And here is the edition "Children's Bible" is an abridged and simplified retelling of Bible stories for young readers. Verbatim passages from the Bible are in quotation marks.

Orthodox fairy tales for girls “Modern, ancient, girl names” on pi lard Hope Veselovskaya . In this book you will find three amusing, but at the same time, instructive stories from the lives of girls bearing old Russian names. The fairy-tale events in the book are assessed from Orthodox spiritual positions - from the positions of love and goodness, and girls from different times are united by faith in God's help, in miracles and the willingness to give their lives for friends.

One of the brightest representatives of Orthodox fiction is Ivan Sergeevich Shmelev (1873-1950) - publicist, writer, Orthodox thinker. His novel "Summer of the Lord" describes the Russian way of life through the church liturgical year, starting with Great Lent. Church holidays and services, family life, and customs are shown in the book through the eyes of the little boy Vanya. The book “The Summer of the Lord” is autobiographical. “In it I show the face of Holy Rus', which I wear in

Russian poets in their poems very often refer to biblical themes am. Yuri Kaplan and Ekaterina Kudryavtseva compiled a poetic anthology Iyu "Biblical motives in Russian lyrics of the twentieth century." The book presents very different authors, from the religious philosopher Vladimir Solovyov to the subverter of all foundations Vladimir Mayakovsky, What unites them all are the holy images of the Book of Books.

In Lugansk, the Orthodox literary association “Svete Tikhiy” published the almanac “ Easter eggs are bright » dedicated to the Passover of the Lord. The collection presents prose, poetry and journalism by Russian and Ukrainian authors. “...this book is a vivid example of how kind, creative people, united by faith, regardless of where they live, strive to live in friendship, peace, and want their children to live in a highly moral, spiritual society...” says the article from the compiler.

The Sretensky Monastery Publishing House published "Green series of hope." We present to your attention three books from this series:
1. Alexander Bogatyrev “The Bucket of Forget-Me-Nots” and other stories.”
2. Archpriest Alexy Lisnyak “Sasha’s philosophy” and other stories.”
3. Archpriest Andrei Tkachev “Wonderland” and other stories.”
These books tell about simple and famous people, about wonderful events, about difficult paths to God, about the infinity of God's world, about love for one's neighbor. This prose is both documentary and fiction. It talks about serious things, but it is not without humor. Wise, kind, smart books.

Has become an island of spirituality in the literary sea "Prince's Island" by Yuri Sergeev. It seems an adventure story of the Great Patriotic War, but the struggle in the book takes place not only on the battlefields, but also between the forces of good and evil. The result of the hero’s spiritual wanderings was rooting in the Orthodox faith, which excludes betrayal, deceit and self-interest.

To ensure that Orthodox fiction is read not only by believers, its authors write in different genres.

She wrote some of her books in the fantasy genre. Yulia Nikolaevna Voznesenskaya. Her book "Julianna, or Dangerous Games" - about twin sisters Yulia and Anna, who ended up in a school of magic for future witches. Faith in God and the intercession of the Guardian Angels help them overcome evil and withstand childish trials.

Soulful reading of Orthodox fiction will support you in difficult life situations, will not allow you to fall into despondency and will increase your faith in the triumph of goodness and love.

"SOULFUL READING"

zh., published in 1860-1911 and 1915-1917. in Moscow, in 1912-1914. in Sergievsky Posad. In 1860-1865 published with the subtitle “Monthly publication of generally understandable works of spiritual content”, in 1866-1914 - “Monthly publication of spiritual content”. The initiator of the publication was the priest. Alexy Klyucharyov (later Archbishop of Kharkov), who became co-editor-publisher together with priest. Vasily Nechaev (subsequent bishop of Kostroma) and priest. Vasily Lebedev. Metropolitan Moscow St. Filaret (Drozdov) petitioned the Holy Synod for permission to publish. After the death of St. V. Lebedev and the resignation from the editorial board of the priest. A. Klyucharyova since Oct. 1865 to Dec. In 1889 the magazine was edited by priest. (later archpriest) V. Nechaev. In 1890 he handed over editing to his son-in-law, Prof. MDA prot. Dimitry Kasitsyn, remaining a regular contributor to the magazine. After the death of Rev. D. Kasitsyn was editors in 1902-1907. prof. MDA A. I. Vvedensky, in 1908-1911. priest Mikhail Fiveysky, in 1912-1913. prot. John Solovyov, in January-May 1914, Bishop of Mozhaisk. Vasily (Preobrazhensky), June-December. 1914 Major General N.P. Kasatkin, in 1915-1917 Serpukhov bishop. Arseny (Zhadanovsky) and diocesan missionary I.G. Aivazov. The publishers until 1902 were editors, in 1902-1913 - the widow of Archpriest. Dimitri O. V. Kasitsyn, in January. 1914 - bishop Vasily, in February-Dec. 1914 - Kasatkin, in 1915-1917 The magazine was published by Chudov in honor of the Miracle of the Arch. Michael in Khoneh mon-rem. In 1860-1914. 12 books for each year made up 3 parts, in 1915-1917. 6 issues were published per year, the last 2 issues of 1917 were double issues.

The circle of collaborators and authors mainly included representatives of the Moscow clergy and MDA professors. The magazine was given the task of “serving the spiritual and moral instruction of Christians,” so edifying and accessible scientific articles were published. In the beginning. XX century the magazine became illustrated and even more popular.

Particular attention in “D. h." was given to the presentation of the Holy. history and interpretation of St. Scriptures. Articles by Prof. Dimitri Razumovsky “Review of plants mentioned in the Holy. Scriptures" (1865. No. 9, 11-12; 1866. No. 1, 11; 1867. No. 12; 1869. No. 10; 1870. No. 11; 1871. No. 3, 9), archim. Mikhail (Luzin; later Bishop of Kursk) about the Savior’s conversations (1869. No. 1-4, 6, 8; 1873. No. 5, 9-12), V. D. Kudryavtsev-Platonov “The Meaning of the Passion and Death of Christ the Savior” ( 1870. No. 4. P. 249-256), lectures on St. history of the Old Testament John Pobedinsky-Platonov (1872-1874), interpretations of the Epistles of St. Paul (1873-1882, 1895-1896) and articles on the Synodal translation of the books of the Old Testament, for example. “Concerning the publication of the sacred books of the Old Testament in Russian translation” (1875. No. 11. pp. 342-352) St. Theophan the Recluse, “Genealogy of Christ” (1902. Part 3. pp. 573-593; 1903. Part 1. pp. 71-87; Part 2. pp. 272-280; Part 3. pp. 242- 253) and “God the Word and the Resurrection of Christ” (1903. Part 1. pp. 646-673) M. D. Muretova, “The Message of St. ap. Paul to the Ephesians" (1903. Part 2. pp. 430-440) by D. I. Bogdashevsky (later Archbishop Kanevsky), "Brothers of the Lord" (1904. Part 1. pp. 38-52; Part 2 pp. 214-228; Part 3. pp. 235-245) and many others. Dr. A.P. Lebedeva, “Sunday Morning Gospels” (1913) prot. I. Solovyova, explanations of the psalms (1913-1914) prot. Petra Shumova, “Angels” (1915. No. 1/2. P. 36-44; No. 3/4. P. 46-52; No. 11/12. P. 32-53) schmch. archim. Seraphim (Zvezdinsky; subsequently Archbishop Dmitrovsky). In "D. h." “Conversations on the Gospel of John” by K-Polish Patriarch Anthimus VII was published, translated by Archpriest. Alexandra Smirnopulo (1895. Part 2. pp. 3-10; 1896. Part 1. pp. 205-209, 395-400; Part 2. pp. 36-41; Part 3. pp. 3-8 ; 1897. Part 1. P. 60-65; Part 2. P. 240-246; Part 3. P. 25-30; 1898. Part 1. P. 579-584; Part 2. S 32-36; Part 3. pp. 34-38, 671-676; 1899. Part 1. pp. 70-73, 257-263, 425-430; Part 2. pp. 35-40; Part 3. pp. 39-44; 1900. Part 1. pp. 48-53, 266-271, 642-647; Part 2. pp. 73-76; Part 3. pp. 47-52; 1901 Part 1, pp. 35-39, 460-464, 473-477, 524-536; Part 2, pp. 27-38, 392-403, 538-549; Part 3, pp. 18-23 ; 1902. Part 1. pp. 221-227, 394-398; Part 2. pp. 4-8; Part 3. pp. 23-29; 1903. Part 2. pp. 182-186; 1904 Part 1, pp. 553-557; Part 2, pp. 22-30; Part 3, pp. 86-91; 1905. Part 1, pp. 503-507; Part 2, pp. 3 -9). From the patristic works in “D. h." The “Words” of St. were published. Simeon the New Theologian (1877-1881), “Invisible Warfare” by Nicodemus the Holy Mountain (1886. No. 5. P. 4-41; No. 6. P. 129-170) translated by St. Feofan, translations from the works of the blessed. Augustine (1876. No. 8. pp. 484-493; no. 9. pp. 61-73), John Cassian the Roman (1876. No. 9. P. 90-100), Rev. John of Damascus (1877. No. 10. pp. 240-243) and others. Lives of saints and biographies of ascetics of piety as presented by Archpriest were constantly published. Victor Guryev, A.F. Kovalevsky, Vladimir Archbishop. Sergius (Spassky), bishop. Vasily (Preobrazhensky) and others. The articles of the priest were devoted to the explanation of the liturgical charter and hymnography. V. Nechaev (“Litany” -1865. No. 2. P. 121-145; No. 3. P. 175-191, “Antiphons” - 1868. No. 3. P. 188-196; No. 4. P. 304- 316; No. 7. P. 267-284; No. 9. P. 27-52 and many others), D. F. Golubinsky (“On the time of celebrating Easter” - 1865. No. 3. P. 165-174) , N.F. Odintsova (“The order of public and private worship in ancient Russia until the 16th century” - 1877. No. 2-12; 1878. No. 1), as well as explanations and translations of individual liturgical texts of the priest. Nikolai Voinov (1861-1874), priest. Mikhail Bogolyubsky (1869-1874), deacon. Sergius Borzetsovsky (later Hierom. Seraphim) (1871-1874), new translations of the canons into Church Slavonic. language of the Kostroma bishop. Augustine (Gulyanitsky) (1882-1889).

On church history they were published as general works and educational courses (“Stories from the history of the Russian Church” by Count M.V. Tolstoy, “Essays on the history of the Eastern Church since the capture of Constantinople by the Turks” by I.I. Rozov, “Essays on the history of the newest (Synodical) ) of the period of the Russian Church" by A. P. Dobroklonsky, a number of articles included in the subsequent book "Church-historical narratives of public content and presentation: From the ancient times of the Christian Church" (M., 1900) by A. Lebedev), and articles and essays on specific topics (“Instructive ways of providence in the historical destinies of Orthodoxy in Volyn” by priest Andrei Khoynatsky (1872. No. 3. pp. 309-333; no. 4. pp. 353-372), “The most important Russian church book depositories” by N. A. Kolosova (pos. priest) (1893. No. 9. pp. 146-157), “The most important figures of Georgian church history” by priest Elijah Protopopov (1900. Part 3. pp. 512-527; 1901. Part 1 pp. 117-127, 371-377), etc.). From sources on the history of the Russian Church, the diary of the Yaroslavl Archbishop was published. Evgenia (Kazantseva) translated from Lat. language (1868), memoirs of A. M. Bukharev about the Kazan Archbishop. Athanasius (Sokolov) (1868. Part 3), autobiography by Hierom. Parthenia (Ageeva) (1898-1901), “From student memories” Archpriest. Nikolai Florinsky (1900-1901), “Notes” of the Yaroslavl Archbishop. Leonid (Krasnopevkov) (1905-1907), letters to Archbishop. Japanese St. Nikolai (Kasatkina) (1912-1915). After the death of St. Filaret in almost every issue there were publications of his words, letters, resolutions, opinions, judgments, instructions, as well as memories of him (for example, Archpriest Konstantin Bogoyavlensky (1913. No. 4. P. 568-569)) and articles. Articles were also published about other Moscow metropolitans of the 19th century: A. A. Belyaev about Innocent (Veniaminov) (1889. Part 2) and Plato (Levshin) (1897. Part 1. pp. 149-160; Part 2 . pp. 43-50; Part 3. pp. 408-421; 1898. Part 3. pp. 449-462; 1899. Part 3. pp. 140-142), I. N. Korsunsky about Sergius ( Lyapidevsky) (1898. No. 4. P. 707-718; No. 5. P. 153-154; No. 6. P. 260-280; No. 7. P. 468-488; No. 8. P. 666-674; No. 9. P. 173-183; No. 10. P. 324-346; No. 12. P. 646-652; 1899). After the death of St. Feofan, his letters, teachings and other texts were constantly published (for example, “Testament” - 1894. No. 2. P. 367-370), as well as articles about him (for example, Kolosov “Library of the Right Reverend Theophan” - 1895. No. 4. P. 553-566, I. A. Krutikova “Saint Theophan, recluse and ascetic of the Vyshensk Hermitage” - 1898. No. 1. P. 56-68; No. 2. P. 245-252; No. 3. P. 335 -341, No. 4, pp. 616-624, 1899). The legacy of the elders and inhabitants of Optina is empty. Letters of the venerable Hieroschim were published. Makaria (Ivanova) (1874. Part 1; 1908), hieroschim. Ambrose (Grenkova) (1894. Part 1. P. 590-598; Part 2. P. 83-85; 1895. Part 2. P. 210-221, 405-410; Part 3. P. 109 -114; 1896. Part 1. pp. 142-147; Part 2. pp. 148-155; Part 3. pp. 149-156; 1897. Part 1. pp. 501-509, 645-651 ; Part 2. P. 253-261; Part 3. P. 562-569; 1898. Part 1. P. 170-174; Part 3. P. 157-162, 381-384; 1899. Part 1. pp. 171-177; Part 2. pp. 322-327; Part 3. pp. 138-142; 1900. Part 1. pp. 355-360; Part 2. pp. 139-146 ; Part 3. P. 113-118; 1901. Part 1. P. 110-116; Part 2. P. 103-108; Part 3. P. 118-120; 1902. Part 1. S 133-136; Part 2. pp. 74-76; Part 3. pp. 151-158, 282-289), Hieroschim. Anatoly (Zertsalov) (1906-1911), notes and letters to Hierarch. Clement (Zederholm) (1877. Part 2. pp. 339-365; 1903), excerpts from the diary of Hierom. Daniil (Bolotov) (1913), an article by Archimandrite was published. Gregory (Borisoglebsky) “The Legend of the Life of the Optina Elder Father Hieroschemamonk Ambrose” (1892. Part 1. pp. 19-32, 176-192, 664-683; Part 2. pp. 41-52; Part 3. p. 157-169; 1893. Part 2. pp. 126-133; Part 3. pp. 103-107; 1894. Part 1. pp. 111-126), essay about St. Schema-archim. Isaac (Antimonov) (1898. No. 12. P. 621-635; 1899. No. 1. P. 165-170; No. 2. P. 223-231; No. 3. P. 452-466; No. 4. P. 639-647; No. 5. P. 4-19), article by Bishop Dmitrovsky. Tryphon (Turkestanova) “The Shamorda Kazan Ambrosian Hermitage and its founder, Elder Hieroschemamonk Ambrose” (1912), according to the letters of St. Anatoly, an essay was compiled by St. Sergius Chetverikov “In the service of God - in the service of neighbors” (1903. Part 1. pp. 56-67).

