The rector of the temple in a small town was famous for his pious and orderly life. He fulfilled his duties thoroughly, lived measuredly, calmly and quietly. He regularly performed divine services and sat at his permanent place in the club of a local charitable society twice a week for two hours.
One day he didn't show up there. He was not at home either. Alarmed parishioners launched a search, but there were no results.
A month has passed. In the evening, in the club, as always, the abbot sat in his place and calmly drank coffee.
- Where have you been all this time, father? - asked the amazed parishioners.
“In prison,” he answered calmly.
- How could this happen? - everyone was perplexed.
“Very simple,” answered the spiritual father. “A month ago I went to the regional center to see the bishop, and when I returned, while waiting for the train, I began looking at the windows of the station shops and became very interested in it. There was still a lot of time left. I was dying of boredom. And then a thought occurred to me: after all, all this time could have been devoted to prayer for the perishing and unfortunate. Due to the fact that I missed prayer time, many people could have died... It was at this time that some strange-looking young woman appeared on the platform, accompanied by two policemen, and, pointing her finger at me, exclaimed: “It’s all his fault!” My heart was full of remorse. I completely agreed with her and admitted that she was right.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru