Schiarchimandrite John (Maslov). "To be a burning candle ..." In memory of Schema-Archimandrite John (Maslov)

INSTRUCTIONS BY SCHIARCHIMANDRIT JOHN (MASLOV), 1932-1991
I

Schiarchimandrite John (Maslov) was a native of the Glinsk Hermitage, an associate professor at the Moscow Theological Academy, a sacristan of the Academic Church, a confessor of the Zhirovitsky Holy Dormition Convent in Belarus. Father had a huge spiritual experience, grace-filled gifts of reasoning, insight, healing of the sick, prayer. The number of his spiritual children was innumerable, people were drawn to him by an unknown Power, from communication with the priest, people experienced unearthly joy, peace of the soul. The elder's outward appearance was also good-looking, beautiful; many said that Fr. John's eyes are like those of an angel. While still a young man, a student, he nourished believers, openly receiving people in Soviet times was forbidden to him by the authorities, so he received many secretly: in the sacristy, on the move, he instructed through letters. He had access to everyone's heart and said: "Only through love can one comprehend the inner life of other people and enter into close spiritual communion with them." - "Real love is to bear each other's infirmities." - "Love is stronger than death." - “In love is hidden the key of true knowledge of God and true Christian life". He proclaimed the image of God to fallen people, knew how to make them cry with tears of repentance, tears of rebirth to a new spiritual life.
The wife of a high-ranking man was an atheist and when she visited the academic museum, she said: “Father John, this is all good. But I have not seen God and therefore I cannot believe. " The elder suddenly asked: "What is this noise?" She replied: "This plane is flying." - "What do you think?" - “Yes, probably Tu-154”. - "Why is it called that?" - "Its creator is the designer Tupolev." Father convincingly and eloquently led the interlocutor to the idea that although she had never seen Tupolev, she did not doubt that the plane did not arise out of nothing by itself, but that it had a creator, especially since everything in the world has a Creator and a Creator ... She then wondered how, in a few minutes, Father John turned everything in her soul upside down, and with such simple words and arguments.
Father John often convinced people of the need for a priest's spiritual guidance over them: “In a storm on a boat, no matter how skillful the rower may be, you can die with him, and never with the helmsman. We must look for the helmsman. " To one young woman who confessed to him, the priest said: "These sins are not all, you also have a family full of unrepentant." When the priest looked, many had the feeling that he saw right through them, all their vices. This young woman became afraid for herself and began to cry. His last words to her were: "Child, repent, or else you will perish." After that, she found the strength to confess all her sins. Most of the sins he reminded her himself - those that she either forgot or did not consider as sins at all. However, the priest always insisted that sins must be named and repentant to the person himself, and then it will be easier to fight them. According to Archpriest Vladimir Kucheryavy, at the very beginning of confession, the priest brought to the consciousness of every repentant that he was standing before the living and really present God here and was repenting to Him. Sometimes he said: "Repent to the Lord that you have sinned" or "What is on your conscience?" Many cried after confession with the elder or during her.
St. John Damascene (8th century) said: "Either do not teach, or teach by your morals, otherwise, you will call with words, and drive away with deeds." Father John taught both by word and by his personal example. Everyone who communicated with Batiushka says: "In different life situations I remember Batiushka, how he acted, what he said, and I try to make a decision based on a vivid example of his life." Father himself was very simple in communication and taught his children simplicity: "If you live simply, there will be about a hundred angels." "Be simple, which means constantly thinking:" I am the worst of all, I must do good to everyone. " Always remember: "I am the worst of all." - and simplicity will come. You have to be as simple as a child. " Father John had an exceptional memory. And when spiritual children complained to him of forgetfulness, he said: "The memory is clogged with sins."
Elderly is the highest measure of spiritual guidance. The Apostle Paul calls eldership the gift of reasoning (1 Cor. 12: 10). A true elder first of all tells us the will of God. According to the teachings of the holy fathers, the gift of reasoning is given to those "who are pure in heart, body and mouth," and this gift was given in its entirety to Schema-Archimandrite John. The father told his spiritual son: "Before you answer, you turn to God, what should you do." And the Lord revealed His will to him, and those who asked the priest could learn this Divine will from his answers. The elder said that one should always think: "As the father says, I will do so," and not live according to one's own will, according to one's own thoughts. He said: “It happens that a person comes and asks for a blessing for something. You begin to pray for him, but Heaven is silent. You just don't know what the matter is. And then two weeks later you see that this man was like iron: he had already made a decision in his heart, and he came to ask for a blessing to cover himself. Therefore, the Sky is silent. You cannot recognize the will of God in this way. " The Monk Barsanuphius the Great teaches: "The Fathers do not speak of themselves, but God gives them what to say for the benefit of everyone." In the answers of Father John, people felt the inner strength of his words and the fact that in the answers he did not speak from himself, however, according to the elder's words, "the matter is still complicated by the fact that not everyone listens to our voice and blessing, and therefore to the voice of God." ... Once upon a time one spiritual daughter of Fr. Joanna got ready to get married, went for advice to Father John, but the elder asked her to postpone, which she did. It soon became clear that her chosen one had already had a wife and two sons, which he hid from her.
Many parents asked Fr. John where to send their children to study after graduation. For those who obeyed the priest, everything always went well both with study and with work. The main thing is that the person ended up in his place. Father always saw exactly what a person's vocation was, what he was more capable of, what was useful for him, and he directed him there. One girl did not obey the priest and entered the wrong institute to which he blessed. After 8 years, she began to work exactly in the specialty that the priest offered her, but she did not have a higher education in this specialty, and therefore difficulties arose.
Many people endlessly thanked the priest for solving such a vital problem as the question of home and housing. Batiushka always helped to make the right decision: he advised one to whom at work to turn to in order to be put on the queue, to another he suggested how to make a kindred exchange, and the third, through the prayers of the elder, unexpectedly received an apartment. And through the prayers of the priest, everyone had their own homes.
To those who held high positions and posts, the father said: "We need to think about the people so that people do not suffer, and not be afraid for their portfolios." With regard to professional activity, the elder taught: "Our talents must be directed to faith, virtue, so that in a secular society they can be the salt of the earth." He said: “People need help, they really need warmth and help now. To be a burning candle so that at least someone could warm up with her ... "
Batyushkin's talent was also manifested in the way he tried to hide from others the height of his spiritual life, the rare spiritual gifts of miracles. Here are some examples. Often, when the priest reproached a person, he reproached himself with him. One person complained: "Father, there is no repentance at all." - “But where did you get your repentance from? Repentance from a holy life, from good deeds, but what about you and me? - only sins ”. Or: “People were carrying on what a feat, but everything to you:“ take it out and give it ”. What is your feat? "None." "Father, can I go and venerate the relics of St. Tikhon of Zadonsk?" “Even the relics won’t help you and me. You have to live like a human being. " He taught his spiritual son: “Break yourself. You have to break yourself. One must be able to endure insults from the lower ones, that is what is valuable. Sometimes the sexton yells at me, but I resign myself. And the bosses: today is good, but tomorrow they will say so, but in front of everyone. I just bow my head ... We must live: "All my respect."
At the memorial service for N.'s father, a close spiritual son of the priest, he made the following speech: “I, a sinner, am sure that N.'s father will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. He was like a child, he had such love for everyone, he helped everyone without refusal. As long as the fruit is green, it is not plucked, so the Lord - until a person repents, leaves him out of His mercy, waiting for his repentance, and when he repented, he immediately takes it, will not delay. So we are both weak and sick, and the Lord does not take, but he was ready to go there. There is a real residence, but here it is temporary. We all think that death is just around the corner, and it is behind us. And who of us knows - will he live to see the evening? Therefore, we need to start taking a closer look at ourselves from today. After all, if not superficially, but seriously look deeper into yourself, into your heart - what is there? Why, in my first place everything is like a ruined dovecote. " Thus, Father John humbled himself in all circumstances.

Based on the book "The Blessed Elder", Moscow, 2006

Schiarchimandrite John (Maslov) was born on January 6, 1932 in the village of Potapovka, Sumy region, into a pious peasant family. At the age of 12, Ivan began working on a collective farm, pasturing cows, plowing, sowing, mowing, collecting plows, and learning how to make carts. I went to school 6 kilometers away in the village of Sopich. Thanks to his natural talent, Ivan studied very well. In 1951, Ivan was drafted into the army.

In 1954, he went to the Glinsk Hermitage. First, Ivan carried out general obediences in the monastery for several months, then he was given a cassock, and in 1955 he was enrolled in the monastery by decree. At that time such great elders as Schema-Archimandrite Andronic (Lukash), Schema-Archimandrite Seraphim (Amelin), Schema-Archimandrite Seraphim (Romantsov) asceticised in the monastery. The abbot of the monastery soon blessed John to answer the numerous letters that came to the monastery from those who asked for advice, spiritual guidance and help. Thus, Ivan began his selfless service to God and his neighbors, leading the most modest, strict and humble life. He carried the obedience of a scribe, worked in a carpentry workshop, made candles, then was the head of a pharmacy and at the same time a kliros. On October 8, 1957, on the eve of the celebration of the repose of the holy apostle and evangelist John the Theologian, the young novice was tonsured into monasticism with the name John in honor of the holy apostle.

In 1961, after the closure of the monastery, Father John, with the blessing of Elder Andronicus, entered the Moscow Theological Seminary. In 1962, he was ordained to the rank of hierodeacon at the Patriarchal Epiphany Cathedral, and on March 31, 1963, to the rank of hieromonk. After graduating from the seminary, he continued his studies at the Theological Academy. Even during the years of study at the academy, he, a student, was entrusted with the spiritual nourishment of teachers and students, in addition, he professed pilgrims. It was here that the abilities and pastoral talents of Father John were fully revealed, who from the first days showed himself to be the most experienced spiritual father.

In 1969, Fr. John graduated from the Moscow Theological Academy with a Ph.D. degree in Theology, awarded to him for his essay "The Optina Elder, Hieroschemamonk Ambrose (Grenkov) and His Epistolary Legacy." Father John was retained as a professorship at Moscow theological schools, and taught pastoral theology and practical guidance for pastors. In 1974 he began teaching liturgy at the seminary.

Since 1974, more than one hundred works of Fr. John have been published in various publications. The culmination of his scientific and theological activity at the Moscow Theological Schools is the master's thesis "St. Tikhon of Zadonsk and his doctrine of salvation", which he defended on March 11, 1983, receiving the title of Master of Theology. In 1991, Father John completed a unique work - his doctoral dissertation “Glinskaya Hermitage. The history of the monastery and its spiritual and educational activities in the 16th-20th centuries ”. In 1991, Father John completed the "Glinsky Paterik", which includes 140 biographies of the Glinsky ascetics. Thanks to his theological works, Fr. John is known not only as an elder-confessor, but also as a spiritual enlightener.

In 1985, the Master of Theology was sent from the Trinity-Sergius Lavra by the confessor to the Zhirovitsky Assumption Monastery. He did not have to work long in the new field of pastoral work. In June 1990, he came on vacation to Sergiev Posad, and in August, before leaving for Belarus again, the disease finally bedridden him. Suffering intensified, reaching critical conditions, then weakened. Schiarchimandrite John did not stop accepting spiritual children, even if after the next conversation he lost consciousness.

On July 29, 1991, on Monday at 9 o'clock in the morning, Elder John received Holy Communion. At 9.30 am, the elder peacefully departed to the Lord in full consciousness.

On the morning of July 31, a cathedral of clergy celebrated the funeral liturgy, which was led by the abbot of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, Archimandrite Eleutherius (Didenko) ... The old cemetery in Sergiev Posad.

ABOUT HUMILITY

Schiarchimandrite John teaches: "Christian humility is a manifestation of the strength of the human spirit." Nothing can defeat this power.

He who carries in himself such humility as was worn by the Monk Seraphim, the holy righteous John of Kronstadt, the Monk Ambrose of Optina and Schema-Archimandrite John himself - he does not show weakness of spirit, but his greatness and beauty.

The elder gives a surprisingly accurate, capacious and rare definition of humility: "Humility is the ability to see the truth."

Schema-Archimandrite John's teaching about humility occupies one of the central places in his writings. It clearly testifies that the author himself had this great virtue.

Father and spiritual children first of all led to humility. Their life under his leadership was always aimed at fighting a person with pride.

He taught that if at the basis of the sin of the ancestors lay vile and vile pride and willfulness inseparable from it, then at the basis of the new grace-filled life in Christ there should be a diametrically opposite principle - humility. Consequently, his closeness to God or distance from Him depends on a person's striving for humility or pride.

Father John said:
"Humility makes people holy, and pride deprives them of communion with God."

He teaches that in the matter of moral improvement, the main attention must be focused on the education of humility, which acquires complete inner satisfaction and peace of mind under any life circumstances. Until a person resigns himself, he will not calm down. “A proud and arrogant soul every minute torments itself with excitement and anxiety, and the soul, which has embodied Christ’s humility, constantly feels God, through this it has great peace in itself” (“Sermon on Humility”).

He said:
"Humility never falls, pride is the door to the enemy."

A humble person is always happy with everything. The elder instructed a person who was jealous of others: “And you say:“ Let it be more for others, and let it be better for others, but what I have is enough for me ... ”These words brought peace to my soul.

Father points out that humility has a divine origin, since it has its origin from Christ and calling this virtue a heavenly gift, calls everyone to acquire this “heavenly fragrance” in their souls (“Sermon on Humility”).

In his letters, the elder writes about the great significance of humility and the deed of salvation: “... Most of all we put on our clothes, it befits us in Christ's humility. This last virtue is so necessary and necessary for us in earthly life - like air or water for the body. Without it, we will not be able to walk correctly along the saving path of Christ. Let the words of Christ the Savior constantly resound in our hearts: Learn from Me, as I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find peace with your soul. "If we acquire this virtue, then they will not be afraid to die with it."

When asked what humility is, the priest once gave such a simple answer: “Humility means: they scold, but do not swear, be silent; envy, but do not envy; they say too much, but don't speak; consider yourself the worst. "

Father taught that humility can even out everything. When something went wrong in a person's life, the elder told him: "Humble yourself a little more - and everything will be fine." Or: “Everything will be fine - don't despair. Only more humility. " "You will arrange the internal, and the external will be arranged."

The spiritual daughter complained: "Father, I have an inner tension."
“We must always consider ourselves very sinful in everything. To think: "What people were before! Then the tension will pass," was his answer.

He considered humility to be an effective weapon in the fight against the spirits of malice. In one of the letters, the elder wrote: “An evil spirit with his hordes offers us his evil plans, but we, who have accepted them, are leaving for a distant country.

The only means of liberation from the tyranny of the superfluous devil and the recognition of his malicious intent are humility, that is, his insignificance, and prayer. These are two wings that can lift every Christian to heaven.

Whoever exercises these two virtues, it is not difficult for him to fly up, rise and unite with God at any moment of his life. And even when it seems to us that we are abandoned by both people and God, and that hell is about to swallow us up, then these two virtues, like a double-edged sword, invisibly for our gaze will strike and remove from our soul all the opposite strength. God grant that Christ's humility and prayer will constantly abide in our hearts; only in this state will we recognize the suggestions of the evil spirit and fight against it. "

The extremely important significance of humility, according to Father John, is that it is a stimulus for a person's spiritual growth, leading to the heights of moral purity and God-likeness. Indeed, the desire to correct his shortcomings and vicious inclinations, the desire to become better, more perfect can arise only in those who have deeply realized their sinfulness and spiritual poverty.

In his lectures on Pastoral theology, Father John quotes the words of Saint Theophan the Recluse about zeal for salvation, striving for correction: “There is zeal - all things go harmoniously, all work is not labor; if it does not become, there will be neither strength, nor labor, nor order; everything gets upset. " Further, Saint Theophan points out that only humility can bestow such zeal on a person. Thus, revealing the patristic teaching of humility, Father John made the fundamental conclusion: without humility, the spiritual perfection of a Christian itself is inconceivable.

Humility is the best way to acquire grace. In his sermon on humility, Father John said: “Through the consciousness of our sinfulness, our insignificance, we receive the grace of the Holy Spirit ... Humility makes us bearers of grace that heals and strengthens for a holy life. It will justify us before God and lead us to the Kingdom of Heaven. "

Father taught that the humble disposition of the soul reveals itself in man's relation to God and his neighbor. A humble person deeply realizes that he does not mean anything by himself, that he cannot do anything good, and if he does something good, then only with the help of God, His power and love.

When Father John was asked: "How to humble oneself?" - he replied: "Consider that you yourself can do nothing here, only the Lord." In relationships with people around him, a humble person sees only his own vices, recognizes himself more sinful than others and is always ready to give everyone his attention and love. Father used to say: "Humble yourself!" You ask: "How?" - “Consider that everything is from God. Think: “I am the worst of all, everything is better than me.” And consider yourself even worse than any animal. ”Father John bases his instructions on the teachings of the holy fathers. Monk Barsanuphius The Great One teaches: “Every person should be considered better than himself. "One must consider oneself lower than any creature."

Father paid special attention to whether there was in the soul a desire to serve his neighbor. He said: "If you feel a desire to serve everyone, then this is the beginning of eternal life ... And if there is anger in your soul, coldness, then you have to go to church, repent, confess ... Humble yourself, reproach yourself ..."

According to Fr. John, the touchstone for a person's humility is the wrongs inflicted on him by other people, and various kinds of reproach. Batiushka taught that true humility should be manifested in patient enduring resentment and reproach, since the humble consider themselves worthy of any humiliation.

One venerable nun said something to the priest about her insult. The father answered her: “What are you? Is it possible to? A monk cannot be offended in any way. It's like a scale: where there is peace, there are angels, and where there is anger, resentment, envy, there are demons. Previously, even in small things, this was not allowed. This is now, as they say: “There’s a fish in the absence of fish,” but before the abbot would have cursed if a monk had allowed himself such a thing. “Like a rotten mushroom, like a cesspool,” repeat every morning for every hour. We have one consolation, - the priest spoke softly, affectionately, in a singsong voice, sometimes shaking his head in time to the words, - not to condemn anyone, not to annoy anyone, and to everyone - my dear. " I repeated many, many times: “Everyone is like the Angels - I am the worst of all. So speak and you will calm down. "

Father spoke with this nun for a long time, and when she left, he softly repeated: "Tell yourself all the time:" I am a sinner more than anyone else; whom I look at - I myself am the worst of all. "

In his letters, the priest wrote: "Let us try to love all our offenders as our benefactors." The elder's spiritual daughter said: “Once, after the service, the priest talked to me for a long time. He said that there is nothing Christian in me, because I cannot tolerate insults, only everything external. You need to talk to the person who offended you as if nothing had happened. We must drink the drink of condemnation. It is very useful.

We must humble our pride. There is no other way to the Kingdom of God. He said that the stones on the seashore are smooth because they rub against each other, especially during a storm. Otherwise, the stone will be very sharp. So we should: hit on one cheek, turn the other. They took away the outer clothing, give the bottom. Tikhon Zadonsk was a holy man, a bishop, and once a monk approached him and suddenly hit him on the cheek, then on the other. And Saint Tikhon bowed at his feet, thanked him and said: “I deserve this.” There will be many such situations in life, you must conquer everything with humility, otherwise you will be an unmarried martyr. ”

Batiushka called on his spiritual children to acquire true humility, which consists in not only in words, in deeds and thoughts, but also in the heart, to always consider oneself to be the worst of all.

How can one acquire this much-needed virtue?

The answer to this question is also found in the instructions of Father John.

The path to humility is open to everyone. When the spiritual children of Father John said to him: “I cannot [humble myself, improve],” the father firmly answered: “You can! Start from today. A person can do everything with the help of God, if he wants. Look what people have achieved! " But the acquisition of humility is a long-term process that requires the purposeful activity of all the spiritual forces of a person. And this activity, first of all, should be directed towards self-knowledge. Father quoted the words of St. Tikhon of Zadonsk, who called self-knowledge the beginning of salvation.

A person striving for humility must be attentive to his actions and deeds, and so he will know his moral depravity and sinfulness. From this knowledge, humility is born in the soul. One man said to the elder:

Father, I want to know a lot: history, literature, and mathematics; pulls in all directions.

Schiarchimandrite John Maslov and modern monastic pedagogy

Before starting my speech, I would like to convey to the participants of the Glinsky Readings a deep bow and blessing of the governor of the Novosilsky Holy Spirit Monastery, Abbot Alexander (Maslov). In this monastery, whose history dates back to the 12th century, as in many restored Russian monasteries, intensive work is underway today to revive the spiritual traditions of Holy Russia, to enlighten and educate the people. And in this respect, our time can be compared with the epochs of Prince Vladimir and Sergius of Radonezh.

Churches and monasteries that appeared in Russia after baptism carry with them writing and enlightenment. The first teachers in Russia were priests, and this forever left an imprint on Russian pedagogy, on the attitude of our people to the title of teacher. The outstanding Russian writer Ivan Vasilyevich Kireevsky in his article "On the nature of the enlightenment of Europe and its relationship to the enlightenment of Russia" writes about the ancient Russian monasteries: “From them, the light of consciousness and science spread in a uniform and unanimous manner to all separate tribes and principalities. For not only the spiritual concepts of the people emanated from them, but all of its moral, social and legal concepts, passing through their educational influence, again returned from them into the public consciousness, taking one, common, direction ".

The emergence of centers that disseminate literacy and education has become one of the key conditions for the consolidation of our state. As we know from history, the Abode of St. Sergius of Radonezh played an outstanding role in this matter. Vasily Osipovich Klyuchevsky writes : "At the name Saint Sergius the people remember their moral revival, which made possible a political revival, and reaffirms the rule that a political fortress is strong only when it rests on moral strength " At the same time, he notes: “ Such people were a drop in the sea of ​​the Orthodox Russian population. But after all, a little substance is needed in the dough that causes life-giving fermentation in it. Moral influence does not work mechanically, but organically. This was indicated by Christ Himself, saying: "The kingdom of God is like leaven."

One of such people in our time is the outstanding Russian educator, spiritual writer and teacher Schema-Archimandrite Ioann Maslov. In his person, the traditions of the Russian elders merge, the concentration of which in the middle of the last century is the Glinskaya Hermitage and the traditions of Russian spiritual enlightenment, the preservation of which was facilitated by the Moscow Theological Academy.

The publication of the works of Schema-Archimandrite Ioann Maslov in the mid-90s of the last century, the receipt of the stamp of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation, their introduction into the pedagogical process of educational institutions in Russia contributed to the formation of a “conductive atmosphere” in the domestic secondary and higher schools. All this became possible thanks to the activities of the Historical and Patriotic Society “Heirs of Alexander Nevsky, the Foundation of the Holy Right-Believing Prince Alexander Nevsky, the Moscow Pedagogical Academy. This activity largely paved the way for the introduction of the Fundamentals of Orthodox Culture into Russian schools at the federal level, and is currently the leading factor determining the formation of a conceptual, didactic and methodological base for creating a system of spiritual and moral education and upbringing focused on patristic traditions.

What is the meaning, essence, and basis of the proposed approach?

First, a clear and strict definition of the goal of spiritual and moral education and upbringing is given - the salvation of a person through the development of all spiritual abilities and his moral improvement.

Secondly, a system of terms is developed due to the idea of ​​a hierarchical structure of a person, consisting of spirit, soul and body. An important advantage of this system is the strict definition of the concepts of spirit and spirituality, which, according to the developed approach, cannot be reduced to the concepts of culture, civilization of a person. When defining these concepts, Schema-Archimandrite John Maslov and after him Doctor of Pedagogy, Doctor of Theology Nikolai Vasilyevich Maslov, the authors of a number of methodological manuals prepared by the IPA, follow the anthropology of the Holy Fathers, who regard the spirit as “an organ of the message of God, conscious of God, seeking God and God living power "(St. Theophan the Recluse). Hence, in accordance with the solution of the problem of spiritual and moral education and upbringing is impossible without the recognition of faith in God as the basis of human morality. It should be noted that only with this approach, the phrase "spiritual and moral education", spiritual and moral education "can be considered as terms that have an unambiguous, precisely and strictly defined content.

The hierarchy of the three sides of a person's personality predetermines the hierarchical structure of his soul. It should be emphasized that the hierarchical model of the human soul fundamentally distinguishes Orthodox psychology from materialistic psychology, which considers the soul as a derivative of external factors, psychophysiological unity, which has an equal, balanced and interdependent relationship of its parts. According to the patristic tradition, the dominant side of the human soul is the mind, which subordinates feelings and will. The mind in the soul of man is a manifestation of the spirit; it is not reduced to intelligence, logic and assumes, first of all, the ability to distinguish between good and evil, truth and falsehood.

The education of the mind and the upbringing of a person on the basis of this education is carried out according to the pedagogical concept developed on the basis of the works of Schema-Archimandrite John Maslov, according to the measure and degree of assimilation of the moral law given by God. At the same time, morality acts not as a projection of public morality and state institutions, but as a result of the operation of a law given by God, which presupposes the free and conscious acceptance of this law by a person.

Thirdly, a kind of thesaurus of the concepts of spiritual and moral life is given, which is reflected and defined in the "Symphony on the Creations of Tikhon Zadonsky", compiled by Schema-Archimandrite John Maslov. This book is recommended by the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation as a textbook for schools and universities. However, the significance of this book goes far beyond the national education system alone. In fact, "Symphony" is an encyclopedia of spiritual and moral life, in a holistic and clear understanding of which humanity needs today. The experience of using the "Symphony" in school and university testifies that the Christian ideal corresponds to the urgent spiritual need of students and schoolchildren, their search for the meaning of life, moral guidelines in the world around them. I have already spoken about this more than once in my speeches at the Glinsky Readings, and have cited numerous typical examples.

Fourthly, in the writings of the schema-archimandrite, one of the key problems of modern pedagogy finds its deep and consistent solution - the problem of self-education. Schiarchimandrite Ioann Maslov in his fundamental works "Glinsk Hermitage" and "Glinsky Patericon" reveals the methods and means of self-education developed by the monastery ascetics - great pioneers and discoverers. They have experienced through their own experience all the dangers and difficulties that everyone who walks the path of salvation faces; they rely on genuine knowledge of the depths of the human soul. None of their teaching advice is abstract. Let us remember that the Monk Seraphim of Sarov called the Glinsk Hermitage "the great school of spiritual life."

