Rules of Christian Piety

With an introductory explanation

What follows is part of a collection of rules of piety for Christians who have not abandoned the old rules as practiced in Russia before the Schism of 1666, as handed down from the Byzantines. For those who have never been exposed to “rules” of piety, you might think that some of these are shocking, even absurd. However, it must be remembered that, in the east, the distinction between monastic and lay worship and precepts of life gradually faded away to the point that monastic rules of worship became the de facto system for all, with the typicon of the monastery of St. Savva in Jerusalem eventually becoming the standard typicon for the entire Russian Church. In the West, the separation of monastic and lay remained clearly delineated. In the East, in its ideal, being a Christian came to mean little more than being a monastic in the world, bound by the same rules (to varying degrees) as their monastic brethren.

What being a monastic entailed was (and is) very much dependent upon the specific rules of the particular monastery, and each had its own variations. This reality is reflected in the various rules of pious living among different communities of Old Believers, some stricter than others. The rules below represent one such set of rules from a community deprived of the priesthood. It would be a mistake to read these as if they were hyperbolic. They are not. When a rule states that 1,500 prostrations must be made for a particular sin, it is not an exaggeration. This does not mean that these rules were or are universally enforced or applied without consideration. But they are a measure by which to live and guide.

Being a monastic is itself little more than dedicating one’s life entirely to the ascetic repentance Christ calls us to, and monastic rules are meant to give order and encouragement toward virtuous habits of true repentance. All followers of Christ are called to the same repentance. Thus, in following the rules, one can hope to exercise oneself into the discipline required to be worthy of the name “Christian”. Indeed, the establishment of a pious routine of daily life ought to be the norm for all Christians, but I fear that it is all but lost in the modern churches, and to be sure, from what I have seen, even among many Christians who held fast to their traditions after 1666.

Lest it be said that such rules are entirely arbitrary (if your patience allows it, there is another set of similar rules that are much longer and reference the patristic and monastic sources of the rules themselves - with enough interest I would be happy to get those up here), ask yourself what the goal of the rule is - does it support sober, Christian living? And what would having no rule for yourself in this area support?

The first rule can be illustrative of the damage caused by its absence. It states that a Christian should only eat twice in a day (at most) - lunch and dinner. What happens to those who have lost that tradition (which is attested as far back as Origen)? One example is experienced by most Orthodox families, who live according to the world six days a week, but on Sunday morning, abstain from consumption. What does this cause? Young children are the honest witnesses that such weekly events are a struggle, even a form of punishment forced upon them by their parents for reasons beyond their understanding. And why should they not feel confused, or grow to resent the annoyance of the once a week fast? Every day you can wake and eat, but on Sunday, you must fast, even if you will not be communing. But what would happen if lunch were simply the first meal of the day, every day? Of course, if this were the routine, the belly would not grumble or spur anyone toward resentment on Sunday, allowing the faithful to approach the Liturgy with an awake joy unencumbered by the demands of the flesh. This end alone justifies the seeming harshness of the rule (which is really not so harsh). And consider also the adjustment of fasting rules during the lenten seasons (The Apostle's Fast begins today!), which would see a tightening of an already moderate lifestyle, instead of an abrupt and drastic change from eating as much and often as we wish, to the austerity of the fast, which sets most up for very quick failure.

These rules, and the routines that they create are one of the priceless jewels of pre-schismatic Orthodoxy. I hope that some of you may find some inspiration in them and will try to understand the goal behind the ones that may seem strange.

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On Untimely Eating

Christian living is a constant practice of temperance and patience, including in matters of food. A Christian, when not observing a fast (which follows special rules), may eat a maximum of two times a day, usually lunch and dinner. Those who eat more frequently are excommunicated from church services for two weeks and must perform 1,500 prostrations during this time. Scripture refers to those who are intemperate in their eating as "secret eaters" and gluttons who trade the salvation of their soul for "sweetness in the throat." If someone eats before lunch or dinner, they must pray for this sin with 300 prostrations or pray for six months with 16 prostrations daily. The venerable Abba Dorotheus said, "If a person has ten good deeds and one evil deed, the evil often outweighs the ten good deeds. Just as a person eats intemperately, so the Devil secretly devours their soul."

On How Christians Should Endure Suffering and Illness with Gratitude

In these last sorrowful times, Orthodox Christians must diligently and with heartfelt love endure sufferings and illnesses. In adversities, calamities, and persecutions, we must stand firm in the true Orthodox faith and bear all hardships for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, accepting all sufferings with gratitude. Those who can maintain Christ's Truth uncorrupted amidst all the evil and anti-Christian existence will receive a reward equal to that of martyrs and those who suffer for Christ.

A true Christian, attentive to the Divine Laws, cannot be influenced by human or demonic temptations. As the holy martyr Abba Dorotheus wrote, "Whoever endures daily sorrow and need for the sake of the Lord, God crowns that person along with the martyrs. If someone dies bodily for Christ, the Lord bestows on him the honor of a martyr."

If someone has no illness, no calamity, and no sorrow, that person should remember their mortal life with tears every day and think about the salvation of their soul. If a person weeps for their soul, their sins may be forgiven, and they will be worthy of eternal life.

On Not Bearing Malice Against Each Other

All who remain in Orthodoxy must beware of and fear both great and small malice. Every day, one must look inward and avoid dwelling in malice. A Christian cannot be angry with anyone and must constantly pray to the Lord. One must reconcile with the offender or forgive their sins against oneself before beginning to pray.

If someone does not forgive another's sins, they are not praying to God but to the Devil. And if someone says "Our Father," they are not invoking and praising the Heavenly Father but the Devil. The book Nomocanon says: "Whoever holds enmity against someone does not enter the Church, and their offerings are not accepted until they humble themselves and forgive, because the prayer of a malicious person is considered a sin." The punishment for bearing malice is as follows: for each day a person harbors malice, they must pray 50 prostrations.

The Divine John Chrysostom says in the Great Sobornik: "An angry person is a dwelling place for demons, and one who bears malice includes within themselves the entire house of Satan. Therefore, one must carefully guard against all hatred, anger, and malice, for such a person is destined for dreadful and terrible torments." Let us fear this terrible punishment, beloved brothers in Christ, for the sake of bitter, cruel, and terrible mortal execution and dreadful eternal torment.

On Praying Over Defiled Vessels

A Christian should keep food vessels in sacred purity. Any left-over vessel should be covered with the words of the Jesus Prayer. If a creature falls into a vessel, it should be removed, and the vessel should be cleansed with three lestovkas (300 waist bows).

If something unclean begins to rot in the vessel, then the contents of the vessel should be poured into another clean vessel. The vessels should be placed together before icons, and prayers should be offered for five lestovkas (the Jesus Prayer 500 times - OB).

If a creature falls into the vessel and completely rots, the contents of the vessel should be poured onto the ground and given to the cattle and dogs, and the vessel itself should be broken. All food and drink should be prepared with a blessing, with clean and washed hands, and always with the Jesus Prayer.

On Keeping Christian Vessels From Defiled and Heretical Hands

All Christians should be wary of worldly hands touching Christian vessels and food. Matthew of Jerusalem writes in the 50th rule: "If an unclean person defiles wine or oil with their hand, Christians should not consume it." The venerable Theodosius told Prince Iziaslav that a vessel defiled by heretical hands should be prayed over. Saint Cyril of Jerusalem says: "If an Armenian and a Christian travel together and share a single cup, if the Armenian drinks from it first, the Christian should not drink from it, nor should the vessel be prayed over."

Christian saints affirm that we should not mix with heretics and pagans but should separate the faithful from the unbelievers in life, food, and drink. A Christian should shun heretics and not take anything from their hands. If someone eats and drinks with unbelievers, they become like the heretics and destroy their soul, falling into heretical delusion. A Christian should not go to unclean taverns and restaurants where there is carnal lust and impurity. The divine John Chrysostom writes in Margarite: "... If someone eats with heretics, they are called an enemy of Christ. Those who dine with heretics are not allowed into the Church, and Christians turn away from them as idolaters."

On Keeping Holy Icons Clean and Frequently Cleaning Them

Holy icons should be kept in honor. They should be kept clean. The place where icons stand should be free from all impurity and dust, because Christian homes are called churches.

On Not Giving Icons to Worldly People, Pagans, Heretics, and Jews

Holy images made by Christian hands should not be given to worldly people involved in various heresies. In heretics' homes, false priests enter, perform sprinkling, and hold services according to their vile heresies. It is impossible for Christ to be in the same place with Belial. The Small Sobornik says about this: "Heretics serve their father, the Devil, and oppose God in everything. If the ungodly hold a place, avoid it." It is impossible to give holy things to dogs.

It is possible to give icons to heretics who promise to convert to the Christian faith. Holy Scripture bears witness to this: The Lord Almighty showed the Cross in the heavens to Emperor Constantine, who was still an unbeliever, and commanded that the image of this Cross be carried before the troops. The Lord sent the Image Not Made by Hands to King Abgar, who was then a pagan. The great martyr Barbara, still unbaptized, received an image of the Most Holy God-bearer from a holy elder. But holy images can only be given to those who are ready to accept the pious faith.

