О второй заповеди блаженства
The Second Beatitude
This section introduces the second beatitude: 'Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted' (Matthew 5:4).
Question 32. What is the second beatitude? Answer. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Matt. 5:4).
The Meaning of Mourning
This section explains that true mourning is for sins committed against God and neighbor, not for worldly misfortunes, and also includes mourning for the sins of others and for those who suffer persecution for the faith.
Question 33. What does this beatitude teach? Answer. This beatitude teaches, first, that blessed are those Orthodox people who, throughout their lives, grieve in heart and weep for the sins they have committed, by which they have offended God and their neighbor, according to the words of the Prophet, who says: “And the children of Israel shall go, they and the children of Judah together, going and weeping, they shall seek the Lord their God” (Jer. 50:4). In this beatitude, those people who weep because they are forced to by worldly and earthly misfortunes do not participate at all. For example, condemned criminals, when they weep not for their sins, but from extreme fear of the punishments they must endure for their misdeeds, or those who lament something transient and passing, and similar people. Secondly, this beatitude teaches that blessed are those people who, with contrition and tears shed for the sins of their neighbors, strive to appease and reconcile God, begging Him to grant them repentance, i.e. that is, that He may turn heretics to the Church, and those living lawlessly to the right path of life. Thirdly, this beatitude teaches that blessed are those who suffer oppression from the great and powerful of this world; for example, those who unjustly and innocently are deprived of their possessions.
True Comfort in God
This section concludes by emphasizing that true comfort comes from God through prayer and reliance on His mercy, especially for those who endure persecution for the Orthodox faith.
In such a state, they should not think of revenge, but with sorrow of heart and weeping, offering prayers, they should ask for protection from God, placing all their hope and trust in His mercy, from Whom they receive comfort, which makes them truly Orthodox and partakers of Divine grace. Those who endure persecution for the Orthodox Faith and for the Holy Church also share in this blessedness, such as all Martyrs and those like them.
Read the original Russian
Вопрос 32. Какое второе блаженство?
Ответ. «Блажени плачущии: яко тии утешатся» (Мф. 5, 4).
Вопрос 33. Чему учит сие блаженство?
Ответ. Блаженство сие, во-первых, учит, что блаженны те православные люди, которые во все время своей жизни скорбят сердцем, и плачут о соделанных ими грехах, коими они оскорбили Бога и ближнего своего, по словам Пророка, который говорит: «приидут сынове Израилевы, тии и сынове Иудины вкупе ходяще и плачуще пойдут и Господа Бога своего взыщут» (Иер. 50, 4). В сем блаженстве нимало не участвуют те люди, которые плачут, быв принуждены к тому несчастиями мирскими и земными, как-то: осужденные преступники, когда они плачут не о грехах своих, но от чрезвычайного страха наказаний, которые должны понести за свои злодеяния, или те, кои оплакивают что-либо тленное и преходящее, и сим подобные. Во-вторых, блаженство сие учит, что блаженны те люди, которые сокрушением и слезами, проливаемыми о грехах ближних своих, стараются умилостивить и примирить Бога, умоляя Его, чтобы Он даровал им покаяние, т. е. чтобы еретиков обратил к Церкви, чтобы живущих беззаконно обратил на правый путь жизни. В-третьих, сие блаженство научает, что блаженны те, которые терпят притеснения от великих и сильных мира; например, которые неправедно и безвинно лишаются своих имуществ.
Находясь в таком состоянии, они не должны помышлять об отмщении, но с горестью сердца и плачем, воссылая молитвы, должны просить заступления у Бога, возлагая всю надежду свою и упование на Его милосердие, от Которого и получают утешение, что делает их истинно православными и причастниками Божественной благодати. Еще в сем блаженстве участвуют те, которые претерпевают гонения за Православную Веру и за Святую Церковь, каковы суть все Мученики и им подобные.
Orthodox Confession (Pravoslavnoe Ispovedanie) 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