Once a merchant went to another country and came to a strange city in which all the inhabitants were in shackles. The merchant thought: “And if they put shackles on me, what should I do?” Unexpectedly, at that very moment the guards appeared and, seeing the new free man, immediately put him in shackles. Having lost the opportunity to return home, the merchant became despondent. He asked the unfortunate townspeople why they were all in shackles? And they answered that their city had been like this for a long time. The merchant asked: “Are all the inhabitants of the city doomed to wear shackles all their lives?” People answered him: “According to rumors, sometimes an old man comes to the city who is free and does not wear shackles. Only he knows how to get rid of them. He appears so rarely that many doubt whether it is true? “There’s nothing to do,” the merchant thought, “maybe I’ll see this old man and find out how to free myself?” Many years have passed since then, the merchant has already grown old and gray. And then one day he unexpectedly saw an old man walking freely down the street and not shackled. “Grandfather,” the prisoner exclaimed, “help me free myself from my bonds.” “Son,” the old man answered, “mentally say to yourself: “Let the guards immediately free me from the shackles,” and you will be free.” The prisoner thought it was an unsuccessful, bitter joke, but decided to try and uttered these cherished words to himself. The guards immediately appeared and freed him from the shackles. The merchant hastened to leave this strange city, surprised by what had happened. Running out the gate, he again saw the same old man who helped him free himself. “Grandfather, tell me,” the merchant turned to him, “what is the secret of this strange city?” “This city is not simple,” answered the old man, “because people become prisoners in it and are freed from their bonds just by thinking about it. You were saved because you believed my words. And those who do not believe me remain prisoners of this city, and I can no longer help them.” “...If you continue in My word, then you are truly My disciples, you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” (John 8:31-32). monk Simeon of Athos Mysterious conversations or hidden truths
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru