When working on the text, the noticed typos were corrected, and spelling and punctuation were as close as possible to the modern norm. Roman numerals indicate footnotes relating to the 1911 edition; Arabic numerals indicate footnotes relating to this edition, in which the editors cite the Russian text of obscure Slavonic quotations of the Holy Scriptures, and also explain some obsolete words and expressions.

history of Christianity, apocrypha, apologetics, Holy Fathers ru Tatyana Trushova If you found an error - write to e-mail saphyana@inbox.ru ExportToFB21 08.06.2011 OOoFBTools-2011-6-8-12-35-47-855 1.0 Creations in 2 vols. Siberian Bell Tower Moscow 2008 978–5–91362–053–8

Compositions

Conversation

Conversation 1. On Fasting 1st

It is said: "Sound the trumpet on the new moon, on the glorious day of your feast" (Psalm 80:4). This command is prophetic. But more clearly than any trumpet and any musical instrument, what is read on the feast that preceded these days indicates to us more distinctly; for from Isaiah, who rejected the Jewish form of fasting, and showed us the true fast, we learned the elegance [1] of fasting. Do not fast in judgment and cooking, but loose every bond of unrighteousness (Isaiah 58:4, 6). And the Lord says: "Do not mourn, but wash your face, and anoint your head" (cf. Matt. 6:16, 17). Therefore, let us behave as we have been taught, not lamenting in the coming days, but meeting them brightly, as befits saints. Despondent, no one is married; Being troubled in spirit, no one gains victory. Do not complain when you are being treated. It is incongruous not to rejoice in the health of the soul, but to grieve over the change of food, and to show in fact that we are more inclined to the pleasure of the womb than to the care of the soul; for gluttony pleases one belly, and fasting benefits the soul. Rejoice that the Physician has given you the medicine that destroys sin. Just as worms that originate in the entrails of children are destroyed by some of the sharpest medicines, so sin living in the depths of the soul is killed in it by taking such a fast that is truly worthy of this name.

Anoint thy head, and wash thy face. The word calls you to the sacraments. Whoever anoints himself is anointed; he who washes himself is washed. Apply the law to the inner members. Wash your soul from sins. Anoint your head with holy anointing, so that you may become a partaker of Christ, and so approach the fast.

Do not darken your face, as hypocrites (Matt. 6:16). The face is darkened when the inner disposition is obscured by an external pretended mask, covered by falsehood as by a veil. He is a hypocrite who takes on someone else's face in a spectacle; being a slave, he often represents the face of his master, and being a commoner, the face of a king. In like manner, in this world, many act as in disgrace [2] of their own lives, carrying some things in their hearts, and others exposing to people. Therefore, do not darken your face. As you are in yourself, so you seem. Do not pretend to complain, seizing for yourself the glory that you are abstinent. There is no use in charity, which is trumpeted; nor is there any benefit from fasting, which is divulged to everyone. That which is done for show does not bear fruit that will be observed until the age to come, but is limited to the praise of men. Therefore, with a bright face, flow to the gift of fasting.

Fasting is an ancient gift, not decaying, not aging, but constantly renewed and blossoming in all its beauty. Do you think that I count its antiquity from the time of the origin of the law? Fasting is older than the law. If you wait a little, you will be convinced of the truth of what has been said. Do not think that the day of atonement, established for Israel in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month (Lev. 16:29), is the beginning of the fast. Delving into history and looking for the antiquity of its origin. Fasting is not a new invention, but a treasure of the fathers. Everything that is distinguished by antiquity is venerable. Respect the gray hair of fasting. It is contemporary with humanity. Fasting is legalized in paradise. Adam accepted this first commandment: "From the tree, if you understand good and evil, you shall not take away [3] (Gen. 2:17). And this, "Do not bear it," is the lawfulness of fasting and abstinence. If Eve had fasted and had not eaten from the tree, then we would not have had need of this fast now. For they do not require the health of a physician, but those who are sick (Matt. 9:12). We are damaged by sin — we will be healed by repentance; and repentance without fasting is not effective. Cursed is the earth: thorns and thistles shall grow for thee (Gen. 3:17, 18). It is commanded to be contrite in spirit, and not to indulge in luxury. By fasting be justified before God.

But the very sojourn in paradise is an image of fasting, not only because man, leading a life equal to the angels, succeeded in being content with little, but also because those who lived in paradise did not think of what was later invented by human invention [4]: neither the use of wine, nor the slaughter of animals, nor everything that makes the human mind clouded.

Since we have not fasted, we have been cast out of paradise. Therefore, let us fast in order to ascend to paradise again. Do you not see how Lazarus ascended to paradise through fasting?

Do not imitate Eve's disobedience, do not again accept as a counselor the serpent who offers food, pleasing the flesh. Do not refer to the infirmities and infirmities of the body. You do not present these pretexts to me, but to Him who comes. Tell me: you cannot fast, but you can be satiated and oppress your body with the burden of what you eat? And for the sick, as far as I know, doctors prescribe not a variety of food, but non-eating and malnutrition.

And if it has a proportionate load of goods, then it comfortably walks on the waves, and nothing prevents it from keeping high above the water. In the same way, human bodies, burdened with constant satiety, are conveniently swallowed up by infirmities; and if moderate and light food is consumed, then they avoid the evil consequences expected from illness, like the rebellion of a storm, and the attacks that have already begun are reflected from themselves like a gust of whirlwind. Consequently, in your opinion, it is more difficult not to move than to flee, and it is more difficult to remain in peace than to fight, if you assert that it is more proper for the sick to live luxuriously than to take moderate food. The vital force easily digests moderate and simple food, and transforms it into the flesh of the nourished; and having taken expensive and varied foods, and then being unable to digest them completely, produces various kinds of diseases.