Fifthly, in the writings of Father John Maslov, a deep analysis of the principles and foundations of the formation of the personality of the teacher himself, his professional skill is carried out on the example of the teaching activity of Jesus Christ. John Maslov writes: “Speaking with his sermon, Jesus Christ demanded from people a fiery faith, sacrificial love, a complete revolution in the whole structure of their inner personal life. Everything personal in a person's life must be reorganized into the public, the sinful into the pure, the earthly into the heavenly, the old into the new. "

The pedagogical skill of a teacher involves the ability to express one's thoughts, taking into account the composition and nature of the learners. Jesus Christ is a model for us in this regard as well. Schiarchimandrite John Maslov points out that every time Christ was applied to the circumstances of place and time, strictly conformed to the height of mental and moral development. His flock. Pedagogy literally translates from Greek as "parenting". The activity of a teacher leading the children is likened to the activity of a pastor, who must strive to imitate Christ the Pastor. John Maslov points out: The moral condition of the flock primarily depends on the influence of the pastors on the flock.

This conclusion, dear colleagues, directly applies to us, teachers - schoolmakers. The quality and strength of the educational and upbringing influence on the spiritual and moral state of our pets depends on our spiritual state, on how much we ourselves follow the moral law.

The pedagogical system of the holy fathers, disclosed in the writings of Schema-Archimandrite John Maslov, textbooks, teaching and methodological aids prepared by N.V. Maslov and the teachers of the MPA is the basis for the formation of a holistic worldview, spiritual and moral development of students at all levels of our education.

The created pedagogical toolkit demonstrates high efficiency in educational practice. I was convinced of this more than once when conducting various university courses of cultural and humanitarian orientation in the student audience. But this also applies to graduate students and teachers.

In the 2015/2016 academic year - in the first and second semesters - I taught the course “Pedagogy and Psychology of Higher Education for graduate students of Prioksky State University. Among them were many university professors undergoing postgraduate training in absentia. The module of this discipline, devoted to the methodology, theory and methodology of education in higher education, included a number of questions and topics focused on the development of the problem of patristic traditions in domestic pedagogy in the works of Schema-Archimandrite John Maslov, Doctor of Pedagogy, Doctor of Theology N.V. Maslov, as well as in the publications of the MPA. I will give examples of questions for practical training: 1. The ideal of a perfect personality in domestic pedagogy; 2. Orthodox anthropology in the pedagogical works of N.V. Maslova; 3. Moral law as the basis of education; 4. Education of philanthropy, nobility and good manners; 5. Education of responsibility, diligence and conscientiousness, etc. And here are examples of topics of coursework: "Spiritual traditions of the Russian people as the basis of moral education of students"; "Moral law as the basis for the development of a strong-willed, emotional and intellectual sphere of a student's personality"; "Formation of a system of continuous spiritual and moral education and upbringing: kindergarten-school-university: problems and solutions"; "The image of a perfect person as a methodological basis for education and upbringing", etc.

I will quote the work of a second-year graduate student Pavel Yuryevich Bogatyrev (Department of Information Systems) "Spiritual traditions of Russian pedagogy as the basis for building a system of moral education of students": Orthodoxy morality is definite and grounded. At the same time, it is important to understand that the moral laws of Orthodoxy are not analogous to the legal laws that man invents. The subject of these laws is the spiritual aspirations of a person, his state of mind ... These laws are universal and applicable in any situation. Whatever new technologies and forms of social relations have been invented, human passions are unchanged and can always be recognized by looking inside oneself. Following these laws ... is also necessary for the person himself, as following the physical laws. Fulfillment of the commandments cleanses and heals the soul of a person, fills him with vitality and grace. This is a natural consequence of obeying the law, just as physical health is obviously a consequence of proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle. The main goal of spiritual life is communion with God, entering into spiritual unity with him. " As you can see, a graduate student who has received a serious natural science education demonstrates a clear understanding of the essence of patristic approach to morality, an understanding of the immutability of a moral law, as objective as physical laws.

In conclusion, I would like to say that, unfortunately, the central problem of modern domestic pedagogy is still the lack of a systematic approach to defining the goal and content of education and upbringing. At present, there is no overabundance of criticism from the teaching community, a stream of incriminating materials directed against the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation ("Who is to blame?"). At the same time, today it is very rare to find constructive proposals, and even more so the real experience of building education and upbringing on verified and harmonious methodological foundations ("What is to be done?"). In this regard, the experience of the Foundation of the Holy Right-Believing Prince Alexander Nevsky, the Moscow Pedagogical Academy for the development and implementation in educational practice, in the practice of training and retraining teachers of secondary and higher schools of the system of spiritual and moral education and upbringing, based on patristic methodological foundations, is a unique phenomenon. This experience has a high constructive, instrumental potential, requires the widest dissemination and all-round support at the state level.

Literature

1. Shhiarchimadrit John (Maslov) Lectures on Pastoral Theology. - M .: Samshit-Publishing House, 2001.

The text of this article reflects the content of the speech of the novice of the Novosilsky Holy Spirit Monastery at the forum "Glinsky Readings", which was held within the walls of the Moscow Theological Academy on August 27-29, 2016.

Shhiarchimadrit John (Maslov) Lectures on Pastoral Theology. - M., 2001, p. 103.

Current page: 12 (total of the book has 24 pages) [available passage for reading: 16 pages]

Elder Schema-Archimandrite John (Maslov) (1932-1991)

On January 6, 1932, in the village of Potapovka, Sumy region, a son was born to a pious peasant family from Sergei and Olga Maslov. At the baptism, the baby was named John. From childhood he possessed rare prudence, responsiveness and a desire to help others. In his soul, humility was combined with tremendous strength of spirit and will.

In 1941, Ivan remained in the family for the eldest, since his father was taken to the front. He did not return from the war. As a boy, he became a real support of the family, a leader and educator of brothers and sisters.

In 1951, Ivan was drafted into the army. He served well, his superiors loved him. Subsequently, the priest said that at first he wanted to be a military man. During the service, Ivan caught a severe cold and since then suffered from an incurable and dangerous heart disease. Due to illness, Ivan was dismissed from the army in 1952 and returned home.

In 1954 he went to Glinskaya desert... At first, Ivan carried out general obediences in the monastery for several months, then he was given a cassock, and in 1955 he was enrolled in the monastery by decree. At that time, such great elders as Schema-Archimandrite Andronic (Lukash), Schema-Archimandrite Seraphim (Amelin), Schema-Archimandrite Seraphim (Romantsov).

