Orthodox arrival of the church of St. Nicholas of the Mirlijan city of Slyudyanka. The confessor not only listens to the confession, he prays for a person who trusted him his conscience

Orthodox arrival of the church of St. Nicholas of the Mirlijan city of Slyudyanka. The confessor not only listens to the confession, he prays for a person who trusted him his conscience
20.09.2019

Interview with Archpriest Vladislav Sveshnikov, the abbot of the Moscow church of the three saint on the rods.

- Who is such a confessor or spiritual father?

- For the most part in church practice, the tastech or spiritual father is a priest with whom those who are called by his spiritual children make a common way to salvation. But, since he is not just walking near, and also a priest, he, first of all, commits a sacrament (first of all it is about the sacrament of repentance - confession). Secondly, he, as a shepherd, seeks to help spiritual tea, so that the spiritual and moral qualities of life, which are in the space of Holy Scripture and legend, will be introduced in the latter's soul. And if the case with the Scripture is quite simple, because it is only one and in each case, we are talking only about how to apply various evangelical principles to this particular person to make them feasible, then in ledge on its infinity and possibilities of diverse forms manifestations, the area of \u200b\u200bactivity of the confessor becomes much more extensive, meaningful. He seeks gently and affectionately to show some life attitudes of his spiritual children do not correspond to the spirit of the legend and that, on the contrary, there would be a legend in this spirit to disclose and develop in themselves in their soul and in their lives. But this is in ordinary practice.

There are ideal cases (there are also the usual, then they are a distortion of the relationship of the confessor - spiritual Chado), they are found very rarely, but especially valuable. This is the special type of relationship when the confessor through the Holy Spirit knows the completeness of the soul content of his spiritual chad and opens him that the Holy Spirit opens. And in this case, the confessor shows his spiritual chad a personal path to salvation, despite the fact that they are combined with the spirit and content of general prayer, both in common and liturgical.

- There are any features in relations between spiritual father and spiritual children?

- True most often does not understand the main thing that the relationship of the spiritual father is spiritual Chado - the concepts and reality of deep and existing ones. But for this, neither the conditions of obedience and obedience, nor the requirements and claims, so that the conformists will certainly have learned everything that they know themselves.

The spiritual father is actually internally, not necessarily with long words and reflections, enters the life of spiritual children. In the lives of those who are with him just because he loves them, and the soul is hurting for them. And one is the fact that the soul hurts about them, they turn out to be together and go together by saving. And he tries to lead them to Christ.

The spiritual father is a little ahead, because it turned out to be delivered, and the mysterious phenomenon of the spiritual life of him as a new face, first person and his love having a very extensive direction. Because the expanding heart accommodates everyone. In any case, everyone who resorts to him. Thus, in the community and the spiritual content of life is carried out, in which the spiritual father is privately said in a word, a preaching word, with all the example of his life, simplicity in communication, modesty, unrefectedness, undemanding - not spiritual undepair, the spiritual should be, of course, demanding - (undemanding for himself) reaches much more.

Because then his spiritual Choo sees a sample of a good experience of spiritual life, which is also not removed by the pages of a book or some story, but on the contrary, it is extremely close to direct and personal communication. That's then this is a real spiritual father who cares about his children. It does not care that it gives them the necessary funds, and the very fact of their overall movement.

- How complete should obedience should be obedience? Because sometimes I had to read about the literal, absolute obedience. For example, according to the memoirs of spiritual children of the same opttaic elders, the advice asked everything, up to mechanical actions - what book to read or in which way to go.

- What book to read - just not a mechanical action. This can be a very good way to manage and help in spiritual life to a person who can be unpleasant (even quite normal, having a good Christian content) as late. On the other hand, the proposal to the Neophytes to read "Dobryolism" *, which will not yet be understood by a modern man, as a rule, shows a strange monastic experience of the confessor.

By the way, it is still very important for the confessor, this is the understanding that the world constantly puts new problems. And you need to try to see the resolution of these problems, precisely as new, if not essentially, then, at least in forms, on new principles, according to new contents. Starting from such simple things as attracted to the Internet, to television.

- Does the attitude towards sins change?

- The attitude towards sins is fundamentally the same. It cannot change, and in this sense it is possible as if the slogan of ancient fathers "better death than sin", leave forever as a slogan and a banner. Better death than sin.

Another thing is that, entering the area of \u200b\u200bthe specific consideration of the sinful life of the person who comes to the confessant, you need to see and help him see what it takes at least to take more or less condescending and pull it out as not that Would due, and as temporarily allowed. It is not that sin should be cultivated, but in the sense that, maybe it is necessary to repeal in this sin, but not particularly much, knowing that the energy is not limitless, and the power of the soul should be put on what is more important.

This is one of the large permanent incidents, because to see what is important, for this you need a spiritual mind, and it does not necessarily coincide with the practical mind, with a surge, if it has a confessor or with his knowledge of ancient traditions. But, in any case, the experience when there is an automatic requirement of absolute obedience, does not lead to the fulfillment of the main task, which consists in raising in a person who comes to the priest, genuine spiritual freedom.

He came from one type of slavery and enters another type of slavery. And he will never know what spiritual freedom is. Moreover, this business is quite subtle and requires a very serious approach. Moreover, I would say, chatting with many priests that many do not even understand what this spiritual freedom is, and therefore they simply cannot raise his student in the framework of spiritual freedom. All these obedience are actually important until they raise an understanding of how spiritually free life is carried out. And obedience does not really limit the freedom - it gives it the beginning of a certain framework as a form of sonnet, or even more - the "wreath of sonnets", where a very strict definite form, but inside which the highest manifestations of creative poetic opportunity can be carried out.

- In Western Christianity, that is, Catholics, Protestants have no spiritual fathers. But their successful or fruitfully replace psychologists. In fact, and we are increasingly people seeking help for psychologists, replacing them with a priest. What is the difference between a psychologist and spiritual father?

- What does it mean successfully replace? This is a big question.

And go to psychologists, because many people do not really understand what spiritual life is. And their feeling of spirituality they draw from the framework of their statehood, from the framework of their psychologicalness. Therefore, maybe they really need a psychologist than a spiritual father. Moreover, it is precisely such people very often dissatisfied with a priest, do not see any prospects for themselves.

- We can say that it is basically a female trait?

- Mostly yes. Although, of course, now many men are quite "climbing", and this feature has become quite common. But, of course, it is more peculiar to women that, in particular, can be seen by confession.

In our arrival, it is more or less eradicated that type of confession, which is still cultivated in many good (really good) temples, good communities, when spiritual children, just predominantly women, instead of confession offering a spiritual novel. Often very talented, psychologically peculiar, but it has a very small attitude towards the spiritual and moral content of life. It has, because it is built on a material more or less having a relation to morality. But this material is not experienced from ethical, but from psychological positions.

- When they say, the confessor blessed to do what it means?

- It means told.

"But why a person goes for the blessing to the priest?"

- Everything happens in every way. Basically, if he goes for a blessing to the priest, he goes for the sanction, the sanction on the decision he has already accepted. For example, he wants to go to Diveevo, and says: "Battyushka, bless to go to Diveevo." I hardly imagine such a rare situation when the Batyushka says: "No, not bless."

- And if the priest blesses to do so that you can't? Or he already blessed you, and you feel that you are not able to accept his decision?

- If there is a normal relationship between a spiritual father and spiritual chad, then you can not and you can not - it's just ends. If you really can't, if you are not fictional.

In the normal situation both - both the priest and the one who obedience did not fulfill, are normal. Well what? Well, they saw, well, understood. All is well, life goes, life does not erect. In addition, it is necessary to fulfill the decision of the decision, it means to have a priestly and obedient peculiarity. It only seems that a person is in the area of \u200b\u200bobedience, in fact, it is in the field of peculiarity.

Even when it comes to such ordinary blessings, which for the sake of laughter are divided into two categories. One woman says: "Batyushka, I had a lot of saliva in my mouth. Bless to sleep. " And the other: "Batyushka, I had a lot of saliva in my mouth, where bless - to the right or left to spit?" This example indicates not only what is usually suitable for the blessing of the little things for which no blessing is required. He, of course, caricatured, and there really does not really happen. But by type - it happens as many questions on trifles, which is not required for any blessing of special. Or from the priest requires a sanction, a choice is required in an alternative or imaginary alternative situation. But, as a rule, we are talking about human irresponsibility.

Another thing is that for serious solutions, especially spiritual order, of course, requires an internal council, which is even not so much advice as reasoning about the content of the case. To make it clear that it is spiritually and non-hazardous, useful and fruitful. And, accordingly, on the contrary.

- If the confessor advised one, relatives say another, and the heart suggests the third, which is worth doing in this situation?

- spit, and make a fourth.

Well, in fact, - when how. Sometimes relatives are right, if only because the priest may not know the completeness of the situation. Sometimes the priest is right, because relatives do not understand the completeness of a spiritual relationship. And sometimes the right heart turns out. Although his heart, in general, is not particularly trusted, because in its hardness, in all its ability to understand reality, including intuitive understanding, mistakes are likely and possible exactly the same way as the right solutions. So both, and the other, and there, maybe the fourth, and the fifth.

The best - if it comes to understanding the fishery of God - when a person sincerely wants to fulfill the will of God, and in this respect he is considering all his affairs. And since they can be considered as execution (or non-fulfillment) of the will of God, the best reference point is circumstances. The circumstances sent by fishery are most clearly prompting the paintings and the direction of life. Do you need or not need to leave work, because your name is to another job? Give all the will of God, give all the fishery, and after some time the circumstances will be ashamed that it turns out that otherwise it was impossible to do what the fishery suggests.

- If the conflict happens to the spiritual father, is worth something to seek to someone? And is it possible to change the spiritual father?

- Such situations require an individual parsing every time. Most often, it is not necessary, especially if the question is petty. Because we in our lives of large questions are not so much. Moreover, an error, even if it is a valid error, and not imaginary, if it does not lead to some obvious, fast negative outcomes, the error has a useful and overcome thing. Useful because it makes it possible to see once again yourself and everything that surrounds you, in more faithful life grounds. Do not forget that every formation of the faithful relationship does not pass without errors.

But everything matters only in cases where malfunction occurs. In some cases, without advice, it's just not to do. Especially when it seems that the Council, or the proposal, or the order of the priest, is clearly morally or unacceptable or doubtful. And in this case, it would be advised, of course, not bad, as a stupid obedience in this case does not give anything good.

As for the change of spiritualists, yes, it is possible. First, when the priest, the confessor sins heresy. And then, naturally, to make a similar to him - a sin, meaning to overcome himself from a common church, to overcome himself from the Holy Spirit. Yes, it is possible when the priest hard sins some sin associated with you personally. I'm not saying when the priest blends, because this business is infrequent, but in any other explicit way, let's say, selfish your help or something else. And you see that you are not saving. Finally, it is sad, but you can change the spiritual father in those cases (if only it did not become the norm), when it turned out that the meeting was almost random when there is a deep discrepancy. And who is right who is to blame, even better not to understand.

- The old man is different from the spiritual father?

- I do not know what an old man is. I know what a jointer is.

- Well, what is a junk?

- I do not want to talk only because it is well described in one of his magnificent reports, which directly talks about journalism. I just join every word.

"We are not talking about distinguishing between young or old madness. It is here that, if possible, evaluate the spiritual maturity of man, his ability to be a leader for a person, "says Vladyka Anthony. - "The old man is not just a person who has long been involved in pastoral work and acquired some kind of skill or experience; The elder in the present sense is something else, this is a gracious state. The elders do not "extract", the elders of the power of the Holy Spirit are born; And if we talk about what characterizes the elder, then I will say briefly and what is the place of olderity in relation to the usual priesthood.

It seems to me that there are three degrees in spirituality. There are a parish priest whose role is to commit the sacraments of the Church. He may not be a good preacher, he may not give any advice on confession, he may not be no herself in the pastoral attitude. It is enough that he performs the Divine Liturgy, unless he remembers that the miracle of the Divine Liturgy or other sacraments is committed by the Lord. But this does not mean that he is given the right or opportunity to lead other people. The ordination does not give a man nor mind nor scholarships, nor experience, no spiritual age. It gives him a terrible right to stand in front of God's throne where only Christ has the right to stand. He is in some sense of the icon, but he should not imagine, as if he is a shrine. ...

