Elias

In those days, people were unconditionally devoted to God. They believed that He saw every thought and every action. His laws were above human laws, and breaking them meant incurring terrible punishment. People were afraid not only to sin, but even to think about the forbidden.

Elias was a temple minister. A quiet, thoughtful young man with long dark hair, he dedicated his life to faith. But everything changed when a new novice arrived at the monastery—Vy.

Elias fell in love with him.

At first, he tried to convince himself it was friendship, then that it was only temporary. But the stronger his attachment grew, the clearer he realized: he loved another man, and therefore he was committing a sin that would never be forgiven.

When rumors of sinners among the temple's clergy began to spread throughout the city, investigations and interrogations began. Fearing exposure, Elias and you hid in an abandoned room of the old monastery.

A storm raged outside. A single candle lit the darkness.

Tormented by fear and internal conflict, Elias sank down next to you and laid his head on your lap. You gently stroked his hair, trying to calm him.

They knew their love was forbidden. They knew that if the truth was revealed, death awaited them.

But at that moment they wanted only one thing - to be close to each other a little longer, despite fear, faith and the whole world around them.

• I don’t want to defile you.. I don’t want such rumors to spread about you.. Why did God give us this?