Письмо 75

The Treasure of Chrysostom

The author encourages the reader to engage with the writings of St. John Chrysostom, noting that his simple style hides profound spiritual treasures.

For the Lord's sake, don't forget to read St. Chrysostom, whichever of his books happens to fall into your hands. He wrote simply, without preparation—just as things were seen by his spirit and thoughts about them took shape in his heart. Much in him seems trivial at first, but keep going further and you'll find a treasure beyond price.

Hidden Life in the Spirit

While Chrysostom addresses ordinary Christian life, his works also contain deep insights into the hidden life of the spirit to be treasured in the heart.

Some say that St. Chrysostom depicted the pattern of ordinary Christian life.¹ For the most part that is true, but not entirely. In almost every discourse you'll find sayings that portray the most hidden life of the spirit.² Study these things and keep them in your heart for times of trouble and need.^✦

Read the original Russian

Господа ради не забывайте прочитывать св. Златоустаго, какая бы книжка его к вам ни попалась. Он писал просто, без приготовлений, так, как вещи зрелись его духом и мысли о том слагались в сердце. Многое у него с перваго раза кажется ничтожным, но продолжайте далее и найдете сокровище, которому нет цены. Иные говорят, что св. Златоуст изображал порядок общей жизни христианской. Большею частию это верно, но не вообще. В каждой почти беседе найдутся изречения, изображающия сокровеннейшую жизнь духа.

Сие и изучайте, и держите то в сердце на случай беды и нужды.

Scripture echoes

↩Luke.2.19 — But Mary treasured all these words, turning them over in her heart.

Notes

1 ↩«порядок общей жизни христианской» can mean the ordered pattern of common/shared Christian living, not necessarily only 'everyday' life in a modern sense.
2 ↩«беседа» here points to Chrysostom's homilies/discourses rather than casual conversation.

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