The book contains the fundamental work of St. Ignatius Brianchaninov, "An Offering to Modern Monasticism," which enjoys great authority among both monastics and laity. This is a favorite edifying reading for all who acquire the grace of the Holy Spirit and give themselves for the benefit of their neighbor.

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COMPLETE WORKS of St. Ignatius Brianchaninov. Volume 5. "Pilgrim" Moscow 2003 ISBN 5–87468–224–4 With the blessing of Archbishop of Ternopil and Kremenets SERGIUS Drafting and general editing A. N. Strizhev

St. Ignatius Brianchaninov

An Offering to Modern Monasticism

Preface

Approaching the end of my earthly pilgrimage, I considered it my duty to make a spiritual testament for the spiritual blessings with which the right hand of my God had bestowed upon me. I call a soul-saving word a testament: the executors of this word come into possession of spiritual blessings. I offer this testament as a gift to my beloved fathers and brethren, modern monks. Spiritual good, which embraces and combines other blessings, I call monasticism, to which I have been called since childhood by a wondrous vocation and ineffable mercy. It was not granted to me to sacrifice my life to vanity and corruption! I am taken, caught up from the broad path that leads to eternal death, and placed on the narrow and sorrowful path that leads to life. The narrow path has the deepest meaning: it rises from the earth, leads out of the darkness of vanity, raises to heaven, raises to paradise, leads to God, places before His face in the ever-setting light for eternal bliss. In order to make the will as satisfactory as possible, it was necessary to set it out in a book. The book contains rules for the outward behavior of monks and advice to them about spiritual podvig, or work.

With all fairness I can call this work my mysterious confession. I ask you to accept confession with attention and Christian condescension! she is worthy of both. The teaching I offer is fully borrowed from the holy teaching of the Holy Fathers of the Orthodox Church, both theoretically and empirically acquainted with the teaching of the Gospel, who have assimilated this teaching to themselves.

The shocks I experienced were shocks that were bitter, and heavy, and cruel, and stubborn, painfully prolonged. Shocks in the external situation, to the judgment of my conscience, mean nothing in comparison with the shocks to which the soul was subjected. Fierce are the waves of the sea of life; darkness and mist reign over it; storms are constantly raised on it by fierce winds, by outcast spirits; ships are deprived of helmsmen; safe harbors have turned into whirlpools, into fatal abysses: every mountain and island has moved from its spiritual places [1], drowning seems inevitable. It would have been inevitable if the incomprehensible Providence of God and equally incomprehensible mercy had not saved His chosen ones. My soul is much straying, [2] not finding a faithful refuge either outside or within itself. Charcoal in the timenia of the depths, and the absence of constancy — the right and firm mood of the soul, unshaken in virtue — I have come to the depths of the sea, and the storm drowns me. Thou hast labored, and my throat is silent: my eyes have vanished, and I have trusted in my God [3]: for the enemy hath persecuted my soul, hath humbled my life to eat in the ground: hath planted me to eat in the dark [4]. As water was poured out, and all my bones were scattered, as my strength was poor [5], the sickness of death overcame me, and the floods of iniquity crushed me; the sickness of hell has overtaken me, having preceded me with the snares of death [6]; My spirit is faint in me, my heart is troubled [7]. From this state I give my voice to the fathers and brethren, the voice of solicitous warning. Thus does a traveler who has endured terrible disasters on a difficult and long journey! His notes, the precious treasure, he passes on to those who intend to undertake such a journey, or who have already embarked on the journey, without knowing it, or having familiarized themselves with it only superficially from obsolete descriptions. Here are indicated changes, changes not in essence, but in the situation that has a significant influence on the essence; Here it is indicated how the writings of the ancients should be used and applied to modern times, avoiding the false position with its consequences into which anyone who does not understand and does not notice the need for application is placed. St. John of the Ladder says that some, passing through marshy places, got bogged down in mud and, covered with it, told about how it happened to them to others who passed there, for their salvation. For the salvation of his neighbors, the Almighty also delivered from the swamp those who, having fallen into it, warned their neighbors against falling into it [8]. Do the right of the course to thy feet, and straighten thy ways: turn not away from the right hand or the thuja: turn thy foot away from the way of evil. For the Lord is the right hand, but corrupt is the essence that is the same: Thy currents shall make the same righteousness, and thy walks in the world shall hasten [9]. Amen.

Bishop Ignatius

Rules of Outward Conduct for Novice Monks

Introduction