St. Seraphim Orthodox Cathedral - St. Seraphim of = Sarov: A Wonderful Revelation to the World

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This = revelation is=20 undoubtedly of world-wide significance. True, there is = nothing=20 essentially new in it, for the full revelation was = given to=20 the Apostles from the very day of Pentecost. But now = that=20 people have forgotten the fundamental truths of the = Christian=20 religion, and are immersed in the darkness of = materialism or=20 the exterior and routine performance of "ascetic = labours,"=20 Father Seraphim's revelation is truly extraordinary, = as indeed=20 he himself regarded it.

"It is = not given to=20 you alone to understand this," said Father Seraphim at = the end=20 of the revelation, "but through you it is for the = whole=20 world!"

Like a = flash of=20 lightning this wonderful conversation illumined the = whole=20 world which was already immersed in spiritual lethargy = and=20 death, less than a century before the struggle against = Christianity in Russia and at a = time when=20 Christian faith was at a low ebb in the=20 West.

Here=20 God's Saint appears before us as in no way inferior to = the=20 great prophets through whom the Holy Spirit Himself = spoke.

We record = everything word for word without any interpretations = of our=20 own.

Conversation of St.=20 Seraphim with N. A. Motovilov

It was = Thursday.=20 The day was gloomy. The snow lay eight inches deep on = the=20 ground; and dry, crisp snowflakes were falling thickly = from=20 the sky when Father Seraphim began his conversation = with me in=20 a field adjoining his near hermitage, opposite the = River=20 Sarovka, at the foot of the hill which slopes down to = the=20 river bank. He sat me on the stump of a tree which he = had just=20 felled, and he himself squatted opposite = me.

"The Lord = has=20 revealed to me," said the great Elder, "that in your = childhood=20 you had a great desire to know the aim of our = Christian life,=20 and that you continually asked many great spiritual = persons=20 about it."

I must = say here=20 that from the age of twelve this thought had = constantly=20 troubled me. I had, in fact, approached many clergy = about it;=20 but their answers had not satisfied me. This was not = known to=20 the Elder.

"But no = one,"=20 continued Father Seraphim, "has given you a precise = answer.=20 They have said to you: 'Go to Church, pray to God, do = the=20 commandments of God, do good=E2=80=94that is the aim = of the Christian=20 life.' Some were even indignant with you for being = occupied=20 with profane curiosity and said to you: 'Do not seek = things=20 that are beyond you.' But they did not speak as they = should.=20 And now poor Seraphim will explain to you in what this = aim=20 really consists.

"Prayer, = fasting,=20 vigil and all other Christian activities, however good = they=20 may be in themselves, do not constitute the aim of our = Christian life, although they serve as the = indispensable means=20 of reaching this end. The true aim of our Christian = life=20 consists in the acquisition of the Holy Spirit of God. = As for=20 fasts, and vigils, and prayer, and almsgiving, and = every good=20 deed done for Christ's sake, they are only means of = acquiring=20 the Holy Spirit of God. But mark, my son, only the = good deed=20 done for Christ's sake brings us the fruits of the = Holy=20 Spirit. All that is not done for Christ's sake, even = though it=20 be good, brings neither reward in the future life nor = the=20 grace of God in this. That is why our Lord Jesus = Christ said:=20 He who gathers not with Me scatters (Luke = 11:23). Not=20 that a good deed can be called anything but gathering, = since=20 even though it is not done for Christ's sake, yet it = is good.=20 Scripture says: In every nation he who fears God = and works=20 righteousness is acceptable to Him (Acts 10:35).=20 [1]

"As we = see from the=20 sacred narrative, the man who works righteousness is = so=20 pleasing to God that the Angel of the Lord appeared at = the=20 hour of prayer to Cornelius, the God-fearing and = righteous=20 centurion, and said: 'Send to Joppa to Simon the = Tanner; there=20 shalt thou find Peter and he will tell thee the words = of=20 eternal life, whereby thou shalt be saved and all thy = house.'=20 Thus the Lord uses all His divine means to give such a = man in=20 return for his good works the opportunity not to lose = his=20 reward in the future life. But to this end we must = begin here=20 with a right faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son = of God,=20 Who came into the world to save sinners and Who, = through our=20 acquiring for ourselves the grace of the Holy Spirit, = brings=20 into our hearts the Kingdom of God and opens the way = for us to=20 win the blessings of the future life. But the = acceptability to=20 God of good deeds not done for Christ's sake is = limited to=20 this: the Creator gives the means to make them living = (cp Heb.=20 6:1). It rests with man to make them living or not. = That is=20 why the Lord said to the Jews: If you had been = blind, you=20 would have no sin. But now you say, We see, and your = sin=20 remains on you (Jn. 9:41). If a man like Cornelius = enjoys=20 the favour of God for his deeds, though not done for = Christ's=20 sake, and then believes in His Son, such deeds will be = imputed=20 to him as done for Christ's sake merely for faith in = Him. But=20 in the opposite event a man has no right to complain = that his=20 good has been no use. It never is, except when it is = done for=20 Christ's sake, since good done for Him not only merits = a crown=20 of righteousness in the world to come, but also in = this=20 present life fills us with the grace of the Holy = Spirit.=20 Moreover, as it is said: God gives not the Spirit = by=20 measure. The Father loves the Son, and has given all = things=20 into His hand. (Jn. 3:34-35).

"That's = it, your=20 Godliness [2]. In acquiring this Spirit of God = consists the=20 true aim of our Christian life, while prayer, vigil, = fasting,=20 almsgiving and other good works [3] done for Christ's = sake are=20 merely means for acquiring the Spirit of=20 God."

"What do = you mean=20 by acquiring?" I asked Father Seraphim. "Somehow I = don't=20 understand that."

"Acquiring is the=20 same as obtaining," he replied. "You understand, of = course,=20 what acquiring money means? Acquiring the Spirit of = God is=20 exactly the same. You know well enough what it means = in a=20 worldly sense, your Godliness, to acquire. The aim in = life of=20 ordinary worldly people is to acquire or make money, = and for=20 the nobility it is in addition to receive honours,=20 distinctions and other rewards for their services to = the=20 government. The acquisition of God's Spirit is also = capital,=20 but grace-giving and eternal, and it is obtained in = very=20 similar ways, almost the same ways as monetary, social = and=20 temporal capital.

"God the = Word, the=20 God-Man, our Lord Jesus Christ, compares our life with = a=20 market, and the work of our life on earth He calls = trading,=20 and says to us all: Trade till I come (Lk. = 19:13),=20 redeeming the time, because the days are evil = (Eph.=20 5:16). That is to say, make the most of your time for = getting=20 heavenly blessings through earthly goods. Earthly = goods are=20 good works done for Christ's sake and conferring on us = the=20 grace of the All-Holy Spirit.

