Difference between True and False Compunction

Saints Barsanuphius the Great and John the Prophet. "Letters".

 

St Barsanuphius the Great (6th cent.)

LETTER 394

Question from the same [brother] to the same Old Man: “Often the memory of godly fear comes to me, and immediately I remember the judgment and am touched by compunction. How, then, should I receive such a memory?”

Response.

At whatever time such a memory comes to you, namely, compunction over what you have done wrong either in knowledge or in ignorance, be careful lest this occurs to you through the action of the devil unto greater condemnation. And if you say: “Then, how do I distinguish genuine compunction from the one caused by the devil?” listen. Whenever such a memory comes to you and you strive to show correction in your deeds, this is genuine compunction, through which sins are forgiven. If, however, you see that you are touched by compunction after this memory, and yet you still fall into the same sins or even worse ones, then you should know that this memory comes from the enemy, who suggests this memory to you only in order to condemn your soul. Therefore, behold, the two ways are clear for you. If you want to fear condemnation, avoid its works.

Source

Love for Enemies is a Sign of Purity of Heart

Archimandrite Raphael (Karelin)

Archimandrite Rafail (Karelin). "On the Way from Time to Eternity."

They asked Schema-Archimandrite Vitaly: “What are the signs of purity of heart?” He replied: “The first stage is seeing your sins and crying about them; the second is humility before each person and not seeing the sins of others. An even higher stage is love for enemies as for one’s friends. But purity has no end to perfection.”

Source

The Woman Began to Read Exorcism Prayers

Hegumen Daniel (Gridchenko)

Question to the priest.

October 19, 2018

Asks: Elena

City: Moscow

Question about my mother. We all (her relatives) feel that she is possessed. My worst sin is that I cannot forgive her in any way for what she has done. I have an old prayer book, in which there is an exorcism of the soul from the dark forces. I sit and say this prayer every night. But the candles crackle, smoke, and I begin to hiccup, which does not allow me to continue the prayer. What should I do? I want to save my mother's soul, but I can't. She does not want to go to the church. God bless.

Answer: Hegumen Daniel (Gridchenko)

Hello, Elena! Before you help your mom, you need to help yourself. First, forgive her, no matter how guilty she is before you. And secondly, if you don’t want to really go out of your mind, stop reading exorcism prayers, which are hardly recommended for every priest to read. Pray with ordinary prayers from an ordinary prayer book. Receive Holy Unction, confess, take communion... Try to do this regularly. And be humble in your spiritual claims. Otherwise, the enemy of the human race will simply trample you. May God enlighten you!

Source

The Dying Woman Came to Her Senses to Confess and Take Communion

Archpriest Vasily Borin (1916 - 27.12.1994)

From the biography of Archpriest Vasily Borin.

One of the parishioners of the church of the prophet Elijah was a person of deep faith. Working on a collective farm, she never stopped reading the Gospel, and when her team went to lunch break, she retired to read the Word of God. But now it's time for her to die. The Father was informed about this, but when he came to her house, it was already too late. "Did you take all the actions?" he asked the doctor. “Yes,” she replied. Then Father Vasily said: “This servant of God did not leave out the Gospel, and God will not leave her without Communion.” And, turning to the recumbent, he said: “Repent, servant of God!” And he began to list the sins. At that moment, everyone saw two tears rolling out of her closed eyes. And the priest asked: “Will you take Communion?” She opened her mouth, and the priest gave her Communion. “Yes,” said the doctor, “there is God!”, and from that time, she started to believe in the Lord.

Source

Simply Speaking without being Asked will not Always be Helpful

Bishop Alexy (Polikarpov)

From the article by Archimandrite Alexy (Polikarpov) “Confession. Answers to questions from parishioners.”

A disciple came to the elder Joseph from the Optina Monastery and talked about his weaknesses and shortcomings, and the elder listened to him and, apparently, made some comments, but nothing more. And when asked why he, knowing so much, being so experienced, did not tell him more, the elder answered: “Good must be voluntary. But what you asked me, I answered you. You've got it understood. If I just talk without your asking, it won’t always be helpful.”

Source

Woman Considered herself a Healer

Question to Hegumen Daniel (Gridchenko).

Hegumen Daniel (Gridchenko)

Question: Irina

City: Syktyvkar

Dec 21, 2020

Hello Father, after Olga Asouliak's courses, my mother-in-law considered herself a healer that "cured" people and thought that she helped them. Occasionally she gives some information that comes to her from the outside. Isn't it all sinful? Or is it some form of schizophrenia? Although she goes to church and prays.

Answer: Hegumen Daniel (Gridchenko)

Hello Irina, This is obviously a sin that is turning into "some form of schizophrenia." We assume that your mother-in-law went to Mrs. Asauliak of her own free will, in her right mind and full memory, which actually determines the sinfulness of her deed. But then, when we perceive a lie as the truth, processes begin to occur in the spiritual domain, which affect, among other things, a person's mental state. It breaks up. Not to mention the direct demonic possession, when in the course of false spiritual practices demonic suggestions are perceived as some kind of divine revelations. Your mother-in-law, unfortunately, is in great trouble – in spiritual delusion, to put it in church terms, considering that despite all her reckless experiments she still somehow manages to pray and go to church.

Source

Elder Savva about Discretion

Schema-Hegumen Savva (Ostapenko) (1898 - 27.7.1980)

From the Life of the Elder Schema-Hegumen Savva (Ostapenko). About Discretion.

Discretion is grasping the divine will at any time, at any place and during any activity.

One should not tell other people about one’s ascetic practice and prayer rule, even if it is not for the reason of vanity, lest you lose the gift you found.

Discretion is a priceless gift that enables one’s soul to resist the passions acting in accordance with the will of God and the fear of God.

There are some people, ardent but not reasonable, who want to become fully righteous at once. The words of a great Russian saint, Seraphim of Sarov, who lived not long ago, in 19^th century, and knew the way of nearly modern life, can help them: