The apocrypha describes the torment of sinners in
hell. After praying on the
Mount Eleon, the
Birth–Giver of God, accompanied by
Archangel Michael, passes through the places where sinners are tormented. In the first place, pagans who worshiped Troyan,
Veles and
Perun were tormented. There was darkness elsewhere. In the third, there is a river of fire, where those who were
cursed by their parents,
ate human flesh, or
bore false witness were executed. Then the Birth–Giver of God saw the
moneylender, who was hanging upside down and being devoured by worms. Next came the
gossip girl, hanging by her teeth. In the north of hell, sinners who were late for
Sunday Services or did not greet the priests were tormented on hot benches and fiery tables. Also described in hell is an iron tree on which slanderers were hung by their tongues. A special place among sinners is occupied by negligent church ministers,
patriarchs and
bishops who were not worthy of their rank, as well as priests' wives who remarried. A lake of fire was prepared for the wicked Christians. Struck by the torments, the Birth–Giver of God turns to the Lord with a prayer to ease the fate of sinners: "Lord, I do not ask for the unfaithful
Zhids, but I ask for your mercy for
Christians". Her prayer is supported by
prophets,
apostles and
evangelists. The Lord, through the prayers of the Mother, gives relief to sinners, which consists in the fact that their torment ceases for a time "from
Great Thursday to
Trinity's Day" – only for Christians; Christ agrees to have complete mercy on them only if the Mother of God again sees Him crucified on the cross. ==Influences==