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

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 that holy man to be present. When we entered together to pray, therefore, having stood and prayed, after the second genuflection he cast out the spirit. 36.5 Rising up, therefore, he says to us: "Pray, for the unclean spirit is just now being driven out; and some sign is about to happen so that we may be fully assured". As it was going out, therefore, the demon threw down the entire wall of the courtyard from its foundation. The woman had not spoken for six years; so after the demon went out, she gave birth and spoke. 36.6 Of this man I also knew this prophecy: A certain presbyter Jerome lived in those places, adorned with the virtue of Roman letters and natural talent; but he had such envy that the virtue of his words was covered by it. So after spending several days with him, Posidonius says to me in my ear that "The freeborn Paula, who cares for him, will die first, having been freed from his envy, as I think. 36.7 And on account of this man no holy man will dwell in these places, but his envy will reach even to his own brother". In which things the matter also came to pass. For he drove out both the blessed Oxyperentius the Italian, and a certain other Peter, an Egyptian, and Simeon, wonderful men, whom I for my part had noted. This Posidonius related to me that from his fortieth year he had no experience of bread, nor indeed had he borne a grudge against anyone for even half a day. 37 .tConcerning Sarapion 37.1 There was another certain Sarapion, who was surnamed Sindonios, for apart from a linen cloth he never wore anything; who practiced great poverty, and being learned he memorized all the scriptures; and from great poverty and study of the scriptures he was not even able to rest in a cell, not being distracted by material things, but by wandering through the world he achieved this virtue; for he was of this nature; for there are differences of natures, not of essences. 37.2 The fathers therefore related that taking a certain fellow ascetic as a companion, he sold himself to some Greek actors in a certain city for twenty nomismata. And having sealed the nomismata, he kept them with him. For so long, therefore, he remained and served the actors who had bought him, until he both made them Christians and caused them to leave the theater, taking nothing except bread and water, nor resting his mouth from the study of the scriptures. 