Письмо 71
The Danger of Worldly Distractions
The author warns against the spiritual peril of participating in worldly amusements like cards and theater.
May God help you. You shouldn't play cards or go to the theater. Whatever people say, they'll talk for a while and then stop, eventually leaving you alone. If you give in, people will keep coming to you with cards and pestering you to go to the theater. The Evil One will then put all kinds of things at your service—only to smash your head.1 That won't do. Refuse. Because doing so would put you at odds with yourself.
Standing Firm in Conviction
The author provides a practical method for refusing worldly invitations with integrity and Christian conviction.
Why not just tell everyone, "I'm acting on my own conviction." Cards are an empty thing; the theater is harmful. Neither is appropriate for a Christian. That is what I'm convinced of, and that is how I act; as for you, do whatever you like!"2 Then just let them go their own way. Well, if you do this, there will be shame and disgrace.3
Read the original Russian
Бог в помощь! Играть в карты и ездить в театр не следует. Что говорят, то поговорят и перестанут, а потом и бросят вас. Если сделаете так, то и к вам с картами поедут и непрестанно будут зазывать вас в театр. Лукавый многое повергнет тогда к вашим услугам, только бы голову разбить вам. Так не следует. Откажитесь! Ведь это будет разлад с собою.
Почему не сказать всякому: «я действую по убеждению. Карты вещь пустая; театр – вредная. Христианину то и другое неприлично. Так убеждена, так и действую; а вы, как хотите!» И пусть себе идут своею дорогою. Ну, если вы так сделаете, будет срам и стыд.
Notes
- 1 ↩Лукавый rendered as the Evil One (the devil), the standard pastoral sense in Feofan; голова разбить is figurative for spiritual ruin.
- 2 ↩Source uses feminine убеждена; the recommended reply is cast in a woman's voice, matching a likely female correspondent.
- 3 ↩«Так сделаете» most naturally points to standing firm with the refusal speech above; «срам и стыд» may mean social shame you will face for refusing, not moral guilt for complying. Context favors the former, but the subject of the shame is not explicit.
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