A vow made to God. A vow made to god

Alexander KOPYTYUK

“We live in the 21st century,” a resident of this “most unique” century proudly asserts. Yes, it really is the 21st century outside. However, the numeral “21st” irrefutably indicates that there was a century, the 20th, the 19th... Many of us happened to live in the previous century. Question: what actually changed in society after the century-old barrier, except for an increase in... anxiety for the future? The idealization of the present creates in the contemporary an undisguised contempt for the entire past. And this, in essence, is a denial of the stable, the eternal. But is life itself possible without the constant? Isn’t this the “fever” of our 21st century? Analyzing the reaction of a resident of the last “super century” to eternal divine values, one involuntarily agrees with the diagnosis: “final stage fever.”

Evidence of this critical state is the phrase “what’s so great about them?” that is proudly uttered in response to the proposal to turn to eternal biblical values. For real supporters of divine truths, this reaction is understandable: “deceivers will prosper in evil, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Tim. 3:13). And here a wise recommendation is given about behavior in this situation: “But you continue in what you have been taught” (v. 14). What specific, unchangeable and eternal Scripture offers today for the formation of stable character? Among a number of living pieces of advice, one can single out a vow to God.

I had the opportunity to visit Armenia several times and visit numerous churches with Christian students. I remember one of them, completely carved into the rock. Believing guides talked about those who devoted themselves for many languid years to ensure that this masterpiece of art appeared. Without personal dedication to this type of service, it is practically impossible to achieve results. After this incident, an accusation directed against myself became firmly entrenched in my mind: where is your endurance and constancy? Are you capable of doing for long, painful years something that, perhaps, only after your life on earth will bear good fruit? It is impossible to deny the fact that thanks to such selfless Christians who lived in all centuries, spiritual values ​​have reached us. What will the future generation get from us other than living for our own pleasure with an endless set of “justifying arguments” in favor of pleasure?

Our reasoning brings us very close to a currently pressing question: how to set yourself up for stability? Undoubtedly, a vow provides reliable assistance in this.

So, a vow to God. What it is? According to the dictionary, this word means “promise, oath.” This idea appears many dozens of times in Old Testament and only a few times in the New Testament (Acts 18:18, 21:23). Let us pay attention to the direct connection of the vow with what is so rarely seen today among Christian believers - personal dedication to serving the Lord: “... if a man or woman decides to take a Nazirite vow in order to dedicate himself as a Nazirite to the Lord, then he must...” (Numbers .6).

A vow can be defined as “the desire to promise, to be,” to devote oneself to the fulfillment of a promise.

Another important reason to talk about a vow is the amazing modern “dedication” to another source: “I just like to eat good food, relax, listen and watch what I like...” Stop! Isn't this also dedication, but not to God? Dedicating ourselves to something develops in us dependence on what we devote ourselves to. And dependence is based on insatiability, which has only two daughters with the same name “Go, Go” (Prov. 30:15), and not one of them will say: “Enough, stop.” I wonder if someone forces us to live for our own pleasure? Doesn't the question itself at least make you smile a little? So, does this mean that we voluntarily choose to depend on pleasure that knows no boundaries? It turns out like this! Why not direct your right of free choice to reverse side? And inside you immediately hear “well, you’re infringing on yourself.” Well, maybe I should still take the risk?

What is unique about Scripture's approach to vows is this. It is not prescribed as something obligatory, but is an act of good will, and therefore does not cause immediate resistance (a common reaction modern man to biblical commandments). The Creator knows his creation very well, knows that there have always been and will be people who are ready to take a special step of trust and dedication to Him, and therefore offers the opportunity for those who want to make a vow. Why? Even in our sincere desires the deepest errors can manifest themselves. A striking illustration of this is Jephthah’s vow (Judges 11:30-39). Everyone must weigh everything and, based on their capabilities, make a vow.

It is better not to promise than to promise and not fulfill (Eccl. 5:1-4) - Scripture warns us. According to the Old Testament tradition, when making a vow, the name of God was usually invoked as a witness. Because of this, breaking a vow was considered an offense against the third commandment (Deut. 22:31). Therefore, everything should be carefully weighed. A frivolous promise goes hand in hand with lies and breaking a word given to God. This severity does not repel, but elevates the vow to the highest level of responsibility and seriousness.

The vow has a number of significant benefits.