On Not Accepting the Law of God Without a Promise

One who accepts the Law of God and prepares for Baptism must have a firm understanding of the Christian faith and Christian living. The first teaching will be about leading a chaste life. A Christian cannot live together in the same house with married sons and daughters.

Secondly, it is necessary to limit interactions with worldly people, avoid visiting them, and attending various celebrations, even if relatives are among them. Christians should not bathe in public baths, especially using common vessels. They should not drink intoxicating beverages or eat meat. All these restrictions are imposed on Christians due to the deprivation of the Most Pure Mysteries of God. For everything bought at worldly markets, one must pray to the Lord God.

If a Christian goes to the bathhouse with worldly people and bathes with them, he is excommunicated from the church and must perform 1,000 prostrations. If someone was unaware of such prohibition, then he prays with 300 prostrations. If someone washes with common vessels - 100 prostrations.

A new believer must be explained all the prayer rules: observing the daily prayer cycle, the cell rule for each day. A Christian must know the times of fasting and strive not to wear worldly clothes. Before lunch and after dinner, nothing should be eaten - no vegetables, no forest berries. Drinking should also be limited - not drinking frequently, only once or twice a day.

A Christian should observe the Lord's Feasts and Sundays. Before the Feast and Resurrection, it is forbidden to work late. One should not visit various sorcerers and magicians. Worldly people should not be accompanied to their churches. One should not swear, not only using obscene language but any foul expressions. One should not sing or listen to devilish songs.

Christians should not attend theatrical performances with dancing demons, nor should they dance or jump. They should not go to weddings. They should not advise young people to marry but should teach them to live a pure and chaste life. As Basil the Great says: "One who renounces the world will be asked if he can live without a wife... And if he succumbs to a lustful and adulterous life, he is rejected by the faithful and subjected to prohibition."

Our sorrowful times do not align with the previous pious times when there were true bishops, priests, and God's churches. In the absence of sacred orders, no one can sanctify marriage.

On Not Praying With Heretics and Unbelievers in a Church or House

The ancient Christian fathers not only forbade praying with heretics but even prohibited crossing oneself with them. What can unite the faithful with the unfaithful? Christians should not allow unbelievers to live and pray among them: neither Greek, nor Jew, nor heretic. If worldly people wish to learn about the true faith and want to listen to Christian readings and hymns, their desire should be supported. Unbelievers should not be deprived of the opportunity to witness the true faith.

The Prologue describes an incident with a certain Saracen who entered God's temple on horseback. The Saracen saw the priest consecrate the lamb in the Divine Liturgy, and from that, he repented and accepted the true faith and salvation. Grand Prince Vladimir tested many faiths but was struck by the Orthodox service.

On the Impossibility of Sharing a Meal at One Table with Unbelievers

It is not proper to eat at the same table with unbelievers. This should be avoided in every way, as the table, like a vessel, represents unity. Any Christian meal is akin to a sacred meal. A heretical meal lacks sacred meaning—it is a lawless meal. An Orthodox Christian cannot partake in such a meal, nor can they allow heretics and unbelievers to partake in their own meals. Unbelievers lack the Christian faith and do not have God within them.

At the meal, one should sit in silence, recite the Jesus Prayer, and remember the fear of death. It is a great sin to sit at the table and engage in idle and jesting conversations. Such a person, according to Holy Scripture, has turned away from God, and God has turned away from them. Their prayer is not accepted, and all their efforts are in vain.

On Not Living Together with Heretics in One House and by No Means Justifying It

One should avoid unbelievers and heretics in every way—by word, thought, and deed. A Christian should not justify a wicked person by word or deed, because then evil is justified under the guise of good. Saint Athanasius of Alexandria speaks about the inadmissibility of receiving heretics into one's home to prevent the faithful from being defiled by the unbelievers. It is impossible for a Christian to live with those who are called Christians but who, instead of modesty and humility, adorn themselves with various garments and attend heretical celebrations and shameful gatherings.

Such Christians are Christians in name only and are worse than pagan idolaters. The saints taught that it is better to live with wild animals in caves and ravines than to dwell with lawless people. The divine Chrysostom writes in Margarite: "A Christian who has lived like an angel but has associated with heretics in friendship and love will be estranged from the Lord Christ." If a Christian sees heresy or sin, they should not remain silent; silence makes one complicit in the heresy or sin. Every Christian is sanctified by confessing their faith. We must shun and flee from heretics as from poisonous snakes and fierce lions.