37.3 In time the husband was first moved to compunction, then the actress, then their whole household. And it was said that as long as they were unaware of him, he washed the feet of both. Both therefore, having been baptized, left off acting, and having entered upon a venerable and god-fearing life they greatly respected the man and say to him: "Come, brother, let us free you, since you yourself have freed us from a shameful slavery". He says to them: "Since God has been at work and your soul has been saved, let me tell you the mystery of the drama: 37.4 I, having taken pity on your soul, being a free man, an ascetic, an Egyptian by race, for this reason sold myself in order to save you. But since God has done this and your soul has been saved through my humiliation, take your gold so that I may depart and help others". But though they begged him much and assured him, saying, "We will have you as a father and master, only remain with us"; they were not able to persuade him. Then they say to him: "Give the gold to the poor, for it has become for us a pledge of salvation; but at least see us once a year". 37.5 This man, in his continuous travels, arrived in Greece, and having spent three days in Athens, he was not thought worthy of bread from anyone; for he carried neither a coin, nor a bag, nor a sheepskin, nor anything of the sort. When the fourth day came, therefore, he was extremely hungry; for involuntary hunger is a terrible thing, having unbelief as its advocate. And standing on a hill of the city, where the officials of the city were gathered, he began to lament violently with a clapping of hands and to cry out: "Men of Athens, help!". 37.6 And

μέλλειν γεννᾶν ἐδυστόκει, τοῦ πνεύματος συντρίβοντος αὐτήν. Τῆς γυναικὸς οὖν δαιμονιζομένης ὁ ἀνὴρ αὐτῆς ἐπέστη καὶ παρεκάλει τὸν ἅγιον ἐκεῖνον παρα γενέσθαι. Εἰσελθόντων οὖν ἡμῶν ἅμα εὔξασθαι, στὰς καὶ προσευξάμενος μετὰ δευτέραν γονυκλισίαν ἐξέβαλε τὸ πνεῦμα. 36.5 Ἀναστὰς οὖν λέγει ἡμῖν· "Εὔξασθε, ἄρτι γὰρ ἐξελαύνει τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἀκάθαρτον· σημεῖον δέ τι ἔχει ὑπάρξαι ἵνα πληροφορηθῶμεν". Ἐξερχόμενος οὖν ὁ δαίμων ἀπὸ θεμελίου τὸν τοῖχον τῆς αὐλῆς ὅλον ἔβαλε κάτω. Ἦν δὲ τὸ γύναιον ἑξαετίαν μὴ λαλῆσαν· μετὰ οὖν τὸ ἐξελθεῖν τὸν δαίμονα ἔτεκε καὶ ἐλάλησεν. 36.6 Τοῦ ἀνδρὸς τούτου καὶ προφητείαν ἔγνων ταύτην· Ἱερώνυμός τις πρεσβύτερος ᾤκει εἰς τοὺς τόπους ἐκεί νους, ἀρετῇ λόγων ῥωμαϊκῶν κεκοσμημένος καὶ εὐφυίᾳ· τοσαύτην δὲ εἶχε βασκανίαν ὡς ὑπὸ ταύτης καλύπτεσθαι τῶν λόγων τὴν ἀρετήν. Συγχρονίσας οὖν αὐτῷ ὁ Ποσει δώνιος ἡμέρας πλείους λέγει μοι πρὸς τὸ οὖς ὅτι "Ἡ μὲν ἐλευθέρα Παῦλα, ἡ φροντίζουσα αὐτοῦ, προτελευτήσει, ἀπαλ λαγεῖσα αὐτοῦ τῆς βασκανίας, ὡς οἶμαι. 