1. This is, first of all, the true and indisputable indicator of our consecration to God.

2. The essential and dominant feature of the vow is to promote a real awareness of dependence on God: “Taste and see how good the Lord is!” (Ps. 33:9). Is it possible to taste the food without tasting it? The goodness of God cannot be comprehended by theory!

3. A vow helps improve memory: after all, one should always remember the promise given in the presence of God, otherwise - a violation of the previously mentioned commandment.

4. It helps to develop a quality that is scarce today - constancy.

5. Teaches us to constantly work with joy for “the God of my joy and gladness” (Ps. 42:4).

What are the vows for today? They can be divided into two groups: general, affecting practically everyone, and individual.

First of all, our water baptism is a common one. It is traditionally called “a promise to serve God in a good conscience” (1 Pet. 3:21, the text requires fundamental exegetical analysis). For what period of time is it given? Am I ready to testify that I keep my promise with joy? Further, when entering into a life together, young people again promise to love and remain faithful until the end of their days. family life. Maybe in this case there is courage to boast?

Quite often in a critical situation we cry out to God: “If You deliver me, I will do this and that.” These are also words of vow! How much are we really enough? One of important points individual vows is its confidentiality, that is, the promise is made not in society, but in the personal presence of God.

Let's touch on just a few.

1. Until the completion of any service, a vow is made not to marry. Sometimes a decision is made not to get married at all. This is a healthy phenomenon, but it should be consciously approached after sincerely standing before God, having secured from Him confirmation of its correctness this decision for myself personally.

2. A Christian devotes himself to some kind of work - the period of dedication is pronounced before the face of God.

3. Property is dedicated (house, car, land, etc.). There are cases when believers keep fruit-bearing trees for the Lord. The fruits of these trees do not belong to their earthly owner.

One day an interesting incident occurred with one of the Christian students in the south of Ukraine. He had a good car, which was always dedicated to helping others. During night prayer, the attackers stole her. The owner was calm when we met, saying: “This is not my car, but God’s. If He still needs her, He will return her to me.” Soon they called him and said: “If you want to get your car back, prepare such and such an amount.” Many convinced him: “Give me the money, the police won’t help. Don't forget where you live." The brother was calm: it was no longer his business, but the real Master was in charge of it. After a while, he received a call from the police station: “Come get your car.” A criminal group of car thefts was uncovered, stealing and making a lot of money on absolutely all the cars, with the exception of... the one belonging to our brother. When our “victim” met one of the hijackers, he sincerely told him: “Friend, I have no grudge against you. I give you the Gospel: now you will have a lot of time to read it.”

4. To overcome bad habits, various kinds addictions and passions, a vow is also made not to do more of them. Previously we considered our voluntariness in doing our whims. Why can’t we also voluntarily give them up? This decision is usually preceded by an awareness of the sinful danger of my situation and a sincere confession. Only after this, in the presence of the Lord, is a vow made not to do more than what he confessed. God himself is called upon to help fulfill the words. The author of these lines has repeatedly used this successful method.

Let's analyze what has been discussed. It is difficult today to boast of stability in spiritual life. Of course, we do not agree to “now go far, then cling to Him again.” You can observe the self-deception that quite often we fall into, trying to make new promises to God in the hope that this will help: I ​​will read the Bible, pray daily, quit using drugs, alcohol, I will not get involved in “thumping music”, pornography, mind-blowing and zombie games in any version, etc., - without confessing the sin of violating previously given data, even the same ones. Stop self-delusion! Don't expect to live a successful life with the terrible burden of deliberately deceiving God.

What to do? - On your knees with prayer! When? Now and only now!

So how do you feel about vowing to God in this progressive age?

Try an experiment. Say the words “vow of sobriety” in the most Orthodox, pious environment - and immediately a noise will arise, a dispute will ensue... What is it? Perhaps the fact is that we don’t know much about this phenomenon?

What and why?

A hundred years ago, at the end of August 1912, the First All-Russian Congress of Practical Workers to Combat Drunkenness took place. It spoke about the establishment of a day of sobriety - on the day of the Beheading of John the Baptist. Today is this holiday, which was not in time then - due to historical reasons- to take root, to be born again. According to a new tradition, vows of sobriety are taken in many churches on September 11th.

What is this - a vow of sobriety? It's simple: a promise. A person promises God that he will not drink anything that contains alcohol. Promises after a special prayer service, in front of the Cross and the Gospel, an icon or the relics of saints. But why can’t you do this alone with God - at home, near the icons? “Why is it possible,” he thinks Archpriest Ilya Shugaev, chairman of the temperance society at the Archangel Michael Church in the city of Taldom.- It happens, of course, that such a promise is given out of emotion, so that afterwards it must be confirmed in church, at a special ceremony. After all, we confess to God through a priest, each time promising not to repeat our sins. A vow is not a sacrament. But when you pronounce the words of the vow prayer, and even in front of witnesses, this is also psychologically important, it holds you.”

But how does a vow differ from an oath, which we Christians are forbidden to take? Priest Igor Bachinin, Chairman of the John the Baptist Brotherhood "Sobriety", explains this way: “When a person swears, he tries to prove that he is right and calls God as a witness. And by taking a vow, he admits his weakness and asks God for help. By the way, I always warn you: you yourself will not be able to fulfill your word given to God without His help. You just don’t have the strength for it.”

Stack of sulfuric acid

The vow is made not only by people who drink (more on this below), but it is for them that its help is so important, for them it is sometimes vital. “I look at those who simply decided not to drink,” says Tatyana, who took a vow of sobriety for life ten years ago, “it’s like they’re carrying some kind of burden, but we, on the contrary, have thrown it off.” Dmitry (9 years of vow) expresses himself differently: “harsh chains of grace.” Oleg (12 years old) compares himself to “a ship that does not call at foreign ports”: the wine departments in stores simply ceased to exist for him, as if they did not exist. How does this happen? How does a vow work?

Father Igor Bachinin gives his own analogy: “I will not drink sulfuric acid - under no circumstances, there is nothing to even think about. It is the same with a person who has taken a vow of sobriety. Even if thoughts about alcohol arise, he does not talk to them, the grace of God covers him. But without a vow they prevail; a person remains in doubt and in struggle all the time.”

Is it possible to give up drinking without a vow? Of course. In almost every parish you can find living examples of this. The vow is not a goal, but simply a help.

Fears and deadlines

Often people do not take a vow of sobriety because they are afraid of breaking it, fear of punishment. According to most priests who practice taking vows of sobriety, fear cannot hold a person back. Those who are afraid usually already have a scenario for a future retreat prepared: an aunt’s wake, a son’s wedding, a plane flight, a visit to their native village, a corporate party at a new place of work... Father Igor calls these excuses and is convinced that there is only one reason: lack of determination. “But if a person is afraid of the consequences,” he advises, “it is better not to make a vow. Or give it first for a very short period of time in order to gain experience of sobriety and confidence that the Lord is helping you, and then extend it.”

The minimum period of a vow of sobriety is Lent, although more often the vow is given for a year at once. Then they usually extend it. Some people decide to give up alcohol for the rest of their lives. But more common is the “stepped” practice. You can test your strength; taste absolute sobriety - is it as insipid as it seems; try on the feathers of a “white crow”; to understand whether sober fun, as is commonly thought, is always strained or whether you can rejoice without alcohol.

If you do fall

But breakdowns, of course, happen, no matter what. And often. According to pre-revolutionary statistics, 56 percent of votives kept their word to God not to drink. It is impossible to say how things stand today in Russia as a whole. I can only testify to what I know for certain myself. Of the 45 people who took vows over seven years in the temperance community at the St. Nicholas Church in the village of Romashkovo, 16 people broke them. Did something terrible happen to any of them? Life turned out differently. Someone returned to “their own vomit” - the endings were the saddest. Seryozha, everyone’s favorite musician and joker, died in intensive care. Vasily ended his life with a shameful death. Given the lifestyle they led after the breakdowns, it was difficult to imagine a different ending. But more often the person got up and, even if he stumbled, continued to walk again. “Everything is the same as in other situations when a sin is committed,” says Priest Igor Bachinin. - There is nothing extraordinary here. A person repents, confesses, and penance is imposed on him.” There are a lot of reasons for disruptions, and the reason, according to our priest interlocutors, is “a violation of internal religious life.” When, during group classes in Romashkovo, we examined in detail the breakdown of one of the community members, trying to figure out what led to it, it certainly turned out in the end that the person began to skimp on the morning and evening rule, skip church services, group meetings.

Be ready!

