St. Silouan the Athonite

In 1905 Father Silouan spent several months in Russia, frequently visiting monasteries. On one such trip, on a train, he took a seat opposite a merchant who with a friendly gesture opened his silver cigarette case to him and offered him a cigarette. Father Silouan thanked him for the offer, but declined. "Father, Is it because you consider it a sin that you refuse?" The merchant asked and added, "But smoking often helps in active life; it is good to interrupt the tension of work and to rest for a few minutes. It is convenient to conduct business or friendly conversation with smoking, and in the course of life in general." Trying to persuade Father Silouan to take a cigarette, he continued to speak in favor of smoking. Then Father Silouan said: "Sir, before you smoke a cigarette, pray, say one Lord's Prayer." But the merchant replied, "Praying before smoking doesn't seem to work." The Venerable Silouan remarked: "So, any work that is not preceded by prayer is better not to do."