There is another degree. This priest is more experienced or older who is more scientified and designed to give instructions to another person about how to go from the ground to the sky. And this priest must be extremely careful. He should not tell what he experienced not survived or what he somehow does not know his north. We come to the confessor in order to meet the conductor to the doors of the kingdom of God. But if he himself did not happen there, he could not give us anything. This should be conceived by every confessor, every priest, to which people come to confession. Is it possible to say that each priest has the ability to say to everyone to say what he needed? Not. It happens that the confession of the priest or just a priest, to whom a person came to the spiritual conversation, hears him, understands what is said, but he does not have a response. In this case, the priest should be honest and say to his spiritual chad: "Everything you told me, I understand, but I have no answer for you. I will pray for you. And you pray, ask God for me to forgive me what, in his inexperience, I can't serve to you and him in this meeting, but I can't tell you anything. "

And there is another third level. It is olderity, the level of those people who, speaking figuratively, almost all the way passed to the doors of the kingdom of heaven, maybe they did not enter it, and may have been admitted to him, but were sent back, to earth, to us so that us lead to this kingdom. This is an old man. This is a person who passed all the way to the depths of his soul, reached the place where the image of God was captured in it, and which can speak of these depths. But the old man you can not do yourself, and if you can put it, the elders are not born. These are the people who will affect the grace of the Holy Spirit and will respond to her and will be faithful - the faithful of what Christ teaches us, and the right thing that speaks the Holy Spirit in their souls. Elders - a rare phenomenon. ...

If the most inexperienced priest was so treated for confession, he would already be a securitor; And the old man only then the elder, when he can treat a person that way - and in confession and outside of confession with any meeting. And so I would like to say loudly, on the whole Rus: beware, my brothers, priests! Beware, do not take on the role that does not match your spiritual age, be simple! Be just priests - it's already so much! A man who by the power of grace of the Holy Spirit can make a liturgy, can paint the child, can anoint the world, it is not enough, it is something so great! "

- Does the spiritual father need a priest?

- As a rule, you need, especially young. If the priest is already written with good spiritual experience, it is still necessary to confess. If possible, more often than it is accepted in the modern Orthodox church, because very many priests profess only in general confessions in the diocese.

- That is, twice a year?

- Yes, twice a year. And what, the priests are less sinning, or what? In-country sins, they are no less sin than other people. Therefore, of course, it is desirable to confess much more often. The confession is necessary, because in general the incessant repentant experience of life is necessary.

And the priests are not accustomed to the leadership in the spiritual life. They do not know what it is, they can only lead, but be led, as a rule, do not know how and do not want. But young priests, of course, are better to gain experience under the guidance of a more experienced priesthood.

- And not scary the priest becomes a confessor? After all, we are talking about responsibility for the souls of human?

- Well, this is a question related to the field of psychology. It is also impossible that you decide: "I will become a confessor." There is a life, there is a process, become a priest and, thus, have a number of duties. You come to confession - people come to you, they are confess. Some are often confirmed, in addition, they have questions, besides, there is a need for them to pray, in addition, there is already a partly a common life. So it turns out. And not that you put a task: item one is to become a confessor.

Have you ever wondered: is there any differences between the confessor, spiritual father and older?

Let's immediately define with you in terms and clarify whom they call the confessor, spiritual father and old man. Church people and church writers These terms are often used as synonyms. And often by all they refer to the same priest. In the future, and I will adhere to the same tradition, but now we are important to determine the narrow meaning of these concepts: the confessor, the spiritual father and the elder. Moreover, some church writers spend a clear distinction between these names.

Catcher.

Who is such a confessor? The spiritists are all priests. At the ordination, each of them is given the right to take confession and give instruction to people addressed to them for advice. At the same time, priests, conscious of their imperfection, of course, should not be bold to take on the rights and obligations of the Saints of Elders. The mentoring of the priest is to precisely to give people the creation of the Church.

Somehow to the old man, a lawyer from Athens arrived to the elder. During the conversation, he took out the book and opened it. The old man sitting on the contrary asked:

- What is yours?

- Sacred Scripture, Gerona. I want to ask you about some things.

- Take, Choo, paper, pencil and write! - Milns of Paisiy's father.

When the lawyer prepared for the record, the turning elder said:

- Write on this paper all your sins, go to your confessor, confess and clean your mind from sin. And after they clean and you understand more, come here, ask what you want.

The lawyer was confused and confused quietly:

- I have no confessor.

"I know, so I tell you that."

However, the lawyer wanted to justify:

- You know, Gerona, we have good priests in Athens in Athens. Maybe you mean someone, advise me.

"Listen, Chado," the old man of Paisius said firmly, "all the priests-artists are good because they wear Epitrohil. On them - Divine grace, and when they read a permitting prayer, God forgives everything. So, go to church and confess!

The old man of Paisi often emphasized his interlocutors, that, during the confession, God himself acts through the priest. Therefore, each of them has the opportunity to take confession and forgive people to sins. However, the elder explained:

"If anyone needs a spiritual mentor, then he should not go. Only those who have previously taken care of their purification can instruct. Having gained experience through doing, they receive the commandment and teach.

Do you understand what the old man of pays? A poorly serious priest in his sermons can perfectly express gospel teachings and church dogmas, but it is unable to solve a specific problem. He teachs you the general rules, but it may not be able to apply them in your particular case.

What to do if there are no experienced shepherds nearby? For the absence of experienced, it is quite possible to seek advice to any priest. However, it is necessary to comply with prudent diligence, which should be based on the knowledge of the Holy Scriptures and heritage of the Holy Fathers.

- Learn the Divine Scriptures and Scriptures of the Holy Fathers, "the reverend Simeon was instructed by the New Theologian, - to merge with them what your teacher teaches, and that as in the mirror see how much they agree between themselves. Consulting with the Scriptures should be assisted and held in thought, and the dissent needed to reject, in order not to take place: "For it is known that in the days of this, there was a lot of charming and deceivers" 13.

If only spiritually immature priests surround you, then this is, of course, sad. When Peter Alexandrovich Bryanchaninov turned out to be in a similar situation, he received from his famous brother, Bishop Ignatia, a letter. The saint wrote: "Very prudent you do that you do not get a close acquaintance with any spiritual person: such an acquaintance can very easily serve to harm and very, very rarely to benefit. Advise with the books of St. Tikhon, Dimitrius Rostov and George of the Navnik, and from the ancients - Zlatoust; Speak your sins of your sins - and only. People of our century, whether they are in Ryas, or in Frace, first of all inspire caution. "

When you asked the priest of instructions, and then you had doubt in his words, you can consult on the question of interest to you and with loved Christians you have. Of course, this does not mean that you need to relate suspiciously to priests and discuss all their instructions. Simply here is appropriate: "Trust, but check." How to do it? When checking, of course, in no case call the name of the priest and what he told you to not be an ordinary gossip. The question that asked him, ask others, listen to their answers and prayer, make a choice.