Descriptions of the Holy Land were published, for example. “Lent in the Holy City of Jerusalem” (1863) and “Old Jerusalem and Its Environments” (1870-1873) Archimandrite. Leonida (Kavelin), “Bethlehem” by K. P. Pobedonostsev (1864. No. 12. P. 319-335), “Description of the Holy Land” by P. I. Gorsky-Platonov (1866. No. 12. P. 319-332; 1867. No. 1. P. 43-69; 1869. No. 6. P. 97-112). Palestinian and Sir. The studies of P. M. Sladkopevtsev (1882-1884) are devoted to monasteries and devotees, about Russian. monks were written by I.V. Shevelkin (1864-1866), Kovalevsky (1867-1869) and Tolstoy (1867-1872). A number of sources were published on the history of internal missions, in particular Altai (notes of Archpriest Stefan Landyshev, Priest Vasily Verbitsky, Hierome Macarius (Nevsky; later Saint of Moscow) (1860-1869), memoirs and travel notes of Archpriest Mikhail Putintsev ( 1884. No. 2. P. 210-235; No. 3. P. 257-297)). A number of publications were devoted to the Old Believers: numerous works by Archimandrite. Paul of Prussia, including “Notes on non-priest writings” (1870) and descriptions of travels to the Old Believers (1870-1878), op. N. I. Subbotina “From the history of the schism in the first years of the reign of the Emperor. Alexander II" (1900. Part 1. pp. 587-602; Part 2. pp. 3-20, 205-215, 325-336; Part 3. pp. 31-41; 1901. Part 1. pp. 77-86).

Sermons, teachings and conversations were published in each issue; among their authors were the Chernigov Archbishop. Filaret (Gumilevsky), archpriests Vasily Vladislavlev, Rodion Putyatin, Alexander Nikolsky, Ippolit Bogoslovsky-Platonov, Alexander Nevostruev, Alexy Belotsvetov, priest. Dimitry Kastalsky, Archpriest. Mikhail Nekrasov, priest. Sergius Sadkovsky (“Catechetical conversations” (1890-1902)), prot. Nikolai (including “Advice to student youth” (1891-1906)), archimandrite. Nikon (Rozhdestvensky; later Archbishop of Vologda), Metropolitan of Petrograd. sschmch. Vladimir (Epiphany), Archpriest. right , St. Macarius, bishop Arseny (Zhadanovsky) (“Spiritual Conversations” (1915)). In 1903-1916. Each issue published the spiritual diary “In the Arms of the Fathers” by Archimandrite. Joseph (Petrov; later Metropolitan of Leningrad). Apologetic works were published, for example. “Modern fight against God and the healing power of Christianity” Rev. S. Chetverikova (1912. Part 3).

Christ. understanding Russian and foreign artistic literature, many articles are devoted to the priest. N. Kolosov (in particular, about the novels of E. Zola (1898. No. 6. P. 294-308; No. 12. P. 818-828; 1899. No. 5. P. 149-176; No. 7. P. 455 -459; No. 8. P. 619-629; 1900. Part 3. P. 624-631; 1901. Part 1. P. 133-138; Part 2. P. 109-118), “Worldview and the heroes of Maxim Gorky before the court of the Orthodox reader" (1903. Part 3. pp. 273-281)). In the beginning. XX century in "D. h." edifying stories and essays by I. P. Yuvachev were published (“Monastic Sketches” (1901. Part 3. pp. 258-261; 1902. Part 1. pp. 104-109; Part 3. pp. 614-628) , “In Seclusion” (1903. Part 1. P. 134-139), “The Dreamer” (1904. Part 3. P. 533-541), etc.), E. N. Pogozheva (“In the earthly sky "(1903. Part 1. pp. 126-133), etc.), poems by V.K. Nedzvetsky, St. Schema-archim. Barsanuphius (Plikhankova) and others. Articles on natural science were published: “Christian reflections on the structure of the Earth” (1863. No. 1. P. 69-89; No. 6. P. 115-140; No. 9. P. 45-66; No. 10. P. 97-108; No. 11. P. 191-206; No. 12. P. 291-306), “Organs of hearing and voice” (1884. No. 3. P. 354-374) Golubinsky, “Darwin’s system "M. P. Pogodin (1873. No. 9. P. 3-24), "The Garment of the Earth" (1873. No. 11. P. 242-252; No. 12. P. 374-387) and "The World of Insects" ( 1880. No. 5. P. 47-64; No. 7. P. 276-278; No. 10. P. 198-210; No. 11. P. 423-441) priest. V. Vladimirsky, “Nature in religious perception” by St. sschmch. John of Artobolevsky (1913. No. 5/6. P. 157-160), etc.

Chronicle of current events in "D. h." always stood in the background. In 1863-1871. a section stood out in the magazine. “News and Notes”, which had a separate pagination, in 1902 the heading “Responses to Contemporary Affairs” appeared, in 1912-1913 the “Bibliography” department, which was headed by the editor, appeared. A.P. Smirnov prepared a series of articles about the events of Old Testament history “with application to the political and social phenomena of our time” (1877-1879). As appendices to the magazine, the following were published: “Ancient Patericon, set out in chapters” (1861-1863, 1871-1874), “75 Psalms (from 76 to 150) in Russian translation” (1868), “History of the Saints Ecumenical Councils" of the Aleutian bishop. John (Metropolitan) (1870-1871), 3 books of priests. A. Khoynatsky about the sacraments of confession, marriage and consecration of oil (1874-1875), 1st volume of “Complete Collection of Resolutions of Metropolitan. Moscow Philaret" (1899-1902), "Rome and the Pope before the court of conscience and history" by W. Gladstone (1903), etc.

Lit.: Decree. articles published in “Soulful Reading” within 10 years from the start of publication from 1860 to 1869 [M., 1870]; Index to “Soulful Reading” for its 2nd 10th anniversary, from 1870 to 1879 [M., 1880]; Index to “Soulful Reading” for the 3rd 10th anniversary, from 1880 to 1889 [M., 1889]; Runkevich S. G. “Soulful reading” // PBE. T. 5. Stb. 139-141; Zhiganov E. Decree. articles included in the journal. “Soulful reading” for 1890-1905. / MDA. Zagorsk, 1970. Machine; Andreev. Christian periodicals. T. 1. P. 102-103. No. 198.

Prot. Alexander Troitsky

Orthodox encyclopedia. - M.: Church and Scientific Center “Orthodox Encyclopedia”. 2014 .

See what “SOUL-BENEFICIAL READING” is in other dictionaries:

Soulful Reading- monthly magazine of spiritual content; published in Moscow since 1860; real ed. ed. D. F. Kasitsyn ... Encyclopedic Dictionary F.A. Brockhaus and I.A. Efron

"Soulful Reading"- HEALTHY READING monthly. theological journal, ed. In 1860 1917 in Moscow with a volume of 10 12 stoves. l. It arose on the initiative of priest A.I. Klyucharyov (in monasticism Ambrose, Archbishop of Kharkov) and with the active assistance of Philaret, Metropolitan. Moscow AND.… … Russian humanitarian encyclopedic dictionary

Soulful reading- monthly magazine published in Moscow since 1860. Founded by priest. Klyucharyov (later Ambrose, Archbishop of Kharkov), priest. Nechaev and priest. Lebedev. Since 1866 Fr. Nechaev became a monk with the name Vissarion (see Vissarion of Nicaea) and... ... Complete Orthodox Theological Encyclopedic Dictionary

Filaret Drozdov- (before tonsure Vasily Mikhailovich) Metropolitan of Moscow, b. 26 Dec 1782 in the city of Kolomna, Moscow province, where his father Mikhail Feodorovich was the cathedral archpriest; died 19 Nov. 1867 After home education under the guidance of ... ...

Leonid Kavelin- (in the world Lev Alexandrovich) archimandrite and vicar of the Trinity Lavra of Sergius; genus. February 22, 1822, d. October 22, 1891, came from the nobility of the Kaluga province; in 1835 he entered the First Moscow Cadet Corps, after completing the course in which... ... Large biographical encyclopedia

Rozanov, Nikolai Pavlovich- writer, archaeologist; son of a clerk, born on April 27, 1809 in the village. Senin, Serpukhov district, Moscow province; died in Moscow on October 12, 1883 and was buried at the Pyatnitskoye cemetery. He received his education at the Moscow Theological Seminary, ... ... Large biographical encyclopedia

Feofan Govorov- (in the world Georgy Vasilyevich) Bishop of Vladimir and Suzdal, Vyshensky recluse, remarkable hierarch and ascetic of the 19th century; born on January 10, 1815. His father, Vasily Timofeevich Govorov, was a priest in the village of Chernovsk, Oryol province, ... ... Large biographical encyclopedia

Repentance

A man fell into a deep abyss. He lies wounded and dies... Friends come running. They tried, holding each other, to go down to his aid, but almost fell into it themselves. Mercy has arrived. He lowered the ladder into the abyss, but - oh!.. - it doesn’t reach all the way! The good deeds once done by man arrived and threw down a long rope. But the rope is also short... They also tried in vain to save the man: his great fame, big money, power... Finally, repentance came. It extended its hand, the man grabbed it and... climbed out of the abyss! - How did you do it? - everyone was surprised. But there was no time to respond to repentance. It was rushing to other people whom only it could save...

Old and young monah (Novice and monk)

One day the old and young monk were returning to their monastery. Their path was crossed by a river, which, due to the rains, overflowed very heavily. On the shore stood a young woman who also needed to move to the opposite shore, but she could not do it without outside help. The vow strictly forbade monks to touch women, and the young monk pointedly turned away from her.

The old monk approached the woman, took her in his arms and carried her across the river. The monks remained silent the rest of the way, but at the monastery itself the young monk could not stand it: “How could you touch a woman!? You made a vow!” To which the old man calmly replied: “It’s strange, I carried it and left it on the river bank, and you are still carrying it.”

...about condemnation

One married couple moved to a new apartment. In the morning, the wife looked out the window and, seeing a neighbor hanging out the washed laundry, said to her husband: “Look how dirty her laundry is, she probably doesn’t know how to wash.” And so every time the neighbor hung out the laundry, the wife was surprised at how dirty it was. dirty. One day, waking up and looking out the window, she exclaimed: “The laundry is clean today! ...Finally, the neighbor learned to do the laundry.” “No,” said the husband, “I just got up early today and washed your glass.”

