(St. Ignatius Brianchaninov )
As they storms are beautiful on Lake Ladoga, when the sky is clear and the sun shining when the wind, blowing in gusts, moving hills wet surface wave broad and deep! Everywhere, the mirror is covered with water reliefs azure, to snowy peaks and silver. Disturbed by the storm, Lake comes alive ...
In 1846, in the first days of September, I borrowed a boat to go to Valaam Monastery Konevsky. Since the opening of the waterway, the boat liaises twice a week since Schlisserbourg, and this time until the eventful autumn storms. The ship was called just Valaam.
A wind blew chilly. White clouds in the sky ran in separate groups, like flocks of migratory birds. Offshore, the storm was great. Near the shore it was not lacking either beauty : Waves angry, irritable, threatening, constantly disagree with the winds, quarreled and threw themselves with fury on the shore, expressing intentions bold.
- Watch as the waves climbing the bank! said the old man who was with me since Konevets. Indeed, the wave climbed the bank. It was exactly that. And not just go to attack the slopes, she did not hesitate at the huge granite rock that stood vertical, above the abyss. And he, since the world began, he was there, impassive, staring storms like child's play ... The wave reached two meters, then four, and fell exhausted at the foot of the rock into fine droplets shattered crystal. And again, tenacious, she renewed her efforts always useless.
few years ago, I saw the storm on Lake Ladoga in cloudy weather. The table was losing much of its picturesqueness. The water was gray, cloudy and yellowish foam. The mist softened the force of the show. There was more movement, this diversity. In a word, life was gone ... As the sun's rays are seriously needed in this table and inspired! As the sun is beautiful, when he looks at the storm on the earth, from the sky and inaccessible!
Located in the far north of Lake Ladoga, Valaam Island is arguably the most picturesque place of ancient Finland. As you approach her, you discover a whole new landscape, no explorer could not meet on the lands of Russia. The nature is wild and dreary, attracting the eye with its beauty inspired and severe.
Here are the bare walls and towering proudly emerging from the abyss like giants on the front line, there are wooded slopes that tilt, affable, to the lake. Came to draw water, a hermit puts his bucket to admire the immensity liquid, listen to the voice of the waves, and nourish his soul some spiritual contemplation. A natural cove, hidden behind its walls of granite, offer a mirror of its pristine waters and sleepy, whereas roars off the terrible storm. This is where a boat deck of the sinking was hidden, waiting for the calm and the wind. His captain looks with indifferent curiosity raging waves that not so long ago wanted to destroy his ship with him and his property and the fate of his family ...
Soon you borrow straits sinuous walls so close that they only let a frail skiff. We go down the probe, measure the depth of the hallway a few yards. Later, the boat slips to the north in a deep bay.
navigation continues. At right, a thick forest crown the rocky cliffs, tilting the canopy of its branches on the dark waters. As the trees and stones on the water is black! As the landscape is harsh! Little small, the bay widens, giving the oval next to the imposing dimensions. Instinctively, they turn away from this extraordinary picture, which plunges the soul in fear unexpected, pleasant, endearing.
On the other hand, you suddenly discover a vast monastery, sitting his granite pedestal, like a light burden on the shoulders of giants. Formerly, a white foam covered the rock, but the monks have paid swarthy forehead of her hair white. In his youth restored, he is awesome and terrible! Linden, maples and elms grow in the interstices of this world mineral. The ivy clings to and fro. At the foot of the rock was planted an orchard. It is there, prostrate beneath the tree tops swaying rustling, restrained by their roots to rush the frail plantations. What a wonderful and amazing picture! What a joy to discover that human settlement, this piece of land watered by the sweat in the middle of this wild and powerful!
Arrived in the harbor, you're soon on the shore ... A granite staircase is built on the stiffness of the hill. The monastery stands at the summit, a vast plateau which slopes gently towards the south. To the west, side of the bay, he ends abruptly on a cliff. After climbing the plateau by the stone stairway, driveway leads you to the holy gates. The monastery buildings form two concentric rectangles. By entering the site, you are on your right the church dedicated to Sergius of Valaam wonder-workers and Germain (with their relics inside), and above it, the Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Lord. It is connected by a gallery in the church of the heated Dormition of the Mother of God. This gallery houses the sacristy. On the other side of the cathedral, south-east is the church dedicated to Saint Nicolas hierarch. On your left, vis-à-vis the churches, are the cells of the superior and some brothers. In front of you stand the mess of the community and the kitchen. Above your head on the gates of the monastery stands the church dedicated to Saint Peter and Saint Paul. Following on the left side, there is the inn, and the right side, the cell of the confessor and the vast wine cellar of the monastery.
Against the opposite wall of the chamber are located in hospital and many cells for the aged and infirm. Adjacent to the hospital there are two churches superimposed on the top floor, the church dedicated to the Most Holy Trinity, and the lower floor, the church dedicated to the Source-invigorating. To the west, along the wall facing the bay, the Chancery of the monastery extends the inn. Along the eastern wall, the monastery library alongside the cellar.
