It was very hard on my soul: in my personal life I didn’t get along, there was no good work, and therefore money too. . I was walking down the street past the St. Nicholas Cathedral and thought: “Whether to drink beer, or go to church.” I was ashamed that I dared to think so. I used to go to churches a lot, I could go around several temples in a day, but I never went to the service. I went to the cathedral, and the main temple icon with a particle of the relics of the saint was carried to the upper temple. Come on, I’ll follow. There, the service began, and I decided to stay, although I was afraid not to endure such a long stand. And it just so happened that I was standing in the very front row, and the whole service took place before my eyes.
I lost my sense of time, watched only worship, listened to beautiful singing. I really wanted to put a candle, and all the candlesticks are already busy. I began to put a candle in the already occupied hole, but some old woman saw this and said that putting two candles in the same hole is a big sin. I was confused. And then, limping, an old man makes his way to the icon of the Mother of God: a gray-haired beard, dressed in clean tarpaulin jackets and trousers, a soldier’s bag behind him, and a stick in his hand. As he passed me, the old man said, “Do not listen to anyone, do as God gives.” When he came back, he said to me, “The people will tell you.” . Do not listen to anyone, do as God gives, and get lost in the crowd. I was shocked by his words! It was clear that this advice applied not only to the candle, but to all life: do as God gives. I thought at the time that I didn’t want to call this man an old man, but rather an old man, and that it’s good to talk with such a person – you can learn a lot. . He has an unusual appearance…
And soon his wonderful advice came in handy. I got pregnant without a job or a husband. My friends advised me to “think carefully” before giving birth. I confess, and I flashed the thought of abortion, but I remembered the words: “People will advise you…” . Do not listen to anyone, do as God gives.” And I relied on God’s will. Soon I found a job in my specialty, and I get maternity, and the child, the girl, despite the difficult birth, was born in general safely. The daughter was baptized in the St. Nicholas Cathedral, her father Nicholas baptized her. They named their daughter Elizabeth. At baptism, she behaved very calmly, and when the choir sang, the daughter also sang, which pleased us very much. So it’s good for her in the temple. I will try to instill in her love for God and His saints.
Author: R.B. Hope
The Holy Land Charitable Foundation
Soul investment!
Orthodox stories from life
