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John of Kronstadt: My Life in Christ

John of Kronstadt · translated by E. E. Goulaeff · 1890s; translation 1897

The spiritual diary of the beloved Russian Orthodox parish priest: prayer, the Liturgy, repentance and the struggle against the passions.

Edition: CCEL · www.ccel.org

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From the opening: Part I (continued)

As all my misfortunes arise in my invisible mind and my invisible heart, therefore I require the invisible Saviour, Who directs our hearts. O my strength, Jesus, Son of God! O Light of my mind! the peace, the joy of my heart--glory to Thee! Glory to Thee, Deliverer from my invisible enemies, that fight against my mind and my heart, slaying me in the very source of my life, in my most sensitive part!

Keep a strict watch against every appearance of pride: it appears imperceptibly, particularly in time of vexation and irritability against others for quite unimportant causes.

The miraculous effect of the life-giving Cross upon our souls, tortured by the poison of evil, proves to us most undoubtedly and clearly: (1) That we have indeed a soul, a spiritual being; (2) That there are evil spirits, harming our souls; (3) That God exists and our Lord Jesus Christ, and that He is always with us through His Divinity; and (4) That He has indeed accomplished our salvation by His sufferings and death on the Cross, and has destroyed the power of the Devil by means of the Cross. How many proofs of the advantage of our faith there are in the wonderful action upon us of the life-giving Cross alone! Glory be to the Christian faith!

Men who are leading a spiritual life see by the eyes of their heart how the Devil lays his snares, how the angels guide us, and how the Lord, in His Sovereign power, allows the temptations, and how He comforts.

The only means by which you can spend the day in perfect holiness, peace, and without sin, is the most sincere, fervent prayer as soon as you rise from sleep in the morning. It will bring Christ into your heart, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, and will thus strengthen and fortify your soul against any evil; but still it will be necessary for you carefully to guard your heart.

Sometimes in the affliction of your soul you wish to die. It is easy to die, and does not take long; but are you prepared for death? Remember that after death the judgment of your whole life will follow.^l You are not prepared for death, and if it were to come to you, you would shudder all over. Therefore do not waste words in vain. Do not say: "It is better for me to die," but say rather, "How can I prepare for death in a Christian manner?" By means of faith, by means of good works, and by bravely bearing the miseries and sorrows that happen to you, so as to be able to…

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Contents (38 sections)

  1. Opening
  2. Title page
  3. (Archpriest John Iliytch Sergieff)
  4. Part I
  5. Part I (continued)
  6. Part I (continued)
  7. Part I (continued)
  8. Part I (continued)
  9. Part I (continued)
  10. Part I (continued)
  11. Part I (continued)
  12. Part I (continued)
  13. Part I (continued)
  14. Part I (continued)
  15. Part I (continued)
  16. Part I (continued)
  17. Part I (continued)
  18. Part I (continued)
  19. Part I (continued)
  20. Part I (continued)
  21. Part II
  22. Part II (continued)
  23. Part II (continued)
  24. Part II (continued)
  25. Part II (continued)
  26. Part II (continued)
  27. Part II (continued)
  28. Part II (continued)
  29. Part II (continued)
  30. Part II (continued)
  31. Part II (continued)
  32. Part II (continued)
  33. Part II (continued)
  34. Part II (continued)
  35. Part II (continued)
  36. Part II (continued)
  37. Part II (continued)
  38. Part II (continued)

How to cite it

Chicago
John of Kronstadt. John of Kronstadt: My Life in Christ. Translated by E. E. Goulaeff. CCEL, 1890s; translation 1897. https://www.ccel.org/ccel/kronstadt/christlife
MLA
John of Kronstadt. John of Kronstadt: My Life in Christ. Translated by E. E. Goulaeff, CCEL, 1890s; translation 1897. https://www.ccel.org/ccel/kronstadt/christlife
APA
John of Kronstadt (1890s; translation 1897). John of Kronstadt: My Life in Christ (E. E. Goulaeff, Trans.). CCEL. https://www.ccel.org/ccel/kronstadt/christlife

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