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by the Divine ordinance be close at hand, on the eve of its
appearance. And so be it, so be it!
‘So be it, so be it!’ Father Paissy repeated austerely and
reverently.
‘Strange, extremely strange’ Miusov pronounced, not so
much with heat as with latent indignation.
‘What strikes you as so strange?’ Father Iosif inquired
cautiously.
‘Why, it’s beyond anything!’ cried Miusov, suddenly
breaking out; ‘the State is eliminated and the Church is
raised to the position of the State. It’s not simply Ultramon-
tanism, it’s arch-Ultramontanism! It’s beyond the dreams
of Pope Gregory the Seventh!’
‘You are completely misunderstanding it,’ said Father
Paissy sternly. ‘Understand, the Church is not to be trans-
formed into the State. That is Rome and its dream. That is
the third temptation of the devil. On the contrary, the State
is transformed into the Church, will ascend and become
a Church over the whole world — which is the complete
opposite of Ultramontanism and Rome, and your inter-
pretation, and is only the glorious destiny ordained for the
Orthodox Church. This star will arise in the east!’
Miusov was significantly silent. His whole figure ex-
pressed extraordinary personal dignity. A supercilious and
condescending smile played on his lips. Alyosha watched it
all with a throbbing heart. The whole conversation stirred
him profoundly. He glanced casually at Rakitin, who was
standing immovable in his place by the door listening and
watching intently though with downcast eyes. But from