Prep. Anthony of Optina

LETTERS

Preface to the Letters of St. Anthony, Elder of Optina

Content

* 1 Preface

* 2 Letters

o 2.1 1. Thank God for everything

o 2.2 2. Peace and love in the home are the joy of the Angels, but the enemy is a sharp knife

o 2.3 3. Both joys and sorrows are allowed to us by the Lord

o 2.4 4. Without the will of God, nothing is done; The Lord tests us in order to make us worthy of Himself

o 2.5 5. May we lay our sorrows on the Lord, and may we humbly bear our cross

o 2.6 6. Gathering heavenly treasures is immeasurably more difficult than earthly treasures

o 2.7 7. We learn humility and meekness no less difficult than we once learned to read and write

o 2.8 8. The Holy Spirit gives us all that is good

o 2.9 9. On the Harm of Despondency and the Benefits of Repentance

o 2.10 10. Remain calm and rely on the Lord in all things

o 2.11 11. On the causes of our sorrows and how to behave in sorrow

o 2.12 12. On the occasion of the Day of the Angel – on the changeability of the earthly lot

o 2.13 13. Lessons on Namesday

o 2.14 14. The main thing is not the fear of people's rumors, but the fear of God

o 2.15 15. Irritation and idle pastime are among the worst vices of our

o 2.16 16. There is nothing better than the truth

o 2.17 17. Each person is the image of God, therefore one must choose a reading that is beneficial to the soul

o 2.18 18. Anger and impatience are what you need to get rid of as soon as possible

o 2.19 19. Whoever thinks about himself thinks the same about his neighbors

o 2.20 20. And one word is of great value

o 2.21 21. Both sorrow and joy — let us entrust everything to the Lord, we thank Him for everything

o 2.22 22. You can be a righteous man everywhere

o 2.23 23. Soul-Beneficial Reading Is Imperishable Food

o 2.24 24. About Current Generation Insurance

o 2.25 25. Each person judges others by himself

o 2.26 26. Simplicity is better than ornate

o 2.27 27. On Two Books: One Grace-Filled, the Second Unrighteous

o 2.28 28. Let us be merciful and lenient to those who offend us

o 2.29 29. The Mother of God is our intercessor and refuge

o 2.30 30. There is no need to worry about many years – you need to think about how to live this day with dignity