"In the = parable of=20 the wise and foolish virgins, when the foolish ones = lacked=20 oil, it was said: 'Go and buy in the market.' But when = they=20 had bought, the door of the bride-chamber was already = shut and=20 they could not get in. Some say that the lack of oil = in the=20 lamps of the foolish virgins means a lack of good = deeds in=20 their lifetime. Such an interpretation is not quite = correct.=20 Why should they be lacking in good deeds if they are = called=20 virgins, even though foolish ones? Virginity is the = supreme=20 virtue, an angelic state, and it could take the place = of all=20 other good works.

"I think = that what=20 they were lacking was the grace of the All-Holy Spirit = of God.=20 These virgins practiced the virtues, but in their = spiritual=20 ignorance they supposed that the Christian life = consisted=20 merely in doing good works. By doing a good deed they = thought=20 they were doing the work of God, but they little cared = whether=20 they acquired thereby the grace of God's Spirit. Such = ways of=20 life based merely on doing good without carefully = testing=20 whether they bring the grace of the Spirit of God, are = mentioned in the Patristic books: 'There is another = way which=20 is deemed good at the beginning, but it ends at the = bottom of=20 hell.'

"Antony = the Great in=20 his letters to Monks says of such virgins: 'Many Monks = and=20 virgins have no idea of the different kinds of will = which act=20 in man, and they do not know that we are influenced by = three=20 wills: the first is God's all-perfect and all-saving = will: the=20 second is our own human will which, if not = destructive, yet=20 neither is it saving; and the third is the devil's = will=E2=80=94wholly=20 destructive.' And this third will of the enemy teaches = man=20 either not to do any good deeds, or to do them out of = vanity,=20 or to do them merely for virtue's sake and not for = Christ's=20 sake. The second, our own will, teaches us to do = everything to=20 flatter our passions, or else it teaches us like the = enemy to=20 do good for the sake of good and not care for the = grace which=20 is acquired by it. But the first, God's all-saving = will,=20 consists in doing good solely to acquire the Holy = Spirit, as=20 an eternal, inexhaustible treasure which cannot be = rightly=20 valued. The acquisition of the Holy Spirit is, so to = say, the=20 oil which the foolish virgins lacked. They were called = foolish=20 just because they had forgotten the necessary fruit of = virtue,=20 the grace of the Holy Spirit, without which no one is = or can=20 be saved, for: 'Every soul is quickened by the Holy = Spirit and=20 exalted by purity and mystically illumined by the = Trinal=20 Unity.' [4]

"This is = the oil in=20 the lamps of the wise virgins which could burn long = and=20 brightly, and these virgins with their burning lamps = were able=20 to meet the Bridegroom, Who came at midnight, and = could enter=20 the bridechamber of joy with Him. But the foolish = ones, though=20 they went to market to buy some oil when they saw = their lamps=20 going out, were unable to return in time, for the door = was=20 already shut. The market is our life; the door of the=20 bridechamber which was shut and which barred the way = to the=20 Bridegroom is human death; the wise and foolish = virgins are=20 Christian souls; the oil is not good deeds but the = grace of=20 the All-Holy Spirit of God which is obtained through = them and=20 which changes souls from one state to = another=E2=80=94that is, from=20 corruption to incorruption, from spiritual death to = spiritual=20 life, from darkness to light, from the stable of our = being=20 (where the passions are tied up like dumb animals and = wild=20 beasts) into a Temple of the Divinity, into the = shining=20 bridechamber of eternal joy in Christ Jesus our Lord, = the=20 Creator and Redeemer and eternal Bridegroom of our=20 souls.

"How = great is God's=20 compassion to our misery, that is to say, our = inattention to=20 His care for us, when God says: Behold, I stand at = the door=20 and knock (Rev. 3:20), meaning by 'door' the = course of our=20 life which has not yet been closed by death! Oh, how I = wish,=20 your Godliness, that in this life you may always be in = the=20 Spirit of God! 'In whatsoever I find you, in that will = I judge=20 you,' says the Lord. [5]

"Woe to = us if He=20 finds us overcharged with the cares and sorrows of = this life!=20 For who will be able to bear His anger, who will = withstand the=20 wrath of His countenance? That is why it has been = said:=20 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation = (Mk.=20 14:38), that is lest you be deprived of the Spirit of = God, for=20 watching and prayer bring us His = grace.

"Of = course, every=20 good deed done for Christ's sake gives us the grace of = the=20 Holy Spirit, but prayer gives us it most of all, for = it is=20 always at hand, so to speak, as an instrument for = acquiring=20 the grace of the Spirit. For instance, you would like = to go to=20 Church, but there is no Church or the Service is over; = you=20 would like to give alms to a beggar, but there isn't = one, or=20 you have nothing to give; you would like to preserve = your=20 virginity [6], but you have not the strength to do so = because=20 of your temperament, or because of the violence of the = wiles=20 of the enemy which on account of your human weakness = you=20 cannot withstand; you would like to do some other good = deed=20 for Christ's sake, but either you have not the = strength or the=20 opportunity is lacking. This certainly does not apply = to=20 prayer. Prayer is always possible for everyone, rich = and poor,=20 noble and humble, strong and weak, healthy and sick, = righteous=20 and sinful.

"You may = judge how=20 great the power of prayer is even in a sinful person, = when it=20 is offered whole-heartedly, by the following example = from Holy=20 Tradition. When at the request of a desperate mother = who had=20 been deprived by death of her only son, a harlot whom = she=20 chanced to meet, still unclean, from her last sin, and = who was=20 touched by the mother's deep sorrow, cried to the = Lord: 'Not=20 for the sake of a wretched sinner like me, but for the = sake of=20 the tears of a mother sorrowing for her son and firmly = trusting in Thy loving kindness and Thy almighty = power, Christ=20 God, raise up her son, O Lord!' And the Lord raised = him=20 up.

"You see, = your=20 Godliness! Great is the power of prayer, and it brings = most of=20 all the Spirit of God, and is most easily practiced by = everyone. We shall be blessed if the Lord God finds us = watchful and filled with the gifts of His Holy Spirit. = Then we=20 may boldly hope to be caught up...in the clouds to = meet the=20 Lord in the air (I Thes. 4:17) Who is coming = with great=20 power and glory (Mk. 13:26) to judge the living = and the=20 dead (I Pet. 4:5) and to reward every man = according to=20 his works (Mat. 16:27).

"Your=20 Godliness deigns to think it a great happiness to talk = to poor=20 Seraphim, believing that even he is not bereft of the = grace of=20 the Lord. What then shall we say of the Lord Himself, = the=20 never-failing source of every kind of blessing, both = heavenly=20 and earthly? Truly in prayer we are granted to = converse with=20 Him, our all-gracious and life-giving God and Saviour = Himself.=20 But even here we must pray only until God the Holy = Spirit=20 descends on us in measures of His heavenly grace known = to Him.=20 And when He deigns to visit us, we must stop praying. = Why=20 should we then pray to Him, 'Come and abide in us and = cleanse=20 us from all impurity and save our souls, O Good One,' = when He=20 has already come to us to save us who trust in Him and = truly=20 call on His Holy Name, that humbly and with love we = may=20 receive Him, the Comforter, in the mansions of our = souls=20 hungering and thirsting for His coming.