36.7 Χάριν δὲ τούτου τοῦ ἀνδρὸς οὐ μὴ οἰκήσει ἅγιος ἀνὴρ εἰς τοὺς τόπους τούτους, ἀλλὰ φθάσει αὐτοῦ ὁ φθόνος καὶ μέχρι τοῦ ἰδίου ἀδελφοῦ". Ἐν οἷς καὶ συνέβη τὸ πρᾶγμα. Καὶ γὰρ καὶ Ὀξυπερέντιον τὸν μακάριον ἤλασε τὸν Ἰταλόν, καὶ Πέτρον ἄλλον τινὰ Αἰγύπτιον, καὶ Συμεῶνα, θαυμασίους ἄνδρας, οὓς τέως ἐγὼ ἐπεσημηνάμην. Οὗτός μοι διηγεῖτο ὁ Ποσει δώνιος ὡς ἄρτου πεῖραν μὴ ἔχων ἀπὸ ἔτους τεσσαρακοστοῦ, μήτε μὴν μνησικακήσας τινὶ μέχρι ἡμισείας ἡμέρας. 37 .tΠερὶ Σαραπίωνοσ 37.1 Ἄλλος Σαραπίων τις γέγονεν, ἐπεκέκλητο δὲ σιν δόνιος, παρεκτὸς γὰρ σινδονίου οὐδέποτε οὐδὲν περιεβάλ λετο· ὃς πολλὴν ἐξήσκησεν ἀκτημοσύνην, εὐγράμματος δὲ ὢν ἀπεστήθιζε πάσας τὰς γραφάς· καὶ ἀπὸ πολλῆς ἀκτη μοσύνης καὶ μελέτης γραφῶν οὐδὲ ἠρεμῆσαι ἴσχυσεν ἐν κελ λίῳ, μὴ περισπώμενος ὕλῃ, ἀλλὰ περιερχόμενος τὴν οἰκου μένην ταύτην κατώρθωσε τὴν ἀρετήν· ταύτης γὰρ ἐγεγόνει καὶ τῆς φύσεως· διαφοραὶ γάρ εἰσιν φύσεων, οὐκ οὐσιῶν. 37.2 ∆ιηγοῦντο οὖν οἱ πατέρες ὅτι λαβών τινα συμπαίκτην ἀσκητὴν πέπρακεν ἑαυτὸν μίμοις Ἕλλησιν ἐν πόλει τινὶ εἴκοσι νομισμάτων. Καὶ σφραγίσας τὰ νομίσματα ἐφύλαττε παρ' ἑαυτῷ. Ἐπὶ τοσοῦτον οὖν παρέμεινε καὶ ἐδούλευσε τοῖς ἀγοράσασιν αὐτὸν μίμοις μέχρις οὗ καὶ χριστιανοὺς αὐτοὺς ἐποίησε καὶ τοῦ θεάτρου ἀπέστησε, παρεκτὸς ἄρτου καὶ ὕδατος οὐδενὸς λαμβάνων, οὐδὲ ἡσυχάζων τῷ στόματι ἀπὸ μελέτης γραφῶν. 37.3 Τῷ μακρῷ χρόνῳ πρῶτος κατε νύγη ὁ ἀνήρ, εἶτα ἡ μιμάς, εἶτα ὁ σύμπας οἶκος αὐτῶν. Ἐλέγετο δὲ ὅτι εἰς ὅσον αὐτὸν ἠγνόουν ἀμφοτέρων ἔνιπτε τοὺς πόδας. Ἀμφότεροι οὖν βαπτισθέντες ἀπέστησαν τοῦ θεατρίζειν, καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν σεμνὸν καὶ θεοσεβῆ ἐλάσαντες βίον σφόδρα ᾐδοῦντο τὸν ἄνδρα καὶ λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· "∆εῦρο, ἄδελφε, ἐλευθερώσωμέν σε, ἐπειδὴ αἰσχρᾶς ἡμᾶς δουλείας ἠλευθέρωσας αὐτός". Λέγει αὐτοῖς· "Ἐπειδὴ ἐνήργησεν ὁ θεὸς καὶ ἐσώθη ὑμῶν ἡ ψυχή, εἴπω ὑμῖν τὸ μυστήριον τοῦ δράματος· 37.4 ἐγὼ κατοικτειρήσας ὑμῶν τὴν ψυχήν, ἐλεύθερος ὢν ἀσκητὴς τῷ γένει Αἰγύπτιος, τούτου χάριν πέπρακα ἐμαυτὸν ἵνα σώσω ὑμᾶς. Ἐπειδὴ δὲ τοῦτο πε ποίηκεν ὁ θεὸς καὶ ἐσώθη ὑμῶν ἡ ψυχὴ διὰ τῆς ἐμῆς τα πεινώσεως, λάβετε ὑμῶν τὸν χρουσὸν ἵνα ἀπέλθω καὶ ἄλλοις βοηθήσω". Οἱ δὲ πολλὰ παρακαλέσαντες αὐτὸν καὶ διαβε βαιωσάμενοι ὅτι "Ὡς πατέρα σε ἕξομεν καὶ δεσπότην, μόνον μεῖνον μεθ' ἡμῶν"· οὐκ ἴσχυσαν αὐτὸν πεῖσαι. Τότε λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· "∆ὸς τὸ χρυσίον πτωχοῖς, ἀρραβὼν γὰρ ἡμῖν γέγονε σωτηρίας· ἀλλὰ κἂν δι' ἐνιαυτοῦ ἡμᾶς ὅρα". 37.5 Οὗτος ταῖς συνεχέσιν ἀποδημίαις κατήντησεν εἰς Ἑλ λάδα, καὶ διατρίψας τριῶν ἡμερῶν ἐν Ἀθήναις οὐκ ἠξιώθη παρά τινος ἄρτου· οὔτε γὰρ κέρμα ἐβάσταζεν, οὐ πήραν, οὐ μηλωτήν, οὐδὲν τῶν τοιούτων. Τετάρτης οὖν ἐπιλαβομένης ἡμέρας σφόδρα ἐπείνασε· δεινὴ γὰρ ἡ ἀκούσιος πεῖνα, συνή γορον ἔχουσα τὴν ἀπιστίαν. Καὶ στὰς ἐπὶ γεωλόφου τῆς πόλεως, ἔνθα οἱ ἐν τέλει ἦσαν συναθροιζόμενοι τῆς πόλεως, ἤρξατο ἀποδύρεσθαι βίαν μετὰ κρότου χειρῶν καὶ κράζειν· "Ἄνδρες Ἀθηναῖοι, βοηθεῖτε". 37.6 Καὶ