And this doesn't bother anyone, for food neither brings us closer to God nor distances us. I can't solve your problem, for I didn't bless your wisdom, and it's not for me to resolve your confusion. Our parish priest taught me a lesson for life in my early youth: some pious people were holding a memorial for my mother and got the date wrong: they prepared a non-fasting meal on Friday. I was six years old, and like you now, I avoided eating at all costs until one of the grandmothers remembered it was Friday and announced the reason for my behaviour to the whole house. So our priest spoke to me the next day and taught me what it means to desire mercy, not sacrifice. And our priest was a man of God and knew how to love God and people. May the Lord give you wisdom! Thank you! But imagine my surprise and disappointment when I saw that you listed my name with yours and Victor Hugo's as co-authors, mentioning this in your preface. Dear L. A., I'm not a writer or an artist, I'm a priest, and I believe that everyone should do their part before God. I categorically refuse any participation in your work. To bless someone's work at their request and to pray for them is my duty as a shepherd, but everything else is the individual's choice and their sole responsibility before God and men. Your desire to hide behind the name of an "eminent father" smacks very much of rascality. Forgive the expression. But otherwise, I can't understand why you needed this advertising and reference to an authority that is not such. I am returning your book with deep sorrow and regret that people are losing the concept and taste for spiritual communication, replacing everything with advertising, rumble and noise that has nothing to do with the spiritual. Z., Z.! After all, you're doing the enemy's deeds. Don't destroy yourself and those who turn to you out of ignorance of the truth. Refuse once and for all, and no matter what temptations the enemy throws at you, stand firm and don't undertake the witchcraft healing. Your soul will perish. And don't disturb your sister either, and don't drive her from the saving cross. If her husband leaves her of his own free will, let him go, but she should neither drive him away, nor should she leave him. Z., earthly life is short, but think about what we'll come out of it with and where we'll end up! Letters of Archimandrite John Krestiankin |