"I will = explain=20 this to your Godliness by an example. Imagine that you = have=20 invited me to pay you a visit and at your invitation I = come to=20 have a talk with you. But you continue to invite me, = saying:=20 'Come in, please. Do come in!' Then I should be = obliged to=20 think: 'What is the matter with him? Is he out of his = mind?'=20 So it is with regard to our Lord God the Holy Spirit. = That is=20 why it is said: Be still and realize that I am God; = I shall=20 be exalted among the heathen, I shall be exalted in = the=20 earth (Ps. 45:10). That is, I shall appear and = shall=20 continue to appear to everyone who believes in Me and = calls=20 upon Me, and I shall converse with him as I once = conversed=20 with Adam in Paradise, with = Abraham=20 and Jacob and other servants of Mine, with Moses and = Job, and=20 those like them.

"Many = explain that=20 this stillness refers only to worldly matters; in = other words,=20 that during prayerful converse with God you must 'be = still'=20 with regard to worldly affairs. But I will tell you in = the=20 name of God that not only is it necessary to be dead = [7] to=20 them at prayer, but when by the omnipotent power of = faith and=20 prayer our Lord God the Holy Spirit condescends to = visit us,=20 and comes to us in the plenitude of His unutterable = goodness,=20 we must be dead to prayer too.

"The soul = speaks=20 and converses during prayer, but at the descent of the = Holy=20 Spirit we must remain in complete silence, in order to = hear=20 clearly and intelligibly all the words of eternal life = which=20 He will then deign to communicate. Complete soberness = of both=20 soul and spirit, and chaste purity of body is required = at the=20 same time. The same demands were made at Mount Horeb, when the Israelites = were told not=20 even to touch their wives for three days before the = appearance=20 of God on Mount Sinai. For = our God is=20 a fire which consumes everything unclean, and no one = who is=20 defiled in body or spirit can enter into communion = with=20 Him."

"Yes, = Father, but=20 what about other good deeds done for Christ's sake in = order to=20 acquire the grace of the Holy Spirit? You have only = been=20 speaking of prayer!"

"Acquire = the grace=20 of the Holy Spirit also by practicing all the other = virtues=20 for Christ's sake. Trade spiritually with them; trade = with=20 those which give you the greatest profit. Accumulate = capital=20 from the superabundance of God's grace, deposit it in = God's=20 eternal bank which will bring you immaterial interest, = not=20 four or six percent, but one hundred percent for one = spiritual=20 ruble, and even infinitely more than that. For = example, if=20 prayer and watching give you more of God's grace, = watch and=20 pray; if fasting gives you much of the Spirit of God, = fast; if=20 almsgiving gives you more, give alms. Weigh every = virtue done=20 for Christ's sake in this manner.

"Now I = will tell=20 you about myself, poor Seraphim. I come of a merchant = family=20 in Kursk. So=20 when I was not yet in the Monastery we used to trade = with the=20 goods which brought us the greatest profit. Act like = that, my=20 son. And just as in business the main point is not = merely to=20 trade, but to get as much profit as possible, so in = the=20 business of the Christian life the main point is not = merely to=20 pray or to do some other good deed. Though the Apostle = says:=20 Pray without ceasing (I Thess. 5:17), yet, as = you=20 remember, he adds: I would rather speak five words = with my=20 understanding than ten thousand words with the tongue = (I=20 Cor. 14:13). And the Lord says: Not everyone that = says unto=20 Me: Lord, Lord, shall be saved, but he who does the = will of My=20 Father, that is he who does the work of God and, = moreover,=20 does it with reverence, for cursed is he who does = the work=20 of God negligently (Jer. 48:10). And the work of = God is:=20 Believe in God and in Him Whom He has sent, Jesus = Christ (Jn.=20 14:1;6:29). If we understand the commandments of = Christ and of=20 the Apostles aright, our business as Christians = consists not=20 in increasing the number of our good deeds which are = only the=20 means of furthering the purpose of our Christian life, = but in=20 deriving from them the utmost profit, that is in = acquiring the=20 most abundant gifts of the Holy = Spirit.

"How I = wish, your=20 Godliness, that you yourself may acquire this = inexhaustible=20 source of divine grace, and may always ask yourself: = Am I in=20 the Spirit of God or not? And if you are in the = Spirit,=20 blessed be God!=E2=80=94there is nothing to grieve = about. You are=20 ready to appear before the awful judgement of Christ=20 immediately. For 'In whatsoever I find you, in that I = will=20 judge you.' But if we are not in the Spirit, we must = discover=20 why and for what reason our Lord God the Holy Spirit = has=20 willed to abandon us; and we must seek Him again, and = must go=20 on searching until our Lord God the Holy Spirit has = been found=20 and is with us again through His goodness. And we must = attack=20 the enemies that drive us away from Him until even = their dust=20 is no more, as has been said by the Prophet David: = I shall=20 pursue my enemies and overtake them; and I shall not = turn back=20 till they are destroyed. I shall harass them, and they = will=20 not be able to stand; they will fall under my feet. = (Ps.=20 17:37-38).

"That's = it, my son.=20 That is how you must spiritually trade in virtue. = Distribute=20 the Holy Spirit's gifts of grace to those in need of = them,=20 just as a lighted candle burning with earthly fire = shines=20 itself and lights other candles for the illumining of = all in=20 other places, without diminishing its own light. And = if it is=20 so with regard to earthly fire, what shall we say = about the=20 fire of the grace of the All-Holy Spirit of God? For = earthly=20 riches decrease with distribution, but the more the = heavenly=20 riches of God's grace are distributed, the more they = increase=20 in him who distributes them. Thus the Lord Himself was = pleased=20 to say to the Samaritan woman: Whoever drinks of = this water=20 will thirst again. But whoever drinks of the water = that I=20 shall give him will never thirst; but the water that I = shall=20 give him will be in him a well of water springing up = into=20 eternal life (Jn. 4:13-14).

"Father," = said I,=20 "you speak all the time of the acquisition of the = grace of the=20 Holy Spirit as the aim of the Christian life. But how = and=20 where can I see it? Good deeds are visible, but can = the Holy=20 Spirit be seen? How am I to know whether He is with me = or=20 not?"

"At the = present=20 time," the Elder replied, "owing to our almost = universal=20 coldness to our holy faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, = and our=20 inattention to the working of His Divine Providence in = us, and=20 to the communion of man with God, we have gone so far = that,=20 one may say, we have almost abandoned the true = Christian life.=20 The testimonies of Holy Scripture now seem strange to = us,=20 when, for instance, by the lips of Moses the Holy = Spirit says:=20 And Adam saw the Lord walking in paradise (cp. Gen. = 3:10), or=20 when we read the words of the Apostle Paul: 'We went = to=20 Achaia, and the Spirit of God went not with us; we = returned to=20 Macedonia, and the Spirit of God came with us'. More = than once=20 in other passages of Holy Scripture the appearance of = God to=20 men is mentioned.

"That is = why some=20 people say: 'These passages are incomprehensible. Is = it really=20 possible for people to see God so openly?' But there = is=20 nothing incomprehensible here. This failure to = understand has=20 come about because we have departed from the = simplicity of the=20 original Christian knowledge. Under the pretext of = education,=20 we have reached such a darkness of ignorance that what = the=20 ancients understood so clearly seems to us almost=20 inconceivable. Even in ordinary conversation, the idea = of=20 God's appearance among men did not seem strange to = them. Thus,=20 when his friends rebuked him for blaspheming God, Job = answered=20 them: How can that be when I feel the Spirit of God in = my=20 nostrils? (cp. Job 27:3). That is, 'How can I = blaspheme God=20 when the Holy Spirit abides with me? If I had = blasphemed God,=20 the Holy Spirit would have withdrawn from me; but lo, = I feel=20 His breath in my nostrils.'

"In = exactly the=20 same way it is said of Abraham and Jacob that they saw = the=20 Lord and conversed with Him, and that Jacob even = wrestled with=20 Him. Moses and all the people with him saw God when he = was=20 granted to receive from God the tables of the law on = Mount Sinai. A pillar of cloud and = a pillar=20 of fire, or, in other words, the evident grace of the = Holy=20 Spirit, served as guides to the people of God in the = desert.=20 People saw God and the grace of His Holy Spirit, not = in sleep=20 or in dreams, or in the excitement of a disordered=20 imagination, but truly and openly.

"We have = become so=20 inattentive to the work of our salvation that we = misinterpret=20 many other words in Holy Scripture as well, all = because we do=20 not seek the grace of God and in the pride of our = minds do not=20 allow it to dwell in our souls. That is why we are = without=20 true enlightenment from the Lord, which He sends into = the=20 hearts of men who hunger and thirst wholeheartedly for = God's=20 righteousness.

"Many = explain that=20 when it says in the Bible: 'God breathed the breath of = life=20 into the face of Adam the first-created, who was = created by=20 Him from the dust of the ground,' it must mean that = until then=20 there was neither human soul nor spirit in Adam, but = only the=20 flesh created from the dust of the ground. This = interpretation=20 is wrong, for the Lord God created Adam from the dust = of the=20 ground with the constitution which our dear little = Father, the=20 holy Apostle Paul describes: May your spirit and = soul and=20 body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord = Jesus=20 Christ (I Thess. 5:23). And all these three parts = of our=20 nature were created from the dust of the ground, and = Adam was=20 not created dead, but an active living being like all = the=20 other animate creatures of God living on earth. The = point is=20 that if the Lord God had not breathed afterwards into = his face=20 this breath of life (that is, the grace of our Lord = God the=20 Holy Spirit Who proceeds from the Father and rests in = the Son=20 and is sent into the world for the Son's sake), Adam = would=20 have remained without having within him the Holy = Spirit Who=20 raises him to Godlike dignity. However perfect he had = been=20 created and superior to all the other creatures of = God, as the=20 crown of creation on earth, he would have been just = like all=20 the other creatures which, though they have a body, = soul and=20 spirit each according to its kind, yet have not the = Holy=20 Spirit within them. But when the Lord God breathed = into Adam's=20 face the breath of life, then, according to Moses' = word,=20 Adam became a living soul (Gen. 2:7), that is,=20 completely and in every way like God, and, like Him, = for ever=20 immortal. Adam was immune to the action of the = elements to=20 such a degree that water could not drown him, fire = could not=20 burn him, the earth could not swallow him in its = abysses, and=20 the air could not harm him by any kind of action = whatever.=20 Everything was subject to him as the beloved of God, = as the=20 king and lord of creation, and everything looked up to = him, as=20 the perfect crown of God's creatures. Adam was made so = wise by=20 this breath of life which was breathed into his face = from the=20 creative lips of God, the Creator and Ruler of all, = that there=20 never has been a man on earth wiser or more = intelligent than=20 he, and it is hardly likely that there ever will be. = When the=20 Lord commanded him to give names to all the creatures, = he gave=20 every creature a name which completely expressed all = the=20 qualities, powers and properties given to it by God at = its=20 creation.

"Owing to = this very=20 gift of the supernatural grace of God which was = infused into=20 him by the breath of life, Adam could see and = understand the=20 Lord walking in paradise, and comprehend His words, = and the=20 conversation of the holy Angels, and the language of = all=20 beasts, birds and reptiles and all that is now hidden = from us=20 fallen and sinful creatures, but was so clear to Adam = before=20 his fall. To Eve also the Lord God gave the same = wisdom,=20 strength and unlimited power, and all the other good = and holy=20 qualities. And He created her not from the dust of the = ground=20 but from Adam's rib in the Eden of=20 delight, in the Paradise = which He had=20 planted in the midst of the earth.

"In order = that they=20 might always easily maintain within themselves the = immortal,=20 divine [8] and perfect properties of this breath of = life, God=20 planted in the midst of the garden the tree of life = and=20 endowed its fruits with all the essence and fullness = of His=20 divine breath. If they had not sinned, Adam and Eve = themselves=20 as well as all their posterity could have always eaten = of the=20 fruit of the tree of life and so would have eternally=20 maintained the quickening power of divine=20 grace.

"They = could have=20 also maintained to all eternity the full powers of = their body,=20 soul and spirit in a state of immortality and = everlasting=20 youth, and they could have continued in this immortal = and=20 blessed state of theirs for ever. At the present time, = however, it is difficult for us even to imagine such=20 grace.

"But when = through=20 the tasting of the tree of the knowledge of good and=20 evil=E2=80=94which was premature and contrary to the = commandment of=20 God=E2=80=94they learnt the difference between good = and evil and were=20 subjected to all the afflictions which followed the=20 transgression of the commandment of God, then they = lost this=20 priceless gift of the grace of the Spirit of God, so = that,=20 until the actual coming into the world of the God-Man = Jesus=20 Christ, the Spirit of God was not yet in the = world=20 because Jesus was not yet glorified (Jn.=20 7:39).

"However, = that does=20 not mean that the Spirit of God was not in the world = at all,=20 but His presence was not so apparent [9] as in Adam or = in us=20 Orthodox Christians. It manifested only externally; = yet the=20 signs of His presence in the world were known to = mankind [10].=20 Thus, for instance, many mysteries in connection with = the=20 future salvation of the human race were revealed to = Adam as=20 well as to Eve after the fall. And for Cain, in spite = of his=20 impiety and his transgression, it was easy to = understand the=20 voice which held gracious and divine though convicting = converse with him. Noah conversed with God. Abraham = saw God=20 and His day and was glad (cp. Jn. 8:56). The grace of = the Holy=20 Spirit acting externally was also reflected in all the = Old=20 Testament prophets and Saints of Israel.=20 The Hebrews afterwards established special prophetic = schools=20 where the sons of the prophets were taught to discern = the=20 signs of the manifestation of God or of Angels, and to = distinguish the operations of the Holy Spirit from the = ordinary natural phenomena of our graceless earthly = life.=20 Simeon who held God in his arms, Christ's = grand-parents Joakim=20 and Anna, and countless other servants of God = continually had=20 quite openly various divine apparitions, voices and=20 revelations which were justified by evident miraculous = events.=20 Though not with the same power as in the people of = God,=20 nevertheless, the presence of the Spirit of God also = acted in=20 the pagans = who did not=20 know the true God, because even among them God found = for=20 Himself chosen people. Such, for instance, were the=20 virgin-prophetesses called Sibyls who vowed virginity = to an=20 unknown God, but still to God the Creator of the = universe, the=20 all-powerful Ruler of the world, as He was conceived = by the=20 pagans. Though the pagan philosophers also wandered in = the=20 darkness of ignorance of God, yet they sought the = truth which=20 is beloved by God, and on account of this God-pleasing = seeking, they could partake of the Spirit of God, for = it is=20 said that the nations who do not know God practice by = nature=20 the demands of the law and do what is pleasing to God = (cp.=20 Rom. 2:14). The Lord so praises truth that He says of = it=20 Himself by the Holy Spirit: Truth has sprung out of = the=20 earth, and righteousness has looked down from = heaven (Ps.=20 84:11).

"So you = see, your=20 Godliness, both in the holy Hebrew people, a people = beloved by=20 God, and in the pagans who did not know God, there was = preserved a knowledge of God=E2=80=94that is, my son, = a clear and=20 rational comprehension of how our Lord God the Holy = Spirit=20 acts in man, and by means of what inner and outer = feelings one=20 can be sure that this is really the action of our Lord = God the=20 Holy Spirit, and not a delusion of the enemy. That is = how it=20 was from Adam's fall until the coming in the flesh of = our Lord=20 Jesus Christ into the world.

"Without = this=20 perceptible realization of the actions of the Holy = Spirit=20 which had always been preserved in human nature, men = could not=20 possibly have known for certain whether the fruit of = the seed=20 of the woman who had been promised to Adam and Eve had = come=20 into the world to bruise the serpent's head (Gen.=20 3:15).

"At last = the Holy=20 Spirit foretold to St. Simeon, who was then in his = 65th year,=20 the mystery of the virginal conception and birth of = Christ=20 from the most pure Ever-Virgin Mary. Afterwards, = having lived=20 by the grace of the All-Holy Spirit of God for three = hundred=20 years, in the 365th year of his life he said openly in = the=20 Temple of the Lord that he knew for certain [11] = through the=20 gift of the Holy Spirit that this was that very = Christ, the=20 Saviour of the world, Whose supernatural conception = and birth=20 from the Holy Spirit had been foretold to him by an = Angel=20 three hundred years previously.

"And = there was also=20 Saint Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, who = from=20 her widowhood had served the Lord God in the Temple = of=20 God for = eighty years,=20 and who was known to be a righteous widow, a chaste = servant of=20 God, from the special gifts of grace she had received. = She too=20 announced that He was actually the Messiah Who had = been=20 promised to the world, the true Christ, God and Man, = the King=20 of Israel, Who had come to save Adam and=20 mankind.

"But when = our Lord=20 Jesus Christ condescended to accomplish the whole work = of=20 salvation, after His Resurrection, He breathed on the=20 Apostles, restored the breath of life lost by Adam, = and gave=20 them the same grace of the All-Holy Spirit of God as = Adam had=20 enjoyed. But that was not all. He also told them that = it was=20 expedient for them that He should go to the Father, = for if He=20 did not go, the Spirit of God would not come into the = world.=20 But if He, the Christ, went to the Father, He would = send Him=20 into the world, and He, the Comforter, would guide = them and=20 all who followed their teaching into all truth and = would=20 remind them of all that He had said to them when He = was still=20 in the world. What was then promised was grace upon = grace (Jn.=20 1:16).

"Then on = the day of=20 Pentecost He solemnly sent down to them in a = tempestuous wind=20 the Holy Spirit in the form of tongues of fire which = alighted=20 on each of them and entered within them and filled = them with=20 the fiery strength of divine grace which breathes = bedewingly=20 and acts gladdeningly in souls which partake of its = power and=20 operations (Cp. Acts 2:1-4). And this same = fire-infusing grace=20 of the Holy Spirit which is given to us all, the = faithful of=20 Christ, in the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, is sealed by = the=20 Sacrament of Chrismation on the chief parts of our = body as=20 appointed by Holy Church, the eternal = keeper of=20 this grace. It is said: 'The seal of the Gift of the = Holy=20 Spirit.' On what do we put our seals, your Godliness, = if not=20 on vessels containing some very precious treasure? But = what on=20 earth can be higher and what can be more precious than = the=20 gifts of the Holy Spirit which are sent down to us = from above=20 in the Sacrament of Baptism? This Baptismal grace is = so great=20 and so indispensable, so vital for man, that even a = heretic is=20 not deprived of it until his very death; that is, till = the end=20 of the period appointed on high by the Providence of = God as a=20 life-long test of man on earth, in order to see what = he will=20 be able to achieve (during this period given to him by = God) by=20 means of the power of grace granted him from on=20 high.

"And if = we were=20 never to sin after our Baptism, we should remain for = ever=20 Saints of God, holy, blameless and free from all = impurity of=20 body and spirit. But the trouble is that we increase = in=20 stature, but do not increase in grace and in the = knowledge of=20 God as our Lord Jesus Christ increased; but on the = contrary,=20 we gradually become more and more depraved and lose = the grace=20 of the All-Holy Spirit of God and become sinful in = various=20 degrees, and most sinful people. But if a man is = stirred by=20 the wisdom of God which seeks our salvation and = embraces=20 everything, and he is resolved for its sake to devote = the=20 early hours to God and to watch in order to find his = eternal=20 salvation [12], then, in obedience to its voice, he = must=20 hasten to offer true repentance for all his sins and=20 must practice the virtues which are = opposite to=20 the sins committed. Then through the virtues = practiced=20 for Christ's sake he will acquire the Holy Spirit Who = acts=20 within us and establishes in us the Kingdom = of=20 God. The = word of God=20 does not say in vain: The Kingdom of God is within you = (Lk.=20 17:21), and it suffers violence, and the violent = take it by=20 force (Mat. 11:12) [13]. That means that people = who, in=20 spite of the bonds of sin which fetter them and (by = their=20 violence and by inciting them to new sins) prevent = them from=20 coming to Him, our Saviour, with perfect repentance = for=20 reckoning with Him, yet force themselves to break = their bonds,=20 despising all the strength of the fetters of = sin=E2=80=94such people=20 at last actually appear before the face of God made = whiter=20 than snow by His grace. Come, says the Lord: Though = your=20 sins be as purple, I will make them white as snow = (Is.=20 1:18).

