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Conversations and Exhortationsof Father ZossimaThis passage from The Brothers Karamazov follows immediatelyafter the biographical notes of the Elder Zossima. (See introductoryparagraph on page 149.) There is no doubt that here we havebefore us Dostoyevsky’s religious testament.The Russian Monk and His Possible SignificanceFathers and teachers, what is the monk? In the cultivatedworld the word is nowadays pronounced by some people witha jeer, and by others it is used as a term of abuse; and this contemptfor the monk is growing. It is true, alas, it is true, that thereare many sluggards, gluttons, profligates, and insolent beggarsamong monks. Educated people point to these: “You are idlers,useless members of society, you live on the labor of others, youare shameless beggars.” And yet how many meek and humblemonks there are, yearning for solitude and fervent prayer inpeace. These are less noticed, or are passed over in silence. Andhow surprised men would be if I were to say that from these meekmonks, who yearn for solitary prayer, the salvation of Russia willperhaps come once more. For they are in truth made ready inpeace and quiet “for the day and the hour, the month and theyear.” Meanwhile in their solitude they keep the image of Christfair and undefiled, in the purity of God’s truth, from the times ofthe fathers of old, the apostles, and the martyrs. And when the219