Spiritual father.

Saint Feofan The rejupping differed the concept of the "confessor" and "Spiritual Father." The confessor is a priest who is confessed, the spiritual father is the shepherd, whose advice is also guided in life. "You can confess any priest, but it is necessary to be guided by the advice of someone alone," said the wonderful devotee of the XX century Archimandrite Seraphim (Tyapochkin).

My letters to you are actually dedicated to the spiritual father of the spiritual father. How to find a spiritual father and live under his leadership - the goal of our conversation with you.

Do not expect a spiritual father every day to broadcast you to prophecy and make wonders in front of you. His task is completely different: he must constantly lead your life. This is not at all necessary a person who has achieved holiness. Of course, it would be great if you had gained such a mentor. However, the saints at all times were a bit, the more they are not enough in the modern world. Therefore, a pious and spiritually experienced shepherd is quite suitable for you, what a lot on our Orthodox Russia.

If a person sets itself the goal of finding only a holy mentor, he may be on his life path and without spiritual leadership. Be humble in your aspirations, and the Lord will send you a true spiritual father. If wonders and prophecies will be needed for your salvation, the Savior will give you both through the simplest and modest clergyman.

I want to tell you that the history of olderous and spirituality has many centuries. A lot of books are written about this church phenomenon. If there is a desire, you can read them. I will also note that modern spiritualism is the successor of ancient olderity, which originated among the monks of the Egyptian deserts.

In Byzantium, and then in our Russia, the centers of the olderism were monasteries! In ancient Russia, spiritual fathers who served at the parishes, in their influence on their spiritual children, did not differ from the monastic elders. Nowadays, when much in church life has changed, most of the parish and monastic priests, of course, are not elders. Life under their leadership is largely reminiscent of "Residence on the Council", when a spiritual father performs for his flock as a more spiritually experienced brother in Christ.

I will tell you about how one Orthodox Christian was looking for a spiritual leader.

Olga Mikhailovna Chavchavadze in his youth really wanted to find a spiritual father. When the girl heard that Igumen Nikon lives in Gzhatsk (Sparrow; 1894-1963), famous for his spiritual shepherd, she hoping went to this city.

Nikon's father was very friendly accepted Olga Mikhailovna, but he said that he would be her confessor, and not a spiritual father - so he never calls himself.

Olga Mikhailovna recalled: "In addition, Nikon's father almost immediately noticed that it was uncomfortable to live next to a person who knows how to live, but does not live like that. He spoke it in the great humility, but with a big simplicity.

Igumen Nikon led the spiritual life of many people. At the same time, his ideas about spiritualism were so high that he did not find himself entitled to call someone's spiritual father. In one of his letters, Igumen Nikon explained: "You should have been published in the mind of my opinion that I could not lead in a spiritual life, because I do not consider myself a poppy father and I do not recognize anyone with my spiritual children; why? Because I see not only incapable of spiritual guidance, but for all my life I have not seen anyone capable of this, I also did not see any "Chad", capable of obedience and to life under the leadership of the spiritual "father." Maybe therefore there are no fathers, which has not become capable of children. "

Despite all his fertile experience and spiritual authority, Nikon's father, before the end of life, tried to be for his numerous spiritual children not by the Father, but brother. I wish you so that in search of a spiritual father you focused on such individuals as a confused igumen Nikon.

Old man.

The famous church writer Ivan Mikhailovich Kontsevich wrote that one experienced priest, speaking of the spiritual leadership and having met the distinction between older and spirituality, was expressed: the spiritual father directs the path of salvation, and the elder leads to this path.

Do you want to know how the elder's relationship and his student are being built? Between them, one can say, a spiritual agreement is concluded: the elder takes over the duty to save the soul of the student, and he gives himself a complete obedience to the old man, which cuts off his will in all life circumstances.

The elder leads each step of the student made by him in his life. The student should be unquestioned and without reasoning to fulfill all the orders of his mentor, since the will of God opens directly through it. The elder takes the confession of a student who tells him about all his thoughts, feelings and cases without exception. The elder punishes and encourages the student according to his will, movable with the Holy Spirit. Therefore, as you understand, it is not enough for an elder to be a righteous man. To fulfill its mission, he needs special gifts of God.

Ivan Mikhailovich Kontsevich noted that "olderity is special graceful giving, charisma, direct leadership of the Holy Spirit, a special kind of holiness."

Probably, you already have a lot of heard about the elders and that many Christians believe for happiness to live under their leadership?

Sometimes people who read in the books about the elders begin to look for such spiritual leaders for themselves. At the same time, they often do not give themselves a report in the fact that they themselves are incapable of their soul to their soul for good and unquestioned IHO obedience. Therefore, the Lord does not give immature Christians of the elders. Yes, where and take the elders when there are not enough people ready for obedience.

The saint of Ignatius (Bryanchaninov) believed that obedience to the elders in the form in which it existed in the environment of ancient monastics is not given to our time. True obedience is a high spiritual sacrament. "His comprehension and complete imitation of him was impossible for us: perhaps one reverent, prudent examination of him, perhaps the assimilation of his spirit."

If a person is unreasonably perseves in search of an elder, he can accept for such a ljsaleman, to which his unclean spirits will lead.

I advise you until you think about the old man. If there is a need, the Lord himself will send you a true elder. Now look for a good spiritual father. Listen to him is not unconditional. Therefore, if you suddenly, your mentor will be inexplicable in the spiritual guide, you will not suffer much harm. With the full obedience to Lzhastantz, damage brought to you may be irreparable.

You can ask: why, telling you mostly about the spiritual father, do I often cite examples from the life of various famous elders? Because these cases are very bright and instructive. The relationship between the True Starter and the present student is ideal. In relation to his spiritual father, you must focus on them.

Archpriest Vyacheslav Toulupov

Catcher and Spiritual Father

The confessor and spiritual father is not the same thing. You start going to church. We are confessing. Ask for advice and get them. Gradually, Slowly you understand - this is the soul to this priest. I trust him. So you take up the confessor. And Christ is now talking to you through him.

Hearing unpleasant and inconvenient, do not run to another priest. For a different communication channel for you is blocked. All you will hear not from the confessor, you can't help you. Because you break the hierarchy blessed by the Lord: from him - through the confessor - to you.