Saint John, Metropolitan of Nicaea, Athanasius of Alexandria, and Dositheus, a disciple of the venerable Zosimas, teach: "Do not allow heretics into your home to prevent the faithful from being defiled by those of false belief." The grace of God departs from those places where heretics dwell; there, not the Lord but demons are present.

On the Impropriety of Releasing Bodily Fluids Toward the East

One should not release bodily fluids or perform natural needs facing the East but should try to do so facing the West or North. All natural excretions should be performed with the Jesus Prayer (silently in this case). Although natural functions may seem vile and impure, they are inherently created by God from the beginning.

Without necessity, one should not touch their body or private parts with their hands, except for natural needs. If someone looks at their body and sexual organs with lust, such observation is equated to fornication. The Sacred Rules say: "If a monk touches his private parts and gazes upon them, he has committed fornication." The book "Elderhood" in chapter 34 prescribes a penance for performing natural needs toward the East, consisting of 300 prostrations over six days.

On Drunkenness and How to Avoid It

Christians should not consume intoxicating drinks or frequent filthy taverns. Such Christians are rejected from Christian fellowship. Drunkenness is a delusion of the world, and if a Christian accepts the filthy abomination and impurity of drunkenness, they are accepting a deadly poison leading to the abomination of sin. The Holy Fathers liken drunkards to fornicators, robbers, and idolaters who drink from the devil’s cup. The Holy Spirit cannot enter a soul defiled by drunkenness. Nothing is more pleasing to the devil than indulgence and drunkenness. The Divine Chrysostom teaches: "Do not pour out treasures, do not introduce drunkenness as the beginning of sorrow." Drunkenness is a joy to the devil, giving rise to evil forgetfulness and an evil sleep. A drunken sleep is likened to death, as a form of deadness.

If anyone has intoxicating drinks in their home and secretly gets drunk, they should fast for 40 days, performing 100 prostrations each day. If a Christian goes to worldly taverns and drinks from filthy vessels, they should fast for 40 days and pray 100 prostrations each day.

On How Christians Should Not Seek Danger

A Christian is forbidden to seek danger or any calamity voluntarily. The Lord Himself says: "When they persecute you in one town, flee to another." Many saints wrote about this, avoiding persecution in deserts, mountains, and caves. Only very strong and steadfast Christians, capable of enduring all torments to the end, may subject themselves to voluntary hardships.

Saint Athanasius says: "If someone is crossing a river and people are going before him, and he follows them and drowns, he receives an honorable death. But if he crosses the river foolishly risking and drowns, his death is considered suicidal. Likewise, if someone climbs a tree for no apparent reason and then falls and is injured, it is considered suicide."

A person persecuted for the faith of Christ may deliver themselves to death or perish at the hands of tormentors, but they must not renounce the Church of Christ. If Divine Providence subjects a Christian to martyrdom and they die in fear, they will be judged as unfaithful or as one who has killed themselves.

The Revelation of John the Theologian shows that "the fearful and unbelieving shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, alongside the devil." In the face of torment and persecution, a Christian must stand firm to the end, even unto death. For the love of Christ, the holy martyr Domnica, along with her daughters, drowned in a river to avoid falling into the hands of the ungodly. "It is better to drown in water than to fall into the hands of lawless tormentors" (Menaion for October 15). Saint Pelagia, to avoid defilement, threw herself out of a window, escaping her tormentors. Princess Olga, named Helena in holy baptism, said (July 11): "It is better to drown in water than to fall into fornication."

If a Christian hears about possible persecutions, they should flee according to the Lord's Word. But if escaping martyrdom is impossible due to complete encirclement by the ungodly, then one should fast, pray, and entrust themselves to the Judgments of the Lord, asking for deliverance from the hands of the ungodly. If necessary, they should endure all torments to the end, even unto death. "Be ready at all times and again watch and pray so that you do not fall into temptation."

On How No One Should Be Offended in Any Way

In these present last times, it is fitting for all Orthodox Christians who are being persecuted to remain steadfast in spiritual and bodily matters. No one should be offended, and nothing belonging to others should be kept from them. According to Holy Scripture, ill-gotten property brings heavenly fire upon the entire house and the person. "Those who seize and take what belongs to others unjustly will remain in repentance for five years, performing 100 prostrations each day." According to Scripture, the offender is condemned as a thief and a robber. The saints said, "It is better to be wronged than to wrong someone in any way."

On How to Fear Judging Others

Great caution should be taken to avoid judgment and slander by any person living in Orthodoxy, so as not to resemble demons and the antichrist. A Christian should practice silence and avoid excessive talk, because from much talking comes slander and judgment.

The Book of the Prologue for September tells how the Lord, addressing the angels standing before Him, commanded them to cast into Hell the soul of a person who judged their brother before the Lord's Judgment.

On How Never to Swear

An Orthodox Christian must avoid using any swear words. One should not use obscene or derogatory words of condemnation, such as the word "freak."

If a person swears obscenely and impurely, God turns away from the blasphemer. Saint Basil the Great says: "If anyone slanders a person, they thereby slander and judge God, whose Judgment is much more terrifying than human judgment." Swearing and mocking another person are sins that require confession and repentance. If someone swears obscenely, they must repent by performing 1,000 prostrations. If someone calls another person a "demon," they must perform 300 prostrations.

Basil the Great sets forth a rule for punishing a swearing Christian: "If a brother swears and dishonors his brethren, he is to perform 100 prostrations. Both the slanderer and the one who listens to slander are worthy of excommunication from the Church."

On Washing One's Naked Body

If anyone wants to bathe in a river or at home, they thus touch and wash their naked body and secret parts. To cleanse this sin, the conciliar decree of the ancient fathers establishes a penance of one prayer rope (100 prostrations).

Many Christian saints never exposed their bodies, as various lives of saints tell us. Saint Basil the Great, recounting the asceticism of Isaac the Syrian, said: "It is not proper to expose any part of one's bodily members, nor to touch one's own or another's naked body without great necessity."

On Guarding Against All Games and Disorderly Conduct

All Orthodox Christians must guard themselves in spiritual purity. Young people should fear demonic games, dances, all kinds of disorderly conduct, and impurity, while the elderly should avoid mockery, jesting, and inappropriate conversations.

Christians should not look upon filthy, impure, God-hating, and cursed games. The devil's games include various jumping, dancing, all sorts of demonic music, demonic songs, and other vain festivities.

If any of the Orthodox servants of Christ desire to be saved, they should avoid, like a fierce serpent, demonic spectacles. A Christian participating in any song and theatrical mockery is condemned as an idolater. All players and mockers are called grandchildren of the Devil and advisors of Satan.

On Christian Children Playing and Parents Indulging Them

Christians who have young children are accountable to God for them. Parents face severe and significant ecclesiastical punishment for neglecting their children. They must teach their children the Fear of God and guide them on the true Christian path. Children should be kept away from all filth, impurity, theft, robbery, and foul language.

Parents will face the Dread Judgment and eternal fire if they allow their children to live according to their own will and engage in unlawful games and dances. The Pilgrimage Book declares such parents: "If anyone does not discipline their child to live according to the Teachings of Christ – let them be cursed." Heed this, parents, and fear the holy fathers' punishment because you may be judged more harshly than robbers.

On Honoring Instructors and Teachers

All Christians should always listen to and obey their instructors and teachers, not quarrel with them, or speak ill of them. If one must endure any annoyance from them, endure it with gratitude and without anger. Do not slander teachers or listen to slander about them. The Lord Himself says about them: "He who hears you hears Me; he who rejects you rejects Me." According to the Apostle: "Remember your leaders, who spoke the Word of God to you." Therefore, obey your instructors and submit to them, for they watch over our souls.

In the absence of the clergy, laypeople can be instructors for Christians, as the Pilgrimage Book states: "A teacher, even if a layperson, who knows Divine teaching, may teach."

One should not only refrain from being angry with spiritual teachers but also with one's brother. The Sacred Rules state that "a person who hates another must repent for two years and pray 40 prostrations a day."

We must endure all offenses from people, except for the corruption of the Christian faith. In the case of heresy, even if an angel proclaims it before a Christian, one must not obey and must firmly uphold Christ's Teaching.

A Christian should fear and dread pride and arrogance but should humble themselves in every way and consider themselves the worst of people.

On Praying 200 Prostrations for the Absence of the Clergy and Holy Liturgy

There is a tradition from the ancient Christian fathers that on Christ's and the God-bearer's feast days, the great saints' feast days, and Sundays, one must pray for the deprivation of the Divine Liturgy. The book Nomocanon in chapter 8 states: "If a monk is deprived of the Holy Liturgy, he must perform 200 prostrations, confessing this sin as mortal."

Brothers, we must diligently pray and ask in prayer for the gift of the Most Pure Body of Christ and His Life-giving Blood. In our times, we cannot receive Communion visibly, but we receive it invisibly, spiritually. "Ask with faith, and it will be given to you."

…To be continued…

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