Tag: humility
No one knew about it
Abba Peter said this about the holy Macarius: One day he came to the cell of an anchorite who happened to be ill, and asked him if he would take something to eat, though the cell was stripped bare. When the other replied, “Some sherbet,” that courageous man did not hesitate, but went as far… Read More ›
St. Pachomius, Father of Communal Monasticism
Therefore, brothers, let us strive with all our heart, bearing death before our eyes every hour, and every moment imagining the fearful punishment. But these things the mind comes to perception and the soul is weighed down weeping, but it is also made contemplative and prepared to be turned toward God, undistracted by earthly things…. Read More ›
Hospitality Toward Others
The greeting itself, however, ought to manifest complete humility toward guests who are arriving or departing: by an inclination of the head or by a complete prostration on the ground, one must adore Christ in them, fir he is in fact the one who is received. (RB 53: 6) Abba Apollo said with regard to… Read More ›
Humble and listening hearts are needed…
The only way we count more with God is if we are found superior to others in good works and still humble. (RB 2:21) Humble and listening hearts are needed in families, the workplace, government, international diplomacy, and faith communities. The “answer” to modern conflicts and just sharing of the world’s resources requires a change… Read More ›
Those who seek humility …
Those who seek humility should bear in mind the three following things: that they are the worst of sinners, that they are the most despicable of all creatures since their state is an unnatural one, and that they are even more pitiable than the demons, since they are slaves to the demons. You will also… Read More ›
I have seen the Holy Spirit dwelling in You
There were two brothers living together in a cell whose patience and humility were universally praised by many of the holy fathers. Hearing about this a certain holy man decided to find out whether their humility was really perfect and went to visit them. They greeted him gladly and after the customary psalms and prayers… Read More ›
Serve Christ the Lord
The senior holy fathers told how a certain monk in the desert, who was also a senior, was actually a slave, and every year he would leave the desert and go down to Alexandria where his masters lived, in order to give them that due proportion of what he had earned which slaves usually give… Read More ›
Humility and Obedience
The holy fathers used to say of John, the disciple of Abba Paul, that he possessed the virtues of great humility and obedience to such extent that he would make no objection whatsoever no matter how difficult the tasks the abba set him, nor did he ever grumble. When a certain tool was needed for… Read More ›