Post by Voxxkowalski on Aug 7, 2016 10:30:04 GMT -5
PERFECTION
ANTHONY THE GREAT
(C. 251 – 356)
Somebody asked Anthony, “What shall I do to please God?”
Wherever you go, keep God in mind; Whatever you do, follow the example of Holy Scripture; Wherever you are, stay there and do not move in a hurry. If you keep these commandments, you will be saved.
Pambo asked Anthony, “What shall I do?”
Do not trust in your own righteousness; Do not go on sorrowing over a past deed; Keep your tongue and your belly under control.
JOHN THE DWARF
(C. 339 – 405)
The virtuous man rises at dawn, take up the beginning of each virtue, and keep God’s commandments. He would live in patience, in the fear of the Lord, in long-suffering, in the love of God, with firm purpose in body and soul. He would have deep humility when troubled, and earnest practice. He would pray often with a contrite heart, keeping his speech pure and his eyes controlled. He would suffer injury and insult without anger, remaining peaceful. He would not render evil for evil, nor look for the faults in others. He would not puff himself up, but meekly subject himself to every creature. He would renounce material possessions and everything in the flesh. He would live as though crucified, in struggle, lowliness of spirit, in good will and abstinence, in fasting, in penance, in weeping. He would fight against evil, be wise and express discernment, and chaste in mind. He would receive good treatment with tranquility, working with his own hands, watchful at night, enduring hunger and thirst, cold and nakedness, and labor. He would live as though already dead and buried in a tomb. He would live as though death was near him daily.
EVAGRIUS THE SOLITARY
(C. 345 – 399)
Some of our predecessors used to say that a dry and regular diet combined with love will soon bring a monk to the harbor where the storms of passions do not enter.
One time a monk was told that his father had died. The monk replied to the messenger, “Do not blaspheme. My Father cannot die.”
POEMAN THE GREAT
(C. 340 – 450)
A hermit once asked Poeman, “How should we live?”
We have seen the example of Daniel. They accused him of nothing except that he served his God.
Poverty, Suffering, and Discernment are the three aspects of a hermit’s life. It is written that there were these three: Noah, Job, and Daniel. Noah is a type of poverty, Job is a type of suffering, and Daniel is a type of discernment. Where there are these three qualities, there is God.
SISOES THE GREAT
(C. 429)
Be despised, put your self-will behind you, and be free of worldly concerns. Only then will you have peace.
STILLNESS
ANTHONY THE GREAT
(C. 251 – 356)
He who quietly sits alone escapes from three wars: hearing, seeing, and speaking. However, there is one thing that man must continually war against, and that is his own heart.
MOSES THE BLACK
(C. 330 – 405)
If you sit in your cell, your cell will teach you everything.
One who avoids others is like a ripe grape; One who stays in the company of others becomes sour.
POEMAN THE GREAT
(C. 340 – 450)
The beginning of evil is to diversify the mind.
It is good to flee from things of the body. When a man is engaged in conflict with the body, he is like one standing on the edge of a deep pool. The enemy can push him in immediately. However, when he has put aside bodily things, he is like one standing far away from the pool. If the enemy drags him along to throw him in, God will help him as he is being dragged.
EVAGRIUS THE SOLITARY
(C. 345 – 399)
Cut the desire for many things out of your heart and you will prevent your mind from being dispersed and your stillness lost.
ARSENIUS THE GREAT
(C. 350 – 450)
Once when Arsenius was living in Canopus, a very rich God-fearing virgin came from Rome to visit him. Bishop Theophilus received her, and she asked him to arrange a meeting with Arsenius. Theophilus went to Arsenius and said, “A lady has come from Rome, and she wants to see you.” However, Arsenius refused to see her. When she heard this, she saddled her camels and said, “I believe that with God’s help I will see him. There may be many people to see in Rome, but I came here in order to see saints.”
When she reached Arsenius’ cell, by the providence of God he was standing outside of it. When the lady saw him, she fell at his feet. He helped her up with indignation and looking directly at her he said,
“If you want to see my face, look closely, here it is.“
But she was too ashamed to raise her eyes. Arsenius said to her,
Haven’t you heard about my way of life? That is what you should be trying to see. Why have you dared to come all this way across the sea? A woman should not be going around by herself. Have you done this so you can go back to the other women in Rome and say you have seen me? If you did that, then you would flood the sea with women trying to see me.
She said, “If by God’s will I return to Rome, I will not let any other women come here. Please pray for me, and always remember me.” He replied,
I pray that God will blot the memory of you from my heart.
When she heard his response, she went away in tears. When she got back to Alexandria, she was so sad that she came down with a fever. Bishop Theophilus heard of this and came to comfort her. When he asked her what was wrong, she told him what happened. The Bishop told her, “Do you not realize that you are a woman, and the enemy uses women to attack holy men? That is why he said what he did. Don’t worry, he prays for you all the time.”
His explanation was a comfort to her and she returned home.
NILUS THE ELDER
(C. ? – 430)
The arrows of the enemy cannot touch someone who loves quiet. However, those who wander among crowds will often be wounded by them.
REMORSE
SYNCLETICA OF ALEXANDRIA
(C. 270 – 350)
All must endure great travail and conflict when they are first converted to the Lord, but later they have unspeakable joy. It is like those who light a fire: the smoke blows into their face and their eyes begin to water, but they succeed in getting what they want. It is written, “Our God is a consuming fire.” Therefore, we must kindle divine fire with tears and trouble.