A letter.
Dear in the Lord Father John! I was prompted to disturb you this time by a request from E., the church warden of the settlement. I already wrote to you about the young priest, Father I., who is following his own path, incredibly complex and confusing. We are all in the Providence and will of the Lord. E. helps him as much as possible. In our area, there are cases when people come to the church to print unbaptized deceased. Then, sometimes, the priest performs the Sacrament of Baptism posthumously. I heard that those already buried were baptized. And then they were printed. I don't think much of it. Perhaps that's wrong. E. thinks so too. There's no one to ask. E. doesn't want to bypass Father I. and put him at risk and is trying to protect him from any possible missteps.
She didn't dare approach you without a blessing and asked me to do it. I think baptizing a deceased adult who didn't show good will in this matter at the time is a kind of coercive act, even though it seems good. And what about children? But these are my own thoughts. Forgive me, Lord! I would like to answer E. based on your instructions. Forgive me for disturbing you. I bow deeply to you, your blessed monastery, all its inhabitants, and the very land on which the monastery stands.
May the Lord protect you!T. and V.
The answer.
T.! What you write about the baptism of the dead is blasphemy and sacrilege! To avoid you and E. becoming accomplices to this terrible deed, be sure and immediately inform your ruling bishop of this. The rest will be his business. Silence is absolutely unacceptable. Nechaev's book "Practical Guide for Clergy," published in 1915, states: "Those baptized incorrectly or who died without baptism at all should not be commemorated or buried according to Christian rites."
And I pray for you and Fr. V. and remember you!
May the Lord be with you!
Dear in the Lord R. G.! Your request cannot be fulfilled�the birth of children for God and the Church occurs in the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, and praying for someone who was not born of water and the Spirit in their lifetime is futile and sinful.
Therefore, give alms to those in need on your spouse's behalf, and limit yourself to that, but dare not to give notes for him in church and do not ask for prayers for him from others, lest you or others become the playthings of demons.
May the Lord grant you wisdom!Letters of Archimandrite John Krestiankin |