Lausiac History (recension G)

 having written down the lives of the fathers, Abraham and those who followed, Moses and Elijah and John, they did not relate them in order to glorify

 goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control, is acknowledged. Pref.14 For Paul himself said: For the fruit of the spirit is such and such things.

 being virgins but he entrusted them to Christ, saying: He who created you will provide for your life, as also for me. And there was with his sister

 a judge who orders one to be submitted to debauchery. 3.4 So that one, having gone mad, orders her, having been stripped, to be thrown into the cauld

 but haughty in disposition, exceedingly rich in money, giving † not † to a stranger, not to a virgin, not to the church, not an obol to a poor person.

 So having met and spent three years with the monasteries around Alexandria, with about two thousand most excellent and very zealous men, departing fro

 Lord and what do you command now? I command, he said, that each of us from now on remain by himself. But she did not agree, saying Let us rema

 without a fever, not having been sick, but sewing up the basket, being seventy years old who, having sent for me, and while the last stitch was on it

 at the martyrium called Roufinianais. Whose tomb is said to heal all who suffer from fever.] 12 .tConcerning Benjamin 12.1 In this mountain of Nitria

 were perfected. And some were pleased by this one, others by that one. When a dispute therefore arose among the brotherhood over the praises, they go

 therefore also to banish you from this. 16.3 Therefore, knowing that he had been mocked, he returned again to his first cell. And having completed th

 the tax-collectors are upon you, whose disease you also suffer. And it happened that he disobeyed after the death of Macarius, after another fifteen

 the saint, taking him, prayed over him, beseeching God. And after one or two days, when the affliction subsided, the holy Macarius says to her: 17.13

 ravens before my sight, and saying: What do you want, Macarius? What do you want, monk? Why have you come to our place? You cannot remain here. So I

 he did nothing with his hands. Therefore, when all the ascetics saw this, they rose up against the abbot, saying: From where have you brought us this

 you shall be shaken, I shall not hear you. 18.24 So after falling for a long time, he rose. And when night came, they attacked him again and filling

 fifty miles he went away to where he had his company. This so great man, at long last being pricked with compunction by some circumstance, gave himsel

 so that we should fear these flies more than he feared the demons. This was the way of life of Moses the Ethiopian, who was himself also numbered amon

 of Eulogius and worthily nourished by the disease. But after fifteen years a demon dwelt in him and he rebelled against Eulogius and he began to assa

 Do not turn aside anywhere, depart do not be separated from one another, but go to your cell where you have spent your time. For God is already sendi

 to them a way of life such as never in youth. 22.5 And having moistened palm leaves he says to him: “Take these, weave a rope as I do.” The old man we

 And standing by the rocks on the mountain he prays and says thus: You see, Jesus Christ, who was crucified under Pontius Pilate, that I will not come

 wisdom no longer approached me. 24 .tConcerning Stephen the Libyan 24.1 A certain Stephen, a Libyan by race, from the region of Marmarica and Mareoti

 to place in the little book for the security of the readers, just as among the holy plants of paradise was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil

 he fell into a fall of pride. And opening the window, she received the one serving her and was mixed with him, because she had not maintained her asce

 saying to her, We do not dare to meet them for we know their drunkenness and their recklessness. 31.3 But if you will have mercy both on the whole v

 to the angel that the prayers are few, the angel says to him: I have prescribed these things so that even the lesser ones may be able to complete the

 matter. So when the elder came, the other sisters reported the matter and he ordered that not a single one of their offerings be accepted and as for

 having been enclosed for years and receiving his needs through a window from the one who served him, he was deemed worthy of the gift of prophecy. Amo

 sufficiently, I thanked God when I learned that the pretexts driving me had been accomplished. 35.10 Then again he says to me, joking: Do you want to

 about to give birth, she was having a difficult labor, the spirit crushing her. So while the woman was demon-possessed, her husband came and begged th

 All ran up to him, both those wearing the tribon and those wearing the birrus, saying to him: What is the matter with you? And where are you from? An

 and why should I go out? He says to her: If you have died to the world and the world to you, it is the same to you to go out and not to go out ther

 suggests. 38.6 He says to him: If you listen to your friend, it is not expedient for you to live in this city. Evagrius says to him: If God delive

 he died among them, having partaken of communion on Epiphany in the church. He told us then about death that, It is the third year I have not been tr

