Chapter 10

How to Read the Divine Books

You ask for guidance on how to read the Gospel and the Apostle — chapter by chapter in order, or as the Church directs, by appointed sections. Since you are already accustomed to reading in the church manner, continue doing so. If you read by sections, what is appointed for morning will be forgotten by evening; you could divide it: read the Gospel section in the morning and the Apostle section in the evening. To read chapter by chapter — that is quite a lot.

Strive to meditate and remember. Instead of Thomas à Kempis, choose for reading another book by one of our writers. What such books do you have? Let us make a choice together. The lives of saints in the Menaion are good to read; though we cannot live as they do, we are obliged to imitate them in what is possible and even with effort.

One akathist is enough. But it is better to read the Akathist to the Mother of God. The Canon for the departure of the soul need not be included in your rule.

(Letter 487. Vol. 3, p. 154–155)