"Such = people were=20 once seen by the holy Seer John the Divine clothed = in white=20 robes (that is, in robes of justification) and = palms in=20 their hands (as a sign of victory), and they were = singing=20 to God a wonderful song: Alleluia. And no one = could=20 imitate the beauty of their song. Of them an Angel of = God=20 said: These are they who have come out of great = tribulation=20 and have washed their robes, and have made them white = in the=20 blood of the Lamb (Rev. 7:9-14). They were washed = with=20 their sufferings and made white in the Communion of = the=20 immaculate and life-giving Mysteries of the Body and = Blood of=20 the most pure and spotless = Lamb=E2=80=94Christ=E2=80=94Who was slain before=20 all ages by His own will for the salvation of the = world and=20 Who is continually being slain and divided until now = but is=20 never exhausted. Through the Holy Mysteries we are = granted our=20 eternal and unfailing salvation as a viaticum to = eternal life,=20 as an acceptable answer at His awful judgement and as = a=20 precious substitute beyond our comprehension for that = fruit of=20 the tree of life of which the enemy of mankind Lucifer = who=20 fell from heaven would have liked to deprive our human = race.=20 Though the enemy and devil seduced Eve, and Adam fell = with=20 her, yet the Lord not only granted them a Redeemer in = the=20 fruit of the seed of the woman Who trampled down death = by=20 death, but also granted us all in the woman, the = Ever-Virgin=20 Mary Mother of God, who crushes the head of the = serpent in=20 herself and in all the human race, a constant = mediatress with=20 her Son and our God, and an invincible and insistent=20 intercessor even for the most desperate sinners. That = is why=20 the Mother of God is called the 'Plague of Demons,' = for it is=20 not possible for a devil to destroy a man so long as = the man=20 himself has recourse to the help of the Mother of=20 God.

"And I = must further=20 explain, your Godliness, the difference between the = operations=20 of the Holy Spirit who dwells mystically in the hearts = of=20 those who believe in our Lord God and Saviour Jesus = Christ and=20 the operations of the darkness of sin which, at the = suggestion=20 and instigation of the devil, acts predatorily in us. = The=20 Spirit of God reminds us of the words of our Lord = Jesus Christ=20 and always acts triumphantly with Him, gladdening our = hearts=20 and guiding our steps into the way of peace, while the = false=20 diabolic spirit reasons in the opposite way to Christ, = and its=20 actions in us are rebellious, stubborn, and full of = the lust=20 of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of=20 life.

"And = whoever=20 lives and believes in Me shall not die for ever = (Jn.=20 11:26). He who has the grace of the Holy Spirit in = reward for=20 right faith in Christ, even if on account of human = frailty his=20 soul were to die from some sin or other, yet he will = not die=20 for ever, but he will be raised by the grace of our = Lord Jesus=20 Christ Who takes away the sin of the world (Jn. = 1:29)=20 and freely gives grace upon grace. Of this grace, = which was=20 manifested to the whole world and to our human race by = the=20 God-Man, it is said in the Gospel: In Him was life, = and the=20 life was the light of men (Jn. 1:4); and further: = And=20 the light shines in the darkness; and the darkness did = not=20 overpower it (Jn. 1:5). This means that the grace = of the=20 Holy Spirit which is granted at Baptism in the name of = the=20 Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, in spite of = men's=20 falls into sin, in spite of the darkness surrounding = our soul,=20 nevertheless shines in the heart with the divine light = (which=20 has existed from time immemorial) of the inestimable = merits of=20 Christ. In the event of a sinner's impenitence this = light of=20 Christ cries to the Father: 'Abba, Father! Be not = angry with=20 this impenitence to the end (of his life)'. And then, = at the=20 sinner's conversion to the way of repentance, it = effaces=20 completely all trace of past sin and clothes the = former sinner=20 once more in a robe of incorruption woven from the = grace of=20 the Holy Spirit, concerning the acquisition of which, = as the=20 aim of the Christian life, I have been speaking so = long to=20 your Godliness.

"I will = tell you=20 something else, so that you may understand still more = clearly=20 what is meant by the grace of God, how to recognize it = and how=20 its action is manifested particularly in those who are = enlightened by it. The grace of the Holy Spirit is the = light=20 which enlightens man. The whole of Sacred Scripture = speaks=20 about this. Thus our holy Father David said: Thy = word is a=20 lamp to my feet, and a light to my path (Ps. = 118:105),=20 and: Unless Thy law had been my meditation I should = have=20 died in my humiliation (Ps. 118:92). In other = words, the=20 grace of the Holy Spirit which is expressed in the Law = by the=20 words of the Lord's commandments is my lamp and light. = And if=20 this grace of the Holy Spirit (which I try to acquire = so=20 carefully and zealously that I meditate on Thy = righteous=20 judgements seven times a day) did not enlighten me = amidst the=20 darkness of the cares which are inseparable from the = high=20 calling of my royal rank, whence should I get a spark = of light=20 to illumine my way on the path of life which is = darkened by=20 the ill-will of my enemies?

"And in = fact the=20 Lord has frequently demonstrated before many witnesses = how the=20 grace of the Holy Spirit acts on people whom He has = sanctified=20 and illumined by His great inspiration [14]. Remember = Moses=20 after his talk with God on Mount=20 Sinai. He so shone with an extraordinary light = that=20 people were unable to look at him. He was even forced = to wear=20 a veil when he appeared in public. Remember the=20 Transfiguration of the Lord on Mount Tabor. A great light = encircled=20 Him, and His raiment became shining, exceedingly = white like=20 snow (Mk. 9:3), and His disciples fell on their = faces from=20 fear. But when Moses and Elias appeared to Him in that = light,=20 a cloud overshadowed them in order to hide the = radiance of the=20 light of the divine grace which blinded the eyes of = the=20 disciples. Thus the grace of the All-Holy Spirit of = God=20 appears in an ineffable light to all to whom God = reveals its=20 action."

"But=20 how," I asked Father Seraphim, "can I know that I am = in the=20 grace of the Holy Spirit?"

"It is = very simple,=20 your Godliness," he replied. "That is why the Lord = says:=20 'All things are simple to those who find = knowledge'=20 (Prov. 8:9, Septuagint). The trouble is that we = do not=20 seek this divine knowledge which does not puff up, for = it is=20 not of this world. This knowledge which is full of = love for=20 God and for our neighbour builds up every man for his=20 salvation. Of this knowledge the Lord said that God = wills=20 all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of = the truth=20 (I Tim. 2:4). And of the lack of this knowledge He = said to=20 His Apostles: Are you also yet without = understanding=20 (Mat. 15:16)? Concerning this understanding [15], = it is=20 said in the Gospel of the Apostles: Then opened He = their=20 understanding (Lk. 24:45), and the Apostles always = perceived whether the Spirit of God was dwelling in = them or=20 not; and being filled with understanding, they saw the = presence of the Holy Spirit with them and declared = positively=20 that their work was holy and entirely pleasing to the = Lord=20 God. That explains why in their Epistles they wrote: = It=20 seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us (Acts = 15:28).=20 Only on these grounds did they offer their Epistles as = immutable truth for the benefit of all the faithful. = Thus the=20 holy Apostles were consciously aware of the presence = in=20 themselves of the Spirit of God. And so you see, your=20 Godliness, how simple it is!"

