And now you, all those who are called to be partakers of heaven and Orthodoxy, who look to the one God and wish to adorn your souls with all kinds of virtues, stretch out your hands like golden pillars, and with deep joy receive this book into your holy embrace, as the sacred beginnings and light of the law. And when you read it, and reread it, and pluck the ripe fruits of spiritual benefit, do not refuse, I beg you, – pray to the Lord for the one by whose means these fruits were grown, and, of course, for the one who gave them to drink with his work. After all, in this you can show your desire to be grateful. And then, if you love the Fathers of this book (for the Lord also pleased to love them) and ask them questions every day, you will arrange your life according to their elderly and divinely wise advice, as according to a certain measure, according to the commandment: "Ask your father, and he will tell you your elders, and they will tell you" (Deuteronomy 32:10). 7). And by arranging your life in this way, you will become workers of moral virtues. And in your labors on these virtues, glorify "our Father who is in heaven, with His only-begotten Son and His life-giving Spirit, the one God of all. To Him is due all glory, honor and worship forever and ever. Amen."

CHAPTER 1. That you should never despair, even if you have sinned greatly, but hope for salvation through repentance

1. From St. Palladius (about John of Lycus)

The Monk John of Lycus (more about him in another chapter), concerning the avoidance of conversation with women, told us the following: "There was a certain youth in the city, who sinned much and grievously. But by the mania of God he was contrite for the multitude of his sins. Then he went to the cemetery and locked himself in one of the tombs. There, prostrated on the ground, emitting heavy groans from the depths of his heart, he mourned his former life.

Thus a week passed, and in the night those demons appeared to him who had previously harmed him so much.

"Where is this profligate," they cried, "where is he who has lived a lot of debauchery, and now has suddenly become so clean and good! As he was good for nothing, he remembered Christianity and abstinence! What good can he expect - he is so mired in our vices!

"Why don't you get up from the floor," they went on, "don't you go with us on your usual business?" Prostitutes and taverns are waiting for you — can't you go, you won't quench your passions? For you, all hopes are already behind, and if you harass yourself like this, then the verdict is not far off! And why are you, poor fellow, in such a hurry to be punished? Why are you so anxious to get to the trial as soon as possible? You have tried everything that is lawless, for all this you are in our power, and you still dare to escape? Why are you silent? Or do you disagree? So will you come with us or not?"

But the young man continued to cry, did not answer them, and did not even listen. Then the demons, having obtained nothing from him, seized him and began to torture him severely. Having tormented his whole body with tortures, they threw him half-dead and left. And the young man remained motionless as before, shedding tears in unfailing repentance.

Meanwhile, his relatives began to look for him and found him. When they found out what had happened to him, they insisted on carrying him into the house. However, the young man did not agree. The next night the demons came again and subjected him to tortures even more terrible. But when his relatives came again, he did not allow himself to be carried away from there.

"It is better to die than to fall into the same filth again," he said to them.

On the third night, the demons tortured him so mercilessly that he barely survived.

When the demons saw that he did not give up, they retreated with a cry:

"You won, you won, you won!"