|
WHEN I was in the desert of Scete, where are the most excellent
monastic fathers and where all perfection flourishes, in company with the
holy father Germanus (who had since the earliest days and commencement of
our spiritual service been my closest companion both in the coenobium and
in the desert, so that to show the harmony of our friendship and aims,
everybody would say that a single heart and soul existed in our two
bodies), I sought out Abbot Moses, who was eminent amid those splendid
flowers, not only in practical but also in contemplative excellence, in my
anxiety to be grounded by his instruction: and together we implored him to
give us a discourse for our edification; not without tears, for we knew
full well his determination never to consent to open the gate of
perfection, except to those who desired it with all faithfulness, and
sought it with all sorrow of heart; for fear lest if he showed it at random
to those who cared nothing for it, or only desired it in a half-hearted
way, by opening what is necessary, and what ought only to be discovered to
those seeking perfection, to unworthy persons, and such as accepted it with
scorn, he might appear to lay himself open either to the charge of
bragging, or to the sin of betraying his trust; and at last being overcome
by our prayers he thus began.
|
|