Seeds

Two lumberjacks

Two lumberjacks took part in a forest cutting competition. Each was assigned a certain area of ​​the forest, and the winner was the one who could cut down the most trees between 8 am and 4 pm. At eight o'clock in the morning the whistle sounded and two lumberjacks took up their positions. They cut down tree after tree until the First heard the Second stop. Realizing that this was his chance, the First redoubled his efforts... At nine o'clock the First heard that the Second had started working again. And again they worked almost synchronously, when suddenly at ten minutes to ten the First heard that the Second had stopped again. And again the First set to work, wanting to take advantage of the enemy’s weakness.

This went on all day. Every hour the Second stopped for ten minutes, and the First continued working. When the signal sounded to end the competition, the First was absolutely sure that the prize was in his pocket. Imagine how surprised he was when he learned that he had lost. - How did it happen? - he asked his friend. - After all, every hour I heard you stop working for ten minutes. How did you manage to chop more wood than me? This is impossible. “In fact, everything is very simple,” the Second answered directly. “Every hour I stopped for ten minutes and sharpened my axe.

Cure for Sin

One day, the disciples came to the elder and asked him: “Why do bad inclinations easily take hold of a person, but good inclinations take hold of a person with difficulty and remain fragile in him?”

What happens if a healthy seed is left in the sun and a diseased one is buried in the ground? - asked the old man.

A good seed that is left without soil will die, but a bad seed will germinate and produce a sick sprout and bad fruit,” answered the disciples.

This is what people do: instead of secretly doing good deeds and cultivating good beginnings deep in their souls, they put them on display and thereby ruin them. And people hide their shortcomings and sins deep in their souls so that others do not see them. There they grow and destroy a person in his very heart. Be wise.

What is Heaven and what is Hell

One Monk really wanted to know what Heaven is and what Hell is. He thought about this topic day and night. And then one night, when he fell asleep during his painful thoughts, he dreamed that he was in Hell.

He looked around and saw people sitting in front of pots of food. But some were exhausted and hungry. He took a closer look - everyone was holding a spoon with a long handle. They can scoop from the cauldron, but they won’t get into your mouth...

Suddenly a local employee (apparently a devil) runs up to him and shouts:

Hurry up, or you'll miss the train to Paradise.

Man has arrived in Paradise. And what does he see?! The same picture as in Hell. Pots of food, people with spoons with long handles. But everyone is cheerful and well-fed. The man took a closer look - and here people feed each other with the same spoons.

Parable...

There is such a parable. After God created the world, man immediately stepped beyond what was permitted. This circumstance greatly troubled God.

He called the seven archangels to a council and said: “Perhaps I made a mistake in creating man, now I will have no peace. People will transgress what is permitted, and then complain endlessly about their miserable lives. Where can I hide from them?”...

The archangels thought for a long time. One of them advised God to hide on the top of Everest. But God said: “You don’t know yet, but very soon people will get there.” Another archangel suggested: “Hide at the bottom of the ocean.” God just sighed. Another advised taking refuge on the Moon. There were many more different proposals, but God rejected them all.

Finally, one of the archangels said: “Hide in the heart of a person, no one will bother you there, and only a person with an open heart can find you.” This proposal pleased God. He did just that.

Kopek

A boy was walking along the road. He looks - the penny is lying there. “Well,” he thought, “even a penny is money!” He took it and put it in his wallet. And he began to think further: “What would I do if I found a thousand rubles? I would buy gifts for my father and mother!” As soon as I thought like that, I felt like my wallet got heavier. I looked into it - and there was a thousand rubles. - "Strange affair! - The boy was amazed. - There was a penny, and now there are a thousand rubles in my wallet! ...

What would I do if I found ten thousand rubles? I would buy a cow and give milk to my father and mother!” And he quickly looked into his wallet, and there were ten thousand rubles! - "Miracles! - The boy was happy. - What would I do if I found one hundred thousand rubles? I would buy a house, take a wife and settle my father and mother in the new house!” And again he looked into the wallet - exactly: there are a hundred thousand rubles! The boy closed his wallet, and then he began to think: “Maybe we shouldn’t take our father and mother to the new house? What if my wife doesn't like them? Let them live in the old house. And keeping a cow is troublesome; I’d rather buy a goat. And I won’t buy many gifts, I need to buy some clothes myself!” And the boy feels that the wallet is very light! He quickly opened it, and lo and behold: there was only one penny lying there, alone...

Simeon of Athos "Ascent to Heaven"

Extraordinary button

There lived one man, and he lived not very well, confusedly. I decided to come to my senses, do good deeds, save my soul. I did them and did them, but didn’t notice any significant changes in myself for the better. One day he was walking down the street and saw that one old woman’s coat button broke and fell to the ground. He saw it and thought: “What’s wrong! She still has enough buttons. Don't lift it! What nonsense!” But still, groaning, he picked up the button, caught up with the old lady, gave her the button and forgot about it...

Then he died, and he sees scales: on the left - his evil lies, pulling him down, and on the right - there is nothing, empty! And evil overwhelms. “Eh,” the man says to himself, “no luck here either!” He looks, the Angels are putting down a button... And the cup with good deeds has outweighed. “Is it really this one button that has pulled out all my evil deeds? - the man was surprised. “How many good deeds I have done, but they are not visible!” And he heard the Angel say to him: “Because you were proud of your good deeds, they disappeared! But it was precisely this button that you forgot about that was enough to save you from death!”

Good deeds do not live in good deeds, but in a good heart

A parable about good and evil thoughts. Who is easier to drive away?

The woman complains:

Father, evil thoughts are creeping into your head. But I don’t know how to deal with them. The priest smiles:

If two people come to you - one good and the other evil, who is easier to drive away?

“Good day,” the woman responds.

It’s also easy to frighten away a good thought. And you can’t get rid of the evil ones. We have to ask: “Lord, help!” And then they leave...

The Parable of the Little Frogs and the High Tower

One day the little frogs decided to have a competition to see who could climb to the top of the tower first.

Many spectators gathered. Everyone wanted to see how the frogs would jump and laugh at the participants. Of course, none of the spectators believed that even one frog could climb up. The competition began, and shouts were heard from all sides:

They won't succeed! It's too difficult...

No chance! The tower is too high!

The baby frogs fell down one after another, but some still climbed. The crowd shouted louder:

Too difficult!!! No one can do it!

Soon all the frogs got tired and fell. Except for one, who rose higher and higher... He was the only one who managed to climb to the top of the tower.

Everyone began to ask the winner how he managed to find so much strength within himself. It turned out that the winner was deaf.

Maybe sometimes it’s better for us to remain deaf to other people’s doubts and even praise?

