Tag: Abba Arsenius
How are we to judge?
It was told of a brother who came to see Abba Arsenius at Scetis that, when he came to the church, he asked the clergy if he could visit Abba Arsenius. They said to him, ‘Brother, have a little refreshment and then go and see him.’ ‘I shall not eat anything,’ said he, ’till I… Read More ›
The dove returns
In the days when Abba Arsenius was living in Lower Egypt he was continually interrupted there and so he judged it right to leave his cell. Without taking anything away with him, he went to his disciples at Pharan, Alexander and Zoilus. He said to Alexander, ‘Get up, and get into the boat,’ which he… Read More ›
Belief in the True Presence
This is what Abba Daniel, the Pharanite, said, ‘Our Father Abba Arsenius told us of an inhabitant of Scetis, of notable life and of simple faith; through his naïveté he was deceived and said, “The bread which we receive is not really the body of Christ, but a symbol. Two old men having learnt that he had uttered this… Read More ›
The Way of Salvation
While he was still living in the imperial palace, Abba Arsenius prayed to God in these words, “Lord lead me in the way of salvation.” And a voice came to him saying, “Arsenius: flee from men and you will be saved.” Having withdrawn to the solitary life he made the same prayer again and he… Read More ›
How to Pray
Abba was asked, “How should one pray?” The old man said, “There is no need at all to make long discourses; it is enough to stretch out one’s hands and say, ‘Lord, as you will, and as you know have mercy.’ And if the conflict grows fiercer say, ‘Lord, help!’ He knows very well what… Read More ›
Think Seriously About the Way You Act
Abba Daniel, the disciple of Abba Arsenius, described how Arsenius told the following story as if it had happened to somebody else, though Daniel was convinced Arsenius was actually talking of himself: A certain old man was sitting in his cell when a voice came to him, saying, “Come with me and I will show… Read More ›