"Nevertheless," I=20 replied, "I do not understand how I can be certain = that I am=20 in the Spirit of God. How can I discern for myself His = true=20 manifestation in me?"

Father = Seraphim=20 replied: "I have already told you, your Godliness, = that it is=20 very simple and I have related in detail how people = come to be=20 in the Spirit of God and how we can recognize His = presence in=20 us. So what do you want, my son?"

"I want = to=20 understand it well," I said.

Then = Father=20 Seraphim took me very firmly by the shoulders and = said: "We=20 are both in the Spirit of God now, my son. Why don't = you look=20 at me?"

I = replied: "I=20 cannot look, Father, because your eyes are flashing = like=20 lightning. Your face has become brighter than the sun, = and my=20 eyes ache with pain."

Father = Seraphim=20 said: "Don't be alarmed, your Godliness! Now you = yourself have=20 become as bright as I am. You are now in the fullness = of the=20 Spirit of God yourself; otherwise you would not be = able to see=20 me as I am."

Then, = bending his=20 head towards me, he whispered softly in my ear: "Thank = the=20 Lord God for His unutterable mercy to us! You saw that = I did=20 not even cross myself; and only in my heart I prayed = mentally=20 to the Lord God and said within myself: 'Lord, grant = him to=20 see clearly with his bodily eyes that descent of Thy = Spirit=20 which Thou grantest to Thy servants when Thou art = pleased to=20 appear in the light of Thy magnificent glory.' And you = see, my=20 son, the Lord instantly fulfilled the humble prayer of = poor=20 Seraphim. How then shall we not thank Him for this = unspeakable=20 gift to us both? Even to the greatest hermits, my son, = the=20 Lord God does not always show His mercy in this way. = This=20 grace of God, like a loving mother, has been pleased = to=20 comfort your contrite heart at the intercession of the = Mother=20 of God herself. But why, my son, do you not look me in = the=20 eyes? Just look, and don't be afraid! The Lord is with = us!"

After = these words I=20 glanced at his face and there came over me an even = greater=20 reverent awe. Imagine in the center of the sun, in the = dazzling light of its midday rays, the face of a man = talking=20 to you. You see the movement of his lips and the = changing=20 expression of his eyes, you hear his voice, you feel = someone=20 holding your shoulders; yet you do not see his hands, = you do=20 not even see yourself or his figure, but only a = blinding light=20 spreading far around for several yards and illumining = with its=20 glaring sheen both the snow-blanket which covered the = forest=20 glade and the snow-flakes which besprinkled me and the = great=20 Elder. You can imagine the state I was = in!

"How do = you feel=20 now?" Father Seraphim asked me.

"Extraordinarily=20 well," I said.

"But in = what way?=20 How exactly do you feel well?"

I = answered: "I feel=20 such calmness and peace in my soul that no words can = express=20 it."

"This, = your=20 Godliness," said Father Seraphim, "is that peace of = which the=20 Lord said to His disciples: My peace I give unto = you; not=20 as the world gives, give I unto you (Jn. 14:21). = If you=20 were of the world, the world would love its own; but = because I=20 have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world = hates=20 you (Jn. 15:19). But be of good cheer; I have = overcome=20 the world (Jn. 16:33). And to those people whom = this world=20 hates but who are chosen by the Lord, the Lord gives = that=20 peace which you now feel within you, the peace which, = in the=20 words of the Apostle, passes all understanding = (Phil.=20 4:7). The Apostle describes it in this way, because it = is=20 impossible to express in words the spiritual = well-being which=20 it produces in those into whose hearts the Lord God = has=20 infused it. Christ the Saviour calls it a peace which = comes=20 from His own generosity and is not of this world, for = no=20 temporary earthly prosperity can give it to the human = heart;=20 it is granted from on high by the Lord God Himself, = and that=20 is why it is called the peace of God. What else do you = feel?"=20 Father Seraphim asked me.

"An = extraordinary=20 sweetness," I replied.

And he = continued:=20 "This is that sweetness of which it is said in Holy = Scripture:=20 They will be inebriated with the fatness of Thy = house; and=20 Thou shalt make them drink of the torrent of Thy = delight=20 (Ps. 35:8) [16]. And now this sweetness is = flooding our=20 hearts and coursing through our veins with unutterable = delight. From this sweetness our hearts melt as it = were, and=20 both of us are filled with such happiness as tongue = cannot=20 tell. What else do you feel?"

"An = extraordinary=20 joy in all my heart."

And = Father Seraphim=20 continued: "When the Spirit of God comes down to man = and=20 overshadows him with the fullness of His inspiration = [17],=20 then the human soul overflows with unspeakable joy, = for the=20 Spirit of God fills with joy whatever He touches. This = is that=20 joy of which the Lord speaks in His Gospel: A woman = when=20 she is in travail has sorrow, because her hour is = come; but=20 when she is delivered of the child, she remembers no = more the=20 anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. In = the=20 world you will be sorrowful [18]; but when I = see you=20 again, your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no one = will take=20 from you (Jn. 16:21-22). Yet however comforting = may be=20 this joy which you now feel in your heart, it is = nothing in=20 comparison with that of which the Lord Himself by the = mouth of=20 His Apostle said that that joy eye has not seen, = nor ear=20 heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man what = God has=20 prepared for them that love Him (I Cor. 2:9). = Foretastes=20 of that joy are given to us now, and if they fill our = souls=20 with such sweetness, well-being and happiness, what = shall we=20 say of that joy which has been prepared in heaven for = those=20 who weep here on earth? And you, my son, have wept = enough in=20 your life on earth; yet see with what joy the Lord = consoles=20 you even in this life! Now it is up to us, my son, to = add=20 labours to labours in order to go from strength to = strength=20 (Ps. 83:7), and to come to the measure of the = stature=20 of the fullness of Christ (Eph. 4:13), so that the = words=20 of the Lord may be fulfilled in us: But they that = wait upon=20 the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall grow = wings=20 like eagles; and they shall run and not be weary = (Is.=20 40:31); they will go from strength to strength, and = the God=20 of gods will appear to them in the Sion (Ps. 83:8) = of=20 realization and heavenly visions. Only then will our = present=20 joy (which now visits us little and briefly) appear in = all its=20 fullness, and no one will take it from us, for we = shall be=20 filled to overflowing with inexplicable heavenly = delights.=20 What else do you feel, your = Godliness?"

I = answered: "An=20 extraordinary warmth."

"How can = you feel=20 warmth, my son? Look, we are sitting in the forest. It = is=20 winter out-of-doors, and snow is underfoot. There is = more than=20 an inch of snow on us, and the snowflakes are still = falling.=20 What warmth can there be?"