Valaam The library is rich in comparison to what is offered other monasteries. It contains a large number of volumes, mainly patristic writings on monastic life. However, it can not provide much information on the history of Valaam. Composed of books collected at the end of the last century or the beginning of this century, it lost all its old records. Indeed, everything old to Valaam was destroyed by fire or by the Swedes. It is impossible to find on the island any building that would exceed one hundred years.
The foundation of the monastery of Valaam back for sure at a very remote Russian history, as evidenced by some historical facts. We know, for example Holy Abraham, founder and first Archimandrite of the Monastery of the Epiphany in Rostov, came to Valaam in 960 while still a pagan, to be baptized and tonsured. The chronicle of St. Sophia in turn relates that in the year 6671 , 1163 after the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, they discovered the remains of our Holy Father Sergius of Valaam and Germain, and that proceeded to the translation of their relics. Another chronicler mentions the construction of a church in 1192 Valaam stone, a certain abbot Martyrios. Local tradition sees the Saints Sergius and Germain contemporary Greek monks of Princess Olga Equal-to-apostles. If we consider the determination with which the old monks were seeking more solitude, you will see nothing surprising in a monastic settlement in Valaam, even as today, the island offers everything necessary for a Such solitude.
Each time the story draws the shade the monastery of Valaam, we see that the monks lead a life tougher (they are hermits or recluses) and an abbot in charge of all. In the fourteenth century th particular, it meets in St. Arsene Konevets who goes on pilgrimage to Mount Athos before founding the monastery Konevsky.
During the second half of XV th century, Saint Alexander Svir lived in Valaam while still a young man. Formerly a member of the community, he was then confined in a cave hesychast of Holy Island. Was it natural or carved into the rock, we do not know ... The holy island of Valaam is a mountain of stone erected in the lake ending the north by a steep cliff. It is surrounded by a group of small islands that revolve around it like satellites around a planet.
During the first half of the XV th century, housed Valaam Saint Sabbatios Solovki, who went afterwards to the solitudes of the northern White Sea, the Desert Island Soloviets, until the then uninhabited. He looked over there and what Serge Germain had found time to Valaam, an Athos or an Olympus which is not too crowded, even by monks.
More than once the Valaam monastery was devastated by the Swedes, more than once the blood of martyrs watered the earth, after the sweat of prayer more than once burned the holy churches and huts of the monks burned by the hand of the enemy or by negligence. But the exceptional situation of Valaam, and its suitability for all types of monastic life, contributed to the continual renewal of its population. Nature itself has somehow sanctified to welcome the divine offices.
An ancient tradition, which seems well founded, reports that the dark era of paganism, were worshiped idols on the archipelago. But he who casts his gaze over the waters dark and deep, the thick dark forests, on the proud and mighty rocks on this show always changing and ever-picturesque feed deeply poetic inspiration, this one, comparing the splendor of Valaam in the poverty of the surrounding Finland, will not fail to say "Yes! The cruel and warlike Scandinavian absolutely must swap his hard warrior instincts against a deep bow! The soul must be absolutely complete high thinking brings religion! "
Tradition also leads to Valaam the Holy Apostle Andrew, which the story of Nestor, first traveled to Kiev to Novgorod before moving to southern Europe by sea, and find Achaia the crown of martyrdom. The Apostle borrowed the Volkhov to Lake Ladoga, Valaam and then up until he converts to Christianity idolatrous and founded the local church. With his departure, he left Serge, his companion for the lead.
What is this surprising? Their word is gone over all the earth, and their message to the ends of the world (Ps.18: 5), according to testimony given to the Apostles in the Scriptures. The apostolic work was not confined to one people, she embraced all of humanity. The solicitous care and love of the Apostles was drawn neither by education nor by the social organization, not by power but by the misery of fallen man, whether or Scythian barbarian, Jew or Greek (Col.3, 11). Why in these circumstances the Holy Apostle Andrew, would it not come from our ancestors, the Slavs and their Scandinavian neighbors? Why would he not visited this place which had attracted the popular cults, to implement the knowledge and service of the true God? Why God Himself would not He suggested that the Apostle and High Holy intent, giving the strength to do it? The wildness of the country and its lack of visibility, distance and difficulty of travel are not strong enough arguments to reject this tradition! Shortly after the apostolic times, whole armies used these roads: an Apostle led by God's right hand and fervor he could not borrow too? Tradition is neither dark nor questionable, it is safe and history.
The monastic life and Orthodox Christian faith flourished much earlier and more intensely in Valaam a traveler could not understand at first glance the scene or during a visit superficial. We must look carefully, sacrificing time, listen to stories of monks and inhabitants of the shores, if we want to find information worthy of lying on the tables of history, to educate our contemporaries worthy, worthy remain in the memory of posterity. Monastic life as it developed in the island spilled over the lake on the opposite bank where Serdobol today. That shore was once founded by twelve sketes monks of the monastery and placed under the spiritual guidance of the abbot of Valaam. Orthodox churches were on the shore of the lake to Kexholm. The Karelian said bank were Orthodox, as are today the Karelian opposite shore, which depend on the government Olonets. Each other and speak the same language a few details that do not prevent understanding. Their faith was common.