The latter may seem alien in this high series, but it is no less important. In order to become different, an alcoholic needs a new social circle, a new “reference group”. “If a person makes a vow, and then again plunges into the old environment where he acquired his illness, it will not be easy for him there. He will again be left alone with his problems, says Archpriest Ilya Shugaev. “It is important that he communicates with people who have already walked his path, who live soberly, so that he becomes infected with their way of life, their way of thinking.”

Can a person who is not a church member, or even an unbeliever, take a vow of sobriety? Father Igor Bachinin says this: “If you want to start living soberly, live. You can make a promise for a certain period - to me, or even... to yourself. But one must prepare for a vow to God—first of all, by living a church life.” Preparation for the vow is different in different sobriety societies. In the Sobriety fraternity, for example, the vow is made by people who have completed a two-week cycle of classes. "Eat different opinions regarding preparation for the vow, says Father Elijah. - Some believe that it should be given as soon as the solution appears, for a short period of time - so as not to miss the moment. And then consciously prolong it. Others say that you need to prepare for the vow. It is difficult to reduce everything to one formula. Everyone’s destinies are different, and everyone’s shepherds are different.”

Head of the Coordination Center for Combating Alcoholism and Promoting Sobriety Synodal Department for charity Valery Doronkin talks about a case when someone “crawled to the priest on his knees. Father prayed, thought, and accepted his vow. He still doesn’t drink!” Anything can happen.

People who already don’t drink often take a vow of sobriety. One of the inspirers of the temperance movement in Russia at the end of the 19th century, S. A. Rachinsky, believed that the vow, given by man non-drinker, has enormous moral strength. “The drunkard is forced to give it,” explains Archpriest Ilya Shugaev. - And he - out of love for the weak. His example is much more contagious, because he decided not to drink without having a vital need for it.” Speaking about this, we always remember the words of the Apostle Paul: “It is better not to eat meat, not to drink wine, and not do Nothing such wherefore your brother stumbles, or is offended, or faints” (Rom. 14:21).

Where there is a needle, there is a thread

There are, of course, so-called ideological teetotalers who undertake the feat of abstinence for the sake of saving all those who suffer - near and far. But it seems to me that if you get to know the life history of them and their families more closely... “A good life does not make one take a vow of sobriety,” says Valery Doronkin, who, on duty, was present at probably several dozen vows. - This is driven by personal experience. A person faces suffering, pain, death... He sees that alcohol has become a terrible evil for those he loves, and he tries to do something.”

Very often wives and mothers of alcoholics take the vow, hoping that it will help. Hegumen Seraphim (Nikolin), head of the Orthodox Temperance Society of the city of Yegoryevsk, calls such a vow a “silent sermon” and is confident that it cannot fail to have a result - even if the initial reaction is completely opposite: “After all, a family is a single body, and the action of one spiritually affects the other.”

It happens that spouses take a vow of sobriety together - and this is probably the most logical thing. Elena, who made a vow together with her husband 12 years ago, explains her action simply: “How could it be otherwise: where the needle goes, so does the thread.” In the house where the person who has made the vow lives, wine is not displayed. festive table, they don’t keep alcohol, they try to get rid of (or at least hide in the far corner) glass decanters and other drinking utensils - so that there is no unnecessary temptation.

Sometimes leaders of temperance societies impose a ban on kvass, alcohol-based medications, and non-alcoholic beer. Archpriest Ilya Shugaev believes: “Everything is individual. If the same kvass evokes any associations or gives a slight “high” - it’s not worth it, of course. You can almost always find alcohol-free analogues medicines. As for non-alcoholic beer, its very taste is a direct provocateur: a person subconsciously waits for him to get drunk.”

No vow!

When you go on a pilgrimage to a monastery, you mention that you took a vow of sobriety, and you often encounter rebuff: they say, this is not a worldly matter, but a purely monastic one. Hegumen Seraphim (Nikolin) disagrees: “This is a biblical tradition - to make vows before the Lord! Let’s say, the Nazirite vows were taken not only by members of the tribe of Aaron who became priests, but by everyone who was spiritually mature for this.” There are many opponents of the vow among the white clergy. Father Igor Bachinin and Valery Doronkin explain this by ignorance of history, loss of tradition and the fact that people simply did not understand the essence of the issue. “There are no theological grounds to reject the vow,” says Father Igor, “and people are people, they can argue and make mistakes.”

What about the holiday?

But still, returning to the beginning, why does it become so noisy when you say two words “vow of sobriety”? Without fail, someone, the most modest one, with a floor-length skirt, will gasp: “How?!” At all? Even champagne on New Year? And someone with a full beard will be horrified: “And the bishop’s receptions?” How is he really doing at those meals now?

