---

Part Three

Chapter One:
New House

A few days later, Rada told Alexey:

“We should go to the community today: to tell everyone that we are now — before God — husband and wife. We should tell the community, so that it is accepted. Do you agree?”

“Of course!” — he answered happily.

… Rada and Alexey went to the community settlement. In the rays of the morning sun, the forest seemed fabulously beautiful!

“We will be met, do not be surprised!”

“Be met? But how did they know?”

“I told grandfather.”

“But you did not see him! We were together the whole time!”

“You know that it’s possible to see and feel a soul from a distance. And to talk — it’s possible too. You can already talk with Jesus! And you know that I often speak with my father, Radomir. I have told my grandfather about us. And he has answered me: ‘If so, come to the congregation: it is necessary to declare your union before everyone!’”

Alexey embraced Rada, picked her up in his arms and kissed her:

“It seemed to me that I already knew everything about you, but every time I am amazed at what else you can do!”

* * *

All the community members, from young to old, went out to meet Rada and Alexey. They wished them happiness, love, and harmony with each other and with God!

Even the space in which they walked between the people, who greeted them, became something special: that is how the simple wishes of good and love, which are sincerely sent by strong souls, change the space around.

Blagoslav looked at the young couple affectionately. He spoke words that were fitting in the customs of the community.

Then he led them to the house:

“Now, this is your home!”

… There was no limit to Alexey’s surprise…

They entered the house — small but cozy, and clean.

Everything inside was decorated in a special way: the house was waiting for its new owners!

… When they were alone, Rada said:

“In the past, it was customary for the whole community to build a new house together for young people, who created families. But we do not need to build one: there are several empty houses.”

“Was it someone’s house? Did those, who lived here, die?”

“No, they did not die. It was once the house of the blacksmith, Mikula. Do you remember, how he prepared a hot bath for you?

“And then he was presented with a special forge by the whole community: to make sure that there was almost no sound coming out of his work. And the upper room houses the forge. Now he lives there. He does not have a family. So this house was empty. He told my grandfather that they could prepare this house for us.”

“Prepare?”

“Yes. Do you see how everything is arranged inside? They tried to bring everything, needed for us, as a gift! Here are the table, benches, different utensils, and candles — everything that is useful in the household! There are also books on the table — this is for you from grandfather!

“All the community members prepared their gifts for us — what they could: someone gave — the towel, someone else — the dishes, someone else — another kind of utensil. My grandfather — he has brought books for you: he knows that you like to read!”

Alexey was at a loss for words. He had never before experienced anything like this! People, who almost didn’t even know him, did all this for him! Of course — for Rada too, but also for him. How can he thank them all now?

Rada finished her explanation:

“For many generations, we have lived as a community. It’s like a large and friendly family. And the customs here are good!

“Now you will have to be accepted into the community — by the common agreement of all the members. Grandpa will decide — when.”

* * *

Later, Rada went to her grandfather’s house.

They embraced gently.

“At last!… You love him, I see! And he loves you! This is great! Yes… it all has happened so surprisingly!…

“Teach him — and further!

“I myself did not expect that a person could change so quickly!”

“Yes, I love him, grandpa!

“I used to think that it was only I who taught him. But I have also learned a lot from him!

“He has the intention of writing a book about how to wisely structure the church in the state and about how to live righteously before God. Will you help him?”

“But who will read such a book right now? People are illiterate!… And those, who are literate, — they are ready only to make reprisals over dissents!”

“Jesus has asked him to do this.

“It is possible that this is necessary only for him: to write down and at the same time comprehend, to connect everything former with everything new, which he has learned. Or maybe, it is part of a plan for the future too… I do not know yet…

“Alexey is not used to living for himself, for his own happiness solely! He lives his whole life — for God, and has dreams to help people! He considers it unfaithful — to use the new knowledge and understanding of how to live — only for himself. He cannot even think that happiness is only for himself! Because of this — I love him even more! And in this is the cause of the very special shining around him!”

* * *

Alexey went to the hermitage to gather the most necessary things for his new life.

He also visited the village.

After that incident with the healing of the boy, Tikhon, and all his long walks to the forest — Alexey was seen with special respect: many almost considered him to be holy. The new attitude towards him was completely different now — in comparison with what it was before, when he repaired leaky roofs or climbed into water wells to clean them!

Alexey was internally amazed at how everything seemed to be shaping up!

He also went to the house of Efimia. Everything was fine there! The youngest boy was growing up, and he was no longer sick. Dunyasha and Timothy could help their mother quite well in everything. Much has been accomplished in their lives! And Efimia herself became calmer and more joyful. She understood that God loves them, keeps them — and now lived in gratitude to Him for all of this!

Timothy and Dunyasha met Alexey — as if he was a very dear friend! Alexey was amazed: he had hardly spoken to them since that miraculous healing!

He told them that he would be going far away for a long time.

And then he came up with a way on how he could get news about life in the village. He asked the children — if there would be any need or should something important happen — that they should put a sign in the hollow of a big tree, which Timothy and him knew about on the bend of the river. Alexey gave the children two small pebbles — one dark and the other light. If trouble or need arise, then the dark stone is to be put in the tree, and if his presence is needed for something joyful, then they should use the light stone.

For the children, such a game — secret and important — seemed to be very interesting, and they promised to perform it!

* * *

Then Alexey once again returned to the hermitage. He went to the grave of the elder Nicholas: as if saying goodbye to the past. He sat down on a hillock, and was quiet for a long time, remembering their life together for the many years of his apprenticeship…

Then he began mentally, as if in a confession, to tell the elder everything about his new life…

Suddenly he saw and heard the elder Nicholas:

“Why then did you come here? You now are not afraid to see Jesus! Why are you afraid of me?”

“Well, it was not expected…”

“You told me your thoughts, but did not expect to see me, right?”

“So, have you heard all the confession about my life, about my thoughts, and my dreams? Are you judging me?”

“No, my son, I have never condemned anyone, and you — least of all! No one will travel your path for you! Perhaps, it is destined for you to do that, what you dream about — for people and for God! Maybe the importance of my earthly life was, namely, so that I could prepare you for this…

“Do not be afraid! In the heart — you will always feel the Truth from God! And the courage to live according to that Truth, has always been a gift of yours!”

… The elder Nicholas blessed Alexey, as if in the old days… Then he disappeared…

Alexey got up and went to the community.

A new life was waiting for him — and he was ready for it.