Unfortunately, at one time, the Finnish determined him to Luther's teaching. Where were the Orthodox churches, where they celebrated the Orthodox divine services, where the Divine Liturgy united heaven and earth, now stand in the Lutheran churches where the sounds thin and cold preaching pastors. By submitting to the people and their superficial view of scientific Redeemer and His teaching, they utter a sort of eulogy for the living and true faith of the Church lost by these men and places. However, there are still living witnesses: whole villages, thousands of Finnish confess to this day the Orthodox faith. They listen to the divine services in Slavonic language, sung in our church books, we celebrated by priests who do not pronounce the sermons in their native language, Finnish. We understand that in these circumstances it was not difficult for the Swedes to introduce the faith of Luther. Beliefs were so naive ... It was enough to hunt or kill the Russian priests to replace them by able ministers, who made over time forget this treasure incompletely assimilated.
May these details be beneficial to many! I hardly know some Finnish Orthodoxy is alive, it is not recent settlement, but she survives long as the remnant of a once widely established Christianity in the place of paganism. Many Finnish Baltic coast guard still unconscious love for the Church of their ancestors, they were torn by violence and deception. They wish to regain her lap beneficial, but no voice calls, and the temple of Luther continues to attract violence.
It seems that the Valaam Monastery has long played the role of the heart in what this great body of Finland. The religious life of the country, irrigated by the monastery flourished and faded in accordance with the strength he had communicated.
the early seventeenth th century, the army chief of La Gardie Swedish Pontus, who had already done so much harm to Russia, the ruined monastery of Valaam, the churches gave to the flames and cells, and the monks went to the sword. However, some managed to escape with the relics of the holy founders. The coastline Finland suffered the same fate. Orthodox churches were burned, the clergy killed or driven out. Lutheranism was preached by people who breathed the fanaticism of an authentic brand new, ready to be washed in the blood of the Thirty Years War.
It is interesting to note that the islands retain the Finnish Orthodox faith are not located on the shores of Lake Ladoga (the path of the invaders) but behind the mountains and the deep swamps of Finland. That's where we ran away to escape the gaze of the Protestants. Many were also passed in the Finnish Russian keep their faith: their descendants are found today in the governments of Orthodox Novgorod and Tver.
When Providence used the armies of Peter the Great to chastise the Swedes, Russia came as allies to become traitors, the Valaam Monastery in Karelia and all came back under the protection of the Russian Empire, having been orphaned under foreign rule for nearly a hundred years. After 1717, monks of the monastery of St. Cyril of White Lake responded to the call of the sovereign raised him and the ruins of the ancient Valaam. Again, we built a temple of God and cells. During the reign of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna, the wooden buildings were destroyed by fire. The Empress restored the monastery with state funds. New buildings, like the old, were wooden. I saw an engraving of the monastery at the time. I like it very much. It seems to me that the wooden buildings are perfect for a desert as Valaam. The log cabins monks soften the look by their humility. They agree quite monastic lifestyle. They retain health endangered by the humid climate, the cutting winds, the meager food asceticism, spiritual disposition which exhausts the flesh. I understand that building a cathedral in stone on two floors comprising a heated and a cold church, and a speaker against the winds. But the cells surrounding the church are wooden, and quite distant from each other to prevent fires! Such an arrangement around the church is beautiful! Besides its convenience, it clearly shows what the sole purpose to serve God. The monks know indeed pilgrims on earth. Having God as a necessity, they pitch their tents around His tabernacle. This is the arrangement adopted Glinskaïa Poustin 'to Belobrejskaïa, and Optino.
The restoration of Valaam was slow at the beginning and enjoyed little success. Places long remained sparsely inhabited. Lovers alone stood aloof, and monks who undertook the work were not sufficiently experienced in the monastic life. Solitude is certainly one of the fundamental conditions of spiritual well-being and morale of a monastery, but it is not sufficient. A community needs in addition to a good spiritual direction. Without it, all profits qu'apportent solitude are destroyed. One can even say that a good spiritual direction can replace loneliness. This is the case of monasteries located in major cities. There have been examples of the monasteries of Constantinople and its environs, which once produced the Fathers so famous for their spiritual gifts they had nothing to envy from the Desert Fathers.
is Msgr. Gabriel, Metropolitan of St. Petersburg, who wisely observed this fundamental need of the Valaam Monastery. To do this, he brought to Sarov in 1785 the elder Nazaire, became famous for his knowledge and spiritual experience. It gave him the dignity of abbot of the monastery of Valaam. In addition, Metropolitan took the holy monastery under his protection, helped him physically, and obtained for him in favor of governmental arrangements. The monastery was not slow to take shape and grow, welcoming those who had already spoken of monastic vows, or were about to do. A community organized themselves and a hermitage. There were hermits and hermits. Abbot Nazaire had his own cell of a hermit. He retired there sometimes for weeks to observe his inner man and could thus, with its experience, instructing his subordinates and guide them through the amendment of manners and evangelical success. Father Nazaire had been tonsured in high desert of Sarov, where he was nourished spiritually. He tried to make a replica of Valaam Sarov. The buildings are all stone Sarov, he built on Valaam stone buildings. The inner rectangle date of his era, outside its successors. The largesse of the Emperors Paul and Alexander Petrovich Pavlovich assured equipment. Valaam Monastery is ranked first category, it is headed by an abbot elected by the community and confirmed by the Metropolitan of St. Petersburg.
In his monastic organization, Valaam is a replica of the early church alive. It houses all types of monks are listed in the Orthodox Church, monks, people of hermitage, and hermits hermits. The main monastery we discussed include the community itself. The monks who live there are involved in common Divine Service and meals, they wear the same clothes, working to specific faiths or common.
enumerate these various persuasions. The first is the abbot elected by the community and confirmed by the diocesan bishop. It is not there a direction of this world! It is a burden that is light and very painful. The shoulders of the Abbot are the weaknesses of the entire community. What force must have those shoulders! What forgetfulness of self must there be in this man whose selfishness might be the letter sharp injures or kills his entourage!
The second is that obedience to substitute for the abbot. He is elected by the Abbot attended the community council and confirmed by the diocesan bishop. It is the right arm of the abbot in all tasks of the monastery.
The third is that of obedience treasurer who has authority over the finances of the monastery. Obedience is the fourth management clothing. Then come the confessors who alone are empowered to confess to a community member or visitor. All the monks that have just mentioned are confirmed in their task by the diocesan bishop and form with the abbot of the monastery board, or the fraternity seniors. They participate in the deliberations of the most important, those within the discretion of the diocesan authority.
followed in the series of allegiances, the tour of liturgical celebrations, made by all and hieromonks hierodeacon except the second and treasurer. We choose the servants of the altar among the monks and novices who lead the lives of the purest and most humble. Those who have skills to read in church or sing in choir are nominated. Some hieromonks or hierodeacon also participate in choir when they are not required for the celebration of the offices. The simple monks and novices are appointed to other faiths. Include these other faiths as much as possible to inform the reader about the organization of the monastery. Some brothers confectionnent vestments and clothing of the community. Others do shoes, work in the kitchen or bakery, for the manufacture of prosphora or refectory. Others involved in carpentry, blacksmith or locksmith, other fishing, gardens, vegetable garden and fields. Some do laundry.
Some of these denominations are performed by one brother, others by several. For example, we find at the library, pharmacy and the cellar one less experienced. In the kitchen, laundry, storage of clothing and other similar tasks, there are several brothers, one is called master and other aid . Some denominations are classified as general as wood preparation, harvesting, threshing Wheat planting, watering and picking vegetables. It employs these persuasions brothers unfit to other faiths that require special skills.
As a candidate for monasticism appears we studied his character, his conduct and habits. If he proves capable of a particular allegiance, it is placed in range of aid and, after many years of trial, he was given the task that corresponds to his knowledge and abilities.
whole community (and especially beginners) is in close and frequent contact with the confessors. It is through these relationships that the monastic spirit is rooted in young people. For the monks confirmed, we add a careful reading of the writings of the Fathers and the constant presence in divine services. The library lends books with the permission of the abbot, depending on the internal state of each. The brothers held allegiances to attend divine service on feast days. On weekdays, they come to matins they listen to the hexapsalme, after which they go about their work. After dinner, they contribute to the common rule of evening prayers.
the divine offices are celebrated according to the ordo of the Church. They consist of Matins (or vigils before the holidays), two Eucharistic liturgies, one early and another later, vespers, and the rule of prayers performed after the evening meal, which consists of reading prayers before bed, reading and some diptychs metan. It employs ancient Russian melodies neumatic. These melodies are slow and solemn, sad as the groans of the repentant soul, sighing in his land of exile and longing of the blessed country of eternal joy, the land of enjoyment pure and holy. It is in the order of things ... It is precisely these songs and not others who should resonate in a monastery buildings themselves look like a prison for the tears, the tears of the captives, deep thoughts, meditations on eternity. These melodies are in harmony with the dark forests and deep waters. Sometimes they extend into lamentation, painful as the desert wind, sometimes they disappear gradually as reflected in the rocks or crevices, sometimes they rang unexpectedly. They exude a sweet sadness expressing the complaint of sinners, the pain that overwhelms and gnawing. Sometimes unbearable blow by sin, the cry that rises up towards the sky, begging for help. As the clamor resounds! The solemn "Lord, have mercy! Is similar to the desert wind: slow, sad, and posted! is the song of the fallen man who, for solitude and self-examination, noted the depth of his fall, and engages in ongoing lament in the hope of a forgiveness. The song "We sing Thee" ends with its slow and variable, which decreases gradually and imperceptibly lost in the vaults of the church, like an echo. Where, the brothers sing the Vespers, "Lord, I cry to Thee," sounds emerge from the abyss into a thunderous roar to soar and will lead the thoughts and desires that blaze like lightning . Find an artist singing Valaam very uneven, and detect failures to perform, but also recognize that it is borrowing reverence and piety, and extraordinary energy that stirs the soul and encourages compunction. Everything is big and grandiose. Anything that might be gay, light, happy is amazing and monstrous. Do not be afraid of this true story! Do not believe that you meet only the Valaam misfortune! No! There is also the consolation, but consolation for those who mourn, as the Gospel says ...
The monastery is home to seven churches. Among them, the cathedral church is distinguished by the beauty of its interior: the first row of the iconostasis is decorated with silver, polychrome frescoes are models Russian original taste, yet free of influences from Europe. By itself, the cathedral can not contain the entire community, nor any of the churches of the monastery.
Instead of all these churches, it would have been much more convenient to combine in a large building heated the church and the church cold, as was done in the monastery of Konevsky, possibly adding another church near the hospital. This would have to involve brothers and visitors to the divine in one place. But the founders of the monastery is reasoned that way. Their zeal demanded separate churches, dedicated to Saint Nicolas, the Apostles Peter and Paul, the vivifying source ... These churches do not know the divine office once a year, the day of celebration. In the extreme case of the Church of the Holy Trinity, the Office of the festival should be celebrated in the cathedral, because of the cramped conditions.
At the end of the liturgy, all go to the refectory to eat simple food but healthy and satisfying, which follows the ordo of the Church. The holidays are entitled to fish on ordinary days in oil. Wednesdays and Fridays, and on weekdays of Great Lent, we do not see any oil on the tables or fish, only plants. During the meal, the deep silence is broken only by the sonorous voice of the reader who described the brothers self-denial, virtues and exploits of the saints. Dinner is served after the vespers, always accompanied by a useful reading for the soul. The days of celebration, an hour before vespers, we offer everyone a cup of tea that the old call consolation. We are touched to see these little old infirm, to which barely walk, hold in their hands the small wooden cup containing the consolation. The cooled blood of these people already returned to childhood hunger to revive contact with boiling water. The monastery of Valaam lives in a patriarchal simplicity. Customs evoke the tenderness of the good old days, the old Russia that united so often simplicity and holiness.
In the sacristy of the monastery, there are generous gifts from the Emperor Alexander Pavlovich, so he arranged for Valaam honored by a visit in 1819. In 1844, it was the Grand Duke Constantine Nikolaevich who visited the scene, leaving precious vases in memory of his passing. At the center of the space inscribed in the rectangle inside the monastery, a space which creates a special feeling of calm and reverence, the monks have built a marble monument bearing an inscription. It reminds visitors of contemporary and future passage of the Emperor Alexander Pavlovich and Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolaevich. In the cathedral, another inscription marks the spot where Alexander the Blessed was standing during the long divine services without feeling tired. At the hotel, it was reported the rooms where the emperor resided. Moreover, an inscription on a rectangular marble plaque stating the place where the Grand Duke Constantine Nikolaevich drew the monastery. The copy of this stone is on the opposite shore, in the forest, under the thick branches of pines and firs, where the great Duke finished the sketch in the garden business. The view of the monastery is particularly grand and picturesque. By placing his stones, burning his inscriptions, the monks of Valaam expressed heartfelt feelings of love and devotion to the Tsars and their home, a sentiment that has been characteristic of Russian clergy throughout the history.
Like food, clothing of the monks of Valaam are simple but satisfying. They are kept in a room where you can find linens, fabrics nankeen, canvas, yarn, leather, crafted clothes, clothes monastic Mantia's, the fur coats, and all this in abundance. The charge of the premises entered in a book that gives all brothers. When clothes are worn, they are exchanged. One who has left the world to enter the monastery receives linen, clothing and footwear required. It is always possible to fill the needs of a hundred men. Such reservations are essential given the size of the community, isolation of the monastery and the difficulties of access, particularly in the spring with the thaw and fall, when the first ice for a long time prevent any communication with the earth farm. The lake freezes each year between Serdobol and Valaam, but not until mid-January. However, the countless blocks of ice moving over the waters would soon lead to his loss the ship that might reckless adventure.
The monastery library contains all the volumes required for the acquisition of knowledge Whole monasticism. Apart from the Slavonic and Russian editions, there are many manuscripts. Among them the first place is, for its rarity, the "Catechesis" Saint Theodore Studite, the abbot of the Studion monastery in Constantinople. This is a large book whose usefulness is recognized by the Church. The ordo even plans to read from during services of Great Lent (See the ordo Monday of Lent). This course concerns monasteries ... The love he had for his community is reflected in "interviews" of Studite. He appoints his monks, his father, his teachers, his brothers or his children. His teaching, simple and accessible to all, suitable for monks cenobitic, because it deals only the various obligations of community life.
also found in the writings of the Fathers monastery dealing with the prayer of the heart. For example, those of St. Gregory Palamas, Antilikide of Calliste, St. Symeon the New Theologian, Saint Nil of Sora (Russian author). There are also books that can guide the monks who live in small communities (hermitage), as hermits or hermits. These are the various "Paterikon . Among them is the book of Saint Isaac the Syrian, the famous master of hesychasts, and the Anthology of Hieromonk Dorothy, who lived long ago. We quote some excerpts from this book that our readers avoid the difficulty of the Slavonic. It is a work of high moral and ascetic, and its author is one of our compatriots, even if it has fallen into oblivion. It should probably be a hermit to read and reread this book inspired, full of valuable spiritual guidance. That sounds again the voice of this hieromonk from the place where the buried our forgetfulness! That voice that proclaims truths deep well suited to the severity of Valaam!
"Oh, my beloved readers! Do you want me to show you something more wonderful than silver or gold, the pearls or precious stones? Nothing can afford the celestial kingdom, joy and eternal rest, nothing except this: solitary reading, attentive and zealous of Sacred Scripture and Divine! It is impossible, really impossible to find salvation, often without reading the Scriptures that God Himself inspired. As the bird can not rise into the air without wings, the mind can not conceive how to receive salvation, except through books. His own reflections will do him nothing. But reading in solitude, listening attentively and zealous of the message delivered by the divine books of Scripture, coupled with the intention to apply for the purpose of salvation is what gives birth to all virtue, that the source of all goods is what we all love hunting evil, all sin, all lust, evil desire any and all wrongdoing, generated by ourselves or by demons. The Holy Fathers testify that solitary reading and careful of the divine books of the Scriptures is the first and the queen of virtues. "
Among the divine Scriptures Hieromonk range not only the holy books of the New and Old Testament, but also the writings of the Fathers. He joined on that St. Nil of Sora. This is the basis of everything! It is extremely important! That is a very precious! Of course this follows from the absolute necessity to stand upon, not only to the dogmatic tradition of the Church, but also its moral tradition. This view is shared by all the holy ascetics of the Eastern Church. They all say, with one voice, a flawless journey towards monastic exploits requires an indispensable guide: the writings of the Fathers. It is the only asset we have left on this path of salvation after the decline of spiritual masters.
From the first words, Hieromonk place his reader on a path just, secure, holy, blessed and prescribed by the Church. He describes to his disciple the precise character of the son of the Eastern Church, it brings in spiritual communion with the holy monks of all ages of Christianity, he dismisses any way foreign and false. What a wonderful character as the son of the Church of the East! As it is simple and majestic! The Protestant is coolly intelligent, the Roman is ecstatic and can be carried easily. The son of the Eastern Church is penetrated with the Holy Truth Peace and quiet. The first two characters are terrestrial. The latter descends from heaven and before our eyes in the Gospel. The Christian Orthodox character teaches his reading of the Scriptures and works of the Holy Fathers. He imbibes this reading, becomes the favorite of the Truth in communion with the Holy Spirit that she sends him.
The hieromonk Dorothy looks shrewdly monasticism of his day. He made a valuable reflection: "Often I was amazed at what the ancient fathers had reached the hello pretty quickly became perfect, were acquiring grace. Nowadays, though few find the hello! That is how there Fathers took to attain salvation and perfection, to acquire the grace and merit the gift of working miracles: they followed all their soul and the words the commandments of the Lord, trying to accomplish in any priority, kept constantly in mind ... It is primarily keep the commandments of Christ! The Holy Gospel is nothing other than the mouth of Christ who speaks to us daily. Moreover , keep the tradition of the Holy Fathers, do the work they prescribe, and these works tire our body ... Without the fulfillment of the holy light and the Lord's commandments, our tradition and its rules are pointless ... Whoever does not keep the commandments of the Lord makes his efforts fruitless, deprives himself of the perfection of the thanks and hello. Whoever does not keep the commandments of the Lord leaves no room in himself for grace, he can not achieve perfection. He is addicted to deeds of the body, neglecting the commandments is foreign to spiritual wisdom. Without the fulfillment of the commandments of the Lord, God finds nothing in us enjoyable. The Holy Father kept the commandments with care and method, we must imitate them as much as we allow our forces "(Anthology ch. 6). As his instructions are useful! In preparing for eternal bliss, each monk should note these indelible letters on the tables of his heart.
The beautiful soul of Hieromonk expresses feelings out of the heart, his eloquence is easy, captivating. Some passages are worthy of the best authors. What a fine example, in the following lines: "When we work for eternal life, we must fear, nor sorrow, nor poverty, nor the body's needs, or even death. The Lord said: Do not worry, saying, What shall we eat? What shall we drink? What will we wear? For all these things, it is the Gentiles seek, those who are not baptized, who do not know God. Your heavenly Father knows that you need. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. We made a promise: to be our food and clothing, to serve us in our weakness as a father or a mother or a close friend, to get us everything we need to work us by His grace. He tells us only believe in Me with all your soul and no doubt, serve me and hopes that I can accomplish, what I promised "(Anthology ch.10).
In Hieromonk were accomplished the words that God inspired David leave my lips overflow a hymn when you have me teach Thy judgments (Ps.118, 171). When divine grace makes his home in the heart and begins to teach him the law of the Spirit, then man becomes inspired. His thoughts and feelings come alive in this new life of the Spirit, his words carry the mark of a poetry of the highest. Many passages in the writings of Hieromonk reflect this, as for example the beginning of chapter 11 where he talks to his soul: "My beloved soul, am not from year to year, from month to month, day by day! Do not spend your time in a vain expectation, so you do not have to sigh with all your heart! Do not stay in the search without finding one who can help you in the tribulation! As if thou torment, as you will weep as you weep, as you will regret, in delivering you to repent, so useless! You can do right now, am not in tomorrow! You do not know what the tomorrow you reserve a misfortune not surprise you does it not this very night? You do not know what day or night will bring you. Oh! My soul! Now is you must endure all the tribulations, is now that you must fulfill the commandments of the Lord and seek the virtues of the Fathers! Now is the time crying, tears, tears that cause the sweetness and joy ! Oh! My soul! If you look really hello, loves tribulations as once you loved the pleasures! Screw dying every day! Our life passes quickly, it disappears like a shadow of cloud on the appearance of the sun! Our days go up in smoke in the ether! The compendium is an ascetic books that are the highest. It is close to its merits of the famous work of Isaac the Syrian.
Two authors of the Russian Church have written about the practice of the heart: Nil of Sora and Hieromonk Dorothy. The first book is very useful for those starting out in the writ hesychast, the second is for those who have succeeded and near perfection. The compendium describes with extraordinary clarity teaching on prayer from the heart. Everything is defined with great simplicity. It reveals the spiritual success of a large Russian knack to simplify what is complicated to explain with a natural wonder education highest spiritual. How smart and how fine! It focuses on the purity of heart, mind, soul, the composure, the obtuseness of mind, alertness, and prayer holy and pure. We dare to give extracts from it all because some issues also deserve a high place and a suitable time. We refer to the book itself those who are interested. The titles are already being very eloquent. Note that the monks who have done well to leave the community to the hermitage or retreat to indulge in such exercises spiritual.
The hermitage of the Valaam Monastery is located three miles from the main buildings. We went there by boat or along the shore. It must first descend the stairs of the monastery of granite which leads to the port. Here, you take a boat to continue the journey across the bay we went through to the finish. Sometimes the waters are expanding, sometimes they shrink. The landscape of each bank, which often changes appearance, leaving a feeling of gloom. We finally get into a big oval. On its shores with gentle slopes grow birch, rowan and maples. The rocks have become almost inaccessible to the eye. We distinguish only a few stones away among the pines and firs. The oval, the waters are not dark, the blue sky is reflected nicely. The look is comforted by the green meadow dotted with countless wild flowers very fragrant. The harsh gusts of wind that blow almost constantly on the main monastery are absent here. Everything is cozy, warm. You feel at ease, encourage resting places. One begins to understand what voltage the wild and frightful pictures exerted on the body and soul. Climbing a sloping meadow sweet, you take a path winding entering the thick forest. Suddenly rises the solitary hermitage. In the center stands a Byzantine church in stone on two floors. Around the church are shelled stone cells. A stone fence surrounds the whole. The forest is all around. The calm is indescribable. The feeling that grabs you is not comparable with the one you experienced when arriving at the monastery. There, while breathing life, but a harsh life. Here everything has ineffable those who have had a happy death. At the hermitage, we celebrate the divine service twice a week, Saturday and Sunday. Other days, the brothers remain in their cells to engage in prayer, reading, meditation and manual work. At the church, the brothers succeeded day and night to read the Psalter without truce and commemorate the deceased brothers and benefactors of the monastery. Food is served in the dining hall together. It is much more rudimentary than the monastery, almost exclusively vegetable. At Easter and other major holidays, the brothers go to the monastery to participate in offices and take part in the solemn feast which never exceed four courses. Fish soup, fish dish, mince pies, here is the sign of a great festival for brothers of Valaam. Nothing is ever cooked in a pan, it would seek a forbidden treat. Twelve brothers or a little more live in hermitage.
The path that leads to the hermitage by the bank is no less picturesque. It follows the shore through the woods, hills and mountains. The wheels of the crew often knock on the bare granite.
Scattered on the island in complete solitude, a hillside or in a clearing, we find log cabins hermits. There are very few hermits. Hermit's life is permitted only monks experienced, mature with age and spiritual intelligence. The hermits of the hermitage as brothers, do not come to the monastery only for major holidays.
Visitors to the monastery are housed in hotels. This includes a special refuge for the poor, who are very numerous in this part of Finland. The poor are allowed to remain at Valaam forty-eight hours, during which they enjoy meals prepared for them. They then leave the monastery with two pieces of rye bread. For such a charity, some Finnish do not hesitate to travel forty to fifty miles ... In summer, when the road on the lake is clear, dozens of boats discharge their daily stream of beggars, after facing the churning waters. Those who leave are immediately replaced by new arrivals. In winter, when ice is safe, whole battalions undertake the arduous journey despite the cruel frost and the length of the journey. They trample on the ice, half-naked, elderly infirm, children, women and infants ... Often found on the icy steppe froze the corpse of some unfortunate who thought to escape famine.
We can not forget to finish a speech honoring the Valaam hospital that offers its peaceful haven not only for elderly patients monks of the monastery, but also to all the monks of the Diocese of St. Petersburg. Near the hospital, a church was built, and a refectory private, a small pharmacy which includes all necessary remedies, and all the associated staff.