 I appoint myself as a host for you. And taking money and partitioning the porticoes and setting up about three hundred beds, he nursed the starving,

 the hill of the ascension from where Jesus was taken up, he continued standing and singing psalms and praying and whether it snowed or it rained or i

 of those boiled by fire. Having persevered in these for eighteen years, he sang the hymn of victory to Christ. This man, having been warred against in

 in Jerusalem for the sake of a vow, bishops and monks and virgins, at their own expense they edified all whom they met, and they healed the schism of

 to many souls, in some there is an excellence of intellect, in others a fitness for discipline. But when neither the action nor the excellence is for

 There was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure 47.16 lest ever with the won

 having drawn [their swords], they attacked. And such a thing happened: when he raised the sword and was about to draw it against Gaddana, the hand of

 she led to the solitary life. And having catechized her younger son Publicola, she led him to Sicily and having sold all her remaining property and r

 to her own daughter. 57.2 I knew this woman, who labored through every night, grinding with her hands for the subduing of the body, explaining that,

 of this one, named Taor, who, having been thirty years in the monastery, never wished to receive a new garment or veil or sandal, saying, I have no n

 of her own. And she freed the eight thousand slaves who wished it, for the rest did not wish it but chose to serve her brother to whom she conceded t

 was said to be most learned and most faithful who received Origen the writer, as he was fleeing the insurrection of the Greeks, for two years at her

 they may stir up some of the civil disturbances, falling away from their purpose. 67 .tConcerning Magna 67.1 In this city of Ancyra many other virgins

 to slander a certain lector of the city. And when she was already pregnant, being questioned by her father, she accused the lector. But the presbyter,

 warm loaves in his sheepskin at another time again wine and loaves. At another time again, when he was speaking, I knew that You are in need go the

having been enclosed for years and receiving his needs through a window from the one who served him, he was deemed worthy of the gift of prophecy. Among these, he also sent various prophecies to the blessed emperor Theodosius, concerning both Maximus the tyrant, that having conquered him he would return from Gaul; and likewise, he also proclaimed good news concerning Eugenius the tyrant. A great report of him went forth as a virtuous man. 35.3 So when we were in the desert of Nitria, both I and those around the blessed Evagrius, we sought to learn precisely what was the virtue of the man. So the blessed Evagrius says: "I would gladly learn from someone who knows how to test mind and speech, what sort of man he might be; for if I myself am not able to see him, but am able to hear accurately about his way of life from another relating it, I will not go to the mountain." When I heard this, and having said nothing to anyone, I kept quiet for one day; but on the next, having shut my cell and entrusting myself and it to God, I journeyed as far as the Thebaid. 35.4 And I arrived in eighteen days, partly walking, and partly also sailing on the river. The season was that of the inundation, in which many fall ill; which indeed I also suffered. So going there I found his antechamber closed; for later the brethren had built on a very large antechamber, in which about a hundred men could fit; and locking it with a key, they would open it on Saturday and Sunday. So when I learned the reason why he was enclosed, I kept quiet until Saturday. And arriving at the second hour for the meeting, I found him sitting beside the window, through which he seemed to be exhorting those who chanced to be there. 35.5 So greeting me, he said through an interpreter: "Where are you from, and why have you come? For I surmise that you are from the company of Evagrius." I said that I was "A stranger hailing from Galatia"; and I confessed that I was also of the companionship of Evagrius. While we were speaking, the governor of the region came in, Alypius by name; to whom he ran and left off his conversation with me. So I withdrew a little and gave them space, standing afar off. And as they conversed for a long time, I grew listless, and being listless I grumbled against the good old man, as if he had despised me but honored that man. 35.6 And being vexed in my mind at this, I considered departing, having despised him. But calling the interpreter, Theodore by name, he says to him: "Go, say to that brother: 'Do not be fainthearted; I will soon dismiss the governor and speak with you.'" So I resolved to persevere, paying attention to him as a spiritual man. And when the governor had gone out, he calls me and says to me: "Why were you offended at me? What worthy of offense did you find, that you thought those things which neither belong to me nor were fitting for you? Or do you not know that it is written: 'Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick'? You I find whenever I wish, and you me. 35.7 And if I do not comfort you, other brothers comfort you and other fathers. But this man is given over to the devil through worldly affairs, and having caught a brief hour for breath, as a runaway slave from his master, he has come to be helped; it would have been unfitting, then, to leave him and spend time with you, since you are constantly occupied with your salvation." So, having asked him to pray for me, I was fully convinced that he was a spiritual man. 35.8 Then, being gracious, with his right hand he gently tapped my left jaw and says to me: "Many afflictions await you, and you have fought many battles to leave the desert; and you grew faint-hearted and put it off. But the demon fans the flames, bringing you pious and plausible pretexts. For he suggested to you both the desire for your father, and the instruction of your brother and sister into the solitary life. 35.9 Behold, then, I bring you good news: Both have been saved; for they have renounced the world. And your father still has other years to live. Persevere, therefore, in the desert, and do not wish to depart to your own country for these reasons; for it is written: 'No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of heaven'." So, having been helped by these words and being strengthened

