Письмо 36
Encouragement in the Spiritual Path
The author offers a greeting of joy and warns against the dangers of spiritual laxity and turning back from one's commitment.
Save yourselves! You are with the Mother of God! Glory to God! After reading your letters, all I could say was: glory to God! Backing away from the work you've begun is extremely ruinous.✦ It starts with the most seemingly innocent little things—concessions that a soul which has barely labored claims as its rights.1 I have hoped, and I still hope, that the Mother of God will always protect you.
The Virtue of Patient Persistence
The author counsels patience in prayer, reminding the recipient that grace is a gift from God that requires persistent seeking rather than human deadlines.
In your patience, possess your soul.✦ Don't let a lack of success unsettle you. Our part is to work, to seek, and to pursue it; as for when it comes, only the Lord knows. An Athonite elder (mentioned in the Philokalia) spent two years pleading with the Mother of God to grant him fire in the heart, and he was heard.2 Don't set deadlines — just keep at it and ask that He who gives prayer to the one who prays would grant it to you as well. Seek, and you will find. You can see for yourselves that something is already at work.3 And glory to God!
Steady Progress and Solitude
The author encourages the recipient to continue their journey without fainting, suggesting solitude as a means to deepen their spiritual life.
But there's still a long way to go. Don't lose heart. Just stay at the monastery for a while, and you'll settle in. Only it would be good for you to withdraw into solitude more, as much as you find possible. May the Lord bless you with an abundant blessing.
Read the original Russian
Спасайтесь! Вы у Матери Божией! Слава Богу! Прочитав письма ваши, только говорил: слава Богу!
В начатом вами деле попятиться назад весьма пагубно. Это начинается с самых невинных будто мелочей, льгот, на какия предъявляет права душа, не много потрудившаяся. Уповал и уповаю, что Матерь Божия всегда оградит вас.
В терпении вашем стяжите душу вашу. Не смущайтесь безуспешностию. Наше дело – трудиться – искать – и гнаться; а когда дело придет, про то один Господь знает. Один старец Афонский (о нем есть в Добротолюбии) два года докучал Матери Божией, даровать ему огнь в сердце, и был услышан. Не назначайте сроков, – а делайте и просите, чтоб дающий молитву молящемуся, даровал и вам ее. Ищите и обрящете. Видите сами, что некое действие есть. И слава Богу!
Но дело еще далеко! – Не изнемогайте. Вот побудете в монастыре, поуспокоитесь. Только хорошо бы вам более уединяться, сколько найдете возможности.
Господь да благословит вас обильным благословением.
Scripture echoes
Notes
- 1 ↩льгот can mean privileges, exemptions, or self-granted indulgences; rendered as 'concessions' for the soul's self-excusing ease.
- 2 ↩«Докучал» is strong: not a single request, but persistent, almost wearisome importunity. «Огнь в сердце» names interior prayer-ardor, not mere emotion.
- 3 ↩«Действие» can mean action, effect, or spiritual working; here it points to an interior divine operation already present, not mere human effort.
Letters on the Christian Life companion
Rule yourself daily, not just on retreat
Chosen Portion turns the mirror into a daily practice — a short reading and examining question each morning before you lead anyone.
Chosen Portion makes the mirror daily: the ruler-formation questions this collection preserves become a two-minute morning examination in the app.
- A daily formation reading drawn from centuries of counsel to those in authority
- One pointed examination question a day — two minutes, before the meetings start
- Track your practice over weeks and watch the examined life become a habit