But if circumstances changed, if your attitude to the priest changed, if in life it is clearly noticeable spiritual deadlock - you can change the confessor. Better, of course, by going on his consent. And connect your oxygen instrument to another balloon. (This image offers about. Andrey Kuraev.)

And who then the spiritual father? Oh, this is a completely different story. Between the spiritual father and the confessor, the difference is the same as the school teacher and his own father. The teacher will teach, will help, support, instruct. But he did not subscribe to you to love - and is responsible for you exactly in the framework of the school course you are taught. Held the topic? Well done, write a control and go on.

Meanwhile, the father works for you, his Chad. Runs on your business, cotton, your shoes that are rejected and appears to work together with you, fully answering and for the window broken by you (pays or inserts the glass himself), and for the rudeness to the teacher ("forgive us"), and for the general Associtant and failure. This connection is for life. He can't stop being your father, whereas with the teacher you will say, going beyond the school threshold.

"Why is it necessary for the priest?" Sister was shocked. I do not know. I think that he just born you, his child. Free his will agreed to love. Lead, carry, drag, drag and save. To prestundand for you before God: "Forgiveness, I am my unreasonable, Lord."

So Moses, when a ropoty, resting, recurrent people were led along the desert, again and again rushed to save him, pray for him to God. They were preparing idols and danced in the hole around the Golden Taurus. They rushed that they do not want more Manna from heaven, tired of how much it is possible. They interrupted with the high priest owned by God himself, and demanded their elected elected instead of him: we, they say, every cook will be able to manage the state.

How many times did the Lord want to show them all, this people chosen to them! But after a month, Moses fell in front of him - face to earth: Forgive them again, they do not know what they are doing; Do not destroy them, let them still have a chance, "forgive them the sin of them, and if not, then sip and me from your book, in which you inscribed" (Ex. 32, 32). You hear? "Give me and me" with them.

And on the prayers of his Lord again and again forgive him - and his own people.

How to find your spiritual father? On this topic, as well as the previous ones, a lot is written too. Priests, holy fathers, missionaries. They advise praying for his acquisition. It's time to come - the Lord will send. Not ready shower, no need yet, no conditions - you will have to suffer.

But the situation was so (even I know who folded it so much) that I had to approach about. Alexy with a rather jerky, as I understand it, asking me to take me to spiritual chad. I was urgently - and notice, according to I did not make a compelling requirement - you need a spiritual father. And about. Alexy was the only and obviously, from my cheeky point of view, suitable candidates.

True, something slightly in his sermons was concerned. Somehow the smallest sometimes intonation or look seemed to be strangers, looked slightly. But on a small worm of doubt in the soul, I, of course, did not pay attention. He is there, in the soul, Tihochoncho grumbled, well, well.

After listening to the request, oh. Alexy aggregated: "What did you think of? I'm used to that my children are listening to me from the first time. No, no, we are weak for you, weak. Where do you say, sent? From the arrival of Ierhea Sergius Filimonova? So go to him. I go-go, I will not cope with you. "

I can not say that this answer was pleasant to me. However, oddly enough, the worm in the soul immediately sat down, and even seems to be blissfully sighing, wrapped the nose (I wonder how the worm snot?). Instead of resentment and disappointment, dark clouds and rain in the heart, for some reason birchings and Ptakhi stupid were blocked.

And I went to about. Sergia.

End of the first series.

To be continued.

And no doubt. Not the slightest. For all the years.

Is it possible to change the spiritual father? Not. I tried. Sdura. It seemed that it would be possible to stop on two chairs. But he alone explained to me that such an opportunity is permissible only if your shepherd died, disappeared from Orthodoxy (became a splitter, heretic) either one of you left so far that constant connection is impossible. So you, dear, of course, are free to go to all four sides, but there will be no way back. And from all many years of confidence in Him, from experience, already lived, was born a normal child's question to the father:

- Battyushka, then it will be wrong?

- Then let me stay. And sorry.

How to love your confessor? In order not to fall at the same time, in the absence, exaltation and mental adorations: what is the father of it and confesses it for a long time, and stroking on the head - and I figured it back with me - and goodbye, daughter? Or: ah, a poor father, so sick, but he came to serve, and he had no voice, and his hands tremble from weakness ... And I would talk in detail with him, about my life, about the problems, and it requires brevity and sane specific questions.

How to treat everything? Calmly. The priest is not a nurse-mamka, but the mediator between you and the Lord.

What is it like? Very simple.

One smear lost all Job - wealth, children, wife, health. Stayed alone, in the face. And why didn't he have been grabbed on his face? Health-family rest? Nothing like this. Job seemed desperately: "There is no intermediary between us who would put his hand on both of us" (Job 9, 33). He lacked someone who would be between him and God connected.

A common friend who loves both of us - and me, and it, and therefore can ask him about me, and he will not refuse. Because it is his friend.

Such an intermediary is a spiritual father.

Is he asking for me?

Yes. And it is noticeable.

And what can I be useful to him? And can I generally? I hope.

Firstly, the spiritual father's hedentary prayer. What is interesting - in every possible way to reduce the morning rule, I never seem to have taken squeeze the only prayer - this. Well, except that such a weak covered that even the "Lord, Pomemui" was not crushing. Do not cross. What happens there from my weak pisch to the Lord? At least something. I am a piggy, someone else from Chad, and also, and still - not still so weak like me. And a lot of us. As writes (although in another reason), the novice about. Mitrofan (Serebryansky): "Remember: Although a drop, but benefit; But from droplets of the streams, rivers and sea are compiled. You brought to the altar of Divine love and truth a drop, another sister drop ... everything is dropped, "and together" already a stream, river "...

Secondly, do not interfere. If possible, do not ship by your affairs and problems. Permanent parishioners know: when you just start going to church, the priest does not regret your time and strength. But you need to be ready: the conversations will appear soon. This "soon" is different for everyone. It probably depends on your ability to get out of the manuska and even a little longer on your own non-solid legs.

One day you understand: this is not needed at all, I know the answer itself. And then even more strange: came with an unsolved problem, about which he broke the whole head, got up, waiting for his turn - and suddenly: "What am I doing here? Everything is extremely clear. " And then in response to your question you are unexpectedly, you first hear the answer, but: "Go pray." How so pray? Why is it? I'm praying all the time. You have another prayer to look for another prayer. I do not "pray" from you need, father, and answer. But you again: "Go. Pray. " What to do? You go. Pray. Something clarifies. Drink again. And you again: "Pray". And through the week, everything is somehow solved. Itself.

