Why is it that the righteous, through God, are granted the ability to see the future? Why do they possess the gift of teaching and advising, and why do their spiritual counsel hold such immense power?

I once had a close friend who struggled with alcoholism. He saw his drinking as a reaction to the circumstances of his life. He had lost his job, and with it, his financial stability, the respect of his colleagues, and his self-esteem. He felt worthless and overwhelmed. Like many in similar situations, he turned to alcohol, mistakenly believing it to be a refuge—a way to escape the harsh realities of his life. Yet, each time he sought solace in drink, he found himself sinking deeper into despair, caught in a relentless cycle of hopelessness.

His heart began to falter, and it became clear that this path would lead to nothing good. Although he was a believer and understood the horror of his situation, he couldn’t break free on his own.

One day, he heard from friends about a remarkable nun with a gift of prophecy, known for helping those struggling with addiction. She lived at the Diveyevo Monastery. Desperate for help, he turned to me, and we decided to make the journey together. We knew little about her except her name—Mother Evdokia.

As we drove through the winter evening, the journey was challenging. Several times we lost our way, but when we finally saw the monastery, we exclaimed, “Thank God, we’ve made it!” We asked the locals if they knew where we might find Mother Evdokia. “In the refectory!” they replied, and we hurried there, filled with hope.

What happened next was beyond explanation. A small woman in monastic robes, wearing glasses and a warm smile, approached us. “Dear children, come in!” she said, spreading her arms wide as if we were old friends. It felt as though the light she radiated filled the entire room, and her simple, kind words gave us hope and faith that she could help, that everything would be alright.

We often pray for the ability to love all people, and Mother Evdokia’s encounter with us—strangers from Moscow seeking to solve our problems—showed me what it truly means to “love everyone.” She loved us unconditionally, selflessly, purely for the sake of love.

She invited us to sit at the table in the refectory, helped us find a place to stay for the night, and the next morning, we confessed, received communion, and prayed at the relics of St. Seraphim of Sarov. We then spoke with Mother Evdokia again. Her final words to my friend, who was battling his addiction, were simple but powerful: “From this day forward—dry law!”

She blessed us with an icon, and we left. From that moment on, he completely gave up drinking. Such was the strength of her guidance.

Why do monks and elders see what is hidden from ordinary people? Why do their words serve as spiritual beacons, guiding us through life? God bestows such abilities on those with pure hearts and minds. He gives these apostles the power to influence us, to heal, to help, and to protect us from temptation through the strength of their prayers.

I am certain that Mother Evdokia prayed fervently for my friend’s recovery from alcoholism. She prayed with the same intensity with which she welcomed us into the monastery’s refectory—without questions, without judgment, covering everything in Love. And it is this Divine love that can truly transform a person.

In a world filled with so much confusion and pain, it is this pure sight—the ability to see with the eyes of the heart, filled with love and compassion—that sets the righteous apart. Their connection to God allows them to guide us, to heal us, and to lead us back to the path of righteousness, even when we are lost in the darkness of our own making.

Original article: https://radiovera.ru/chistoe-oko-vidit.html