Don’t be angered by any words. Just do whatever you can to not provoke them. If, however, you do not manage to prevent them, ignore them. As I told you, the testimony of your conscience before God is sufficient for your consolation and encouragement. Even if the entire world condemns you, in no case you are guilty, if God justifies you in your conscience. For the innocent man, the unjust criticisms and words are like black clouds which gather for a while over him, but soon dissolve and disappear without giving rain. This is how human words are also lost. After a while, no one remembers them anymore. The same thing will happen, I believe, in your case. Behave naturally and as you don’t feel anything.
Saint Theophan the Recluse
Translated by Dr. Nick Stergiou
