THE SPIRITUAL INSTRUCTIONS TO LAYMEN AND MONKS Of Our Father Among the Saints ST. SERAPHIM OF SAROV

[With some abbreviations made by Fathers Herman and Seraphim of Platina for publication in their journal, “The Orthodox Word.”]

Contents.

Preface by Fathers Herman and Seraphim of Platina at the first publication of the text in English in the journal “Orthodox Word”.

I

GOD

II

THE MYSTERY OF THE HOLY TRINITY

III

THE REASONS WHY JESUS CHRIST CAME INTO THE WORLD

IV

FAITH

V

HOPE

VI

LOVE OF GOD

VII

THE FEAR OF GOD

VIII

THE KEEPING OF RECOGNIZED TRUTHS

IX

LOQUACITY

X

PRAYER

XI

TEARS

XII

SORROW

XIII

BOREDOM AND DESPONDENCY

XIV

DESPAIR

XV

ILLNESSES

XVI

PATIENCE AND HUMILITY

XVII

WORKS OF MERCY

XVIII

DUTIES AND LOVE TOWARD ONE'S NEIGHBOR

XIX

THE DUTIES OF THOSE SUBJECT TO SUPERIORS

XX

DO NOT JUDGE YOUR NEIGHBOR

XXI

FORGIVENESS OF OFFENCES

XXII

CARE FOR THE SOUL

XXIII

WITH WHAT SHOULD ONE NOURISH THE SOUL?

XXIV

PEACE OF SOUL

XXV

PRESERVING PEACE OF SOUL

XXVI

GUARDING THE HEART

XXVII

DISCERNMENT OF THE HEART'S WORKINGS

XXVIII

THE LIGHT OF CHRIST

XXIX

ON THOUGHTS AND MOVEMENTS OF THE FLESH

XXX

HEEDFULNESS TO ONESELF

XXXI

AGAINST TOO GREAT SOLICITUDE

XXXII

RENUNCIATION OF THE WORLD

XXXIII

ASCETIC LABORS

XXXIV

REPENTANCE

XXXV

FASTING

XXXVI

VIGILANCE AGAINST TEMPTATIONS

XXXVII

SOLITUDE AND SILENCE

XXXVIII

ABSOLUTE SILENCE

XXXIX

THE ACTIVE AND THE CONTEMPLATIVE LIFE

XL

INSTRUCTION TO A NOVICE

XLI

REPLY TO A BROTHER WHO ASKED INSTRUCTION ON LEADING AN ANCHORETIC LIFE

XLII

WHAT AN ABBOT SHOULD BE

XLIII

INSTRUCTION TO AN ABBOT ON HOW TO DIRECT THE BRETHREN