arrangement of internal thoughts. Just as the Lord first created a human body from the earth, and then breathed into it an immortal soul, so external training and visible decency precede spiritual well-being, and it begins with preserving the eyes and ears and especially with holding the tongue, since the Lord in the Gospel says: With your mouth I will judge you (Luke 19:22), that is, we often, out of inattention, say that for which we will be judged most of all and first of all.

It is very easy and convenient to say many things, but to bring repentance for this is very inconvenient - it is written in the Symphony based on the works of the Monk Ambrose, the Elder of Optina (2, part 1, pp. 28–29).

On the day of memory of this saint, July 10, 2026, Bishop Vikenty of Tara and Tyukalinsk, in concelebration with the cathedral of monks of the cathedral church, celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the main cathedral of the Tara diocese.

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💬 Comments (4) 🌐 Translate comments

Екатерина Попова

Спасибо, что напомнили слова преподобного Амвросия. У меня всегда проблема с языком — то слово лишнее вырвется, то шепну соседке. Теперь буду стараться хотя бы глазами не бегать по сторонам во время службы, как написано.

James Bennett

Спасибо, что привели эти слова Амвросия Оптинского про язык и глаза. У меня тоже часто вырывается лишнее, а потом жалею. Буду пробовать хотя бы во время службы держать взгляд на иконах или на службе, как он советует, и не вертеть головой.

Светлана Волкова

Спасибо, что привели именно эти слова Амвросия Оптинского про язык и глаза. У меня тоже часто вырывается лишнее на службе, а потом весь день хожу и жалею. Буду теперь хотя бы стараться не оглядываться по сторонам, как он пишет, может, и внутри спокойнее станет.

Alexander Miller

I get that too, James — my tongue gets ahead of me more than I'd like, especially after coffee before the service. Fixing my eyes on the icon of the Mother of God in the center usually helps me stay put. Have you tried that one in particular?