Valaam Island and its archipelago of small islands, stands as a mineral mass on Lake Ladoga, with its prerogative of rocks, mountains, rocks, valleys, bays, straits and lakes. Near the islands, the lake down to a depth of ten or twenty feet, or forty in deepest straits. Once you leave the archipelago, a few hundred yards from shore, you do not delay in finding the back at one hundred forty, two hundred and even four hundred yards!
Everywhere the rock that is very hard stone (the monks call kelf ) that covers a topsoil thickness of about two cubits, and sometimes more. There is very rarely sand or clay, and always in small quantities. The top soil is particularly fertile. Two orchards were installed near the monastery, the first below the cliff where the buildings stand, the second right of the granite staircase leading from the harbor to the monastery. The apples are fresh and juicy, showing the soil quality. Unfortunately, we must say that these apples do not ripen once every ten years due to the harsh climate and insufficient sunlight. Watermelons and melons are also very juicy, but the juice is death: the sun really does not add sweetness ... Vegetable products are famous. They grow enough to feed the whole community, workers and visitors to the monastery. We also sowed some barley and oats, but you have to come to St. Petersburg by boat most of the cereal needs. It mowing hay in large quantities. The island abounds with wood. The most common species is pine, then comes the tree. Found in much smaller quantities, birches, sycamores and lindens. As you should thank them for their presence! The soft color of their leaves softens the gloom of the rocks and the eternal and dark green conifers. The forest is thicker in the valleys because the topsoil is more important. On the mountains, the trees are more frail, they can reach a respectable height. Their roots are trying in vain to reach the depths. Hampered by the rock, they run subsurface, intermingle, looking in vain for the necessary food. Firs, whose requirements are very limited, have the lion's share of the king.
What say? I watch the waters, the vast masses of the Ladoga, the Neva old, has always celebrated for its storms and struggles between Slavs and Rus. As they align, and large deep, with the solitary island and inspired! As they protect the island from their aquatic setting, as they keep the monastic society! They protect it by their vastness, their storms and their mirrors. Within their shelters and nourishes innumerable shoals of fish, the nets catch misleading hermits for a precious flat, which, far from being a delicacy, is at least one fresh product.
When the light boat carried me Valaam, with a nice roll, I was sick. But I was not captive to the single disease. My eyes, full of curious and joyful sadness was turned to Valaam, clung to him. I suspected that there was a farewell forever. As the ship moved through the bay, I silently watched the monastery. I watched a piece of rock, then another, preventing their considerable height to embrace them in their entirety. It seemed to me that such powerful and frightening, severe, austere, smiled at me kindly. Perhaps this was indeed the sun that gave me this smile, darting its rays on invigorating the bay, the waters, on stones, on the thick forests ... The edge of the cliff granite supporting the monastery was covered brethren. Mingled in the crowd of grown men, hardened in battle against yourself, young people recently arrived, the fighting still waiting, and old white-haired, quiet thoughts already, for which the crowns were already braided and the grave dug. For them, feed and accommodate visitors with kindness was not enough, he still had a ride with a love tinged with sorrow and tears of regret generated by the separation. The monastery bells rang solemnly. Their sound was constantly repeated through the gorges of the surrounding cliffs, which formed a chorus of many voices. The boat left the bay leaves as a fortress with high walls. Motionless in front of the rocks appeared the vast lake. Were perceived only in the distant shore of Serdobol. In other directions, no shore in sight: only the blue waters fade into the blue sky ... We hoisted the sails and the boat ran softly to the assault waves. Soon we reached the opposite shore.
I turned to see Valaam. He appeared on the vast blue waters, like a planet on an azure sky. As it was away from it all! It is as if he were not on earth! Valaam is a world apart. How many of its monks have forgotten that there is also ... How many old people live there for fifty years without ever having left it, forgetting everything except their island and the sky.
Army spiritual! Blessed inhabitants of the holy island! That descend upon you a blessing because you liked the sky! That depends on you the blessing of pilgrims because you loved the pilgrim! That your prayers are heard by God, that your songs are enjoyable praise Him, because these prayers and these praises are full of awe! What are your attics and bless your property because the poor are always with you a piece of bread and a garment to cover his nakedness! Brothers! You chose the one needed! Do not turn back, do not be lured again by some vain and fleeting pleasure of the world! In the world, everything is so versatile, so fickle, so passenger, so corruptible ... Inspired by God's providence brought you the magnificent Valaam in a house apart, away from all temptations. Grab this refuge is not disturbed by the ocean Life! Bear with it bravely storms invisible! Do not let the good zeal to cool in your souls! Renew it, maintain it by reading the holy books of the Fathers! Escape to the books by the mind and heart, you isolate them from the thoughts and feelings! Valaam and its projections of granite will soon become for you the steps leading to heaven, and his lofty spiritual heights the mountains which offer easy access to the dwellings of Paradise.
May the pilgrim who wrote these lines, which they poured into his feelings for you and your home that you have visited more than times with a warm concern for your well-being, can he find a place in your living memories to the grave, and beyond! ...
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