His Grace shares with us words from St. Dorotheos of Gaza and St. Macarius of Egypt about seeking guidance.

St. Dorotheos of Gaza said:
"In the Book of Proverbs it says, 'Those who have no guidance fall like leaves but there is safety in much counsel.'Take a good look at this saying, brothers. Look at what Scripture is teaching us. It assures us that we should not set ourselves up as guide posts, that we should not consider ourselves sagacious, that we should not believe we can direct ourselves. 

We need assistance, we need guidance in addition to God's grace. No one is more wretched, no one is more easily caught unawares, than a man who has no one to guide him along the road to God. It says, 'Those who have no guidance fall like leaves'. Leaves are always green in the beginning, they grow vigorously and are pleasing to look at. Then after a short time they dry up and fall off, and in the end they are blown about by the wind and trodden under foot.

So is the man who is not guided by someone. At first he has great fervor about fasting, keeping vigil, keeping silence, and obedience and other good customs. Then after a short time the fire is extinguished and, not having anyone to guide him and strengthen him and kindle his fire again, he shrivels up and so, becoming disobedient, he falls and finally becomes a tool in the hand of his enemies, who do what they like with him."

St. Macarius of Egypt said:
"When Abba Macarius dwelt in the great desert, he was the only one living as an anchorite, but lower down there was another desert where several brothers dwelt. The old man was surveying the road when he saw Satan drawing near in the likeness of a man and he passed by his dwelling...The old man said to him, 'Where are you off to? 'He said, 'I am going to stir up the memories of the brethren.’..With these words he departed...The old man said, 'Ah, you did not find any friends down there?’ He replied, 'Yes, I have a monk who is a friend down there. He at least obeys me and when he sees me he changes like the wind.’

The old man asked him the name of this monk. 'Theopemtus,’ he replied. With these words he went away. Then Abba Macarius got up and went to the desert below his own...he inquired which was the one on the mountain called Theopemptus, and when he had found out he went to his cell. Theopemptus received him with joy. When he was alone with him the old man asked him, 'How are you getting on?’ Theopemptus replied, 'Thanks to your prayers, all goes well.’ The old man asked: 'Do not your thoughts war against you?’ He replied: 'Up to now, it is all right,’ for he was afraid to admit anything. The old man said to him, 'See how many years I have lived as an ascetic, and am praised by all, and though I am old, the spirit of fornication troubles me.’ Theopemptus said, 'Believe me, Abba, it is the same with me.’ The old man went on admitting that other thoughts still warred against him, until he had brought him to admit them about himself...

He was watching the road once more when he saw the devil, to whom he said, 'Where are you going this time?’ He replied, 'To arouse the memories of the brothers,’ and he went away. When he came back the saint asked him, 'How are the brothers? 'He replied that it had gone badly. The old man asked him why. He replied, 'They are all obdurate, and the worst is the one friend I had who used to obey me. I do not know what has changed him, but not only does he not obey me anymore, but he has become the most obdurate of them all. So I have promised myself not to go down there again at least not for a long time from now.’ When he had said this, he went away leaving the old man, and the saint returned to his cell."

ABBA Give me a WORD

ABBA Give me a WORD: On the Need for Consultation by HG Bishop Gregory

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ABBA Give me a WORD: On the Need for Consultation by HG Bishop Gregory

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