Sobriety has not just ceased to be considered a virtue. Even in the most well-behaved society it is stylistically discredited. The words “Sobriety is the norm of life”, which have become a meme, do not cause anything but a grin and cheekbones. V. Doronkin says: “When we're talking about about the vow, people are subconsciously afraid: the holiday will be taken away from them, regulations will be introduced - and it will be taken away! In my opinion, these are echoes of Gorbachev’s “prohibition law”, when they let down from above good idea. But the people were not prepared, they were not explained why this was necessary, how they could be happy without alcohol. They didn’t say: you’re becoming an alcoholic, you’re dying, you’re deteriorating.”

Perhaps the reason for the mixed reaction to the words “sobriety vow” lies in the lack of information about it?

Temperance Prayer

Master Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God! I, Thy unworthy servant (name), having known all the destruction of the passions that overwhelm me, and the sins that come from them, before the most pure image of Our Lady Theotokos, I hereby express my firm intention and give a strong promise not to drink wine or anything intoxicating, and also not to tempt me to do so. others for a period from this day and (specify the period).

O Most Merciful and All-Bountiful Jesus Christ! Bless this good intention of mine and help me, Thy weak and infirm servant, with the power of the honorable and life-giving Cross, with the prayers of our All-Pure Lady Theotokos and all Thy saints, to accomplish it safely to Thy glory and for the salvation of my soul! Amen.

Ekaterina SAVOSTYANOVA

When you make a vow to God, do not be late in fulfilling it, for He does not take pleasure in sinners. Fulfill what you promised.

How it works? The power of a vow is when you enter into a direct relationship with God. If a person consciously takes a vow (neder) before God, then it includes a personal contract.

Usually people live in some kind of “worldview” system without God. But when a person himself personally enters into a contractual relationship with the Almighty, then a different attitude comes from God. A person asks God for something and promises him something. And if you haven’t fulfilled it, then there’s another demand.

We know that Hana, for example, had no children. And she took a vow - and her child appeared - the prophet Shmuel. At the age of 2, she had to give him to the Temple so that he could serve God. You can read about this in more detail in Tractate Berakhot in the Talmud.

Rav Isaac Zilber, blessed is the memory of the righteous, said that he lived in Tashkent, and in the 70s Jews were not allowed to go to Israel. And he says that there were two believing Jews there: one was a Breslav Hasid, and the other was a Bukharan Jew (Spharadi).

They were very religious. And both consciously took a vow that if God did what they asked, then they would perform certain actions. One promised that he would go to the grave of Rabbi Nachman. And the second promised that he would go to the grave of some righteous person and give tzedakah.

What is important to God?

So that the commandments (mitzvot) are fulfilled. And they promised to do this if He gave them permission to leave.

Some time passes. Both suddenly unexpectedly receive permission to leave. And here the “evil inclination” comes into play. The power that God created to preserve freedom of choice. The force that prevents you from moving towards God and creates obstacles, for overcoming which there is a reward - immortal life full of pleasure from communicating with God.

Both Jews had a heart attack, and were given only 30 days to leave. They cannot fulfill their vow because they cannot go - they have a heart attack. Moreover, it turns out very interestingly that a heart attack would free them from the vow (saving a life is more important than all the commandments), but after the heart attack there were still a few days left when you were already healthy. But they could not go because of packing and preparations. There was only a month to leave the USSR: if this month passes, they can no longer leave.

Rav Isaac Zilber said that the rabbis and sages of Tashkent then gathered to break their vow. Yes, a vow can be lifted! But in order to lift the vow, it is necessary for 1 or 3 or 10 rabbis to gather, depending on the situation.

For example, if the vow was made in a dream, 10 rabbis are needed. Just as a vow is the power of words, so rabbis create special conditions, so that with the help of the power of the word this vow can be removed and the person freed.

Therefore, you need to understand that it is a very serious matter to take vows. There is a huge danger in this, because you immediately attract enormous help to yourself, but you also attract enormous opposition from the forces of evil against yourself.

You are entering into a dangerous contractual relationship with the Master of the world, which must be fulfilled.

It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not keep it.