ἔτη ἐγκεκλεισμένος καὶ διὰ θυρίδος λαμβάνων παρὰ τοῦ δια κονοῦντος αὐτῷ τὰς χρείας κατηξιώθη χαρίσματος προρ ρήσεων. Ἐν οἷς καὶ τῷ μακαρίῳ Θεοδοσίῳ τῷ βασιλεῖ διαφόρους ἀπέστειλε προρρήσεις, περί τε Μαξίμου τοῦ τυράννου, ὅτι νικήσας αὐτὸν ὑποστρέψει τῶν Γαλλίων· ὁμοίως δὲ καὶ περὶ Εὐγενίου τοῦ τυράννου εὐηγγελίσατο. Τούτου ἐξῆλθε φήμη πολλὴ ὡς ἐναρέτου. 35.3 Ὄντες οὖν ἡμεῖς ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ τῆς Νιτρίας, ἐγώ τε καὶ οἱ περὶ τὸν μακάριον Εὐάγριον, ἐζητοῦμεν μα θεῖν τὴν ἀκρίβειαν, τίς ἡ ἀρετὴ τοῦ ἀνδρός. Λέγει οὖν ὁ μακάριος Εὐάγριος· "Ἡδέως ἐμάνθανον παρά του εἰδότος δοκιμάζειν νοῦν καὶ λόγον, ποταπὸς εἴη ὁ ἀνήρ· ἐὰν γὰρ ἐγὼ αὐτὸς ἰδεῖν αὐτὸν μὴ δυνηθῶ, τὰ δὲ τῆς πολιτείας αὐτοῦ ἀκοῦσαι ἀκριβῶς δυνηθῶ ἄλλου διηγουμένου, οὐκ ἀπέρχομαι ἕως τοῦ ὄρους". Ἀκούσας ἐγὼ καὶ μηδενὶ μηδὲν εἰρηκὼς ἡσύχασα μίαν ἡμέραν· τὴν δὲ ἄλλην ἀπο κλείσας μου τὸ κέλλιον καὶ θεῷ παραθέμενος ἑαυτὸν καὶ αὐτὸ ἐσκύλην ἕως Θηβαΐδος. 35.4 Καὶ ἔφθασα δι' ἡμερῶν δεκαοκτώ, τὰ μὲν πεζεύσας, τὰ δὲ καὶ πλεύσας ἐν τῷ ποταμῷ. Ὁ καιρὸς δὲ ἦν τῆς ἀναβάσεως, ἐν ᾧ νοσοῦσι πολλοί· ὃ δὴ καὶ ὑπέστην. Ἀπελθὼν οὖν εὗρον αὐτοῦ κε κλεισμένον τὸ προεισοδικόν· ὕστερον γὰρ προσῳκοδόμησαν οἱ ἀδελφοὶ προεισοδικὸν μέγιστον, ἐν ᾧ χωροῦσιν ἄνδρες ὡς ἑκατόν· καὶ κλειδίῳ ἀποκλείοντες κατὰ σάββατον καὶ κυριακὴν ἤνοιγον. Μαθὼν οὖν τὴν αἰτίαν δι' ἣν ἐγκέ κλειστο, ἡσύχασα ἕως τοῦ σαββάτου. Καὶ παραγενόμενος ὥραν δευτέραν ἐν τῇ συντυχίᾳ εὗρον αὐτὸν ἐν τῇ θυρίδι παρακαθεζόμενον, δι' ἧς ἐδόκει παρακαλεῖν τοὺς παρα τυγχάνοντας. 35.5 Ἀσπασάμενος οὖν με ἔλεγε δι' ἑρ μηνέως· "Πόθεν εἶ, καὶ τί παραγέγονας; Στοχάζομαι γάρ σε τῆς συνοδίας εἶναι τῆς Εὐαγρίου". Εἶπον ὅτι "Ξένος ἐκ Γαλατίας ὡρμημένος"· ὡμολόγησα δὲ ὅτι καὶ τῆς ἑταιρείας Εὐαγρίου. Ἐν τῷ μεταξὺ λαλούντων ἡμῶν ἐπεισ ῆλθεν ὁ ἡγεμὼν τῆς χώρας, Ἀλύπιος ὀνόματι· ᾧ προσ δραμὼν ἀφῆκε τὴν ἐμὴν ὁμιλίαν. Ἀναχωρήσας οὖν ὀλίγον δέδωκα αὐτοῖς τόπον ἑστὼς πόρρωθεν. Ἐπὶ πολὺ δὲ συν ομιλούντων αὐτῶν ἠκηδίασα, καὶ ἀκηδιάσας κατεγόγγυσα τοῦ καλογήρου, ὡς ἐμοῦ μὲν καταφρονήσαντος τιμήσαντος δὲ ἐκεῖνον. 