I AM WHO I AM.

(Exodus 3:14)

God is the life of all beings,

He is the salvation of all,

Of those who believe or who do not,

Since the time of the Fall.

Of the just and the unjust

Or those who hear passion's call,

Of the wise or the simple,

Of the strong or the frail,

Of the old or the youngster,

He is the salvation of all.

He is like light that all see,

He is like a glimpse of the sun,

He is like changes of weather,

He is for everyone.

Based on a passage from the Desert Fathers.

On Prayer.

It is said of Abba Arsenius that on Saturday evenings, at sun-set, he would prepare for the glory of Sunday by standing with his back to the sun and stretching out his arms towards the heavens. And he would stand like this in prayer till the sun rose to shine on his face once more. Then he would sit down.

"A brother went to the cell of Abba Arsenius in Scete, and looked through the window, and saw the old man as if he was one flame: now the brother was worthy to look upon such things. After he had knocked, the old man came out, and saw the brother looking amazed, and said to him, "Have you been knocking here for long? Have you seen anything?" And the brother answered, "No." And Abba Arsenius talked with him, and sent him away."

On Temptation.

Amma (mother) Sarah waged spiritual warfare against the demon of fornication for thirteen years. She never expected the warfare to cease, but she always called out: "O God, give me strength."

An old man said: "Joseph of Arimathea took the body of Jesus down from the tree, and placed it in a clean garment in a new tomb. This signifies the new humanity. So let each one of us strive not to sin, so that we do not mistreat the God who dwells within us, and so we may always have Him near to our soul."

A simple thought.

Abba Pambo said: "If you have a heart, you can be saved."

On not judging your brother.

One of the brothers in the desert monastery in Scetis committed a fault. The monks called a council to judge the brother, and invited the great monk called Abba Moses. But Abba Moses refused to go to the council. Then the priest in charge sent someone to Abba Moses,

saying :"Come at once, for everyone is waiting for you." So the old monk got up from his hut in the desert and went. He took with him a very old wicker basket, and he filled it with a huge quantity of sand. Then he slung the basket on his back, and the sand began to trickle out behind him. The other monks came out to meet him, and they could see that he was bent under a great weight. "What is this, Father?" they said. "My sins run out behind me, and I do not see them. But today I am coming to judge my brother." When the monks heard this they ran to ask forgiveness from the brother who had committed the fault. Only then did Abba Moses come into the monastery.

Another time, one of the brothers sinned. The priest ordered him to leave the church. Then Abba Bessarion stood up, and went out arm in arm with the brother. And he said, "I too am a sinner, so I will keep you company."

Fasting and Hospitality.

Two brothers came to a certain old man. It was his custom not to eat every day, but when he saw them he received them joyfully. Then he said :"A fast has its own reward, but he who eats for the sake of love fulfils two commandments : he leaves his own will and he refreshes his brothers."

A brother came to see a very strict hermit for spiritual advice. As he was leaving, he said :"Forgive me, Abba, for I have prevented you from keeping your rule today." The old hermit replied :"My rule is to welcome you with hospitality and to send you away in peace."

Beasts and Saints.

Abba Theon would never eat meat. Indeed, he would not even cut down the trees for fire-wood. He only ate vegetables and fruit which needed no cooking. They say that he used to go out from his monastic cell at night and stay in the company of the wild animals. He would carry water from the river in the heat of the day, and would give it all to the animals that came out at night. Certainly, each morning, you could see tracks of antelopes and wild asses and gazelles near his hermitage. He took great pleasure in these animals.

These texts are simply a selection from the Sayings of the Desert Fathers.

If you do not see a links frame on the left of the page when this page is loaded please enter the site via our main page at www.orthodoxchurch.co.uk