Like the previous publishers, the editors of this book considered it expedient to preserve as much as possible the living style of the Monk Macarius. The orthography as a whole is close to the present day, excluding words with the prefix "without", the spelling of proper names and some other cases that give us an idea of the living language of the elder. Quotations from the Holy Scriptures in the letters of the Monk Elder Macarius are not brought into conformity with the Scriptures, but are given in the exposition of the Elder. We also tried to preserve the author's punctuation, even in cases that do not correspond to modern rules, since this serves a better understanding of the teachings of the venerable elder.

Taking into account the peculiarities of this edition, some of the compiler's explanations are given in angle brackets. To improve the perception of the text by the modern reader, some abbreviations are revealed.

In some volumes of the Collected Letters of Elder Macarius of 1862-1863, to which reference is given in the text, the numbering of letters is broken (in particular, in volumes 4 and 5). In this edition, they are given in accordance with the correct numbering.

And

Abraham

Abraham. to him who offers his son as a sacrifice to God, parents are likened to those who release their children into monasticism

You know when God demanded of the patriarch Abraham to sacrifice his only-begotten son, and he did not hesitate in the least to fulfill it; For this he received a great reward, both here and in the life to come, and was called the Father of believers. You, though you have offered not an only-begotten, but a beloved son to serve Him, you will not be deprived of God's recompense (I, 136, 282-283).

hell

Storm and confusion in the soul - the state of hell

God has commanded us peace and love, but the enemy instills enmity, suspicion and confusion... where there is God's work, there is peace and tranquility, and where there is the enemy, there are pledges and instigations; and after receiving them, what happens in the soul? What storm and confusion? It's just hell! (IV, 40, 84—85).

Angels

In your letter... You describe your position and disposition to go to a monastery... Your father, seeing your inclination to the world, is afraid to allow you to enter this field, and says that you must be an angel to live in a monastery, and sees the opposite in them... We cannot be angels, but, being aware of our weaknesses, we can have humble wisdom, considering ourselves worse than all creation, and this is our duty and podvig (I, 132, 273-274).

B

VIGIL