Archimandrite Sophrony
The Old Rectory,Tolleshent Knight
by Maldon, Essex
Christmas 1967
Beloved in Christ,
Sister Paraskevi!
May the grace and peace of the Lord multiply to you.
And first - I wish you a Good Christmas and a blessed New Year.
Pareskevi, has it ever occurred to you perhaps that you did something with my blessing, and the result was harmful? Or on the contrary, have you ever done something consistent with your ideas and having abandoned my words and my humble advice, that everything was done according to the good pleasure of God and successful? So also now listen to me like a crazy person, and do as I bless you to do.
The only way that will be beneficial to you and yours, is to complete your studies working as my monks work, from morning until evening - or rather night. Dispel now every care of life for [the third person the Elder speaks of here is left anonymous to not be known] and your family.
The unworthy Archimandrite Sophrony,
I send you the love of all who are to be found in our Monastery.
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.