Wooden feeder

Once upon a time there lived a very old man. His eyes were blinded, his hearing was dull, his knees trembled. He could hardly hold a spoon in his hands and while eating he often spilled soup on the tablecloth, and sometimes some of the food fell out of his mouth. The son and his wife looked at the old man with disgust and during meals began to sit him in a corner behind the stove, and served him food in an old saucer...

From there he looked sadly at the table, and his eyes became wet. One day his hands were shaking so much that he could not hold a saucer of food. It fell to the floor and broke. The young mistress began to scold the old man, but he did not say a word, but only sighed heavily. Then they bought him a wooden bowl. Now he had to eat from it.

One day, when the parents were sitting at the table, their four-year-old son entered the room with a piece of wood in his hands.

What do you want to do? - asked the father.

“A wooden feeder,” the baby answered. Mom and Dad will eat from it when I grow up.

Parable about the old cat

One day an old cat met a young kitten. The kitten ran in a circle and tried to catch its tail.

The old cat stood and watched, and the young kitten kept spinning, falling, getting up and again chasing its tail.

Why are you chasing your tail? - asked the old cat.

They told me - the kitten answered - that my tail is my happiness, so I’m trying to catch it.

The old cat smiled, as only old cats can do this, and said:

When I was young, I was also told that my happiness was in my tail. I spent many days chasing my tail and trying to grab it...

I didn’t eat or drink, I just chased my tail. I fell exhausted, got up and again tried to catch my tail. At some point I got desperate and left.

I just went wherever my eyes led me. And you know what I suddenly noticed?

What? - asked the kitten in surprise?

I noticed that wherever I go, my tail goes with me everywhere...

Clay pots

A monk once came to his mentor and said:

Father, how many times have I come to you, repenting of my sins, how many times have you instructed me with advice, but I cannot improve. What good is it for me to come to you if after our conversations I again fall into my sins?

Ava replied:

My son, take two clay pots - one with honey and the other empty.

The student did just that.

“And now,” said the teacher, “pour the honey several times from one pot to another.”

The student obeyed again...

Now, son, look at the empty pot and smell it.

The student looked, smelled and said:

Father, the empty pot smells of honey, and there, at the bottom, there is a little thick honey left.

“That’s how it is,” said the teacher, “and my instructions settle in your soul.” If for the sake of Christ you learn at least part of the virtues in life, then the Lord, by His mercy, will make up for their lack and save your soul for life in paradise. For even an earthly housewife does not pour pepper into a pot that smells of honey. So God will not reject you if you retain at least the beginnings of righteousness in your soul.

Recipe for sin

A certain old man entered the hospital and asked the doctor:

Do you have a cure for sin?

Yes, - the doctor answered, - here is the recipe:

Near the roots of obedience;

Gather flowers of spiritual purity;

Narvi leaves of patience;

Gather the fruits of unhypocrisy;...

Do not get drunk with the wine of adultery;

Dry all this by fasting abstinence;

Put good deeds into the pot;

Add tears of repentance;

Salt with the salt of brotherly love;

Add the bounty of alms;

Put the powder of humility into all this;

And kneeling;

Take three spoons on the day of the fear of God;

Dress yourself in the robe of righteousness;

Don't get into idle talk

Otherwise you’ll catch a cold and get sick with sin again.

About obedience and humility

Once a woman came to the Optina hieroschemamonk Anatoly and asked him for a blessing to live alone so that she could fast, pray and sleep on bare boards without interference. The elder told her:

You know, the evil one does not eat, does not drink and does not sleep, but everything lives in the abyss, because he has no humility. Submit to the will of God in everything - that’s your feat; humble yourself before everyone, reproach yourself for everything, bear illness and sorrow with gratitude - this is beyond any feats!...

The Monk Anatoly advised his other spiritual daughter, who asked him for a blessing to purchase the Gospel and Psalter:

Buy buy, but, most importantly, obey without laziness, humble yourself and endure everything. This will be higher than fasting and prayer.

Creator of the Universe

One day an atheist came to a sage and began to tell him that he did not believe in God. He simply could not believe in a certain “Creator” who created the Universe.

A couple of days later, the sage paid a return visit to the atheist and brought with him a magnificent painting. The atheist was amazed. He had never seen a more perfect canvas!

What a beautiful painting. Tell me, who wrote this? Who is author?

Like who? Nobody. There was a blank canvas, and above it a shelf with paints. They accidentally overturned, spilled - and here is the result...

Why joke like that? - the atheist laughed. - After all, this is impossible: excellent work, precise lines, strokes and combinations of shades. Behind all this splendor one can feel the depth of the plan. You can’t do this without an author!

Then the sage smiled and said:

You are unable to believe that this small painting came about by chance, without any prior design by the creator. And do you want me to believe that our beautiful world - with forests and mountains, oceans and valleys, with the change of seasons, magical sunsets and quiet moonlit nights - arose by the will of blind chance, without the Creator's plan?

I carried you in my arms...

One day a man had a dream. He dreamed that he was walking along a sandy shore, and next to him was the Lord. Pictures from his life flashed in the sky, and after each of them he noticed two chains of footprints in the sand: one from his feet, the other from the feet of the Lord.

When the last picture of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. And he saw that often along his life’s path there was only one chain of traces. He also noticed that these were the most difficult and unhappy times in his life...

He became very sad and began to ask the Lord:

Wasn’t it You who told me: if I follow Your path, You will not leave me. But I noticed that during the most difficult times of my life, only one chain of footprints stretched across the sand. Why did You abandon me when I needed You most?

The Lord answered:

My sweet, sweet child. I love you and will never leave you. When there were sorrows and trials in your life, only one chain of footprints stretched along the road. Because in those days I carried you in my arms.

Prayers out of habit

In the house of some rich people they stopped praying before meals. One day a preacher came to visit them. The table was set very elegantly, the best fruit juices were taken out and a very tasty dish was served. The family sat down at the table. Everyone looked at the preacher and thought that now he would pray before eating. But the preacher said:

The father of the family must pray at the table, because he is the first prayer book in the family. ..

There was an unpleasant silence, because no one in this family prayed. The father cleared his throat and said: “You know, dear preacher, we don’t pray because in prayer before meals the same thing is always repeated. Prayers out of habit are empty chatter. These repetitions are every day, every year, so we don’t pray anymore. "

The preacher looked at everyone in surprise, but then the seven-year-old girl said:

Dad, don’t I really need to come to you in the morning and say “good morning” anymore?

Community service. Parable of Elder Paisius the Holy Mountain

Once a man came to Elder Paisius of Athos in the monastic cell and began to inquire: “Why are the monks sitting here?” Why don't they go out into the world for public service?

