The article was published in the journal "Orthodox Conversation" No 4, 1998.

1

 Here and further in parentheses are indicated: the first digit is the volume, the second is a page of the Works of Bishop Ignatius (Brianchaninov) according to the edition: St. Petersburg, 1905.

2

 Prep. Symeon the New Theologian. On the Purpose of Christian Life. 1980, №3. P. 67.

3

 Prep. Maximus the Confessor. Illness. Book 2. Questions and answers to Thalassius. Question 42. "Martis". 1993. P.111.

4

 Prep. Symeon the New Theologian. Words. Moscow, 1892. The second word. P. 30.

5

 On the Purpose of the Christian Life. Sergiev Posad, 1914. P. 41.

6

 Cm. Priest. Pavel Florensky. Consecration of Reality// Theological Works. №17. Moscow, 1977. Pp. 148-152.

7

 The Monk Macarius of Egypt says: "Christians have their own world, their own way of life, and their mind, and their word, and their own activity. Such are the way of life, and the mind, and the word, and the activity of the people of this world. Christians are another, and peace-loving people are another. The distance between the two is great" (St. Macarius of Egypt, Spiritual Conversations, Epistles and Words, Holy Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, 1904, Conversation 5, p. 40).

8

 Prep. St. Symeon the New Theologian writes: "His name is unknown to us, except the name 'He Who Is,' the ineffable God, as He said (Ex. 3, 14)" (Simeon the New Theologian, St. Divine Hymns, Sergiev Posad, 1917, p. 272).

9