And we are already noticeable - not two, but three. The spiritual father connected me with those who serves all the answers. I do not know how he did it. And should not know.

Third, my help is not to prevent behaving where it is necessary. There is a well-known parable, as a person (the future Rev. Pavel) came to one saint and asked for novices. He gave him a task: learn to fulfill the commandment "Blessed husband, and not an idea for the advice of wicked", and the petitioner left. Returned many years later.

- Where have you been so long?

- I performed your blessing.

And what are we doing with the blessing of the priest? Yes, we want, then we do. Cut, correct, we forget, lay down for later.

By the way, for it will ask us. What will we answer, Orthodox?

The priest has a spiritual experience - not my couple. He has already passed my desert and can now lead others. He knows where it is a stone and twisted sand. And where is the path to the spring. For his parking - far from here. Perhaps already on the approaches to the ground promised. Or on the shore of Jordan. Or behind him. Not mine is a case, to know his way. But on my he directs me.

- I can't pray. Tasting myself, pull, I hate for it, but it's still lowering and the morning and evening rule once again.

- It happens. Do so ...

 From the book of instruction in spiritual life Author FEOFAN SCLASHNIK

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Spiritual father a few years ago, the wife of the famous industrialist in our city was very ill. When she came to his senses, she asked for a father to her, but since relatives thought it was not necessary, no one called me. Meanwhile, I prayed at every worship

Like a shepherd, performer of the sacrament of repentance; 2) spiritual mentor; 3) a special official in whose duties are among the spiritual leadership of the brethings (sisters) on the way (the main responsibility of such a confessor is the pastoral care about the monastery of the monastery and their spiritual state; it contributes to the confession and joined the Saints unquestingly Christistian conversations are also very helpful for the statements, the conversation is also very useful, which will help you to understand the meaning of the monastic path to it deeper).

Spiritnik

Candidate of theology, teacher of the St. Petersburg Spiritual Academy, Archpriest Alexander Glebov

Leading. Who is a confessor, what is he needed for what is it, and does every believer be sure to have his own confessor?
Father Alexander.The question of the confessor, or spiritual father, is very complicated, and in the boundaries of our transfer, give some comprehensive response to this question quite difficult. Therefore, I will draw the attention of our viewers to a few topics that seem most important to me.
First: Who is such a confessor? The confessor guides and instructs a person in his spiritual life, in salvation. It is clear that the confessor first of all should have spiritual experience himself. He must also have the ability to transfer this experience to other people. Not every priest can be a confessor. For this, it is not necessary to reproach the priests, because it is impossible to learn how to be a confessor or in the seminary, nor in the Academy, this is not given a person in the sacrament of the priesthood. This is a kind, charisma, some ability. Not every person has such a ability, therefore, it is better to stay at all without a confessor, rather than choose a person to spiritual mentors, who does not have this ability, a person in spiritual in spiritual life. In order to be leading, in order to lead someone, you need to know the goal to which you lead this person. We must also know the road that leads to this purpose. It is necessary to lead to where you have already been, otherwise, it will turn out, according to Christ: "If blind is blind, then both will fall into the pit."
Second: the sphere of the activities of the confessor is solely spiritual, human religious life. The confessor is not an oracle, you should not ask him questions that are outside his competence. The confessor does not solve family well-being issues, issues related to the professional activities of people, health and so on. If the confessor is experienced, his tips can be authoritative only in the field of spiritual life. For all other issues, he can, like anyone, to express his own judgment, but this does not mean that his opinion will be correct. I will give such an example: many people choose themselves as a spiritual mentor a representative of the monastic clergy. They come to him to the monastery and begin to ask questions about how to enroll in a particular life situation. For example: how to establish family life and relationship with your spouse or how to build a business, or how to educate children? Well, tell me that the monk understands this? That the monk understands how to educate children, even if he is a holy man? It is necessary to ask in a large mother, and not a monk - it is completely natural. If the confessor is inexperienced, he can refuse such that if a person seriously perceive, he can just cripple life. To whom and commemorate, to whom to divorce, to whom to take a monasticism, who will leave from secular work and take the sacred san, from which doctors are treated or not to be treated, what kind of education to give children and the like. If you perceive all these recommendations, like a voice from the sky, then you can make a lot of trouble, but it is not necessary to pay such questions to the confessor - this is not his field of activity.
Third: When a person becomes a member of the church community, he must not seek a confessor, he must seek Christ. And in order to find Christ in your heart, no special recommendations and councils are not necessary - everything is written in the Gospel. In practice, there is a completely reverse. People roame from one monastery to another, try to find someone of special spirituality, special grace. They are engaged in search of an old man who will solve all their problems, will answer all their questions, and at the same time they forget, and maybe they do not know such people, the words of the Holy on that the change of place does not bring us to God. The Lord is completely clear in the Gospel said that the kingdom of heaven - it is not in Jerusalem, not in Athos, it is in the heart of a person. In order to find this kingdom in his heart, it is enough to regularly go to the temple, confess, communion and fulfill what the Lord tells: to live according to his commandments. Then the person will unite the "spirit of Miren", which indicated both on the purpose of Christian life. If this spirit will live in a person, if he acts in a person, then the Lord will already expire to a person from within a person how he is in one way or another life situation.
Leading. Does this mean that the advice of the confessor is optional to execute? How to be with church discipline, with obedience?
Father Alexander.Responding to your question, I read the quote from the interview of the deceased. This interview with Vladyka gave back in 1999, and it just concerned abuses in the practice of spirituality. Vladyka Anthony says: "Observation is not to roll the priest's instructions, even if they are submitted in the form of advice. Obedience - from the word "hearing", and the purpose of obedience - to teach a person to break away from their own thoughts, from his own relation to things and listen to what another person speaks to him. The obedience begins here, and it applies not only to church practice, but to all the relationship between people. " I actually have nothing to add to this, I can only comment. Obedience, indeed, not blind fulfillment of everything that the confessor or priest tells you. Each of us has its own look at things, each of us has their own opinion. We always believe that we are right, and not our opponents, so, obedience is an attempt to look at the world through the eyes of another person. Do not close in yourself, hear the opinion of the other, and the rights of Lord of Anthony, when he says that obedience concerns not only church discipline. Without obedience, no hostel is impossible at all, no community of people is possible if we do not take into account the opinion of those who are next to us. Why are conflicts arise? Why are families fall apart? Because people often just do not hear those who are next to them. Especially - in matters of spiritual life. Repeat only on your opinion in spiritual life, for our ideas that we have very distorted, inconsistently. It is necessary to listen to the experience of other people, maybe perceive something from someone else's experience in your life - this is called obedience.
Leading. If there is no confessor, then in front of the communion it has to be confessed with any priest who may be younger, and people coming to confession can be more experienced in spiritual life. Is it possible to consider the confession that took place if the priest accepting it is much serious in spiritual life?
Father Alexander.The question of the relationship between the personal qualities of the clergy and the reality of those sacraments that he performs, climbed into the church with deep antiquity. Already in the first centuries, such a teaching arose, according to which the sacrament is valid only when it is committing a decent priest. If the priest is unworthy, then the sacrament is not performed. Delvated this doctrine as a heresy, and that is why: what does it mean worthy or unworthy? What is meant by advantage? After all, every person, despite the hierarchical step he takes, has its drawbacks, weakness, restrictions. If a certain understanding of a person's impeccability or his sinlessness, then in this sense, there simply do not exist in this sense. The holy fathers often slip such an idea that saints are sinners who have aware of themselves who are aware of themselves sinners. All the people are sinful, but those people who realize their sin bring to God repentance, try to correct, - something they turn out, something is not, - here we call the saints. But these saints are still sinners, anyway, people with their shortcomings. Almost every of the prayers of China Liturgy contains the appeal of the clergy, the bishop or priest, to God that the Lord, despite his personal unnecessary, committed the sacrament of liberation. This is most pronounced in the rank of liturgy in prayer. There are such words: "Yes, not my sake of sins, I refer to the grace of the Holy Spirit from your pretepair gifts."
The sacrament makes the Lord. The priest is not a sacrament performer, he is the minister of the sacrament. He is a clergyman, not a priest, and in this case the personal qualities of the priest are not related to the reality of the sacrament. As in the fourth century, he spoke Holy: "It doesn't matter which print with a print - gold or clay, the seal still puts the same." The same applies to the sacrament of confession. The priest is not a judge and not the investigator investigator. The function of the priest in the sacrament of confession, in prayer from this rank is defined as a witness. "Christ is invisible, I only have a witness," read the priest prayer. This testimony in the sacrament of confession compared with the testimony of a friend of the groom, which happens at the wedding. You know that at the conclusion of marriage, always from the bride and from the bride, there is a witness who puts his signature, certifying that the marriage took place. Indeed, this parallel is very relevant, since the wedding is a joyful event and repentance of man is also a joyful event. The Lord said that he has more joy from the appeal of one sinner, from his repentance, rather than ninety-nine righteous, who have no need for this repentance. The witness function at the wedding is not primary. He simply suggests that the marriage is concluded. The same priest testifies to the sincerity of the familiar person. The priest may be young, and inexperienced, and poorly educated, but in order to share the joy of repentance with man, pray with him, for this university it is not necessary to finish. The sacrament of repentance, that is, the renewal of man, cleansing his soul from sin's disease, makes the Lord in response to the repentance and prayer of the man who comes to confession. The personal qualities of the priest in this case are not defining, as, indeed, in the remaining church sacraments.

