The Good God created man free. He is nobly unimposing. He respects man’s freedom, freely leaving each person to follow that path which brings him or her comfort. He does not force everyone stand in the same line with military discipline. For that reason, we should leave youths to themselves, without restraint, in the spiritual realm of their God-given freedom. They are not helped by constant questioning about which life[—i.e., married or monastic]—they will follow. This is a topic in which they should not be influenced by anyone. Each person has his or her calling.
Again, the parents, the Spiritual fathers, the educators, should help youths to choose whichever life is most suitable for them, and to follow that path to which they are truly called, without influencing or hindering their calling. Their choice should be their own. The rest of us should only express our humble opinions. Our only right is to help these souls find their path. Read more →
Spiritual Life is the Basic Prerequisite for a Good Future
—Geronta, the girl who said to you that she is considering Monasticism told me that a boy from class asked why she won’t go out to the movies or out on dates with boys. What should she have answered?
—She should have said: “Not even my brother has ever asked me such questions, and now you are?”
—A few days later the boy found her outside of school—she hadn’t seen him—and he went to take her arm. She only said “hello” and immediately went inside.
—No, that’s not good! In such a position she should have reacted, because as things went, she may have given him the impression that she is fine with this show of affection and now he’ll do it again. The age she’s at now is a little difficult and its not good for her to keep company with boys. It is not even necessary for her to speak with them, unless perhaps they need help. If she decides to get married, when she meets a nice guy, she should tell her parents about it. They will evaluate whether the right prerequisites for starting a good family are there. For now, as she still hasn’t decided which life she will follow, speaking with boys won’t help; she’ll just get dizzy for nothing and loose her peace. Those kids who do such things are extremely miserable souls, flighty and constantly troubled; they have no peace. Their face and eyes are wild. Read more →