Gleanings from Orthodox Christian Authors and the Holy Fathers

bessarion_abba

3 Entries

A brother who shared a lodging with other brothers asked Abba Bessarion, "What should I do?" The old man replied, "Keep silence and do not compare yourself with others." Venerable Bessarion the Egyptian, commemorated 6 June

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Abba Bessarion said, "When you are at peace, without having to struggle, humiliate yourself for fear of being led astray by a joy which is inappropriate. We magnify ourselves and we are delivered to warfare. For often, because of our weakness, God does not allow us to be tempted, for fear we should be overcome." Venerable Bessarion the Egyptian, commemorated 6 June

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One day a man possessed with a devil came to Scetis, and they prayed over him, but the devil did not leave him, for it was obstinate. The priests said, "What can we do against this devil? No one can drive him away, except Abba Bessarion, but if we call him, he will not come, even to the church. Therefore let us do this: since he comes to church early, before anyone else, let us make the possessed sleep here, and when he comes, let us keep to our prayer, and say to him, 'Abba, awaken the brother.'" This is what they did. When the old man came early, they kept to their prayer and said to him, "Awaken the brother." The old man said to him, "Arise and go." Immediately the devil departed from him and from that hour he was healed. Venerable Bessarion of Egypt, commemorated 6 June

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