Spiritnik

The position of the confession of the monastery is supplied in the perfect years of hieromones of honest and ghost, gifted by God with spiritual reasoning and the diligent to reading the Word of God and St. Scriptures. The duty of the confessor is to commit the sacrament of repentance and in the spiritual leadership of brethren on the way to salvation. The confessor must conduct a record who when he was acquainted by the Holy Tynens, so that everyone was steadily proceeded to this great sacrament. Also, the confessor is obliged to visit sick, comforting and encouraging them in soul and bodily diseases.

If the confessor at many breeds or by gentlemen will not have time to take all of his spiritual pets, then with the permission of the abbot, part of them is provided to hand over an experienced spiritual senior, but the confessor responds to the correctness of the spiritual leadership by the elder.

In addition, on the blessing of the abbot, they can be appointed by elders or mentors over newcomer inocities and other hieromonahs or simple monks, experienced in spiritual life, which are obeyed by the chief conference room of the monastery, accepting deceic tips and instructions from him.

In addition to the elder-mentors, the confessor of the monastery is subordinate to the confessor-hieromonah mantists, among whom one can be senior and responsible for the common cause of confession to the beer. In a great, responsible and difficult act of spiritual leadership, the confessor is guided by the Word of God, the Bogomdrome Othen Scriptures, the rules of the Holy Church and the rules laid down in the charter of the monastery. In adversarial affairs, the confessor asks the abbot and his reasoning and the will followed. "

From the Charter of the Holy Trinity Men's Monastery

"Today, the most necessary for people is to find a confessor, confess to him, trust him and consult with him" - Such an answer about the arrangement of spiritual life gives the Rev. Paisius Svyatogorets, who revere in 1994, that is, relatively recently. The most necessary ... So you have to look for a confessor.

Who is a confessor or spiritual father? First of all, it is a priest who is regularly confirmed. Once for most believing the confessor was the priest of the parish temple. People were easier, not so proud and calmly accepted those external circumstances that the Will of God fell out. All the provinces, the city and village of Russia were divided not only to the streets and quarters, but also for parishes.

Somehow, answering the question, on which street I live, I happened to hear: "What is it coming?" That is, earlier the personality of the confessor for a significant part of the population was determined by the Will of God, the decree of the diocesan authorities and the place of residence. People confessed, asked councils and took teaching from their parish father. "To seek advice then, then it is disapproving. All the adviser, God, a certain confessor, who usually happens a parish priest "(Saint Feofan Relator).

True, if someone was looking for more in spiritual life, then, with full respect for God, this shepherd, did not even have to resort to the help of another confessor or look for a mentor in any monastery. As in a worldly life, someone is quite primary education, someone tries to get the average, and another dares to the highest and in the life of spiritual.

A few years ago, we collected materials about the life of the nun Euphrosynia (Khrulkova) (1873-1968), buried on our parish cemetery and very revered in this area. She fell into a lidel at the church. Much spent a lot of time in the house of the priest with his children, and the father talked to her. He saw that the Schrookov had more, so to speak, "qualified" leadership, and blessed her to look for a confessor in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. The trip to Laurea became for Euphrosinia of the fateful, the Lord sent her a wonderful confessor, and later she became a nun. This is a famous practice when the parish priest advises someone to seek a more experienced or competent confessor, or recommends a certain face specifically.