Shouldn't lighthouses be on rocks? - the old man answered. - Or will you order them to also move to the city and join the work of street lights? Lighthouses have their own service, and lanterns have theirs.

A monk is not a light bulb that hangs over a city sidewalk and shines light on pedestrians so that they do not stumble. A monk is a lighthouse in high rocks, designed to shine in the seas and oceans so that ships go the right way and reach their main destination, God.

When children are sick, you should always trust in God’s help.

(Mother's testimony)

I got married young and ideally religious. My young heart was open to spiritual truths, but constant work, worries and sorrows pushed aside questions of faith. I lived without having time to turn to God in prayer, or even to fast every year. It’s easier to say: I have lost interest in the responsibilities that religion imposes on us. I never stopped to think that the Lord would hear my prayer if I turned to Him with faith.

In 1897, I lived with my husband and children in the city of Sterlitamak. On January 11, my youngest child, a five-year-old boy, suddenly fell ill. A doctor was invited. He examined the child and said that he had severe diphtheria. We injected the serum. They repeated it a day later. They waited for relief, but it did not come. Doctors stated that there was no passage of air into the lungs.

The child became terribly weak. He no longer recognized anyone. I couldn't take medicine. A terrible wheezing escaped from his chest, which could be heard even in the lower floor of the house. Two doctors arrived. They looked sadly at the patient, talked worriedly among themselves and announced to us that the next day they would make a third injection, that they had received a new fresh serum and that the one that had already been injected was found to be unsuitable by analysis. It was clear that they saw that the child would not survive the night.

I, it seems, didn’t think about anything, did especially diligently everything necessary for the patient and seemed to encourage myself not to remain idle. My husband sat by the bed without leaving, afraid to miss his last breath. Everything in the house was silent, only a terrible whistling wheeze could be heard. One must be surprised how such a heavy, loud sound could come from such a weak organism.

“I’ll go and ask you to serve a prayer service for his recovery.”

-Can't you see that he is dying? Don't go: it will end without you.

“No,” I say, “I’ll go: the church is close.”

Let's go. I enter the church. The priest, Father Stefan Nikitin, comes towards me.

“Father,” I tell him, “my son is sick with diphtheria.” If you are not afraid, then take the trouble to serve a prayer service with us.

“We, as a duty, advise the dying everywhere and go without fear wherever we are invited.” I'll be with you now.

I returned home. The wheezing continued to be heard throughout all the rooms. My boy’s face turned completely blue, his eyes rolled back. I touched my legs; my feet were completely cold. My heart sank with inexplicable pain. I don’t remember if I cried. I cried so much during these sad days that it seems that the flow of my tears did not stop. She lit a lamp and prepared some necessary things.

Father Stefan arrived. My husband came out to him. The prayer service has begun. I carefully picked up the child, along with the feather bed and pillow, and carried him into the hall. It was too hard for me to hold it standing, so I sank into a chair.

The prayer service continued. Father Stefan took the Holy Gospel to read. I hardly got up from the chair. Here the incomprehensible happened. My boy raised his head and listened to the Divine words. Father Stefan finished reading. I kissed myself; My boy also kissed. He put his little arm around my neck and finished the prayer service. I was afraid to breathe. Father Stefan raised the holy cross, shone it on the child who kissed him, and said:

- Get well!

I took the boy to bed, laid him down and went to see the priest off. When Father Stefan left, I went back to the bedroom, surprised that I did not hear the usual wheezing, tearing my soul. My boy was sleeping quietly. I leaned towards his mouth. The breath came out evenly from the lips. I knelt down with tenderness, thanking the merciful God, and then, tired, I fell asleep on the floor near his bed.

The next morning, as soon as they struck for matins, my boy stood up and said in a clear, sonorous voice:

- Mom, why am I still lying there? I'm tired of lying!

Is it possible to describe how joyfully my heart beat. Now the samovar was ready, the milk began to boil, and the boy took some food. At nine o'clock our doctor quietly entered the hall, looked into the front corner and, not seeing the expected table with a cold corpse there, called out to me. I responded in a cheerful voice:

- I'm going now.

- Is it really better? – the doctor asked in surprise.

“Yes,” I answered, greeting him. – The Lord showed us a miracle.

- Yes, only a miracle could heal your child.

On February 18, Father Stefan served a thanksgiving prayer service with us. My boy, completely healthy, prayed earnestly. At the end of the prayer service, Father Stefan told me:

“You should describe this incident.”

I answered him:

– I will try to describe it after some time.

Much has changed since then. My husband retired. We moved to live in another city. If these lines are read by those who were present when a miraculous healing took place in our house, they will confirm the truth of everything that has been said. I sincerely wish that at least one mother who reads these short lines will not fall into despair in her hour of sorrow, but will retain faith in the goodness of the unknown paths along which Providence leads us.

("Sunday Day", 1901, No. 43)

Misunderstood Prayer

My father was very prejudiced against Father John of Kronstadt. His miracles and extraordinary popularity were explained by hypnosis, the darkness of the people around him, cliques, etc.

We lived in Moscow, my father was a lawyer. At that time I was four years old, I was the only son, and was named Sergei in honor of my father. My parents loved me madly.

On business with his clients, my father often traveled to St. Petersburg. So now he went there for two days and, as usual, stayed with his brother Konstantin. He found his brother and daughter-in-law worried: their youngest daughter Lenochka had fallen ill. She was seriously ill, and although she felt better, they invited Father John to serve a prayer service and were expecting his arrival from hour to hour.

The father laughed at them and went to court, where his client’s case was being heard.

Returning back at four o'clock, he saw a pair of sleighs and a huge crowd of people at his brother's house. Realizing that Father John had arrived, he barely made his way to the front door and, entering the house, went into the hall where the priest was already serving a prayer service. The father stood aside and began to watch the famous priest with curiosity. He was very surprised that Father John, having quickly read the memorial placed in front of him with the name of the sick Elena, knelt down and with great fervor began to pray for some unknown, seriously ill baby Sergius. He prayed for him for a long time, then blessed everyone and left.

- He's just crazy! – my father was indignant after my father left. “He was invited to pray for Elena, and he spent the entire prayer service begging for some unknown Sergei.

“But Helen is almost healthy,” the daughter-in-law timidly objected, wanting to protect the priest, respected by the whole family.

At night my father left for Moscow.

Entering his apartment the next day, he was struck by the disorder that reigned in it, and, seeing my mother’s exhausted face, he was afraid:

-What happened here?