Endure and endure everything - all the suffering, the whole burden of labor, reproach, slander, but most of all fear despair - this is the most serious sin.

Elder Michael (Pitkevich)

Subsequently, when the elder was asked why he had gone to the monastery, he answered: “This is God calling. It does not depend on a person, attracts such a force that you cannot resist, – she attracted me. Great power. "

On October 8, 1957, on the eve of the celebration of the repose of the holy apostle and evangelist John the Theologian, the young novice was tonsured into monasticism with the name John in honor of the holy apostle. The track record of those years says: “Monk John Maslov is distinguished by exceptional humility and meekness; in spite of his morbidity, he is fulfilling in obedience. "

John the Evangelist. 1340-1341

In 1961, after the closure of the monastery, Father John, with the blessing of Elder Andronicus, entered the Moscow Theological Seminary. In 1962 he was ordained Patriarch Epiphany Cathedral to the rank of hierodeacon, and on March 31, 1963 - to the rank of hieromonk.

After graduating from the Seminary, he continued his studies at the Theological Academy. Fellow students said that being simple, humble and sociable in everyday life, Fr. John seemed to be transformed when he confessed. They felt that they could not relate to their fellow student other than an elder, a spiritual father, an experienced mentor.

Father John possessed the gift of clairvoyance and pastoral talents; he had an amazing sense of compassion and empathy for his neighbors. And, compassionate, he had the gift of healing the soul and body of a person by the power of his ardent prayer.

Malice does not destroy malice, but if someone does evil to you, then you do good, so that good deed destroy malice.

Elder Schema-Archimandrite Andronicus

The elder acquired the greatest gift of God's grace - unlimited, active, saving Christian love. The sight itself, the mere presence of this spiritually great man, had a salutary effect on others, healing passions and illnesses, prompting for good, causing a state of prayer and tears.

Elder John had the gift of unceasing Jesus prayer. Fr. John's fellow student, Archpriest Vladimir Kucheryavy, wrote that “Prayer was the breath of his heart". He often prayed aloud with the Jesus Prayer. Sometimes he prayed: "Lord, give us correction, spiritual zeal», "Lord, have mercy, Lord, forgive, help me, God, to carry your cross." He prayed quietly, heartfelt: "Lord, help us weak and weak."

Elder John repeatedly predicted his own demise. About a month later, he asked to be taken to the grave of his mother and nun Seraphima, his spiritual daughter (they are buried together). Here the priest asked to prepare a place for the third grave ... Then he said: "Here is the place where they will soon put me».

On July 29, 1991, the elder peacefully departed to the Lord. He was buried at the Old Cemetery in Sergiev Posad.

The spiritual connection of the elder with his children is not broken. Each of those who now turn to the elder for help feels his great prayer intercession for them before God. Only the name of Father John, mentally called, acts and gives help to those who call.

Sayings of Elder John (Maslov)

A mother's prayer from the bottom of hell can pull you out.

* * *

Only through love can one comprehend the inner life of other people and enter into close spiritual communion with them.

* * *

Real love is to bear each other's weaknesses ... Love is stronger than death ... In love is hidden the key of both the true knowledge of God and the true Christian life.

* * *

A healthy soul fights with thoughts, with desires ... Fight against sin like a warrior, fight the devil to the bitter end, calling for help from the Queen of Heaven ...

* * *

Humility is the ability to see the truth. An evil spirit with its hordes offers us their evil plans, but we, in our turn, who have accepted them, leave for a “distant country”. The only means of liberation from the tyranny of the devil and the recognition of his evil intent are humility, that is, the realization of his insignificance, and prayer. These are two wings that can lift every Christian to heaven ... God grant that Christ's humility and prayer constantly abide in our hearts; only in this state will we recognize the suggestions of the evil spirit and fight against it.

Heart of Jesus Christ. Drawing in the Church of San Lorenzo, Verona. Photo by R. Sedmakova

* * *

Do not listen to the enemy, do not agree with him! Do not do what he tells you. We must strive for spiritual life, not to accept thoughts from the enemy. " When the elder was asked: "What does it mean to purify one's thoughts?"- he answered: “Disagree with them. The Reverend John the Prophet explains: “Agreement with thoughts consists in the fact that when a person likes something, he delights in it in his heart and delights in thinking about it. But if someone contradicts a thought and wages with it in order not to accept it, this is not agreement, but a fight, and this leads a person to experience and success ”” ...

* * *

Envy is from the enemy. He can torment the soul if you do not resist ... When envy, do not try to resist the enemy with your thoughts, it is useless, he will deceive you. Do not take his approaches at all - cut off immediately: "I don't need this, it's not mine." Go to work at once, so that the mind is busy….

* * *

Doubt (in faith) is the temptation of the devil. It makes no sense to talk to your thoughts. There is one answer to all doubts: "I believe"- and soon you will feel help.

* * *

Do not allow sinful thoughts. Switch to something else immediately. Think, for example, about death, about the Last Judgment.

* * *

You need to keep your eyes from the forbidden tree - sin, and then only the soul can rise from spiritual slumber.

* * *

You need to be silent more. An empty person speaks a lot. If you speak little, they will listen to your word. When the elders say - listen to everything, not interrupt, then politely, meekly answer.

* * *

One must always remember the goal - salvation. This is the work of a lifetime. You won't get anything here soon. It is necessary to take steps, like a blind man. Lost the way - knocks around with a stick, can't find it, suddenly found it - and again with joy forward. A stick is a prayer for us. And then, like lightning, it will light up everything, and you can see where and how to go. But this is rare, and usually - pray. Nothing comes soon. And during life it may, and in the end it will not be given, but after death, virtues will surround you and exalt you.

* * *

If we find sins in our hearts, such as: pride, stubbornness, conceit, self-will or lack of love for God, for our mentors and for each other, then we are in this case on the most dangerous path ... After all, a monk must be an angel and his purpose - to constantly praise God, his good life with the heavenly hosts. Strive in monastic life, that is, in humility, patience and love for the Lord and people. Place all your earthly concerns and worries on the Mother of God and do whatever She pleases. Do not voluntarily do anything. Accept the obediences imposed on you as from God. Be patient and earnest in prayer. Do not be discouraged in illness, but place the blame for your weaknesses on your sins and laziness.

* * *

Proceeding from the importance and holiness of the sacrament of the Eucharist, each clergyman, before proceeding to celebrate it, must carefully prepare his soul and, above all, cleanse it from mortal sins through heartfelt contrition and oral confession to the spiritual father. This is the only means to propitiation of God and to the establishment of peace and tranquility in the soul. It is considered a great sin and an obstacle to the priesthood if a pastor or deacon condemned someone, insulted, offended, or has a dislike for someone.