I = answered: "Such=20 as there is in a bath-house when the water is poured = on the=20 stone and the steam rises in = clouds."

"And the = smell?" he=20 asked me. "Is it the same as in the=20 bath-house?"

"No," I = replied.=20 "There is nothing on earth like this fragrance. When = in my=20 dear mother's lifetime I was fond of dancing and used = to go to=20 balls and parties, my mother would sprinkle me with = scent=20 which she bought at the best shops in Kazan. But those scents did = not=20 exhale such fragrance."

And = Father=20 Seraphim, smiling pleasantly, said: "I know it myself = just as=20 well as you do, my son, but I am asking you on purpose = to see=20 whether you feel it in the same way. It is absolutely = true,=20 your Godliness! The sweetest earthly fragrance cannot = be=20 compared with the fragrance which we now feel, for we = are now=20 enveloped in the fragrance of the Holy Spirit of God. = What on=20 earth can be like it? Mark, your Godliness, you have = told me=20 that around us it is warm as in a bath-house; but = look,=20 neither on you nor on me does the snow melt, nor does = it=20 underfoot; therefore, this warmth is not in the air = but in us.=20 It is that very warmth about which the Holy Spirit in = the=20 words of prayer makes us cry to the Lord: 'Warm me = with the=20 warmth of Thy Holy Spirit!' By it the hermits of both = sexes=20 were kept warm and did not fear the winter frost, = being clad,=20 as in fur coats, in the grace-given clothing woven by = the Holy=20 Spirit. And so it must be in actual fact, for the = grace of God=20 must dwell within us, in our heart, because the Lord = said:=20 The Kingdom of God is within you = (Lk.=20 17:21). By the Kingdom of God the Lord meant the = grace of=20 the Holy Spirit. This Kingdom of God is now within us, = and the=20 grace of the Holy Spirit shines upon us and warms us = from=20 without as well. It fills the surrounding air with = many=20 fragrant odours, sweetens our senses with heavenly = delight and=20 floods our hearts with unutterable joy. Our present = state is=20 that of which the Apostle says; The Kingdom = of=20 God is not = food and=20 drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy = Spirit=20 (Rom. 14:17). Our faith consists not in the = plausible=20 words of earthly wisdom, but in the demonstration of = the=20 Spirit and power (cp. I Cor.2:4). That is just the = state that=20 we are in now. Of this state the Lord said: There = are some=20 of those standing here who shall not taste of death = till they=20 see the Kingdom of God come in power = (Mk. 9:1).=20 See, my son, what unspeakable joy the Lord God has now = granted=20 us! This is what it means to be in the fullness of the = Holy=20 Spirit, about which St. Macarius of Egypt=20 writes: 'I myself was in the fullness of the Holy = Spirit.'=20 With this fullness of His Holy Spirit the Lord has now = filled=20 us poor creatures to overflowing. So there is no need = now,=20 your Godliness, to ask how people come to be in the = grace of=20 the Holy Spirit. Will you remember this manifestation = of God's=20 ineffable mercy which has visited = us?"

"I don't = know,=20 Father," I said, "whether the Lord will grant me to = remember=20 this mercy of God always as vividly and clearly as I = feel it=20 now."

"I = think," Father=20 Seraphim answered me, "that the Lord will help you to = retain=20 it in your memory forever, or His goodness would never = have=20 instantly bowed in this way to my humble prayer and so = quickly=20 anticipated the request of poor Seraphim; all the more = so,=20 because it is not given to you alone to understand it, = but=20 through you it is for the whole world, in order that = you=20 yourself may be confirmed in God's work and may be = useful to=20 others. The fact that I am a Monk and you are a layman = is=20 utterly beside the point. What God requires is true = faith in=20 Himself and His Only-begotten Son. In return for that = the=20 grace of the Holy Spirit is granted abundantly from on = high.=20 The Lord seeks a heart filled to overflowing with love = for God=20 and our neighbour; this is the throne on which He = loves to sit=20 and on which He appears in the fullness of His = heavenly glory.=20 'Son, give Me thy heart,' He says, 'and all the rest I = Myself=20 will add to thee (Prov. 23:26; Matt. 6:33),' for in = the human=20 heart the Kingdom of God can be contained. = The Lord=20 commanded His disciples: Seek first the Kingdom of = God and=20 His righteousness, and all these things shall be added = to you;=20 for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these = things=20 (Mat. 6:32,33). The Lord does not rebuke us for = using=20 earthly goods, for He says Himself that, owing to the=20 conditions of our earthly life, we need all these = things; that=20 is, all the things which make our human life more = peaceful and=20 make our way to our heavenly home lighter and easier. = That is=20 why the holy Apostle Paul said that in his opinion = there was=20 nothing better on earth than piety and sufficiency = (cp. II=20 Cor.9:8; I Tim.6:6). And Holy Church prays that this = may be=20 granted us by the Lord God; and though troubles, = misfortunes=20 and various needs are inseparable from our life on = earth, yet=20 the Lord God neither willed nor wills that we should = have=20 nothing but troubles and adversities. Therefore, He = commands=20 us through the Apostles to bear one another's = burdens and=20 so fulfill the law of Christ (Gal. 6:2). The Lord = Jesus=20 personally gives us the commandment to love one = another, so=20 that, by consoling one another with mutual love, we = may=20 lighten the sorrowful and narrow way of our journey to = the=20 heavenly country. Why did He descend to us from = heaven, if not=20 for the purpose of taking upon Himself our poverty and = of=20 making us rich with the riches of His goodness and His = unutterable generosity? He did not come to be served = by men=20 but to serve them Himself and to give His life for the = salvation of many. You do the same, your Godliness, = and having=20 seen the mercy of God manifestly shown to you, tell of = it to=20 all who desire salvation. The harvest truly is = great, says=20 the Lord, but the labourers are few (Lk. 10:2). = The Lord=20 God has led us out to work and has given us the gifts = of His=20 grace in order that, by reaping the ears of the = salvation of=20 our fellow-men and bringing as many as possible into = the=20 Kingdom of God, we may bring Him fruit=E2=80=94some = thirtyfold, some=20 sixtyfold and some a hundredfold. Let us be watchful, = my son,=20 in order that we may not be condemned with that wicked = and=20 slothful servant who hid his talent in the earth, but = let us=20 try to imitate those good and faithful servants of the = Lord=20 who brought their Master four talents instead of two, = and ten=20 instead of five (Cf. Mat. 25:14-30).

"Of the = mercy of=20 the Lord God there is no shadow of doubt. You have = seen for=20 yourself, your Godliness, how the words of the Lord = spoken=20 through the Prophet have been accomplished in us: I am = not a=20 God far off, but a God near at hand (cp. Jer. 23:23), = and thy=20 salvation is at thy mouth (cp. Deut. 30:12-14; = Rom.=20 10:8-13). I had not time even to cross myself, but = only wished=20 in my heart that the Lord would grant you to see His = goodness=20 in all its fullness, and He was pleased to hasten to = realise=20