The ascetics are laymen. T. 1

One day he was sitting and whispering something to himself. He was asked: "What are you saying about yourself?" to which he vaguely answered: "What am I saying... That's what I'm saying." From time to time he raised his head a little, sighed deeply and said loudly: "Lord, have mercy!"

Konstantin was laconic. It seemed that he did not follow what was happening around him and lived in his own world, but suddenly he gave some advice to his loved ones, which they always listened to, as they respected his opinion very much. Whatever he did, he always did with prayer. Often, relatives out of love and respect did not interfere with his conversations, but came just to look at him. Everyone who was next to him felt boundless joy and peace.

He was rarely strict, and only in spiritual matters. One day he met a sick fellow villager who brutally beat animals. Konstantin made a remark to him. Upon returning home, he said:

"That's why God gave him this injury. If he had been completely healthy, he could have done a great evil.

Sometimes he was adamant. He was only interested in what was pleasing to God, and he answered directly and clearly. For example, he could say: "Don't let her into the house anymore, she's a bad woman." His word was law for everyone.

For the first three days of Great Lent, he kept a strict fast. About some of the women he knew, who locked themselves at home and ate nothing these days, he said: "It would be better for them to watch what they say than to keep a strict three-day fast."

When a priest from Mount Athos came to the village, Constantine immediately hurried to confession and then sent all his relatives to the spiritual father. In the church, he stood on the stasidia, which was located next to the side entrance to the altar, and did not sit down for most of the service. He stood at attention when they sang "It is truly meet," and at the end of the prayer he made three prostrations. His daughter-in-law noticed this and asked:

"And we should do that?"

- Yes, just as we always stand up when the Anthem of our Motherland is played, so we must stand before our Mother of God.

Константин имел большое почтение к священническому сану и был очень чуток к церковным проблемам. Он очень радовался за сына, который стал церковным старостой.

Во время беседы он обычно улыбался своей доброй улыбкой, а смеялся редко. Он был кротким и очень простым. Не был суетливым. Ходил он бесшумно и незаметно. Одевался опрятно и просто. Однажды фотографу дали для увеличения фотографию Константина, и тот без спроса добавил ему галстук. Когда он это увидел, то забеспокоился и сказал: «Уберите его, чтоб я его не видел. Зачем он мне надел этот недоуздок?» Часто, прося полотенце, он говорил: «Дайте мне эту дерюгу». Даже новые и красивые полотенца с вышивкой он так называл. Его невестка спросила: «Почему ты не говоришь «полотенце» ?» Константин многозначительно улыбался и повторял: «Э! Да, дерюга это, дерюга». Только когда он почил, они поняли, что по духовным причинам он относился так к красивым вещам и одежде.

В комнате у него был иконостас, икона Святителя Николая и подвесная лампада. На металлической кровати было тонкое покрывало и твёрдая, как дерево, подушка. Зимой он накрывался чёрным ворсистым одеялом. Дети оказались бессильны поменять что–либо в его быте.

- Почему подушка такая твёрдая ?

- Э! Гак нужно.