35.6 Καὶ ἐπὶ τούτῳ σιανθεὶς τὴν διάνοιαν ἐσκε πτόμην ἀναχωρῆσαι καταφρονήσας αὐτοῦ. Προσκαλεσά μενος δὲ τὸν ἑρμηνέα, Θεόδωρον ὀνόματι, λέγει αὐτῷ· "Ἄπελθε, εἰπὲ τῷ ἀδελφῷ ἐκείνῳ· "Μὴ μικροψύχει· ἄρτι ἀπολύω τὸν ἡγεμόνα καὶ λαλῶ σοι"". Ἔδοξα οὖν ὡς πνευμα τικῷ αὐτῷ προσσχὼν προσκαρτερεῖν. Καὶ ἐξελθόντος τοῦ ἡγεμόνος προσκαλεῖταί με καὶ λέγει μοι· "∆ιὰ τί ἐβλάβης κατ' ἐμοῦ; Τί ἄξιον βλάβης εὗρες, ὅτι ἐκεῖνα ἐλογίσω ἅπερ οὔτε ἐμοὶ πρόσεστιν οὔτε σοι ἔπρεπεν; Ἢ οὐκ οἶδας ὅτι γέγραπται· "Οὐ χρείαν ἔχουσιν οἱ ὑγιαίνοντες ἰατροῦ ἀλλ' οἱ κακῶς ἔχοντες"; Σὲ ὅτε θέλω εὑρίσκω, καὶ σὺ ἐμέ. 35.7 Καὶ ἐὰν μὴ ἐγώ σε παρακαλέσω, ἄλλοι σε ἀδελφοὶ πα ρακαλοῦσι καὶ ἄλλοι πατέρες. Οὗτος δέ ἐστιν ἐκδεδομένος τῷ διαβόλῳ διὰ τῶν κοσμικῶν πραγμάτων, καὶ βραχεῖαν ἀναπνεύσας ὥραν, ὡς δραπετεύσας οἰκέτης δεσπότην, παρεγένετο ὠφεληθῆναι· ἄτοπον οὖν ἦν καταλείψαντας αὐτὸν σοὶ προσδιατρίψαι, σοῦ ἀδιαλείπτως τῇ σωτηρίᾳ σχολά ζοντος". Παρακαλέσας οὖν αὐτὸν εὔξασθαι ὑπὲρ ἐμοῦ ἐπληροφορήθην ὅτι ἀνὴρ ἦν πνευματικός. 35.8 Τότε χαριεν τιζόμενος τῇ δεξιᾷ χειρὶ εἰς τὴν ἀριστεράν μου σιαγόνα ἠρέμα κοσσίσας, λέγει μοι· "Πολλαί σε μένουσι θλίψεις, καὶ πολλὰ ἐπολεμήθης ἐξελθεῖν τῆς ἐρήμου· καὶ ἐδειλάνθης καὶ ὑπερέθου· Εὐλαβεῖς δέ σοι προφάσεις καὶ εὐλόγους φέρων ὁ δαίμων ἀναρριπίζει. Ὑπέθετο γάρ σοι καὶ τὴν τοῦ πατρός σου ἐπιθυμίαν, καὶ τὴν κατήχησιν τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ σου καὶ τῆς ἀδελφῆς εἰς τὸν μονήρη βίον. 35.9 Ἰδὲ οὖν σοι εὐαγγελίζομαι· Ἀμφότεροι ἐσώθησαν· ἀπετάξαντο γάρ. Καὶ ὁ πατήρ σου ζῆσαι ἔχει ἀκμὴν ἄλλα ἔτη. Ἐγκαρτέρει οὖν ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, καὶ μὴ τούτων χάριν θελήσῃς ἀπελθεῖν ἐν τῇ πατρίδι σου· γέγραπται γάρ· "Οὐδεὶς ἐπιβαλὼν τὴν χεῖρα ἐπ' ἄροτρον καὶ στραφεὶς εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω εὔθετός ἐστιν εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τῶν οὐρανῶν"." Ὠφεληθεὶς οὖν ἐκ τῶν ῥημάτων τούτων καὶ στυφθεὶς