“My dear, your train probably didn’t even have time to leave Moscow when Seryozha fell ill. Fever, convulsions, and vomiting began. I invited Pyotr Petrovich, but he could not understand what was happening to Seryozha, and asked to convene a consultation. My first instinct was to telegraph you, but I couldn’t find Kostya’s address. Three doctors did not leave his side all night and finally declared his situation hopeless. What have I been through? No one slept, as he was getting worse, I was tetanus.

And suddenly yesterday, after four o’clock in the afternoon, he began to breathe more evenly, the fever dropped, and he fell asleep. Then it got even better. Doctors can’t understand anything, and especially not me. Now Seryozha is only weak, but he is already eating and is now playing with his teddy bear in his crib.

Listening, the father lowered his head lower and lower. This is the gravely ill baby Sergius for whom Father John of Kronstadt prayed so fervently yesterday.

(From the book by L.S. Zaparina

"Uninvented Stories")

There are empty dreams, but there are special, prophetic ones. This is the dream I had when I was young.

I dreamed that I was standing in complete darkness and heard a voice addressed to me: “My own mother wants to kill her child.” The words and voice filled me with horror. I woke up full of fear.

The sun brightly illuminated the room, sparrows chirped outside the window. I looked at the clock - it was eight.

My mother-in-law, with whom we slept in the same room, woke up too.

“What a terrible dream I just had,” I told her and began to tell her.

My mother-in-law sat up excitedly on the bed and looked at me inquisitively:

-Are you dreaming now?

“Yes,” I answered.

She began to cry.

- What's wrong with you, mom? – I was amazed.

She wiped her eyes and said sadly:

– Knowing your beliefs, we wanted to hide the fact that today at nine o’clock Ksana (my sister-in-law, Ksenia) should go to the hospital for an abortion, but now I can’t hide it.

I was horrified:

- Mom, why didn’t you stop Ksana?

- What to do?! She and Arkady already have three children. He alone cannot feed such a family. Ksana also has to work, and if there is a baby, she will have to stay at home.

– When the Lord sends a child, He gives the parents the strength to raise him. Nothing

does not happen without the will of God. I'll go and try to dissuade her.

The mother-in-law shook her head:

“You won’t have time: she’s about to go to the hospital.”

But I didn’t listen to anything anymore. Without getting dressed, just as I was, in my nightgown, I threw on my coat, put my bare feet in my shoes and, putting on my beret as I went, ran out into the street.

It was a long way to go. I changed from a tram to a bus, from a bus to another tram, trying to shorten the journey, and meanwhile the clock hands moved past nine...

- Queen of Heaven, help! - I prayed.

We ran into Ksana in the lobby of her house. Her face was haggard, gloomy, and she was holding a small suitcase in her hands. I grabbed her by the shoulders:

- Honey, I know everything! I just had a terrible dream about you: someone’s voice said: my own mother wants to kill her child. Don't go to the hospital!

Ksana stood silently, then grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the elevator:

“I’m not going anywhere,” she said, crying. - Nowhere! Let him live!

Ksenia gave birth to a boy. He grew up to be the best of all her children and the most beloved.

(From the book by L.S. Zaparina

"Uninvented Stories")

old man

I heard this story from the late Olympiada Ivanovna. While passing it on, she was worried, and the son in question sat next to her and nodded his head affirmatively when in some places in the story she turned to him for confirmation.

– Vanya was seven years old then. He was smart, intelligent and a big naughty guy. We lived in Moscow on Zemlyanoy Val, and Vanin’s godfather lived diagonally from us in a five-story building.

One day before evening I sent Vanyusha to his godfather to invite him to tea. Vanya ran across the road, climbed to the third floor, and since he couldn’t reach the bell at the door, he stood on the staircase railing, and just wanted to stretch out his hand to the bell, when his feet slipped and he fell into the flight of stairs.

The old doorman, sitting below, saw Vanya fall like a sack onto the cement floor.

The old man knew our family well and, seeing such a misfortune, hurried to us shouting:

- Your son was killed!

“All of us who were at home rushed to help Vanya. But when we ran to the house, we saw that he himself was slowly walking towards us.

- Vanechka, my dear, are you alive?! – I grabbed him in my arms. -Where does it hurt?

- It doesn’t hurt anywhere. I just ran to my godfather and wanted to call, but I fell down. I'm lying on the floor and can't get up. Then the old man came up to me, the one in your bedroom in the picture. He picked me up, put me on my feet, so firmly, and said: “Well, walk well, don’t fall!” So I went. But I just can’t remember why you sent me to my godfather?

After that, Vanya slept for a day and woke up completely healthy. In my bedroom there hung a large image of St. Seraphim...

(From the book by L.S. Zaparina

"Uninvented Stories")

It takes a little to scare a person. At least send him a letter without a return address.

With a slightly trembling hand, I’m not happy with myself
You open the envelope along the edge.
Expecting to read "You're Gotcha, You Bastard"
Or - “Help. I’m dying!”

This is how Jim Jarmusch's film Broken Flowers begins. A man receives a letter from an unknown woman with whom he allegedly had a relationship 20 years ago (now, old man, look through your Don Juan list from memory). And the letter says that he, it turns out, has a son who is already 19 years old. And this is not surprising, because children come from love. And I, they say, raised him myself, like an independent woman. She raised him, but now he has left to look for his father. That is you. That's it. Ciao. Whether he wants to kill you or hug you, I don’t know. Then think for yourself.

24 Feb 17

This topic first came up in a conversation with a friend who knew German perfectly. She earned even a little bread by translating from this language and using it. Somehow the conversation touched upon such a concept as “conscience.” I ask: “What is the German word for conscience?” And she suddenly found it difficult to answer. The German conscience never came to mind that day. And a day later we met again, and my friend joyfully blurted out: “Gewissen!” The German word for conscience is "Gewissen". But it was not only and not so much a matter of “conscience.” The point was that, as I first understood then, people who are fluent in foreign languages ​​may not be fluent in vocabulary related to morality and spiritual life. “I dance”, “we dance” - I know. “I pray”, “we pray” - I don’t know.

This thesis was later confirmed many times in conversations with other people. The girl, her son’s classmate, spent several years in France. He babbles in French better than the teacher. I ask her: “How do you say “conscience” in French?” Silent. “What about “shame”? What about “mercy”? He is also silent. “How much does it cost?”, “how to get there?”, “what time is it?” - knows everything. But he cannot say the phrase “I offended my mother, and now I am ashamed.” There is no vocabulary. And these are not private flaws in the education of individual individuals. This is an erroneous principle embedded in our education, in this case philological.