* * *

A true shepherd carries in his soul everything that his flock morally live by, merges their spiritual needs with his own, grieves and rejoices with them, like a father with his children.

* * *

To love good, to cry with those who cry, to rejoice with those who rejoice, to strive for eternal life - this is our goal and spiritual beauty.

Archimandrite Hippolytus (1928-2002)

Schiarchimandrite Hippolytus(in the world - Sergei Ivanovich Khalin) was born on April 27, 1928 in a large peasant family in the village of Subbotino, Solntsevsky district, Kursk region. After graduating from seven-year school, he managed to get a job as a road repair worker. In 1948, Sergei was drafted into the army.

In 1957 he became a novice in Glinsky desert, where he worked in various monastic obediences, then moved to Saint Pskov-Pechersk monastery.

Rylsky St. Nicholas Monastery. Sіveryan Photos

The elder said that in his youth, the perspicacious Eldress Misail (Zorina) predicted that over time he would become a prayer book for the Kursk land and for the entire Russian people. The prediction came true after several decades.

His spiritual path began in the Glinsk Hermitage. In February 1959, Archbishop John of Pskov blessed the novice

Sergius was tonsured into the mantle with the name Ippolit, and soon the monk Ippolit became a hierodeacon. On June 14, 1960, he was ordained a hieromonk.

After the closure of the monastery (in the early sixties), Father Ippolit became the cell attendant of Hieroskhimmonk Michael, the last Elder of Valaam.

In 1966, Father Hippolytus was sent to carry out monastic obedience to Holy Mount Athos. For eighteen years he asceticised in Russian St. Panteleimon Monastery. Probably on Athos, Father Hippolytus took the schema.

The enemy does not sleep and finds weak points in everyone and attacks them with special force. Often he embellishes evil in such a way that a person thinks that he is doing good, sometimes doing the most terrible evil for himself.

Abbot Nikon (Vorobyov)

In 1983, Father Ippolit returned to the Pskov-Caves monastery, and in 1986, Archimandrite Ippolit, with the blessing of Archbishop Juvenaly of Kursk and Belgorod, was admitted to the clergy of the Kursk diocese.

Father Ippolit was the rector of many churches of the Kursk diocese. In 1991 he was appointed abbot of the newly returned Russian Orthodox Church Rylsky St. Nicholas Monastery. Archimandrite Hippolytus took over the management of the monastery, which was in a dilapidated state. But under the leadership of Elder Hippolytus, the monastery began to quickly revive. For 11 years of his service in the Nikolsky Monastery, the main church of the monastery - Nikolsky, two-storey fraternal buildings, was completely restored, the monastery bell tower was restored. Under Father Ippolita, several sketes of the monastery were opened in different parts of the Rila deanery.

The Lord endowed the elder with the gift of comfort. The elder loved to repeat to spiritual children: "The main thing is peace in the soul, peace in the family, peace with each other, then there will be peace with God." This blessed world was acquired by the ascetic himself, that is why people were drawn to him.

With the blessing of the elder, lectures were given in the monastery for many years.

Pskov-Pechersky Assumption Monastery

Despite severe ailments and fatigue, the elder patiently and lovingly received the pilgrims from all over the country who came to the monastery for hours.

Keep the peace of your heart most of all. Leave everything on the Lord, surrender completely to Him - everything is with him and everything is from Him.

Elder Michael (Pitkevich)

Elder Hippolytus reposed in the Lord on Tuesday, December 17, 2002. On December 19, the funeral service and the rite of burial of Schema-Archimandrite Ippolit (Khalin) were performed by Metropolitan of Kursk and Rylsk Juvenaly, who was co-served by more than 40 priests. Thousands of the elder's spiritual children came to say goodbye to their spiritual father. After the funeral service, the coffin with the body of the deceased was surrounded by the St. Nicholas Church. Schema-archimandrite Ippolit was buried on the south side of the cathedral church of the monastery in the crypt.

From the memories of Father Hippolytus

Metropolitan Athanasius of Kirin (Kikkotis), representative of the Patriarch of Alexandria to the Russian Orthodox Church: “… Father Hippolytus contained the whole world in his heart. He was distinguished by a rare gift of simplicity in love - he supported people with his prayers and warmed the world with his heart that loves every person, so people believed him, seeing in him all the signs of the love of the Lord Jesus Christ. They loved him and were drawn to him: it seems to me that this is the best proof that Father Hippolytus is a true messenger of Jesus Christ, a slave filled with the Holy Spirit. Father Hippolytus is a man who exudes the scent of Jesus Christ ... "

Great elders of the Russian land

Holy Righteous John Presbyter of Kronstadt, miracle worker (1829-1908)

During the life of the Monk Seraphim, for his prayers, the Lord preserved Russia; and after him there was another pillar, reaching from earth to heaven, Father John of Kronstadt.

Reverend Silouan

On October 19, 1829, in the Arkhangelsk province, in the village of Sura, Pinezhsky district, in the family of the village clerk Ilya Mikhailovich Sergiev and his wife Theodora, a son was born, who was named John in honor of the Monk John of Rylsky, revered on that day.

Fight against sin like a warrior, fight the devil to the bitter end, calling for help from the Queen of Heaven ...

Like the Monk Seraphim of Sarov, John of Kronstadt was accompanied by miracles from childhood: he was born so weak that the parents, fearing that the baby would go to God unbaptized, rushed to baptize him before 40 days after birth. And here is the first miracle: as soon as the priest plunged the weak baby into the font three times, he immediately revived, turned pink and began to actively move. From that day on, the child began to grow rapidly and get stronger, as if confirming that it was he who was needed by God, that he was chosen by him for an important mission, known only to the Lord God..

Just like Prokhor (Seraphim), he grew up as an unusual boy: he did not like noisy games, had little contact with his peers, spent his free time either helping his father in the parish church, or his mother, because they had a large family.

John of Kronstadt. Photo of the late 19th century.

In 1939, Ilya Mikhailovich took his son to the Arkhangelsk parish school. Here, for the first time, ten-year-old John learned the true power of fervent prayer. In the first year of study, ten-year-old John experienced great difficulties: "I could not comprehend anything from what I had passed, I did not remember anything from what was told." On his knees at night, he begged the Lord to grant him "the light of reason to comfort his parents."

From the memoirs of St. John: “Such longing attacked me, I fell to my knees and began to pray fervently. I don’t know how long I stayed in this position, but suddenly something shook me all over. It was as if the veil had been lifted from my eyes, as if the mind in my head had opened, and the teacher of that day, his lesson, clearly presented itself to me; I even remembered what and what he was talking about, and it felt so light, joyful in my soul, I never slept so peacefully as that night. It was light here, I jumped out of bed, grabbed my books, and about happiness! it became much easier to read, I understand everything, and what I read, I not only remembered everything, but even now I can tell you ... In a short time I made such progress that I was no longer the last student. The further, the better I did in the sciences, and by the end of the course I was one of the first to be transferred to seminary».

