The unknown letter of St Theophan the Recluse was found in the family archive of Marfa Klimova.

      She was a nun of the Dormition Convent in Penza Region in 1888.

      The saint addressed this instructive letter to the nun. Theophan the Recluse wrote about the importance of fear of God.

      “Fear of God is the main thing. When it comes, it arranges everything in its own way like a good master in the soul. Is it there within you? If it is there, thank God and keep it; and if it is not present then wake it up: it is contained in our spirit and it is not manifested just because of our inattention” — the letter reads.

      According to the prelate, for preserving the fear of God one should “keep remembering the death and justice of Heaven”.