If a person is initially not ready to promise anything, you need to say: “Bli neder” (translation: Without a vow)

Although vows help. For example, in my life there were situations when I took a vow and God helped me a lot. You could say he did a miracle for me. And for many years now I have felt myself finding myself in situations where I could break my promise. But so far, thank God, I haven’t violated it. Although, just in case, before every Rosh Hashanah, I remove all vows through a rabbinical court of three rabbis.

By the way, it’s interesting that Rav Zilber, blessed is the memory of the righteous, took a vow. This was back under Stalin, in 1953. It was terrible time, and he didn’t know what would happen to him next. There are people around who die at every step.

And he took a vow that if he gets out of prison, God will help him stay alive, observe the Torah and not stumble, then on Shabbat he will teach, as far as I remember, some kind of Midrash.

And his daughter, Rabanite Chava Kuperman, said that all his illnesses, all his heart attacks occurred precisely at the time when he was fulfilling his obligation, fulfilling his vow. IN different years, but it was precisely this time that became very difficult for him.

Therefore, I want to emphasize again. When a person takes a vow, literally enters into a conscious relationship with God, then God turns to the person and, as if “extends his hand.” Because nothing is impossible for God. But then there is a demand for it.

That's why King Solomon says that “It’s better not to make a vow than to make one and not keep it.”

God is merciful to all people, even to fools. I was already twenty years old when I started smoking. I smoked two packs a day. And in just three years he managed to deteriorate his health to such an extent that he began to choke when walking. To continue on my way, I had to stop and take several deep breaths.

I realized that I was killing myself. But I also understood that I didn’t have the willpower to quit this bad habit. And then I decided to resort to military stratagem. Around the same period, I had just come to the Church. And I read in letters from St. Ambrose, how he reproaches his spiritual daughter for making a vow to God. He wrote to her something like this: there is no need to make vows, there are commandments - keep them, God does not demand more than the commandments from anyone. But if you dare to make a vow, be sure to fulfill it. Otherwise, there will be trouble.

I read this and came up with this slightly crafty way to combat my own smoking. In the morning I woke up and smoked my first cigarette with pleasure. Then he stood in front of the icon and said: “Lord, I promise that today I will not smoke again.”

My logic was approximately the following: I am not able to quit smoking completely. And I can’t give up on this matter for a week. And for three days too. And even two. But I can endure at least one day without this poison? I’m not a completely weak-willed creature after all! However, even for such a small effort I needed additional incentive; my failing health was not enough. And I decided every morning to make a vow to God that I would not smoke until the end of the day, that is, until 24.00.

Now it looks funny, and even stupid. But then I was not laughing at all.

The school day flew by quickly. And in the evening my little personal nightmare began. I suddenly quietly began to hate all smokers. I could smell cigarette smoke almost from the next floor. He growled at everyone who tried to light a cigarette nearby and stared at the dial wristwatch. But then midnight came. The chimes began to play on the radio. While they were ringing, breaking matches with trembling fingers, I lit a cigarette, took a long-awaited drag, and... Instead of the expected pleasure, I received a very strange effect. No, from a physiological point of view, everything happened as usual - the usual wave of nicotine rush ran through the body. But this time for some reason I didn’t perceive it as pleasure. Something was felt, there were some sensations, yes. But I kind of watched them from the side, without participating in the process. And only one thought was spinning in my head: “So what? For this reason, have you been rushing about all evening, losing your human appearance?”

The next day everything was repeated exactly: I smoked a morning cigarette, promised God that I wouldn’t smoke again today, and endured it until twelve o’clock at night, wrapping my nerves around my fist. Then, as the chimes struck, he broke his matches and lit a cigarette. And again I felt that the coveted nicotine high was passing me by. And the same thought sounded in the stupid head: “What? Did you suffer so much for these goosebumps?”

On the third day, having waited until midnight, I grabbed matches, took out a cigarette, and... And - I didn’t light it. He turned it over in his hands, looked at it in surprise, and put it aside. And I never smoked again in all the twenty-three years that have passed since then. If someone had told me at that time that I could quit smoking forever in three days, I wouldn’t even laugh at such nonsense.

A stupid way, of course, what can I say... But thanks to him, I was convinced then that God is merciful to all people. Even to those as clueless as me.

SINS AND VOWS. IS IT DIFFICULT TO OUTSIT YOUR CONSCIENCE AND WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DO NOT FULFILL YOUR VOW?

Answered by the confessor of the Tver diocese, rector of the St. Nicholas Church in Torzhok, abbot Korniliy (Malinin)
– Where to start correcting your spiritual life?
– First of all, you need to realize and feel the need for spiritual life. The desire to live spiritually is inherent in each of us from birth, and conscience, as the voice of God in the soul of every person, leads and calls us to this. Spiritual life is life with God. Only our sins separate us from God; they create a barrier between us and the Lord. To destroy this barrier, we must wage a constant struggle with sin within ourselves, getting rid of addictions. Spiritual life is not possible without prayer, without communication with God in the Holy Sacraments.
– Why does a person often break down when fighting against his sins and passions?
– Human nature corrupted by sin, so we are more inclined to sin than to good. We need to make a great effort on ourselves in order to do good; most often we struggle easily, as if spontaneously.

Vow of an Orthodox monk

– In what cases do they take vows? Is it possible to make a vow against gluttony and how to fulfill it?
– A vow is a voluntary obligation to fulfill something given to God: to do a good deed, donate, make a pilgrimage to holy places, etc. It is very important to emphasize that a vow is a voluntary commitment. A vow is made by people, as a rule, in gratitude to the Lord for the help provided or when praying for God’s help.

There are different vows. The most important of them are those that a Christian gives in his life in the Sacraments. First of all, this is the Sacrament of Baptism, where a person renounces Satan, his passions, his sins, promises (makes, in its way, the first vow in his Orthodox life) God, who will fight with them and live according to conscience, according to the commandments of God. The Apostle Peter in the First Epistle says: “So now baptism, like this image, does not wash away the uncleanness of the flesh, but the promise to God of a good conscience, saves us through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:21). That is, in Baptism a person is cleansed of sins, washes his soul and makes a promise to God of a good conscience. He also makes a vow marital fidelity in the Sacrament of Marriage. The monk renounces family life, everything worldly and devotes his life completely to God in a vow; a vow is also made in the Sacrament of the Priesthood. ...Breaking a vow, failing to fulfill it, is a grave sin, so accepting it must be taken very responsibly. In any case, when making a vow to God, it is important not to overestimate your strength and not to promise something that may turn out to be unfulfillable.
– How to go to Communion if there is no way to reconcile with the offender?
– You should address such a question to the priest to whom you are confessing, your confessor. In this case, we must remember the words of the Lord spoken in the Gospel of Matthew: “So if you bring your gift to the altar and there you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go first and be reconciled with your brother.” yours, and then come and bring your gift. Make peace with your opponent quickly while you are still on the way with him, lest your opponent hand you over to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the servant, and they throw you into prison; Truly I tell you, you will not come out of there until you have paid the last coin” (Matthew 5:23-26).
– Is there salvation for the lazy? Is it possible to take a vow against laziness?
– Laziness is a sin that must be fought, we must force ourselves to work, work on ourselves, cultivating our will. The Lord arranges our lives in such a way that we have to take care of our neighbors. And we must fulfill our duty, this forces us to work. For people with strength and opportunity, it is necessary to take care of helpless, sick, infirm people. A person who serves his neighbors becomes purer in soul and grows spiritually. Reading spiritual literature helps to be inspired for spiritual life and get rid of despondency and laziness.
– What sins are committed simply because of stupidity?
- “Prudence is higher than all virtue” - this is what St. Isaac the Syrian and many other saints said. If we do something without thinking that harms us and the people around us, then this is a sin. Most often this manifests itself in our words and conversations. It is very easy to use a word to injure a person, harm him, even destroy him.
– Will it be possible to replace one passion with another – less harmful?
– If we think like this, we will soon become confused in our thoughts and fall into another sin and self-deception. Only demons offer such compromises. In response to this, we recall the words of the Apostle James: “Whoever keeps the whole law and yet sins in one point, he becomes guilty of all” (James 2:10).
– Advice for those who constantly lose in the fight against sin and have already despaired...
– Lord, Jesus Christ came for us sinners. “Hearing this, Jesus said to them: It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Mark 2:17). The Lord does not look at how a person falls, but how a person gets up after a fall. The Lord appreciates even a person’s intention to rise from sin, an irreconcilable attitude towards sin. We only need to make the first movement, the first step in the fight against sin, calling on God’s help, and then the Lord will give us the strength to rise and move on along the path of salvation.
What is a vow? How many vows does a monk have? What does it mean to be faithful to a vow (vow)? Be careful when making a vow before God. By the way, in the Middle Ages it was very fashionable for knights to make a vow.