There lived a kind and pious nobleman in St. Petersburg. He had a home and many friends. Unfortunately, he had the misfortune of falling into disgrace with the sovereign; Some kind of slander was erected against him, he was put on trial and the case was threatened with prison. The unfortunate nobleman fell ill and took to his bed from grief. All his former friends turned their backs on him. At this time, the strict ascetic of the Valaam Monastery, Father Nazarius, arrived in St. Petersburg. He knew the unfortunate nobleman and came to console him in his sorrow. The unfortunate wife of the owner threw herself at the feet of Father Nazariya and prayed: “Pray, father, that my husband’s business will have a good outcome.” “Okay,” answered the elder, “of course we need to pray to the Lord; but it is necessary to ask for petition from those close to the sovereign. Give me some money, I’ll ask for it for you myself.” They gave the old man gold. “No,” he said, “this is not good for me. Are there any copper or small silver?” They served both. Father Nazarius took the money and left. Late in the evening he again came to the nobleman and calmly said: “All the king’s entourage promised to intercede for you; calm down and wait for good news.” And indeed, the elder was still sitting at the patient’s bedside when the latter received news of the successful completion of his case. The good news had a beneficial effect on the patient. The nobleman began to thank the elder and asked him to say which of the sovereign’s associates took the greatest part in his misfortune, for whom he should have prayed and whom to thank. Only then did it become clear that Father Nazariy was not with any of the people close to the sovereign. Instead, he walked the streets of the city all day and distributed to the poor the money he had taken from the nobleman. “So, thank the Lord,” the elder said in conclusion. “He, the Merciful One, heeded the prayers of the poor and put it in the heart of the good sovereign to reconsider your case once again.” Yes, do not forget the nobles of the Lord - your benefactors, the poor and the wretched. Their prayer can do a lot before the Throne of God!”
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru