On the gift of discernment Dear in the Lord L.!    A true elder and Orthodox bishop, Saint Theophane the Recluse of Vysha, will answer all your perplexities, questions, and misconceptions and guide you through life. I can't give you any other advice. Saint Theophane's teachings are crystal clear, and they stem from his heartfelt love for people—the children of God—and everything is true, holy, and impeccably canonical. He will help you more than anyone else at this stage. I'm too old to be a guide and already frail, but I won't refuse with prayers for you. I was consoled by your letter, which tells me that God's mercy has not deprived you of the gift of discernment, and this will help you on the path to salvation—I'm speaking to you about your reflection on family.
   Take care of your family—it is God's blessing to you and may it bring you salvation. Not just one, no, but, behold, I and the children whom the Lord hath given you.
   And there will be many children, for it is not for nothing that you are a pedagogue. The time will come, the fog will clear, the misconceptions will dissipate, the mistakes will be corrected, and you will have something to say to the children from your own bitter experience and from a tormented soul that has come to know the incomprehensible love of the Creator for His creation.
   May the Lord protect you, give you wisdom, and help you!

Letters of Archimandrite John Krestiankin

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