The confessor not only listens to the confession, he prays for a person who trusted him his conscience.

And the Lord, conducive to both, instructs the confessor, what to say the word that goes. Or silent. Or regret. Or maybe today and digest. And someone is required to support, inspire. Therefore, it is so important to go to the confession to one priest, then it will be easier for him to find out the arrangement of the recovery, it is easier to help. Everything matters here: the age of entering, his marital status, natural mind and intelligence, education and education, health and gem, cheerfulness and slowness. Recommendations will always be different. That is why it is impossible to get a full-fledged council from books or from sites.

Spiritualism - the duty of the priest, as well as the sermon. But the abilities and talents in humans are different. It can be noted that in the temple, where several priests serve (as well as in the monasteries, where several Hieromonakhs profess worldly and spiritual people), to one confession stand in line, and others are rarely suitable one by one. Different talents, as they say, "one to baptize, and to the other thanks." But in the church, everyone can find an assistant. How? Go to the church to the service, confess, commitory and look. Pray, ask the Lord to arrange a meeting, open a person. And gradually the Lord will lay down to someone's heart. How girls pray about the fiance - with the hope that the Lord will arrange everything in the best way, and at the same time, looking around: Isn't he?

How to find out what exactly this conference is worth trusting?

If you continue to compare with a girl looking for a groom, then smart people will advise her to be careful in communicating with the "magazine" with a handsome man, affecting a secular gloss and a skillful handling of female floors. Also, looking for leadership in spiritual life, experienced people advise not to look for spiritual leaders with the indispensable collateral of holiness: inspired, wonderworkers and bears of great feats. About whom the saint of Ignatius (Bryanchaninov) wrote: "We are elected to managers mostly those mentors, whom the world proclaimed the holy, and which are or in the depths of charms, or in the depths of ignorance."

Like a quiet and inserted true love, so quiet and inuscable is true holiness. We are all different, and everyone is looking for a spiritual interlocutor to heart. This is a good compass. But prudence is needed. And if with this tight, then nothing prevents us again to apply for advice to St. Ignatia. "In the confessor, in my opinion, great dignity is simplicity, steadily follow-up to the teachings of the Church, alien to any melting." The saint warns from "smart in his own way", from those whose views and opinions will be returned from church. They "are not suitable for spiritual edification." And otherwise, choose yourself - "both strict, and intelligent, and gracious, and indulgent, and simple, but the faithful son of the church may be equally useful."

Does a man need a confessor? And if someone is already the confessor for many people, has spiritual reasoning?

As the Rev. Paisius Svyatogorets said, "As far as the spiritual person, a person, how well he knew how to put it on the shelves on his questions - he could not find an inner peace, because God wants a person to receive help from a person and corrected through man. Good God suits this in order for man to humble. " The Lord so argued that a person could not have the right opinion either about himself or the world without the help of another person - and the Lord said to the Lord: it's not good to be a person alone (Gen. 2, 18). A helper is needed to each person. Of the personal memories and life positions of the best representatives of our church, we know that the spiritual councils were looking for people of the holy life and the highest ranks. And if anyone cares to find a good confessor, it would be nice to find such who lives under spiritual leadership or advice.

I remember one piety believing woman exclaimed everything: "How happy those who have a confessor!" She was familiar with a lot of clergy. Moreover, she had a talent to get acquainted with the most famous and wonderful bass. But she could not stick to anyone, she did not have a confessor. She said: "After all, it will be necessary to obey, but suddenly I will not succeed, it will be sin."

There is such a fear of obedience. Losses of freedom. This is mistake.

An experienced confessor never puts the tasks over the measure or against human dispensation. Moskovsky older Righteous Alexy Movies when he was asked how to do, usually asked a counter question: "Do you yourself think?" And from this answer already proceeded, giving advice. No coercion. The same practice is seen from other famous confessors from the memories of their spiritual chad. The confessor usually does not violate internal freedom, but gives freedom of choice. Does not order and does not ask, but leaves for a personal discretion. "Will you not be sending?", "You don't want to do something?", "Can you go? .." The confessors are needed "only to facilitate the following the Gospel, and not for obedience to himself," wrote Igumen Nikon (Vorob'ev).

The spiritual father is needed to obey, like the Father on the flesh and trust him as his father. But in handling spiritual children, the confessor is often more mother. About Schieieromonach Alexy (Solovyov), the elder of the Smolensk Zosidoye Desert, the spiritual children recalled: "The old man of Alexy was more like a mother than on his father, - so much caress and tenderness, he showed so much patience." The same sense of maternal concern remains in memory of the children of many confesshers, both last time and modern times. I know that in one modern spiritual family on the day of the name of the confessor of Chad congratulate his song "The Word" Mom "is expensive ...".

On that obedience to the confessor, about which we read in all sorts of graders, a modern person is unlikely to be able. Although we are suitable for something. "There are three degrees of obedience - the appeal to the Council in case of its complete bewilderment; Execution of tips coinciding with our thoughts, inclinations, with our point of view; And finally, the fulfillment of obedience, even when it contradicts our views and desires, - only this is true obedience. " Everyone can get up to the first step. Ask a question and hear the right answer. There is such a form of relationship between the confessor and the chad. And even in this case, a person benefits is brought up, asked.

Sometimes you hear the opinion that the time of spirituality has passed that it is necessary to be guided by the sacred writings and works of the Holy Fathers. At the same time, refer to St. Ignatia (Bryanchaninov). The Saint really wrote about the extreme discussion of the chicken elders and advised to study the Scriptures, but considered it necessary and council: "The spiritual residence provided by the fishing of God to our time ... is based on the leadership in saving the sacred Scriptures and Scriptures of the Holy Fathers, with the Council and the edification, borrowed from modern Fathers and brethings. " Like his contemporary, Saint Feofan, N. says: "The truth says N. that now there are no real leaders. However, with one Scripture and deceh lessons should not be left. It is necessary and a question. " Looking at the past life, St. Ignatius regrets the former spiritual mistakes, which happened "to excess pride, not inclined to address the Council of the Middle." It is he who advises "Residence on the Council."

And again we turn to the experienced conference officer, the reverend pair of Svyatogorz, who said: "If, having a confessor, people arrange their lives so that it is a place for prayer and reading spiritual books, if they go to the temple, they are involved, then in this life they There is nothing to fear. "