…Pray unceasingly and confess purely, and partake with fear and trembling, with love and reverence and fervent and unwavering faith, of the all-holy Body and Blood of the Lord. Read attentively the lives of the Saints and their holy writings.
Guard your tongue and your
hearing—the former, that it does not speak; the latter, that it does not hear—that
which God turns away from, hates, and forbids. Let your bearing, your gait, and
your clothing be modest. Refrain from the satanic spectacles of theaters,
dances, and songs.
Let your eye be calm, pure, and
humble; your lips pure; your hands blameless; your heart compassionate; your
thoughts pure; your manner noble; and your soul good and peaceful. Speak the
truth, turn away from falsehood, love and care for her that bore you; adorn yourself
with modesty and virginity and every good deed and word. Do not believe deceitful
promises. Do not maintain correspondence with persons who promise you many good
things but fulfill nothing, lest your sorrow increase and you greatly harm yourself.
Hearken, my beloved child, to him
who loves you in the Lord as his own member, and guard as the apple of my eye
my counsels; and I promise you that through them you shall find peace and great
benefit, and in the end, you shall partake of eternal life, joy, and the
kingdom.
I desire to learn from your hand about
your health and condition. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve you,
guide you, strengthen you, and illumine you, that you may do His holy will and
be delivered always from the snares of the deceitful dragon. Amen.
He who prays for you, blesses,
loves, and salutes you from his soul,
the humble and least Spiritual
Father,
- Hieronymos, Hieromonk, formerly
of the Holy Monastery of Saint Paul [on Mount Athos]
Translated from the original Greek.
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