In 1851, John Sergiev was sent to the St. Petersburg Theological Academy. John dreamed of becoming a monk and going as a missionary to China or America. He prayed that the Lord would resolve his doubts, and one day he saw himself in a dream as a priest serving in some unknown cathedral. ... John mistook this dream for God's direction.

Father John, who knew the need from childhood, put love and mercy for the disadvantaged in the basis of his service to the Lord.

Wanting to help the disadvantaged, Father John created for them in Kronstadt the House of Diligence, which, in addition to a church, a school, a kindergarten and an orphanage, had workshops, an outpatient clinic, an overnight shelter and a cheap canteen, where up to 800 meals were given out for free on holidays.

Leave no evil anywhere. If the remark is correct, correct yourself; and if it’s wrong, say without anger and irritability what you’re right about and apologize.

Elder Theodore (Sokolov)

Giving to the poor all that was brought to him in abundance, he himself often felt a need.

In his help to people, Father John did not distinguish between the noble and the poor or poor.

Father John was granted a healing prayer, through which thousands of Orthodox people were healed.

He always asked the Lord for the healing of the people who turned to him for help very confidently, not for a moment forgetting that it was he who was the conductor of God's thoughts and once told us: “And I say to you: ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you, for everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened ”(Luke 11; 9-10).

Father John's entire life was “in Christ,” for which he enjoyed popular love. He was called "the holy priest", tens of thousands of pilgrims aspired to him from all over Russia for prayer and for his prayer. The number of those wishing to confess sometimes reached two thousand, and then Fr. John introduced his famous general confession. Its power was so great that even people who got into the temple by chance, for the sake of curiosity, left there as deeply believers. As the memoirs testify, those who at least once visited the service of Father John of Kronstadt never forgot this.

St. John's Monastery on Karpovka. Saint Petersburg. Photo by V. Muratov

Being a great seer and prophet, Saint John of Kronstadt menacingly prophesied about the future destinies of Russia precisely when most of the Russian intelligentsia gradually departed from the faith and the Orthodox Church, while striving to lead the entire Russian people.

When the elders say - listen to everything, not interrupt, then politely, meekly answer.

Elder Schema-Archimandrite John (Maslov)

He also knew the date of his death. In the last years of his life he was seriously ill, but he received Communion every day.

On December 10, for the last time, he himself celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Kronstadt St. Andrew's Cathedral, where he served for a long time, after which he was in oblivion.

On December 18, regaining consciousness, he asked: "What date is today?" and when he heard that today is December 18, he said: "Well, that's good, so there are still two days left."

On the morning of December 20, 1908, Father John passed away. They buried him in a church-tomb specially arranged for him in the basement of the monastery on Karpovka (this is what the people call St. John's Monastery in St. Petersburg, named after St. John of Rylsky at the request of Father John of Kronstadt).

In 1990, Father John was canonized by the Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church. Memorial Day is celebrated on December 20 / January 2 and October 19 / November 1.

Prayer to the holy righteous John Presbyter of Kronstadt, miracle worker

O great saint of Christ, holy righteous John of Kronstadt, wondrous shepherd, quick helper and merciful representative!

While offering praise to the Triune God, you prayerfully cried out:

Your name is Love: do not reject me as a deluded person.

Your name is Strength: strengthen me, exhausted and falling.

Your name is Light: enlighten my soul, darkened by worldly passions.

Your name is Peace: calm my restless soul.

Your name is Grace: do not cease to have mercy on me. Today, the all-Russian flock, grateful for your intercession, prays to you: Christ-honored and righteous servitor of God! Illuminate us, sinners and the weak, with your love, grant us worthy fruits of repentance and partake of Christ's Mysteries without condemnation. Strengthen your faith in us by the power of your faith, support in prayer, heal ailments and illnesses, deliver from misfortunes, enemies, visible and invisible, deliver. With the light of the face of your ministers and the primates of the Altar of Christ, advance to the holy deeds of pastoral work, grant education as a baby, instruct youth, support old age, illuminate the shrines of temples and holy abodes! Calm down, most miraculous and visionary, the peoples of our country, by grace and the gift of the Holy Spirit, deliver them from internecine warfare, wasteful gather, deceived converts and congregations of the Holy Councils and the Apostolic Church. Observe by the grace of your marriage in peace and like-mindedness, grant prosperity and blessing to monastics in good deeds, faint-hearted consolations, those suffering from the spirits of unclean freedom, have mercy on the needs and conditions of being and guide us on the path of salvation. In the living Christ, our Father John, lead us to the Everlasting Light of eternal life, so that we may be vouchsafed with you eternal bliss, praising and exalting God forever and ever. Amen.

Sayings and Teachings of Saint Righteous John of Kronstadt

Run such a lifestyle so that you can live only by animal motives and desires, to sleep and eat, dress, walk, then drink, eat and walk again. Such a way of life finally kills the completely spiritual life of a person, making him an earthly and earthly creature; while a Christian must be heavenly on earth. Repent, fear the kingdom of heaven is near (Matt. 3, 2).

* * *

There are hours in the life of a Christian of bleak sorrow and illness, in which it seems that the Lord has completely abandoned and left you, for there is not the slightest sense of the presence of God in the soul. These are the hours of temptation of the Christian's faith, hope, love and patience. Soon times will come again for him cool from the presence of the Lord (Acts 3:20). Soon the Lord will rejoice him again, may he not fall under temptation.

M. Bryanskiy. Portrait of John of Kronstadt. 1891

* * *

Every person on earth is sick with sinful fever, sinful blindness, possessed by the fury of sin; and as sin above all consists in malice and pride, then every person, as suffering from the disease of sin, must be treated with meek love - an important truth that we often forget; we often, very often act in spite of it: to spite we add anger with our bitterness, pride we rebuff pride. This is how evil grows with us, and does not diminish; not being treated, but more infected. Lord, have mercy on us, have mercy on humanity!

* * *

Pay attention: for cleansing your heart from sins you will receive an endless reward - you will see God your all-good Creator, your Provider. It is a difficult feat to cleanse the heart, because it is combined with great hardships and sorrows, but the reward is great. Blessed are those who are pure in heart, for they will see God.

* * *

In prayer and in every matter of your life, avoid suspiciousness and doubt and devilish reverie. Let your spiritual eye be simple, so that the whole body of your prayer, your deeds and your life is bright.